Fall in love w God!

This weekend I went on the Ladies' Retreat my church hosted it it exceeded my expectations greatly :) The theme was to "Come Away w/the Bridegroom" and I must say it felt like a honeymoon with Jesus! Here are some of the notes I got from this weekend:

The 1st and greatest commandment is to love the Lord with ALL that we are and to love Him first above ALL OTHER THINGS! Matthew 22:37-38

Loving God is want He wants the most and it MUST be our core identity. God owns everything, He needs NOTHING, but He desires for us to give Him our hearts and loyalty. Like Martha in the Bible many of us look and seek for what God wants us to do...to serve in some form. But God longs for us to desire Him and be His lover. Luke 10:41-42 Martha Martha youre worried & troubled abt many things. But one thing is NEEDED & Mary has chosen that good part & it WILL NOT be taken away from her.

After all, a LOVER will ALWAYS outwork a SERVANT!

If you want to have an impact of God's heart you HAVE to LOVE HIM! Be obedient. God doesnt define us by our successes and failures...He defines us through Him and His love.Romans 5:5 Now Hope doesnt disappoint bc the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

The 1st commandment of LOVING GOD 1st and most WILL MOST DEFINITELY BE the 1st place in the heart of the Bride when Jesus returns. John 4:19 We love Him bc He 1st loved us!

John 15:9 As the Father loved Me I also have loved you; abide in My love!

God loves us the SAME WAY He loves God (Jesus). It gives EVERY believer the right to view themselves as FAVORITES :) King David knew this.

1. He saw God as a REAL PERSON!
2. David knew God liked, valued, forgave, and LONGED for him.
3. David believed he was DEARLY precious in God's eyes!
4. He knew God LIT UP when He looked at David.
5. David knew GOd loved him and knew his love for God was REAL & AUTHENTIC.

Even though David was weak he truly enjoyed being an authentic lover of God. Psalm 18:19 He delivered me bc He delighted in me.

There's nothing more powerful than knowing God LIKES us! We know He loves us...but He actually and truly, REALLY REALLY likes us!Jesus values our love MORE than everything under His authority. His heart is filled w delight over a new decision of obedience.

Jesus doesnt sit and wish we were MORE-He enjoys us where we ARE-cheering us on! Helping us to grow.

Like the 5 wise virgins we MUST be prepared for when the Bridegroom comes so we come run out to meet Him...how do we do this? By simply LOVING HIM! Delight in Him! He will bring you works to do for Him through His love. Dont seek ministry and serving opportunities before you just FULLY allow yourself to fall so intimately in love with God! When you have the oil for your lamp (the love and desire of loving Him 1st) He will give you the lamp(s) to put it in (ministry).

A lamp is worthless if there isnt and oil in it. SO LOVE God 1st and most and your ministry and opportunities to serve will come.

We must also be attentive to the what is happening in the world, not casual, the END TIMES are VERY NEAR which means the BRIDEGROOM is coming SOON! Have your oil!

LOVE HIM LOVE HIM LOVE HIM!!!!!

He loves us SOOOOOO very much! Fall madly in love with God! KNow that you are His favorite, He delights in you, He sings over you....Love Him back!