Do You Truly Love the Lord?

My husband and I just got back from our Youth Winter Retreat. It was truly AMAZING! The Holy Spirit was felt throughout the place; students’ lives were being transformed. I love to see the Lord at work in our students. The message that night spoke to our hearts, for each one of us felt the presence of the Lord. The speaker had us get alone with the Lord and write a love letter to Jesus that night. It was a time to reflect on how much we really love the Lord. Do we really love the Lord? Are we going through the motions just because it is the right thing to do? Are we playing the religious game? Are we really being real with the Lord? How much time do we spend with the Lord? Do we put our activities, TV, computer and video games ahead of the Lord? Do we allow our relationships with our boyfriend\girlfriend, wife or husband to come before the Lord? As I was writing my love letter to the Lord, I felt such a heaviness in my heart for I knew that I could do more for Him than what I was doing. I was praying, crying and writing from the heart. I knew that I had failed God so many times and yet He has graciously forgiven me and given me chance after chance. It is truly amazing what God reveals when you just listen.

How do we show him our love, is it by what we do? What we say? How we worship? How we live? Why is it that when we come to church, we come unexpecting or unprepared? Maybe we haven't even spent time alone with God or even read our Bible that day. Yet when we have a basketball game we are ready for the game filled with excitement. When we have a dance competition or cheerleading tournament we come prepared. What does that say to God? Where does God truly stand in your life? Do you truly love the Lord? It is time we start coming to church with that same excitement, prayed up and ready for what God has in store for us. When we come expecting great things, filled with excitement and ready for the move of the Lord, then we will see a revival start to take place within our hearts and our church. So the question remains, "Do you truly love the Lord?" Where are you putting God? In other words, are we putting our family, our activities above the Lord? It is time to set our priorities straight, God first! I challenge each of you reading this post, get alone with God and write your own love letter to Him. You will be amazed at what God will reveal to your heart. If we allow God to move in us just imagine the difference we could make to a lost and dying world. We must allow others to see the love for Christ within us and show them the same love. God sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins, what greater love is there than that? Please take a moment and reflect on the Word of God.

Matthew 22:37-39
Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Romans 12:9-10 "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

God loves you! Do you really love God? I am often reminded of the scripture found in John 21: 15-17: Jesus saids to Peter, "Do you truly love me?" Peter replies, "Yes Lord you know that I love you." Jesus asked Peter this 3 times. The third time Peter replied, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Do you truly love Jesus? Do you give him your very best? May God Bless each of you. May he speak to your heart about His true and amazing love. May we desire more and more of Him. May we be filled with an overflowing of His great love. May His Word consume our hearts. Thank you Lord for your love and help us to be the witness you have called us to be. Help us to fall in love with you again!!! Help us to have that burning fire for you! Go expecting and receive a blessing!!!