Loving God

We have been given a treasure map that can help us discover the greatest wealth ever imaginable. Our trek will take us through some pretty scary jungles and even some extremely dry deserts. The opposition we encounter along the way will increase our confidence that the prize is well worth whatever the cost. A guide is available and word has it that the destination can only be reached with His help. Obviously, from the title of this book, I'm talking about using the Bible to tap into the awesome love of God. Living in the love of God is to dwell in the presence of the healer, the One who is eternal life, the very Source for meeting every imaginable need What every human being craves is obtainable as we follow the treasure map of God's Word upstream to ourpoint of origin Loving God is the way we successfully navigate the dangers and trials on our journey through life. The Holy Spirit, our extraordinary guide, is ready to show us how love can unlock any door, destroy any foe, and invent whatever device we need. We will learn as we travel that loving God is not an achievement but a journey, and the details of the trip will continually compete for our time and attention. Some of love's enemies wear friendly faces. If we could only have an experience, take a treatment, do something that would freeze us in time - keep us loving God to the max. But, alas, the call to love Him with all of our resources - body, soul and spirit - continually calls us up higher Intimacy with the Almighty is not religion. The trust that love provides will allow us to crawl out of the fig trees of hiding and calm the noise of performing. Failures will be dealt with the way lovers solve insurmountable problems. Love lubricates life The watch word of religion is "how am I doing?" The song of lovers of God is "Our God is an awesome God " Religion seems to be competing with the whole world - loving God results in being the servant of all. Religion carefully counts out the tithe - love gives all only to find that the cup is continually refilled My goal is that we would gain a greater understanding of how God meant for us to operate for maximum enjoyment and success in life; that we would jump into the waters of life; that we would drink deep of the elixir of heaven until the joy of the Lord bubbles forth continually from our innermost being I long for us to be so blest in this earthly sphere that we will be adequately prepared to live with Christ Jesus throughout eternity as well as be a light to those who want out of the darkness that fills so many lives Some men love darkness because their deeds are evil. Others desperately want out of their ruts of failure. Oh that our love feasts would give off the fragrance of Christ, from life to life for those seeking answers Because God is love and we are made in His likeness and image, doesn't it stand to reason that the most important ingredient for success in every area of life, spiritually as well as physically, involves love? If the stream flowing from His throne is love, then to swim upstream to enjoy His presence, will require greater mastery with this response called love. And who, pray tell, should be expected to take the Gospel of God's love and hope to a lost and dying world: The hurting, unloved, wounded victims of Satan's awful war with heaven, or the recipients of God's glorious grace? Let's perfect our swimming so we can transport others into the river of hope Because Love created our bodies as well as our world, to live in health will require a proper balance or flow of love. An imbalance or twist of love (i.e., selfishness, pride, self-hatred, etc.) will result not only in fractured friendships, but in impaired health and diminished enjoyment of life. The quest for deep happiness and refreshing relationships with others must therefore be tied into receiving and living in the love of God. That is what this book is all about.