Matt 22:36-40 NLT “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

• You will spend the rest of your life fulfilling these two commands to love God and others.
• Your capacity to love Jesus and others will grow as you follow the Lord through the victories and hardships of life.
• Your obedience to these two foundational commands has to get practical.

Loving God

1. The vehicle for maximum pursuit of loving God is SOLITUDE.
2. Jesus modeled the importance of solitude throughout His ministry.
3. Solitude has many benefits.
   • You have to face YOURSELF.
   • You have to face your past, present, and future.
   • You have to learn how to be still.
     • Psalms 46:10 NLT- “Be still, and know that I am God!”

Loving Others

1. The vehicle for maximum impact in loving others is RELATIONSHIP
2. The opposite of relational is TRANSACTIONAL
3. Every encounter is either relational or transactional.
   • Was I warm and kind?
   • Was I patient and attentive?
   • Was it about me or them?

Action Steps:

1. Take time this week to build in time for solitude. What time and place gives you the best possibility of spending time in solitude with Jesus?
2. Be mindful this week of how you interact with people. Is it relational or transactional?

Recommended Resources:

• With Christ in The School of Prayer by Andrew Murray (Loving God)
• Lifestyle Evangelism by Joe Aldrich (Loving Others)