“Love the Lord with all your heart...this is the first and greatest commandment.”  

 (Matt. 22:37-40)

There are four qualities often linked with the things we love with all our heart: we carve out time for them, feel happiness or pleasure because of them, think or read about them, and excitedly share them with others.

Because it’s likely we’ve already loved something this way— we have intuitive knowledge of how to love the Lord! The goal is to apply it. This month, let's draw on the experience we know, direct it towards our relationship with the Lord, and see what happens.

Week 1 Prayer & Practice—Time.

This week is about setting aside time to be with the Lord. We honor God by spending time with Him, and spending time is what we do with things or people we love. Each weekday, find 10 minutes on your calendar to talk with the Lord; set a timer each day if it helps. Talk with Him about what’s going on in your life, the lives of people you love, or the current events around you. You can also write or journal during this time. After five days, note how you feel about the time. Did you enjoy it? How was it at first? Did it feel like time well used?

Daily Prayer: Lord, I’m setting aside time to spend with you today. Bless this time. Time is what I give to things I love, and I want to love You. Amen.

Week 2 Practice—Pleasure.

This week is about finding pleasure in the time you spend with the Lord. Each weekday, do something you enjoy while talking with the Lord, out loud or to yourself. Drink coffee or tea. Go for a walk, walk the dog, or even go to the mall. Maybe you’d rather drive and talk to the Lord in your car. Just make sure it’s something you enjoy and talk with the Lord for 10 minutes a day while you do it. At the end of the week, note: what did you learn? Was it different to include the Lord in things you enjoy? Did you have fun?

Daily Prayer: Lord, You made us to experience joy. This week I want to enjoy things with You. Thank you that You are the God of pleasure. Amen

Week 3 Practice—Knowledge.

This week is on learning about the Lord. Feel free to include what you enjoyed last week, but five days this week, listen or read about the Lord while you do them. Set aside 10 minutes, make your coffee or get ready for your walk, and open your Bible or Bible app (YouVersion Bible App is a good one) to learn more about the God you love. I encourage you to read or listen to 1 John. There’s a short chapter for each weekday. Think about what you read as you go through your day. At the end of the week, reflect on what you learned. Was there anything new? Did you have any questions about what you read? What did you learn about love?

Daily Prayer: Lord, I want to know you better, because knowing you better helps me love you better. Bless my efforts, I pray. Amen

Week 4 Practice—Sharing what we love.

Have you ever noticed how football fans, new grandparents, or music enthusiasts passionately discuss their interests? They enjoy sharing what they love so much that they’ll seek out others to talk to about it! This week, your task is to find someone to discuss your February devotional with. It can be for any length of time. You can talk with your best friend, spouse, gym buddy, or someone from church. The main goal this week is to engage in conversations about learning to love the Lord more deeply with someone else. At the end of the week, note: what was it like? Were you able to find others with a similar interest? How did it feel to discuss what you’re learning to enjoy?

Daily Prayer: Lord, I want to love you more deeply. Love grows as it is shared. Please help me to find people who love you too. Amen.