“But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again. 35 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” 37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”” Matthew 22:34-40 NLT
Lord God,
It is like a competition, the Pharisees against the Sadducees and using Jesus in the middle. And they both wanted to get the better of Him more. You are not into taking sides and getting the better of people for personal benefit.
To love You, God with all our heart, soul and mind. Love is not something we can make up, feel at will or turn on. As will each other, with You it is both a journey and a beginning.
I remember someone telling me that everyone has a space within that only God can fill. I only realised the truth of it when I asked Jesus into my life. I began to love Him – because He first loved me (1 John 4:19). And, it satisfied my soul and like all relationships, if invested in, has deepened and grown stronger.
How do we love You will all our heart, soul and mind? Can we, all the time? How do we recognise when we are becoming drawn away or addicted or distracted by or to something else? Or side tracked by something that takes up a lot of our time before You, God? Not that we should not love our family. Help us keep healthy hearts and minds Lord, safe in Your love first. Then You can help us love others too.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Lord God,
We bring those we love with their needs or just to give thanks for them. Thank you that You show us how to love with forgiveness, generosity and kindness. Bless our family with good hearts.
We pray for those who try to fill their God space with all sorts of other things. Loving other people and expecting them to be all they need. Trying to find peace in meditation or religious practices or doing good. Open their eyes Lord to see You.
Thank You that You created this world in love. You created mankind in Your image, to love in the best sense of the word. The highest form of love, Agape love. Thank you for all those who love, act in love and work from a heart filled with Your love. The millions of Christians who will out of love will make the world a better place to live in. Not be perfect but try!
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 4th September 2023
My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine;
for thee all the follies of sin I resign;
my gracious Redeemer, my Saviour art thou;
if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
I love thee because thou hast first loved me
and purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow;
if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow:
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
Lyrics: William R Featherston
Verse omitted in video
I’ll love thee in life, I will love thee in death,
and praise thee as long as thou lendest me breath,
and say when the deathdew lies cold on my brow:
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now