Day 10
Today's Scripture:
Matthew 22:37–39
Key Verses:
Matthew 22:37–39
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
Revelation 2:4
"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love."
Deuteronomy 6:5
"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."
The Point:
A Loving Heart - The Whole Heart
Revival rekindles our first love for God. Jesus calls us to love Him not partially or casually, but with every part of our being. A wholehearted devotion places Him above every affection, ambition, or possession. This love fuels our faith, energizes our worship, and motivates our obedience. When our love for God is alive, all other loves fall into their proper place.
Illustration:
When the British burned the U.S. Capitol in 1814, they destroyed the small congressional library that was housed there. Congress considered abandoning the idea of a national library altogether. But Thomas Jefferson, who loved knowledge and believed deeply in its power, offered his entire personal library of almost 6,500 volumes to replace what was lost.
For Jefferson, books weren't just possessions; they were a reflection of his devotion to learning and the flourishing of the new nation. He once said, "I cannot live without books." His love for knowledge reordered his priorities even to the point of giving away the collection he had spent a lifetime building.
In a similar way, revival rekindles our first love for God. Just as Jefferson placed knowledge above his personal possessions, so revived hearts place God above every other affection, ambition, or treasure. When love for Him burns brightest, everything else finds its proper place.
Study Today's Scripture for a few minutes and answer these Reflection Questions:
- Are there possessions, ambitions, or comforts that compete with my love for God?
- What does my daily life show about what I love most?
- What can I do to nurture a deeper love for Him today?
- How can I show Him love this week?
Prayer Time
Worship:
- Take time to worship God for His unchanging, unfailing love that first drew you to Him.
Praise:
- "Lord, I praise You for loving me first and for giving me the privilege of loving You in return."
Confession:
- "Father, I confess that I often allow other things to distract my heart from You. Forgive me for when my love has grown cold."
Intercessory Prayers:
- Pray for your family, friends, and church to experience revival, that their love for God would be renewed and deepened.
Petitions:
- "Lord, rekindle my first love for You. Set my heart aflame with devotion that places You above all else. Teach me to love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength."
Action:
Today, identify one thing in your life that tends to compete with your love for God whether it's a habit, distraction, or ambition. Intentionally set it aside for a time (fast from it, limit it, or redirect it) and use that space to spend focused time with the Lord in prayer, Scripture, or worship.