Our Relationship with the Lord
--Includes dedication, devotion and loving and reverencing the Lord
1. We worship the Lord by loving Him:
A. We are to love the Lord with all our heart:
Deut.6:5 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might
Deut.10:12 What doth the Lord require of thee, but...to love Him... with all thy heart and with all thy soul
Mat.22:37,38 This is the first and great commandment
(See also Deut.30:6,20 ; Josh.22:5 ; 23:11 .)
B. Our souls should thirst for God:
Psa.42:1,2 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God
Psa.63:1b My soul thirsteth for Thee...in a dry and thirsty land
(See also Psa.143:6 ; Mat.5:6 ; Jn.4:10,14 .)
C. We should greatly desire Him:
Psa.27:4 One thing have I desired...that will I seek after; that I may...behold the beauty of the Lord
Psa.16:8 I have set the Lord always before me...at my right hand
Psa.63:8 My soul followeth hard after Thee
Psa.84:2 My soul longeth, even fainteth for courts of the Lord
Isa.26:9a With my soul have I desired Thee in the night
D. We are to desire Him above all else:
Psa.73:25 Whom have I in Heaven but Thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee
Isa.26:8b The desire of our soul is to Thy name
E. We are to worship Jesus as we worship God:
Jn.5:23 All men should honour the Son even as...the Father
Phi.2:9-11 At the name of Jesus every knee should bow...every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
Col.1:18b (He) is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence
1Jn.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:
1Jn.3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He (Jesus) laid down His life for us
1Jn.4:19 We love Him, because He first loved us
Rev.5:8-13 Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive...honour, and glory, and blessing
(See also 1Jn.2:23 ; 4:15 .)2. How we show our love for the Lord:
A. By loving and obeying His Word:
Jn.14:21 He that [keepeth] My commandments, he it is that loveth Me
Deut.11:1 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and keep His...statutes, and His judgments, and His commandments, alway
Job 23:12 I esteemed (God's) Words...more than my necessary food
Psa.119:20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto Thy judgements (Word) (See also Psa.119:40)
Psa.119:131 I...panted: for I longed for Thy commandments
1Jn.3:22 We keep His commandments, and do things that are pleasing in His sight
1Jn.5:3 This is the love of God...keep His commandments
2Jn.6 This is love, that we walk after His commandments
(See also Psa.119:47,48,97,113,127,140,159,163,167 .)
B. By worshipping Him in prayer:
Psa.18:1,3a I will love Thee, O Lord...I will call upon the Lord
Psa.63:1-4 Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee...to see Thy power and Thy glory
Psa.91:14,15 Because he hath set his love upon Me...he shall call upon Me, and I will answer him
Psa.116:1,2 I love the Lord...therefore will I call upon Him
C. By loving one another:
Mat.25:40 Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me
1Jn.4:20,21 Commandment...he who loveth God love his brother also
D. By listening to His voice:
1Sam.3:9,10 If He call thee...say, "Speak, Lord; for Thy servant heareth"
Psa.143:8a Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness
Isa.50:5 The Lord hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious
E. By obeying, following and serving Him:
Jn.10:27 My sheep hear My voice...and they follow Me
Jn.12:26 Follow Me; where I am, there shall also My servant be
Jn.15:10 If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love
Deut.10:12,13 What doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to... serve (Him)...keep the commandments of the Lord
Josh.24:14 Fear the Lord, and serve Him in sincerity and truth
1Sam.12:24 Fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart
Eph.6:7 Doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men
Heb.12:28 Serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear
F. By self-sacrifice and giving our lives in love:
Mat.10:38 He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me
Jn.10:17 My Father (doth) love me, because I lay down My life
1Cor.15:31b I die daily (See also 2Cor.11:23-28)
Gal.2:20 I am crucified with Christ
Phi.3:7,8 I count all things but loss...that I may win Christ
Rev.12:11 They loved not their lives unto the death
G. By honouring and obeying Him more than man:
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:
Pro.3:9 Honour the Lord with...the firstfruits of all thine increase
(See also Lev.27:30 ; 1Cor.9:6-11 .)3. We are to love God above all else:
Mat.22:37 Love...God with all thy heart...and soul...and mind
A. We are not to love--or put--anything before Him:
Exo.20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before Me (See also Psa.96:4)
B. God is jealous of your love for Him; don't provoke Him:
Exo.20:3,5 Thou shalt not serve them (other gods): for I the Lord... am a jealous God
(See also Exo.34:14 ; Deut.32:16 ; 32:21 ; Isa.42:8 ; 1Cor.10:22 .)
C. We are not even to love our loved ones more than God:
Gen.22:12 Now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from Me
Mat.10:37 He that loveth father or mother [or] son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me (See Lk.14:26)
D. We are not even to seek our physical needs above God:
Mat.4:4 Not live by bread alone, but by every Word...of God
Mat.6:24 No man can serve two masters: for he will hate one, and love the other...Ye cannot serve God and mammon
Mat.6:33 Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness
(See also Psa.84:10,11 ; Mat.6:25-32 .)E. Seek Heavenly things, don't be overly attached to earthly things:
Mat.6:20,21 Lay up for yourselves treasure in Heaven...for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also
Lk.12:15 A man's life consisteth not in abundance of things
Col.3:1 Seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God
Col.3:2 Set...affection on things above, not things on earth
(See also Heb.10:34)
F. Don't even put God's service above loving God:
Lk.11:42 Ye tithe...[but] pass over judgment and the love of God
Rev.2:3-5 For My name's sake hast laboured...nevertheless...thou hast left thy first love...thou art fallen
Lk.10:38-42 [The story of Martha busy serving, Mary listening to Jesus]4. We are to fear and reverence the Lord:
A. Fearing God:
Deut.10:12 What doth the Lord require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God
2Ki.17:35,36 The Lord...Him shall ye fear, and Him shall ye worship
Eccl.12:13 Fear God, and keep His commandments
Isa.8:12,13 Let Him (God) be your fear, and let Him be your dread
Lk.12:4,5 Be not afraid of them (men)...I will forewarn you Whom ye shall fear: Fear Him (God)...yea, I say, fear Him
(See also Mat.10:28)
B. Fearing (reverencing) God is healthy:
Psa.19:9 The fear of the Lord is clean (Compare with Pro.29:25)
C. The benefits of fearing God:
Psa.111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (See also Pro.9:10)
Pro.1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge
Pro.14:26 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence
Pro.14:27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death
Pro.16:6b By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil
D. God's blessings on us for fearing Him:
Psa.25:12 He that feareth the Lord...shall He teach in the way
Psa.31:19 How great is Thy goodness...for them that fear Thee
Psa.103:13 Lord pitieth (has compassion on) them that fear Him
Psa.147:11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him
Lk.1:50 His mercy is on them that fear Him
Acts 10:35 He that feareth Him...is accepted with Him5. Resting in the Lord:
A. The Bible instructs us to "rest in the Lord":
Psa.37:7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him
Heb.4:3a We which have believed do enter into rest
Heb.4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God
B. Take time to sit at Jesus' feet:
Lk.10:38-42 Mary...sat at Jesus' feet and heard His Word. But Martha was cumbered...serving. Mary hath chosen good part
C. Cast your burdens and worries on the Lord:
Psa.55:22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee
Mat.11:28-30 Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest...unto your souls
1Pet.5:7 Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you
D. Quietly meditate on God's power:
Gen.24:63 Isaac went out to meditate in the field at eventide
Job 37:14 Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God
Psa.46:10 Be still and know that I am God
1Thes.4:11 Study to be quiet
E. Be humble before Him:
1Ki.3:7 [King Solomon prayed to God:] I am but a little child
Isa.57:15 The high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity...I dwell with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit
Mic.6:8 What doth the Lord require of thee, but to...walk humbly with thy God6. Drawing close and resting in the "Secret Place":
Heb.4:11 Let us labour...to enter into that rest
Jam.4:8a Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you
A. The "secret place" of God's presence:
Psa.91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty
Psa.17:8 Hide me under the shadow of Thy wings
Psa.31:19,20a Thou shalt hide them in the secret of Thy presence
Psa.61:4 I will trust in the covert (secret place) of Thy wings
(See also Psa.27:5 ; 32:7 ; 119:114 .)
B. Rest in "the shadow of His wings":
Deut.32:11,12 As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young...so the Lord [watches over His people]
Mat.23:37b [Jesus longs to gather us to Him] even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings (See also Lk.13:34)
Psa.91:4 He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust
Psa.57:1 My soul trusteth in Thee...in the shadow of Thy wings
(See also Psa.36:7b ; 63:7b ; Ruth 2:12)7. The benefits of taking quiet time with the Lord:
A. God heals and restores our souls:
Psa.23:2,3a He leadeth me beside still waters...restoreth my soul
Mal.4:2 Unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness [Jesus] arise with healing in His wings
2Cor.4:16 We faint not; though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day (See also Eph.4:23)
B. He gives us joy:
Psa.5:11 Let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice...Let them that love Thy name be joyful in Thee
Psa.16:11 In Thy presence is fulness of joy
Psa.40:16 Let those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee
Psa.51:12 Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation
(See also Neh. 8:10b ; 1Pet.1:8 .)
C. He gives us spiritual strength:
Isa.40:29-31 They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings...and not be weary
Isa.41:1 Keep silence before Me...renew their strength
Isa.30:7 Their strength is to sit still
Isa.30:15 In quietness and in confid ence shall be your strength
Dan.11:32b The people that do know their God shall be strong
Judg.5:31 Let them that love Him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might
Eph.3:16 That He would grant you...to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man (See Psa.138:3)
Col.1:9,11 Strengthened with all might, according to His...power
D. He gives us rest in the Spirit:
Exo.33:14 My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest
1Ki.8:56 The Lord...hath given rest unto His people
Mat.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:
Pro.8:17 I love them that love Me
Jn.14:21,23 He that loveth Me (Jesus) shall be loved of My Father
Jn.16:27 The Father...loveth you, because ye have loved Me
F. Other benefits of loving the Lord:
Deut.30:16 Love the Lord...walk in His ways...that thou mayest live ...and the Lord shall bless thee
Psa.91:14 Because he set his love upon Me, I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he hath known My name
Psa.119:132 Be merciful...unto those that love Thy name
Psa.145:20 The Lord preserveth all them that love Him
Pro.8:21 I...cause those that love Me to inherit substance
Eph.6:24 Grace be with them that love Jesus Christ in sincerity 1Cor.8:3 If any man love God, the same is known of Him
Jam.1:12 The crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him (See also 2Tim.4:8)
(See also Deut.11:13-15,22,23 ; Psa.36:10 .) 8. Hindrances to our relationship with the Lord:
A. Being "too busy" to take time with Him:
Isa.28:12 This is the refreshing wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest: yet they would not hear
Mat.23:37b How often would I have gathered [thee], as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not
Lk.10:39,40 Mary sat at Jesus' feet, and heard His Word. But Martha was cumbered about with much serving
Jn.5:40 Ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life
B. Becoming caught up with the world and its cares:
Mat.13:22 The care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches... choke the Word (See also Lk.8:14)
2Tim.2:4 [To please God, don't become entangled with the affairs of this life]
1Jn.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":
Jer.2:2-5 The kindness of thy youth, the love...when thou wentest after Me...[now] gone far from Me...become vain
Mat.24:12 The love of many shall wax (grow) cold
Rev.2:4,5 I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love
D. Doubting the Lord's love for you:
Mal.1:2 I have loved you, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, Wherein hast Thou loved us?
E. Harbouring unrepented sin in our hearts:
Psa.66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, Lord will not hear me
Isa.59:2 Your iniquities have separated between you and your God
F. Being too full of our own thoughts:
Isa.65:2 I have spread out My hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walk...after their own thoughts
(See also Psa.10:4 ; 119:113 ; Isa.55:7 .)9. Our special relationship with the Lord:
A. Obedient believers are a blessed and chosen people:
1Pet.2:9 Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar (special) people
Exo.19:5 If ye will obey My voice...ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people
Deut.7:6 God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto Himself, above all people...on the face of the earth
Deut.14:2 Thou art an holy people...a peculiar people
Isa.43:4 Thou wast precious in My sight...and I have loved thee
Mat.22:14 Many are called, but few are chosen
Jn.15:16 I have chosen you, and ordained you
(See also Eph.1:4b ; Rev.17:14b .)
B. Jesus bought us; we belong to Him:
1Cor.3:23 Ye are Christ's
1Cor.6:20 Ye are bought with a price...your body and your spirit...are God's (See also 1Cor.7:23)
Rev.5:9 Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us...by Thy blood
1Pet.1:18,19 Ye were...redeemed...with the precious blood of Christ
(See also Mat.20:28 ; Lk.10:45 ; Gal.3:13 ; 1Tim.2:5b,6 .)
C. Instead of making us slaves, He adopted us as children and heirs:
Gal.4:5 To redeem (us)...that we might re ceive the adoption of sons (See also Eph.1:5-7)
Rom.8:14-16 Ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father
Mat.12:50 Whosoever shall do the will of (God)...the same is My brother, and sister, and mother
Gal.4:6 Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father
Gal.4:7 Thou art no more a servant, but a son; and...an heir
Rom.8:17 If children...then heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ
(See also Jn.15:15 ; 2Cor.6:18 ; Heb.2:11 ; 1Jn.3:1)
D. We are spiritually married to the Lord:
Isa.54:5 Thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts
Isa.62:5 As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee
Jer.3:14 Turn...saith the Lord; for I am married unto you
Hos.2:19,20 I will betroth thee unto Me for ever
Rom.7:4 Ye should be married to another, even to Him (Jesus)
2Cor.11:2 I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ
Rev.19:7-9 The marriage of the Lamb (Jesus) is come, and His wife (us, the church) hath made herself ready
(See also Ezk.16:8 ; Eph.5:28-32 .)
E. We live and abide in Him, and He lives in us:
Jn.14:23 We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him
Jn.15:1-5 [We are to abide in Jesus as a branch joined to a vine]
Jn.17:26 That the Love...may be in them, and I in them
2Cor.5:17 If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature
2Cor.6:16b I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and...be their God
1Jn.4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us
1Jn.4:16 He that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him (See also Acts 17:28 )
F. We are Jesus' body:
Eph.1:22,23 (Jesus is) the head over all things to the church, which is His body
Eph.5:30 We are members of His body, of His flesh...His bones
Col.1:18a He is the head of the body, the church
(See also 1Cor.12:12-27)
G. We are God's temple:
1Cor.6:19 Your body is temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you
2Cor.6:16 Ye are the temple of the living God
Eph.2:19-22 An holy temple...ye are builded together for an habitation of God
Heb.3:6 Christ...a Son over His Own house; whose house are we
H. Jesus is our shepherd, we are His sheep:
Jn.10:1-29 I am the good shepherd (See also Heb.13:20a)
Psa.23:1-4 The Lord is my shepherd...He leadeth me
Psa.95:7 He is our God; and we are...the sheep of His hand
Psa.100:3 We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture
(See also Psa.78:52 ; 79:13 ; Isa.40:11 ; Mat.25:32,33 ; Jn.21:15-17 .)
I. He loved and rescued us when we were lost and gone astray:
1Pet.2:25 Ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd...of your souls
(See also Isa.53:6 ; Ezk.34:1-12 ; Mat.9:36 ; Lk.15:3-7 ; Jn.10:11 .)
Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family International