These verses are known in Hebrew, as the “Shema” (“hear” in Hebrew). It is the classic Hebrew confession of faith, describing who God is and what OUR DUTY IS towards Him. “These are the commands, decrees, and regulations that the LORD your God COMMANDED ME TO TEACH YOU. You MUST OBEY THEM, and you and all people who follow after God must FEAR THE LORD as long as you live. If you obey all His decrees and commands, you will enjoy A LONG LIFE.” (Deut. 6:1-2)
Let’s just take a moment and think about this, let these words “SINK IN” to our hearts! “Listen, The LORD is our God, YAHWEH alone. And you must love the LORD your God with ALL your heart, soul, and all your strength. And you must COMMIT YOURSELVES WHOLEHEARTEDLY to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them AGAIN AND AGAIN TO YOUR CHILDREN. TALK ABOUT THEM when you are at HOME and when you are on the ROAD, when you are GOING TO BED and when you are GETTING UP. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deut. 6:4-9)
The devil will tell us, “just get them a cell phone to occupy their time.” A George Barna report says three (3%) percent of teens, report DAILY Bible reading, eleven (11%) percent report reading Scripture SEVERAL TIMES per week. (Barna Report, Teen’s 13-19 years old, May 2016) Jesus said, “…for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you DO NOT THINK HE WILL.” (Matt. 24:44) How do we develop a personal relationship with the Lord, “…SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.” (John 5:39)
-Bill Stockham