Marriner Moments: What’s Love Got To Do With It? – Part II

By Pastor Melvin O. Marriner
Grove Church

This month we celebrate Valentine’s Day – many go out of their way to shower loved ones with tangible expressions of love. However, we have an opportunity each day of the year to express our love to others and to God. Do you do that, or are you in an abusive relationship with God – calling on Him when you need Him – or can you say that you have an intimate relationship with Him?

If you’ve ever been in a loving relationship – past or present – do you recall what the old folks use to refer to as the ‘courting’ phase of that relationship? During this time when we are getting to know someone, we spend hours on the phone talking with the person (or these days, texting), we eagerly anticipate the next time we will see that person and we think of them often. We feel unbridled excitement when we come face-to-face again, hanging onto their every word and doing everything we can to please and impress the object of our affection.

Do we engage in the similar practices with God to get to know Him more intimately? Some of us profess to love God, but in all honesty, what do we do to demonstrate that love? Do we long to be in His presence? Do we spend hours talking to Him or do we engage in some ritualistic prayer a few minutes just before falling to sleep at night? Do we listen to Him and try to learn more about Him and His ways? Do we desire to be like Him? Do we want to serve Him and do things that please Him?

Loving God shouldn’t just be hollow words, but actions. Loving God is not about religion, but it’s about our relationship with Him. So, when we love God to the degree and in the manner that we say that we do, shouldn’t our lives reflect the love and light of Christ? Luke 10:27, tells us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.” If we are doing this, why do we think that the Sunday morning worship experience is all that is required of us to have a nurturing and fulfilling relationship with God? God desires an intimate relationship with us. He wants to know that we love Him and think of Him daily …moment-by-moment.
Peace and power,

© Dr. Melvin O. Marriner, February 2016

We invite you to join us at Grove Church, 5910 West Norfolk Road, Portsmouth, Virginia, Sundays at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Tuesdays at noon and Wednesdays at 7 p.m.