ast Sunday at Hillside we enjoyed the fellowship of a good crowd of believers around the Lord's Table and in praise to Him. Worship always draws us closer and the study of His Word always strengthens our relationship with Him. It is exciting to witness God at work in the lives of fellow Christians and share the joy only He gives.

The construction on our new education space is coming along nicely. The crew is in the final stages of building the steel framework and will soon be enclosing it as the work goes along. Our aim is to provide the needed space for growing classes and youth activities. Some of the most anticipated benefits from the new area is the addition of storage space, a dedicated youth room and additional restroom facilities. A large meeting room for adult classes and various types of meetings is also included. We are confident this increased room will help us meet the needs of all those who come to learn and grow in the Lord.

Our study Sunday morning centered on the greatest commandment. In Matthew 22 Jesus answered a lawyer of the Pharisees by telling him that the greatest commandment was to love God with our entire being. It is interesting to note that Jesus was talking to known religious leaders. How ironic that those associated with the things of God would have to be told what the main thing is. Could it be that in our drive to be God's people we too could miss the first and most important building block in our relationship with the Creator. It is easy to agree that loving God should be at the heart of our lives as Christians. It is another thing to personally affirm that we really do love Him. God knows that we have to start with loving Him for the rest of our relationship with Him to make sense. It is one thing to say we love Him and another to know that we actually do.

The answer to the question is one for you and God to address together. It is vital that we don't ignore getting to the truth. The Lord stands ready to help us love Him as we should. He knows that we are at our best and living the life He designed for us when we do. We were built to love Him, but our human nature would lead us to love ourselves and not Him. Obeying the greatest commandment takes honesty and a lifelong commitment to seeking God in everything and honoring Him for Who He is. We can learn to be like David the psalmist and see God and love Him in everyday life. It can be the way we live from now to eternity.

At Hillside we try to stay focused on God and who He is. He is worthy of all our adoration and praise. The thing we've noticed is that when we do acknowledge Him He blesses and empowers. Praise Him, Praise Him.