For many years I claimed to love God but honestly had no idea what it truely meant to love him. Maybe a year ago or so I really started thinking about how we love God. How I could love Him more. I couldn't help but wonder how anything I say or do could be great enough for our creator. For a God who sacrificed his only Son to save a wicked people who would reject Him, mock Him, destroy everything that is precious to Him, and after receiving Him offer a half hearted attempt at loving Him. And He did it all for generations of people before they ever even existed! His love toward us is SO great, more than we are able to comprehend. I have meditated on this verse and get so overwhelmed by the desire our God has to just be with us. One morning as I was seeking His heart I prayed and asked how He recieves love from me. He immediately spoke to my heart saying, "through spending your time with Me". Its funny because my love language is quality time and I spent so much time thinking I had to do something bigger or better to show my God love and what He desires most from me is my time! He longs to know us and to be known by us. He wants to give us His heart just as much as He wants ours! He desires not to visit but to live with us. To make His home with us. To be a part of everything we are and what we do. To be there in the mess of life and not just visit when everything is put together and in order. The only way we can truely have this type of intimacy is to know and to keep His word (the bible). His word is truth and it is life. So many think that is figuratively but it says "life" and it literally means life! Health, peace and abundant life! Life in your body and your mind! When we consume ourselves with the words and worries of this world (media, doctor reports, friends, family, politicians) we leave little room for the truth which is the word of God and more often than not in direct opposition of the words of this world! When your doctor says its anxiety, depression, cancer, autoimmune disease, measles, flu etc.. is your first reaction fear and worry or hope and peace? You see 1 Cor. 2:16 says, "For 'who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?' But we have the mind of Christ". 2 Tim. 1:7 says, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Power, love and a sound mind! I don't mean this to judge or condemn but to encourage you! You have the mind of Christ and have been given power, love and a sound mind! This is scripture but if you don't know the word and don't keep the word you will not operate in the word. Your natural response will be one of this world, you will operate in and of the world. Seek the heart of the Father IN His word. It will change you and your circumstances in all areas of this life! Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Friends, I encourage you to not take this amazing, precious gift we've been given (the word of God) for granted. It is powerful but only to those who keep it. It is more precious than anything else you spend your time seeking! I will leave you with one more verse: Proverbs 2:6 "For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding."