Matthew 22:35-40 ~ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul

We do not live by bread alone, but by every Word proceeding from the mouth of God.

Matthew 22:35-40
Jesus 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. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Notice with me, how are we going to Love God. 
Jesus told Peter, at their famous meeting after Death was destroyed - to Feed His Sheep. 
Mark 16 records Jesus saying - Go into The World. Preach the Gospel to - the whole creation.

Creation covers all of Genesis Chapter One. How we treat not just people - but the earth, resources, animals and the sky and mankind.

Bring salvation to Creation - do you think that by teaching others to care for their car, pet dog or cat, house, and being kind - that a narrow path might open? I do believe this is why God said really Give Good News to Creation.

Matthew 22  - Jesus said something very interesting. Love yourself. Love your neighbor. Why would Jesus choose to say neighbor and not Mankind? Every single version says 'neighbor'

God wants to save - The World. Through the redemption of Jesus Christ the Lord.

Father God tells us to love our neighbor.  Not Mankind.
Jesus could have easily said to us - 'save the world'. But He did not. 
Because Nothing You Could Ever Do Would Save You. 
Jesus - in Vast Love - Paid your price of Salvation.

Neighbor?

Luke 10
36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

Romans 8:26
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

God intercedes for us again.
Our part is made smaller, because we are not God.
Paul was guided by the Holy Spirit not to go various places.

Acts 16:7
When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.

Primarily, God did not want His Job to overwhelm us. 
God said He would give us rest. 

We all are given talents and abilities.
God doesn't say that the person living and doing a job to feed his family - is not His Child or on His path. God is pleased when we seek to please God. The Body of Christ is diverse.

Jesus stood back and waited in firm expectation that people who Love. He waited on His own Brothers and His Disciples.


God is in charge of God's works. We are given a brain to discern God. And the people He gave us.




One of the best witnesses to Salvation was my late friend Randy Manti, Julie's husband. He had a smile and genuine Love for all the people he held the door open for at Church - from his wheelchair. Randy heard Edward and me in a fuss one Sunday about coolant for our air conditioner. Randi said - I have those tools come to my house. And once a year, Randi had us bring the liquid and he furnished the tools,  labor and even would rope a friend into coming with him.

Later, Gary Jenkins arranged a BBQ auction for a very ill Randy. And St. Luke's blessed Randy by canceling his high debt. Telling Randy they found his Christian attitude to his terrible pain - inspiring in their Christian Hospital. Saying they could see why Randy had people give him a BBQ.

So only Love our merciful neighbors?

Luke 6
27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Love isn't necessarily an emotion.
People get so tangled up - Romans 7 explains what people say might be so - but the reason they get up on a soapbox is sometimes not the most inspiring or good motivation - as they say what's good.

And? So what. Once you have discernment, give that to God. Let Him carry this.

We don't have to be well treated to be courteous.  Inner Joy at the Goodness of Others moves us forward.
We don't have to be loved to want someone to have Good News.
 And we don't have to mourn if someone doesn't just adore us. 
We can surely wish them all the good God would give them. 
God's storehouses are never empty.


Pray for your not so much fun, critical person. At the other extreme, pray for Isis to end - Like God Would Hear You.  Give them a blessing Prayer. A hater shown respect, then opportunity to love and have a fulfilling life. Then really go fast on and bless someone else even closer. End the negative waves. Donald Sutherland had that right - end the war.

God wants what is Good from your heart. When the figs didn't bloom in season, God surely expected Fruit. We can find good fruit to give to Jesus.

God went forth looking for people like the Roman Centurion - who had Faith. And Jesus moved there. Narrow path. Dwell there.

Balance

God gave us another reason why we want to be merciful and love the people who show us Mercy.

If we give and give and give to give Love - we never give the other person a chance to grow up. Find their feet. Giving Love is good for people.

God wants all of us to have fruit. That is why He said to Love Yourself.

All people want to give back. If they don't, discern that they are not showing you mercy.


What do I see in Father God? He is willing to let me grow up. He does not let go of me. He does not unjustly condemn me. He stands up for me. Eternally. He assures me daily He loves me. He covers me with His Name. He gives me a Clear Path Up. He calls me Home to live with Him eternally. If I petition Father God, earnestly - I know I have been heard. He gives me strength to make right choices. Father God loves me. And Loves me.

Balance

Being Effective for Jesus?

Love God. Find His aspect that melts your heart.

Explain to the ones you Love what is so Good in God.

Blessing others - brings a Blessing

Creating a Person who is Loving

Loving makes a Path Forward

On His Path, we find Love, Joy, Peace. 

In a figless season, God will feed us.

We can find what is Good when we Look

And Thank God. 


God's Heaven has 12 Open Gates. God is Love.
God intends us to Live with Him. 


Our Father, Who art in Heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name,
Thy Kingdom Come,
Thy Will be done,
on earth as it is in Heaven,
Give us this day,
Our daily Bread,
Forgive us our Sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into Temptation.
Deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory.
Forever and ever. Amen.

Jesus, we ask in You, Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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