New Living Translation (NLT)

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Deut 6:5 'and all your mind' from Luke 10:27, NLT

Commit.

I thought long and hard about what I wanted to say regarding these very important scriptures, also known as the "Shema Yisrael."

Better yet, what He'd like me to say.

Since this project is meant for the world, I always try to keep the theological side of it to a minimum, and I try to give these scriptures "hands and feet," making them practical for everyday life.

'Cause we all love to talk pretty and impress people with our (scripture) knowledge, but in the end, it all comes down to: what did you do with these scriptures?

Did they get a nice place on your ego wall for everyone to see, or did you plant them in your heart so they could grow and produce good fruit for everyone to benefit? 😉

Sure, I could talk about love. Love the Lord your God...

But love is shown. Love is nice as a noun but better as a verb, like Deut 11:22 says: "Show love to the Lord your God."

How?

"By walking in His ways and holding tightly to Him."

I love that. Walk where He has walked and hold tightly to His robes, just like a child. I imagine myself stumbling behind Him: "Not so fast, Jesus!"

But what really triggered me is the word "commit" in Deut 6:6 and 11:18.

"Commit yourselves wholeheartedly..."

Love the Lord with ALL your heart, ALL your soul, ALL your strength, and ALL your mind (Luke 10:27).

I mean, this is talking about going all in! No half-heartedness here.

These days, it's all about "keeping your options open." Why commit when there's so much to choose from? Why commit to one man or woman? To one truth? To one God?

We like to keep our options open.

But here, God tells us plain and simple: I want you to commit yourself. Commit to me, to my words, to my ways.

Why? Because He's a tyrant? Far from it. Would a tyrant give you free will? Love you unconditionally?

He knows that when you commit yourself to Him, you'll be blessed. You'll have a good life. And when you learn to love like He does, everyone and everything around you will benefit.

That's what it means to love the Lord your God.

So, when you leave your house, when you are out on the road, when you wake up, and when you go to bed, remember these words.

Remember them well.

Take them with you, wherever you go.