I would imagine many of us have lived a life filled with lessons, whether learned from others or through our experiences. But, our memories are fickle—I can’t tell you what my mom taught me when I was seven years old or the major lesson I learned after getting grounded when I was twelve.
Perhaps it’s not the worst thing that I can’t recall those specific details. Perhaps, when put together, our life lessons create grounded values for us that we would carry the rest of our days.
The Old Testament is much longer and has extensive histories and lists of laws compared to the New Testament. In Matthew 22:27, Jesus quotes the book of Deuteronomy, a book where we continuously see God telling Israel to be very careful to not forget everything God has taught them. Yet, in Matthew 22, an “expert in the law”—someone who knew the Old Testament well—asks Jesus: “Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?” (v.36).
Now, supposedly these guys knew the Old Testament scriptures, particularly the law, word for word. Some have interpreted this as the ‘expert in the law’ testing Jesus. Regardless of what He’s trying to do, Jesus communicates that every lesson they’ve ever been taught all comes together in one message: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (v.37).
The greatest commandment Jesus communicated in Matthew 22 remains true for the Christian today too. This is a message we are to receive, respond to, and live by, but it is also the message we get to carry in everything we do, say, and think.
The message of loving God is a culmination of the teachings God has been giving since the beginning. To live according to this teaching, we get to choose things like memorizing Scripture to internalize God’s truth in our hearts rather than just knowing it, or to know God through our evangelism, finances, parenting, communication, obedience, and service. How we live is how we will abide by Jesus’s greatest commandment. Even on days when we forget, it’s the message that will keep us grounded for the rest of our days.
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56 thoughts on "Jesus Names the Great Commandments"
Jesus confirms that in Matthew 22, when one of the Jewish experts in the Law asked Him: “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And Jesus answered him by quoting THIS verse: “You shall love the Lord your God …”. Loving God is the Greatest Commandment; loving God is literally the most important thing.
In the new realm of God, security is to be found in God. alone, and not in one’s mate, or in one’s progeny, or even in the ownership of people. People in the time to come will neither marry, nor allow themselves to be given in. marriage. Rather their security will be founded instead in their relationship to God.
See Luke 20:36
Matthew 22:29-30 — Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.”
Matthew 33:31-32 – “But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” Because the Sadducees accepted only the Pentateuch as God’s inspired Word, Jesus answered them from the book of Exodus (3:6). God would not have said, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” if he had thought of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as dead (he would have said, “I was their God”).
“Many are invited, but few are chosen. “
In response to their rejection, the king extends the invitation to others—those from the streets and corners, both good and bad. This shift emphasizes the inclusivity of God’s salvation, breaking down the barriers that may have separated people based on their perceived righteousness. It is a reminder that God’s grace is offered to all, irrespective of past deeds or social standing.
As we reflect on this parable, we are called to examine our own hearts. Are we actively responding to God’s invitation, or are we preoccupied with the concerns of this world? Are we embracing the inclusivity of God’s love, welcoming both the good and the seemingly unworthy? And crucially, are we adorning ourselves with the wedding garment of righteousness, showing a sincere and transformed heart?
The parable concludes with a sobering truth: many are invited, but few are chosen. May this reflection inspire a deeper commitment to respond wholeheartedly to God’s call, embracing His grace, and adorning ourselves with the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ. In doing so, we position ourselves as chosen guests at the eternal banquet of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Oops hit post too soon. Katherine Wornock said on the podcast “we have permission to be in process. Be committed to being made more and more in the image of Jesus”. God knows we aren’t and can never be perfect but we are invited to take part in the banquet anyway. All we need to bring is an open heart. I’m praying for those who feel their faith doesn’t matter, or that they will never be “chosen”. You are already chosen. Just keep showing up and allowing the process to happen.
I’m praying for all requests ladies. The podcast was great!
Thank you Jesus for your commandments that are spelled out for us. It’s so simple but we do forget in our humanity every day. Yet every day, you still love us and choose us!! Praise God the Father!!❣️❣️❣️
**please excuse my many typos and grammar errors today. Was in a rush. Love you shes.
PRAYERS..
@INDIANA ELAINE: recovery for Steve’s surgery and clearing of drugs, smoking remnants by God’s grace.
@ERB: 100% healing over your seizures, and healing for your mom’s broken wrist. So sorry.❤️
@SHANNON STROSCHEIN: no sin is greater than the Cross dear Shannon. The fact that you are here, and to have regrets toward the certain sin, already means you are repenting. This is the WAY back, so good new!! you’re already back dear friend. Prodigal child, you’re back, received with open arms (Luke 15:20)! The Lord rejoices over you, so does Heaven over one lost sheep that is you, and we too rejoice over you across the pond. Come to stay with us please, daily will you? come and read and reflect together. We don’t judge, simply just one beggar showing another beggar where to find bread. Hugs and love to you.❤️
@MOLLY R, @RHONDA J: prayers for grace over marriage rough patches, I am so sorry for your heartaches, prayers for strength and self control over words, actions to be seasoned with grace and gentleness, God’s hands to lead and weave the 3-strand cord marriage that is not easily broken. A reliable vehicle provision for MOLLY.
@ASHLEIGH PRUETT: deliverance over depression and the spirit of heaviness. May God cast out this cloud over you, and replace with GREAT joy, lightness, calming peace and relief.
@MARI V: your daughter’s friend H to be cared for properly, provided for with love and safety. May God shift the environment and bring the needed support and appropriate changes.
@FOSTER MAMA: may God have mercy and sustain them both in this time, deliverance from evil thoughts and choices. Scary!
@CAROLINE BRIDGES: you are SO worthy dear CAROLINE. He came to die for sinners to make us righteous daughters through faith in Lord Jesus, and then the daily transformation through the Holy Spirit, the yielding of our heart, and the process of renewing of mindset and thoughts through the Word/SRT/ communities daily, through discussion, etc. Just keep swimming sister. Don’t overthink. Just keep swimming. ❤️
@TAYLOR: seek first His kingdom …and all else: relationships, friends, bf/husband..will be added to you. This is truth, and PROVEN.❤️ This is the way.
Be blessed dear sisters. May the grace and goodness of God be with you to guide, to lead, to redeem and to cheer. He is worthy of our praises and worship, in good times and bad, He is still God on the throne, orchestrating every smallest details for our good. Blessings to you dear sweet she’s. Keep your hope up and keep marching forth.❤️
Happy monday she’s. Praying you all will have a great start to your week.
Things that stood out to me:
1. Render to Ceasar what is Ceasar’s, to God what is God. Everything indeed belongs to God, but something belongs to authority of men, even bad authority (in this case and many other cases). God still commands us to render respect, tax (deferral and provincial), honor to submit and pray for authority even if they are evil. (“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” Jeremiah 29:7) (“…..fear God, honor the emperor” 1 Peter 2:17).
2. The two greatest commandments and one hidden one
Love God,
Love your neighbor as you love yourself.
(** hidden one: love yourself with the love of Christ).
3. Diligently teach to our children God’s commandments, talk and discuss about them at the dining table, while having snacks and meals, while doing school homework, when we walk to the playground, on car ride doing school or errands, before bedtime, when waking up getting ready for the day (my emphasis) (Deuteronomy 6:7)
INDIANA ELAINE – woo-hoo for God’s mercy. Dancing for joy in Steve’s successful surgery.
I have family here this week so just wanted to pop in and thank you for your prayers for Steven and give you an update. He was on a respirator for 2 days because they were having trouble waking him from surgery. CO2 levels were high. He was a smoker and used drugs until he found his way back to Jesus. He is out of critical care and in a regular room. He hopes to go home in a couple of days. Thank you, Jesus.
Deuteronomy 6:5-9 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. 7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates.
*Yes Lord!!! May it all be so!!! Let me carry You with me wherever I go, may I be a witness, a vessel for You, let my words, thoughts, heart and actions proclaim You to whoever will listen and see!! Amen.
Mathew 22:14 “For many are invited, but few are chosen.
*Lord, may I be prepared and ready, dressed only for You!! Amen
@Theresa – let me not to forget to praise the Living God for answer to prayer in not only sparing Sidney’s life but also beginning the healing process, in such a way that she no longer needs a heart transplant! Only God!!! Thank You Almighty God, all praise & glory to you Father!
SHANNON: I recommend you, also, listen to Lisa Harper’s teaching on Hosea. (Found on Youtube, just search for her). You will see that your choice to sin doesn’t disqualify you from God’s love and salvation. That’s what salvation is all about. If we didn’t NEED a savior, Jesus wouldn’t have needed to be one. ALL OF US have sinned AFTER we got saved, and just had to repent and we were forgiven, and we kept on being saved. You may have to repent over and over, but God is always faithful to extend His forgiveness. Maybe there are natural consequences to your sin, but God will help you walk thru that. When I became pregnant out of wedlock, my actions were a sin. But my baby was not. I had to walk thru the consequences of my actions, but God has redeemed me and my “baby” who is now almost 40 years old and a great Christian woman. EVERYTHING can be redeemed thru God. Sometimes it looks different than we want, but He has a way of working thru even the worst things.
Rhonda, Dear! I can see myself in your story… I, too, am guilty of “being sharp” with those who I love the most… and at this time of life it is just my husband and I on a regular basis… Several years ago, our 2 daughters confronted me and told me that “it was time for me to go back to therapy” (of course, I’m usually the one helping others to realize that)
I went, and experienced more healing..,over a year’s time… but I know that there is always more healing to take place! Thankfully, Jesus doesn’t show us everything at once. I am praying with you, that both of us will find healing for the hurts in our past, that we’re allowing to control our present day most important relationships. Also praying that we will empty ourselves to allow the Holy Spirit to heal the brokenness in us, so that He can pour through us to others… lifting you to Jesus, dear Sister… ♥️
Praying for all of the needs to day! ASHLEIGH PRUITT, and all the other requests and also for those that aren’t mentioned! Just hang on to Jesus! He hears our cries! That was the theme from my preschool lesson that I taught but it rings true for all of you!
“It’s the Message that will keep us grounded for the rest of our days.” What a statement! If we would just focus on living God and loving others, we would be walking in. God’s will.
Just hang on sisters God hears you!
I don’t know any of you and I’m too afraid to talk to people I do know…. But I’ve been struggling lately with some sin and the result is a weakening of my faith. I feel very numb and empty inside. I feel alone and am at a point where I feel Like I’m wasting my time learning the scriptures because I made a choice and my choice cost me my salvation. That’s what it feels like anyway. I don’t see a way back or how there could ever be redemption for me. I love spreading Gods word to others and my heart is overjoyed when they accept His message, but I feel like a complete fraud because I’ll tell people about Jesus and I pray for them even though I don’t see how I could ever be saved.
Todays reading contained Matthew 22:14 “many are invited but few are chosen”
I feel like maybe I was invited, but I will never be chosen. So what’s the point of staying. Everyone keeps saying the how powerful the power of prayer is so I guess what I’m asking Is that if you feel out in your heart to pray for me, I have nothing left to lose.
SHANNON I i’m praying for you right now. I pray that you would know the peace that only God can give, that you would realize that He loves you and you are not too far gone. I pray that you would know that this community loves you and we will be praying. Love to you, dear
Sister!
Shannon, how very thankful I am that our feelings are not truth! So often how I feel is not at all what is true. I have felt similar things, however what the Holy Spirit has reminded me is that if you desire to be near to God. To know Him and have a relationship with Him, that means God is working in your heart! Because we would not seek that on our own. Keep your reading Gods word for truth. Keep praying If you confess your sin God is faithful. And just to forgive us, even when we are faithless. Walk away from the sin that entangled you and run toward Jesus. I’m praying for you!
The first and greatest commandment, “Love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37,38) What sticks out to me in this verse – the word “all”, repeated three times. In scripture when something is repeated, it’s so that we can take notice. I love God, I love Him with my heart, my soul and my mind. But – do I love Him with ALL my heart, ALL my soul, ALL my mind?? Only we can honestly answer that question for ourselves. Something to ponder today and this week as we approach Good Friday & Resurrection Sunday remembering that Jesus paid it ALL – with His blood.
@Taylor – I’m so sorry that the conversation didn’t go well. But take comfort in knowing that you did what was right, now the rest is on them.
@Sarah D – I am happy to hear that things are looking good with this new “friend”. Continued prayers, that if it’s God’s will – the “friendship” will progress.
@Michelle – It’s good you brought to the attention, the need to include singles in all that we do. I love being around singles, especially if they are young (20’s-30’s) – it makes me feel young! My husband and I have always made it a point to have singles in on Saturday’s – the night he makes homemade pizza. We always have a great time & often between us (me & hubby) have the discussion of why singles don’t get included more — as they should. Hopefully it will catch on…if you lived nearby – we would have you over for pizza!
@Caroline Bridges – if we understand the meaning of “worthy” – having adequate merit, deserving – we will see that we are not worthy of God’s love or our salvation, the scripture makes that very clear. BUT GOD!! – we are worth it!! – that is why God sent His Only Son to die on the cross for our sins. All our unrighteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) BUT – by the blood of Christ, we are washed clean – made white as snow! (Isaiah 1:18) and made acceptable to God….”By faith we have been made acceptable to God. And now, thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ, we have peace with God. Christ has also introduced us[b] to God’s gift of undeserved grace on which we now take our stand.” Romans 5:1-2 — I hope this is helpful. ❤️
Happy Monday Sweet Sisters – Be blessed!! ❤️
CAROLINE, I would highly recommend you go to YouTube, search Lisa Harper’s sermon on Hosea. It is one of the most moving teachings on God’s redemption for anyone who has screwed up over and over and over again to the point they truly feel there is no return. Actually most of Lisa’s sermons are all about God’s redemption, restoration, loving the “un-lovable”. God didn’t come to save those who are healthy, but to save those who are sick. Many of us have been at that place where we think we just can’t be loved by God because we did too many bad things. The bible is full of those people, too. But God ALWAYS receives them back with ALL His love, ALL His redemption, ALL His restoration. You can’t go too far for God. You may have walked 100 steps away from God, but you only need to turn and make 1 step toward Him and He is there. He has followed you everywhere you went, waiting for that moment you decided to turn back to Him. He doesn’t require you to walk 100 steps back, just turn and make 1 step toward Him. You may have some stuff to work thru, but He is gentle, compassionate, and careful to only make you work thru one thing at a time, when you’re ready. He has never rejected anyone who turns toward Him. He loves you. He is waiting for you.
I have struggled being 100% consistent with this study, but one of my goals for the year was to not feel so stressed about “falling behind” in things like this, but to simply pick up where I left of and leave “worrying” to the day at hand. I appreciate God’s grace in this. I have felt a joy in the days I have gotten to it. Like today!
I may be in left field with what stuck out to me from today’s passages, but I’ll share my heart in case someone can relate to it:
A little background: My husband and I had a bit of a rough patch for the last several days. Some reoccurring problems in our marriage had circled back around and had come up in a bit of a heated way. It was a long weekend of trying to practice the maturity we have been gaining after almost 14 years of marriage and over 20 years of knowing one another in how we discuss things rationally and humbly, and try to honor each other in areas where expectations have not been met. It wasn’t all roses and rainbows with 2 stubborn, broken people, but we were able to work through it and come out better on the other side… BUT GOD.
So, when I got to the verse about no marriage in heaven my heart sank. It’s not the first time I have felt that way about this passage. My husband and I work so hard at this thing called marriage here in this life. We grow increasingly closer with every year we are bound together in marriage and life. It can be so hard to balance it all – the kids, the house, each other’s journeys and expectations we bring into the relationship, the ups and downs, the stresses of everyday life and finances. Sometimes it makes me sad to lose that, but I have read lots of commentary on it and ultimately know heaven will be far beyond what my little mind can fathom. And God is always so gracious to remind me that what He designed for us here on Earth and the strength it takes to find success in that is not a small thing to Him.
Anyway, just my take on today. If you asked me last Friday how I felt I probably would have said, “Good! I don’t want to be married in heaven!” Haha – oh what a few days can do to our fickle hearts, and all because: BUT GOD!
PS: We are experiencing continual car troubles. We have had an older Suburban for 3 years and it’s been nothing but trouble. It’s not working again leaving us with yet another financial hit of getting it fixed, AND having to rely on others to help us get to commitments. And we have 4 kids, so it’s can be hard to accommodate us all. Thankful for an amazing village of friends, and a God who knows our needs and shows Himself faithful in the stressful things in life.
Loved this message today. I always enjoy the reminder of Jesus’s brilliance of being able to take the entire Old Testament and sum it up so beautifully. It truly is that simple, even though I’m constantly pulled to make it more complicated, by myself and by the world because if people truly understood how simple and beautiful and freeing this is most would choose it over all the stress the world offers.
Foster Mama I am praying for you and your husband and everyone involved that God guides all and they listen to Him.
I would like to ask for prayer. I am battling severe depression. I have an appointment tomorrow with a new doctor. Please pray that I can get help and start to feel better. Thank you❤️
I absolutely recommend seeing your doctor and being honest about everything. I’ve battled suicidal depression for about a year. I added some vitamins and supplements that have helped tremendously by balancing out my hormones and thyroid and I started journaling all my negative thoughts then praying positive thoughts over them. I will be praying for you ❤️❤️
I am so sorry you are struggling, Ashleigh!! I know how horrible depression can be and I am praying for answers and healing for you!! You are loved!
Rhonda J – My husband and I have started reading the book ‘Love and Respect’ and it has really opened our eyes to our behaviors toward each other and the patterns it creates in our marriage. It’s very encouraging!
I’m not quiet sure how Ezekial 16:10-13 goes with Matthew 21 reading.
MICHELLE PATIRE, I’ve been thinking about what you asked yesterday about inviting our single friends and I am going to reach out more. My best friend just buried her husband this weekend and I know she is going to need me more. I’ve been concerned that she will decline coming now that she is single. Any suggestions on how I can make her feel welcomed would be appreciated. Thank you!
I use to focus on my behavior. That it needed changing. BUT it is really our hearts. Our hearts reveal everything. It controls our thoughts and actions.
It seems there are so many hardened hearts in the world today. So many that don’t know Christ nor do they want to get to know Him. Some that have never even been introduced to Him or the Word. It is a big scary task to share our faith at times. I feel that there is a fine line of HOW we do it for someone to hear it. I’m asking God to help me when I have an opportunity to speak up.
Good morning and Happy Monday sweet She’s. Yep, its Monday and back to work I go. It was HARD to get up! BUT I miss the kiddos and can’t wait to see them!! Sometimes I get discouraged of not having lots of scriptures “memorized” but today I felt “encouraged” that its more important to have it in my heart. I LOVE my Jesus SO much! Speaking of hearts. My heart is heavy this morning as it was yesterday. My daughter found out about a close friend of hers who is troubled. The mama bear in me, wants to bring this sweet child home. Please pray for H and that she would be safe and that a responsible adult will make sure she is taken care of the way a child should be. That’s all I can say. I just want to cry. This is such a sweet kid.
GM She’s
Dear @Caroline Bridges- “draw near to Him and He will draw near to us.” We all have our lows, when doubts creep in wondering if we are worthy, or in fact believing we are not. But none of us our worthy in our own strength and power, we all fail, even the best followers, But God…sent Jesus Christ, thank you Lord, that way it is not based on what we do, it is only based on calling upon the Lord to be our Savior and forgiver of our sins! That’s why this Holy Week is so very impactful and important…we have to believe and turn our hearts and minds to Him, and love Him…all things will fall into place when you do that! I hope you have a friend (mentor) you can talk to about how you are feeling!?
It’s funny that I love Jesus with all my heart, soul and mind, and I love everyone (I try to anyway, and if you met me hopefully you would FEEL that from me..) YET, and that’s a BIG YET, I can’t seem to do the right thing to show that “love” to my husband. The very one I spend my life with and “think” that we share an amazing love of best friends. Yet…he thinks I speak critical to him, and lashes out from that place of hurt. It’s strange that I know this, yet (there’s that YET again!) it still keeps rearing it’s ugly head. Is it his pride that I am hurting when I voice things against him (dumb things like his driving, or not paying a bill..etc.)? Oh the strife is getting hard and chipping away. Lord help me love him in a way that honors him. Help me to hold my tongue when I need not speak, help me to show him respect where I fail to do, and help me honor you Lord, by honoring him. I pray that I can keep giving myself (my human flaws and character) to you, and let the Holy Spirit be my councillor and fill me with the fruits of the Spirit! Help us to hash out things that will be freedom. We both love you Lord and know that you are pruning us to bring forth more fruit! It doesn’t feel good, but you are sharpening us both, let us be willing to be pliable, yielding to you Lord. In Jesus name.
Praying for all of our prodigals and for all of us to love the Lord with all of our hearts, souls and minds. And to love everyone around us, including the hard to love in our own families.
❤
Only WITH Jesus can we follow His commandments. God shows us that these commandments are too much for us on our own. We need Him!
heed your words, not need*** lol
Hello Ladies,
Praying for each of you (whether requested or not) and waiting for news from so many.
PLEASE PRAY: Got a call last night that my goddaughter’s mom was fully prepared to give up her child for adoption and end her own life. Somehow, (after confirming mom’s mom was taking mom to a hospital to see how they could help her) God gave both hubby and I an unexplained stillness inside rather than jumping impulsively on any possible next steps. But there WILL BE something required of us once this immediate crisis is dealt with…..please, please pray that God shows us exactly what He wants / wills our role to be in their lives. At this time, neither of us feels God calling us to adoption.
Good morning, Shes! Happy Monday. A verse that stuck out to me was Matthew 22:5 in the NKJV it says people “make light of” the invitation to the wedding feast. Isn’t that true…
Salvation isn’t a small thing. It does take patience to understand our sin and repent… It takes searching of the heart. A heart has to be ready. I’ve been thinking about that, as I often watch YouTube videos of people evangelizing in the streets or in their daily life. You can preach the good news, but a heart makes its own decision of whether to receive it or not.
@Mari V- ❤️ you have been through a lot. Praying we need your words and continue in the will of the Lord concerning future relationships :) May the Lord continue to be near you and your children ❤️
@Sarah D- ❤️
Praying the Lord’s voice continues to guide you in any possible relationship.
@Laura Dianne – I am glad to know you make efforts to include your single friends! ❤️ I think everyone is different. I like to be 1-on-1 with people.. just getting coffee and catching up. I think it depends on the person’s personality. I am more “introverted” – so being in a group is a bit more intimidating.
I am thankful to have my church group later today. We’ve missed the last two weeks, so maybe that has contributed to me feeling lonely. God bless you, Shes! I hope you have a good week and know Jesus is your right hand man, peace, and hope! ❤️ Thank you Jesus!
@Mia Faith, God’s love and grace to you, today.
My husband and I attended a retreat once where you were to create your family’s brand (that’s not what it was called, but I can’t think of the word they used at the moment.) Anyway, it was basically a saying or idea that you wanted to weave into your family’s identity. Some of the families owned businesses, so their statements reflected that business. Some families choose activities that everyone in the family participated in, and so on. My husband and I choose this verse from Deuteronomy, “Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.” and then we added, “and love your neighbor as yourself.” It felt very fitting for us as a family, but there was sadness from my husband and I as we reflected on the ways we had failed to do that, and model that, for our children. And that 2 of our 3 children are no longer living by that statement. But God…we will never lose hope and will keep trusting Him that He is faithful in His timing to draw their rebellious hearts back to Him.
HEATHER O’MALLEY I was just praying for my youngest daughter, who recently moved closer to our home, that a neighbor would invite her to church on Easter Sunday. Our church has cards that we can give to people we meet to invite them to church, and I was just thinking, God, please send someone to her to give her one of those cards. I will pray for your son and girlfriend, that they will accept this invitation and that their hearts will be open to what they hear at the service. Praise God for this encouraging movement of His Spirit. As a mom of 2 prodigals, I know how much it means when others reach out to our children and show them the love of Christ.
MICHELLE PATIRE I have two really good girlfriends who are single, and we go out and do things often. One is young like you and one is my age (late 50’s). They know my husband, but not well. I will say, when I have invited them to go out with us and another couple, they often decline, feeling as though they will be the “fifth wheel.” I usually stick to inviting them as part of a group, and they seem to feel more comfortable in that situation. I am open to suggestions that you might have on how to make them feel comfortable, because including them is important to me and to my husband (he was the pastor of young adults for many years).
It always makes me sad to read these verses in Matthew, but they remind us that God created us with free will. Those who didn’t respond to the king CHOSE to put something else before that invitation.
Yes, the invitation is all inclusive. The
answer to that call is the choice of the individual.
TAYLOR, so sorry that didn’t go in your favor, but praying your friend has a turn of heart. ❤
SEARCHING – ❤
Prayers, praises, and love to each of you!
I had never noticed before that the king throwing the wedding banquet went out and murdered some then burnt their city because people would not come. It seems like a short amount of time for all that, given the “timing”… I guess since it is a parable…(I just found that interesting this morning.)
Let me and my sweet sisters love You with our whole heart. You tell us we are worthy, and we believe it!
I am sorry TAYLOR, that your conversation didn’t go as well as you/we had hoped and prayed it would. Maybe your friend will ruminate on the situation and come to find that the “part they played” wasn’t good and also had consequences that were not ideal.
I definitely have not been putting God first in this season of my life. I pray that He would draw me back to Himself to a place where I will put Him first.
Thank you all for those who prayed for my conversation of reconciliation with my friend. Unfortunately the conversation did not go well. I felt like I went in with an open heart and apologized and acknowledged the ways in which I had hurt my friend but did not feel the same in return. Just a lot of anger and blame from them.
I hope everyone has a good start to their week <3
My life and faith feel like a lie. Unfortunately not everyone is worthy of gods love.
Actually, everyone, yes EVERYONE, IS worthy of God’s love Caroline! YOU, regardless of what has been going on, are WORTHY of His love. Thank Him for that and ask Him to help you begin to live a life in which you are loving Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. In this, you can begin to love yourself and love others. You are Worthy of His love!!! I will pray for you to feel His gentle mercy surrounding you eith
Caroline, my dear sister, everyone is worthy. I have been where you are and it is a pretty crushing place. But God walks with us even when we are not sure He is. I am not sure what your circumstances are, but God is with you. I pray that His love and mercy cover you, and that He fills your heart in the knowledge and certainty that all of us are worthy of His amazing love.
Oh, Carline, we have all felt that way. BUT God assures us ”even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—“
Ephesians 2:5 ESV
And ”For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,“
Ephesians 2:8 ESV
Trust in that love, that went to the cross for everyone, including you and me. This week, more than ever, may God overwhelm you with compassion and belonging.
Caroline, none of us is worthy and all of our lives are filled with sin and loss. The wonder of God’s love is that it is ours no matter our failures or circumstances. Sometimes it is so hard for me to accept that in the midst of my own failures. But those are the times I need it most. Hold on and know your life is not a lie and God’s love surrounds you even in these difficult moments.
He love us first and I am so grateful. Amen
Matthew 22 could have been written about today’s world. It’s heartbreaking – how so many have turned away from God, have never been told about Him, or have been taught lies about Him. In the U.S., it seems that the large scale rejection of God was fueled in the 60’s when prayer was essentially removed from schools by being declared unconstitutional – starting a rolling series of generations where what they learned (hopefully) at home was no longer reinforced by what they learned in school, followed by decreasing knowledge about God (next generation didn’t have the school reinforcement and taught less at home), and bringing us to where we are today … maybe nothing is taught at home, or what is taught is overridden by what is learned at school, social media, etc. and absolute truth is denied. Lord, help us! May we understand the importance of loving You and teaching others about you each day.
Praying for:
SARAH D – guidance and wisdom
HEATHER O’MALLEY – that your son and gf will be drawn back to the Lord
MICHELLE PATIRE, MERCY, MIA FAITH ❤️
RHONDA J – amen
CEE GEE ❤️
KELLY (NEO) ❤️
Also
DEE DEE and KIM BUTTONBERRY – praying your husbands’ surgeries go well today
Amen
Putting God first seems like an easy ask from the Almighty Creator. But as all of history shows us, we humans have a hard time not putting ourselves first.
BUT GOD continues to show love, mercy, and grace to us as we try.
The Pharisees and Sadducees were not able to see past their traditions and missed the essence of God. I pray I don’t fall into the same mindset but instead let God move in ways He see fit.
SEARCHING – Whoop-worthy indeed!❤️
JESSICA H – thanks for keeping us posted about Isabelle and her progress. Praying her mind in renewed, and she will let God show her the truth about her body.
SARAH D – praying you can keep your eyes on the Lover of your soul above all else, letting Him work in your life according to His good pleasure.
HEATHER O’MALLEY – agreeing with you in prayer that the influence of someone outside your family will turn your son’s heart to Jesus.
BUT GOD..
Amen.
Happy Monday, in love as always..❤️
Amen