“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. This is the first and greatest commandment.” —Matthew 22:37,38; Mark 12:30
“…the true (genuine) worshipers (of God) will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (reality); for the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshipers.” —John 4:23 (AMP)
“The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” —2 Chronicles 16:9
“…the love with which You loved Me may be in them.” —John 17:26
The ability to receive God’s love and to love Him back is His gift to us.
The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. —Romans 5:5
Loving God with all our HEART engages our emotions.
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him.” —Psalm 91:14
“Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” —Luke 12:34
I will love You, O God my strength. —Psalm 18:1
We’re either moving closer to God or we’re drifting away.
Delight yourself in the Lord; He will give you the desires of your heart. —Psalm 37:4
…God gives us richly all things to enjoy. —1 Timothy 6:17
Psalm 107:9; Psalm 103:5; Psalm 34:8
Loving God with all our MIND engages our thoughts.
Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. —Philippians 4:8
…be marveled at among all who have believed… —2 Thessalonians 1:10
…the renewing of your mind… —Romans 12:2
…through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit… —Titus 3:5
Replacement Principle
Replace dark thoughts with truth by meditating on God’s Word.
Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against Him. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. —Ephesians 4:17,18,23
We love God by taking time to fill our minds with His Word.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Book
Fault Lines by Voddie Baucham
Video
GraceSTL.org/rons-resources
Discussion Questions
1. Some people love pets more than people. Why is that understandable? Why is it not godly?
2. Delight yourself in the Lord; He will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4) How would you explain this scripture?
3. What are you tempted to love more than God? What kinds of things act like junk food, giving false satisfaction? How can you ensure you don’t lose your passion for God?