Year of the Bible: Part Four of Twelve Sample

Love the Lord Your God.

While the escape from slavery (sin) gave great reason for rejoicing, the reality of a life that continued to need change remained. The people still had a long way to go to learn to love the Lord their God with all their hearts, minds, and strength.

Loving God is possible because He loved us first. Loving God with all of our hearts permits Him to change us into the image of Jesus. Loving God with all of our souls grants the Holy Spirit access to every area of life, thus allowing Him to heal our brokenness. Loving God with all our strength fills our lives with meaningful purpose.

Question: When you hear the commandment to Love the Lord your God, are you encouraged, or do your thoughts turn to your failure to live this out? Are you able to see in this book that God desires to bless you?

Prayer Focus: Ask the Father to grant you a fresh experience of His love for you and for the grace of God's Spirit to live a life of obedience. Take a moment and write down your experience with God's love, then share that with someone.