Does it mean He feels affection for you? My deepest desire for my children is to have a love relationship with them. In Genesis 6, Noah was defined by who he wasnt. Yesand so much more. Heres how Jesus described it: John 15:911 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. We did a lot of buttons and bumper stickers. This 84 year-old powerhouse is widely acknowledged as one of Americas best preachers, and a teacher of preachers. Love is doing what is best for another no matter what it costs you. Your children were born out of your love with your spousedont make me explain that. If you think about your story, youll see where God made the first move towards you. He uses times of trouble to show us that we need Him. I want to talk with you about three things that I hope will inspire you and equip you to have a personal, real and practical love relationship with God. I love Jesus and I love spending time with Him!, Out of the mouth of babes. Spend some time with Jesus and build the relationship, one conversation at a time. I knew in my knower that He loved me. Now: imagine that person coming to you and saying, I would really like to get to know you. Do you know Him? Why you exist? Could BeReal Be a Real Turning Point for Social Media? Sometimes people think that it is the wrong time to turn to Him, especially if they have not been faithful to Him, but. Moses was minding his own business, tending sheep in the backside of the desert, when God took the initiative and got his attention through a burning bush. There, in the death of Jesus, He did what was best for us no matter what it cost Himand it cost Him dearly. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 1 Chronicles 29:16 Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. When Hes a part of who you are, the world knows who He is. Thats love. He created you out of His love so that He could have a love relationship with you. Often they are good things. Because God was generous with them. And whats remarkable is that God wants a love relationship with you! My first experience of Gods love came at summer camp. So far weve talked about Gods part of this: that He loves you, created you for relationship, initiates and pursues you. . So what does our relationship with God teach us about other, less divine acquaintances? Its defined by God, and He says youre special. 1 John 4:16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. And I amaze myself at how often I forget this and let other things become more important. God is faithful to forgive a genuine heart, guide a willing servant and uphold the promises He makes to those who faithfully endure. Click here: https://bit.ly/3dtjqsN, Gave your life to Jesus? In those instances and most others, the pursuit was to harm someone. When I was a youth pastor, I was driving some students to youth group, and was encouraging them to practice the discipline of PBJyour daily time with God in prayer, Bible and journal. He cares for them and values the relationship they share with Him on a daily basis more than any other relationship in this world. They are two-way, not one-way streets. He wont give up; He wants your Yes. Lots of ways to give. I met Jesus when I was 13, and far from God. Last week, we talked about the first reality: God pursues a love relationship with you. This is true of your relationship with Jesus. One of the hallmarks of the Jesus People movement was the emphasis on a personal love relationship with Jesus. I didnt want to gobut Im a people-pleaser and didnt want to disappoint my friend. Religion is all about what we do to please God. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. God called Abram. So I said yes, and went, and was ambushed by Jesus. You can know the Bible religiously and not know God. Do you think it should be the priority of your life? By spending time with Him. He loves you at your worst and at your best. Toward the end of the week, as we were singing at bonfire one night, I was overwhelmed by Gods love. When we sing Do it again like we just did, and we get to the part that says, Ive seen You move, You move the mountains, and I believe You can can do it again, it makes me think of that time. He is a pastor, teacher, community developer and civil rights activist who is 91 years old and has an amazing life and legacy. He is always with me, always working, but often Im oblivious, just not paying attention. What Jesus labeled as the greatest commandment. Martha is scrambling to prepare a big mealimagine 13 grown men showing up for dinner tonightits a big job! He wants a love relationship with you and wont give up. I pass the time praying and it makes the therapy manageable. I was not interested in God. He bought a ring, took Janet to a romantic restaurant, and was prepared to reinforce his proposal with the diamond. How about you? It felt like God was hugging me. In that moment, Gods love went from head to my heart. That line comes from the most famous psalmPsalm 23. Click here: https://bit.ly/3unvKSp. Toward the end of the week, as we were singing at bonfire one night, I was overwhelmed by Gods love. And how does that happen? She handed him a box the size of a book. You are deeply loved by God. Oppenheimer Became Death, the Destroyer of Worlds. (. Because I saw Him moveand I know He can do it again. Throughout the Bible, its easy to see a few select people who are so clearly defined by their relationships. You are worth the diligence it took to produce the Bible, and you are worth every event that has shaped His Will since the beginning of time. Right now, God is actively seeking a relationship with you that is life changing. He loves you because He is love, and nothing you do can change that, because thats who He is. Moses answered Gods call and entered Gods story, but it was God who made the first move. Tell her to help me!, 41 Martha, Martha, the Lord answered, you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are neededor indeed only one. While everyone else sang, I sat there and wept, and when we were done, and everyone else left, I sat there and continued to cry, tears of joy and gratitude. When we realize we all possess the opportunity to be Gods children, we see hope in relationships. God is love. In fact, there are two words that the Lord keeps saying to me over and over lately. One of the hallmarks of the Jesus People movement was the emphasis on a personal love relationship with Jesus. Lets hang out. You might think, Me? Its about duty, rules and obligation. God put the idea of eternity in our hearts. If you are a Christian, its because He found you, not that you found Him. Really? Youd feel honored and excited. I think of the story in Luke 10:38-42. He is a pastor, teacher, community developer and civil rights activist who is 91 years old and has an amazing life and legacy. All of you in Experiencing God groups are going to read Exodus 3:1-6 which tells the story of Moses and the burning bush. Jesus called His disciples. When thats true of you, every other relationship will be blessed by Gods presence. And I want to be curious. Meanwhile, whats her sister Mary up to? I didnt want to gobut Im a people-pleaser and didnt want to disappoint my friend. Being made in Gods image cant be taken away because someone deems you unworthy. Were special. Genesis 1 tells us we are the only creature made in Gods image. It might be hard to fathom, but we are Gods masterpiece. , and head of the Human Genome project and since 2009 director of the National Institute of Health. After dinner, it was time. I want a love relationship that is a joy!. God is love, so He created you for Himself, to have a relationship with you. I want to be attentive. When we value people for who they are and not what they do for us, we begin to see them as God does. It cant be taken away because someone treats you with prejudice or a lack of decency. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. God is always at work in peoples lives, moving towards them, taking the first step, drawing them to Himself. Every Valentines Day, Tedd proposed to her. In First Samuel 15, David was defined by who hed replace. Lets sing this together. Yes to listening. When I say that God loves you, what exactly does that mean? Jesus and His crew show up for dinner at Mary and Marthas house. She was in the living room sitting at Jesus feet listening to Him. Do you find it comfortable one moment, scary the next? He sent a friend of mine to knock on my door on a Saturday morning and invite me to a youth rally at his church. He was patient with the Israelites as they perfected being indifferent to the God of their fathers. Today, the trials of those who love Him find the same patience and forgiveness those first-century Christians found while studying at the feet of Paul, Timothy or Peter. He wasnt seeking Godbut God was seeking Him. Im a Christian because Jesus came after me, not because I came after Him! ILL: Parents, you should all understand this immediately. Be attentive. If you are a Christian, its because He found you, not that you found Him. Why you exist? Second, God pursues you relentlessly and initiates the relationship. Jesus was clear: Love God with all youve gotall your heart, soul, mind and strength. The most important thing in life is a love relationship with God. John Perkins is the author of One Blood: Parting Words to the Church on Race. You can be religious and not know God. Even though theyd been dating for seven years, they always seemed to be at different places in their lives. It was a cross-stitch Janet had made that simply said, , Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. He makes the first move. What are you saying Yes to? So I want to be more curiousand less judgmental. If you think about your story, youll see where God made the first move towards you. The revival started on the west coast and spread across the country, making national news. Saul became Paul the apostlebecause Jesus made the first move. I whispered a prayer: Lord, thats what I want too. Someday we will be face-to-face with eternity. Relationships define us. I want that for each of you. Hundreds of you are in an Experiencing God group, and were looking at 7 realities of experiencing God. Were going to sing the sermon! This is what God wants from you more than anything else: to love Him with all you have! You cannot excuse lack of intention to keep His commands. Every weekday, get RELEVANT's top five articles delivered to your inbox! New to Life Center? Pastor Joe Wittwer talks about three things he hopes will inspire and equip you to have a personal, real, and practical relationship with God. Thats love. They are also Gods masterpiece. One Blood: Parting Words to the Church on Race. What then will be the most important thing? Problems do not mean you have a problem in your relationship with God. Last week, we talked about the first reality: God is always at work around you. Come with holy expectation. Dont view it as a religious obligation. God is taking the initiative, moving toward you, pursuing you with His love and goodness. Here is the most remarkable thing in the universe: : Who do you admire from afar? It wont look the same. When we realize that everyone else can connect to God in the same deeply meaningful way we do, it should be easy to find reasons to deeply connect with them. It felt like God was hugging me. Since Im 70, that means I was around for the Jesus People movement in the 70s. It was God who took the initiative and moved toward Abram and called him and gave him a promise. He loves you more deeply than you could ever imagine. There is no substitute for just being with Jesus, talking with Him, listening to Him. Thats first and most important. Find, tell, bring is us being attentive to Gods work and joining Him. Love is doing what is best for another no matter what it costs you. How about His ultimate gift of His Son Jesus Christ? He prayed: 1 Chronicles 29:14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? None of them were volunteers, like. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. So when we say God loves you, we mean that, He is stubbornly committed to your well-being. Matthew 22:3440 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. What is the most important thing you can do with your life? But Was He Religious? You did nothing to earn His love; you can do nothing to lose it. While everyone else sang, I sat there and wept, and when we were done, and everyone else left, I sat there and continued to cry, tears of joy and gratitude. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. Here is the most remarkable thing in the universe: God wants a love relationship with you. Psalm 23:6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. He loves me, Hes pursuing a love relationship with me. You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. Yes to honest conversation. Praise God that you are not a cow or a horse, Running with the wind like a horse sounds exciting, but, The blessings of the Spirit that He gives. To sit at His feet and listen. He loves you more deeply than you could ever imagine. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Fathers commands and remain in his love. As we read a moment ago in Romans 5:8, God demonstrated His love for us in this: while we were sinners, Christ died for us. He is relentlessly pursuing a love relationship with you and longs to hear you say, Yes. And its not a one time yes. Too often I act like a know-it-all, not a learner. I want to be more attentive to Gods presence and Gods activity in my life and the lives of others. In fact, there are two words that the Lord keeps saying to me over and over lately. So I said yes, and went, and was ambushed by Jesus. How does Jesus answer that question? The Bible says this is love and points to Jesus on the cross. And why did you want to have children? God is always at work, moving toward you, taking the first step. She was in the living room sitting at Jesus feet listening to Him. Martha gets understandably frustrated and bursts into the living room. Do you know itdeep in your knowerthat He loves you? We talk, we listenmostly I talk and she listensbut it works for us. And of course, the first move God made toward all of us was in Jesus. How many edible foods are there for humans? Our church and the way we do church is a direct descendent of the Jesus People Movement. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Nothing is more important than loving Godhaving a real, personal practical love relationship with Him. Whatever you do, let your relationship with Him consume you. Those ideas matter more than we like to admit. You are worth the sacrifice of His Son. That relationship, that value defines you above everything else. More than you can imagine. Sit with someone you know, or invite someone you love! Why You May Need to Rethink Your Summer Mission Trip. What a ride that was! For me, here are some authors Ive enjoyed lately and Id love to hang out with these folks. https://grantspasschurchofchrist.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/10252015howisyourrelationshipwithgoddonruhl.mp3, https://www.keionhenderson.com/sermons-on-relationships/, Messianic Prophecies and Their Fulfillment, On the one hand, it is mysterious, because, we cannot see God smiling at us, but then again. And the same is true of you. When the Lord puts someone on your heart, God is at workso go find them, tell them about Jesus, and bring them with you. In that moment, Gods love went from head to my heart. This is part two of our series on Experiencing God. Jesus was clear: Love God with all youve gotall your heart, soul, mind and strength. We will then realize that our number one priority in life. Martha is doing something goodreally good: shes serving others. Jesus said, You didnt choose me, but I chose you. Jesus made the first move. Sign up to get our top five trending stories every weekday! Yepeven 50 years ago I was pushing this! Third, find someone who has a good relationship with God and. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. In a moment were going to sing The Goodness of God. The chorus says, Your goodness is running after, its running after me. Do you know where that comes from? These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life. In the midst of huge social upheavalthe VietNam war, hippies, free sex and drugsGod started moving, . Its a daily yes because He keeps pursuing us, moving towards us every day. He wants what is best for youalways. What a ride that was! Yepeven 50 years ago I was pushing this. This is how God works. When faced with a choice between spending time with Jesus and something else, what do you choose? God initiates the relationship, not us. Hundreds of you are in an Experiencing God group, and were looking at 7 realities of experiencing God. What did you bring me? he asked. 1 John 4:710 (p. 1056) Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Here, it is Gods love and goodness pursuing you, running after you, to do you good. Mary had chosen what is betterwhat was it? Knowing that Janet had a gift for him, however, he decided to wait. We talk about PBJ timePrayer, Bible, Journal. You can go to church religiously and not know God. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. Without any hesitation, our relationship with God should define how we perceive those who God brings into our lives. And why did you want to have children? 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?, 37 Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. I have read that from 10,000 to 30,000 foods are edible. There, in the death of Jesus, He did what was best for us no matter what it cost Himand it cost Him dearly. Lets sing. Love God. say even more that the God of heaven wants us. For me, here are some authors Ive enjoyed lately and Id love to hang out with these folks. Dr. Collins is both a devoted Christian and a widely respected scientist. We should see the rest of the world as God does. The Bible says this is love and points to Jesus on the cross. Shatter your pride during trouble and seek Him. Another No would mean it was time to get on with his life without her. . God called Moses. In the real world, the company we keep is one of the most telling characteristics of who we truly are. Which is more important: Dont eat flies or Dont murder. Youre not going to prison for eating fliesthe hospital, maybebut not prison. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. I know what youre thinkinghow does a guy look like this at 70? Seven yearsseven Valentines Day proposalsrelentless pursuit. There are no shortcuts. He didnt love you because you deserved it; He loved you because He is love. Im a disciple of Jesusthe word disciple means learner. Its the opposite of a know-it-all. Be curious. Notice that over and over again, God has called those who trusted in Him His children. He loved the patriarchs of old like Noah and Job who endured, despite mounting pressure to give up. You exist because God is love. We are generous because He is generous. Do not be satisfied with it merely being okay. He moved towards us while we were rebels on the run. God sent the prophet Samuel to anoint Him with oil as Gods chosen king. Relationship with Jesus. Its not a discipline for meits a joy! 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You are valuable because God says so. Tedd Kidd was five years older than Janet, finished college before her, and started to work in a city hundreds of miles from her. In the midst of huge social upheavalthe VietNam war, hippies, free sex and drugsGod started moving among young people. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. A relationship defined by mutual appreciation of the One who made us is a relationship that will endure. I feel like David after they received an offering to build the temple and the people were incredibly generous. If were honest with ourselves, well see that relationships are how the world ultimately defines us. Now remain in my love. Martha is scrambling to prepare a big mealimagine 13 grown men showing up for dinner tonightits a big job! ILL: Who do you admire from afar? Meanwhile, whats her sister Mary up to? Since Im 70, that means I was around for t, in the 70s. 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Dr. Francis Collins is the author of The Language of God, and head of the Human Genome project and since 2009 director of the National Institute of Health. In person and online SAT 6 pm // SUN 9 & 11* am + (5 pm online only), Spokane Foursquare Church dba Life Center | 1202 N. Government Way, Spokane, WA 99224 | Contact Us, Privacy, Terms, Disclaimer, FAQs, Im Pastor Joe, the founding pastor of Life Centerand a couple months ago, I turned 70. Before I dive in, let me thank all of you who are so faithful and generous in your giving to Life Center. Luke 10:40 Lord, dont you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? How has God loved you? The people we run across in every circumstance are also made in His image. Ultimately we realize that it comes from knowing our Maker. But God was seeking me. It wasnt Davids ideait was Gods. He wants what is best for youalways. How do we know thats what love is? that we might know how much it means to Him, if He created the heavens and the Earth, and. If we journey back to the Garden of Eden, we can see that mankind is special. Does it mean He feels affection for you? In fact, He is pursuing you! How has He shown His love for us? You are worth all the effort it took to make this world. One said: Not religion! He wants you to know youre the most valuable thing in this world to Him. And I want to be curious. I knew that He loved me just as I was, with all my faults and failures. In much the same way, God created you out of His love and His deepest desire for you is to have a love relationship with Him. If Hes a part of your life, then Hes also a part of your marriage, your friendships, your random encounters with strangers and every other relationship the world uses to define you. 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We did a lot of buttons and bumper stickers. So I want to be more curiousand less judgmental. What does He have to do to get your attention? The Scriptures point to Jesus and yet when He stood in front of them, they didnt recognize Him. They recognized that everything they had came from His hand and belonged to Him, so it was easy to give back. Im Pastor Joe, the founding pastor of Life Centerand a couple months ago, I turned 70. He loved you before you did anything good or bad and continues to love you whether you do anything good or bad. He makes the first move. He initiates the relationship. see what He says about our relationship with Him. In fact, I considered myself an atheist. He wants you to know youre special. This is why youre here. Do you believe it with all your heart? I was not seeking Godat allnot even a little. My deepest desire for my children is to have a love relationship with them. This longing leads us to search for all the things that promise life. A relationship with Jesus Christ. Religion is all about what we do to please God. It gave birth to the Maranatha Music and the modern worship movement, to Calvary Chapel and the Vineyard movements and renewed churches all across the country. Why were they so generous? In much the same way, God created you out of His love and His deepest desire for you is to have a love relationship with Him. should have been our relationship with God. It was a cross-stitch Janet had made that simply said, Yes.. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. And just like that I came across your blog and the one by Keion Henderson, https://www.keionhenderson.com/sermons-on-relationships/ and it was really amazing! We know and rely on, or believe in, the love God has for us. The most important thing in life is a love relationship with God. God showed His love by sending His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. . You can be religious and not know God. God made the first move. Have you ever wondered why youre here? I want to be attentive.