Dear Faith Family, 

Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent, (Revelation 2:5). 

Routine maintenance.  Do those words just lift your spirit or what?!  And yet, everything seems to require, (demand might be a more accurate word), routine maintenance.  Think about it.  A house?  Floors, countertops, windows.  Shall I go on?  A car?  Gas, oil, tires, batteries.  Right?  Even pets demand routine maintenance. 

Lucy, our spoiled rotten cat, eats daily.  At mealtime she reminds my wife that she is about to starve to death!  She must eat.  And not just regular food.  Oh no.  She requires special food.  But don’t think that it’s lost on her.  I can tell that she appreciates the special food by the way that she often gives it back (complete with sound effects).  But I digress! 

What about relationships?  Do they require routine maintenance.  Think not?  Stop talking with your spouse for a week.  Second thought don’t do that!  Relationships require routine maintenance.  The church in Ephesus is a prime example of what happens when the routine maintenance is neglected. 

They, the church at Ephesus, left their first love.  God’s response?  He sent a letter.  In His letter, God called His bride in Ephesus to remember.  To turn around – in other words, stop pursuing whatever was taking the place of Him in their lives.  And He called His bride to do the works you did at first – routine maintenance. 

What were those works?  Acts 19:18-20 inform us that the Ephesians were admitting their sin and turning from their sin.  The Word of God was convicting and directing their lives.  In Ephesians 1:15 Paul informs us that the Ephesians were exercising their faith in the Lord Jesus, and they were loving the children of God (caring for each other, providing for each other’s needs, speaking words of encouragement to each other). 

Here's a thing.  We need to guard our relationship with Jesus.  Lack of routine maintenance is not a good option.  Routine maintenance isn’t a necessary evil.  It is the lifeblood of our love relationship with Jesus.  May God help us to develop delight in routine maintenance.  There’s no substitute for unhurried time with Jesus.  Learn how to practice His presence all day every day. 

Practicing His presence, 
Pastor Karl