This past Sunday’s message, “Finish Strong, Step Forward,” was both a reflection and a challenge. It reminded us that how we finish matters just as much as how we start, and that faith is never meant to leave us standing still. God is always calling His people to move forward, stronger, wiser, and more dependent on Him than before.

So often, the end of a season brings mixed emotions. There is gratitude for what God has done, relief that a hard stretch is over, and sometimes disappointment over what did not turn out the way we hoped. But Scripture consistently shows us that God specializes in transitions. He closes chapters not to diminish us, but to prepare us for what comes next.

Finishing strong does not mean finishing perfect. It means finishing faithful. It means refusing to quit when things get uncomfortable, refusing to grow cynical when prayers take longer than expected, and refusing to carry unresolved baggage into a new season. God honors perseverance, and He strengthens those who choose obedience over ease.

But the message did not stop at finishing. It pressed us toward stepping forward. Faith that only looks backward becomes stagnant. God told Joshua to move forward into the Promised Land not after everything felt safe, but while courage was still being tested. Stepping forward always requires trust. It requires leaving familiar ground and believing that God is already waiting ahead of us.

For some, stepping forward means letting go of fear. For others, it means releasing regret. For many, it means trusting God again after disappointment. Whatever the case, forward motion in the Kingdom is never passive. It is a deliberate decision to believe that God is not finished and that our best days are not behind us.

At Grace Church, this message was timely. We are grateful for what God has done, but we are not content to remain where we are. We honor the past without living in it. We learn from it, grow through it, and then step forward with expectation. God is still moving. He is still calling. And He is still faithful.

As you reflect this week, consider where God may be asking you to finish strong, perhaps in obedience, forgiveness, commitment, or endurance. Then ask where He is inviting you to step forward, in faith, vision, and renewed purpose.

The same God who brought you this far is the God who will lead you forward. Finish strong. Step forward. The next season is already unfolding.

With faith and expectation,

Pastor Chris Tullis

Grace Church

“Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ”

When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, He responded with these powerful words in Matthew 22:37: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This command isn’t just about emotions or words—it’s about a deep, committed, all-consuming love for God that transforms every area of our lives.

But what does it truly mean to love God with all your heart? How do we live out this command in a way that honors Him and deepens our relationship with Him?

1. Loving God With a Wholehearted Commitment

Loving God with all your heart means giving Him first place in your life. It means that your love for Him surpasses everything else—your ambitions, desires, and even relationships. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus tells us, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

When we prioritize God above all else, our hearts become aligned with His will. Instead of being divided between worldly distractions and godly devotion, we develop a single-minded love that leads to deeper faith and trust in Him.

2. Loving God Through Obedience

Jesus made it clear in John 14:15: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” Our love for God isn’t just about saying the right words or attending church—it’s about a lifestyle of obedience.

Obedience to God isn’t about following rules out of duty; it’s about responding to His love with a willing and joyful heart. When we choose to live according to His Word, we demonstrate that our love for Him is genuine and that we trust His plans above our own.

3. Loving God in Worship and Devotion

Loving God with all your heart means seeking Him daily—spending time in His presence through prayer, worship, and studying His Word. Worship isn’t just about singing songs on Sunday; it’s about living in a constant awareness of His goodness and expressing gratitude in all things.

Psalm 63:1 says, “O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.” When we cultivate a heart of worship, our love for God deepens, and we experience the fullness of His presence in our lives.

4. Loving God by Trusting Him Fully

Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Loving God with all your heart means surrendering your worries, fears, and doubts to Him. It means trusting that He is good, that His plans are perfect, and that He is working all things for your good. Even when life is uncertain, a heart that loves God remains steadfast in faith.

5. Loving God by Loving Others

Jesus connected our love for God with how we treat others. In Matthew 22:39, He said, “And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” True love for God will always lead us to love people.

Loving others—whether through kindness, forgiveness, service, or encouragement—is a direct reflection of our love for God. 1 John 4:20 reminds us, “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”

Our relationships with others are one of the greatest ways we demonstrate our love for God. When we extend grace, show patience, and choose love over resentment, we are living out His greatest commandment.

Closing Thoughts

Loving God with all your heart is more than a feeling—it’s a commitment to walk in His ways, seek His presence, and trust Him completely. It’s a love that overflows into every part of your life, shaping your actions, words, and relationships.

This week, take time to examine your heart. Ask yourself: Is my love for God growing deeper? Am I giving Him my whole heart, or only parts of it? As you commit to loving Him fully, you will experience His love in new and life-changing ways.

Let’s make it our daily pursuit to love God with all our hearts—completely, passionately, and without reservation.

In His love,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Christian Center
"Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ"