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1 " relationship with God and find joy in him, the more our evangelism will be enthusiastic and infectious. It will stop being an awkward exercise imposed on conversation as an act of duty. Instead, as an overflow of full hearts, we will speak enthusiastically of the One we love. Instead of being like nearly empty toothpaste tubes, we’ll become champagne bottles, waiting to explode, fizzing and bubbling over. "
― Tim Chester , Enjoying God: Experience the power and love of God in everyday
2 " As I’ve reflected on what it means to enjoy God, I think this is the number one reason I don’t enjoy God more than I do: not enough repentance. The problem is not that I sin. Sin itself doesn’t keep us from God because God is gracious and he has provided a means of reconciliation through the work of his Son. So sin itself doesn’t prevent us enjoying God. The problem is either: I keep my distance from God because I’m choosing sin over God, or I keep my distance from God because I feel ashamed. "
3 " All the things we enjoy, says John Calvin, are “ladders by which we may ascend nearer to God”. “God,” he says, “by his benefits, gently attracts us to himself, giving us a taste of his fatherly sweetness”. But Calvin also warns, “There is nothing into which we more easily fall than into a forgetfulness of him, especially when we enjoy peace and comfort”. "
4 " By delaying repentance, we step away from the love and life of God. "
5 " John Calvin says, “No one gives himself freely and willingly to God’s service unless, having tasted his fatherly love, he is drawn to love and worship him in return. "
6 " The Puritan Richard Sibbes says, “What a comfort is this, that seeing God’s love rests on Christ, as well pleased in him, we may gather that he is as well pleased with us, if we be in Christ! "
7 " This is how editor R. J. K. Law restates it: “The greatest sorrow and burden you can lay on the Father, the greatest unkindness you can do to him, is not to believe that he loves you. "
8 " There is nothing that God expects you to do that you cannot do. The sin that defeats you need not defeat you. The fears that consume you need not consume you. The people who terrify you need not terrify you. You have the Spirit of life within you empowering you to know God and follow Christ. "
9 " How will we live if we think we need to earn God’s approval? How will we live if we are confident we have God’s approval in Christ? "
10 " Although believers are now pilgrims on earth,” says Calvin, “yet by their confidence they surmount the heavens, so that they cherish their future inheritance in their bosoms with tranquillity.”[44] What frees us from the vain pursuit of earthly treasure is the hope of treasure in heaven (Matthew 6 v 19-20; 1 Timothy 6 v 17-19). "
11 " Seeing God as our Father radically changes your attitude to religious duties. It turns religion into relationship. "
12 " Sacrifice becomes an opportunity to express our delight in God. What we give up seems small in comparison to what we’re gaining. "
13 " Our actions don’t make us Christians or make us more of a Christian or keep us as Christians—for our union with God is all his work. Our actions do make a difference to our enjoyment of God—for our communion with God (our enjoyment of our union with God) involves a two-way relationship. "
14 " Owen said, “You can no way more trouble or burden the Father, than by your unkindness in not believing in his love”. "
