Did you have a favorite group when you were younger? Back in my day the Beatles were my favorite band. I even put the name of the Beatles on the front of my drums and played along to all their songs. Oh, I was cool or so I thought! They of course had many hits and changed the course of music in many ways during their time.
Let me ask, have you ever been driving along with the radio on and then one of the old classics comes on? I’m sure you have then you reached over to turn it up loud. That’s where the kids say “Oh dad” and you sing along because you know all the words even though it is from 30, 40 even 50 years ago? That certainly happens to me but interestingly sometimes I can’t find my car keys. They of course were not the first to talk or sing about love.
Jesus talks about love many times but here in Matthew, he gives us some direction that today many still find hard to have as a part of their life.
Matthew 22:34-39
English Standard Version
The Great Commandment
But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
How are you doing with these two commands?
It is a daily choice, to love for all of us, an act of our will that sets us on a trajectory that will make a difference for you and others around you.
We also read in,
John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” He continues, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (13:35)
Can people see His love and know that you are a follower of Jesus in your words or by your actions?
Whatever stage of life you find yourself in, those who might be different from you in looks or even have the opposite political view, be reminded our love for those around us can change someone’s life. It might be a stretch, and a challenging moment but let’s be encouraged today that the Lord can and will help us to bring His love into our encounters and our thinking.
Who can you show Gods amazing love to today?
It is this love for the Lord and others
that compels us to share the Gospel
with children all over the world through
our many CEF programs. Last year we
had 16.5 million kids in our programs
with 5.5 million placing their trust in
Jesus’ forgiveness and receiving His
love. If you would like to be a part of
this exciting ministry reach out to us and we will help you get connected
with your local CEF program.
Be encouraged and know you are loved.
Art
…. Just for fun link -The Beatles all you need is love bit.ly/3zfneK0 – Now where are my drums?