Christian Foundations

Mark 12
The Pharisees and Sadducees attempt to discredit Jesus through treacherous questions.
INSIGHT
In today's passage, we see one of the most marvelous teachings in the New Testament. An attorney, intrigued by the quality of the answers Jesus gives to the Pharisees who are trying to discredit Him, asks Jesus what the greatest commandment is. He only asks for one; Jesus gives him two.
The Lord says, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart . . . [and] your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these"(Mark 12:30-31). The Christian life can be very complex, but at its heart, it is very simple: love God and others.
PRAYER
· Because the Lord has promised to care for our needs, offer Him your thanks:
Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous!
For praise from the upright is beautiful. Praise the Lord with the harp;
Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.
Sing to Him a new song;
Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
For the word of the Lord is right,
And all His work is done in truth.
He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 33:1-5).
· As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession to the Lord:
You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness,
Nor shall evil dwell with You (Psalm 5:4).
He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19).
· Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
· As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
· your development of a perspective on life,
· your own personal goals and spiritual growth,
· your activities for the day.
· Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
May we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen (based on 2 Peter 3:18). 

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