Chapter 02: Do I Love God?
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Define God’s Love
Last modified on 2008-03-18 22:52:37 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Our list of the different aspects of God’ s love for us are a broader scope of a true definition of that love.
Can anyone give a more succint, one-sentence definition of God’ s love for us, keeping in mind these aspects shared in the beginning of this chapter?
Which is special to you?
Last modified on 2008-03-18 22:56:59 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
God knows all of us so well, and has the capability to be what everyone needs collectively as humans, at the same time touching the heart of each of us where we have an individualized need from our circumstances in life.
One of these ways for me is the fact that God’s love is merciful-”we truly are recipients of His utter delight and approval, for absolutely no reason!”
This touches me to the core of my being, even more than some of the other ways, because I have always been the person that is easily wounded when not in favor of another person. I have always wanted approval and have felt often that I had to work hard and perform just right in order to get it. This, of course, is not true.
Lord, help me to rely upon Your mercy instead of trying to earn your love with my good works! Let my good works be a result of the knowledge of Your love and my acceptance of it in my mind and heart.
What are some of the attributes of God’s love listed in this chapter that really have a personal touch on your life and heart?
What makes you worthy?
Last modified on 2008-03-18 23:01:14 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
As I read this chapter again, I thought that the suggested exersize on page 27 (that of writing down a list of all the good works that I think would make me worthwhile to God) might actually be a good idea. Then we would be able to spot the pride in our hearts in those specific areas where we are working on trying to please a God that cannot be pleased by our works
Some of the good works that I would write on that list would be my “sacrifice” for the Lord in my life-time commitment to service, my ministry, etc. I realize as I write them what pride I’ve had in works that should be considered just my reasonable service to the One I love for giving His ALL for me!
Praise the Lord that He has pleased Himself with us by atoning us with His good work: that of His death and resurrection.
You may have some “worthless good works” that you would write on your list too. Please share them and how the Lord has shown you the truth about them.
God delights in me…
Last modified on 2008-03-18 23:03:12 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
…How can I live to delight Him?
We will look into this more in coming chapters, but for right now, what are some Scriptures we can share about things and ways that please the Lord?
Reflect on dying
Last modified on 2008-03-18 23:03:45 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
How can the idea that my daily death to self is a sacrifice of love to God, change my outlook on life?
Your testimony of salvation
Last modified on 2008-03-18 23:24:41 GMT. 1 comment. Top.
I would love to hear your testimony of salvation too. Mine is pretty much on this page.
I liked your description of how love is related to how much we VALUE someone or something. We can take practical steps to increase our value of God (study more about Him, etc.). To me, that is helpful, because “loving God better” is more intangible. I’m not saying that more head-knowledge equals more love–I’m saying that it can be a practical way we can find to help us to love Him better.
Make sense?
I also thought the description and mention of HOW God loves us was helpful and good.
Once again, I think is a very needed, well-written book, and I encourage you to publish it!
May God bless and draw you closer to Himself as you encourage others to do so, Rachel!
Love,
Elisha