Love the Lord.

Matthew 22:34-40

34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they thought up a fresh question of their own to ask him. 35 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

37 Jesus replied, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Mark 12:28-34

28 One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the discussion. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29 Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

32 The teacher of religious law replied, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth by saying that there is only one God and no other. 33 And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbors as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law.”

34 Realizing this man’s understanding, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.

What does God want from us when He says

Depending what our life experiences were it can mean different things or degrees of commitment. One thing I believe it means is for us to be completely sold out to Him. In Mathew 19:16-24 we read of a man that was not willing to be completely sold out and trust Jesus.

Matthew 19:16-24
16 Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good things must I do to have eternal life?”
17 “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “Only God is good. But to answer your question, you can receive eternal life if you keep the commandments.”
18 “Which ones?” the man asked.
And Jesus replied: “ ‘Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not testify falsely. 19 Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
20 “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?”
21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 But when the young man heard this, he went sadly away because he had many possessions.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 24 I say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

Are we willing to do what Jesus asks to do ... or give up, to have the blessings of God in our lives?

This man we read about wanted the things of God. But he was not willing to let go of what he trusted in personally. If he would have trusted Jesus he would have positioned himself for 30, 60 and 100 fold return on his stuff. He was hanging on to what he thought was security, not willing to allow Jesus to truly prosper him.

“A call for wholehearted Commitment” God desires that we are completely sold out to Him. Not just when it is convenient or when we are desperate.

Deuteronomy 6:4-7

4 “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away on a journey, when you are lying down and when you are getting up again.

Notice it is the same words Jesus used in Mark 12? Nothing has changed Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.

"Oh Pastor, God is doing a new thing! It is not like it used to be!" Run when you hear that. To many use that scripture to get into wrong and dangerous doctrine. Usually a message to bring people to them selves instead of to God.

God may be delivering His message a different way,

but it is the same message! It will never change.

Some people have asked, “why does it seem that God only answers my prayers sometimes.” My question would be are you a sometimes prayer. Or are you a sometimes witness? Or are you in faith... sometimes? Jesus is Lord 24 /7 would it make sense then that we are to be “Christ like” 24 /7?

When we are completely sold out or committed to Jesus and His Word -we will walk in the Super natural life He has for us. John 14:12

12 “The truth is, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.

If that doesn't get you excited nothing will!

When we don't make the effort to know the truth -the bible, we cannot and will not ever become mature Christians.

If I'm not where I want to be as a Pastor. What do I do? Do I give up and say, “why bother it won't work I prayed and the church is still small. Maybe I'll wait on God and He will eventually make it happen...”

NO! It is time to repent, pray and expect God to make up for lost time!

I am determined to know His way of doing things so I can align my life with His life and get the results He did. Then you can receive the gift Jesus had for you. I'm not boasting, but realizing the responsibility that has been given to me. The mission statement of Northern Light Ministries is Ephesians 4:12-13, but my responsibility (which I am accountable to the Father) to the body of Christ is Eph. 11-16

Ephesians 4:11-16

11 He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ, 13 until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

I believe there is a move of God coming that we will either be a part of or get blown over by the wind.

Do you want to be creating the wind with God...

or blown over?

From what we are sensing in the Spirit and along with other people in the body we believe this revival will come primarily through regular people like you and me. Not the big time evangelists as people may expect. Ordinary people doing extra ordinary things through Christ – which means “the anointed one and His Anointing.

It will come only through those people who are totally sold out to Him and His way of doing things!

It won't be I think God would do it this way - don't think -KNOW! Get in His Word and get to know Him!

Is it possible to know of God, but not know Him? YES!

Mark 12:18-24

18 Then the Sadducees (religious folks)... 24 Jesus replied, “Your problem is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.

Jesus tells us how to get to know Him - John 8:31

31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings.

Remember it is not the truth that will set you free! It is the truth you “know,” that will set you free! Having a bible on your coffee table has no power other than to collect dust. We must pick it up -read it, believe it and do what it says!

You are not truly free of the world's ways or the lies of the Devil if you have not taken the time to get to know Jesus – His Word - the truth!

Some read or hear a few teachings. Maybe read a book or two and then form an opinion of what they think God is like or how He will work in their lives. They are going to be so disappointed in their Christian walk!

Our opinion has nothing to do with God's way of doing things!

Ouch... I know that can be a hard fact.

So where do I start. Hebrews 11:6

6 So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

You may say.. “OK so you have my attention. Suppose I do start to read and study the Word -I don't feel comfortable acting like Jesus... what will people think of me?”

Are we trying to please God or man? Romans 1:16-17

16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—Jews first and also Gentiles. 17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

When we get bold enough to go to the next level in our walk it is then that these same people (who you were concerned with) will come running to us!

You have you needs met -HOW... You are never sick -WHY...

How do I get to know your -GOD... How do I get saved?

Are people asking you these questions now?

It all begins by being bold enough to trust God with our life, that He gave us, to get to know Him and His way of doing things. That is when your life will begin... the real life In Christ!

We have a part to play. God won't do it for us.

Colossians 3:1-7

1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power. 2 Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. 3 For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust, and shameful desires. Don’t be greedy for the good things of this life, for that is idolatry. 6 God’s terrible anger will come upon those who do such things. 7 You used to do them when your life was still part of this world.

I know for most of us, we have did what we did, (we did what we knew to do) to get to know God.

I also know most of us including myself could have did more... right?

So how do I know if I am doing OK?

Has anyone close to you ever said something like, “I never knew you were a Christian.” I think if that has happened then it should be a warning to us that we were not the witness that we should have been.

You can begin today to really get to know our best friend – Jesus! It is then we can start to act like Him and do what He did and more!

Submission by

Pastor Dale