Love The Lord Your God

"Hear, O Isreal!  The LORD is our God, the LORD alone.  And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.  And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands, I am giving you today.  Repeat them again and again to your children.  Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away on a journey, when you are lying down and when you are getting up again.  Tie them to your hands as a reminder, and wear them on your forehead.  Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates" (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). NLT  (See also Matt. 22:37; Mark 12:29,30;Luke 10:27; 1 Cor.8;4-6.

This command was given to the Israelites by Moses as they prepared to go into the Promised Land.  He reminded them that they should live a life of devotion, dedication and demonstration, relating the Word of God to every aspect of their lives. 

It is just as important today to demonstrate our love for our Lord by daily studying His Word, thinking about or meditating on His Word and teaching His Word to our children.  We should be living each day by the direction of the Holy Spirit and God's Word.

Parents and grandparents have a responsibility to help guide their children in the way that they should go so that when they are old they will not depart from it.  If you follow the directions from the Word, your children will understand why it is so important and necessary for them to carry on the godly heritage that was birthed in them.  We do it all to the glory of God our Father.

Remember this, "Eternal truths are most effectively learned in the loving environment of a God-fearing home." (Quote from NLT footnotes)

Encouragement

Anyone who has listened to the radio or watched television at one time or another has heard these words, "We interrupt this program for a special announcement!" 

Immediately, we recognized by the tone of the announcer's voice that whatever was to be announced was very important and it was most certainly worth hearing.  The announcer captured our attention, for sure.

Well, "we interrupt your current thoughts for a special announcement from God's Word, the Bible!" Interrupt that sad, depressed, discouraged spirit that at times says, "I can't!" by saying to your spirit, "I can!" 

The Bible, in Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me!"  Believe it.  Keep repeating this verse to yourself, until your spirit, mind and emotions catch it and accept it as a true promise from your heavenly Father.

Interrupt that same spirit that confesses weakness, all or much of the time, with a special announcement.  Announce that, "The Lord is the strength of my life!" (Psalm 27:1)  Say, "The joy of the Lord is my strength!" (Nehemiah 8:10) And remind that old serpent, the father of lies who continually harasses you with negative thoughts that, "To them that have no might He (God our Father) increases strength!" (Isaiah 28:29)

Interrupt that complaining and/or worrying about distress, trials and troubles with this wonderful announcement of John 16:33, "In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!" 

Announce this message to yourself and to all who will listen that, "I am confident and courageous because Jesus, my Lord, has overcome the world for me!" 

Be confident and courageous, cheerful and thankful today because you are an heir and joint heir with Jesus Christ. He sits, victoriously, at the right hand of God the Father, with a name that is greater than any name. 

He ever intercedes on our behalf.  And know for certain that you are loved with an everlasting love.  No one or nothing can ever separate you from His love! 

Think on these things!