Loving God Fully

Every believer needs to be rightly related to God. They must have an upward focus through worship which is characterized by an ever-increasing movement away from being a self-worshiper to a worshiper of God.

For achieving accurate Bible interpretation, we all know the importance of context. Every verse is in the context of a chapter, and every chapter in the context of a book, but that’s often about as broad as people go in their context. 2 Timothy 1:9 shows us that there is a much broader context that must be factored into our perspective of the content of every book. Before the foundations of the earth, God predetermined the eternal plan of redemption that would be centered in or fulfilled by Christ, and that would be on the basis of “grace” (God giving mankind what he doesn’t deserve). God’s creation of that plan, preparation for its fulfillment, its actual fulfillment, and it’s ensuing results provide that “grand story” in which very book of the Bible finds its ultimate context.

READ the Bible passages provided for the NAMES AND ATTRIBUTES OF GOD.  

REFLECT = Think deeply and carefully about what God says about Himself in His Word. Consider what the Bible says about who God is and what He does. Pray through the passages of Scripture asking God to help you know Him better.

• Did you know God’s Word says transformation comes through contemplation, beholding, or fixing your eyes on Jesus in His Word?  We become more like Jesus as we fix our eyes on Him.  That is what 2 Corinthians 3:18 tells us.
  • 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
  • Hebrews 12:2–3 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

REHEARSE = Meditate on the passages provided in the Discuss section.

• "Biblical meditation is the art of talking to ourselves about what God has told us; and what we share with others is the overflow.
• Meditation is the process by which our thoughts come to mirror God’s thoughts, letting us see things in His terms, from His perspective, and with His wisdom.  We are all mediating on something.  Why not intentionally meditate no God’s Word?
• We practice biblical meditation by noting, quoting, and devoting ourselves to whatever passage of Scripture we’re reading or studying, based on the premise that God’s Word is flawless, faultless, and unfailing. Meditation helps and heals the mind while shoring up the soul. It lessens anxiety, reduces stress, and generates peace.  We can be nourished by thinking about the Person of God.”  Robert Morgan
  • Psalm 145:5 On the glorious splendor of Your majesty; And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.
  • Psalm 119:97 O how I love Your law!  It is my meditation all the day.

REMIND = Causing someone to remember someone or something.  In this case we want to remind ourselves and others how awesome God is as His attributes and names reveal so we can know Him better.

• God loves it when we share about His greatness with others.
  • Psalm 145:6–7 Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts, And I will tell of Your greatness. They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness and will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.
• We need reminding:
  • We can remind ourselves and our loved ones about the amazing attributes of God and what His Names tell us about who He is and what He does.  We all need reminding because we can easily forget the goodness of God. According to the passage below even those who have been established in the truth need to be reminded of the truths of God in the Scriptures.
  • 2 Peter 1:12–15 Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.
• Others are encouraged to worship as we talk about God’s greatness.
  • We can take the opportunity to share what we’re learning through our own rehearsing of the truths concerning God in the Scriptures and talk about them with our family and friends.
  • Psalm 34:1–3 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.  My soul will make its boast in the Lord.  The humble will hear it and rejoice. O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together.

REST = Rest is defined as “peace, ease or refreshment.” the Bible speaks quite highly of rest. Its repeated all throughout Scripture.  

• Psalm 46:10 is for the restless heart, the believer who has not learned to trust in the LORD fully. In this sense it resembles another command of the Lord Jesus Christ: “Peace! Be still.”
  • Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth!”
• Pray about resting in the Lord.
  • Ask the Lord to help you rest in Him.  Ask your Father in Heaven to help you take Him at His Word and believe that He is your refuge and strength.
  • Psalm 119:114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.
• Give thanks to the Lord and praise Him for who He is and what He’s done.
  • Psalm 106:1 Praise the Lord!  Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

REPEAT = There are numerous passages in the Bible that tell us to continually think on Scripture throughout the day.  God tells us in His Word to be people who are getting to know Him better resulting in worship of Him.  We can know Him better by abiding or remaining close to Him through His Word.  You can rehearse these truths about God daily!

• Enjoy God’s Word by meditating on it daily.
  • Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law, he meditates day and night.
• Beholding God through His Word is a relational and worship experience.  He is a Person, and we can know Him better through His Word as we behold Him daily.
  • Psalm 27:4 One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek; That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple.
• Jesus invites us to know Him better by remaining close to Him through His Word in a loving relationship.
  • John 15:9 “Just as the Father has loved Me; I have also loved you; abide in My love.
  • Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
• What a privilege we have to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ as we grow in the art of meditating or fixing our eyes on Him.