Love Gone Cold is Love Too Old.

Have you ever noticed how a young man and woman who are dating always seem to have smiles pasted on their faces when they're with one another? They're caught up in the moment more than life going on around them; they are solely in-tune with each other. You could kind of say their love is young and unseasoned. But after marriage, "real life"  occurs, and smiles and laughter get replaced with solemn minds and firmly set lips. The trials of life grab hold of their focus and difficulties dull their love. How many couples do you know this to be true of? My point is this: isn't this very much the case with us as Christians? As new Christians we're on fire for the Lord and filled with zeal, but when reality hits cold and hard we lose focus of our love and joy in Christ. As with marriage, we think should a major testing come that we'll remain true, but we fail everyday with little self-indulgences. I am definitely guilty of this. Here are some some places I know I fail in. 

Commitments that last
are where more is given than
what was asked.

Gratitude-I recently compared my "asking" to my "thanking" in my prayer life. To be honest, I wasn't pleased with the results--talk about ingratitude! I brought to mind several petitions of mine that were met with clear and sweet answers from the Lord, and I realized I hadn't even stopped long enough with life to thank Him.

Attentiveness-We fail to give God our whole focus. Where is my walk with the Lord? I love this verse  Psalm 141:8, "But mine eyes are unto Thee, O God the Lord: in Thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute." "The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate."

Meditation-I enjoy journaling and it has helped me keep a better mental record of all the things the Lord has done for me. I have a page in the back designated "notable events" where I list such things. "I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Thy works; I muse on the work of Thy hands." Psalm 143:5.  "When I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night watches." Psalm 63:6.

Praise-If you're feeling down or sad, there's nothing like singing a hymn or quoting Scripture to pull your spirit up. Psalm 147:1 "Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely." 

 "Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in Thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto Thee." Psalm 143:8