Monday, August 11, 2025
New Testament Reading Plan: Mark 6
The word “love” is complicated. I can say that I love God, my husband, and tomatoes. I can love a person who returns my affection and also an inanimate object that might meet a desire but has no affection for me. Then I say I love God, but I’ve never seen God.
Our culture also has a distorted definition of love. You’ve heard “Love is love” or “love wins”, and it has the semblance of what the Bible proclaims; and yet, something seems off. Too often our cultural definition of love is in direct contradiction with what we read in the Bible.
Humans are made in the image of God (Genesis 1) and thus wired to love and be loved (John 15:9). Yet, we often seek to fill that need for love with our own cravings or personal preferences. We fully live into our own ideas of love and then feel betrayed when those desires are only partially fulfilled, leaving us feeling empty.
In his letter to the church, John exhorts his reader to remember that they cannot look to the world to meet their need for love. When we seek fulfillment from the world, we reject the love of the Father. As Jesus said, “You cannot serve two masters.” (Matthew 6:24)
1 John 2:15
Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.
This world is an amazing place. There are majestic mountains, baby snuggles, and puppies, yet as amazing as those things are, they leave you wanting more.
Mountains crumble, our abilities change, and those sweet babies and puppies grow up. In contrast, Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He promises that when we say no to the temporal cravings, we are able to put our hope in eternity.
It is cliche to say there is a “God-shaped hole” in every human, but it is true. Humans are made for a relationship with God. We have longings that will only be met in eternity. We cannot expect the temporary things of this earth to fill our deepest need—the desire to know and love God. If we want the fullness of joy promised in Scripture, we must stop looking for eternal fulfillment in worldly, temporary things.
Questions:
What are the things you find yourself chasing after to fulfill the desires of your heart? How do you feel after you have achieved your goals and the high wears off?
Next Steps:
Spend time this week engaging with the Daily. Follow along with the New Testament reading plan. Intentionally spend time building upon things that will last for eternity.
Prayer: 21 Days of Prayer - Day 8
Heavenly Father, you have given us the most precious gift of your story. Forgive us for the times we fail to share it with others or ignore the chances to show your love and compassion. Help us set aside anything that would distract us or take away from this great truth - it’s because you first did all of this for us that we now have the privilege to do it for you. When we are united with you, Father, our hearts grow. Give us the courage to believe what you say and then act on it. Amen.
Series Theme Verse:
Psalm 16:11
You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever.
This post was written by Julie Mabus, a Whitehouse attendee, and a regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.