Girlfriends in God - Nov. 19, 2007

 

November 19, 2007

Turn Up The Volume!

Part One

Gwen Smith

 

 

Today’s Truth

One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. Matthew 22:35-38 NIV

 

Friend to Friend

My car is a taxi. If I had a meter on the dash that demanded payment for each mom-mile traveled, I would be a rich woman. My kids and I spend a lot of time going about our business together. Whether it’s a jaunt to school, a trip to the market, or a journey to one of the ten thousand ball fields in town, the activities that are penned on my calendar require much car travel.

 

Once we are strapped and settled, inevitably my kids ask to hear music. After we have agreed on what to listen to, I always hear this: “Mom, could you please turn up the volume?” Now – I’m a total music chick – so you know I crank up the volume and jam with my kids! As the decibels rise, the music becomes a focal point of our journey. We love to listen loudly.

 

What song are you singing on your life journey? Is God in the chorus? Is He in the melody? When asked about the most important commandment, Jesus responded by saying: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37).

 

Seems simple, right? Not so fast. God’s Word bids each of us to love Him with ALL of our hearts, souls and minds. The word “all” indicates that the whole of a particular thing, amount, group, or area is involved or affected. He doesn’t just want a little bit of love from us…he wants the glory…the full measure. He wants first, second, and third place in our hearts, souls, and minds. He’s telling us to turn up the volume on our love for Him. He’s calling us to live love louder.

 

LOVE GOD MORE!

 

God wants us to love Him more. More tomorrow than today. More today than yesterday. More this year than last year. He wants us to love Him when the road of life is smooth and steady. He wants us to love Him when the road is rocky and difficult to navigate. Why? Because God first loved us.

 

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8.

 

“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” John 3:16.

 

A certain medieval monk announced he would be preaching the next Sunday evening on "The Love of God." As the shadows fell and the light faded from the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lit a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First, he illuminated the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.

 

God loves us perfectly. The greatest call in our lives is to love God in return. Our life song should be a love song. Many of us sing that tune regularly, but let’s choose this day to turn up the volume on our love for God. Let’s live love louder!

 

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, I love you! I love you! I love you! Yet, You are worthy of so much more love than I show you. Thank you for loving me perfectly. Please help me to live love louder today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

Now it’s Your Turn

Take a moment to center your heart, soul, and mind on Christ right now. Worship Him in Spirit and in truth. Adore Him. Praise Him.

 

Sing or contemplate the lyric of this ancient hymn as part of your response:

 

My Jesus, I Love Thee

Featherston / Gordon

 

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine

For Thee all the follies of sin I resign

My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now

 

I love Thee because Thou has first loved me

And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree

I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now

 

I’ll love Thee in life; I will love Thee in death

And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath

And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now

 

In mansions of glory and endless delight

I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright

I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now

 

“We love Him because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19. Read 1 John 4:7-21 and pray that God would teach you how to love Him more.

 

More from the Girlfriends

I hope you are challenged by this today. I certainly am. I wrote a song called, “His Love Was First,” based on 1 John 1:19. It’s about God’s love. I think the more we understand God’s love, the more inclined we will be to live love louder. The song “His Love Was First” is on my BECAUSE CD. Want to hear it? J Turn up your volume first, and then CLICK HERE!

 

Looking for a great Christmas gift? Gwen’s inspirational music can be heard and purchased on her website (http://www.GwenSmith.net/store). How about giving the gift of Jesus…packaged in song this year?

 

Seeking God?

Click here to find out more about how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

 

Girlfriends in God

P.O. Box 725

Matthews, NC 28106

info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

 

 

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Originally published Monday, 19 November 2007.

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