Obviously the miracles of Jesus are very inspiring, but this week we are going to read the teachings of Jesus. Jesus’ teachings found in the Gospels are very challenging. Jesus teaches in such a way to show us that we could never do the Christian life without Christ at the center. Oftentimes people read about the message that Christ gives and they will think of it as a blueprint for human behavior. I have found that Jesus gave teachings that would tell us what God is like and what he wants to do in our lives. Why should I live without fear and worry? Because the same God who clothes the lilies of the field and feeds the sparrows in the air has promised to take care of us. Why pray? Because how much more will the Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him. The worst tragedy would be to turn the teachings of Jesus into another form of legalism. Legalism will always fail because it is too strict. The teachings of Jesus show us how desperate we really are. We have fallen from the absolute Ideal; we have nowhere to land but in the safety net of absolute grace found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. The message is meant for you to turn to the Lord in deeper and more wholehearted ways for his strength and guidance. He is the only one that can live these teachings. He wants to live them in you and through you.

August 1: Luke 10:25-42 – “‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’” (vv. 41 & 42) This is a great story about spending time with Christ. In a fast paced world we always think we should be doing something. Mary shows something more important – deepening her relationship with Christ as she sits at this feet. Do you take time to enjoy relationship with the Lord? Do you pray and read his Word in a quiet spirit of solitude? How do you need to be refreshed in the Lord these days?

August 2: Luke 11:1-13 – “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’” (verse 1) I told you this was going to be about Jesus’ teaching. His teaching in this first section is about prayer. It is so interesting that my friend, Pastor Stephen Lewis, spoke on prayer from this exact text yesterday. I guess the Lord is trying to show us something. What do you learn about prayer from the teaching of Jesus? Why should you pray? How important is prayer in your life?

August 3: Luke 11:14-32 –“But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.” (verse 20) It seems to me that we have read teaching like this previous and it’s another reminder that the kingdom of God has come in the power of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ kingdom began when he was born, grew as he resisted the devil in the desert, established itself through his teachings and healings, and we will read soon about his death and resurrection that won the battle. The permanent and universal reign of Jesus Christ will be established at his second coming. Jesus is the focal point and he is teaching that in these verses. The religious leaders misunderstood and then found themselves opposing the very one who is the center of God’s plan – the Savior of the world. What stands out to you in these verses? How has Jesus’ power pushed away the power of darkness in your life?

August 4: Luke 11:33-54 – “You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?” (verse 40) Jesus challenges the Pharisees about focusing on the outside so that people can see and neglecting the inside. In Matthew he called these religious leaders whitewashed tombs. They were cleaning up the outside and empty on the inside. Christianity is a relationship from the inside out. Jesus fills us and from his work in our souls the life of God flows out of us. The Pharisees had it the other way around and thus were empty. As the Life Application Bible says, “Don’t be a Christian on the outside only, bring your inner life under God’s control and your outer life will naturally reflect him.” Do you believe that? Is that true in your life? How do you need to apply this to your life?

August 5: Luke 12:1-21 – “And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’” (verse 19) Have you saved money for retirement? Do you set money aside for the things that you want? Maybe you want to go on a trip or you want to re-carpet your house or buy a new car. Jesus challenges us to think beyond earthbound goals and use what we have been given for God’s kingdom. That challenge is very difficult for us. We have bought into the lie that our security is found in what we have laid up, what we possess and how much money we have. God can use these in our lives, but we are not to be a slave to them. Our hope and trust is found in the Lord. Do you agree? How does this parable about the rich fool strike you? What do you take away from the reading today?

August 6: Luke 12:22-48 – “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.” (verse 22) This parable matches the previous reading about what we trust. Only faith can free us from the anxiety caused by wanting and having and pursuing wealth. Working and planning responsibly are good. Dwelling on all the ways our plan could go wrong is bad. A wrong focus can easily lead to worry. So Jesus says in verse 33, “Sell your possessions and give to the poor.” When he says that he is trying to free us up. He wants us to have the right focus. A simple trust in God will go a long ways. How would you apply this parable to your life? Why is it so relevant to our world?

August 7: Luke 12:49-59 – “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.” (verse 51) These are strange and unsettling words. The truth of these words is that Jesus allows no middle ground. In Romans 8 it says, “Either you are for me or you are against me.” In other words, there is no middle ground. Jesus challenges us to be ready for opposition and ever persecution. These will be the foretaste of the last days. The days will get more difficult, leading up to Christ’s return. What stands out to you in these few verses? Why are they important?

August 8: Luke 13:1-21 – “I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (verse 3) The word repent is a familiar word in the Bible. In the New Testament alone it is used 55 times. It comes from the Greek word that means, “a change in mind.” It often refers to turning 180 degrees to go a different direction. Repentance is essentially realizing that the way you were going is the wrong way. What you were doing was the wrong thing to do. What you were thinking was harmful, not helpful. With that definition, I bet you realize that you need to repent. In fact, repentance is a part of the Christian life. It points to the continued change that God wants to make in your life. How do you understand repent? Have you repented lately? If not, why not?

Our summer readings continue with the life of Jesus. In John 10 Jesus is called the Good Shepherd. That is a marvelous picture of Christ. In Luke 15 we read about the shepherd leaving the 99 in search of the one sheep that was wandering. In Psalm 23 we read that the Lord is our shepherd and through him we will lack nothing. There is a phrase in one of our readings that says that, “the sheep listen to his voice.” I have been thinking about that phrase for a week or so. One of my favorite authors, Bill Hybels, has written a book entitled, The Power of a Whisper. The book presents the biblical theme of hearing in God’s voice. It is described as a gentle whisper. It is not presented as an audible conversation with God, but more on the lines of being prompted; that God would give you a direction or a thought that would be him influencing you. God wants to influence you. God has gone to all the trouble to speak to you through the revelation of his own Word contained in the Bible. He has given you the Holy Spirit so that you can understand the truth and be led by the truth. I pray that this week as you read these Scriptures that God will speak to you. In fact, I pray that you would hear his gentle whisper and obey.

August 9: John 9:1-41 – “His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.’” (vv. 2 & 3) Most of the chapter is about this man’s story. He was blind and the Lord healed him. Again the Lord shows his power to intervene in life so that we would all know that Jesus is the Son of God. But the main message to me is about the question of sin and its consequences. You might ask yourself the question, “Why did this happen to me? What did I do wrong?” Those might be worthwhile questions to ask, but in this story we learn about the power of Jesus to intervene, which is bigger than our sin or failure. This may be too simplistic, but I believe our suffering is meant us to surrender to Christ. The circumstances of life are to help us turn to Jesus in all things. What do you learn from this story? What part stands out to you? Why?

August 10: John 10:1-18 – “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (vv. 14 & 15) There is a statement in this teaching about Jesus being the Good Shepherd. It is found in verse 10, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” The purpose of Jesus is to set us free. He laid down his life so that we could be set free. There is now a bridge to the living God that we could know the Lord in personal relationship. Jesus’ message is about the relationship that a shepherd has to his sheep. How does that message help you? How is Jesus your shepherd?

August 11: Luke 13:22-35 – “People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.” (vv. 29 & 30) I keep on reading about the last being first. During this reading time in the Gospels, I have noticed how God’s kingdom is the opposite of what we often value. What matters to God is not a person’s earthly popularity, status, wealth, heritage or power, but it is his or her commitment to Christ. God’s kingdom will have many surprises. Some who are despised will be greatly honored. Some who are influential in this life will be left outside the gates. Some of those that are deemed the most insignificant will actually be “great” in God’s kingdom. How do you apply this principle to your life? What does it mean to be last?

August 12: Luke 14:1-14 – “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (verse 11) We pick up with the same theme as we read yesterday. Like I said, this theme is very prevalent in Jesus’ teaching. The Life Application Bible asks this question: “How can we humble ourselves?” Some people try to give the appearance of humility in order to manipulate others. Others think that humility means putting themselves down. True humble people compare themselves only with Christ, realizing their sinfulness, and understanding their limitations. Humility is not self-degradation, it is realistic assessment and commitment to serve. Are you humble? Why?

August 13: Luke 14:15-35 – “And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (verse 27) This sounds very similar to Luke 9:23 when Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” The call to discipleship is one of cost. Jesus’ audience was well-aware of what it meant to carry one’s own cross. We know that he ended up carrying his own cross to Calvary. Many of the people in the crowd were following him because of miracles and the excitement of all those following him. Jesus was challenging a superficial approach to being in relationship with him. How does this principle challenge most of Christianity in American culture? How does this principle challenge you?

August 14: Luke 15:1-10 – “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (verse 10) I have envisioned the excitement of heaven when someone turns to Christ for salvation. Heaven throws a big party for each and every one who receives Jesus Christ as their Savior. I can only imagine the enthusiasm of angels over the response of genuine faith. How does that picture encourage you? What do you learn about Jesus from these two parables? What does that mean to you?

August 15: Luke 15:11-32 – “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!’” (verse 17) Many people who are lost and wandering from God are in a place of denial or illusion. They have numbed their spiritual sensitivities by chasing after the things of this world. Sometimes I pray that people will hit bottom. That’s what happened in the prodigal son’s life. I have seen people who have gone through the travesty of divorce finally surrender to Christ. I have met with people who have financially lost so much and finally seek God as first in their life. Is there any place in your life where you are living in denial or have lost your spiritual sensitivities because of your pursuits in this world? There is no greater joy and fulfillment than living close to the Father. What stood out to you from this very familiar parable as you read it this time? What might God want you to apply to your life?

After a quick review of the readings for this week, I have noticed that several of the stories have to do the theme of heaven. Definitely the idea portrayed in John 11 is about Jesus being the resurrection and life. Lazarus had died and, before the chapter concludes, he will raise Lazarus from the dead. This is a forerunner to the power that Jesus would have in raising us from the dead. A theme verse for this week would be 25 & 26, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Heaven is a very important theme because your existence will primarily be lived out in heaven. This short life is but a small measure of the eternity you will enjoy as a follower of Christ. The key, as always, is Jesus. How is your relationship with Jesus? Do you believe him as the Son of God and have you received him into your heart? Jesus is the key to eternal life. We will read about this theme this week.

August 16: Luke 16:1-18 – “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” (verse 9) I discovered this verse a few years ago and found it to be especially encouraging. As we make generous connections with people and help them with their need on earth, we will enjoy the blessing of their appreciation in heaven. The message of this verse is one of a welcoming party for you as you enter heaven by those you have blessed while on earth. How does that encourage you? What are you doing now to make sure you have a welcoming party as you enter eternity?

August 17: Luke 16:19-31 – “Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.” (verse 24) No one likes to talk about the sense of separation from God forever in what the Bible calls hell. The rich man was well off in this life, but he was in agony for eternity. My motivation to share the message of Jesus Christ with this world is connected to the strong teaching that those who do not receive Christ into their life will be separated from him forever. This may be of their own choice, but still, it is a life of loneliness and agony forever and ever. May the reality of hell compel you to tell others. How do you understand this parable? What stands out to you? What do you do with the truth of hell?

August 18: John 11:1-36 – “Jesus wept.” (verse 35) This is the shortest verse in the Bible. It says a lot about the heart of Christ. The Bible also tells us that he wept over Jerusalem because of their unbelief. Jesus has a heart of compassion. We have read that several times. I believe that he was empathizing with their grief. Jesus showed that he cares enough to weep with us in our sorrows. Jesus comes alongside through his Spirit. The Holy Spirit, the Paraklete is the one who comes alongside. How does Jesus’ compassion help you? How do you know that he cares about your struggles and sorrow? How do you respond to others with compassion?

August 19: John 11:37-57 – “When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, ‘Take off the grave clothes and let him go.’” (vv. 43 & 44) In the Gospels we also read that Jesus raised Jairus’s daughter, as well as the widow’s son from Nain. The power of the Lord to raise people from the dead is a clear picture of the assurance that he will raise you, even as he was raised. Romans 6:5 says, “If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.” Christ gives us the assurance that as he was resurrected, we will be too. How does this encourage you? What does a resurrection unto eternal life mean to you? How can it give you strength today?

August 20: Luke 17:1-19 – “One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.” (vv. 15 & 16) Ten people were healed of leprosy and only one returned to thank the Lord. This story illustrates the importance of appreciation. Our God wants us to express our appreciation for his generosity and kindness in our lives. The Lord delights in our thanksgiving and praise. It is very clear from this story that this is important to the Lord. How are you responding in praise and thanksgiving to the goodness of God? What stands out to you from Jesus’ teaching in these verses?

August 21: Luke 17:20-37 – “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.” (vv. 26 & 27) You can anticipate a series on Matthew 24 and teaching on the coming of Christ this fall at New Harvest. I am feeling led to talk about the future according to what Jesus taught. The message is that people will miss the signs of Christ’s return. They will live as if they have all the time in the world. But the Lord put a sense of urgency about his return in our hearts. He wants us to anticipate his soon return. How would your life change if you were mindful of Christ’s return on any day? Why is this important?

August 22: Luke 18:1-14 – “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (verse 14) This is one of Jesus’ favorite sayings. He uses it many times. In fact this past Sunday, we studied that opposites in a spiritual sense are the profound nature of Christ’s kingdom. For example, the first will be last. We have a Pharisee who thinks of himself as very strong in his faith toward God. We have a tax collector who is crying out for mercy. Jesus is drawn to the tax collector. This is not what you would think – it is the opposite of what you would think. How do you understand, “the humble one will be exalted?” How do you understand, “the last will be first?” How does that apply to your life?

As you know, we have been reading the Gospels for a couple of months now. This week we will make a transition as Jesus begins to talk about some things that are very important to him as he anticipates the ultimate confrontation of being arrested and crucified. He wants the people to know what is most important and what he values as a top priority in the kingdom. I am amazed at how many times Jesus says things like, “The last will be first and the first will be last.” It will come out in our reading again this week with the saying, “Whomever wants to be great among you must be your servant.” The kingdom principles are oftentimes the opposite of the what our world values. Jesus wants his followers to understand the principles that he lived and now he wants for us as well.

August 23: Mark 10:1-16 – “Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” (verse 9) We read about Jesus’ high value for marriage. Divorce was a concession of the sinfulness of mankind. God intended for marriage to be permanent. Any other view of marriage is a worldly view. In the Old Testament, the Prophet Malachi said God hates divorce. How do you view marriage? Why does God seem to insist upon commitment in marriage, even in the most difficult circumstances? How is that being eroded in our world today?

August 24: Mark 10:17-31 – “‘One thing you lack,’ Jesus said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’” (verse 21) Jesus addresses what is most important to this young man. His riches were at the center of his status and value. He loved having many possessions. It was more important to him than having the favor of Jesus. He would never reach heaven because he wanted to get there on his behavior. Jesus essentially is saying, “If you want to get to heaven on your behaviors, then you must eliminate all things that are ahead of me.” But we know that the only way to heaven is to receive the gift by faith. What does this story tell you about riches? What does this story tell you about eternal life? How do you understand this story?

August 25: Matthew 20:1-19 – “So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner.” (vv. 10-11) Our whole perspective about relationship with God is often about earning it. This parable is not about rewards in heaven, but about salvation. It is a strong teaching about grace. And God is generous, whether you open your heart to him when you’re young or in your last moments on earth. The criminal who repented on the cross was just a short time away from dying, but Jesus still offered him salvation. Why is this parable important? What does it teach about the kingdom of God? How are salvation and rewards different?

August 26: Mark 10:35-52 – “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you.” (vv. 42 & 43) I told you that Jesus’ values were different than the worlds. He shows the contrast in this paragraph about what is most important to him. Most businesses and organizations are run from the top down. Christ affirms the least one who is serving to be the most significant. It is upside-down compared to the world. What does that mean to your Christian life? How will you apply this truth?

August 27: Luke 19:1-27 – “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” ( verse 8 ) This is obviously a story about Zacchaeus. I have always been attracted to these verses. It was one of the first teachings that I gave in seminary. It was probably one of the first songs I sang as a youngster. Zacchaeus demonstrated a heart-change by his actions. It isn’t the other way around. Jesus moves into our heart and he changes it so much so that it affects our behaviors. Zacchaeus is an example of that. It is living from the inside out. What does that mean to you? How do you see that in Zacchaeus? How might that be more true for you?

August 28: John 12:1-11 – “Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” (verse 3) Judas thought that Mary was too extravagant – that the perfume should have been sold and the money given to the poor. But this act of devotion and love would be a clear indication of Jesus’ mission as a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus even points to that fact. How does Mary’s sacrificial act impress you; challenge you? How does that fact that Jesus is entering the last week of his life bring meaning to this story? Why do you like this story?

August 29: Matthew 21:1-17 – “The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!’” (verse 9) I told you that we would be entering the last week of Jesus’ life. We are approaching the intensity of Christ’s last hours on earth. This is a high point with the Palm Sunday message. It is contrasted with Jesus’ challenging action of turning tables in the temple. What does the contrast between these stories mean to you? How does the verse that reads, “You honor me with your lips but your hearts are far from me,” apply to this story? How do you understand the triumphal entry into Jerusalem?

Max Lucado has a book entitled The Final Week of Jesus. He talks often about what Jesus did with his disciples and his interaction with the people in Jerusalem attending the Passover celebration. There is more about the last week found in the Gospels than about any other part of Jesus’ life. This is the key week for our Lord and it has the most significant teaching from Jesus as well. Pay attention to these words and apply them to your life because Jesus so much wanted his followers to understand what he was saying.

August 30: John 12:20-36 – “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” (verse 24) I told you that Jesus was going to explain the most important principles of our Christian faith during this last week of his life. He speaks about his sacrificial death in a very illuminating way. Jesus had to die to pay the penalty of our sins, but also to show his power over death. His resurrection proves that he has eternal life. Because Jesus is God, Jesus can give the same eternal life to all who believe in him. His death and resurrection is not only the payment, but also the victory that is found in Christ. Does this make sense to you? How does Jesus talk about his death? Why must he die? What stands out to you from his words to the disciples?

August 31: John 12:37-50 – “When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.” (verse 44) Jesus points to the fact that he represents the Father. There are many passages in the New Testament that present this truth. Hebrews tells us that Jesus is the exact representation of the living God. Theology teaches us that he is the incarnation . . . God in flesh. To believe in Jesus is to believe in the Father. The Father and Jesus are one. Jesus is the visible reflection of God himself so that we might know who to believe. How does this elevate Jesus? What grabbed your attention in these verses?

September 1: Mark 11:20-33 – “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (vv. 23 & 24) Jesus gives this kind of promise many times in his teaching. The backdrop of his promise is that we would want God’s will more than our own. The promise of the Scriptures is connected to God’s will. If we pray according to God’s will, we have what we’ve asked of him. When we pray, we may express our own desires, but what we really need most is his will to be done in our lives. Check yourself to see if your prayers focus on your interests or God’s. If they’re connected to God’s, this promise will come alive. What do you want to apply to your life from the reading?

September 2: Matthew 21:28-46 – “Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the Scriptures: “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes”?’” (verse 42) Jesus utilizes an Old Testament prediction that revealed how people would reject him. The very people he came to save, his own Jewish culture, rejected him. This was predicted in the Old Testament and is still the predominant posture of the Jewish people today. Jesus, by and large, is not the Messiah of the Jewish. They are deceived. Their eyes are blinded. You probably know people like that. You share your faith with them and they are deceived. They have rejected the cornerstone of salvation. What can you do in a person’s life who is openly rejecting God? How do you think God might want to use you? Why is your response to those that reject Christ so important?

September 3: Matthew 22:1-14 – “Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find. So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.” (vv. 9 & 10) Several of the parables relate to the Pharisees. They had been given ample opportunity to respond to Jesus. But they knew that he was speaking to them in these parables and they became more convinced that they should arrest him and that he should be eliminated. The Lord gives people opportunities to respond to him, but if they harden their hearts, the Lord will draw his attention towards those who are ready to receive. This is true for you and me. If you know someone in your life that continues to push away, you would do well to look for those who have an open heart towards what Jesus offers. Are there people that you need to release to God and focus more so on those who have a receptivity to the things of the Lord? What would that look like in your life?

September 4: Luke 20:20-40 – “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” (verse 25) This response is one of my favorites. Jesus gives a wise response to those who were trying to question him. There was animosity towards the rule of the Romans, and there were taxes that had to be paid. Jesus shows how deep and insightful he is as the only true Son of God. He has other wise statements throughout these verses. Which ones do you like the most? What blesses you about Jesus’ wisdom? How do you sense the wisdom of Christ operating in your life?

September 5: Mark 12:28-37 – “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (vv. 30 & 31) I enjoyed teaching on this, the greatest commandments, when we met at the fair. The greatest commandment is a heartfelt love for God. From that real relationship with God flows this love for others. If you are uncertain what to focus on primarily as a follower of Christ, let it be your devotion to God that is expressed in loving others. Does that make sense? How is that being lived out in your life?