Golden Nugget: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”

Daily Message:

You may have heard the statement “Christianity is not about rules; it’s about a relationship.” This saying is built on a great truth: God loves you. The Christian life is spent learning to love God back.

In fact, one day Jesus was asked—by people who didn’t understand what it meant to follow him—which rule (or commandment) was the greatest. However, instead of responding with a “thou shalt not,” Jesus replied, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” 

Jesus did not give them a hoop to jump through. He gave them a relationship to live with. Learning to reciprocate God’s love is the foundation for your new way of life. He wants you to love him with everything you’ve got. Hold nothing in reserve—all means all. Love God with all of your heart and give him your affections. Love Him with all of your soul and make His will your will. Love Him with all your mind and ponder His beauty.

As you love God back, you will experience even more of His love for you.

Consider This:

• What are some tangible things you could do to live a life of “loving God back”?
• What would it look like for you to hold nothing back in your relationship with God?

Take Action:

Time spent alone with God is often called “quiet time.” List three things you could do to make your quiet time more quality time with God.