Mom and I have recently started a great book by Jerry Bridges called, "The Gospel for Real Life." In chapter two (Why the Cross?), Bridges looks at Matthew 22:35-37 ("And one of them, a lawyer, asked him [that is, Jesus] a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.") Bridges then carefully lays out what it means to practically love God with your heart, soul, and mind. The list he made convicted and edified me. I pray it will do the same for you!
- Your love for God transcends all desires (see Exodus 20:3)
- Like David, you long to gaze upon His beauty and seek fellowship with Him (see Psalm 27:4)
- You rejoice in meditating on His Word , and, like Jesus, you rise early to pray (see Psalm 119:97, Mark 1:35)
- You always delight to do His will, regardless of how difficult it may be (see Psalm 40:8, NASB)
- A regard for His glory governs and motivates everything you do - your eating and drinking, your working and playing, your buying and selling, your reading and speaking - and, dare I mention it, even your driving (see 1 Corinthians 10:31)
- You are never discouraged or frustrated by adverse circumstances because you are confident God is working all things together for your good (see Romans 8:28)
- You recognize His sovereignty in every event of your life and consequently receive both success and failure from His hand (see 1 Samuel 2:7; Psalm 75:6-7)
- You are always content because you know He will never leave you or forsake you (see Hebrews 13:5)
- The first petition in the Lord's Prayer, "hallowed be your name," is the most important prayer you pray (see Matthew 6:9)