22 Ways to Love God and to Grow

I find that loving God with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength is the greatest yet hardest pursuit in life. While I always long to passionately pursue Christ and have an unstoppable zeal for good works, I find that I often find myself unable to generate the power to have those desires. So I made a list.


Now, don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying that loving God is self-generated. Of course it is the Holy Spirit that imputes the life of Christ into us. This list isn't an attempt to deny that; it's an attempt to use that. So know that the following will be of no benefit to you if you do not have God living in you.


1. Remember the gospel and its promises for you every day. Christ has taken all of your wrath, O Christian. We are free, and He loves us! (Romans 8:1-2).
2. Study God's word every morning and every afternoon (Psalm 1).
3. Pray on your knees (or lifting up your hands) at least once a day - especially when you don't feel like it (Psalm 63:4; Daniel 6:10).
4. Listen to solid exegetical preaching. (Suggestions: John MacArthur, John Piper, David Platt, Chuck Swindoll, Al Mohler, Ligon Duncan, C.J. Mahaney, and your own pastor).
5. Memorize God's word and say it aloud (Psalm 119:11).
6. Busy yourself with fruitful work (1 Thessalonians 4:11).
7. Fellowship at least three times a week (Acts 2:46; Hebrews 10:25).
8. Share the gospel with someone (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15).
9. Read books that will help you grow (2 Timothy 4:13).
10. Sing the gospel (Ephesians 5:18-19).
11. Make goals and plans (1 Corinthians 16:5-9).
12. Focus on the needs of others (Philippians 2:1-4).
13. Meet with or talk to your mentor on a regular basis (Acts 9:27). (If you don't have one, get one).
14. Regularly confess your sin (1 John 1:9; James 5:16).
15. Make others laugh (Philippians 2:3-4). There are only a few examples of this in Scripture that I can think of, but if you are so self-focused and/or serious so as not to allow humor to temper certain times, you are or will soon be depressed. A man walked into a bar - ouch!
16. Avoid extensive eating and Internet time (Ephesians 5:15-16). (Insert your personal time-waster here).
17. Create a project that will help your local church (Hebrews 10:24).
18. Find hobbies and invest in them (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12). This is mainly for those who struggle with boredom.
19. Listen to music that carries gospel-centered themes.
20. Clean (1 Corinthians 14:40).
21. Call and encourage a friend (Hebrews 10:24).
22. Invest time, resources, and energy into a ministry in your local church (1 Corinthians 9:23).


Now get busy and live quietly. =)