Where is the Love? Part 6 of 6

Our main verse comes from Matthew 22:37- 39. Jesus replied, “You must love The Lord Your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second most important is similar: ‘Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself." (The Living Bible)

Recap from: Where is the Love? Parts 1-5

HOW DO WE SHOW THAT WE LOVE GOD WITH ALL OF OUR HEARTS?

Ø WE TRUST HIM – Proverbs 3:5-6

Ø WE OBEY HIM – Deuteronomy 26:16-18

Ø WE SERVE HIM – Ephesians 6:6

HOW DO WE LOVE GOD WITH ALL OF OUR MINDS?

When we love God with all of our mind, we will:

Study…(2 Timothy 2:15)

Pray …(2 Chronicles 7:14 and 1 Thessalonians 5:17)  and

Praise Him (See the Book of Psalms for awesome examples of praise)

HOW DO WE LOVE GOD WITH ALL OUR SOUL?

Since we are made in the image of God, Who is a Spirit, we are also all spiritual beings living in fleshly bodies. Our souls are what survive death which is why accepting Jesus as your own Savior matters so much. Your soul will live on, but where?

Simply put, according to Joyce Meyer, “We are a spirit. We have a soul and we live in our bodies.” So, we are to love God, who by His Breath gives life to our spirit. Without Him we cannot exist. We’d have no breath, no heartbeat, nor life without His Faithfulness.

Equally important to know is the fact that soul winning is very important to God. Look at James 5:20: “let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” How about that?

This is why our job as soul winners is so important.  The directions that our spirit follow here on earth determine our spiritual placement in eternity.

Since we are all here on earth to help one another, I shall borrow a line from my culture, “Let’s NOT be so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good!”

That means we can’t be so wrapped up in church traditions and church politics that we can’t relate to the people who need Jesus. In fact, the outcast was not an outcast where Jesus was concerned. He met people where they were and we are to do the same. 

So, loving God with all our soul means loving Him completely, which will show up in how we live.

TODAY’S FOCUS:

HOW DO WE LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR AS OURSELVES?

First of all, Jesus warned us to JUDGE NOT in Matthew 7:1. 

Jesus also teaches us about criticizing others.  God never called us to judge one another for Only God and God Alone has the right to Judge.  Man sees the outer being, but God sees the heart.

A closer look of Matthew 7:3-4 will show that Jesus gives three things to consider: a reason, a ridicule and a rebuke.

THE REASON
Whatever measure we use to judge, that same measure will be used to judge us.  

In other words, we must be careful about what we say, because it has a way of coming back up again.

THE RIDICULE 

How can you criticize a speck in someone else’s eye, when there is a beam or even a plank in our own eye? What we point out in other people’s eye (symbolizing one’s life) is often small compared to what’s in our own eye (life).  Often times what we have in our own life is far bigger, far greater, and far worse than what we try to identify in someone else’s life.

Many times when we spotlight a shortcoming in someone else’s life, we are really trying to minimize and/or deflect the shortcomings in our own life.

THE REBUKE

Jesus called us hypocrites to point out someone’s shortcomings and failing to address and correct our own shortcomings. It’s like Jesus is saying, Work on yourself.  Get the beam out of your own eye and then you can see more clearly how to live in relationship to other people.

Now that we have discussed what we shouldn’t do with regards to being judgmental, let’s look at what we should do to love our neighbors as ourselves.

We must be able to forgive, to serve and to love.

WE MUST FORGIVE

In the eighteenth chapter of Matthew, Jesus says that we should forgive not seven, but seven times seventy.  That’s a whopping 490 times that we are to forgive the same person for the same offense.

Since it would be completely insane to use the time we have on earth keeping an accurate record of when this landmark is reached, get in the habit of making forgiveness a way of life.  

By doing this, we are able to experience God’s Peace even as people are treating us badly.

WE MUST SERVE

Now in John 12 we get a glimpse of what it looks like to serve.  Martha served as she prepared dinner for Jesus, Lazarus, Mary and herself.  Her service was required to make it happen.  It was also recorded, hence we know that it was recognized by God.

When we serve, we must be careful not to make the same mistake that she did in being so caught up in the work aspect that she missed an opportunity to sit down with The Savior. In essence, she really dismissed and discounted an opportunity to worship Him.  God must get glory whenever and wherever we serve. As we serve others, it should be fueled by our love for God.

In Luke 22:25-26 Jesus reminds us that a real leader has the experience and the qualities of a servant. 

The New Living Translation says it like this:  “Jesus told them, ‘In this world the kings and great men order their people around and yet they are called ‘friends of the people.  But among you, those who are the greatest should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.

Finally, to our list of being able to forgive and to serve we must add the ability to love.

WE MUST LOVE

1 John 4:20-21 asks us how can we say that we love God whom we’ve never seen and not love our brother or sister that we see every day? Wow!

The NLT says it this way, “If someone says, ‘ I love God but hates another Christian, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we have not seen? Then verse 21 says, “And God Himself has commanded that we must love not only Him but our Christian brothers and sisters, too.

Simply put, we are commanded to LOVE!  John 13:34-35 identifies us stating, “So now I am giving you a new commandment:  Love each other.  Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.  Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

It’s easy to love people who love you back. Anyone can do that, which may be why Jesus told us:  

“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate." (Luke 6:35-36)

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I pray that this blessed you as much as it did for me to do it. Thank you so very much for Reading and Sharing the Love! May God Bless You Most Abundantly!!!~~~

Photo Credits: Google Images, 
Mike Waters of Joyful 'toons,
and www.joe-ks.com

Please note that I combined the last two installments to complete the series with this entry. I appreciate you!

Thank you so very much for Reading and Sharing the Love!

EVERY Word of God Proves TRUE! * Proverbs 30

Welcome to Chapter 30 of our study of Proverbs! As always, feel free to add your own 'memorable verses' in the comment section.

Welcome New Readers from Peru and Laos!!! Thank You and Welcome Today's Readers from: United States, Australia, India, United Kingdom, Philippines, Canada, Malaysia, Germany, Singapore, Indonesia, Serbia and Algeria.

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PROVERBS 30

V1 These are the messages of Agur, son of Jakeh, from Massa, addressed to Ithiel and Ucal:

V2 I am tired out, O God, and ready to die. I am too stupid even to call myself a human being!

V3 I cannot understand man, let alone God.

V4 Who else but God goes back and forth to heaven? Who else holds the wind in His Fists, and wraps up the oceans in His Cloak? Who but God has created the world? If there is any other, what is his name – and his son’s name – if you know it?

V5 Every Word of God proves true. He defends all who come to Him for protection.

V6 Do not add to His Words, lest He rebuke you and you be found a liar.

V7 O God, I beg two favors from you before I die:

V8 First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches!  Give me just enough to satisfy my needs!

V9 For if I grow rich, I may become content without God. And if I am too poor, I may steal, and thus insult God’s Holy Name.

V10 Never falsely accuse a man to his employer, lest he curse you for your sin.

V11,12 There are those who curse their father and mother, and feel themselves faultless despite their many sins.

V13,14 They are proud beyond description, arrogant, disdainful. They devour the poor with teeth as sharp as knives!

V15,16 There are two things never satisfied, like a leech forever craving more: no, three things! no, four!

Hell

The barren womb

A barren desert

Fire

V17 A man who mocks his father and despises his mother shall have his eye plucked out by ravens and eaten by vultures.

V18,19 There are three things too wonderful for me to understand – no four!

How an eagle glides through the sky.

How a serpent crawls upon a rock.

How a ship finds its way across the heaving ocean.

The growth of love between a man and girl.

V20 There is another thing too: how a prostitute can sin and then say, “What’s wrong with that?”

V21,22,23 There are three things that make the earth tremble – no, four it cannot stand:

A slave who becomes a king,

A rebel who prospers.

A bitter woman when she finally marries.

A servant girl who marries her mistress’ husband.

V24-28 There are four things that are small but unusually wise:

Ants: they aren’t strong, but store up food for the winter

Cliff badgers: delicate little animals who protect themselves by living among the rocks.

The locusts: though they have no leader, they stay together in swarms.

The lizards: they are easy to catch and kill, yet are found even in king’s palaces!

V29,30,31 There are three stately monarchs in the earth – no, four:

The lion, king of the animals. He won’t turn aside for anyone.

The peacock.

The he-goat.

A king as he leads his army.

V32 If you have been a fool by being proud or plotting evil, don’t brag about it – cover your mouth with your hand in shame.

V33 As the churning of cream yields butter, and a blow to the nose causes bleeding, so anger cause quarrels.

Photo Credits: Google Images

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Verse 5 tells us that "Every Word of God proves true. He defends all who come to Him for protection."

Wanna go deeper in this study?  I produced and copyrighted a workbook series called, "The Scriptural Scholar Series."  All of the lessons are taken straight from the International Children's Bible, which is written on a 3rd grade level.  The theory in choosing this text is that 'if it's simple to understand, it's easier to understand what to do in certain situations.' Once we have this knowledge the rest is up to us.

The workbook lessons have fill-in-the-blank style questions to assist in learning what God wants us to know. All lessons thus far come from Proverbs and consist of the following titles:

OUR BEHAVIOR DOES MATTER

Available Now, 

DON'T BE A FOOL, and WATCH YOUR MOUTH

Both will be available soon. Stay tuned!

Each book has scripture related to its title. All are available in print and by pdf.  

Enjoy Today’s Song… “The Word of The LORD” by Donald Lawrence

Thank you so much for reading, sharing and praying for our success. 

I want you to know how much I appreciate your support. 

May God Continue to Bless You Abundantly!

Characteristics and Rewards of the Sensible Person * Proverbs 27

Welcome Back to our daily study of Proverbs. Thank You and Welcome Today's Readers from: United States, India, United Kingdom, Canada, Philippines, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, United Arab Emirates, Russia, Egypt, and Vietnam!!

When the idea first came to me to do this study of The Proverbs, I was reading Chapter 27. I made notes of a few of the following verses from that study and began to prepare for a chapter per day beginning the first of the month.

Now, all of the verses are listed for you. This is the fourth time going through this wonderful book of the Bible. I am so pleased that God has added some 11,100 page views (not counting this one =D) from 106 countries. WOW!!! Huh??? That’s up from 5,100 page views and 73 countries last month.

Somehow I believe God must be pleased.  Thank you so much for sharing these posts and the message that God made us, loves us, wants the best for us and proved that by sending Jesus to save us.

Feel free to make note of any scripture or discuss how they helped you in the  comment section each day.  I welcome and look forward to that! Photo Credits: Google Images

PROVERBS 27

V1 Don’t brag about your plans for tomorrow – wait and see what happens.

V2 Don’t praise yourself; let others do it!

V3 A rebel’s frustrations are heavier than sand and rocks.

V4 Jealousy is more dangerous and cruel than anger.

V5 Open rebuke is better than hidden love!

V6 Wounds from a friend are better than kisses from an enemy!

V7 Even honey seems tasteless to a man who is full; but if he is hungry, he’ll eat anything!

V8 A man who strays from home is like a bird that wanders from its nest.

V9 Friendly suggestions are as pleasant as perfume.

V10 Never abandon a friend – either yours or your father’s. Then you won’t need to go to a distant relative for help in your time of need.

V11 My son, how happy I will be if you turn out to be sensible! It will be a public honor to me.

V12 A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them. The simpleton never looks, and suffers the consequences.

V13 The world's poorest credit risk is the man who agrees to pay a stranger's debts.

V14 If you shout a pleasant greeting to a friend too early in the morning, he will count it as a curse!

V15 A constant dripping on a rainy day and a cranky woman are much alike!

V16 You can no more stop her complaints than you can stop the wind or hold on to anything with oil-slick hands.

V17 A friendly discussion is as stimulating as the sparks that fly when iron strikes iron.

V18 A workman may eat from the orchard he tends; anyone should be rewarded who protects another’s interests.

V19 A mirror reflects a man’s face, but what he is really like is shown by the kinds of friends he chooses.

V20 Ambition and death are alike in this: neither is ever satisfied.

V21 The purity of silver and gold can be tested in a crucible, but a man is tested by his reaction to men’s praise.

V22 You can’t separate a rebel from his foolishness though you crush him to powder.

***See Verses 11 and 12***

God Bless You All! Thanks for Reading and Sharing!

I Should do 'WHAT' for My Enemies? Ok, that's surely worth it! * Proverbs 25

Welcome to Day 25 of this daily walk through the Proverbs.  Verses as recorded in The Children’s Living Bible, Tyndale copyright 1971 follow. Feel free to add your favorite verses from this chapter in the comment section. All Photos Credit: Google Images.

Thank You and Welcome Today’s Readers from: United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Germany, Brazil, Netherlands, France, Australia, Canada, Philippines, United Kingdom, India, and United States. Thank You for Your Tremendous Support.

Since this month is short, we’ll be doubling up on post to complete book of Proverbs by the end of the month. God Bless and Keep You!

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PROVERBS 25

V1 These Proverbs of Solomon were discovered and copied by the aides of King Hezekiah of Judah:

V2,3 It’s God’s Privilege to conceal things, and the king’s privilege to discover and invent. You cannot understand the height of heaven, the size of the earth, or all that goes on in the king’s mind!

V4,5 When you remove dross from silver, you have sterling ready for the silversmith. When you remove corrupt men from the king’s court, his reign will be just and fair.

V6,7 Don’t demand an audience with the king as though you were some powerful prince. It is better to wait for an invitation rather than to be sent back to the end of the line, publicly disgraced!

V8,9,10 Don’t be hot headed and rush to court! You may start something you can’t finish and go down before you neighbor in shameful defeat. So discuss the matter with him privately. Don’t tell anyone else, lest he accuse you of slander and you can’t withdraw what you said.

V11 Timely advice is as lovely as golden apples in a silver basket.

V12 It is a badge of honor to accept valid criticism.

V13 A faithful employee is as refreshing as a cool day in the hot summertime.

V14 One who doesn’t give the gift he promised is like a cloud blowing over a desert without dropping any rain.

V15 Be patient and you will finally win, for a soft tongue can break hard bones.

V16 Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much of it, or it will make you sick!

V17 Don’t visit your neighbor too often, or you will outwear your welcome!

V18 Telling lies about someone is as harmful as hitting him with an axe, or wounding him with a sword, or shooting him with a sharp arrow.

V19 Putting confidence in an unreliable man is like chewing on a sore tooth or trying to run on a broken foot.

V20 Being happy go lucky around a person whose heart is heavy is as bad as stealing his jacket in cold weather, or rubbing salt in his wounds.

V21,22 If your enemy is hungry, give him food! If he is thirsty, give him something to drink! This will make him feel ashamed of himself, and God will reward you.

V23 As surely as a wind from the north brings cold, just as surely a retort causes anger!

V24 It is better to live in a corner of an attic than in a beautiful home with a cranky, quarrelsome woman.

V25 Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty.

V26 If a godly man compromises with the wicked, it is like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.

V27 Just as it is harmful to eat too much honey, so also it is bad for men to think about all the honors they deserve!

V28 A man without self control is as defenseless as a city with broken down walls.

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VERSES 21 and 22 hold the key to today's answer. 

Here they are again:  

V21,22 If your enemy is hungry, give him food! 

If he is thirsty, give him something to drink! 

This will make him feel ashamed of himself, and God will reward you.

ENJOY THIS FABULOUS SONG!

THANK YOU FOR READING! BIG BLESSINGS TO EACH OF YOU!