Hi Theo!!!!!! WOW!!!! Ain't God Awesome!!!!!!! He works in mysterious ways!!!!!
I've got so many thoughts jumblind in my head at one time so bare with me, ok?
Biblegateway.com; type in the key word search: love, heart, soul, strenght, worthy,& more. Matt. scriptures begin on page 79. When you begin to read the NT scriptures with these key words you will BEGIN to understand about love concerning how we are to GIVE IT. Jesus showed us how first by example as well, how the heart works vs the soul and mind and our strenght; not so much physically but by resolve or faith.
It's truly obvious that God HIMSELF intervened when no one else would do it/or obey. HE caused a succession of events to occure. Not sure if anyone "witnessd" to you before this, maybe wayback. Any seed(s) that were planted in your heart came to full harvest and the time(ing) was ready/ripe for YOU! Today is the day of salvation.
You'll probably start soaking in all kinds of info now being "awakened" in your soul.
How do you begin to love the Lord with all you heart, soul, mind and strenght? By faith. By trust. By taking the first step and God proving to you that He is the I AM and is with you. You will find later that "tests" will come and it will feel like He as "left the building" sort of, but He wants all of you NO MATTER WHAT the circumstances, good or bad happening in your life. It takes time to love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul,and strength. It comes by testing and time, building that trust up.
When you ask Him anything with a sincere heart, He will answer. Choose to hear/learn His voice, by reading His word, then you will be able to distinguish the different "voices" that give advice and teaching to you in the future.
Also, I'm tring to find the scripture about loving Him more than your family menbers....is not worthy of me...
He's not saying to stop loving them or to abandon them, but He's tring to check you. Some family can say, ok hon, you're getting fanatical and too religious and your scaring us, or son, I will disown you if you believe in this Jesus. At that point will you back down thinking that if you disobey your parents (being old enought now) that God would disaprove? Jesus said if you deny me before others, I will deny you. Am I making any sense? ok, chime in soon Brother Theo.
Patty