Beloved Of God

We were made to be lovers of God! Have you ever pondered this thought...truly pondered it? I don't just mean loving God by serving God, I don't just mean loving God by reading His word, I don't just mean loving God by praying to Him, I mean loving Him as one who is TOTALLY lovesick over the God of the universe!! What does this look like? What does this mean? I am just beginning to unlock the treasure chest full of the richness of what it means to be a lover of God! In the past month God has put some incredible resources into my hand that the Holy Spirit is using powerfully in my heart! Namely two books written by Mike Bickle. One is called "Seven Longings of the Human Heart," and the other is called "The Pleasures of Loving God!" Through the insights God has given this man I am learning that unless the FIRST commandment is being fulfilled in my life the purpose of my life is not being fulfilled! Do you realize in the depths of your being that your entire purpose is to be loved by God and a lover of God in return?! Yes out of this flows much worship, service, prayer, and study of the word...BUT do you realize that your primary and number one calling in life is to be a lover of God?! Does that not sound beautiful, and inviting...lover of God?! There is nothing as powerful as when the Holy Spirit touches our hearts with the truth of God's love for us and in return causes God's love to flow through us in affection towards God Himself! This afternoon I got a taste of that and it was SO RICH and SO SWEET that I long....I ache for more!
It had been a hard day...I was tired and a bit discouraged, my heart was heavy and I was on a walk...alone! As I walked I poured out my complaint before the Lord knowing He was bending His ear to listen to my cry. As I prayed and laid the heaviness of my heart at His feet I also brought a simple request before Him, "Lord please encourage my discouraged heart in some way this afternoon!" I left it at His feet and soon forgot about it as the afternoon continued to fly by with special moments spent with family, laughter, and uplifting discussions. In the evening I quietly slipped away to spend some time with my Savoir and once again found myself reading more of the book "The Pleasures of Loving God" which I am only part way through right now. As I finished a chapter I found my heart crying out to God to truly make me a lover of Him...lovesick over Him, one who His love would flow through back to Himself! I felt that the Holy Spirit was prompting me to open my Bible and read some Psalms. I grabbed my Bible and as I opened it I noticed the edge of a note sticking out of the center of my Bible. Opening to the note I found myself in the Psalms and opening the note I found myself immersed in a note of encouragement from my dear mother. God's spirit touched my heart and I found myself overwhelmed in His love and care for me....all I could offer in return was to wholeheartedly love Him back! Glancing down at the scriptures in front of me I was astounded at the scripture my eye stopped on. Psalm 111:4 He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and full of compassion. My heart marveled at the truth contained in this verse and rejoiced greatly in the love of my King that He would cause my mom to write a note of encouragement on the day I specifically asked for some encouragement! Then I glanced at the other Psalms contained on the two pages between which my mom had stuck the note and my heart stopped again! Psalm 108:4-6 For Your mercy is great above the heavens, And Your truth reaches to the clouds. 5 Be exalted, O God above the heavens, And Your glory above all the earth; 6 That Your beloved may be delivered, Save with Your right hand, and hear me. Have you ever thought of yourself as Christ's beloved?! It seems kind of prideful, self righteous, and haughty doesn't it? To be called beloved of God?! David not only thought of himself as God's beloved, but he presented himself as beloved before the LORD! It is not because David had it all together, was more righteous than most, or lived a life that was deserving of Christ's love that brought him to the conclusion that he was beloved of God. It was because David had a healthy grasp on the truth of the title that was transferred to him at salvation. He understood what it meant to be the beautiful bride of the passionate bridegroom Jesus Christ! Not by his own righteousness but by faith in this one SO HOLY he found himself swept into the incredible privileges of being one of God's children. He knew that because of Christ's work at the cross he was indeed the Lord's beloved! Song of Solomon 7:10 I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me. Beloved you ARE Jesus Christ's and His desire is toward you! You ARE beloved of God! He delights in you, and He delights to know you! Turn your heart ever towards Him, and reap the benefits of putting the first commandment FIRST! I'll be right there beside you on the journey!:)

Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the LORD
your God with all your heart, with all your soul,
and with all your mind.'
"This is the first and great commandment.
Matthew 22:37-38