LOVING GOD WITH ALL OF MY HEART
Unfiltered Love: Real, Raw and Unreasonable for God
“… Of all the commandments, which is the most important? The most important one,” answered Jesus, is this… “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:28-30 (NIV)
What’s the most important thing you can do with your life?
What happens when you develop an all out love for someone or something?
- It occupies much of your waking thoughts.
- It impacts a majority of your decisions.
- It causes you to make lavish sacrifices.
- It energizes your life.
- It rearranges your priorities.
An all out love for the Lord will involve…
All Your Heart — FEELINGS AND EMOTION
All Your Mind — THOUGHTS
All Your Soul — DECISIONS AND WILL
All Your Strength — ACTION AND ENERGY
“Serve Him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every [motive behind the thoughts].” 1 Chronicles 28:9 (NIV)
1. TALK TO GOD: ALOUD AND WITH EMOTION.
“… To the LORD, [I cry aloud], and He answers me from His holy [hill].” Psalm 3:4 (NIV)
- Talk to God about your FEELINGS.
“Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.” Psalm 3:7 (NIV)
- Talk to God about your WEAKNESSES.
“I am poor and weak, yet the Lord is thinking about me right now! O my God, You are my helper. You are my Savior; come quickly and save me. Please don’t delay!” Psalm 40:17 (TLB)
- Talk to God about His STRENGTH.
“The voice of the Lord spins and topples the mighty oaks. It strips the forests bare. They whirl and sway beneath the blast. But in His temple all are praising, ‘Glory, glory to the Lord.’” Psalm 29:9 (TLB)
- Pour out to God the desires of your heart.
- Tell God your FEARS.
“Look at how many enemies I have! See how much they hate me! Protect me and save me. I trust You, so do not let me be disgraced.” Psalm 25:19-20 (NCV)
- Openly and emotionally admit your sins to God.
“How constantly I find myself upon the verge of sin; this source of sorrow always stares me in the face. I confess my sins; I am sorry for what I have done.” Psalm 38:17-18 (TLB)
“… A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not ignore.” Psalm 51:17 (TLB)
- Say out LOUD what you know to be ____________________
- Cry out your COMPLAINS & TROUBLES.
“I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy. I pour out my complaint before Him; before Him I tell my trouble.” Psalm 142:1-2 (NIV)
2. PICTURE GOD’s PRESENCE AND ACTIONS.
“The LORD is my shepherd. [I shall not be in want]. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters…” Psalm 23:1-2 (NIV)
“O Lord our God, the majesty and glory of Your name fills all the earth and overflows the heavens.” Psalm 8:1 (TLB)
Picture His greatness (Psalm 8)… picture His care (Psalm 23)… picture His character (Psalm 36)… picture His blessings now (Psalm 24) … picture yourself as being in God’s presence forever (Psalm 41).
3. SEE YOURSELF THROUGH GOD’S EYES.
- You are FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE.
“I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
You are the THE APPLE OF GOD’S EYE.
“Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings.” Psalm 17:8 (NIV)
4. STRIVE FOR INTEGRITY and PURITY.
“I will try to walk a blameless path, but how I need Your help, especially in my own home where I long to act as I should. Help me to refuse the low and vulgar things…” Psalm 101:2-3 (TLB)
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
5. ASK God QUESTIONS.
“I am very upset, LORD, how long will it be?” Psalm 6:3 (NCV)
- Ask God, “WHY?”
- Ask God, “WHAT?”
- Ask God, “HOW?”
6. PRAISE HIM WITH OTHER PEOPLE.
“Let us praise the Lord together and exalt His name.” Psalm 34:3 (TLB)