| Matthew 22:37-39 |
| 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. |
The Monday night small group has just started the study “Live like You were Dying.” We did this study several years ago as a whole church. I am finding it a good reminder.
We should thank God for every day we are given and make the most of the time we are given by living each day to the fullest. That means focusing ourselves on living according to God’s plan. Jesus clearly defines God’s plan in Matthew 22:37-39 when he affirms the greatest commandment. Jesus said, “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Our greatest priority is to love God with our whole being. Are we seeking to love God more each day? Are we spending time in prayer and studying God’s word in the Bible so we can know him more deeply? To know God is to love God.
Our second priority is to love others. How well are we doing that? The song that the study is based on suggests that we can do this in part by speaking sweeter, watching what we say and how we say it and by giving forgiveness, letting go of old hurts and where possible healing broken relationships. How well are we doing these things?
It’s my prayer that we will each take time to reflect on these questions, adjust our priorities and continually grow to love God and others more.
God’s blessings,
Pastor Anne