“The critical question...is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?” - John Piper
Tim Challies responded to Piper's question by stating that "Too many Christians look to heaven for its benefits to us without understanding that the greatest benefit of all will be the presence of Christ."
When Jesus states in Luke 10:27 that the greatest commandment is to "love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind" it isn't because God needs our love and is somehow incomplete without it. God knows that absolutely nothing is as good for us or as satisfying to us as He is. NOTHING...believe it or not...NOTHING. Not even the "benefits" of heaven compare to the glory of God Himself. So why do we settle for less???
Do you love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength? Or do you think that a deep passionate love relationship with Jesus is possible only for pastors, missionaries, and special people like Mother Teresa? God's love is for YOU...IF you want it.
So if we know God is wonderful and satisfying and that He loves us with an unfailing love, why does it sometimes seem so difficult to love Him? Well, I was thinking about this in context of my friend Rebecca. We met through blogging and began corresponding by email and blog comments. As I was diligent in reading her words, I began to know her more...to care about her more...to love her more. Had I never invested time and let my life intertwine with hers, our friendship would have fizzled. I love her because I know her...and I know her without having seen her face or heard her voice.
To get to know God, we need to spend time with Him...we need to read His Word. It is there that He communicates to us who He is, His love toward us, His will for our lives. As we are diligent in seeking to know God, our love for Him will grow.
INTERCESSIONS:
- that this week you will be diligent in seeking God through His Word (But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deut 4:29)
- that as you read God's Word, your love for Him will grow (We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19)
Side note: I am blessed to attend a church that teaches from the Bible. In our services people's Bibles are out and open for reading along, taking notes, marking for further study. I realize that many people do not attend churches that teach from the Bible or encourage personal study and, as a result, they may not be familiar or comfortable with reading the Bible themselves. If this describes you and you would like suggestions/encouragement in reading God's Word, please feel free to contact me at 1sttimemama1@gmail.com
1 comment:
isn't it awesome to know that in the midst of craziness, i can turn to HIM and there is peace..... thank you for reminding me that He supplies all I need through His word. what an incredible gift!
Post a Comment