Do I truly love the lord??? Sincerely, I don't Know!

[Jackieboy100]

I often second guess my relationship with God, mainly because I sometimes question my love for him. I strongly believe that putting God first in my personal and professional lives is at the core of my spirituality but I don't know that it truly means that "I love the lord" as a Christian should.
Screaming out loud that you love the lord does not always mean that someone does love the lord. How do you know that you truly love the lord? Are there signs in one's everyday life that can convince one that they love the lord?

Help anyone, please!

 

[CharliRenee]

I often second guess my relationship with God, mainly because I sometimes question my love for him. I strongly believe that putting God first in my personal and professional lives is at the core of my spirituality but I don't know that it truly means that "I love the lord" as a Christian should.
Screaming out loud that you love the lord does not always mean that someone does love the lord. How do you know that you truly love the lord? Are there signs in one's everyday life that can convince one that they love the lord?

Help anyone, please!

What a greaat question...


I think a relationship with Him is like other relationships, in the way it requires, as you said our time and energy invested. He abides in us and asks that we abide with Him. I am trying to improve my day to day habits of giving Him and us more, seeking with intention to devote time. I am so guilty of getting busy or lazy, and put Him on the shelf. I believe if we immerse ourselves in His word, in prayer, also in listening to worship music, really singing His praises helps me too. I find when I spend time praising Him, really honing in on His steadfast greatness, my love for Him grows. He gives and does so so much. Honestly, I think our capacity to love and love more, starts with Him. He is the very love we need, for Him and others.

Sorry, I am rambling...just a very thought provoking thread.

When it comes down to your very good question, do I love Him enough, I am grateful. It caused me to ask myself the same question. I would say for me, no!! We can always love Him more. Thank God though where my love falls short, His agape love never does.

Let's pray we will continue to grow in our love for Him and for others. Thank you for your thread, truly.

 

[Jackieboy100]

What a greaat question...


I think a relationship with Him is like other relationships, in the way it requires, as you said our time and energy invested. He abides in us and asks that we abide with Him. I am trying to improve my day to day habits of giving Him and us more, seeking with intention to devote time. I am so guilty of getting busy or lazy, and put Him on the shelf. I believe if we immerse ourselves in His word, in prayer, also in listening to worship music, really singing His praises helps me too. I find when I spend time praising Him, really honing in on His steadfast greatness, my love for Him grows. He gives and does so so much. Honestly, I think our capacity to love and love more, starts with Him. He is the very love we need, for Him and others.

Sorry, I am rambling...just a very thought provoking thread.

When it comes down to your very good question, do I love Him enough, I am grateful. It caused me to ask myself the same question. I would say for me, no!! We can always love Him more. Thank God though where my love falls short, His agape love never does.

Let's pray we will continue to grow in our love for Him and for others. Thank you for your thread, truly.

Not a rambling at all! You may not understand the inner turmoil I face sometimes, when I feel like I am doing more worldly things and not serving the lord the way I should, causing me so much frustration and confusion as to what my next move should be. Your insight is reassuring as it is insightful.
I went out the other day with a group of colleagues from work and while it was just an innocent hang out and the first time I'd gone out with them, I came back home and started questioning myself about misplaced priorities and feeling guilty. I don't really hang out, except when a few acquaintances invite me over and because they are not Christians, I don't get to have Bible discussion or fellowship with them. Since that outing, I have been concerned that the reason I went out instead of staying home and have my usual devotion and quality time with the lord is because I am not in love with him as much as I should be or maybe I have never truly learned how to love him.
I can't thank you enough for stopping by to help me figure this one out. It means a lot to me.

 

[Cameron143]

What a greaat question...


I think a relationship with Him is like other relationships, in the way it requires, as you said our time and energy invested. He abides in us and asks that we abide with Him. I am trying to improve my day to day habits of giving Him and us more, seeking with intention to devote time. I am so guilty of getting busy or lazy, and put Him on the shelf. I believe if we immerse ourselves in His word, in prayer, also in listening to worship music, really singing His praises helps me too. I find when I spend time praising Him, really honing in on His steadfast greatness, my love for Him grows. He gives and does so so much. Honestly, I think our capacity to love and love more, starts with Him. He is the very love we need, for Him and others.

Sorry, I am rambling...just a very thought provoking thread.

When it comes down to your very good question, do I love Him enough, I am grateful. It caused me to ask myself the same question. I would say for me, no!! We can always love Him more. Thank God though where my love falls short, His agape love never does.

Let's pray we will continue to grow in our love for Him and for others. Thank you for your thread, truly.

I enjoyed your thoughts on how to enjoy the Lord. It actually is not surprising that as you read the Bible and pray and worship your enjoyment of the Lord increases. Psalm 16:11 says we find the fulness of joy in His presence. More than that according to 2 Corinthians 3:18 we are actually transformed as we behold Him. The beauty of spiritual disciplines is not found in their practice but they are God's prescribed places wherein we may find His presence. And it's impossible to truly enter His presence and remain unchanged. And we have His promise...if we seek Him with our whole heart we will surely find Him.

 

[Dirtman]

One of the confessions in our Sunday prayer is that we have not loved God with our whole heart nor have we loved our neighbor as yourself. This is a prayer of repentance where we ask God to forgive this sin and to do in us this work by the Holy Spirit.
You have discovered that you have a sin. What does scripture say? That if we confess our sin He is just and righteous to forgive our sins.
So anytime you think to yourself that you havent been Loving God perfectly. Confess it and ask his help. This is the closest to perfect love that we can attain; that we confess our sins to Him and ask Him mercy and His help.

 

[Cameron143]

I often second guess my relationship with God, mainly because I sometimes question my love for him. I strongly believe that putting God first in my personal and professional lives is at the core of my spirituality but I don't know that it truly means that "I love the lord" as a Christian should.
Screaming out loud that you love the lord does not always mean that someone does love the lord. How do you know that you truly love the lord? Are there signs in one's everyday life that can convince one that they love the lord?

Help anyone, please!

You should be encouraged that you are asking the question. Romans 3 says there are none that seek after God. But you are. This is because a child of God is inhabited by the Holy Spirit and according to philippians 2:13 God is at work in you. So there is little doubt that God has set His affection upon you. As for our affection towards God that is a growing thing. According to philippians 2:12 we are to work that out. Jesus said if you love me you will keep my commandments. Are you making an earnest attempt to do so?
Here many people err. We couldn't keep the commandments before we were saved nor really cared to. But we can't keep them even being saved in our own strength. We may be able to through discipline keep some outwardly. But our hearts will still remain unchanged and we will become as the Pharisees. According to 2 Corinthians 3:18 the change we desire comes only as we behold Him.
As our hearts are changed our affection for God will increase.
I'll keep you in prayer.

 

[CharliRenee]

Youe response touched me, thank you. Look how He works, I just was randomly scrolling stuff here and came across this...

Wow, He is sooo cool...

 

[TheNarrowPath]

I think its normal to have those thoughts. Sometimes its the opposite and you love him so much it hurts. Great comments by the others that will give you reassurance on your love for God.

 

[Cameron143]

Youe response touched me, thank you. Look how He works, I just was randomly scrolling stuff here and came across this...

Wow, He is sooo cool...

Amen. Nice song. I think we would find we bump into God more often if we would only look up.

 

[Cameron143]

I often second guess my relationship with God, mainly because I sometimes question my love for him. I strongly believe that putting God first in my personal and professional lives is at the core of my spirituality but I don't know that it truly means that "I love the lord" as a Christian should.
Screaming out loud that you love the lord does not always mean that someone does love the lord. How do you know that you truly love the lord? Are there signs in one's everyday life that can convince one that they love the lord?

Help anyone, please!

I guess what I was trying to say is that you shouldn't strive so much to be good as to be near to God. He will take care of the rest. He is after all the Good Shepherd...Psalm 23:1

 

[Jackieboy100]

One of the confessions in our Sunday prayer is that we have not loved God with our whole heart nor have we loved our neighbor as yourself. This is a prayer of repentance where we ask God to forgive this sin and to do in us this work by the Holy Spirit.
You have discovered that you have a sin. What does scripture say? That if we confess our sin He is just and righteous to forgive our sins.
So anytime you think to yourself that you havent been Loving God perfectly. Confess it and ask his help. This is the closest to perfect love that we can attain; that we confess our sins to Him and ask Him mercy and His help.

Concise and articulate! I just thought praying was not enough. I suppose I should consider thorough meditation as well. Something I hardly get to do. Thank you so much!

 

[Jackieboy100]

You should be encouraged that you are asking the question. Romans 3 says there are none that seek after God. But you are. This is because a child of God is inhabited by the Holy Spirit and according to philippians 2:13 God is at work in you. So there is little doubt that God has set His affection upon you. As for our affection towards God that is a growing thing. According to philippians 2:12 we are to work that out. Jesus said if you love me you will keep my commandments. Are you making an earnest attempt to do so?
Here many people err. We couldn't keep the commandments before we were saved nor really cared to. But we can't keep them even being saved in our own strength. We may be able to through discipline keep some outwardly. But our hearts will still remain unchanged and we will become as the Pharisees. According to 2 Corinthians 3:18 the change we desire comes only as we behold Him.
As our hearts are changed our affection for God will increase.
I'll keep you in prayer.

Wow! I am so happy that I decided to seek help here. I am not alone and for you to take the time to encourage me is indeed a blessing. This is great help with the revival that my spirit needs every now and again. Thank you and Gid bless you.

 

[Jackieboy100]

Youe response touched me, thank you. Look how He works, I just was randomly scrolling stuff here and came across this...

Wow, He is sooo cool...

And the help just keeps on coming……In Matthew 7:7 - The lord said “Ask, and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” I’m glad I asked. Thanks CharliRenee! You are blessed and highly favoured!

 

[Jackieboy100]

I think its normal to have those thoughts. Sometimes its the opposite and you love him so much it hurts. Great comments by the others that will give you reassurance on your love for God.

Another great perspective from you. I suppose it is a good thing that my heart is seeking to love the lord, even more. Thank you and may the lord continue to use you to reach out to those who are seeking him fervently.

 

[Jackieboy100]

You should be encouraged that you are asking the question. Romans 3 says there are none that seek after God. But you are. This is because a child of God is inhabited by the Holy Spirit and according to philippians 2:13 God is at work in you. So there is little doubt that God has set His affection upon you. As for our affection towards God that is a growing thing. According to philippians 2:12 we are to work that out. Jesus said if you love me you will keep my commandments. Are you making an earnest attempt to do so?
Here many people err. We couldn't keep the commandments before we were saved nor really cared to. But we can't keep them even being saved in our own strength. We may be able to through discipline keep some outwardly. But our hearts will still remain unchanged and we will become as the Pharisees. According to 2 Corinthians 3:18 the change we desire comes only as we behold Him.
As our hearts are changed our affection for God will increase.
I'll keep you in prayer.

Thank you! I really appreciate your thoughtfulness. God bless you!

 

[Jackieboy100]

Youe response touched me, thank you. Look how He works, I just was randomly scrolling stuff here and came across this...

Wow, He is sooo cool...

Watched it twice already. Will add it to my playlist. Thanks a mil!

 

[Jackieboy100]

As our hearts are changed our affection for God will increase.

I truly believe that!

 

[Jackieboy100]

I'll keep you in prayer.

Thank you! I really appreciate your thoughtfulness! God bless you!

 

[Live4Him3]

Hmmmm...?

Tough question, and one that I ask myself from time to time.

On the one hand, we all face the potential danger of "leaving our first love" (Rev. 2:4) or of somehow losing the insatiable desire that we once had for the Lord and his presence.

Personally, I see this type of insatiable desire in the woman in the Song of Solomon.

For example:

Song of Solomon chapter 3

[1] By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loves: I sought him, but I found him not.
[2] I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loves: I sought him, but I found him not.
[3] The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loves?
[4] It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loves: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.

On the other hand, however, if we truly love God, then one outworking of that love is going to be in how we relate to other people in our lives. Some of those relationships include how we relate to a spouse or potential spouse, how we relate to our friends, how we relate to brothers and sisters in Christ, and even how we relate to our enemies. In other words, it's not all about just locking ourselves up in a cloister somewhere where we only seek God continually. Again, our relationship with him ought to ultimately greatly impact our relationships with others as well.

Just yesterday, a friend of mine on this forum asked me privately if I considered that Satan might be exploiting a weakness in me in relation to my desire to be with a woman. I told her that I honestly didn't believe that Satan was my problem, but that, as weird as this may initially sound, "love" is my problem. In other words, if we're truly spending the type of quality time with God that you're concerned about, then we should be getting more and more conformed to his image over time, and God is love. With such being the case, we should ever be becoming more loving ourselves, and, again, that love isn't just going to manifest itself towards God, but towards other people as well.

I guess what I'm trying to say to you is don't fall into the trap of feeling condemned if you have a need for human fellowship. God is interested in how we relate to others, and it's okay to have other relationships alongside our relationships with God...as long as they're not evil in his sight.

I hope that this makes some sense.

 

[shittim]

Keeping an image of Him in the picture frame of my mind is a great blessing and help to me.
I liken it to the command to keep ourselves "stayed on Him"

Also, keeping a communication between myself and Him all the time, even now as I type, brings His spirit and confirmation raining down on me palpably, and when I go back to "work on my pillow" He will bring me the most wonderful dreams of His guidance and instruction.