and my eyes will see you face to face

Mark 12:21 “And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”

Beloved,

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.

Then . . .

Pour out your heart in worship, which is loving those around you as yourself. It is letting our love loosed, reaching incredible heights and breaking through every stronghold to reach the Father. Your faith in action is worship, trusting God for every decision and breaking free of the tradition that keeps us earthbound. It is a positioning of our heart to look toward the Cross, fixing our eyes on the Lamb that was slain, and knowing without a shadow of a doubt that the grave is empty. We are vessels of mercy, given the love of God to pour out on those around us, not only those we know but the stranger(s) in the street. This is a mystery, that when discovered fuels entire lives with ministry to God and then to mankind. This ability to worship, even if held in prison, is ongoing, forever released, breaking free of earth’s hold on our lives. It is we that bring the Kingdom of God to earth. Where two or more are gathered, Heaven is moved in our prayers which are outward expressions of our love for God.

Today, Father we adore you and lean on you. We want nothing more than to give our lives to you. Our breath of worship, whether in prayer, or song, or outward action toward others (healing the sick, clothing the naked, or strengthening the weak) is a gift to you, given in response to your love through your Son Jesus. The days go on, and each morning, we give our hearts of worship to you our Father. There is no other way to reach the second commandment, other than dying to self and giving everything to you. It is the first commandment, that is key to love, key to mercy, key to generosity, key to hope and faith. We groan inwardly with the desires of our heart that you have placed within us. At times we might be as a dying ember, having poured out all of our oil on others, only to realize that you stoke the fire. You fan the flames. You Father provide the oil necessary to reach a generation of lost.

We climb into your lap and call you Abba Father, Daddy. Our head is buried in your chest. Your breath and heart beat are so close and we are absorbed within your being becoming one with you. Your son Jesus has seated us at a table in the presence of our enemies and in our prayers we lavish our life’s love on you Father. Thank you for all that you have done, all that your are doing, and all that you will do. Ours is an earnest desire to know you more, to know the intimacy of your closeness. To be like your Son, and only do what we see you doing Father. My heart aches for that nearness Lord, and my breath is yours, my heart belongs to you, and my eyes will see you face to face.

“And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”

and this is the first and the second