“And he answered, “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 (as taken from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18)
The last couple of years I’ve chosen a ‘buzz’ word rather than a resolution for the New Year. 2014 was the year of Intentional – intentional decisions and actions. As the word came to mind it helped to pinpoint goals. So rather than flittering as a butterfly from activity, situation, or relationship to another or floating as a bird on the breeze throughout the year, goals got translated into deliberate actions (like starting Seminary!) 2015 is my year for Balance which brings to mind the above verse.
As a Christian, if I am to live in balance that means God is first and loving Him is priority, but how does that look? How is that carried out in day-to-day living? How does that work for me? Luke 10:27 shows five ways. There are four aspects to loving God and only one in loving others. Could it be that the ratio of 4 to 1 shouts that loving God is at least 4 times more critical than any other love? Think about the key words.
Heart – (kardia) thoughts and feelings. 2015 is the year to capture my thoughts and channel my feelings and emotional responses. It’s not by accident ‘heart’ is mentioned first because we behave as we believe. 2 Corinthians 10:5, “We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”
Soul – (psuche) breath or spirit. 2015 is the year to be rightly connected with God and that only comes through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ and to live in constant awareness of this connection or else I flounder in failure and shame. John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
Strength – (ischus) strength, might, power of body (also can be of mind). 2015 is the year to care for the physical body He gave me. Healthy diet and regular exercise are actually biblical! Daniel 1:8a, “But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank.”
Mind – (dianoia) intellect or understanding. 2015 is the year to consider the Right One and concentrate on the right way. Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.” Romans 8:6, “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”
Neighbor – (plesion) any other member of the human family. 2015 is the year to carry forth God’s love to family, friends and all I encounter every day.
Consider 2015 as a moment by moment exercise rather than an overwhelming year-long existence, and remember Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” We’re not alone in 2015! What’s your word for the New Year?
“Dear Lord, please help me to love you and others in mighty ways moment by moment all year long. Thank you, Amen.”
Blessings of love! Prayer requests?
Loving the Lord My God and You One Moment at a Time! PJ HAPPY NEW YEAR!
COPYRIGHT ©2014 PJ Gover http://www.PJGover.com (blog) http://www.citygirlgoincountry.wordpress.com http://4homestore.com/devotionalbook.html (PJ’s devotional book)
Filed under: Practical Christianity Tagged: how does the Christian live?, Jesus Christ, loving God and others, New Year, New Year resolutions, the balanced Christian life
