June 22, 2009
“Jesus said, “The first in importance is, ‘Listen Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these.” Mark 12:29-31
Why should you love God today …?
… Because you were designed to be made whole by His love. That is the only way you will ever be whole: loving God and loving others. All of who you are is all that the Lord wants. He is not interested in your disinterested love .. your disengaged love .. or your distracted love. God’s love is creative and that is how He wants your life to live in His love today. It may not be dramatic or visible outside of the world you live in. But it will make a difference … just as God’s love did inside of you before you ever loved Him back. Jesus made it very clear: You are to love the Lord with all that you are inside and out. You are to love in such a way that your prayer life will be affected … how you think and act will be affected … and even the strength you’ve been given today comes from Him. Some around you may say it is just not on their “first things” list of trying to live today and focus on following Jesus. But Jesus has made it clear that God is not interested half-hearted worship. He’s not looking for disposable gifts. He’s looking for the type of love that mirrors the same love He has for you today. You don’t need to bring a list or be in a hurry to set your heart on loving the Lord with all that you have .. own .. or manage. Jesus warned about loving God with a false heart (an unspoken heart .. an unforgiving heart .. and a wandering heart). The Lord intends for His love to fill the greatest parts of your life today. WIll it be enough? It only takes a moment to begin .. continue .. and rest in the certain love of Jesus.
“Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his live, to be made whole and holy by his love.” Ephesians 1:4 The Message
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to Love-Settled Followers of Jesus and friends of Priority One (ken@priorityone.org)
