September 4, 2009, "True Intentions"

Triumphant Victorious Reminders
Inspired by the Holy Spirit
Written By: Teresa Criswell

"So He (Jesus) answered and said, "'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.' "
~ Luke 10:27 ~

My husband and I were talking this morning and we discussed, when we say, "We love God", what is that truly based on? We asked each other, "Do I love God because of what I know what He will do for me?" "Or do I love God because of what He has already done and no matter if I ever see the 'blessings' again (which is impossible, because the blessings automatically come for this is His universal law), that I love Him for Who He is, not for what He can do for me?"

When that question was posed, it led me to a conversation I had yesterday with an awesome, wise woman I know. Do I come into a relationship, church, whatever the situation may be and do I assess what can I 'get'? Or do I simply ask what can I 'give'?

Have you noticed that when we attempt to 'get'...we want more; there is great dissatisfication. But when we go into it with giving whether it be a monatary gift, a gift of encouragement the list goes on; we automatically 'get' and there is great satisfaction. I find this amazing. In that 'amazingness', this 'feeling' I get when I give is like a 'rush' that goes through my body. It feels good to 'give' and even if monetarily we 'get' nothing back, what we do 'get' is great joy in return.

Today, I am reminded that I want to love God as He has commanded with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, because of who He is and what He has ALREADY given to me; life and freedom through Jesus Christ.

Mmmmmmmm, that life and freedom in Him is so delicious! It is like a molten chocolate cake drenched in hot fudge topped with vanilla ice cream with a drizzle of vanilla bean sauce. "Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!"
~ Psalm 34:8 ~