Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life. Psalm 143:8

Read This First—Start Here

You made the purchase, got it home, opened the box…now what? You say, “How do I put this together? Where do I begin?” What a pleasant surprise when you find that little, white piece of paper…”Read This First” or “Start Here”! Now you know where to begin, how to get started.

I have entitled this first meditation, “Read This First—Start Here”, so you will understand what these meditations are all about and what the task is at hand.  You will notice, week after week, a list of past meditations by title. They are just a click away for your meditation and reflection. For now, read this one first so you understand where you’re headed and the entirety of what this blog is all about. This blog is all about – L.I.F.E. – Love’s Influence For Everyone . 

Jesus said, the summary of the law and prophets (The Bible) is to Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:30-31). Loving God, yourself, and others means loving everyone. Yes, that includes you. How can you love (see your neighbor’s value and worth) if you do not see your own value and worth? If you hate yourself and diminish your worth, you will do the same with others. We live in a world where people go about their day in a constant state (habit) of diminishing themselves and others. This is not true life, abundant living. Christ did not die for the worthless! 

Paul even challenges us to serve one another in love because the entire law, at it’s heart, is to love your neighbor as yourself (Galatians 5:13-14). There is nothing more influential/powerful in life than love. Think about it, the things you love most will get your greatest attention and affection. This is why Christ tells us that loving God with all our might is the first, greatest and most important command. He says, the second is just like it, love yourself and others (Mark 12:30-31; Matthew 22:34-40;  Luke 10:25-37).

So, these meditations are all about L.I.F.E. They will show us the way to go. They will remind us of His unfailing love. They will challenge us to pass that love on to others. Click on each title as they are listed and find Words to Life, Love’sInfluence For Everyone.

J.W. Brinkley