Falling in Love with God

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K

Kyra

Guest
#1
I am not a "being" kind of woman. I am a "doing" kind of woman. Remember Martha and Mary? I'm Martha all the way. I want to write my list and go! There are mountains to climb and bridges to build.

But I finally realized something, being goal oriented with God is like herding cats. It's impossible. He doesn't adhere to my time table or work things out the way the way I want him to. Quite frankly the only way God and I are going to last is if I learn to lay down my list and learn how to "be" in love with God regardless of how things are.

So to those who get what I am saying and have experienced what I am talking about, I would really like to hear about the practical ways you surrender to God and fall more in love with Him.


 
D

Definition_Christ

Guest
#2
Proverbs 3
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

Let the Lord be in the drivers seat now :), allow Him to take control. The Lord says come to me like little children. We should just trust in Him and follow Him. Just follow Him :).

Trust trust and trust. Just keep praising God :).
 
J

Jezreel

Guest
#3
With God all things are possible. You could herd cats! Just think of Noah having the Lord help him get all those gorgeous creatures into the ark! I have three Manx cats and the story of why they don't have a tail is because the cat was late getting on the ark and Noah shut the door and the cats tail got cut off from the door closing. You are so correct that God is not on our timetable. That is why God don't show up at most Sunday morning gatherings. You cannot program God and have him go to our programs, especially when most people look at the clock to get out in time to get home and watch a football or basketball game. Just think if we allowed God to Lord over our gatherings what miracles we would witness, especially if the rest of the body was allowed to minister in all the gifts.
 
H

Harley_Angel

Guest
#4
I wish I could explain it, but for me, acts of faith and doing work in the name of God brings me closer to him. Sometimes, I'm tired and don't feel well, and don't want to go to church, but I do it (sometimes) for Him. Sometimes I've only got a couple dollars in my wallet and I don't really want to stop and give it to the homeless person on the side of the road, but I do it because I know God would want me to. Sometimes I want to curse, but I bite my tongue, sometimes I want to lie to get out of trouble, but I tell the truth, sometimes I want to give up entirely because being a Christian can be so hard sometimes, but I don't, I pray.

I just got out of college. I worked really hard to stay on top of my class, get good grades, worked leadership positions every chance I got, and just knew I'd come trotting out of school and into a high paying job doing International Business Administration. Well, guess what? I work for minimum wage scooping icecream. I get so frustrated, God why won't you let me get a good paying job? But, instead of being angry, or frustrated things aren't working my way, I prayed, and reflected on it, and here's what I came up with.

1. The only reason I picked the major I did was because it had the potential for a lot of money. I wanted to be financially indpendant because at the time, I didn't think marriage was ever going to happen, and if it did, i'd have to be the bread winner for the family. But! I married a soldier, we get free healthcare, we both have minimum debt, and we do just fine on his paychecks. My min wage paychecks are like having a bit of extra in case of an emergancy.

2. I only work 30 hrs a week at my job. That means I get a day of the week off to do things I can't do on the weekends, like go to the bank. It also means I get a day to clean the apartment instead of having to take time out of my weekend with my husband. It also means I have more time to play with my puppy dog and get things done.

3. I dont' really like business. It's stressful being a manager, it takes a lot of time off the clock to work, and sometimes it's just flat boring. My job at Cold Stone consists of coming in at 10:30am (get to sleep in woot), make icecream, make waffle cones, and serve it to people. It's easy, there is no stress, and I get to make people happy. When I'm off the clock, I'm off the clock, the only work i take home with me is the icecream stuck to my apron.

4. The only reason I want a high paying job right now is money. Money, money, money. Man, it'd be great to go lay down cash on a new car, buy a couple new motorcycles, never have to worry about bills, have a bigger place to live, lots of money to save for retirement. But, money gets between us and God. I don't need those things. My husband and I are so happy being together with our bikes that break down (because we get to fix them together) our tiny apartment that's easy to clean, our few possessions that are easy to move around when we need to move, and we've got two working vehicles. God is saving me from myself. I could easily make 100,000 a year. But with just me and my husband who are flourishing on less than 30,000 why would we need that much money?

So no, God didn't give me what I wanted, he gave me what I needed. And now, I have to sit back and smile about it. God ALWAYS knows what's best for me, always, even when it's not what I want, when I want it, how I want it. He's NEVER once let me down, which is indisputable evidence that God really does exist. Things work too perfectly when I trust in Him for Him NOT to exist.

Just, put your list down, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and ask, God, what do YOU want me to do for YOU.
 
L

Lifelike

Guest
#5
Im a worshipper, it always brings me closer to Him and redifines our relationship as i grow to know him more in intimacy. And as i grow im able to impact others with this love, and the realness of the relationship i have with him - its genuine. Being in the right place is important too i think, im in an awesome felowship that was really birthed from the heart of God and its hugely fertile ground where i can grow up strong and healthy :D Anything that helps you to know Him more brings you closer - the word, fellowshipping with other believers that truely love Him, prayer, worship, thanksgiving is awesome - bringing to remberance His mighty works, and also soaking or waitng in his presence. just being with him. The more we(and God) can apprehend and evict the negativity and the hurts from our lives the more we have a true perspective of His love for us, who He is and who we are in him. God loves the heart like yours Kyra that desires to know Him, and He WILL bless it when you come to Him, cause He sees the heart and when we come to Him in sincerity He releases great grace to us. His sweet Favour.
 

pickles

Senior Member
Apr 20, 2009
14,479
182
63
#6
He will be father to the fatherless. He is the only father I have ever known. He answers my questions before I utter them. He grants my need before I ask. He fills me with awe, laughter and love. He taught me to be still and know him. Each day I seek to be all that he asks me to be. To serve as he serves us. To love with the love he has given us. To forgive as he has, with his son Jesus. To praise him not only in word but with all I do. To somehow, in some way ,give to him as he has given to all of us. Our Lord God Our Father is my life in love. No daughter could be more loved or love her father more. God bless, pickles
 
Jul 17, 2009
353
0
0
#7
I am not a "being" kind of woman. I am a "doing" kind of woman. Remember Martha and Mary? I'm Martha all the way. I want to write my list and go! There are mountains to climb and bridges to build.

But I finally realized something, being goal oriented with God is like herding cats. It's impossible. He doesn't adhere to my time table or work things out the way the way I want him to. Quite frankly the only way God and I are going to last is if I learn to lay down my list and learn how to "be" in love with God regardless of how things are.

So to those who get what I am saying and have experienced what I am talking about, I would really like to hear about the practical ways you surrender to God and fall more in love with Him.

Back in the day, I was in a big chain bookstore looking at bibles. I was minding my own business when this guy walks up and asks me if I'm a Christian. I tell him yes and he tells me that he is visiting my hometown and finds it beautiful. I tell him that he's fortunate to have visited during a time when the weather is nice because we just got past a big winter dump and the last bit of snow had finally disappeared. He said he hasn't seen snow in a long time. He then says that he has to go but he goes and picks out a book and hands me a twenty dollar bill and tells me that he wants to buy me this book. I ask him to wait with me and I'll give him his change back and he says to keep the change. He then looks at me in this really weird way all smiley and says that he hopes the next time we see each other will be in the Kingdom and leaves.

Part of my journey toward God involved this weird exchange between me and this guy and this book by a protestant pastor named Francis Chan. The book is called, Crazy Love. It coincides with this website where you listen to these little introduction videos and then read the chapter. I never would have read a hokey little book like this but given that the guy went out of his way, I did. One of the things I like about the book is that it keeps you at a bird's eye view wherein you see a bigger picture than the little details of our own private lives and yet helps put those little details into perspective.

The other thing I can think of that might be practical is prayer. I think I've told you this before but prayer isn't always us yapping at God but actually being still. Not yapping or even trying to "think". It's not unlike just "being". "Being" still before God helps us listen to God. He already knows what we'll yap on about but how often do we just take the time to look around at what He is saying. If, as it says in Romans, His invisible attributes are clearly seen in the creation then there's nowhere we can't go and look, listen, touch, smell created things (even abstract things!) that won't, if meditated upon, reveal what He is "like".

Check out the Philokalia and or some of the writings of "The Desert Fathers". They are and have devoted their lives in a way that is "still".

Here are some of the sayings of the Fathers:

When a man walks in the fear of God he knows no fear, even if he
were to be surrounded by wicked men. He has the fear of God within
him and wears the invincible armor of faith. This makes him strong
and able to take on anything, even things which seem difficult or
impossible to most people. Such a man is like a giant surrounded
by monkeys, or a roaring lion among dogs and foxes. He goes
forward trusting in the Lord and the constancy of his will to
strike and paralyze his foes. He wields the blazing club of the
Word in wisdom.

St. Symeon the New Theologian, The Practical and Theological
Chapters

+ + +

When we lay bare the hidden meaning of the history, scripture is
seen to teach that the birth which distresses the tyrant is the
beginning of the virtuous life. I am speaking of the kind of birth
in which free will serves as the midwife, delivering the child
amid great pain. For no one causes grief to his antagonist unless
he exhibits in himself those marks which give proof of his victory
over the other.

St. Gregory of Nyssa, The Life of Moses. + + +
O strange and inconceivable thing! We did not really die, we were
not really buried, we were not really crucified and raised again,
but our imitation was but a figure, while our salvation is in
reality. Christ was actually crucified, and actually buried, and
truly rose again; and all these things have been vouchsafed to us,
that we, by imitation communicating in His sufferings, might gain
salvation in reality. O surpassing loving-kindness! Christ
received the nails in His undefiled hands and feet, and endured
anguish; while to me without suffering or toil, by the fellowship
of His pain He vouchsafed salvation.

St. Cyril of Jerusalem, On the Christian Sacraments.

+ + +

Repentance is the renewal of baptism. Repentance is a contract
with God for a second life. A penitent is a buyer of humility.
Repentance is constant distrust of bodily comfort. Repentance is
self-condemning reflection, and carefree self-care. Repentance is
the daughter of hope and the renunciation of despair. A penitent
is an undisgraced convict. Repentance is reconciliation with the
Lord by the practice of good deeds contrary to the sins.
Repentance is purification of conscience. Repentance is the
voluntary endurance of all afflictions. A penitent is the
inflicter of his own punishments. Repentance is a mighty
persecution of the stomach, and a striking of the soul into
vigorous awareness.

St. John Climacus

+ + +

Those who seek humility should bear in mind the three following
things: that they are the worst of sinners, that they are the most
despicable of all creatures since their state is an unnatural one,
and that they are even more pitiable than the demons, since they
are slaves to the demons. You will also profit if you say this to
yourself: how do I know what or how many other people's sins are,
or whether they are greater than or equal to my own? In our
ignorance you and I , my soul, are worse than all men, we are dust
and ashes under their feet. How can I not regard myself as more
despicable than all other creatures, for they act in accordance
with the nature they have been given, while I, owing to my
innumerable sins, am in a state contrary to nature.

St. Gregory of Sinai, Philokalia, Vol. IV.

+ + +

He, therefore, who sets himself to act evilly and yet wishes
others to be silent, is a witness against himself, for he wishes
himself to be loved more than the truth, which he does not wish to
be defended against himself. There is, of course, no man who so
lives as not sometimes to sin, but he wishes truth to be loved
more than himself, who wills to be spared by no one against the
truth. Wherefore, Peter willingly accepted the rebuke of Paul;
David willingly hearkened to the reproof of a subject. For good
rulers who pay no regard to self-love, , take as a homage to their
humility the free and sincere words of subjects. But in this
regard the office of ruling must be tempered with such great art
of moderation, that the minds of subjects, when demonstrating
themselves capable of taking right views in some matters, are
given freedom of expression, but freedom that does not issue into
pride, otherwise, when liberty of speech is granted too
generously, the humility of their own lives will be lost.

St. Gregory The Great, Pastoral Care

+ + +

The Lord of all gave to His apostles the power of the gospel, and
by them we also have learned the truth, that is, the teaching of
the Son of God - as the Lord said to them, `He who hears you hears
Me, and he who despises you despises Me, and Him Who sent Me'
[Lk.10:16]. For we learned the plan of our salvation from no other
than from those through whom the gospel came to us. The first
preached it abroad, and then later by the will of God handed it
down to us in Scriptures, to be the foundation and pillar of our
faith. For it is not right to say that they preached before they
had come to perfect knowledge, as some dare to say, boasting that
they are the correctors of the apostles. For after our Lord had
risen from the dead, and they were clothed with the power from on
high when the Holy Spirit came upon them, they were filled with
all things and had perfect knowledge. They went out to the ends of
the earth, preaching the good things that come to us from God, and
proclaiming peace from heaven to all men, all and each of them
equally being in possession of the gospel of God.

St. Irenaeus, Against the Heresies, III

+ + +

The Lord's Day is a mystery of the knowledge of the truth that is
not received by flesh and blood, and it transcends speculations.
In this age there is no eighth day, nor is there a true Sabbath.
For he who said that `God rested on the seventh day,' signified
the rest [of our nature] from the course of this life, since the
grave is also of a bodily nature and belongs to this world. Six
days are accomplished in the husbandry of life by means of keeping
the commandments; the seventh is spent entirely in the grave; and
the eighth is the departure from it.

St. Isaac of Syria, The Ascetical Homilies.I

+ + +



+ + +

The wicked one, on the watch, carried me off as booty as I lazily
slept.
He led my mind into error; he plundered my spirit and snatched
away
The wealth of Thy grace, this arch robber.
So raise me up, as I am fallen, and summon me, Saviour,
Thou who dost will that all men be saved.

Kontakia of St. Romanos, A Prayer.

+ + +

The roof of any house stands upon the foundations and the rest of
the structure. The foundations themselves are laid in order to
carry the roof. This is both useful and necessary, for the roof
cannot stand without the foundations and the foundations are
absolutely useless without the roof - no help to any living
creature. In the same way the grace of God is preserved by the
practice of the commandments, and the observance of these
commandments is laid down like foundations through the gift of
God. The grace of the Spirit cannot remain with us without the
practice of the commandments, but the practice of the commandments
is of no help or advantage to us without the grace of God.

St. Symeon the New Theologian

+ + +

I shall speak first about control of the stomach, the opposite to
gluttony, and about how to fast and what and how much to eat. I
shall say nothing on my own account, but only what I have received
from the Holy Fathers. They have not given us only a single rule
for fasting or a single standard and measure for eating, because
not everyone has the same strength; age, illness or delicacy of
body create differences. But they have given us all a single goal:
to avoid over-eating and the filling of our bellies... A clear
rule for self-control handed down by the Fathers is this: stop
eating while still hungry and do not continue until you are
satisfied.

St. John Cassian

+ + +

In Christianity truth is not a philosophical concept nor is it a
theory, a teaching, or a system, but rather, it is the living
theanthropic hypostasis - the historical Jesus Christ (John 14:6).
Before Christ men could only conjecture about the Truth since they
did not possess it. With Christ as the incarnate divine Logos the
eternally complete divine Truth enters into the world. For this
reason the Gospel says: "Truth came by Jesus Christ" (John 1:17).

St. Justin Popovich
 
Jul 17, 2009
353
0
0
#8
Oh, and here's the introductory video to the protestant book I told ya about: some reason I think you would like the book.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRi4VwcrYmA&feature[/video]
 
K

Kyra

Guest
#9
Definition-excellent scripture, glad you posted.
Harley- thanks for being so honest and open.
Lifelike- you chocked that full of wisdom & good advice, gracias.
Jezreel & Pickles- thank you ladies for taking the time to respond and for your perspective :)
Ryan- I should tell you I am implementing a 500 word limit on responses to my thread. :p

Honestly though,I enjoyed your response and I really liked this qoute:


He, therefore, who sets himself to act evilly and yet wishes
others to be silent, is a witness against himself, for he wishes
himself to be loved more than the truth, which he does not wish to
be defended against himself.


Everyone else...this thread is still open, so feel free to post, as long as it's under 500 words. ;)
 

Kakashi

Senior Member
Jan 3, 2007
626
2
0
36
#10
I hear ya Kyra, sometimes we get so caught up in ''doing'' that we forget to just be near God. I think if we love on God and adhear to His word, we will indeed do things, but our acts of "doing" should not be the center piece, but rather are oh so deep love for God that leads us to act. In other words, you can do act for God without actually putting Him in mind.

Martha was so busy doing for Jesus, while Mary just wanted to be in his presence. I'm sure Mary went out and did things for Jesus as well, but she saw how important it was to have a relationship with him first.

( My response under 500 words) lol
 

pickles

Senior Member
Apr 20, 2009
14,479
182
63
#11
I thought Id add in ref. to trying to do everything in for Our Lord. I have come to see it is not so much about what or how much. But more about with what. It is that which I hold and live in Jesus and do with the grace he has given me. So as that everything I do is recieved in praise and done in praise of Our Lord God. All done with the faith, hope and love that is from him and by this all I do may glorify Our lord God. In this, you will come to know him. God bless, pickles
 
Jul 17, 2009
353
0
0
#12
Definition-excellent scripture, glad you posted.
Harley- thanks for being so honest and open.
Lifelike- you chocked that full of wisdom & good advice, gracias.
Jezreel & Pickles- thank you ladies for taking the time to respond and for your perspective :)
Ryan- I should tell you I am implementing a 500 word limit on responses to my thread. :p

Honestly though,I enjoyed your response and I really liked this qoute:


He, therefore, who sets himself to act evilly and yet wishes
others to be silent, is a witness against himself, for he wishes
himself to be loved more than the truth, which he does not wish to
be defended against himself.


Everyone else...this thread is still open, so feel free to post, as long as it's under 500 words. ;)
Next time I'll use puppets. Maybe I'll construct a half hour stop-animation lego movie in order to respond. 500 words? That's soooo easy to side-step.




In a land occupied by people with only one hole atop their heads....


ALL YOUR BASES ARE BELONG TO US (ignore this reference if you never heard this phrase)
 
A

Aliciaforjesus

Guest
#13
I am not a "being" kind of woman. I am a "doing" kind of woman. Remember Martha and Mary? I'm Martha all the way. I want to write my list and go! There are mountains to climb and bridges to build.

But I finally realized something, being goal oriented with God is like herding cats. It's impossible. He doesn't adhere to my time table or work things out the way the way I want him to. Quite frankly the only way God and I are going to last is if I learn to lay down my list and learn how to "be" in love with God regardless of how things are.

So to those who get what I am saying and have experienced what I am talking about, I would really like to hear about the practical ways you surrender to God and fall more in love with Him.

Practical ways to surrender to God, trust in, that He is God!
Trust in His word, that He will never leave you nor forsake you!
He is not going to reveal Himself to you and then deny you as His!
Know the word, Jesus is the living word and this living word lives on the inside of you. This living word is life and it's power is love.
For God is Love!
You want to fall madly in love with Jesus, then obey the commands to Love.
Love your neighbor as yourself!
Faith, hope, and love, the greatest of these is love.

You must sow love, to reap love!
God moves as we love others, if you are always loving, you are always in love.
Love never fails. Stay in the Spirit(LOVE)
Make a point to lay down your own wants and needs for others wants and needs.
Know that God knows what you need, and start focusing on others!
When you find out that it's not all about you, and you are willing to lay your own life down like Jesus did, for sinners, then you will find a deeper, and more powerful love than you could even think or imagine.
Signs and wonders will follow you where ever you go.
The Key is Love!
 

grace

Senior Member
Sep 8, 2006
1,064
11
0
51
#14
I am not a "being" kind of woman. I am a "doing" kind of woman. Remember Martha and Mary? I'm Martha all the way. I want to write my list and go! There are mountains to climb and bridges to build.

But I finally realized something, being goal oriented with God is like herding cats. It's impossible. He doesn't adhere to my time table or work things out the way the way I want him to. Quite frankly the only way God and I are going to last is if I learn to lay down my list and learn how to "be" in love with God regardless of how things are.

So to those who get what I am saying and have experienced what I am talking about, I would really like to hear about the practical ways you surrender to God and fall more in love with Him.

A book that I REALLY enjoyed is called *Having a Mary heart in a Martha world* I may have to pull it off the shelf again to read....maybe you should check it out :)
 
C

carpetmanswife

Guest
#15
that sounds like a great book Grace
 
T

Twilight

Guest
#16
Practical ways to surrender to God, trust in, that He is God!
Trust in His word, that He will never leave you nor forsake you!
He is not going to reveal Himself to you and then deny you as His!
Know the word, Jesus is the living word and this living word lives on the inside of you. This living word is life and it's power is love.
For God is Love!
You want to fall madly in love with Jesus, then obey the commands to Love.
Love your neighbor as yourself!
Faith, hope, and love, the greatest of these is love.

You must sow love, to reap love!
God moves as we love others, if you are always loving, you are always in love.
Love never fails. Stay in the Spirit(LOVE)
Make a point to lay down your own wants and needs for others wants and needs.
Know that God knows what you need, and start focusing on others!
When you find out that it's not all about you, and you are willing to lay your own life down like Jesus did, for sinners, then you will find a deeper, and more powerful love than you could even think or imagine.
Signs and wonders will follow you where ever you go.
The Key is Love!
I think the premise of this is good, but I would add that we need to be careful not to try to do it in our own strength or puny ability to love. The Amplified Bible says, "Be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]..." I think what Kakashi said was very good. In order to walk in this kind of love and have the right motivation for it (out of love for Jesus, not a need to prove our own righteousness/earn His love, etc.) we have to develop that passionate, intimate relationship with Him. This has to be first. And everything will flow out of that.

I also think, Kyra, that being a Martha type can be a real blessing to. Personally, I am more of a Mary, and that can present it's challenges as well. For instance, there are a lot of things that need to get done in the Kingdom and for Marys it can be hard to pull ourselves away from prayer and reflection to get to the task at hand. You guys seem to be able to get a lot more done in a shorter period of time. So, hats off to all the "Doers" as we really can learn alot from each other!

Okay, I'm getting a little too lengthy here, but to sum it up, let me just add that I think it is really good to give God the first of our day (I usually spend about an hour in prayer and Scripture in the morning) and take time to simply share your heart with Him, in simplicity and sincerity. I find even when I'm stressed, if I just be real with Him, I feel my heart begin to open up to His Spirit and begin to enter into a deeper communion and intimacy with Him. I have heard intimacy described as: "In to me see" Wow! I think God is really excited about the deep intimate loving times you are about to experience with Him. He loves you so incredibly much!!! I'm really feeling this strongly right now! Talk later, Kyra,

T
 
A

Aliciaforjesus

Guest
#17
I think the premise of this is good, but I would add that we need to be careful not to try to do it in our own strength or puny ability to love. The Amplified Bible says, "Be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]..." I think what Kakashi said was very good. In order to walk in this kind of love and have the right motivation for it (out of love for Jesus, not a need to prove our own righteousness/earn His love, etc.) we have to develop that passionate, intimate relationship with Him. This has to be first. And everything will flow out of that.

I also think, Kyra, that being a Martha type can be a real blessing to. Personally, I am more of a Mary, and that can present it's challenges as well. For instance, there are a lot of things that need to get done in the Kingdom and for Marys it can be hard to pull ourselves away from prayer and reflection to get to the task at hand. You guys seem to be able to get a lot more done in a shorter period of time. So, hats off to all the "Doers" as we really can learn alot from each other!

Okay, I'm getting a little too lengthy here, but to sum it up, let me just add that I think it is really good to give God the first of our day (I usually spend about an hour in prayer and Scripture in the morning) and take time to simply share your heart with Him, in simplicity and sincerity. I find even when I'm stressed, if I just be real with Him, I feel my heart begin to open up to His Spirit and begin to enter into a deeper communion and intimacy with Him. I have heard intimacy described as: "In to me see" Wow! I think God is really excited about the deep intimate loving times you are about to experience with Him. He loves you so incredibly much!!! I'm really feeling this strongly right now! Talk later, Kyra,

T
Love never fails, no love is puny and nothing you do for the Lord is done in vain. It is true we need to learn what love is, and what it is not. When we step out in love, no matter how puny you think it may be, it is not worthless, it's a step of faith. And God is sure to move when love is activated.
You want to get closer to God, start to love others the way 1Cor.13 says too!
Do you want to see signs and wonders follow you wherever you go?(The power of Love in action, is what it is!)
Start to love the way 1Cor.13 says too.
I am not perfect in love, but the one who is love is!
The face of God can only be seen when you love others!
It is not all about you, it's about others!
Isa. 58 if you want healing go love others!
If you want to be forgiven, forgive others!
If you sow, you will reap what you have sown, hate, love, etc.

I live a life of signs and wonders everyday!
I am not one of these super Christians who make money off of God,
I am not all about making a name for myself, I am happy and content with being a nobody.
I see things like dead dogs coming back to life,
I witness people in the last stages of cancer be healed.
I have walked with wild mountain lions, and held wild sparrows!
I have seen the impossible become possible.
I have seen death swallowed up as nothing, and I know the power of love is the key to the Fathers heart. You want to get closer to God, the only way is to love others.
The only way to be known as a child of God is by your love!
So no matter how puny it is, or even if it is from your own strength, God is sure to show up!

Hey, try it, see if what I'm saying is true or not!
You will see God move, He made a promise to those who love God with all their hearts, and to those who love their neighbors as themselves.
All of the word of God hangs on these two commandments!
Love!
 
T

Twilight

Guest
#18
Hey, Alicia, I think we are pretty much in agreement here. I think it is awesome what God is doing through you! That is obviously evidence you are on track. I learned a lot from your last post. Thanks. I guess I'm just saying that there needs to be vital connection with God first and foremost, or else we just run out of steam or can be in danger of doing "things" with wrong motives.

Okay, I'd like to know what you think 1 Cor. 13 means when it says that we can do all this outward stuff, but if we have not love....

I guess it is talking about heart attitude and motive, because what follows has so much to do with humility and patience and faith and kindness. What do you mean when you say LOVE? Is it what we do or the attitude of the heart? And why would you say then that some Christians can get burned out when they are just trying to do what they think will please God? I'm just trying to look at all sides here and find the godly balance. I am really inspired and challenged by your posts, so please don't take this as argumentative. I really want to learn more here!
 
A

Aliciaforjesus

Guest
#19
Hey, Alicia, I think we are pretty much in agreement here. I think it is awesome what God is doing through you! That is obviously evidence you are on track. I learned a lot from your last post. Thanks. I guess I'm just saying that there needs to be vital connection with God first and foremost, or else we just run out of steam or can be in danger of doing "things" with wrong motives.

Okay, I'd like to know what you think 1 Cor. 13 means when it says that we can do all this outward stuff, but if we have not love....

I guess it is talking about heart attitude and motive, because what follows has so much to do with humility and patience and faith and kindness. What do you mean when you say LOVE? Is it what we do or the attitude of the heart? And why would you say then that some Christians can get burned out when they are just trying to do what they think will please God? I'm just trying to look at all sides here and find the godly balance. I am really inspired and challenged by your posts, so please don't take this as argumentative. I really want to learn more here!
Thank you,
You must have God first and foremost in all things, and the word says that God is Love!
Faith, hope, and love, the greatest of these is love!
You will know them by their love!

1Cor.13 is how God loves us, and if we are to love the way He loves us, we must be willing to line up with Him and how He loves us!
Love is what binds all of us together, it's what gives us life!
Why is there no life in the church today? They lack love and have become a way of making money!
Without love life would be meaningless,

in fact there would be no life at all!

I don't care where you live, or what color you are the truth is,
Is that love is what brings life, and the lack of love only makes you want to die.
It's proof the word of God is true, none of us will have an excuse for not knowing the truth! The Truth lies within each one of us!
I believe God is Love just like the word says,
Jesus is the living word come alive, he holds all things together, nothing exists that He did not make. He is the light of men and without Him there would be no life.

Love is laying your life down for others, like Jesus did!
Putting your own hurts down and choosing to line up with His!
The whole New Testament teaches us how to love, it is so clear!

Jesus did not go around pointing fingers at sinners, the Pharisees did, Jesus healed them, and forgave them! He gave them faith, He revealed His love!
God sent His Son to die for us, and we all fall short no matter what we do!
Paul had the same problem, even he said the answer was Jesus!
I need Jesus to teach me who I really am, and not what this world has tried to create me to be.
Jesus is the only one without sin, He is worthy to receive all glory!
I rest in the fact that He loved me enough to reveal Himself to me, and you don't get that from going to church.
You get that from only Him.

God is Love,
Ask Him what Love is!
He is the only one who can show you the truth!
You must know, my faith is not normal, but I will tell you God shows no favorites!
He is the Author and Finisher of my faith, I can not take credit for it!
He did it!
It is all about the love, without it you will not get into Heaven.
It is what separates the wheat from the tears, the goats from the sheep.
You will know them by their love, not by their church, or by their clothes, not by their words, but by their love.





 
A

Aliciaforjesus

Guest
#20
Hey, Alicia, I think we are pretty much in agreement here. I think it is awesome what God is doing through you! That is obviously evidence you are on track. I learned a lot from your last post. Thanks. I guess I'm just saying that there needs to be vital connection with God first and foremost, or else we just run out of steam or can be in danger of doing "things" with wrong motives.

Okay, I'd like to know what you think 1 Cor. 13 means when it says that we can do all this outward stuff, but if we have not love....

I guess it is talking about heart attitude and motive, because what follows has so much to do with humility and patience and faith and kindness. What do you mean when you say LOVE? Is it what we do or the attitude of the heart? And why would you say then that some Christians can get burned out when they are just trying to do what they think will please God? I'm just trying to look at all sides here and find the godly balance. I am really inspired and challenged by your posts, so please don't take this as argumentative. I really want to learn more here!
You are right, there needs to be a vital connection with God or you can get burned out doing what you think God wants you to do.
To many people get burned out trying to start ministries they think are of God, but they actually are based more on the traditions of man, and the religion of church, not of God.
For example, I have been working with the Homeless here in Fresno for 3yrs and I noticed that there were a lot of ministries from churches all over Fresno doing what they think God wants them to do, and the proof of their fruit of there labor is very visible when you go to these homeless tent cities, it's laying all over the ground as garbage. All the clothes given, all the food shared all wasted!
I have watch church after church, person after person, pat themselves on the back for what they have done, but what they have done means nothing!
What makes a difference is love!
I have spent many days living with these people, sharing my life, sharing my faith, and my love. I have seen hard core killers come to Jesus! I have seen crack addicts get clean, I have seen people who have lived on the streets for 20yrs get off the streets and become productive people again.
It is a shame when we are limited by church traditions!
I look at it this way,
My life is my ministry!
God chooses who is in my life, and where I am going to be.
If a person is in my life it is my responsibility to love each one, not pick and choose who is worthy of my love.
Jesus died for all and He shows no favorites!

I am no different than the homeless drunk, (not that I am a drunk)
I fall short every day! I am still in need of Jesus!
I am saved by grace, undeserved favor, I can not earn my salvation, nor do I have the power to keep it myself, It comes from God!

What is love?
It is not a feeling, it is how you treat people!
It's how you see people!
I don't look at a persons sins, I look at a persons heart based on the word of God!
When I look at a persons fruits, I don't use it to judge their salvation, I use it to measure their need for the truth and their need to be loved.

Love gives life and I live to love!

In order to be in the Lambs book of life, you must be a life giver, and the only way to do that is to love the way God loves us! 1Cor.13


 
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