Podcasts about love your neighbor

Do you want deeper, more meaningful friendships? What if the key isn't about finding the right people—but being the right kind of friend?In this powerful message, Pastor Mark explores God's original call to Abraham in Genesis 12:2–3: “I will bless you… and you will be a blessing.” From the very beginning, God's plan has been to use ordinary people to share extraordinary love—and the best friendships are built by those who live to bless others.

Recorded live at our regular Sunday worship service held at the Performing Arts Center of Edgewood High School, Madison, WI.

Luke 10:25-37 The post Love Your Neighbor appeared first on Arthur Mennonite Church.

Rev. Kenneth Bomberger gives today's prayerful thought based on the day's Scripture readings. Begin your morning in word and prayer with Rev. Kenneth Bomberger, who shares scripture, hymns, prayers, and texts for the day, and also gives a short meditation on the day's scripture lessons. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

Christ Pacific Church would like to extend an invitation to attend either online or in person one of our services which are held most Sundays at 9 and 1030am. Thank you for joining us today and Happy Mother's Day! This morning we will continue in our current sermon series, Advance. We're walking through the Acts of the Apostles with Acts 10:1-48 as Pastor Peter Little gives the message, The Transcendant Gospel. We're glad you're here!

Thought you might appreciate this 15 minute zoom. It's connected, although at first you won't think so :)https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AZQ6OfiXkZE&list=PLSg_wlhH8b3OAuS2uI3Tl2dXtGceMW4NX&index=1&t=5s&pp=iAQB

Today Jon takes a unique look at the Great Commandment, found in Matthew 22, and challenges our listeners to get curious about their neighbor.  After all, how can we love people if we do not seek to know them better? Want to discuss this concept more or have Jon speak at your next event?  Shoot him an email at Jon@christianoutdoors.org.     God Bless!

If you believe the highest goal of investing is simply to earn a high return, you may be overlooking a deeper purpose—how our money can be used for good.As investors, we've been given resources to manage, not just for profit, but in alignment with God's will and values. It's easy to see investing through a purely earthly lens, but God invites us into a much greater story. Today, Robin John joins us to explore that bigger vision.Robin John is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at Eventide Asset Management, an underwriter of Faith & Finance. He's also the author of the forthcoming book, The Good Investor: How Your Work Can Confront Injustice, Love Your Neighbor, and Bring Healing to the World.A Vision for Redemptive InvestingEventide's tagline—“Investing that makes the world rejoice”—is more than marketing. It's a biblical conviction inspired by Proverbs:“When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices, but when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.” – Proverbs 11:10Righteousness, in this context, refers to those who seek the good of others. The righteous prosper by looking out for the people in the city. But the wicked prosper through exploitation, especially of the poor. That leads to groaning, not rejoicing.For Eventide, investing is about more than avoiding harm. It's about actively investing in companies whose products and practices bring tangible good into the world—serving real needs, not exploiting vulnerabilities.Can You Do Good and Do Well?A common concern among faith-based investors is whether aligning values with investments means sacrificing returns.Romans 12 tells us “not to conform to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds.” That means we should be willing to make sacrifices if necessary. But that doesn't mean underperformance.Research from the Biblically Responsible Investing Institute, drawing on a 19-year study, compares values-based screening (which excludes companies involved in activities such as abortion, pornography, and tobacco) with the S&P 500 and yields equivalent long-term returns.It's a myth that you must compromise performance to honor your faith. At Eventide, they don't just avoid the bad—we seek out the good.The Ultimate Question, as posed by Bain consultant Fred Reichheld, also found that the most successful companies are those that best serve their customers and employees. Serving people well is good business, and it often leads to long-term outperformance.Why How You Make Money MattersJohn Wesley once said, ‘Make all you can, give all you can, but make all you can without hurting yourself or your neighbor.”Proverbs 1:19 also warns against partnering with those who gain through unjust means. It's not just what we give—it's how we earn that matters to God. Ill-gotten gain is not pleasing to Him.Generosity isn't limited to charitable giving. A teacher choosing to serve children instead of pursuing a higher-paying career is living generously, even without writing a check.The Good InvestorRobin's passion is to see everyday Christians empowered to invest in ways that reflect their values. His upcoming book, The Good Investor: How Your Work Can Confront Injustice, Love Your Neighbor, and Bring Healing to the World, aims to help believers do just that.The Good Investor doesn't stop at money—it's also a book about purpose and calling. Don't assume your calling means you have to start something new. Many Christians are exactly where God needs them to be. The real challenge is to recognize your work as valuable to God and do it in a way that reflects His goodness.Psalm 1:3 emphasizes that the blessed life is rooted in delighting in God's Word and walking in His ways:“That person is like a tree planted by streams of water...whatever they do prospers.”Robin's new book, The Good Investor: How Your Work Can Confront Injustice, Love Your Neighbor, and Bring Healing to the World, will be released on July 22 and is available for pre-order now wherever books are sold.This is a must-read for any Christian who wants to rethink investing through the lens of God's Kingdom—and rediscover the purpose and power of their everyday financial decisions.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I have a 401(k) from my old school district job with approximately $7,000-$8,000 in it. I'm 55 and want to know if I should roll it over into my new company's retirement plan and what I should do with my IRA.I remarried after my first wife passed away. If I die, can my late wife's kids force my new wife out of our house, and how can I protect her?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly MagazineEventide Asset ManagementThe Good Investor: How Your Work Can Confront Injustice, Love Your Neighbor, and Bring Healing to the World by Robin C. JohnThe Ultimate Question 2.0: How Net Promoter Companies Thrive in a Customer-Driven World by Fred Reichheld with Rob MarkeyWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money (Pre-Order)Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.

Christ Pacific Church would like to extend an invitation to attend either online or in person one of our services which are held most Sundays at 9 and 1030am.Thank you for joining us today! This morning we continue our current sermon series through the Acts of the Apostles with Acts 9:32-43 as Pastor Peter gives the message, Your Transformation is the Evidence. We're glad you're here!

The relationships you struggle with the most? This episode is for those. Juli sits down with Bible teacher Jada Edwards to share stories about the ways they've fallen short when it comes to loving others, and how God has transformed their understanding of what it means to love the way He does. (Spoiler alert: Sometimes the best way to learn love is to start with the person who bugs you the most.) Guest: Jada Edwards (@jada_edwards)   Resources: Sign up for our email list and stay in the know! Jada's book: A New Way to Love Your Neighbor How to Have Tough Conversations (blog) Encountering the Radical Love of Jesus (blog) AI Members Only: Why “Love Is Love” Doesn't Mean What You Think It Means, Ep. #401  

Can you love someone you don't trust? Do you struggle with setting boundaries? If so, you're in for a treat! In conjunction with her newly released book, A New Way to Love Your Neighbor, Jada sits down to discuss some common questions surrounding the intricacies of love. She explores the importance of understanding divine love, the issue with boundaries, how to love your closest neighbor, and more. This conversation reveals her heart for the book and provides practical ways to begin this new journey to freedom. Order: A New Way to Love Your Neighbor https://www.amazon.com/New-Way-Love-Your-Neighbor/dp/1087789184

We hope this message encourages and inspires you!Want more like this from CoastLife Church?YouTube: CoastLife Church - YouTubeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mycoastlifechurchInstagram: https://instagram.com/coastlifechurch...GIVE: https://www.mycoastlifechurch.com/giveLooking to get connected? We'd love to meet you! We offer several different ways to connect and be in community: Join a Together Group, Register for CoastLife+, or become a part of our Serve Team today by visiting: CoastLife Connect Card - CoastLife Church (churchcenter.com)Give: To support and be a part of or growth and global impact click here: https://www.mycoastlifechurch.com/give

What does it truly mean to love your neighbor as yourself? In this sermon based on Luke 10:1-37, Pastor Chris Rieber examines Jesus' powerful parable of the Good Samaritan. Discover the urgency behind the second Great Commandment and why, as Christians, we cannot pick and choose who receives our love and compassion. Pastor Rieber emphasizes that loving everyone as an image-bearer of God, regardless of differences or prejudice, is the mark of a true believer. Learn how Jesus' final instruction in the passage – "Go and do the same" – calls us to a love that is active, sacrificial, and extends even when inconvenient.

Brian Plumb will continue our study in Luke chapter 10 by looking at the Good Samaritan. We will focus on four truths from the familiar text that we should apply to our lives.

What does it really mean to “love your neighbor as yourself”? It's one of the most quoted phrases in the Bible—used in politics, on social media, and in personal conversations. But are we quoting Jesus accurately? In this sermon, we dig into Matthew 22:34–40 to explore what Jesus truly meant when He linked loving your neighbor with loving God.You'll learn:- Why “love your neighbor” isn't the first thing Jesus said—and why that matters.- How putting your neighbor before God can lead to compromise.- What real love looks like in tough situations—when someone's asking you to support something you know isn't right.- How Jesus reframes love in the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10).Discover why the order of your loves determines the shape of your life, and how keeping God as your first love transforms the way you care for the people around you.

What does it really mean to “love your neighbor as yourself”? It's one of the most quoted phrases in the Bible—used in politics, on social media, and in personal conversations. But are we quoting Jesus accurately? In this sermon, we dig into Matthew 22:34–40 to explore what Jesus truly meant when He linked loving your neighbor with loving God.You'll learn:- Why “love your neighbor” isn't the first thing Jesus said—and why that matters.- How putting your neighbor before God can lead to compromise.- What real love looks like in tough situations—when someone's asking you to support something you know isn't right.- How Jesus reframes love in the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10).Discover why the order of your loves determines the shape of your life, and how keeping God as your first love transforms the way you care for the people around you.

We must live in the Holy Spirit and follow after him (Galatians 5:25). Amen!

Join Matt Lewis and New York Times columnist David French for a deep dive into the cultural and political divides shaping America. From the "Fear the World" vs. "Love Your Neighbor" church dichotomy to the legacy of Pope Francis, the rise of Trumpism, and the Pete Hegseth scandals, this conversation covers it all. They also tackle the alarming deportation of Abrego Garcia, political violence, and the erosion of due process under the Alien Enemies Act. Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion on faith, law, and the future of democracy. Subscribe for more! #DavidFrench #MattLewis #Trump #Faith #PoliticsSupport "Matt Lewis & The News" at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFollow Matt Lewis & Cut Through the Noise:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattklewis/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's book: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416Copyright © 2024, BBL & BWL, LLC

“How does love look different in different seasons?” Jada Edwards is here- I know y'all love her and I do too! We're going to talk about what it looks like to actually love people well and being honest with the Lord. That's not always easy, especially depending on the season you're in, but Jada's new book A New Way to Love Your Neighbor is an excellent resource to help us figure out how we do this. And I'm not just talking about you loving Christian friends. I hope you have people in your life who don't believe everything you believe. If you're following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we're on page 47. And if you're wondering what we're even talking about with this guidebook thing, you can find it at anniefdowns.com/seasons . . . . . Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors!BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN today to get 10% off your first month.  WayFair: Get renovating with Wayfair. Head to Wayfair.com right now. Hiya Health: Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Our Place: Visit fromourplace.com/TSF and use code TSF for 10% off sitewide. With a hundred-day risk-free trial, free shipping and returns, you can experience this game-changing cookware with zero risk. AG1: Subscribe today to get a 1-month supply of AG Omega-3 with your first AG1 order! And my friends also get their Welcome Kit with everything you need to get started on your AG1 journey. So make sure to check out DrinkAG1.com/SOUNDSFUN to claim this special offer. . . . . . If you'd like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . Go back and listen to our TSF Q&A: Faith + Fasting where Jada joined and helped us answer your questions. So many of you loved that episode! . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Phil will deliver an Easter message called But Now. In this message, Phil will talk about how the resurrection of Jesus enabled people in scripture to navigate their pain and suffering with a completely new outlook.

Love your neighbor as yourself [NIV]

We all know we're supposed to love people, but what happens when they hurt, disagree, or drive us crazy? Jennie sits down with her friend, Jada Edwards, to talk about what it really looks like to love your neighbor from the inside out. Jada shares about the personal conviction that led to her new book A New Way to Love Your Neighbor — a call to love people with kindness, humility, grace, and truth that starts in your heart. Don't miss this conversation and grab a copy of Jada's debut book (out April 22) - A New Way to Love Your Neighbor! The Chosen Last Supper is now out in theaters! You don't want to miss this three-part theatrical release. Experience Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, His final moments with His disciples, and the events that changed the world forever. ➡️ Get your tickets now: thechosenlastsupper.com CONNECT ON SOCIALS • Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok | Pinterest

A Midrash lesson with my chevrusah (torah partners) about life and God https://www.amazon.com/dp/1952070600?ref_=cm_sw_r_mwn_dp_CFFCV8NZYCYBG2D25D5R_1&fbclid=IwAR2yEfaP95QYXSWsgIYYhppNxQsi6Os8YhEjamOOANSkPN8Beg1XY-zuqqUDavid Montalvo IG: theoutlettoreality Follow us on Snapchat: takeonepassit TikTok: Yaakov28 Follow us on Spotify and google podcast: The Outlet to Reality

Phil will continue our series Love Your Neighbor with a message called Sharing 101. Phil will pick up where he left off last week in Luke 10 and share a few practical ideas about how to share faith with others.

Welcome back to My Seminary Life, and to another edition of Fish FryDays. In today's episode, I share the abridged version of a recent sermon I preached on Luke 3:7-14 on John the Baptist's call to repent by loving your neighbor. Here I breakdown that spiritual priviledge and abuse of authority do not look like people who worship and believe in Yahweh, or that they are following His Son Jesus. Instead, a life that looks at one's own resources and decides how to show the love of God to their neighbor by their means is a life that does believe. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioTwoOneNine

"God gets into the specifics of what's going on in our hearts and says, 'this is what's keeping you from fully walking in my love.'" — Jada EdwardsToday's Episode:  What's hindering your relationship with God? In today's episode, Jada Edwards encourages us to ask God to tell us. She challenges us to ask God to reveal those barriers and to heal whatever shame, pain, sin, or trauma we're holding onto. The hope is that we would grow closer to God, experience more of his love, and in turn love others more deeply and freely. Jada helps us see from her own life and example how this is possible when we ask God to show us our hearts.   This month's memory verse: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” — 1 John 3:16 Today's guest:  Jada Edwards is an author, speaker, Bible teacher, and mentor. Studying and teaching the Bible to women is one of her greatest passions, along with discipleship and living on mission. While she is a lively and sought-after speaker, the local church is her home. She and her husband, Conway, planted One Community Church in Plano, TX, where she leads a regular women's Bible study and serves on the teaching team and as the Creative Services Director. Jada enjoys spending time with Conway and their two children, Joah and Chloe, particularly around the dinner table. Her new book, A New Way to Love Your Neighbor, will be available nationwide on April 22, 2025. Support Our Show: We love reading your comments! AND they help other people find our show. Please let us know what you think by leaving a review.Links from today's show: Find out more about Jada at JadaEdwards.org.Get a FREE digital Bible study of this month's verse!Memorize and meditate on God's Word with a Dwell Differently membership. Dig even deeper into God's Word (and memorize it!) in Natalie and Vera's new Bible study, Dwell on These Things and book, Dwell Differently. Support the showFollow Natalie & Vera at DwellDifferently.com and @dwelldifferenly.

In preparation for her new book, A New Way to Love Your Neighbor, Jada sits down with her sister, Tresa, to discuss the complexities of family relationships. They explore the importance of being intentional, how personal history influences how we love, and much more.Pre-order: A New Way to Love Your Neighbor https://www.amazon.com/New-Way-Love-Your-Neighbor/dp/1087789184

We hope this message encourages and inspires you!Want more like this from CoastLife Church?YouTube: CoastLife Church - YouTubeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mycoastlifechurchInstagram: https://instagram.com/coastlifechurch...GIVE: https://www.mycoastlifechurch.com/giveLooking to get connected? We'd love to meet you! We offer several different ways to connect and be in community: Join a Together Group, Register for CoastLife+, or become a part of our Serve Team today by visiting: CoastLife Connect Card - CoastLife Church (churchcenter.com)Give: To support and be a part of or growth and global impact click here: https://www.mycoastlifechurch.com/give

Guest speaker, John H. Talley III, teaches from Romans 13 in Week 22 of Phoenix Bible Church's series on the book of Romans.

Phil will start a new series called Love Your Neighbor. This series will serve as the final part of our Love One Another school year theme. This final series will take a closer look at how we extend the love of Jesus beyond the walls of the church to the wider world. In this first message, Phil will focus on the importance of sharing our faith.

Week 6 in a series: Jesus Unfiltered Speaker: Wesley Bolden  

This week's ALL Together guest Malissa Larson knows firsthand the power of community. A former homeless youth and first-generation college graduate, she worked her way through school and now serves as a Neighborhood Specialist for the City of Phoenix, helping to connect and uplift communities.In the episode, Malissa discuses with Liz Macdonald and Michael Soto the importance of meeting people where they are—slowing down, speaking their language, and listening with intention. Real change comes from hope, not shame. By focusing on the dignity of others and finding safe spaces for ourselves, we can build bridges that lead to lasting impact.

Luke 10: 25-37Senior Pastor Nick Sandefur 

We hope this message encourages and inspires you!Want more like this from CoastLife Church?YouTube: CoastLife Church - YouTubeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mycoastlifechurchInstagram: https://instagram.com/coastlifechurch...GIVE: https://www.mycoastlifechurch.com/giveLooking to get connected? We'd love to meet you! We offer several different ways to connect and be in community: Join a Together Group, Register for CoastLife+, or become a part of our Serve Team today by visiting: CoastLife Connect Card - CoastLife Church (churchcenter.com)Give: To support and be a part of or growth and global impact click here: https://www.mycoastlifechurch.com/give

In this week's message, we explore how Jesus used parables—simple, surprising, and often unsettling stories—to open our eyes to a radically different way of living under God's reign by focusing on The Prodigal Son and The Good Samaritan. These timeless stories reveal the extravagant mercy of God—and challenge us to extend that same mercy to others, even those we might find difficult to love.

In this sermon, Pastor Angel Maldonado reminds us of the great commandments in Matthew 22:34 and challenges the church to live out one of our core principles  "Love is Our Motivation".  He encourages practical application of this love through intentional engagement with the immediate community . Tune in to the audio sermon to learn more. You may also watch the sermon at https://www.youtube.com/live/noMpiZOf7LY?si=AL-dqWTKHaDQNyyo. Don't  forget the homework!   --- About The Path --- At The Path, based out of Atlanta, Georgia, our mission is simple:  “seek, save, and send.” Our goal is to save as many people as possible and teach them to do the same. Please consider sharing this message; this helps us realize our vision of creating churches that mobilize the next generation.     --- Media --- YouTube: @ThePathChurchAtlanta Website: thepath.church Instagram: @jointhepath   --- Music --- Intro/Outro Music: "Action" Artist: JC Muzik

Matthew 22: 34-40

2025.03.25 NCU Chapel Christopher Joseph Love Your Neighbor Luke 10:25-37

Have you ever wondered how to build a strong marriage? In preparation for her new book, A New Way to Love Your Neighbor, Jada sits down with Amili and Candise Holmes to discuss how to love your spouse. They explore the costs of loving well, the importance of seeking spiritual guidance during difficult times, the benefits of separate counseling, and more.Resource mentioned: - "Love and War: Finding the Marriage You've Dreamed" Of by John and Stasi EldredgePre-order: A New Way to Love Your Neighbor https://www.amazon.com/New-Way-Love-Your-Neighbor/dp/1087789184

Check out our new book "She Prays Like a Girl" at PrayingChristianWomen.com/likeagirl today! Join us for short, daily Lenten meditations to help you draw closer to God in prayer and scripture reading as we prepare our hearts leading up to Resurrection Sunday!If you haven't committed your life to Jesus but have a desire to do so, a great resource is the Navigators' "Bridge to Life" illustration. Find it here: https://www.navigators.org/resource/the-bridge-to-life/

We hope this message encourages and inspires you!Want more like this from CoastLife Church?YouTube: CoastLife Church - YouTubeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mycoastlifechurchInstagram: https://instagram.com/coastlifechurch...GIVE: https://www.mycoastlifechurch.com/giveLooking to get connected? We'd love to meet you! We offer several different ways to connect and be in community: Join a Together Group, Register for CoastLife+, or become a part of our Serve Team today by visiting: CoastLife Connect Card - CoastLife Church (churchcenter.com)Give: To support and be a part of or growth and global impact click here: https://www.mycoastlifechurch.com/give

Bro. Ethan Hart

Love people.

There is a dangerous message in today's culture that equates love with silent approval. But love without truth is not love at all—it is deception. True Christian love is courageous. It requires discernment. It extends grace while standing firm in righteousness.But what does this actually look like in practice, especially in today's world? How do we love our neighbors when they don't think like us, when they don't vote like us, or when they mock what we believe?We hope that you enjoy this episode. God bless you and Go Rise Up!Shop PROCLAIM: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.proclaim365.com/shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join BIBLEin365: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.proclaim365.com/biblein365⁠⁠⁠

Have you ever struggled with making friends in adulthood? Do you find it challenging to maintain friendships? If so, you're in for a treat! In anticipation of her new book, A New Way to Love Your Neighbor, Jada sits down with her lifelong friend, Chrystal Hurst, to discuss the complexities of friendships. They explore the importance of self-awareness, intentionality, community, and practical ways to strengthen connections in our busy lives.Pre:Order: A New Way to Love Your Neighbor https://www.amazon.com/New-Way-Love-Your-Neighbor/dp/1087789184

In this episode of Pursuing Faith, we continue our season of exploring faith with a special guest—New York Times bestselling author Bob Goff. Bob joins us to discuss his latest book, Catching Whimsy: 365 Days of Possibility, a devotional designed to spark curiosity, joy, and a renewed sense of wonder in everyday life.  Together, we dive into what it means to embrace whimsy as a way of following Jesus, how redemption shapes our understanding of faith, and why living with open hands can change everything. We also tackle the deeper side of faith—how to redeem suffering, find meaning in hardship, and hold on to hope even when life doesn't go as planned.  Bob's wisdom and contagious enthusiasm make this an episode you won't want to miss. Podcast Links:www.pursuingfaith.org

In honor of Valentine's Day, let's explore a profound question from the Christian catechism: What does God's law require? The answer lies in two simple yet powerful commandments, but first, let me share a timely story about the real Saint Valentine.The True Story of Saint ValentineIn the third century, during the reign of Emperor Claudius, a priest named Valentine took a bold stand for love. While Claudius was sending young men to die in meaningless wars, Valentine secretly married Christian couples, knowing that married men were exempt from military service. This act of defiance saved countless lives and allowed young families to flourish. Valentine's commitment to love ultimately cost him his life – he was executed in his 40s for his actions and attempts to evangelize Claudius himself.This story perfectly illustrates the two fundamental commandments that encompass all of God's law.The Two Great CommandmentsAs Jesus teaches in Matthew 22:37-40, all of God's law – every command and prophetic word – can be distilled into two essential principles:* Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind* Love your neighbor as yourselfWhat Does It Mean to Love God?Loving God means:* Enjoying His presence* Obeying His commands* Putting Him first in every area of life* Starting each day by asking: "Is this action motivated by love for God, or love for something else?"What Does It Mean to Love Your Neighbor?The command to "love your neighbor as yourself" isn't about self-love as a prerequisite – it's about extending the same care and consideration to others that we naturally give ourselves. Just as we instinctively seek our own wellbeing, we're called to actively pursue the happiness and growth of others, even when it requires difficult choices.The Heart of the MatterHere's the challenging truth: we can't fulfill these commands on our own. Our natural state is one of selfishness – just watch any baby and you'll see this truth in action. That's why the story of God's law doesn't end with commands, but with Christ.The same God who gave the law on Mount Sinai later sent His Son to a different mountain – Calvary – not just to give us the law, but to fulfill it perfectly on our behalf. Through Christ's sacrifice, we receive both forgiveness for our failures and a new heart capable of truly loving God and others.Practical ApplicationThis transformation shows up in everyday moments:* In how we start our day, choosing to put God first* In how we handle difficult conversations* In how we make decisions that might cause temporary discomfort but lead to long-term growth* In how we extend grace to others, just as we've received graceClosing ThoughtsThe requirements of God's law – loving Him and loving others – aren't just rules to follow. They're an invitation to experience life as it was meant to be lived. Through Christ, we receive the power to move beyond our natural selfishness and into a life marked by genuine love for God and neighbor.As we celebrate Valentine's Day, let's remember the priest who gave his life demonstrating these twin loves, and more importantly, the God who makes such love possible through Christ.This post is adapted from Episode 7 of our weekly catechism series, where we explore the core doctrines of the Christian faith. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amenpodcast.substack.com