I feel ridiculous for asking this question

IHeartLarrytheCucumber · 01-17-2008, 02:28 AM

Saturday night, I was reading the Bible. One of the gospels, don't remember which. One of the verses I specifically remember reading was, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Sunday morning, on my way "home" (I didn't actually go home, you'll see) I was listening to a song on my CD. One of the song's major focuses was "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul with all your mind, and with all your strength."

For SOME reason, I can't even tell you why, I out of the blue decided to go to a church I've never been to, instead of going home right away. I NEVER go to places I've never been by myself, and this wasn't even something I'd been contemplating. It just was random, and I went. I got there, turns out I was just in time! (I had let the sun wake me up, and that occurred at 9:30. The service was at 10:30)

The sermon paper they handed me, on the back was "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul with all your mind, and with all your strength". Then, I realized the entire sermon was about loving God.

I was blown away!!!

Obviously, God's trying to tell me something.

My question is-HOW DO I DO IT! How do I love God! I want to so bad, more than anything! But I don't understand why the Bible tells us to just love God more than anything else, just like that. Like I can turn love on and off. I don't even know HOW to love God. I know how to love my mom. I see her every day. She gives the best hugs. She is tangible. She's my MOM. I don't, as much as I'd love to, know how to love God. I am at a loss right now. I accepted Him, yes. But this love did not come automatically to me.

Somebody, please explain this to me. And tell me how you came to love the Lord, because I sure can use some answers here.

Thanks =]

Faithwoman · 01-17-2008, 03:13 AM

First of all, no question is ever to ridiculous or stupid to ask.
We are only stupid if we don't ask the the question that is burning in our mind.

I am new here to the Forum and really seeking the same for me in my life.

I became saved in December 2004. I was born and raised Lutheran, but what have really come to see in my lately, what is more important is that I have a relationship with God.

I came to love God when I realized that trying to live my life my way was getting me nowhere.. I quit college at the age of 19, got married, had 3 kids, 12 years later, was divorced, entered my own path of dating, internet dating, seeking for someone to love me, seeking acceptance, ended up in an alchohlic relationship with an older man for 3 years, that ended.. which brought much pain.. through all of this, I finally realized I could no longer do it on my own.. I asked Jesus into my life..

Since then, my path has taken a different journey, but I still had that piece of me that I could not let go of.. Until it finally dawned on me that all along Mr. Right was right in front of me.. the Lord... he can give me everything.. now that was pretty awesome.. So I started faithfully to be in his word, to seek others out, to pray, to find a church which would uplift me, and the Pastor there said.. find a bible verse for 2008 instead of a new years goal..
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, acknowledge him in all ways and he will make your paths straight.. that is why your post caught my eye!

It is true.. if we seek him and let him in our heart, he does give us strength for everything we face.. sure I still struggle, but with even having faith, we will have persecution and suffering.. but the best part is.. there is one who loves me through all of this.

I no longer have to seek for a man to love me, I no longer have to seek for folks to accept me.. I am loved, for who I am a child of God. I am no longer alone in life.. I wake up every day and before stepping my feet on the ground.. I pray for the Lord to show me my direction.. if I listen there is prodding there..

But just so ya know.. Satan sure tries to get in .. especially when things are going well.. he does not want me to love God.. he tries so hard in alot of ways to destroy my life...

Have a great evening.. and keep on trusting
Jeremiah 29:11 I have a great hope and future for you says the Lord.

Faithwoman

Boanerges · 01-17-2008, 03:37 AM

IHeartLarrytheCucumber how does one develope any realtionship and fall in love. First you are drawn to that person and you began to realize there is something special there you simply must have. Your attention turns more and more to the object of your affection until you want to spend all your time with them. Soon almost every waking moment is spent with that beloved or in thoughts about them. You become enthralled with the love letter He has sent you (His Word) and you long for even His fragrance and touch. You do the things that please your love not out of duty or requirement but because it is a joy to bless the One you love so dearly. It only gets better from there!!!!!!!

Fluffy · 01-17-2008, 04:12 AM

Cant get any better than the 2 above posts! AMEN!!!

PDF · 01-17-2008, 04:32 AM

Me and you both IHeart. I struggle with the same thing. I feel so distant from God, and just so passionless in my life in general.

NearertoGod · 01-17-2008, 05:35 AM

I really can't explain why I love the LORD like I do. I don't just love Him because he showers me with gifts, I don't just love Him because He answers my prayers - I love God because of the great things He has done for me and my family.

God loves me for who I am - He created me and made my the person I am today. I don't have to look a certain way for God to accept me, or sacrifice an animal or burn a candle for Him to protect me or my family.

God is kind, merciful, and loving. Somehow, even though I can't "see" him physically, I can sense his presence - I can almost "see" in my mental mind Him looking down on me or even protecting us.

Like in Church Saturday, I almost could see God behind me, and I could see his figure standing there, surrounded in a halo of clouds and light. Of course it physically wasn't actually there, but in my heart I knew He was there.

And, a couple of times, when I'm really said, I get this warm, cuddly feeling as if someone is hugging me - and I know it's not my dog giving me a hug, or any of my family members, even my other pets. I know it was God hugging me.

Don't worry IHeart. The love we feel for God doesn't only come from our hearts but from Him Himself and the in dwelling of the Holy Spirit.

freedom07 · 01-17-2008, 07:36 AM

Well, for one thing He loved you first. Read the quote you have at the bottom of your post. To trust our Heavenly Father is to love Him. How can we trust someone with our most sacred positions (our life) and not love Him. He only does what is good for us whether we see it or not and it is out of love FOR US!
Agape love (unconditional) so should we not return the feeling, after all He only gave His life for us. When we are ripped apart inside who can we turn to that will understand completely and comfort us back to a gentle peace.

Jax · 01-17-2008, 09:15 AM

Excellent question and excellent answers, all I can add is that for me (and I often fail at it) loving God, means putting Him first in everything!

Theophilus · 01-17-2008, 10:12 AM

Jesu is calling. . . Answer the call. That is all we need do to get closer to him. Just answer the call.

You don't kno's calling????
Read Isaiah 53 and the four gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.( The Bible"s Caller ID

)
You see him in the distance???? Walk tward him. Focus your eyes on him
Losing site of Him???? Find out where he come from, were he's going and were he is.
Read God's day planner (The Bible) and know were to meet Him and live with him for ever

What a freind we
have in Jesus.
Brother
Cliff

AmericanAngel · 01-17-2008, 01:00 PM

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

01-17-2008, 02:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
IHeartLarrytheCucumber Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 200 Rep Power: 1	I feel ridiculous for asking this question Saturday night, I was reading the Bible. One of the gospels, don't remember which. One of the verses I specifically remember reading was, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Sunday morning, on my way "home" (I didn't actually go home, you'll see) I was listening to a song on my CD. One of the song's major focuses was "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul with all your mind, and with all your strength." For SOME reason, I can't even tell you why, I out of the blue decided to go to a church I've never been to, instead of going home right away. I NEVER go to places I've never been by myself, and this wasn't even something I'd been contemplating. It just was random, and I went. I got there, turns out I was just in time! (I had let the sun wake me up, and that occurred at 9:30. The service was at 10:30) The sermon paper they handed me, on the back was "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul with all your mind, and with all your strength". Then, I realized the entire sermon was about loving God. I was blown away!!! Obviously, God's trying to tell me something. My question is-HOW DO I DO IT! How do I love God! I want to so bad, more than anything! But I don't understand why the Bible tells us to just love God more than anything else, just like that. Like I can turn love on and off. I don't even know HOW to love God. I know how to love my mom. I see her every day. She gives the best hugs. She is tangible. She's my MOM. I don't, as much as I'd love to, know how to love God. I am at a loss right now. I accepted Him, yes. But this love did not come automatically to me. Somebody, please explain this to me. And tell me how you came to love the Lord, because I sure can use some answers here. Thanks =] __________________ Dear everyone, my name may be misleading but I am your sister, not your brother. "I chose you when I planned creation" -God

01-17-2008, 04:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
Fluffy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,233 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 2	Cant get any better than the 2 above posts! AMEN!!! __________________ Be transparent before God, He sees right thru you, anyway! http://www.likepreciousfaith.org/testimony_val.htm Please pray for your local emergency responders, daily.

01-17-2008, 05:35 AM	#6 (permalink)
NearertoGod Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Orange County-California Posts: 1,040 Blog Entries: 7 Rep Power: 2	I really can't explain why I love the LORD like I do. I don't just love Him because he showers me with gifts, I don't just love Him because He answers my prayers - I love God because of the great things He has done for me and my family. God loves me for who I am - He created me and made my the person I am today. I don't have to look a certain way for God to accept me, or sacrifice an animal or burn a candle for Him to protect me or my family. God is kind, merciful, and loving. Somehow, even though I can't "see" him physically, I can sense his presence - I can almost "see" in my mental mind Him looking down on me or even protecting us. Like in Church Saturday, I almost could see God behind me, and I could see his figure standing there, surrounded in a halo of clouds and light. Of course it physically wasn't actually there, but in my heart I knew He was there. And, a couple of times, when I'm really said, I get this warm, cuddly feeling as if someone is hugging me - and I know it's not my dog giving me a hug, or any of my family members, even my other pets. I know it was God hugging me. Don't worry IHeart. The love we feel for God doesn't only come from our hearts but from Him Himself and the in dwelling of the Holy Spirit. __________________ Please call me NTG, Near, N, or NearertoGod! Nearer to God - Everyday of my life I am NEARER TO GOD. Salvation is for everyone, regardless of WHO or WHAT you are, or WHERE you live. God loves everyone. There is power in Love; there is power in Faith - God is my Love and I put all my Faith in Him.

01-17-2008, 07:36 AM	#7 (permalink)
freedom07 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Salem, MA Posts: 1,194 Rep Power: 2	Well, for one thing He loved you first. Read the quote you have at the bottom of your post. To trust our Heavenly Father is to love Him. How can we trust someone with our most sacred positions (our life) and not love Him. He only does what is good for us whether we see it or not and it is out of love FOR US! Agape love (unconditional) so should we not return the feeling, after all He only gave His life for us. When we are ripped apart inside who can we turn to that will understand completely and comfort us back to a gentle peace. __________________ Romans 6:4 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

01-17-2008, 10:12 AM	#9 (permalink)
Theophilus Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 663 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 2	Answer the Call, that's all Jesu is calling. . . Answer the call. That is all we need do to get closer to him. Just answer the call. You don't kno's calling???? Read Isaiah 53 and the four gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.( The Bible"s Caller ID) You see him in the distance???? Walk tward him. Focus your eyes on him Losing site of Him???? Find out where he come from, were he's going and were he is. Read God's day planner (The Bible) and know were to meet Him and live with him for ever What a freind we have in Jesus. Brother Cliff

01-17-2008, 03:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
Faithwoman Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New York Posts: 317 Rep Power: 1	First of all, no question is ever to ridiculous or stupid to ask. We are only stupid if we don't ask the the question that is burning in our mind. I am new here to the Forum and really seeking the same for me in my life. I became saved in December 2004. I was born and raised Lutheran, but what have really come to see in my lately, what is more important is that I have a relationship with God. I came to love God when I realized that trying to live my life my way was getting me nowhere.. I quit college at the age of 19, got married, had 3 kids, 12 years later, was divorced, entered my own path of dating, internet dating, seeking for someone to love me, seeking acceptance, ended up in an alchohlic relationship with an older man for 3 years, that ended.. which brought much pain.. through all of this, I finally realized I could no longer do it on my own.. I asked Jesus into my life.. Since then, my path has taken a different journey, but I still had that piece of me that I could not let go of.. Until it finally dawned on me that all along Mr. Right was right in front of me.. the Lord... he can give me everything.. now that was pretty awesome.. So I started faithfully to be in his word, to seek others out, to pray, to find a church which would uplift me, and the Pastor there said.. find a bible verse for 2008 instead of a new years goal.. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, acknowledge him in all ways and he will make your paths straight.. that is why your post caught my eye! It is true.. if we seek him and let him in our heart, he does give us strength for everything we face.. sure I still struggle, but with even having faith, we will have persecution and suffering.. but the best part is.. there is one who loves me through all of this. I no longer have to seek for a man to love me, I no longer have to seek for folks to accept me.. I am loved, for who I am a child of God. I am no longer alone in life.. I wake up every day and before stepping my feet on the ground.. I pray for the Lord to show me my direction.. if I listen there is prodding there.. But just so ya know.. Satan sure tries to get in .. especially when things are going well.. he does not want me to love God.. he tries so hard in alot of ways to destroy my life... Have a great evening.. and keep on trusting Jeremiah 29:11 I have a great hope and future for you says the Lord. Faithwoman

01-17-2008, 03:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
Boanerges Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: St Rose LA Posts: 14,654 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 16	IHeartLarrytheCucumber how does one develope any realtionship and fall in love. First you are drawn to that person and you began to realize there is something special there you simply must have. Your attention turns more and more to the object of your affection until you want to spend all your time with them. Soon almost every waking moment is spent with that beloved or in thoughts about them. You become enthralled with the love letter He has sent you (His Word) and you long for even His fragrance and touch. You do the things that please your love not out of duty or requirement but because it is a joy to bless the One you love so dearly. It only gets better from there!!!!!!!

01-17-2008, 04:32 AM	#5 (permalink)
PDF Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: wpg Posts: 132 Rep Power: 1	Me and you both IHeart. I struggle with the same thing. I feel so distant from God, and just so passionless in my life in general.

01-17-2008, 09:15 AM	#8 (permalink)
Jax Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nr London Posts: 1,008 Rep Power: 2	Excellent question and excellent answers, all I can add is that for me (and I often fail at it) loving God, means putting Him first in everything!

01-17-2008, 01:00 PM	#10 (permalink)
AmericanAngel Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 566 Rep Power: 2	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 __________________ When we agree, together we can!

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