I picked up this book at a yard sale called, “Loving God” by Chuck Colson. I really like this author (Nixon’s former Hatchet Man) because he hasn’t always lived a Christian life so he has his head more in reality than many people who have never NOT been a Christian. Anyway, this book, although written in the 80’s, is really good.
When Jesus said that the greatest commandment was to ”Love the lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind” (Mt. 22:37), my question is , “But how do I love God?” Jesus Himself answered that, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (Jn 14:15) and John said ”This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.” (1 Jn 5:3). So, the beginning of loving God is a passionate desire to please and obey Him. ”Unquestioning acceptance of and obedience to Jesus’ authority is the foundation of the Christian life. Everything else rests upon this.” But how do I know what God wants me to do? Read His Word, the living source of His will. Wow, how important are those mornings when I unpaste my eyes and say, “Oh God, I’ll just sleep in 10 more minutes” and then I open my eyes 2 hours later, having missed my meeting with the Creator. I know He is still with me reguardless, but I have not filled my “heart, soul, and mind” with His Word so that all of the emotions and circumstances of the day are tempered with His great understanding instead of my own. Circumstances do not change just because I have met with God, but my reaction to them has. I feel more loving, more alert, less depressed, less likely to act upon my emotions. Jesus meditated and talked with God often, shouldn’t I?
Anyway, I’m only into chapter 4, but I think this will be another life-altering book for me.
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Hi Sweetie,
I agree 100 % with your testimony about how much time we spend with God vs. how we react to each day. When it goes so much better having had our time with HIM then why do I still struggle with this part. It’s like when I obey God and the outcome is totally in His design … then the next trial comes along and I try to do it myself … botch it up then go to HIM? Gosh at 53 is there hope that I will ever get it right? I know that I am on the path to being sanctified and I do not allow the devil to defeat me. None-the-less it sure would be nice to finally get this walk a little more in line with what God wants of me. Each day growing closer to HIM is my goal! The most important thing is “do I know HIS voice when He speaks”? He gives me confirmation to those still small voices and it just makes me want to sign and cry at the same time. HE is sooo good and gives way beyond what I deserve. I deserve death but HE gives to me eternal life. I praise HIS name for that. May God bless you as you continue to grow in His ways. Praise God for authors who we can learn from. I love you, Auntie Joyce