Obedience to love and prayer

“Love the Lord your God with all your Heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.  The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no commandment greater than these.“

(Mark12:30-31)

Love.  It's a small word.  Only four letters, one syllable, one command. 

"Pray without ceasing."

(1 Thess. 5:17)

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone."

(1 Timothy 2:1)

Pray.  It's a small, four letter, one syllable word.  It's a command.

     I wonder how great of an impact we, as Christians, would have on this world if we carried through in completing these commandments every day, all day;  If they were so ingrained into our lifestyles and so deep in our hearts that nothing would counter them in our daily walk.  

     

     *Hypocrite would not be a word used to describe the christian.  "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence." (Matt. 23:25)

     *The poor and hungry would be taken care of and encouraged to make a better life for themselves.

     *The fatherless would no longer be fatherless.  "He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing." (Deut. 10:18)

     *Feuds would disintegrate.  “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand." (Matt. 12:25)

     *True joy would radiate from the face of believers for all to see. "Rejoice always...give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16,18)

     I am once again challenged.  "Lord, I praise you for who you are.  You are holy and beautiful!  I want to love you with all that I am.  I want to love others the way you love them.  Give me a heart of praise, thanksgiving, and overflowing love for you and your creation.  There is power in prayer.  Help me to remember to lift up those around me.  Please show me how to shine YOU!"