This is week two of our summer challenge to be more intentional with our free time. As our days become a bit more laid-back hopefully, and our families have less school work to focus on, let’s intentionally write these truths on our hearts. Let’s fill our minds with good; training them to remember God’s words over any others.

Week 2
Summer Memory Verse:
Matthew 22:37-40

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

As I was studying this passage, I also stumbled upon a few others very similar in nature. These might be great passages to use as you talk through what this commandment actually means and how we as Christians can apply it today.

‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them upon your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write then on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” ~ Deuteronomy 6:5-9

These conversations are crucial in our homes, around our lunch tables, and in every part of our lives. Our children need to understand and know God’s word.

“But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Joshua 22:5

And, more importantly, they need to see what our lives will look like when we truly love God in this way. To really ‘serve’ him with all our hearts and souls.

I know personally that I have already wasted too many opportunities to share these truths with mine. I am determined to take back this summer from the enemy! He has lied too many times and convinced me that summer is only for rest and pool time and movies and all about them.  And, it is not.

Every sweet season is a precious gift from Him and should be all about Him.

My hope is this summer will be filled with more of Him than any thing else. I really believe that with God’s help, we can do both as we learn and grow in His truths, all the while enjoying all the true joy that summer time can bring!