12/3

Not only does the Bible calls us to affections, but our religious actions do as well.

For instance prayer.  When we ask God for things in prayer (hopefully that is not the only time we pray), he already knows what we need and how he will answer the prayer (Matthew 6:7-8).  But prayer and asking for God to work in our lives prepares our hearts for how he will answer.  When we pray our affections turn to God.  When he answers our prayers, our affections turn to God.  If we ask nothing of him, it is not as if he stops caring for us, but it may be that we have stopped caring for him.  

Or when we sing praises to God.  Yes, it does bring him honor and I bet it brings him joy.  But it also calls our hearts to find love, joy, and fulfillment in him.  I find myself sometimes singing familiar words, but my affections for God being renewed.  

Finally, preaching, in part, revives and renews man's affections for God.  Preaching does not just rise to the mind, cause us to scratch our chins, and say well that was a provoking thought.  No, also burrows down deep into our hearts.  Long after anyone else remembers the sermon, you still remember that line that stirs at your heart.  Preaching does not necessarily have to be new information.  It just has to go to our hearts and renew our affections for God (2 Peter 1:11-12).  Good preaching hits the heart as much as the mind (maybe even moreso).  

So when you pray, sing, hear a sermon, or read your Bible, let these actions calls your affections back to God.  He is a great God.  He deserves and fulfills our affections.