🗣️ Deuteronomy 6:4-5 | There was no one like ...

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📧 In today’s email…

• 👑 An ancient king

• 😃 Grace

• 🐛 Transformation

• 🔦 Community spotlight!

 🧠 Memorize

_{see if you know what words go in the blanks}

Hear, _ ______: The ____ ___ ___, ___ ____ __ one.

___ shall ____ ___ ____ ____ God with all ____ _____ ___ with all your ____ ___ ____ ___ ____ might.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5

👑 King Who?

Did you know that there is only one person in the entire Bible who is explicitly described as fulfilling the command to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and strength?

Do you know who it is? (the answer might surprise you!)

King Josiah

Who??

Many people don’t know who King Josiah is, but he was an incredibly important leader in ancient Judah.

He became king when he was eight years old, he rediscovered the book of the Law, and he returned the country to the worship of the Lord.

The final conclusion of his life reads:

What an amazing example to follow!

What about Jesus? ✝️

While King Josiah was described in this way, Jesus was the ultimate King who lived out the Shema.

When Jesus was asked what the greatest command was in the whole Bible, do you know what he said?

He quoted Deuteronomy 6:5.

Read Matthew 22:34-40 and Mark 12:28-34 to see it for yourself.

When reading these texts, it is important to remember that obedience to the Law is not a requirement for salvation.

In fact, the opposite is true.

Obedience to the Law is to be our response to salvation.

Obedience is the natural byproduct of the Spirit at work within us.

The miracle of salvation is that we can’t earn it (no matter how hard we try) because it is a gift of God.

This was true in the Old Testament (the people were saved before they were given the Law!) and the New Testament.

That is the rhythm of God’s love.

He saves. Then, he invites us to respond with obedience.

Not the other way around.

The Bible's unchanging message is that the gift of salvation is freely offered to everyone; all we have to do is respond to Jesus.

Reflect 🤔 

If you have never accepted the amazing gift of salvation and a personal relationship with God, is today the day you do it?

If you want to experience eternal transformation, pray something like this:

Pray

Lord God, I want to accept your free gift of salvation and start a personal relationship with you.

I recognize that I have not lived loyally to you, and I have broken your laws and your heart. I am truly sorry, and I ask for your forgiveness.

Please fill my life with your Spirit and transform me into a disciple of Jesus who follows you relentlessly and tells others about you.

Amen. 🙏 

👀 Note: Tomorrow, we’ll share more specific, practical ways you can love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and strength.

Community spotlight 🔦 

Feedback ❤️ 

I’ve tried to be consistent in reading and memorizing scripture but have fallen short many times. This has been such a great reminder to stay in His word and store it in my heart. God bless you!

- M. B.

Beautifully written and easy to understand. Equally usable to seasoned believers as a discipleship tool as it is to new Christians to get a good footing and grow in the Word. God bless you and keep going!

- M. O.

Shout-outs 📣

• HUGE thank you to Samuel, Bailey, and Robert for choosing to pay-it-forward so we can help more people memorize and learn about God’s Word!

p.s. Many of you have requested the option for a one-time payment to support our work rather than a recurring subscription.

You now have that option here!

Thank you so much to everyone paying-it-forward to help us keep operating! 🙏

Answer key ✅ 

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5