Love God 100%
The First Sunday in Advent
This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent and turn away from your idols... ~ Ezekiel 14:6 (part/NLT)
“Well said, teacher,” the man replied (to Jesus). “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” ~ Mark 12:32-33 (NCV)
KEY IDEA:
First and foremost fully love the one God.
PRAYER:
God, you loved us even before we knew of your existence. But my love for you is at best whimpy and second-rate. I don't love you with all my heart, mind, and strength.
Help me to be 100% in. I am going to forget everything else so I can focus on loving you -- and your people. Amen.
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon
CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)
CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)
NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)
NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)
