Our Relationship With The Lord
Includes dedication, devotion & loving & 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, & with all thy soul, & with all thy might
Deut.10:12 – What doth the Lord require of thee, but…to love Him… with all thy heart & with all thy soul
Mat.22:37,38 – This is the first & 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 & 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 & 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, & glory, & blessing
(See also 1Jn.2:23; 4:15.)
2. HOW WE SHOW OUR LOVE FOR THE LORD:
A. By loving & 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, & keep His…statutes, & His judgments, & 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, & 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 & Thy glory
Psa.91:14,15 – Because he hath set his love upon Me…he shall call upon Me, & 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, & I was not rebellious
E. By obeying, following & serving Him:
Jn.10:27 – My sheep hear My voice…& 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, & serve Him in sincerity & truth
1Sam.12:24 – Fear the Lord, & serve Him in truth with all your heart
Eph.6:7 – Doing service, as to the Lord, & not to men
Heb.12:28 – Serve God acceptably with reverence & godly fear
F. By self-sacrifice & giving our lives in love:
Mat.10:38 – He that taketh not his cross, & 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 & 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 & 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…& soul…& 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, & love the other…Ye cannot serve God & mammon
Mat.6:33 – Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, & 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 & 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 & 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, & Him shall ye worship
Eccl.12:13 – Fear God, & keep His commandments
Isa.8:12,13 – Let Him (God) be your fear, & 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 Him
5. RESTING IN THE LORD:
A. The Bible instructs us to “rest in the Lord”:
Psa.37:7 – Rest in the Lord, & 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 & heard His Word. But Martha was cumbered…serving. Mary hath chosen good part
C. Cast your burdens & worries on the Lord:
Psa.55:22 – Cast thy burden upon the Lord, & He shall sustain thee
Mat.11:28-30 – Come unto Me, all ye that labour & are heavy laden, & 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, & consider the wondrous works of God
Psa.46:10 – Be still & 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 & lofty One that inhabiteth eternity…I dwell with him that is of a contrite & humble spirit
Mic.6:8 – What doth the Lord require of thee, but to…walk humbly with thy God
6. DRAWING CLOSE & RESTING IN THE “SECRET PLACE”:
Heb.4:11 – Let us labour…to enter into that rest
Jam.4:8a – Draw nigh to God & 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, & 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 & 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 & 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…& 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 & 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, & 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…& 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, & ye would not
Lk.10:39,40 – Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, & 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 & its cares:
Mat.13:22 – The care of this world, & 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 & 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 & 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 & 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…& I have loved thee
Mat.22:14 – Many are called, but few are chosen
Jn.15:16 – I have chosen you, & 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 & your spirit…are God’s (See also 1Cor.7:23)
Rev.5:9 – Thou wast slain, & 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 & 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, & sister, & 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; &…an heir
Rom.8:17 – If children…then heirs of God & 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, & His wife (us, the church) hath made herself ready
(See also Ezk.16:8; Eph.5:28-32.)
E. We live & abide in Him, & He lives in us:
Jn.14:23 – We will come unto him, & 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, & 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, & walk in them; &…be their God
1Jn.4:13 – Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, & He in us
1Jn.4:16 – He that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, & 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; & we are…the sheep of His hand
Psa.100:3 – We are His people, & 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 & rescued us when we were lost & 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.)
8. Our Relationship With The Lord, Copyright © 1998-2012, The Family International