Would you like next year to be different? Better? Less full of himself and more full of spirit? I’m with you. And I can’t think of a better way to improve next year than cultivate new habits so that we can love God more not only with our words, but also with our lives. Scripture exhorts us to 1 John 3:18 to “love not with words or with the tongue, but with deeds and truth.” I believe the instruction is not just about how we are to love others, but how we are to love our Lord. and Salvador, too.
Jesus hinted that there would be people who would pretend to love and follow him, and those who really do when he says, “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15). Whether you call these spiritual resolutions, goals, or new habits, Here are 10 ways to say “I love you, Jesus” over the course of this new year.
1.-PUT IT FIRST: When something exciting happens in your life, who do you tell? When you receive discouraging or stressful news, who do you share it with first? Your husband? Your father? Your best friend? When Jesus is first on the list, you tell Him that He is first in your heart. Cultivate a closer connection with Jesus by going to Him first with all of his heart and mind. Of course, He already knows everything you are going to say. But By telling Him first, you are reassuring Him, and yourself, that He is the most important in your life..
2.-TELL HIM FIRST: When something exciting happens in your life, who do you tell? When you receive discouraging or stressful news, who do you share it with first? Your husband? Your father? Your best friend? When Jesus is first on the list, you tell Him that He is first in your heart. Cultivate a closer connection with Jesus by going to Him first with all of his heart and mind. Of course, He already knows everything you are going to say. But By telling Him first, you are reassuring Him, and yourself, that He is the most important in your life.
3.-TAKE IT MORE SERIOUSLY: In John 14:23, Jesus said, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our abode with him” (NASB). And 1 John 5:3 says: “And this is what it means to love God, to keep his commandments.” Do you know the Word of God and keep it faithfully? Or do you consider it a bit outdated and not in keeping with the times? In any love relationship, we take note of what our beloved other loves and try to emulate that. We also notice what they don’t like and try to avoid those things. The God’s Word tells us very specifically what God loves: obedience, a cheerful giver, a humble heart, a broken spirit, etc. Scripture also tells us in Proverbs 6:16-19 what God hates: proud eyes, a lying tongue, murderous hands, a scheming heart, feet that run swiftly to evil, a false witness, and one that causes dissension among friends or family. Know what God loves and hold on to it. And know what He hates and avoid it at all costs. That is taking Jesus seriously and saying with your life: “I love you, Jesus, and it is not just words.”
4.-TRUST HIM COMPLETELY: The Scriptures define faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). That means we don’t have to have the answers to trust God. We trust Him for what we do not yet see. There will be things that will happen this year that you will not understand. Fully trusting God, that is, “God, I know you are good and even though this doesn’t feel right to me, I trust you know what you are doing.” Help me grow through this and become everything you want me to be through this fight.”. Oh how that touches the heart of God and shows him that you love him. Of course, this is easier said than done. So, place a verse like Jeremiah 29:11 or Romans 8:28-29 in front of you to remind yourself that it’s all about Him, not you, and therefore it’s all about trusting Him more.
5.-THANKS FOR EVERYTHING: Every parent loves a grateful child. When you and I feel grateful for everything, even the unpleasant, disappointing, and disastrous things in life, we are not only being obedient, but we are living out God’s will for us. It’s okay. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us: “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Instead of spending the year trying to determine God’s specific will for you, be a person of gratitude in everything and you will become his will.glorifying him among everyone you meet.
6.-MASTER YOUR TONGUE: Do you know people who say whatever comes to their mind without thinking about whether it is appropriate, useful or positive? Are you guilty of that? I know who I am. However, such impulsive behavior is indicative of a child. Unfiltered. Anything goes. For the love of our Saviour, let’s be people who don’t have to comment all this year (verbally or online). Instead, let’s be mature people who are okay without having to talk about every situation. Practice Ephesians 4:29, which says, “Let no unhealthy words come out of your mouth, but only a word that is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that they provide grace to those who hear them.” Surely everything that comes out of your mouth is positive and helpful, you are saying, “I love you, Jesus, enough to control what I say and how it comes out.”
7.-CHOOSE JESUS OVER THE WORLD: How we love the world and don’t even realize it. First John 2:15 says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If someone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. To love the world is to yearn for its recognition, to seek its approval, to want to fit in and be in the “crowd” with all that is modern. But to truly love God, you will only care about his opinion, his approval, his pleasure. Fear disappoints God, not people and what they think of you. It is another way of saying “I love you, Jesus” with your life.
8.-LOVING THOSE WHO ARE NOT LOVED: Jesus said that the greatest commandment was to love Him above all others, and the second greatest commandment was to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). Jesus knew how much we would think of ourselves and how well we would treat, feed, and pamper our bodies. So, Jesus told us to treat others with the standard we held for ourselves. That’s convincing. Is there anyone else as important as us? Pray for opportunities to love those you wouldn’t normally spend time with. To listen to those who are outside your social and economic circle. To smile and offer your coat or a helping hand or a lift from those purchases in Jesus name. Others will know of your faith and your unconditional love. Do others know that you love Jesus simply by how you treat them?
9.-STOP WORRYING: When we worry we tell God that we don’t think He can handle what worries us. 1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. He who fears does not become perfect in love. In other words, when we love God perfectly, we will trust Him immensely. And where there is immense trust, there is no room for fear, worry, or anxiety. Philippians 4:6-7 instructs: “Do not worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what he needs and thank him for all he has done. “When we do this, the scriptures say we will experience the peace of God,” which surpasses anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (NLT). Therefore, praying instead of worrying is not just obedience, but is showing God our love for him.
10.-LOVE AND FORGIVE THAT PERSON WHO HAS OFFENDED YOU: Scripture is clear on our command to forgive: “If someone says, ‘I love God’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he sees, he cannot love God whom he has not seen…. He who loves God must also love his brother (1 John 4:20-21). Furthermore, the Word of God tells us: “He who does not love his brother is not of God” (1 John 3:10). Get rid of your resentments. You simply cannot live in a love relationship with God and have bitterness in your heart toward another person, no matter what you have done or not done. The point is not whether or not they have asked for your forgiveness. The point is that while we were sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). God has forgiven you and loves you. Therefore, He insists that you forgive and love others.
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Cindi McMenamin is a pastor’s wife, Bible teacher, and national speaker who helps women and couples find strength for their souls. She is the author of more than a dozen books, including When Women Walk Alone (more than 130,000 copies sold).
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