I've been focusing on Mark 12:30 for the past several weeks. It is the foundation of all of God's commandments, and it is so easy to miss. 
           
          I used to be jealous of people who were always so joyful when they worshiped God. I'd think, "but what if I'm not cheerful? What if my moods change like the weather? What if I simply can't muster up enough happiness to smile? Does that mean I don't love God?"
    
         Absolutely not. Moods are a part of our bodies. Anxiet...

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The Message translation of this passage says "love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy."

When I'm obsessed with something, I put all of my energy into it. I spend all my time working on it, whether with my hands or with my mind. I sometimes forget to eat. I stay up at night thinking about it.

Imagine what it would be like to used all of our time and energy loving God. What would that be like?

As a disciple of Christ, I am a victim of falling asleep in the ...
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"...with all of your mind...."

How can I love with my mind? Love is almost always associated with hearts, and yet God asks that we love Him with our minds. 

I used to pass over this part of the verse, but when I began to think of it, it made perfect sense. Not that I love with my mind more than my heart, but that the two go hand in hand.

Think ill of someone and eventually you will hate him with your heart and vise versa. Think well of someone and
eventually you will love them with your heart.

T...
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"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength (Mark 12:30)." 

This verse has been on my mind for the past few months. In my strive to become a better Christian, I sometimes forget Who this is all about. I start reaching for perfection instead of the One Who is truly perfect.

I used to think I must not love God because I didn't feel all fuzzy and warm when I thought about Him. I distinctly remember standing in a Nazarene Yo...

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