Kinji and Laurie celebrate Johnna’s (center) new life in Christ after her baptism!
Mark 12:28-31 says; “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; “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.’”
All your heart means with passion. What drives you? Is it God?
All your mind means thoughts that guide your behavior. What do you think about most? Is it God?
All your soul means what you worship. Is it God?
We were all created to worship God. If we don’t worship God, we will find something to worship. It could be your favorite sports teams, your boy/girlfriend, your career or schooling. Is it your TV or computer? If you are not devoted to worshipping God, you are worshipping something. Matthew 6:24 b says: “…You cannot serve both God and Money.” All your strength means what you devote all your energy to. Is it God and His church? Or could it be your work, family, exercise or anything else that prevents you from “Seeking first His Kingdom and righteousness. (Matthew 6:33)
Isaiah 54:5 – “For your Maker is your husband—the Lord Almighty is his name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.”
God want a relationship with you. As we understand the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, we can understand what kind of a relationship God desires with us. For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in good times and bad ones, TIL DEATH DO US PART. God wants us to be devoted to Him with all our heart in a faithful relationship. A great marriage stays a great marriage if both the husband and wife love each other with all their heart, mind, soul and strength in good times and bad. When times become challenging, this is when a couple in a marriage can show how much they really love each other. Unfortunately, this doesn’t happen for many couples and divorce sadly follows. When the pain of life and sin sets in, this is when we must show God that we are committed to persevere in our faithfulness and love for Him. God never pulls His love back. Why should we?
John 14:23-24 – Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.”
