Refer to chapter 3 in A Jewel in His Crown.
“No one can take the place oj your God—not your husband, your boyfriend, your children, or your parents. No matter how awesome our loved ones may be, we have to learn that there are some things that only a holy God can do” (p. 60 ).
1. How is God’s love for you different from every other love you’ve experienced on earth?
2. Do you remember your first love? What things did your love for him make you willing to do? Read about how Jesus wants to remain our first love throughout our lives in Revelation 2:4. Reflect on what it means to have Jesus as your “first love.”
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3. God is a jealous lover. He doesn’t want to share your primary affection with anyone or anything else. Study the following Scriptures and journal what you learn about God’s jealous love for you.
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Exodus 20:5 Deuteronomy 4:24
First Love
For / am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband , so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. But / am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:2-3
Psalm 79:5
Jeremiah 31:3_____
4. What people or things are currently competing with God for attention and affection in your life?
‘As women who want tojollow Jesus and learn to he more like Him every day, we have to make a conscious decision to grow in relationship to God and to know Him like no other” (p. 6 i).
5. Paul emphasizes the exclusive nature of our love relationship with Christ in 2 Corinthians 11:2-3. What does it mean to have a love relationship with Christ that is simple, pure, and devoted? Write your thoughts below.
6 . God wants us to allow Him to fill our need for love instead of looking to others first. Meditate on Romans 5:5. How has God filled your heart to overflowing with love?
“He longs to have fellowship with us, His precious royal daughters. He longs to see that the very first place we look to for help and reassurance is in Him” (p. 64 ).
First Love
7. Contemplate Luke 10:27. Consider how our love relationship with God could engage every part of who we are—body, mind, and spirit. How can you show God your love using all three areas?
“God is in the process of making you what He wants you to he-body, mind, and spirit. He has created you to he a woman of excellence” (pp. 64 - 6 s).
8 . Take some time to reflect on what God’s Word says about our love relationship with Him. Review Scriptures we’ve studied as well as any others you wish to include here. See Hosea 2:19; John 3:l6; Romans 5:8; 8:38-39 for further study.
9. How are you tempted to compromise the “simplicity and purity of devotion” to Christ alone? What other things have captured your primary affection? Confess these in a prayer to God below.
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10. What verses or insights from today’s study were particularly significant to you? Write them below and journal about what they mean to you.
11. What will you do differently as a result of today’s study?
Allow these verses to inspire your prayerful response to God today:
□ Psalm 4:2 —That I will not compromise my love for God today or give Him less than first place in my heart.
njohn 14:21 —That I will show God how much I love Him by obeying what He wants me to do.
□ 1 John 4:10-11 —That I will remember the first One who ever loved me will always love me.
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