PURPOSE

So many people seem to be lacking purpose these days. Perhaps our purpose has become lost in the immediacy of the “now,” living for the moment and how much “fun” can be had in that moment. We often lose the “big picture” of why we are here on this earth.

If you sometimes feel that way, I’m here to tell you what that purpose is…

¹ Praise the LORD!

Yes, give praise, O servants of the LORD.

Praise the name of the LORD!

² Blessed be the name of the LORD

now and forever.

³ Everywhere—from east to west—

praise the name of the LORD.

Psalms 113:1-3 (NLT)

We were created by Him…

Praise the LORD, everything he has created,

everything in all his kingdom.

Let all that I am praise the LORD.

Psalms 103:22 (NLT)

We were created to bring Him honor…

Bring all who claim me as their God,

for I have made them for my glory.

It was I who created them.’”

Isaiah 43:7 (NLT)

Let this attitude of gratitude become your theme song…

I will praise the LORD at all times.

I will constantly speak his praises.

Psalms 34:1 (NLT)

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD

SIDES

Politics can be very tiresome, especially in an election year. However, some issues we cannot afford to dismiss. One of those is how we as a people, as a nation, treat the nation of Israel.

God, in His promise to Abraham makes the following statement…

I will bless those who bless you,

and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all peoples on earth

will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:3 (NIV)

As you continue to follow the story of God’s people, you find instances where God makes good on His promise. Look at the following passage from First Samuel…

This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. ³Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.’” 1 Samuel 15:2-3 (NIV)

Saul followed the Lord’s instructions (at least most of them!) and destroyed the Amalekites.

As Christians, we need to pray for the nation of Israel and for our country’s stand on dealing with them. God will not forsake His promise to Abraham. Just as He did not forsake His promise to bless all people on earth through the Jews.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)

His Son, Jesus Christ, was born a Jew. Salvation has come to all people who will accept Jesus as their Savior.

God also tells us in Revelation 7:4-8 that 12,000 from each tribe will be saved. God will keep His promise to Abraham. Pray for the people of Israel. We don’t have a choice as to which side we are on if we want to be obedient to God.

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ILLUSTRATION

Many things are difficult to understand. The speed of light, how the planets stay in orbit around the sun, the incredible way our bodies heal themselves when cut are just a few of them.

Jesus said some things that were difficult to understand, but that doesn’t make them any less valuable to us today. One of the things He said was,

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:54 (NIV)

He had told His listeners earlier in the chapter that He was the bread that came down from heaven, the bread of life (vs. 35) and in John 4:14 He said,

but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Obviously, a literal interpretation cannot be applied. We don’t’ have water shooting out of us and to think of actually eating someone’s flesh, is rather repulsive. So what did Jesus mean?

John had declared to His readers in the opening of chapter one that Jesus was God.

¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ¹⁴The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1, 14 (NIV)

To understand that God (The Word: logos in the Greek) sent Jesus to be the Savior of all who would accept Him, we must accept that He came in the “flesh” as a human. (see also Philippians 2:6-8)

“Eating” the flesh of Jesus is equivalent to saying “God came down to earth in the form of man.”

“Drinking” the blood of Jesus is accepting the fact that He was pierced on the cross for our transgressions, that He shed His blood for our sins (Hebrews 9:22), died, was buried and three days later, was raised to life.

The “water” He gives us is the Holy Spirit, our “spring” of eternal life. It is God in us.

Jesus wasn’t trying to confuse anybody by speaking this way. On the contrary, He was using terminology and illustrations that they (along with you and I) could understand if they would just open their hearts to Him.

Have you opened your heart to Him today? If not, today is the day of salvation. Accept Jesus’ sacrifice for you and turn away from sin and toward Him today. If you have, then share these words with someone who does not know Jesus as their Savior.

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PRAY

We often think we need something when we really don’t. The people of Israel thought they needed a king to rule over them when, in fact, they already had the King of kings, the Almighty God as their ruler. The Prophet Samuel pointed this out to them and they realized their guilt. Here is Samuel’s reply to them, which has implications for you and me today…

“Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. ²¹Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. ²²For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own. ²³As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. ²⁴But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. ²⁵Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will be swept away.” 1 Samuel 12:20-25 (NIV)

Vs. 20: All have done evil – The bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). That’s you and me. We share the guilty verdict.

Vs. 21: Don’t turn toward idols – whether they be material possessions like cars, boats, clothes OR perhaps “sacred cows” in our churches (we can only sing hymns, we can only use the King James Version, Women shall not wear pants to church, etc.)

Vs. 22: God will not reject His people – God has chosen Israel as His people as well as the followers of Jesus Christ. He will not reject Israel or His church. He has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy 31:6)

Vs. 24: Fear God

Serve God

Remember all God has done for you

Vs. 25: Keep doing evil – you will perish

WAIT A MINUTE! You left out verse 23.

Well, actually I saved it for last because I wanted to bring it to the forefront of our attention today…

We are to pray for God’s people…whether or not we agree with them…whether or not we think they are acting the way they should…whether or not we feel they are incorrect in their doctrine. We are to pray for them. Not praying for them would be a “sin against the Lord” according to this word from God himself.

Start today. Turn your heart toward God, pray for His people.

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BLIND

Seeing is believing…isn’t it? Many people had a chance to witness the power of God when He fed the five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish (John 6:9-13). Did they all then become believers in Jesus?

Listen to Jesus’ comments to the people who followed Him the next day…

Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. John 6:26 (NKJV)

They were seeking Jesus, not because of the power of God that was exhibited, but because they wanted something else. They wanted Him to “conjure up” a new coat, a herd of sheep, or perhaps fill their grain bins with a year’s supply of pre-ground flour!

What they missed was the incredible power behind the miracle itself! The saw what the “miracle man” might be able to do for them but they were blind as to who the man doing the miracles really was…the Son of the Almighty God.

We look out at a planet full of miracles. Actually, a universe of miracles, with all of its brilliant splendor brought back to us in “living color” by modern technological equipment. Do we think, “Thank you God for your creation” or “Lord, I want a bigger house”? Do we look at the miracle of childbirth and thank God for the life we have been entrusted with or do we simply think about the inconvenience of sleepless nights and what the child might do for us when it’s finally old enough to work?

There are many miracles to ponder…but only One, True and Living God. The only way to have communion with Him is through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:6). We must look behind the miracles to the power that caused them to occur.

As you read the admonition below to God’s people, remember that you, if you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, are one of His children and that the words apply to you as well. Don’t be blinded by what He can do for you, but dwell on Who it is that has already done so much for you. Thank Him and ask, “How can I ever thank you enough”.

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! ⁵You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:4-5 ( NKJV )

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POSITIVE

Positive or negative? How do you approach situations that come into your path? Look at Philip’s choice in this passage from the Gospel of John…

Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” ⁶He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.

⁷Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!” John 6:5-7 (NLT)

Philip saw only the negative…

There are no grocery stores around here.

My debit card is maxed out.

I don’t have time to plan dinner for that many.

Maybe that sounds familiar to you. What about changing perspectives and answering differently. Check out this possible response to Jesus’ question. Philip could have replied…

“Lord, you know the need and only you have the power to meet those needs. You know that we can’t buy enough bread to feed all of these, but we know that you can provide it.”

Before looking at the negative side of a given situation, take a look at what the Lord, your God, your Creator, Provider and Savior is able to do. Trust Him with it and give Him the glory for meeting the needs of that situation.

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OWNERSHIP

We often think of praying as asking God for things that we want or even possibly need. We hope to get these things provided to us with little or no effort on our part other than making our request made known to the Provider.

When we receive that which we request, does it belong to us or to the One who provided it? How tightly do we hold on to that which we receive?

There was a young woman named Hannah in the Bible who had no children. She requested God’s intervention on her behalf…

Then she made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.” 1 Samuel 1:11 (NKJV)

When Hannah gave birth to her son, she kept her word. She took him to the priest, gave him over to the Lord’s service and then returned home.

When you receive something that you ask God for, do you hold on tightly to it or do you allow it to be used for God and His work? Something to think about J

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AGAIN

We are often tempted to give up when we fail at something. We convince ourselves that we tried our best but it was just not meant to be. Perhaps we’re stopping just short of a victory that God wants to bring about in our lives.

Judges, chapter nineteen, tells the story of a man from the Israeli tribe of Levi whose wife was raped and murdered by men from the tribe of Benjamin, also Israeli.

In the next chapter, we find all the remaining tribes of Israel prepared to take action against the offending parties. The Benjamites refused to turn over the men who had committed the offense and prepared to fight against their brothers.

So all the Israelites were completely united, and they gathered together to attack the town. Judges 20:11 (NLT)

But first…they consulted God…

Before the battle the Israelites went to Bethel and asked God, “Which tribe should go first to attack the people of Benjamin?”

The LORD answered, “Judah is to go first.” Judges 20:18 (NLT)

The men from the tribe of Benjamin killed 22,000 Israelis in that battle. Again, they consulted God…

But the Israelites encouraged each other and took their positions again at the same place they had fought the previous day. ²³For they had gone up to Bethel and wept in the presence of the LORD until evening. They had asked the LORD, “Should we fight against our relatives from Benjamin again?”

And the LORD had said, “Go out and fight against them.” Judges 20:22-23 (NLT)

18,000 Israelis were killed in that battle and again, they consulted God

…The Israelites asked the LORD, “Should we fight against our relatives from Benjamin again, or should we stop?”

The LORD said, “Go! Tomorrow I will hand them over to you.” Judges 20:28 (NLT)

The Israelites defeated the men of the tribe of Benjamin, leaving only 600 men alive. God had been true to His word. The Israelites had sought His advice and followed His instructions.

So, when you are tempted to give up on something that you know God has told you to do, despite attacks and possibly temporary setbacks caused by your fellow tribesmen (other Christians!)…

Ask God again for advice and help and stay the course. He will give you victory. He may just want to see how serious you are about what He has asked you to do. Try, try, again.

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WORSHIP

What do you think of when you hear the word “spirit”? You might think of that time before a football or basketball game when they have “spirit assemblies” to boost the morale of the team and make the audience root louder for the whole team. Perhaps you think of a bodiless ectoplasm floating around the room…you know, like Casper the friendly ghost!

I challenge you to apply either of those two interpretations to the word spirit in the following verse…

”God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24 (NIV)

Yeah, I know, they don’t work very well…so…let’s look briefly at the Greek word that is translated “spirit.”

The word is pneuma. Here is the definition from Strong’s Greek Dictionary.

a current of air, that is, breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively a spirit, that is, (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, daemon, or (divine) God, Christ’s spirit, the Holy spirit:—ghost, life, spirit (-ual, -ually), mind.

Ok, so the bodiless thing is in there, but it goes beyond floating ghosties! The thing I would like us to zero in on is the “rational soul” part. Perhaps something that will help is to compare it with another word in the Greek for breath…psuche. Here is the Strong’s Dictionary definition of that word…

1. breath 2. the soul 2a) the seat of the feelings, desires, affections, aversions (our heart, soul etc.)

See the difference? The word used for spirit in John 4:24 is rational as opposed to the other Greek word, which deals with feelings.

We are to worship God rationally, not based on how we “feel.” If we worshiped God by how we feel, we might not get up on Sunday to go to church because we we’re tired or because we’re mad at someone or…you get the point.

We must make a rational decision to bow down and worship our Creator…regardless of how we feel. He is the maker of our Universe, of the heavens and the earth. He is all-powerful and the author of our salvation. To God be the glory forever and ever.

Decide today to worship Him based on who He is…not how you feel.

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GO

Sitting here in the airport getting ready to leave for Ecuador, South America for two weeks, I think back to what lead me here. It was a phone call from a pastor I had met a couple of years ago at a retreat. He told me that a group had cancelled there scheduled work trip and he was trying to put together a team. He asked if I would be willing to help.

⁸Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”

I said, “Here I am. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8 (NLT)

We don’t have to hear a big booming voice from heaven to hear from God. He uses people to communicate to us. We simply have to listen to the response of the Holy Spirit within us. I’m grateful He still speaks to us. Keep listening for His voice and don’t be surprised if He uses someone you know to speak to you!

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

GIVING

There’s some talk going around about whether “tithing” is scriptural as it applies to New Testament believers or if that was just under the law. Those of us who grew up in the church were taught that you should give ten percent of your income to the church.

I guess the question would be whether the argument was intended to let someone “off the hook” for giving that ten percent or if it was allowing him or her freedom to give more.

Look at this example of giving in the Gospel of Luke…

¹While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. ²Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.

³“I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. ⁴For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” Luke 21:1-4 (NLT)

There is an individual in our town that lives very modestly, drives old cars and is unable to work in the traditional sense. The individual does do a LOT of ministry in our town, helping widows and the elderly.

Every couple of weeks, sometimes more often, we receive a check made out to the SPRING Student Center from this individual. That check is like the widows coins.

It is a LOT of money for them, but they want to give it to God to allow Him to use it in the lives of teenagers in our town.

God looks at the heart of the giver, not the percentage.

⁶But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (NKJV)

By the way, did I mention that this particular person that gives so generously to the SPRING is ALWAYS full of JOY…!

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PRESENCE

What do you think you would act like if you were to be in the presence of God? I don’t know about you, but I’d probably just fall down dead. Of course, my spirit would immediately be in the presence of God so it’s all good!

Would you act differently (if you didn’t fall down dead) or would life just go on? Here’s the account of one man and his reaction to being in the presence of Jesus…

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” ⁶So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

⁷All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a ‘sinner.’”

⁸But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

⁹Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. ¹⁰For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Luke 19:5-10 (NIV)

Zacchaeus’ life was changed by simply being in the presence of Jesus. It may not seem real to you, but imagine yourself giving up half of everything you own; half of your house, half of your car, your bank account, etc. Then, to make up for all the wrong you had done, you pay back the wronged party four times the original injury to them.

Well if you claim Jesus Christ as your Savior, you ARE in His presence, right now because the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, the HOLY SPIRIT lives in you! You are in the presence of God as you read this. That realization should result in a changed life, a righteous life, a humble and grateful life.

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FIRST

A survey was taken a few years ago that asked a group of people what the most important things (people, jobs, etc.) in their life were. Quite a few named family as number one. Others named their position at their place of employment. Some even said that a car or truck that they had always wanted was number one.

There are some that believe that all you have to do is be kind and not too selfish and that will get them a ticket to heaven. A young ruler was asking Jesus how he could “get eternal life” and told Jesus that he had kept all the commandments. Here’s Jesus’ reply to him…

So, when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

²³But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. Luke 18:22-23 (NKJV)

The man’s response indicated that his wealth and possessions here on this earth were of more importance than being with Jesus in heaven. You might be thinking well obviously possessions shouldn’t be number one, but family should, right?

So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, ³⁰who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.” Luke 18:29-30 (NKJV)

God wants to be Number One in your life, not number two, three or four. If you place Him in the Number One position, He will not disappoint you. He is more than able to meet all of your needs.

As my life-verse says…

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)

PRAY

Some things are so important that you cannot stop praying about them until the answer arrives. One of them is that the church (that’s you and me, the Christians!) in your town, in my town and around the world would glorify Jesus Christ in word and deed. That instead of being an exclusive “club” that takes care of “its own”, it (we) would seek to minister to the lost and love all of those that Christ died for on the cross at Calvary; the poor, the needy, the orphan, the widow and each other!

At times, it can seem as if God doesn’t hear our prayer in this regard, but we are promised that He will. We need to keep at it even when it seems like nothing is happening. He tells us that if we ask anything in His name (and according to His will) that He will do it.

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. ²He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. ³And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

⁴“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, ⁵yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming!’”

⁶And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. ⁷And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? ⁸I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8 (NIV)

Many things are worth praying about even when it seems like you’ve been praying for a long time. God is faithful and He will hear your prayers.

Don’t get discouraged when it seems like you are not seeing the answer…simply be faithful in what you are called to do…pray. Thank God for His provision in advance and trust Him to accomplish it.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD

PRAISE

I think I figured out where the saying “dumber than a rock” came from! Dumb, not being a term of mental aptitude but of the lack of ability to speak. Look at the following verses and see if you can see what I mean…

The heavens are telling of the glory of God;

And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

Psalms 19:1 (NASB)

Shout for joy, O heavens! And rejoice, O earth!

Break forth into joyful shouting, O mountains!

For the LORD has comforted His people

And will have compassion on His afflicted. Isaiah 49:13 (NASB)

Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” ³⁹Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” ⁴⁰“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Luke 19:38-40 (NIV)

²⁰For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. Romans 18:20 (NASB)

Everyday we look around and see beautiful mountains and trees, we eat fruit grown on trees and vegetable grown from seeds in the earth and yet, we are too often silent about praising and thanking our God.

We are without excuse. His eternal nature can be seen in the vastness of the sky and the ocean. A hint of His power can be seen in the force of the wind and the eruption of a volcano. His love and provision can be seen in how he cares even for the birds and the animals.

Take some time today and despite any negative circumstances that may exist in your life, praise Him for your very breath. Praise Him for the beauty with which He has surrounded you. Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him!

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TRUST

Look around you at the world that you live in. Can you make a mountain? Can you create a tree from nothing? Can you cause a coyote to be born or a bird to fly? Who are we to question the things of God, His reasons for doing what He does or for allowing certain things to happen?

Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!

³⁴ For who can know the LORD’s thoughts?

Who knows enough to give him advice? (Isaiah 40:13)

³⁵ And who has given him so much

that he needs to pay it back? (Job 41:11)

³⁶For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. Romans 11:33-36 (NLT)

HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD

The splendor of the King, Clothed in majesty

Let all the earth rejoice, All the earth rejoice

He wraps Himself in light, And darkness tries to hide

And trembles at His voice, And trembles at His voice

Chorus

How great is our God, Sing with me

How great is our God, And all will see

How great, How great is our God

And age to age He stands, And time is in His hands

Beginning and the End, Beginning and the End

The Godhead three in one, Father, Spirit, Son

The Lion and the Lamb, The Lion and the Lamb

Bridge

Name above all names

Worthy of all praise

My heart will sing

How great is our God

© 2004 worshiptogether.com songs\Six Steps Music\Alletrope Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)\(Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)\(Admin. by Music Services) Chris Tomlin / Ed Cash / Jesse Reeves , CCLI #2919832

Trust the One Who made you and sent His only Son to save you. Rejoice in His love for you and thank Him for your very life.

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TOTALLY

In the Old Testament, there were 616 commandments that the Jews were to follow in order to have a right relationship with God. I don’t know about you, but I can barely count that high, let alone remember that many commandments.

When Jesus came to earth, He reduced those many commandments down to two. The first was to love God and the second was to love each other. Here’s a look at the first…

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ Mark 12:30 (NIV) (also found in Luke 10:27. The occurrence in Matthew 22:37 leaves out “strength”)

This is a quote from the Old Testament that the Jews would have been very familiar with as it was to be recited every day…

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV)

Here is a brief look at the meanings of the words in the Hebrew and the Greek (condensed from Brown-Driver-Brigg’s Hebrew Dictionary and Thayer’s Greek Dictionary)

Heart

Hebrew: inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding, mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory, inclination, resolution, determination (of will) and conscience.

Greek: the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavours, of the understanding, the faculty and seat of the intelligence, of the will and character

Soul

Hebrew : soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion, that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man

Greek : the breath of life, the vital force which animates the body and shows itself in breathing, the soul as an essence which differs from the body and is not dissolved by death

Heart and soul have quite an overlap in both the Hebrew and the Greek understanding but, to oversimplify, the term ‘heart’ has more emphasis on what we would consider the mental faculties, while the ‘soul’ has more emphasis on what we would call the ‘spiritual’ faculties. (Chris Johnson: www.silentorb.com/translucence/2007/10/heart-for-god.html)

Strength (Might)

Hebrew: exceedingly, much, might, force, abundance, to a great degree

Greek: ability, force, strength, might

Mind

Greek (not in the original Hebrew passage): the mind as a faculty of understanding, feeling, desiring, thoughts, either good or bad

Jesus added the word ‘mind’ to the original passage in Deuteronomy 6:5 because the Greeks had a different concept of thinking. Even in our culture, we consider “heart” to have an emotional context and “mind” to have more of a bent toward rational thinking.

What’s that all boil down to? We are to love God, our Creator, with EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE…TO THE MAX…TOTALLY!

That is the most important thing that we can do in life. Why are people having problems in relationships, work and school? Why do people seek out mind-altering, mood-altering drugs and activities? The answer lies in not carrying out the most important thing in the life of a human being…loving God. We must love God totally to find meaning, peace and contentment.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD