It's Time to Listen
It’s Time to Listen
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.” Deuteronomy 6:4-6
If you are familiar with football at all, you probably recognize the name Tim Tebow. When Tim was quarterback at the University of Florida, he painted John 3:16 under his eyes during the 2009 college football championship. As a result, over 94 million people Googled the verse. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not parish, but have everlasting life.” Those that looked up that verse would read about God’s gracious love, Jesus’ sacrifice, and our reconciliation with our creator. Only a couple of words, but it says so much!
Our verse today in Deuteronomy is known as the Shema (which means “hear” in Hebrew). This verse describes who God is and is a call of Moses to love the true and living God. It became a central prayer in Judaism. Similar to John 3:16, it easily captures, in only a few words, the deep relationship that Israel had with the Lord and the transformed life that was to flow from it.
This verse commands what our response to God should be in response to who He is. We are to love Him sincerely, firmly and with all of our heart. Jesus referred to that verse when He was asked what the most important command was in Matthew 22:37-40. It’s not a surprise that He points people to Deuteronomy, as it would have been incredibly familiar to anyone listening to Him at that time.
If you love God with your whole being, your soul, mind and strength, then it would seem that you can’t help but to start to see others as God sees them. Love for others reflects the love shown by God to His people. He went on to add another similar command, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Just like Israel, we Christians needs to listen up! We need to remember God’s grace in salvation and promise, and we need to remember that God is one God. We have been brought into a relationship with Him and our only response should be one of devotion with our whole lives.
Make your first and your last thoughts of the day be about God and your life in service to Him. Be consumed by Jesus and give your life to Him, and urge others to do the same.
Have a blessed day!
~Bev
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.” Deuteronomy 6:4-6
If you are familiar with football at all, you probably recognize the name Tim Tebow. When Tim was quarterback at the University of Florida, he painted John 3:16 under his eyes during the 2009 college football championship. As a result, over 94 million people Googled the verse. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not parish, but have everlasting life.” Those that looked up that verse would read about God’s gracious love, Jesus’ sacrifice, and our reconciliation with our creator. Only a couple of words, but it says so much!
Our verse today in Deuteronomy is known as the Shema (which means “hear” in Hebrew). This verse describes who God is and is a call of Moses to love the true and living God. It became a central prayer in Judaism. Similar to John 3:16, it easily captures, in only a few words, the deep relationship that Israel had with the Lord and the transformed life that was to flow from it.
This verse commands what our response to God should be in response to who He is. We are to love Him sincerely, firmly and with all of our heart. Jesus referred to that verse when He was asked what the most important command was in Matthew 22:37-40. It’s not a surprise that He points people to Deuteronomy, as it would have been incredibly familiar to anyone listening to Him at that time.
If you love God with your whole being, your soul, mind and strength, then it would seem that you can’t help but to start to see others as God sees them. Love for others reflects the love shown by God to His people. He went on to add another similar command, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Just like Israel, we Christians needs to listen up! We need to remember God’s grace in salvation and promise, and we need to remember that God is one God. We have been brought into a relationship with Him and our only response should be one of devotion with our whole lives.
Make your first and your last thoughts of the day be about God and your life in service to Him. Be consumed by Jesus and give your life to Him, and urge others to do the same.
Have a blessed day!
~Bev