A lot has happened in the past couple weeks with my Christ Journey family that has caused me to consider my life’s perspective. Here is what I’m thinking:

Isn’t the life of following Jesus one of living life together as families instead of trying to “plant” churches? Not that “church” isn’t important, but I sense we are in a time where living with Gospel intent gives more power to planting the Gospel and growing a church around that, instead of worrying about how to plant a church. As we live with Gospel intent, missionally and incarnationally, we don’t build relationships for the sake of erecting an edifice, but rather for the Spirit to draw men to Jesus and His kingdom.

As that thought came to mind this morning it also led me to consider the importance of the Shema. The Shema is the core Hebrew prayer that for me has put life into perspective, and reminded me that in all my frail thinking and selfish desires, God is still Lord and He is one. The Shema reads like this:

“Hear of Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” (Deuteronomy 6:4) (NIV)

By no means am I an expert in the Shema or the Hebrew language. The Shema is more than just those few words, but they are the core of the prayer. What I do know is this; in our list of priorities for life there must only be one entry. That entry is God, and God alone. For those of us who follow the Messiah it is still God who is the priority. He is Creator and Father. He is Lord and King. God is Lord and He is one.

With that said, I leave you with three thoughts from Scripture that currently encompass my thinking and encapsulate my heart:

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” – Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:37-40 (NLT)

“Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.'” – Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT)

May you seek God and His kingdom today. May you love God with your entire being. May you love others with God’s entire being in you. May the Gospel be the seed planted from your life that grows into others following a wild Messiah. May it be in your world as it is in heaven.