Starting Right...NOW, #1

“Love The Lord With All Of My Heart”

Lead Pastor, Stephen Macaluso

 

            For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity but of power, love, and self-discipline.              2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)

 

            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

 

How do you love God with all your heart?

 

 

1. Talk to God Honestly

            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

 

            To the Lord I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy hill.       Psalm 3:4

 

      * 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

 

      * 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 (LB)

 

      * 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 29:2 (LB)

      * Talk to God about the desires of your heart

 

            Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.   Psalm 37:4

 

      * Talk to God about 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 25:20 (NCV)

 

      * Talk to God about your sins

 

            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 (LB)

                                                           

2.  See yourself through God's eyes

            I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.            Psalm 139:14

 

            Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings.   Psalm 17:8

 

3. Strive for integrity and purity in our lives

 

            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

                                                                                   

 

~ STARTING RIGHT

— IS A MATTER OF THE HEART ~