Friends

Today is the last home game for the T.C.U. football team. I have been blessed to be invited to go with my friend, and fellow minister, Ron. He is a faithful fan and has often brought me along to a game for many years. Friends make life such a joy and the journey much easier to endure. Ron has been there for me for over 25 years, God bless Ron. 

12-6-2014      Mark 12:28-34

S.       28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. 32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: 33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

O.      Jesus declares the greatest commandment and the second greatest as well.

A.      Loving God is a life of willing obedience and service to our fellows. I must love God with, and in, my actions. Thinking I am righteous is not a complete faith, because “faith without works is dead”. Faith is made perfect by works performed in loving obedience. Loving and serving others completes our love of God.

P.       Father; help me to overcome any doubts or fears that hold me back from serving you in perfect faith. Amen.