₦airaland Forum

Its 2004 one Friday evening around 4;15pm, Mike o wake up, my mother called softly, start preparing. I got up then lied down again, her voice stronger this time "oboi stand up naw, u get bible reading".
My eyes instantly light up as i hear the words bible reading. It was a task assigned to me in my religious gathering, i'll have to read a particular scripture for 4mins or so.

My mum and i had rehearsed the reading days prior to the main day making sure i finish the last sentence right on time, She would use the stopwatch app on her motorolla c113 to time me.

I had my bathe, rehearsed some more wore my big tie i always needed assistance knotting.
Hours later it was time, the bible passage has been implanted in my mind due to numerous rehearsals.
"And we will like to call on young brother Michael as he reads the Bible book of Job 3..vers so to so. The announcement was made.

A knot formed in my stomach, as there was silence.
All eyes on me as i walk to the poduim, with my little short legs and big tie. I arrive and the microphone immediately adjusted to reach my little small mouth. I look at the clock mounted to the left wall and knew it was Go time.
I started reading the words pronouncing every sentence with high tone and low tone when neccessary, not a stutter not a pause. I ride through till the very last verse, the very last sentence, and the very last word.

The result? a thundrous clap from the audience, so loud and energetic it filled the air. I knew i had done well, i didnt need the clap to know it was a perfect performance at my age of 5, i immediately stared at my mums face and i could see the satisfaction. What i didn't tell you is that i was promised a toy if i didn't make an error while reading. As i climbed down i looked towards my shoes as i walked to my seat, Lol little me couldn't look at the face of over 120+ people staring at me.

The gathering ended with people coming to me with handshakes, Praiseworthy remarks and even invite to come for holiday in their houses. It filled my mothers heart with joy, i was made reference to when kids my age misbehave in the religious community. Look at michael they would its just him and his mother yet look at him. You have me your mum and others yet you misbehave . Boy i was so loved i had spent holidays in almost everyone's house in the religious community . I was called different names by well wishers, one sister called me doctor michael. Another said ill be an astronaut lol.

As time went on i had more bible studies but despite the repeated urge to dedicate myself in water baptism. i declined, this brought my mother pain. All my peers had baptized but we were now teens she would not even start to comprehend what these people shes comparing me to are doing, really freaky sex stuff even after there baptism.

I just didn't have it in me, i cannot publicly decieve myself and others that i have dedicated my life to God when in reality i still live in sin. Wouldn't that be mocking God? i reasoned

Well i have realized that i never had a personal connection with God, i respected him enough to refrain from mocking Him.

So my question

How can Love for God be cultivated?

Apologize:
Well i have realized that i never had a personal connection with God, i respected him enough to refrain from mocking Him.
So my question
How can Love for God be cultivated?
or in other words
What does it mean to love GOD?

What you need is love for God's people because you can't see God but you can see how His active force is operating in the gathering of His people.
So your appreciation for his organization is equally love for God!

MaxInDHouse:
What you need is love for God's people because you can't see God but you can see how His active force is operating in the gathering of His people.
So your appreciation for his organization is equally love for God!

What do you suggest.
I start afresh?
This time with a different mindset?

Apologize:
What do you suggest.
I start afresh?
This time with a different mindset?

Note what God said about King David of ancient Israel:

‘I have found David the son of Jesʹse a man agreeable to my heart.’ Act 22:13

What made David so special in the eyes of the true God?

Well David love the gathering of God's people {Psalms 133:1} and he tolerated no rivalry against the armies of the living God! 1Samuel 17:26

David never saw God for once but he loves the congregation of God with all his heart. So your love for pure worship and those engaging in pure worship will earn you the same kind of affection from the true God!

Nobody loves God more than Jesus but do you know Jesus so much loves the congregation of God too?

Please read:

While he was yet speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to him.  So someone said to him: “Look! Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak to you.”  In reply he said to the one who spoke to him: “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And extending his hand toward his disciples, he said: “Look! My mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, that one is my brother and sister and mother" Matthew 12:46-50

From the above can you see how Jesus cherish those doing God's will?
That's what it means to love God who you can't see! 1John 4:20

MaxInDHouse:
Nobody loves God more than Jesus but do you know Jesus so much loves the congregation of God too?

Please read:

While he was yet speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to him.  So someone said to him: “Look! Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak to you.”  In reply he said to the one who spoke to him: “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And extending his hand toward his disciples, he said: “Look! My mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, that one is my brother and sister and mother" Matthew 12:46-50

From the above can you see how Jesus cherish those doing God's will?
That's what it means to love God who you can't see! 1John 4:20

So i must love the congregation, that will be difficult because most of them have hurt me through there words and unfair rumours of me they helped circulate. i harbor deep resentment to some individuals in their midst sir.

Apologize:
So i must love the congregation, that will be difficult because most of them have hurt me through there words and unfair rumours of me they helped circulate. i harbor deep resentment to some individuals in their midst sir.

From the onset i knew you are one of JWs but i will tell you many things i have suffered in the hands of brothers even though i wasn't born as one of JWs {2Corinthians 11:26b} but after reading my Bible with a positive mind i realized that Satan uses the errors of those you view as fellow believers to inflict emotional torture in the hearts of true believers.
Have ever been betrayed by brothers in business at the same time these brothers mock you due to your financial status?

What do you think Jesus meant by this statements?

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you;  whereas if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. Luke 23:34a


Compare to:

Love ....... does not keep account of the injury. 1Corinthans 13:4-5

But become kind to one another, tenderly compassionate, freely forgiving one another just as God also by Christ freely forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely even if anyone has a cause for complaint against another. Just as Jehovah freely forgave you, you must also do the same. Colossians 3:13

My brother that's what the love of God means! 1John 4:20