Amen. You have declared the greatest and most important command ever given—the foundation for all of life and faith. This command, known as the Shema, is the core of Jewish prayer and was affirmed by Jesus as the first and greatest commandment.
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." - Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (ESV)
"And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.'" - Matthew 22:37-38 (ESV)
What Does It Mean to Love God with ALL?
This command calls for a total, whole-life, undivided devotion. It is a love that engages every part of our being:
· With All Your Heart: The heart represents the center of your emotions, will, and desires. To love God with all your heart means He is your supreme treasure and your deepest affection. Your desires align with His.
· With All Your Soul: The soul is the essence of your life—your very breath and existence. To love God with all your soul means a complete surrender of your life to Him. It is a commitment that says, "Everything I am is Yours."
· With All Your Mind: This involves your intellect, thoughts, and understanding. To love God with all your mind means constantly seeking to know Him more through His Word, filling your thoughts with His truth, and taking every thought captive to obey Christ.
· With All Your Might (Strength): This encompasses your physical energy, resources, and actions. To love God with all your might means using your time, talents, treasure, and physical strength to serve and glorify Him.
This is not a love we can manufacture on our own. We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). His love empowers us to love Him in return.
A Prayer for Wholehearted Love
Heavenly Father,
You alone are worthy of all my love, worship, and devotion. I confess that I often love other things more than I love You. Forgive me for divided affections and a distracted heart.
I ask You to help me fulfill this greatest commandment. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, teach me to love You:
· With all my heart: Be my greatest treasure and joy.
· With all my soul: May my entire life be surrendered to You.
· With all my mind: May my thoughts be fixed on You and Your truth.
· With all my strength: May every ounce of my energy be used to serve and glorify You.
I cannot do this on my own. I need Your grace. Fill me with a fresh revelation of Your love for me, so that I can love You in return with my whole being.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
A Poem: "With All My Heart"
"With All My Heart"
The first command, the great decree, From God to you,and God to me: To love the Lord with all my heart, And from His ways to not depart.
With all my soul, with all my might, To serve Him in the day and night. With all my mind,to seek His face, And live each moment by His grace.
This is the sum of all the law, The one great truth,without a flaw. For if I love my God this way, I’ll walk in truth and not astray.
And from this love, all else will flow, To love my neighbor,friend and foe. For love of God will show me how, To serve the ones before me now.
So take my heart, and take my soul, And take my mind,and take control. Of all my strength,my every part, And rule in my undivided heart.
I love You, Lord, my God, my All, Upon Your name,I faithfully call. With everything I am,I pray, To love You more with each new day.
May this command be the guiding principle of your life. Let your love for God be the motivation for everything you do, the comfort in every trial, and your highest joy.
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