“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full...”  (John 15:11) In His presence, there is fullness of joy (Acts 2:28; Ps. 16:11). “Perfect peace have they whose mind is stayed on Him...” (Isa. 26:3; Phil. 4:6-7)

Is it not amazing that the two things that so many people today would admit to be suffering a lack in....happiness and peace of mind...is promised in abundance to those who would consider abiding in Jesus. Perfect peace and fullness of joy is found in Him; which leads me to think that we probably have to not only first come to Him...to be recipients of such promises, but we must continue on with Him if we truly yearn for what so many in this world are desperately seeking and crying out for.

Sadly, there are many in our churches today who are not fairing any better than those ‘sinner folks’ who don’t come to church when it comes to lacking in those two areas. And how many of you know, from personal experience...that just being ‘busy’ in church is no substitute or cure for those deficiencies.

Paul had to remind the church at Corinth (1 Cor. 13:1-7) as did Jesus that religious activity is no guarantee being busy ‘helping God out’ would produce this kind of lasting fruit. Why you can be quite the student of the scriptures...and still miss out on the abundant life He came to offer those who truly ‘came to Him’. (John 10:10; 5:39-40; Luke 10:21,23-24; Matt. 7:21-23)

And then there’s that church at Ephesus who were first of 7 churches on the list to ‘get a letter from Jesus’ as we read in Revelation 2. Yes, they were commended for some good things...but...we are told that the Lord ‘had something against them’, and it was no small thing. You can read for yourself there how they were accused of having ‘left their first love’, which had resulted in a serious ‘falling away’, and they were being admonished to ‘repent and do the first works over again...or else’...” (4-5)

Has it dawned upon you yet as to what those ‘first works’ were, and continue to be for us as well, that Jesus spoke of in that verse? Jesus was essentially telling them...”You don’t love me like you did at first when you first came to me...and it shows. You’ve drifted away, as can happen to so many when we fail to ‘heed His word’ (Heb. 2:1)

We’ve been looking at this topic for the past week and addressing four penetrating questions that God has posed to His people in times past, and many of us today need to take to heart and answer ourselves. Do you remember what those four questions were?

1) ‘Where are you...’ today in regards to your walk with Me? (Gen. 3:9; 2 Cor. 13:5)

2) “Who told you that...” when it comes to saying just the opposite of what I have decreed? (Gen. 3:11)

3) “Do you want to be made well’? (John 5:6)

4) ‘Do you love me?’ ...asked 3 times...by Jesus (John 21:15-17)

When Paul spoke of there being a great ‘falling away’ in the latter times before the ‘son of perdition is revealed’ (2 Thess. 2:3), I don’t believe he was talking about there being a decline in church attendance. He was talking how many would stray from the faith while ending up having a ‘form of godliness’ (2 Tim. 3:1-5) These people could easily be grouped in with those who ‘honor God with their lips but their hearts are far from Him’ (Matt. 15:8). They might be the same ones who “say Lord, Lord...” but fail to do the will of God (Matt. 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)

Friends...there is a warning cry going out today...and because of His great love for us, He is trying to arouse us from our slumber in order that we might have that ‘first love’ renewed so that we can finish up preparing ourselves for His return. And let us not forget what kind of ‘bride’ He is coming for, one that is ‘holy, spotless, blameless and pure’ (Eph. 5:27). And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3; 2 Cor. 7:1)

Tomorrow, Lord willing...let us take a closer and more detailed study as to what that even looks like because I have no doubt that the Lord is desiring to ‘restoring the joy of His salvation (Ps. 51:12) for more than just a few folks. For countless others who may be reading here...it might even be the first time. But better late, than never, right?