How Can I Build a Love Relationship with God? - Janis Cox

I knew my time to write for Inscribe was fast approaching. However, I didn't feel pressured to sit and write ...

 yet.

Yesterday morning I prayed for help to put into my mind thoughts for February's topic of LOVE.

And guess what? The first thing I read was my prayer bulletin and in it I read:

"To fear is to expect punishment. To love is to know we are immersed, not in darkness, but in light" ~ Mother Teresa.

I remember being told that the opposite of fear is love and this quote confirmed that memory.

And I recalled a Scripture:

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18, ESV).

So turning to my Bible study, Experiencing God, by Henry Blackaby, what did I read for that day?
 

A Love Relationship with God

Now how awesome is that? Ask God and He gives me the answers.

What have I learned about a love relationship with God? Most importantly:

I need to make my time with God my priority every day.

Time with Him enriches and deepens the relationship I already have with Him.

There have been many times I have been redirected to remember this. The Holy Spirit nudges me often if I forget. God wants our time.

Think about any relationship you have had. How did you build that relationship?

You spent time with that person.

How can we expect to know God if we don't spend time with Him?

Sometimes I think I need to "do" something for God to be loved by Him. That's wrong.

"God did not create you for time; He created you for eternity. Time - your lifetime on earth - provides the opportunity for you to become acquainted with Him." (Experiencing God, Henry Blackaby)

What do you think? Are you trying to "do" for God or are you working to build a love relationship with Him?

I invite you, as writers, to join other Christian writers in reading and writing for Him; let's build a community.

• Under the Cover of Prayer - We are always looking for writers who would write about prayer as guest bloggers or contributors. Email me to find out more.
• Wednesday's Word at He Cares For Us - Link your posts about God on Wednesdays.
• Sunday Stillness at He Cares For Us - Link your posts and/or pictures about a Scripture on Sundays.

My memory verse for this week has been:

"Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is first and greatest commandment" (Matthew 22:37-38, NIV)

Janis, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. She has published a couple of devotionals and a number of articles.

As owner of Under the Cover of Prayer she writes often.

Her children's book, Tadeo Turtle, is now available. An accompanying curriculum can be obtained as well.

Email her at Janis or visit her at www. janiscox.com.