Our Relationship with the Lord
Includes dedication, devotion, and loving and reverencing God
1. WE WORSHIP GOD BY LOVING HIM:
A. We are to love God with all our heart:
Deuteronomy 6:5 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might
Deuteronomy 10:12 What doth the Lord … require of thee, but to … to love him … with all thy heart and with all thy soul
Matthew 22:37–38 Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment
(See also Deuteronomy 30:6,20; Joshua 22:5; 23:11.)
B. Our souls should thirst for God:
Psalm 42:1–2 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God
Psalm 63:1 My soul thirsteth for thee … in a dry and thirsty land
(See also Psalm 143:6; Matthew 5:6; John 4:10,14.)
C. We should greatly desire Him:
Psalm 16:8 I have set the Lord always before me … at my right hand
Psalm 27:4 One thing have I desired … that will I seek after; that I may … behold the beauty of the Lord
Psalm 63:8 My soul followeth hard after thee
Psalm 84:2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord
Isaiah 26:9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night
D. We are to desire Him above all else:
Psalm 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee
Isaiah 26:8 The desire of our soul is to thy name
E. We are to worship Jesus as we worship God:
John 5:23 All men should honour the Son, even as … the Father
Philippians 2:9–11 At the name of Jesus every knee should bow … every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
Colossians 1:18 [He] is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence
1 John 5:1 Every one that loveth him [God] that begat loveth him [Jesus] also that is begotten of him
F. Why we love and worship Jesus:
1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he [Jesus] laid down his life for us
1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us
Revelation 5:8–13 Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive … honour, and glory, and blessing
(See also 1 John 2:23; 4:15.)
2. HOW WE SHOW OUR LOVE FOR GOD:
A. By loving and obeying His Word:
Deuteronomy 11:1 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and keep his … statutes, and his judgements, and his commandments, always
Job 23:12 I have esteemed [God’s] words … more than my necessary food
Psalm 119:20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgements [word] at all times. (See also Psalm 119:40.)
Psalm 119:131 I … panted: for I longed for thy commandments
John 14:21 He that [keepeth] my commandments … he it is that loveth me
1 John 3:22 We keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight
1 John 5:3 This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments
2 John 1:6 This is love, that we walk after his commandments
(See also Psalm 119:47–48,97,113,127,140,159,163,167.)
B. By worshipping Him in prayer:
Psalm 18:1,3 I will love thee, O Lord … I will call upon the Lord
Psalm 63:1–4 Thou art my God; early will I seek thee … to see thy power and thy glory
Psalm 91:14–15 Because he hath set his love upon me … he shall call upon me, and I will answer him
Psalm 116:1–2 I love the Lord … therefore will I call upon him
C. By loving one another:
Matthew 25:40 Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me
1 John 4:20–21 Commandment … he who loveth God love his brother also
D. By listening to His voice:
1 Samuel 3:9–10 If he call thee … say “Speak, Lord; for they servant heareth”
Psalm 143:8 Cause me to hear they lovingkindness
Isaiah 50:5 The Lord hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious
E. By obeying, following, and serving Him:
Deuteronomy 10:12–13 What doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to … serve [him] … keep the commandments of the Lord
Joshua 24:14 Fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and truth
1 Samuel 12:24 Fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice … and they follow me
John 12:26 Follow me; where I am, there shall also my servant be
John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love
Ephesians 6:7 Doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men
Hebrews 12:28 Serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear
F. By self-sacrifice and giving our lives in love:
Matthew 10:38 He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me
John 10:17 My father [doth] love me, because I lay down my life
1 Corinthians 15:31 I die daily (See also 2 Corinthians 11:22–28.)
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ
Philippians 3:7–8 I count all things but loss … that I may win Christ
Revelation 12:11 They counted not their lives unto the death
G. By honouring and obeying Him more than men:
Acts 5:29 We ought to obey God rather than men
(See also Acts 4:19.)
H. By giving to Him and supporting His work:
Proverbs 3:9 Honour the Lord with … the firstfruits of all thine increase
(See also Leviticus 27:30; 1 Corinthians 9:6–11.)
3. WE ARE TO LOVE GOD ABOVE ALL ELSE:
Matthew 22:37 Love … God with all thy heart … soul and … mind
A. We are not to love—or put—anything before Him:
Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me (See also Psalm 96:4.)
B. God is jealous of our love:
Exodus 20:3,5 Thou shalt not … serve [other gods]: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God
(See also Exodus 34:14; Deuteronomy 32:16,21; Isaiah 42:8; 1 Corinthians 10:22.)
C. We are to love God even more than our loved ones:
Genesis 22:12 Now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother … [or] son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me (See also Luke 14:26.)
D. We are to love God more than we care about ourselves:
Matthew 4:4 Not live by bread alone, but by every word … of God
Matthew 6:24–33 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other … Ye cannot serve God and mammon … Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness
(See also Psalm 84:10–11.)
E. Our focus should be on heavenly things, rather than on things of the earth:
Matthew 6:20–21 Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven … for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also
Luke 12:15 A man’s life consisteth not in abundance of things
Colossians 3:1–2 Seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set … affection on things above, not on things on the earth
(See also Hebrews 10:34.)
F. We mustn’t even put God’s service above loving Him:
Luke 10:38–42 [The story of Martha busy serving, while Mary listened to Jesus]
Luke 11:42 Ye tithe … [but] pass over judgement and the love of God
Revelation 2:3–5 For my name’s sake hast laboured … nevertheless … thou hast left thy first love … thou art fallen
4. WE ARE TO FEAR AND REVERENCE GOD:
A. Fearing God:
Deuteronomy 10:12 What doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God
2 Kings 17:35–36 The Lord … him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Fear God, and keep his commandments
Isaiah 8:12–13 Let [God] be your fear, and let him be your dread
Luke 12:4–5 Be not afraid of [men] … I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear [God] … yea, I say, Fear him
(See also Matthew 10:28.)
B. Fearing (reverencing) God is healthy:
Psalm 19:9 The fear of the Lord is clean (Compare with Proverbs 29:25.)
C. The benefits of fearing God:
Psalm 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (See also Proverbs 9:10.)
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge
Proverbs 14:26–27 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence … The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death
Proverbs 16:6 By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil
D. God’s blessings on us for fearing Him:
Psalm 25:12 He that feareth the Lord … shall he teach in the way
Psalm 31:19 How great is thy goodness … for them that fear thee
Psalm 103:13 The Lord pitieth [has compassion on] them that fear him
Psalm 147:11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him
Luke 1:50 His mercy is on them that fear him
Acts 10:35 He that feareth him … is accepted with him
5. RESTING IN THE LORD:
A. The Bible instructs us to “rest in the Lord”:
Psalm 37:7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him
Hebrews 4:3 We which have believed do enter into rest
Hebrews 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God
B. Take time to sit at Jesus’ feet:
Luke 10:38–42 Mary … sat at Jesus’ feet and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered … serving. Mary hath chosen the good part
C. Cast your burdens and worries on God:
Psalm 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee
Matthew 11:28–30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest … unto your souls
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you
D. Quietly meditate on God’s power:
Genesis 24:63 Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide
Job 37:14 Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God
Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God
1 Thessalonians 4:11 Study to be quiet
E. Be humble before Him:
1 Kings 3:7 [King Solomon prayed to God] I am but a little child
Isaiah 57:15 The high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity … I dwell … with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit
Micah 6:8 What doth the Lord require of thee, but to … walk humbly with thy God?
6. DRAWING CLOSE AND RESTING IN THE “SECRET PLACE”:
Hebrews 4:11 Let us labour … to enter into that rest
James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you
A. The “secret place” of God’s presence:
Psalm 17:8 Hide me under the shadow of thy wings
Psalm 31:19–20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence
Psalm 61:4 I will trust in the covert [hiding place] of thy wings
Psalm 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty
(See also Psalm 27:5; 32:7; 119:114.)
B. Rest in “the shadow of His wings”:
Deuteronomy 32:11–12 As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young … so the Lord [watches over His people]
Psalm 57:1 My soul trusteth in thee … in the shadow of thy wings
Psalm 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust
Matthew 23:37 [Jesus longs to gather us to Him] even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings (See also Luke 13:34.)
(See also Psalm 36:7; 63:7; Ruth 2:12.)
7. THE BENEFITS OF TAKING QUIET TIME WITH GOD:
A. God heals and restores our souls:
Psalm 23:2–3 He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul
Malachi 4:2 Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness [Jesus] arise with healing in his wings
2 Corinthians 4:16 We faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day (See also Ephesians 4:23.)
B. He gives us joy:
Psalm 5:11 Let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice … let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee
Psalm 16:11 In thy presence is fulness of joy
Psalm 40:16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee
Psalm 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation
(See also Nehemiah 8:10; 1 Peter 1:8.)
C. He gives us spiritual strength:
Judges 5:31 Let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might
Isaiah 30:7 Their strength is to sit still
Isaiah 30:15 In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength
Isaiah 40:29–31 They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles … and not be weary
Isaiah 41:1 Keep silence before me … renew their strength
Daniel 11:32 The people that do know their God shall be strong
Ephesians 3:16 That he would grant you … to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man (See also Psalm 138:3.)
Colossians 1:9,11 Strengthened with all might, according to his … power.
D. He gives us rest in the Spirit:
Exodus 33:14 My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest
1 Kings 8:56 The Lord … hath given rest unto his people
Matthew 11:28–30 Come unto me … I will give you rest … unto your souls
E. When we take time to love Him, He loves us:
Proverbs 8:17 I love them that love me
John 14:21,23 He that loveth me [Jesus] shall be loved of my Father
John 16:27 The Father … loveth you, because ye have loved me
F. Other benefits of loving God:
Deuteronomy 30:16 Love the Lord … walk in his ways … that thou mayest live … and the Lord shall bless thee
Psalm 91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name
Psalm 119:132 Be merciful … unto those that love thy name
Psalm 145:20 The Lord preserveth all them that love him
Proverbs 8:21 I may cause those that love me to inherit substance
1 Corinthians 8:3 If any man love God, the same is known of him.
Ephesians 6:24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity
James 1:12 The crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him (See also 2 Timothy 4:8.)
(See also Deuteronomy 11:13–15,22–23; Psalm 36:10.)
8. HINDRANCES TO OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD:
A. Being “too busy” to take time with Him:
Isaiah 26:12 This is the refreshing wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest: yet they would not hear
Matthew 23:37 How often would I have gathered [thee] as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not
Luke 10:39–40 Mary sat at Jesus feet, and heard his word. But Martha was encumbered about with much serving
John 5:40 Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life
B. Becoming caught up with the world and its cares:
Matthew 13:22 The care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word (See also Luke 8:14.)
2 Timothy 2:4 [To please God, don’t become entangled with the affairs of this life]
1 John 2:15 If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him
C. Cooling off and losing our “first love”:
Jeremiah 2:2–5 The kindness of thy youth, the love … when thou wentest after me … [now] gone far from me … become vain?
Matthew 24:12 The love of many shall wax [grow] cold
Revelation 2:4–5 I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love
D. Doubting God’s love:
Malachi 1:2 I have loved you, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us?
E. Harbouring unrepented sin in our hearts:
Psalm 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me
Isaiah 59:2 Your iniquities have separated between you and your God
F. Being too full of our own thoughts:
Isaiah 65:2 I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh … after their own thoughts
(See also Psalm 10:4; 119:113; Isaiah 55:7.)
9. OUR SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD:
A. Obedient believers are a blessed and chosen people:
Exodus 19:5 If ye will obey my voice … ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people
Deuteronomy 7:6 God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people … upon the face of the earth
Deuteronomy 14:2 Thou art an holy people … a peculiar [special] people
Isaiah 43:4 Thou wast precious in my sight … and I have loved thee
Matthew 22:14 Many are called, but few are chosen
John 15:16 I have chosen you, and ordained you
1 Peter 2:9 Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar [special] people
(See also Ephesians 1:4; Revelation 17:14.)
B. Jesus bought us; we belong to Him:
1 Corinthians 3:23 Ye are Christ’s
1 Corinthians 6:20 Ye are bought with a price … your body and your spirit … are God’s (See also 1 Corinthians 7:23.)
Revelation 5:9 Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us … by thy blood
1 Peter 1:18–19 Ye were … redeemed … with the precious blood of Christ
(See also Matthew 20:28; Luke 10:45; Galatians 3:13; 1 Timothy 2:5–6.)
C. Instead of making us slaves, He adopted us as children and heirs:
Matthew 12:50 Whosoever shall do the will of my Father … the same is my brother, and sister, and mother
Romans 8:14–17 Ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father … If children, then … heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ
Galatians 4:5–7 To redeem [us] … that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father … Thou art no more a servant, but a son and … an heir
(See also Ephesians 1:5–7.)
D. We are spiritually married to God:
Isaiah 54:5 Thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts
Isaiah 62:5 As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee
Jeremiah 3:14 Turn … for I am married unto you
Hosea 2:19–20 I will betroth thee unto me for ever
Romans 7:4 Ye should be married to another, even to [Jesus]
2 Corinthians 11:2 I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ
Revelation 19:7–9 The marriage of the Lamb [Jesus] is come, and his wife, [the church] hath made herself ready
(See also Ezekiel 16:8; Ephesians 5:28–32.)
E. We live and abide in Him, and He lives in us:
John 14:23 We will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
John 15:1–5 [We are to abide in Jesus as a branch joined to a vine]
John 17:26 That the love … may be in them, and I in them
2 Corinthians 5:17 If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature
2 Corinthians 6:16 I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and … be their God
1 John 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us
1 John 4:16 He that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him
(See also Acts 17:28.)
F. We are Jesus’ body:
Ephesians 1:22–23 [Jesus is] the head over all things to the church, which is his body
Ephesians 5:30 We are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
Colossians 1:18 He is the head of the body, the church
(See also 1 Corinthians 12:12–27.)
G. We are God’s temple:
1 Corinthians 6:19 Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you
2 Corinthians 6:16 Ye are the temple of the living God
Ephesians 2:19–22 An holy temple … ye also are builded together for an habitation of God
Hebrews 3:6 Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we
H. Jesus is our shepherd, we are His sheep:
Psalm 23:1–4 The Lord is my shepherd … he leadeth me
Psalm 95:7 He is our God; and we are … the sheep of his hand
Psalm 100:3 We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture
John 10:1–29 I am the good shepherd (See also Hebrews 13:20.)
(See also Psalm 78:52; 79:13; Isaiah 40:11; Matthew 25:32–33; John 21:15–17.)
I. He loved and rescued us when we were lost and gone astray:
1 Peter 2:25 Ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd … of your souls
(See also Isaiah 53:6; Ezekiel 34:1–12; Matthew 9:36; Luke 15:3–7; John 10:11.)