A Brotherhood (part1)

Until now, (2 posts) I've taken the time to listen to a sermon, or a short speach and write how it has inspired me in this online journal.

I realize that not all posts can be this way, nor was I expecting such.

In my previous post I stated, that the heart is all I can give to my Lord Jesus. Well typically; as a lot of you will find, if you start a journal of you're own, you start to repeat the things you've written about. Such is the case with that line from my last entry.

I was in a small group on Saturday night. I remember the discussion came up about what we can offer to the Lord in thanksgiving. And with as much gentleness and compassion that I could muster, I spoke about how the Lord is only after one thing, which is to say: my heart. I stated how if we only love him with all our heart we would find refuge in Him. My brother Josh, had a different opinion. Josh referenced a scripture

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength."
Mark 12:30

To which I replied something of the sort: "The Lord provides my strength, He changes my soul from the inside out, and where my heart and mind meet is faith..."
This may sound like a typical discussion, perhaps even a mature discussion among Christians. But I must say, there was a sense of hostility in our voices. I felt like Josh was rebuking me, and Josh felt like I wasn't being clear enough.

Well, let's take a look at a few passages first.
Strength of the Lord:
"The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him."
Exodus 15:2
"You are my source of strength! I will sing praises to you! For God is my refuge, the God who loves me."
Psalm 59:17
Strength of men:
"My strength drains away like water; all my bones are dislocated..."
Psalm 22:14
"For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength."
1Colossians 1:25

This is very interesting. My view was that we had no strength, except with what the Lord has provided. Am I wrong?
No. But am I right?
Not completely. Because men do have strength! We are given strength as a gift from God.
Josh had the right view here. God has truly given us strength, He is the source of it! But does that mean we have none! No! Rather it means we have ample strength given by God, it is what we do with that strength that matters. Mark 12:30 is saying, the strength that God provides, is to be used to Love God with.

Well I need to digest this, and pray about this a little more. Part 2 should be posted soon. God Bless.

Let's take some time to pray about this.
Father, your strength is beyond measure! It has no boundaries O' Lord! Father, by grace we ask that you would provide us with some of your strength. That you would empower us Lord to use that strength to love You with every ounce of it. Furthermore, to love others. That in doing so, we may grow closer to Your Son, our Savior, Jesus.
In Jesus' name.
Amen