To Know GOD Is to Love Him

Many years ago than I care to remember there was a popular song that went like this: "To know, know, know him, is to love, love, love him; and I do." It had a catchy tune and sounded romantic. After all, when you're in love with someone, you want to know all there is to know about that person. The more you get to know that person, the more you're likely to love him/her.

That's the way it is with God's Love. You cannot give unconditional love unless you have it, and you don't know you have it until you give it away. You see, God's kind of love is very patient and kind. It is not envious, proud, or hypocritical, and does not seek self-satisfaction, exasperation or evil thoughts. It hates wrong-doing, but always rejoices in the truth. Love will endure much, being ever faithful, hopeful, and dependable.

Is that a tall order, or what! If you are to measure up to that definition of love, than you may be tempted to give up before you start, right? It's no wonder that so many marriages, partnerships, friendships and families are broken up every day!
The big question is, how can you ever be so much in love forever, even when the other person's love grows cold? Could you love someone who does not know you and you know is far from perfect? Your answer to that might be: "Only God could do that!"

OUR ATTITUDES… CREATE OUR FUTURE

Do you have a glad heart? Or, do you consistently worry? Are your thoughts filled with negative anticipation and worthless fears of tomorrow? Or do you wake up each day with a grateful heart that you are still alive and enjoying the grace of God?

Do you realize you are creating your future by the very attitude you posses?

In Proverbs 15:15: it says it this way, "All the days of despondence and affliction are made evil by anxious thoughts but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast regardless of circumstances."

We have an "either - or" situation here. Have a glad heart and a continual feast, or have your days made evil by "negative thinking." It's all an attitude.

Your attitude is supported by your beliefs and your beliefs are vital to your success or failure in life.

Jesus said, "As you have believed, let it be done unto you" (Matthew 8:13).

Whatever emotion you experience at any given time is supported by a particular belief. If you are experiencing joy, there is an underlying belief that supports that emotion. If you are experiencing discouragement, there is an underlying belief supporting that too.

If you know God is taking care of you and watching out for your best interest, then relax. Have a glad heart and know He is in control, for the peace of God surpasses all understanding.

If, for some reason, you are experiencing some negative emotion, your believing in something that is causing it.

So, the next time you're exuding a poor demeanor; slumped shoulders, shallow breathing, a sagging facial expression, just stop and ask yourself, "What is the belief that is supporting this behavior?" Once you recognize it, you can change it. It's just a decision.

Notice the phrase, "despondence and affliction." The word "despondence" means losing hope. As long as God is alive, there is no reason to lose hope. "He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

This power that works in us is our faith. Jesus said, "According to your faith let it be done unto you" (Matthew 9:29). God gives us the “grace of abundance in anything”, but we were also given the freewill to believe or not to believe.

Remember, we create our future by the very attitudes we posses, so we need to remember this and always be careful to not worry and keep trusting in God.