As we begin 2024, it’s a good time to take stock of our attitudes toward God and whether we are giving Him the honor and glory He deserves. This second devotion considers how we love the Lord:

IN WORD Being a living sacrifice is more than a holy obligation; it’s a holy passion. It’s the lover who says, “I’d do anything for you. I’d sacrifice my life, my dreams, my everything for your welfare.” Few of us consistently love God like that, but that’s our goal. And the only way to get there is to ask Him for that kind of love. It’s supernatural. Only He can offer it and maintain it in our hearts. How do we know if we have it? We’ll know by what fills our minds when we lie down at night and when we wake up in the morning. We’ll know it by where we direct all of our resources and all of our abilities. And we’ll know it by the things we pray for.
If a stranger were to pick up the ledger of our checkbook and read it, would he know that we are lovers of God? If he were to examine our calendar, would he be able to tell that we have a holy desire for a beloved Savior? If he were to hear our prayers, would he find that we’re wholly dedicated to the will of Another? We’re reluctant to answer, because we know our shortcomings. We know how fickle our hearts and how self-directed our desires are. We know we have more than one agenda—God’s plus our own. We know we have a long way to go to be filled with a holy, God-centered love.
IN DEED That’s okay. God’s grace is more than enough to cover our lukewarm hearts. But He doesn’t want us to remain ambivalent toward Him. He wants to stir us up to a consuming obsession with His goodness, love, and plans. He wants us not just to try hard to please Him—we’ve tried and failed so often—but to delight in Him. Like any lover, He wants to be our joy. Like a wife who craves evidence of her husband’s affections, or a husband who looks expectantly for affirmation from his wife, our God—though never needy—wants to be adored. Can we adore Him? We must—it’s our created purpose, and it’s the only love we’ll ever have that will leave us completely satisfied. All others fall short, but passion for Him always fulfills. “Love unites the soul with God; and the more love the soul has, the more powerfully it enters into God and is centered on Him.” – John of the Cross (“Worship the King” by Chris Tiegreen)

What is your love like? Is the Lord still your first love? Was He ever?
As we begin 2024, take time to evaluate your love life with God. Reflect on 1 John this week and ask the Holy Spirit to help you grow in your love for Him. May you, in the process, discover the height, depth, and width of God’s love for you. Have a blessed week! – from Singapore, Pastor Sam