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Love God Love People

"One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 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: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions."  
Mark 12:28-34

Out of the mouth of Jesus, Himself, came the most two important commandments. 

1.  The Lord our God is One. Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, soul, mind and strength.
2.  Love your neighbor as yourself.

"The Lord our God is One." 

Embrace this beautiful truth with ALL of your being. 

And love the Lord with ALL your heart, soul, mind and strength. 

Heart: Emotions. Choose to smile through your tears. Choose Thankfulness. Choose Joy. Be grateful. ALL the time. Good days and disappointing days. This is easy to say and hard to do. When You feel weak in this area, simply ask Jesus to empower you with His Holy Spirit.

Soul: Think about the hole inside of you that only the One, True and Living God can fill. Think about the Cross. Think about His Supreme Sacrifice. Think about Heaven. Dig deep. Ask Him to fill the longing inside of You with Him. Reach for Him instead of distracting yourself with temporary pleasures. This life is a vapor. Heaven is forever. 

Mind: Tell your mind what to think. When lies flood your mind, lay them down at the foot of Cross. Literally. Kneel and envision Jesus on the Cross. Okay, maybe there are some truths there sandwiched among the lies. Lay the truth down as well. Past mistakes, for example. Lay everything down, over and over, as many times as it takes. Memorize affirming scriptures. Every time negative thoughts pop into your mind, speak the scriptures out loud. God's word is medicine for a troubled mind. This step will take time. It took years for the lies to pile up. It will take some time to replace them with Truth.

Strength: Action. Worship God with your life. Worship starts at home, when you first begin your day. Kindness and acts of service to your family, first of all. Especially when they don't seem to notice or respond likewise. Smile and be kind to everyone you come in contact with throughout each day. Reach out to those less fortunate than yourself. Stop and listen when a family member or total stranger needs to talk. Honestly, this one is the most rewarding action steps. This is what Jesus did. 

The second most important commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. Take the "Strength" portion of the first commandment further. Love, Love, Love. Go the extra mile for everyone in your life. Family, friends, aquaintances, strangers. 

Have I been describing myself? Ummm... No. Honestly, I've been self absorbed much of my life. But this sixty year old (who feels like a twelve year old inside) is a work in progress. I am changing and growing in Christ. 

"Dear Jesus, Wow. Thanks for Your instructions this morning. Help me to be kind and gentle. Help me to love You and people in a way that pleases You. Not with an agenda. But with a pure heart. Thanks for Your Perfect Example of Love. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN."

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