Monday, April 4, 2022

Reflection - Journeying With God - Loving God first

Source (book): "He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God", PART I "JOURNEYING WITH GOD", Chapter 4 "Loving God first", Page 16.
Adapted from books by Shelly Beach: Ambushed By Grace: Help and Hope in the Caregiving Journey, and It Is Well with My Soul.



You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you,
PHOTO: You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you,
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water.
I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life,
my lip will glorify you.
- Psalm 63:1-3

We all know caregiving is about love. But sometimes it's just impossible. How are we to love those we care for wholeheartedly when the relationships we have with them are so strained? How are we to love others selflessly when we ourselves are angry, frustrated, and tired?

Let's see what Jesus says about love. The greatest commandment, our Lord says, is to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). Then comes the second: "Love your neighbour as yourself" (Matthew 22:39).

This is the "double-love" command, on which our entire caregiving journey should be based. The order of the two commands indicates that our love for others must be the natural outflow of our love for God. Only by committing ourselves to our loving God are we then able to serve, love, forgive, and care for others.

What does it mean to love God? It means knowing Him, worshipping and praising Him, putting Him first in everything we do, desiring His presence in our lives, and obeying Him. In practical terms, it means spending time in His Word and in prayer; making Him the first priority and centre of our lives; submitting our will, desires, and passions to Him; and obeying His commands.

King David, the man whom God Himself called "a man after his own heart", described his love for God as a "thirst" for his Lord's presence. God's love, he wrote, was "better than life" itself, for it satisfied him more than the "richest of foods" (Psalm 63:1-5).

So let love for God overwhelm your heart. Let it engulf your soul. Let it captivate you so much that it possesses your emotions, your mind, and your actions. When this happens, you will find yourself taking on the nature of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, and pouring out your life in service to others. Your love for Him will shape the way you see His children - whether they are lovely or not.

As you learn to love God, you will become the person God intends you to be: fully loving those whom God entrusts into your care, and becoming the true caregiver He intends you to be.

How can we learn to love others?
By learning to love God first.
You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you,
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water.
I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life,
my lip will glorify you.
- Psalm 63:1-3


You, God, are my God,
PHOTO: You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you,
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water.
I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life,
my lip will glorify you. -

Psalm 63:1-3
 Picture posted by danielgaucan on 12 october 2015
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnePQSycvKjjTMrOCbOWMrm8Mt0yTlQ_wmolImRSpF1A_FTPCHKthR6kqbDwwxHdA87AMSXtgE1gTgpo_TPUXNhBYE0eqPCgMC1vjwDpU7qxcY_cQ8HoAm7cmrC2iZU3ZemhtU6uWqUQ/s1600/geam.jpg
https://daniilgaucan.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/geam.jpg
https://daniilgaucan.wordpress.com/2015/10/12/luna-noua-in-balanta-13-octombrie-2015-o-resetare-pe-care-am-asteptat-o-cu-totii/
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/11/reflection-good-christian-men-rejoice.html



We all know caregiving is about love. But sometimes it's just impossible. How are we to love those we care for wholeheartedly when the relationships we have with them are so strained? How are we to love others selflessly when we ourselves are angry, frustrated, and tired?

Let's see what Jesus says about love. The greatest commandment, our Lord says, is to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). Then comes the second: "Love your neighbour as yourself" (Matthew 22:39).


The greatest commandment
PHOTO: The greatest commandment, our Lord says, is to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). Then comes the second: "Love your neighbour as yourself" (Matthew 22:39).
Picture posted by Godly Ladies
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXsSHJpyRPlJoWwhXLHMqYY74iOID6jz4Vp4GeitEvlt9g2Aqg2b_YgseosVgAsfulAdNnUwuQlkMnkJn30vRvrMNgiyQnbGRg57n1iDdGpOmqQBUnwTOIhy6yw8IDlUxSjVOnD7G_FjzSokQbTk2dzQdZBcbemIUYF1OkHTRLwTFYy0rtoCSpMkH/s686/Matthew-22-37-39.jpg
http://godlyladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Matthew-22-37-39.jpg
http://godlyladies.com/daily-bible-reading-23rd-january/matthew-22-37-39/



This is the "double-love" command, on which our entire caregiving journey should be based. The order of the two commands indicates that our love for others must be the natural outflow of our love for God. Only by committing ourselves to our loving God are we then able to serve, love, forgive, and care for others.

What does it mean to love God? It means knowing Him, worshipping and praising Him, putting Him first in everything we do, desiring His presence in our lives, and obeying Him. In practical terms, it means spending time in His Word and in prayer; making Him the first priority and centre of our lives; submitting our will, desires, and passions to Him; and obeying His commands.


What does it mean to love God?
PHOTO: What does it mean to love God? It means knowing Him, worshipping and praising Him, putting Him first in everything we do, desiring His presence in our lives, and obeying Him. In practical terms, it means spending time in His Word and in prayer; making Him the first priority and centre of our lives; submitting our will, desires, and passions to Him; and obeying His commands.
Picture posted by Meravglik

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbZtrIPqtCn6GjSsyQ98ZzonayFQ1vko8EeQpdV75udZudeV32SL0VseUdF7jrNiMdk8GqD-Iw1dp62pkfS1MyzUcpHZC47CCSeW6NmAV7Z0B9i9-skDIs-JMH9ZPml4Fma_WA1OHWJgMX8zje8E5SeXZgWZ0Qmd9ot6WEzTBnDFW5gkSXxFedN4C/s2560/Depositphotos_4084122_xl-2015-scaled.jpg
https://meravglik.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Depositphotos_4084122_xl-2015-scaled.jpg
https://meravglik.co.il/התנועה-של-הרגש/



King David, the man whom God Himself called "a man after his own heart", described his love for God as a "thirst" for his Lord's presence. God's love, he wrote, was "better than life" itself, for it satisfied him more than the "richest of foods" (Psalm 63:1-5).

So let love for God overwhelm your heart. Let it engulf your soul. Let it captivate you so much that it possesses your emotions, your mind, and your actions. When this happens, you will find yourself taking on the nature of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, and pouring out your life in service to others. Your love for Him will shape the way you see His children - whether they are lovely or not.


Let love for God overwhelm your heart.
PHOTO: Let love for God overwhelm your heart. Let it engulf your soul. Let it captivate you so much that it possesses your emotions, your mind, and your actions. When this happens, you will find yourself taking on the nature of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, and pouring out your life in service to others. Your love for Him will shape the way you see His children - whether they are lovely or not.
Picture posted by Bonnie Haldeman

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZXR0qdq41kPhb31p6Jp14NUvg3-w1rQzvbgGCmmWZFVkLw3Gh_L3t23tJ3NpTSA5vBHJ_8fFlCWW6riwgT7YqDsB_3cTL1W7JUbFm5CO4WiUodH4WHxbZm0bqp86-LD8j68LA4enbp-OB_KO95UdOaaR4_-mPtT-3nJwHZz7fFKjGBNassylVjci/s924/fbfb9727a02d90adc27c275415d0057b.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/fb/fb/97/fbfb9727a02d90adc27c275415d0057b.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/316448311296435158/



As you learn to love God, you will become the person God intends you to be: fully loving those whom God entrusts into your care, and becoming the true caregiver He intends you to be.

How can we learn to love others?
By learning to love God first.



As we learn to love God, we will become the person God intends ux to be
PHOTO: As we learn to love God, we will become the person God intends ux to be: fully loving those whom God entrusts into our care, and becoming the true caregiver He intends us to be.
Picture posted by Stricnina, Alice on 04 October 2005

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPGSxx_EbCTNtT0WCi69lZZvS94zjt154eCcWkoaM7g4ZQhCzuw73n2ubsoLCCL7omKbTPkv-UytPktZvxr_XbOq4Hdd5GsCDint6I0fufzvtc5BUoSiZkxK7KbsfWFmu-Fy80Nnz-LUUaHFFvXb0jSIMNIx4Tn_Bh4yrq04FWeDOhR6dDkLHGs8T/s904/de2dqd-4f4dcc5b-cb28-47e4-8964-dd596058c345.jpg
https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/17274411-f74c-4a72-9bcf-d71555d1d402/de2dqd-4f4dcc5b-cb28-47e4-8964-dd596058c345.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzE3Mjc0NDExLWY3NGMtNGE3Mi05YmNmLWQ3MTU1NWQxZDQwMlwvZGUyZHFkLTRmNGRjYzViLWNiMjgtNDdlNC04OTY0LWRkNTk2MDU4YzM0NS5qcGcifV1dLCJhdWQiOlsidXJuOnNlcnZpY2U6ZmlsZS5kb3dubG9hZCJdfQ.u_38Zr_x66xQBFlfzQmHdaP7cqkU83OzPCLw2uZuo9o
https://www.deviantart.com/stricnina/art/Symphonic-HP-D-n-G-23625733



Dear Lord Jesus
PHOTO: "Dear Lord Jesus, sometimes I struggle to love those I care for. But I know You are the God of love, and You desire that I love You. Fill me, I ask today, with love for You. Overwhelm me with a desire for Your presence in my heart, for I know that out of this love will flow a love for others.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!
"
Picture posted by Wallpaper Abyss
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbk6emAFvaziJBgPOxxDe5eJzhkYUIOh217ZCNelSW8UT-nlOG0iGgCngVErFu97b3y3XkBejP6KwDKzhUJaaIoEXpQ9Ezsr0w1T9B0lfLyU6kLVJJSX5qi7tSZpHrT7RhhJr5BV9hFDOUIuisImz1EFytoSepKXBCUbeeXcZh5R4o8TrtnhfxNbX/s2048/1111954_1.png
https://images2.alphacoders.com/111/1111954.jpg
https://wall.alphacoders.com/big.php?i=1111954


Reflection - Journeying With God - Loving God first
Source (book): "He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God", PART I "JOURNEYING WITH GOD", Chapter 4 "Loving God first", Page 16.
Adapted from books by Shelly Beach: Ambushed By Grace: Help and Hope in the Caregiving Journey, and It Is Well with My Soul.



Other Books (Links)

"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html
 


"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, ©
2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020

https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
 

"Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html
 

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html
 

"Teach Us to Number Our Days", © 2008 by David Roper

Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/11/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-1-40.html
 
 
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 41 - 64 (Links), posted on Wednesday, 16 March 2022
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 41 - 64 (Links), posted on Wednesday, 16 March 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/03/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-41.html
 


Reference
[1] From "He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God", Copyright © 2018 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, PART I "JOURNEYING WITH GOD", Chapter 4 "Loving God first", Page 16-17.


Links


New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.