Read Mark 12
Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:29-31, ESV
Reflect
What does it mean to love God with all my heart, mind, soul and strength?
What would my life look like if I lived out this commandment every day? Would my life change significantly? Would anyone notice this change?
What's one small step I can take to move closer to loving God this way?
At first glance it sounds easy, doesn't it? Jesus summarizes all Ten Commandments into two: love God, love your neighbor. How hard can love be, right? What's clear in these verses, though, is that Jesus doesn't want a mundane, everyday kind of love; He wants a game-changing love. He wants us to love Him with every fiber of our beings, every bit of our essence: not just in our hearts, but with our minds, too, and with all of our strength. What does this all-encompassing love really look like? And is it even possible--can we ever open ourselves to that depth and breadth? Jesus tells us yes. It's possible, because all things are possible through Him.
Loving others is a real and tangible way not only to demonstrate your love for God, but to grow that love, too. Today, ask yourself periodically throughout the day if you are loving others as God desires. Before considering a course of action, ask yourself if that action will demonstrate love for God and love for others.
Pray
Lord, I want to love You this way, with every bit of my heart, mind, soul and strength. Show me the way. Take my hand and guide me toward a deeper love for You.
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