As you mature in relationship, it is easy to forget the spontaneity of new love. You begin to take things for granted. The inner childlike

desire to please matures into a tolerance for faults and acceptance or greater scrutiny of shortcomings. It’s often easy to put a b

artering system on love. (For Example: If I say, Honey, I’d really like it if you would take out the trash regularly without

me asking, I really mean, if you do this, it will show me that you love me and increase my love for you.) But like the flames

that need to be reignited in our relationships with our families, we need to reignite the passion in our relationship with Christ.

The childlike faith that we had in the first stages needs to consume our logical arguments protecting us from disappointment.

Instead of putting price tags on our efforts, we need to give freely the love that is graced to us as though we were living in our full potential.

As we grow up, we forget the magic of firsts: learning to ride a bike, your first kiss, your first car, your first real relationship,

your first home. Even as a parent, as our first child developed, everything was news. Our Father never forgets to delight in

our firsts. No matter how many kids he has. He never stops telling us that we can, because in Him all things are possible.

And as his bride, he never loses that glow when he speaks of us or speaks of his desires for us.
  
God never imposes his love on us until we develop the desire for more in our heart. Some people have been happy with the

unrequited love, others have become a matured spouse in their relationship, and more have made themselves into the middle child,

claiming that the firstborn got it all. As we approach a new season and a new year in Christ, I would encourage you to

evaluate your relationship with Christ. It’s time to re-master the art of love. By realizing his great love for YOU, you can

bring new life and joy back into loving God and the people around you.

Dear Lord,

Please keep me from becoming a heavenly hazard working against the kingdom by being proud of my personal accomplishments.

Help me to keep a moldable heart and mind, ever evolving to look like a reflection of you. I pray against the spirit of the older brother.

The one who was so upset at how other’s squandered their inheritance and missed out on his own celebration with the Father.

The one that didn’t realize that he already had what he was so envious of, but didn’t use it. I pray that you would keep my thoughts pure,

my confidence humble and my heart open to your guiding hands. I pray that you would release the spirit of religiousness from my mind

and allow me to be open to your reality and truth. I pray that I would not stumble on what others are doing, but continue to look f

orward to the prize. I pray that you would keep me ever mindful of the crown that you gave to me, not to tarnish it by using it as a weapon.

I pray that you would remind me always of your grace that you gave me in my life as I go to share and participate with others who

also partake of that grace.  As I grow and learn, I pray that I would remember that others are in different parts of the journey and that

you would give me a heart and the capacity to give them a hand. Guard my lips and my criticism and let me encourage. I pray that I

would forever be humbled by your great love not only for me, but for others. That you would let my heart overflow out of an abundance

of your love enough to share it effectively with others. I pray that you would continue to pour out your anointing as we move into this

greater season. That you would let us be a hand up to show the way to YOU as we grow deeper in relationship with you. Let our

heads stay in a steady balance of Heaven on EARTH and not heaven only in heaven only for those that have followed your ways from

the beginning. I pray that you would give us the confidence to own our own directives in your kingdom without titles and public

recognition. Let us be empowered by the fact that we are sent out by your word and anointing in our lives to share the message of

your great love and sacrifice for us. As we join with others of the same heart, I pray that you would let us grow together to present

a fitted betrothed to come home to. I pray unity and acceptance and peace and love into our hearts as we commune with you daily.