The Miracle of Loving God

Scripture: Proverbs 12-13, Mark 12.

Gospel summary: Our hearts are bound up with a foolish hatred of God and his commands and it is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that we can love and worship him wholeheartedly. Aheart that loves God is a work of divine grace and is the fulfillment of all God's commands.

Prayer: Father in heaven, you alone are most worthy of all worship and I'd be a fool to not render all things unto you. Thank you for opening my eyes to your glory and filling me with love to you. Help me to color everything I say and do with an adoration of you. From the way I use money to the way I live in the home to the way I work in the world; let it all be motivated by pure love unto you. I know the Pharisees wanted to kill you because they didn't love God and I know my hatred for you is what nailed Jesus to the cross too. O gracious God who gives his only Son for such enemies, this stirs me to love you all the more. Help me see unbelievers with compassion as well so that I may extend this gracious love to them in the gospel. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Key verses: "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30).

Hymn: "More Love to Thee" by Elizabeth Prentiss

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