How does someone love God?  We know that Jesus said, “Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind.”  But, what does that mean?  How can we love someone that we cannot see?  How can the finite grasp or know the infinite? 

We know that God first loved: Romans 5:8, “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.”  We also know that God loves all of mankind: John 3:16-17, “For God so loved the word that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes (trusts) in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”  And 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.”  In John 4:8 we find out that God is love.  That the only way we can understand or learn how to love is from God.

So, with that as a foundation – “How do we love God?”

It is mid-November, which means we are coming close to Thanksgiving.  Let us take time to think about the many blessings that God has granted us!  It seems as if every day I become aware of another blessing that I do not deserve.  I am thankful for real relationships that God has blessed me with and also for His provision in my life.  Please feel free to comment on this blog about the things that you are most thankful for or share scripture about giving thanks that speaks to your heart.

"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."  1 Corinthians 15:56-57 (NIV)"

"Be joyful always; pray continually;  give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever."  Psalm 118:1 (NIV)

Can you believe that it is already September?  Where does the time go?  Have you ever really wondered about “time”?  Why is it that time is priceless to us?  I always seem to have this conversation with people, especially in my job, when I am asking people to volunteer more time.  I remember last year talking about our lack of time, in regards to Journey Fellowship and cell ministry.  Again when we had our last cell leaders meeting with Harvest, the thing that came up most was the lack of time in each person’s life.  So I began to wonder, what does God think about time?  I mean He created it, everyone gets the same amount a day, and everyone will be caught by it in the end.  So, I looked up the word time in the New Testament and one of the words used is the Greek word - kairos – which means opportune time, set time, appointed time, due time, definitive time, seasonable time, proper time for action.  Kairos describes kind, or quality, of time, in other words: “for such a time as this we are created for.”  Have you ever realized that God knew you where going to be created for this time for this specific time in history for a specific reason?  Too often we are caught up in wanting and desiring something we can have like, to live someone else’s life, focusing our attentions of mistakes of the past, or worrying about the future.  We all have the same amount of time to live each day!  Let’s live it intentionally each moment for God.  We are all too busy, so what is it that God wants you doing?  Not what we want – but what God wants! 

 
I think the question should never be – “does God want me to serve?”  Of course He does!  The question should be where and how does He want me to serve! 

Ephesians 5:15-17 see then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

~Rebekah