Someone insightfully said, “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”
What is the “Main Thing” for us as followers of Jesus? In Matthew 22:37-38, someone asked Jesus, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 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.’”
Jesus tells us the main thing when He calls us to, “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” He created us to have Him as our “Main Thing” in life – the One we love with all of our heart, our greatest Treasure, the purpose for which we are alive. In Him alone can we find the satisfaction for which He made us. When we are loving Jesus and keeping Him above anything else, He not only fulfills us, but also enables us by His strength to do the other things He calls us to do - “And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.’” (Matthew 22:39-40)
How can we do this? A clear way to tell what holds the place of “Main Thing” in our lives is to look at the areas of our: ~ Love ~ Treasure ~ Thoughts ~ Motives ~ Time ~ Words ~ Actions. What do they say about what holds the place as “Main Thing” in our lives?
Other things clamor for the position of “Main Thing” in our lives. Things like people, self, possessions, entertainment, projects, ministry, etc. try for that position on a daily basis. When these things are in the position of “Main Thing”, they never satisfy and only lead to disappointment, distraction, discouragement, and instability.
Jesus is calling us to keep Him as our “Main Thing” in every area of our lives in: loving Him above anything or anyone, allowing Him to be the focus of our mind, following His commands, exalting Him in our motives, how we use our time, where we invest our resources, and how we live our lives.
If you see your need for Jesus to be your “Main Thing” in life, ask Him for His help. He will answer and give you grace to make it a reality. The more Jesus is our “Main Thing”, the more the rest of life will fit together beautifully.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
Monday, January 23, 2012
A book for young women!
We are thrilled to share with you that Amy Vest is currently writing a book for young women!
We are excited beyond words for what the Lord's purposes are for this book! It is a book filled with Jesus, Biblical Truth, and deep vision for knowing and living for Jesus as a young woman.
We ask for your prayers as Amy writes, seeking the Lord for His words and heart to share with young women! (The lull in LTLM events is partially due to the enormity of this project.) We will keep you posted on this project!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
The Love of God
The love of God is greater far, Than tongue or pen can ever tell; It goes beyond the highest star, And reaches to the lowest hell; The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win; His erring child He reconciled, And pardoned from his sin.
Refrain
O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong! It shall forevermore endure The saints’ and angels’ song.
When years of time shall pass away, And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall, When men, who here refuse to pray, On rocks and hills and mountains call, God’s love so sure, shall still endure, All measureless and strong; Redeeming grace to Adam’s race— The saints’ and angels’ song.
Refrain
Could we with ink the ocean fill, And were the skies of parchment made, Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade, To write the love of God above, Would drain the ocean dry. Nor could the scroll contain the whole, Though stretched from sky to sky.
Refrain
by Fredrick Lehman
Have a beautiful day in the love of our amazing God!
The LTLM 2012 Newsletter has been sent!
The newest Loving the Lord Newsletter has been sent! You can view it by clicking here. If you would like to be added to our email list or update your email, please email the LTLM secretary at alyssa@lovingthelordministries.org! We love seeking Jesus with you!!!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Looking forward to seeking Jesus with you in the New Year!
We are looking forward to a New Year of seeking and loving Jesus together with you!!!
Monday, December 26, 2011
- Embrace Him as your greatest gift.
Every day, every moment. In Him we have been given the greatest gift of all! We were meant to treasure Him every day!
- Through salvation – First, have you embraced Him as your Lord and Savior? As we talked about in remembering what Christmas is about (above), we must each make sure we have personally embraced Jesus as our Savior. Romans 6:23 reminds us, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Have you personally known Jesus in this way – by recognizing your sin and confessing it to Him, receiving His forgiveness, turning from that sin, trusting Jesus alone to save you, and giving your life to Him?
- Through all that He is – Secondly, after receiving Jesus as your Savior, are you embracing all that He is meant to be to you? Oh, friends! He is meant to be so real to us – to be everything to us! The more we will come to know our Jesus as the greatest gift, the more we will adore Him and the more Christmas will mean to us! Daily embrace Him in your heart - through time in His Word, prayer, walking through the day with Him… HE is what you are hungry for! Psalm 107:9 reminds us, “For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness.”
Treasure Him, adore Him, give to Him, and relish this time of His birth and all it means!
Have a blessed CHRISTmas season – and may it just be the beginning of a new year of focusing on, walking with, and loving Jesus!
Every day, every moment. In Him we have been given the greatest gift of all! We were meant to treasure Him every day!
- Through salvation – First, have you embraced Him as your Lord and Savior? As we talked about in remembering what Christmas is about (above), we must each make sure we have personally embraced Jesus as our Savior. Romans 6:23 reminds us, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Have you personally known Jesus in this way – by recognizing your sin and confessing it to Him, receiving His forgiveness, turning from that sin, trusting Jesus alone to save you, and giving your life to Him?
- Through all that He is – Secondly, after receiving Jesus as your Savior, are you embracing all that He is meant to be to you? Oh, friends! He is meant to be so real to us – to be everything to us! The more we will come to know our Jesus as the greatest gift, the more we will adore Him and the more Christmas will mean to us! Daily embrace Him in your heart - through time in His Word, prayer, walking through the day with Him… HE is what you are hungry for! Psalm 107:9 reminds us, “For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness.”
Treasure Him, adore Him, give to Him, and relish this time of His birth and all it means!
Have a blessed CHRISTmas season – and may it just be the beginning of a new year of focusing on, walking with, and loving Jesus!
- Celebrate and rejoice in Jesus!
This time of year is about JESUS coming! It gives us every reason to rejoice and celebrate. Rejoice in this time and treasure the celebration of the One we love! (Even if people, stores, etc. don’t realize it, in celebrating this time of year, they are decorating, giving gifts, throwing parties, and playing carols for His birth!) Let your heart rejoice as you drive past homes decorated with lights, walk through stores playing “O Holy Night”, and have people wishing you “Merry Christmas.” Let your heart rejoice as you tell our Savior, “It’s all about You, Jesus. I rejoice in You. I love You, Jesus.”
“My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness…” Isaiah 61:10
This time of year is about JESUS coming! It gives us every reason to rejoice and celebrate. Rejoice in this time and treasure the celebration of the One we love! (Even if people, stores, etc. don’t realize it, in celebrating this time of year, they are decorating, giving gifts, throwing parties, and playing carols for His birth!) Let your heart rejoice as you drive past homes decorated with lights, walk through stores playing “O Holy Night”, and have people wishing you “Merry Christmas.” Let your heart rejoice as you tell our Savior, “It’s all about You, Jesus. I rejoice in You. I love You, Jesus.”
“My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness…” Isaiah 61:10
Friday, December 23, 2011
Such grace...
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich."
~ 2 Corinthians 8:9
~ 2 Corinthians 8:9
- It is Jesus’ Birthday - Are we sacrificing to give something of value to Him?
We may be giving lots of gifts to others in honor of Christmas, but are we giving anything of value to the ONE Christmas is all about? Most of all, He wants our hearts. But, when we sacrifice to give something of value to someone, it increases our love for them. On His birthday, He and the Father gave the greatest gift (Jesus) for God’s glory and our salvation. Our LIFE should be fully given to Jesus (so let this season be a revival of this), but also is there maybe something that you can give up in order to give Him something special? Maybe returning that new sweater you bought and giving that money to a missionary who is sharing Jesus? Or maybe it's passing on a Christmas party and spending that time with Him? Let's give something precious to the One Who is our greatest Treasure and Who this season is all about!
We may be giving lots of gifts to others in honor of Christmas, but are we giving anything of value to the ONE Christmas is all about? Most of all, He wants our hearts. But, when we sacrifice to give something of value to someone, it increases our love for them. On His birthday, He and the Father gave the greatest gift (Jesus) for God’s glory and our salvation. Our LIFE should be fully given to Jesus (so let this season be a revival of this), but also is there maybe something that you can give up in order to give Him something special? Maybe returning that new sweater you bought and giving that money to a missionary who is sharing Jesus? Or maybe it's passing on a Christmas party and spending that time with Him? Let's give something precious to the One Who is our greatest Treasure and Who this season is all about!
- Share the greatest Gift – Jesus!
Share and talk about Him with everyone - the store clerks (give them a Gospel tract – “Here is a little Christmas gift for you about the greatest Christmas gift ever!”), with your friends (“What does Jesus’ coming mean to you?”), with your family, ("Isn't Jesus' love amazing?") etc. You will find that their hearts are hungry for Him and that your love for Him just deepens as you share Him!
Share and talk about Him with everyone - the store clerks (give them a Gospel tract – “Here is a little Christmas gift for you about the greatest Christmas gift ever!”), with your friends (“What does Jesus’ coming mean to you?”), with your family, ("Isn't Jesus' love amazing?") etc. You will find that their hearts are hungry for Him and that your love for Him just deepens as you share Him!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
- Focus on His presence instead of presents.
“And the Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
Are we focused on the reality that Jesus came so that we may live in His presence and are we soaking in His presence this time of year – or are we so consumed in buying, wrapping, and giving presents? (I want to clarify that buying presents/gifts for those we love is not wrong and can be a beautiful picture of giving as He did, the key is what consumes our focus!)
Allow HIS presence to be your greatest focus and joy – “In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11
“And the Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
Are we focused on the reality that Jesus came so that we may live in His presence and are we soaking in His presence this time of year – or are we so consumed in buying, wrapping, and giving presents? (I want to clarify that buying presents/gifts for those we love is not wrong and can be a beautiful picture of giving as He did, the key is what consumes our focus!)
Allow HIS presence to be your greatest focus and joy – “In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
