HOW TO LOVE
Today’s Scripture: “’And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’” Mark 12:30, ESV
Theme: Loving God with all your heart means pursing and worshiping Him with passion.
JOURNEY UPWARD
The pathway to loving God passionately is a progression. As we pursue and seek to follow Him daily, He comes to us and rewards us with His presence. As we obey His calling, we find ourselves stepping out in faith. We might even attempt something outside of our comfort zone. That’s when He comes alongside us, and we feel an even greater sense of His presence. And so, the growth in our relationship continues and spirals upward—we ascend “Passion Peak.”
When the Bible speaks of passion toward God, it speaks of the heart. Phrases like “wholehearted” or with “all your heart” are often used to describe this passion. It’s not the passion we see on the movie screen, or the passion of the ardent college football fan. A passion for following God reaches deep into our being, is sustained through obstacles and upsets, and is evident in every area of our lives.
HOW TO LOVE
Love is not just feelings, but it does include emotions. We must get involved and invested. It is a choice. Love requires action. “Love does.” One major way to show God your love is through worship. Choosing to participate in worship--even when you don’t feel motivated by emotions--is worship. Worshiping to music at home, or in the car, or with your kids, is worship. Following the worship team’s leadership, even if the song (or the volume or the style) isn’t your favorite, is still worship. Praying to God while the music is playing is worship. Criticizing the quality or selection in your mind – is not.
Make It Personal: Have you submitted to the Lordship of Jesus and showed Him your love through worship? Is this awkward for you? If so, get in the quiet and privacy of your home and put on one worship song that speaks to God of your love and gratitude. Sing it softly to Him. He will empower your praise and help you to grow in your ability and desire to worship.
Pray: Thank You God for loving me. Thank you for giving me a passion for You. Help my heart to be more and more tuned towards You. Help me to worship in Spirit and in Truth. Amen.
Read: Jeremiah 29:12-13; John 4:23-24
Weekly Memory Verse: “Jesus answered, ‘The most important is, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”’” Mark 12:29-30, ESV