Do you know the Ten Commandments?
Last weekend your elders went on retreat.
Our retreat leader started off by having us name the Ten Commandments
found in Exodus 20:1-17. I am happy to
say that the group achieved this task, even as the leader’s point is well
taken-- it is hard to remember the Ten Commandments much less live them
well.
The
truth is we need God’s help and each other to live our best. That is how we are made!
Jesus
came to us in our “neighborhood” here on earth as “God in flesh,” to “get under
our skin” in love, grace and mercy, and teach us clearly. In the Gospels, Jesus illuminates what is
called “The Greatest Commandment.” We will look at it this weekend and next, as
it is tied to the Parable of the Good Neighbor.
The
“Greatest Commandment” is actually a conflation of two Old Testament scriptures
and is stated as such:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your
heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your
mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27).
The
weekend we will look at what it means to love God with all your heart, soul,
strength and mind. This is a tall order
and something we achieve in only our best moments. Yet Scripture says we can do no better. Loving God is vital to loving neighbor and
self. It is to be our priority. Like any loving relationship it takes work,
but the rewards are life changing and life giving!
Join me
in prayer as we prepare to encounter the holiness and awesomeness of a loving
God through worship. Remember that we
love because God first loved us. Pray
that God is present in our midst as a community of faith and in our lives as we
take that love into all places in the world.
If we
get the “main thing” in life down well (total devotion to God), all the other
parts of life fit into place. Invite a
friend, relative or neighbor to church with you. This is an important time in our history, and
loving God and each other together will make a difference!
See you
in Church!
Blessings,
Pastor
Tim
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