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Monday Devotionals

Whole Heart

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“…a lawyer, asked Jesus a question to test Him. ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’
And He said to him, ‘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. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37

Stefan Stefanov was born in Bulgaria in the days of communist rule. He understood what it meant to bathe in communal showers 2 days each week, see near-empty shelves at the grocery and stand in long lines for medical care.

Because he was born into a family who choose to not only follow Christ, but to be leaders and pastors in the community, he also knew what it meant to be ostracized, socially outcast, and persecuted.

He was raised in a close community of faith, who worshiped together in small basements with sentries
posted to make sure that they didn’t get loud enough for neighbors to report them to the ever-present secret police.

They were constantly aware of being watched, simply because they were Christians.

As an adult, Stefan embraced his leadership role in not only the Christian church and community, but also in the country.

Like his father before him, Stefan became a leader, pastor, and Bible smuggler.

The Stefanov home literally had a secret space between the walls where smuggled Bibles were hidden.

One day, Stefan was arrested on bogus charges.

He was quickly declared to be guilty, and sentenced to “exile”.

Exile meant that a person was sent to a far away village where they knew no one, had no place to live,
and had no job.

The two main reasons for exile were: 1. Being found guilty of child abuse or, 2. Christianity. And, the community was not made aware of the “guilty” persons “crime” so the public thought the worst of those who were exiled.

The exiled suffered incredible loneliness and shame.

Their families suffered too. In addition to losing their husband and father, they also lost their principal support.

After years in exile, he returned home. He could have taken the safe path and settled in and been a
good law abiding slave to the motherland.

Instead, in spite of failing health, he continued to lead, pastor, smuggle, and live as royalty in The Kingdom.

And then one day, he died.

“Natural causes.”

All evidence points to him being poisoned by the secret police.

Today, Stefans sons are both Christian leaders and pastors. Builders of The Kingdom.

His legacy of loving The Lord with “ALL” lives on.

Whole hearted love comes with a price tag.

How are you loving The Lord right now?

With all or with some?

Check the categories…
All your heart
All your soul
All your mind
All your strength

All or some?

Remember the 2nd commandment too…love your neighbor as yourself.

You have been prayed for today.


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