Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
August 22, 2021
Read Matthew 22:34-40
34 When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had left the Sadducees speechless, they met together. 35 One of them, a legal expert, tested him. 36 “Teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 He replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it:You must love your neighbor as you love yourself. 40 All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”
Good Morning! Love God!
I was able to enjoy some special family time this weekend. I love sharing and listening to the conversations and sharing the special love that ties us together. I thank God for my sons and their families.
This morning’s passage returns us to the foundation of our faith: love God with all of our hearts, souls, and minds, and love your neighbor as yourself. You might think to yourself. Okay! I’ve got it. Why do we keep on landing here? Sadly, this is a perennial stumbling block for us. When you look around, you immediately see that these commandments are still growth opportunities. Most of us are working to become better, but it’s hard.
Let’s stop and think about our mind and our thoughts today. Do you ever have impure thoughts? You might have this idea that as long as you don’t say what you’re thinking, it’s okay. God knows everything that lives within us: what is in our hearts, within our souls, and in our minds. Sometimes the non-loving thought just pops in our head unexpectedly when we meet someone who is “different” or when someone does something in the “wrong” way. i.e. not our way.
Because we’ve been told to filter the words that come out of our mouths, we don’t voice what we’re thinking. Does this make it okay? After all, we are being civilized and speaking to others appropriately. Remember, God knows our thoughts! What can we do to be more loving with our minds? Again, we are works in progress. My goal is to take a moment and ask God for help each time I have one of those thoughts.
Recognizing and accepting your weakness is the first step to learning to love with our minds. This touches on a conversation from a couple of weeks ago when we were going to talk to God when we are stuck in traffic or standing in a line. Open yourself and become aware when you think ugly thoughts about the person who is blocking traffic or taking too much time at the self-checkout. What would Jesus do if he was waiting in that line?
Loving God, Thank You for loving us. We continue to struggle when trying to share your love with all of your children. Please be with us as we try to recognize our own faults and weaknesses. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Today I will turn my thoughts to God.
God knows our thoughts! Pastor Liz
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