Where is Your True Love?
Where Is Your True Love?
Sermon Blog: Rev. Santos Fernandez (2/2/25)
In a world filled with distractions and competing priorities, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters. We often proclaim our love for God, but do our actions and thoughts align with that declaration? Today, let's explore a profound question that challenges us to examine our hearts: Where is your true love?
The scripture tells us, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15). These words serve as a stark reminder that our affections can easily become misplaced. It's not that we can't enjoy the blessings of life or pursue success, but rather that these things should never supersede our love for God.
Consider Judas, a man who walked alongside Jesus, witnessed miracles, and proclaimed his love for God. Yet, his heart was ultimately captivated by the allure of worldly gain. His story serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that proximity to spiritual things doesn't guarantee a genuine relationship with God.
So how do we cultivate a true love for God? It begins with recognizing that God is constantly wooing us, inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him. Just as a loving spouse seeks to "woo" their partner through acts of kindness and affection, God is continually reaching out to us, desiring our wholehearted devotion.
Imagine if we approached our relationship with God with the same enthusiasm and dedication we bring to our earthly pursuits. What if we were as excited about spending time in prayer as we are about checking our social media feeds? What if we longed for God's presence as eagerly as we anticipate our favorite activities?
The Apostle Paul, nearing the end of his life, declared, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). His words reflect a life lived in passionate pursuit of God, a love that remained steadfast through trials and triumphs. Paul understood that true fulfillment comes not from worldly achievements, but from a deep, abiding relationship with the Creator.
To nurture this kind of love, we must be intentional. It requires setting aside time for prayer, diving into God's Word, and cultivating a heart of worship. It means evaluating our priorities and asking ourselves tough questions: Do I miss God's presence when I'm not actively seeking Him? Am I more concerned with worldly success than spiritual growth?
One powerful way to deepen our love for God is by allowing Him to take us on spiritual "dates." Just as a romantic outing can strengthen a relationship, intentional time with God can lead to profound encounters with His presence. These moments might come through quiet reflection, passionate worship, or acts of service. The key is opening our hearts to experience God in new and transformative ways.
Remember, God doesn't seek perfection from us. As a beautiful song reminds us, "If the best thing I've seen is Your glory, then I've seen it all. If the highest place I ever reach is at Your feet, then I've reached the highest place." Our Creator delights in our sincere efforts to draw near to Him, even when we fall short.
For those struggling to maintain their first love for God, take heart. The journey of faith is not always smooth, but God is patient and compassionate. If you find yourself entangled in worldly affections or battling persistent temptations, know that God is ready to meet you where you are. Sometimes, the most powerful step we can take is simply turning off the distractions and saying, "God, I want to love You more."
This renewed focus on loving God doesn't just benefit our personal spiritual lives; it has a ripple effect on our relationships, our families, and our communities. When we prioritize our love for God, we become better equipped to love others and to fulfill our purpose in this world.
Consider the impact of a life fully devoted to God. It might mean making difficult choices, like the couple who decided to marry rather than continue living together unmarried, because they wanted to honor God with their relationship. It could manifest in a passion for ministry, a desire to see family members come to faith, or a commitment to integrity in the workplace.
The beautiful truth is that when we seek God with our whole heart, He promises to be found. As we cultivate a genuine love for Him, we discover that He is the ultimate source of fulfillment, joy, and purpose. No earthly pleasure or achievement can compare to the satisfaction of knowing and being known by our Creator.
So today, let's challenge ourselves to examine our hearts. Where is our true love? Are we giving God the best of our affection, time, and energy? Or have we allowed other things to take His rightful place in our lives?
Let's make a commitment to fall in love with God all over again. This might mean setting aside dedicated time for prayer each day, diving deeper into Scripture, or finding ways to serve others in His name. It could involve turning off distractions that compete for our attention or reevaluating our priorities to ensure God remains at the center.
As we do this, we can trust that God will meet us in powerful ways. He promises that when we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us (James 4:8). This journey of deepening our love for God is not about perfection, but about progress – taking one step at a time towards a more intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father.
May we all be able to say, like the Apostle Paul, that we have fought the good fight and kept the faith. May our lives be marked by an unwavering love for God that outshines all other affections. And may we discover, day by day, the incomparable joy of making God our true love.
Sermon Blog: Rev. Santos Fernandez (2/2/25)
In a world filled with distractions and competing priorities, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters. We often proclaim our love for God, but do our actions and thoughts align with that declaration? Today, let's explore a profound question that challenges us to examine our hearts: Where is your true love?
The scripture tells us, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15). These words serve as a stark reminder that our affections can easily become misplaced. It's not that we can't enjoy the blessings of life or pursue success, but rather that these things should never supersede our love for God.
Consider Judas, a man who walked alongside Jesus, witnessed miracles, and proclaimed his love for God. Yet, his heart was ultimately captivated by the allure of worldly gain. His story serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that proximity to spiritual things doesn't guarantee a genuine relationship with God.
So how do we cultivate a true love for God? It begins with recognizing that God is constantly wooing us, inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him. Just as a loving spouse seeks to "woo" their partner through acts of kindness and affection, God is continually reaching out to us, desiring our wholehearted devotion.
Imagine if we approached our relationship with God with the same enthusiasm and dedication we bring to our earthly pursuits. What if we were as excited about spending time in prayer as we are about checking our social media feeds? What if we longed for God's presence as eagerly as we anticipate our favorite activities?
The Apostle Paul, nearing the end of his life, declared, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). His words reflect a life lived in passionate pursuit of God, a love that remained steadfast through trials and triumphs. Paul understood that true fulfillment comes not from worldly achievements, but from a deep, abiding relationship with the Creator.
To nurture this kind of love, we must be intentional. It requires setting aside time for prayer, diving into God's Word, and cultivating a heart of worship. It means evaluating our priorities and asking ourselves tough questions: Do I miss God's presence when I'm not actively seeking Him? Am I more concerned with worldly success than spiritual growth?
One powerful way to deepen our love for God is by allowing Him to take us on spiritual "dates." Just as a romantic outing can strengthen a relationship, intentional time with God can lead to profound encounters with His presence. These moments might come through quiet reflection, passionate worship, or acts of service. The key is opening our hearts to experience God in new and transformative ways.
Remember, God doesn't seek perfection from us. As a beautiful song reminds us, "If the best thing I've seen is Your glory, then I've seen it all. If the highest place I ever reach is at Your feet, then I've reached the highest place." Our Creator delights in our sincere efforts to draw near to Him, even when we fall short.
For those struggling to maintain their first love for God, take heart. The journey of faith is not always smooth, but God is patient and compassionate. If you find yourself entangled in worldly affections or battling persistent temptations, know that God is ready to meet you where you are. Sometimes, the most powerful step we can take is simply turning off the distractions and saying, "God, I want to love You more."
This renewed focus on loving God doesn't just benefit our personal spiritual lives; it has a ripple effect on our relationships, our families, and our communities. When we prioritize our love for God, we become better equipped to love others and to fulfill our purpose in this world.
Consider the impact of a life fully devoted to God. It might mean making difficult choices, like the couple who decided to marry rather than continue living together unmarried, because they wanted to honor God with their relationship. It could manifest in a passion for ministry, a desire to see family members come to faith, or a commitment to integrity in the workplace.
The beautiful truth is that when we seek God with our whole heart, He promises to be found. As we cultivate a genuine love for Him, we discover that He is the ultimate source of fulfillment, joy, and purpose. No earthly pleasure or achievement can compare to the satisfaction of knowing and being known by our Creator.
So today, let's challenge ourselves to examine our hearts. Where is our true love? Are we giving God the best of our affection, time, and energy? Or have we allowed other things to take His rightful place in our lives?
Let's make a commitment to fall in love with God all over again. This might mean setting aside dedicated time for prayer each day, diving deeper into Scripture, or finding ways to serve others in His name. It could involve turning off distractions that compete for our attention or reevaluating our priorities to ensure God remains at the center.
As we do this, we can trust that God will meet us in powerful ways. He promises that when we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us (James 4:8). This journey of deepening our love for God is not about perfection, but about progress – taking one step at a time towards a more intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father.
May we all be able to say, like the Apostle Paul, that we have fought the good fight and kept the faith. May our lives be marked by an unwavering love for God that outshines all other affections. And may we discover, day by day, the incomparable joy of making God our true love.
1 Comment
Great thoughts! Love the new blog.