[Matthew 22:34-40]

The religious leaders of Jesus' day had classified over 600 laws. It is a head-scratcher to think that God gave us 10 Laws (or ten words) to live by and human beings have to complicate it by adding to the list. Anyway, there were so many "man-made" laws that even they couldn't figure out which ones were most important. One day one of the "experts of the Law" asked Jesus to identify the most important law. Jesus responded by quoting from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 and said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment."

But how can that be proven? How can a person demonstrate that he or she loves God with everything they have? Who would really know? How is this lived out? Where is God that I can feed Him, or clothe Him, or hug and kiss Him? How do I tell Him that I love Him? How could I EVER demonstrate, quantify or qualify my love for Him? So before the "expert" could walk away or even ask his next question, Jesus cleared up the mystery of loving God and said, "And the second [commandment] is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." And so there would be no confusion, Jesus said, "All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Here is the commandment for how to live your life today, tomorrow and every day going forward: Love God and love others. It might also by stated this way, "Love God BY loving others."

What God wants for our lives is as simple, and complex as this.

Earlier this week a friend emailed me and asked for some Scripture verses that could help her through some of the struggles and trials she and her family are facing right now. After reading through the verses she told me they did help her so I thought I would share the list with you. Here goes...

1 Peter 5:10
James 1:12
John 16:33
Philippians 4:6-7
Romans 8:18
Philippians 4:13
James 1:2-8
Joshua 1:9
Psalms 23 (especially verse 4)
Hebrews 4:15
Psalm 34:19
Psalm 121 (one of my favorites)
Philippians 4:19
1 Peter 5:7
Romans 8:28
Psalm 27:14
John 14:1
Hebrews 11:6
Isaiah 54:17
Psalm 41:3
Isaiah 41:10
1 Peter 4:12-13
Romans 8:37
Romans 21:17

=> And, here is one of my all time favorites:
"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

=> Here is a blessing to you from the book of Jude.
"24 And now to him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." Jude 24-25

Jimmy

"You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." Colossians 3:13 (NLT)

Hey guys. As I promised on Sunday, I want to give you a few Bible reading plans. It's hard to go wrong with Bible Gateway. I have used each of these plans at one time or another. If you are pretty new to the Bible let me recommend the 61 Day Survey of the Bible reading plan. Enjoy!

Here's the link to the plans http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/readingplans/about.php

If you have questions, feel free to email me at Jimmy@RockyRiverChurch.com.

A dear friend shared these verses with me this morning as a word (I would say a Word from God) to encourage me. I'll tell you that when I read it I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. I hope it encourages you today.

18 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" Isaiah 43:18-19

Rocky River Church, I am so PUMPED about our future together. In fact, I am doing some planning today with our staff for 2011 and I'm thinking of calling the year - and the next ten years - the Decade of Destiny for Rocky River Church. And that is my prayer for your life too. I pray that this next year you will experience God's destiny for your life.

Folks, don't dwell in the past. God is doing a new thing! Can you feel it? I CAN!

Love you!
Pastor Jimmy

"I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.'”
-Psalm 122:1 (NLT)