Key Verse:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.”

— Matthew 22:37–38

Rooted Truth:

Everything in the Christian life flows from loving God first. When He holds the highest place in our hearts, everything else falls into place.

Faith Story:

Corrie ten Boom, who survived Nazi concentration camps, once said:

“You may never know that Jesus is all you need, until Jesus is all you have.”

In Ravensbrück prison, stripped of freedom, comfort, and safety, Corrie still clung to God with her whole heart. She and her sister Betsie led secret Bible studies in the barracks, whispering His Word in the dark. Even in the valley of the shadow of death, their love for God burned bright—and that love overflowed into love for the women around them.

Loving God is not a part-time devotion or a Sunday-only habit. It’s a daily surrender—heart, soul, and mind—no matter the cost or the circumstance.

Scripture for Deeper Roots:

Deuteronomy 6:5 – “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart…”

Psalm 73:25 – “Whom have I in heaven but you?”

John 14:15 – “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

Daily Practice:

Spend time today telling God, in your own words, why you love Him. Praise Him for His character, thank Him for His works, and commit your heart to Him anew.

Daily Prayer:

Lord, I want to love You above all else. Take my heart, my soul, and my mind, and make them fully Yours. Help my love for You to be the wellspring for everything I do. Amen.

Deep Reflection:

• What competes for first place in your love and devotion?

• How can you intentionally give God your “first and best” each day?

• How does loving God first shape how you love others?

#DeeplyRooted #DailyRenewed

Devotions for a Grounded and Growing Faith