Free Methodist Church USA "let there be light" with Dove-Flame Mark. Orange and Blue.

December 23, 2025

Return to Your First Love

By Bishop Kenny Martin

The scripture that caught my attention — and for us to remember, review, and re-imagine for revival — is found in Revelation 2, and it’s a call to repentance. The message is to the “loveless church” whose members are told to go back to their first love. It was a call for them to return their hearts, their focus, and their reverence back to God even though they were doing great works, hating evil, and bringing correction when things or people were out of order. But there was still something missing. 

Luke 16:13 says, “No household servant can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be loyal to the one and have contempt for the other. You cannot serve God and wealth” (CEB). 

It’s a call to be faithful to God. Be trustworthy in the true riches, which money cannot buy. I encourage you to take your time and read Luke 16:10–11 

For the prophetic word to be manifested for revival, the word to us is the same. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (CEB) reads:

“If my people who belong to me will humbly pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.” 

Prayer 

Our prayer, written by Pastor Estelle Martin, is from Psalm 139:23–24 (NKJV):  

 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; 
Try me and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me, 
And lead me in the way everlasting.”  

Our Heavenly Father, we acknowledge You as our faithful provider. We are grateful for Your perfect plan when You gave Your only Son as a ransom for our sins. We can never repay You for what You’ve done for us, and for what You faithfully continue to do. We desperately need You, and we repent and ask for Your forgiveness for our anxious thoughts and actions that don’t always please You. We want to be holy as You are holy. Help us by Your grace and mercy to seek You first and Your kingdom. May we hasten to Your throne room daily out of a deep pure love and awe and reverence of Your greatness. You’ve been so good, so kind, and so patient and loving. It is our heart’s desire to trust and obey You more and to fall more in love with You each and every day You give us breath. We know this world is not our permanent home, and we’re looking forward to spending eternity with You. Make us fit for Your kingdom. We humbly pray this prayer, and we give You thanks and praise in the name of Your risen and exalted Son Jesus’ name, the One who is and is to come, amen and amen.