The First and Greatest Commandment

I've been going through a teaching series by Mike Bickle, leader of the International House of Prayer, and it's AMAZING! It's called the First Commandment, and it's about loving God. It will probably change your life. You can find it on www.mikebickle.org, just enter The First Commandment in the search bar. Here are a few of my favorite quotes so far. Enjoy!

"What does it look like to love God with all our heart and mind? God is Love that burns as all all consuming fire of jealousy. He wants to take over our life and to consume us from the inside out by dominating our affections, thoughts and words. This love is not passive but passionate. The more we seek to live for love, the more broken we will be with true humility and seeking to obey Him. Jesus defined the life of love in the Sermon on the Mount; Matthew 5-7"

"God's purpose is to provide an eternal companion for Jesus who would be equally yoked to Him in love. Jesus' inheritance in the MANDATORY OBEDIENCE of ALL creation and the VOLUNTARY LOVE of a people who he fully possess. As a King, Jesus will be obeyed, but as a Bridegroom, He will be loved."

Speaking of the church in Ephesus, "They became workers for God more than lovers of God. Lovers will always outwork the workers. When we work without intimacy, we work as a slave. A heart of a bride is refreshed as she labors. Service without the foundation of devotion leads to burnout, disappointment, and wounding. Thus, the service is not sustained over decades."