Pearls of Great Value

AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL (life), AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND (thought, understanding), AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ This is the second: ‘Y OU SHALL [unselfishly] LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”” Mark‬ ‭12:30-31‬ ‭AMP‬‬

 

I’ve had a lot of time the last couple of months to think on the question: How does one live a life with no regrets? After a couple weeks I was left with only this statement of Jesus in my mind: “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”” Mark‬ ‭12:30-31‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

 

This is the secret. This is how you will live a life full and complete, with no regrets. When you love God with everything that is within you and then loving others with the love of God. It’s a simple statement yet carries with it profound meaning and strength. You see, when we love God with all our heart, soul, and mind...we become unselfish and filled with love. We become Christ-like. We shine with the light and life of Him who sheds His love abroad in our hearts. We become affected and involved with the things that concern Him. In short order, our heart becomes His heart.

 

With this love of God aflame in us, we turn around and love on others. We have the strength and ability to show kindness and compassion in every situation. We forgive as God has forgiven us. We see others through the eyes of Jesus and treat them the way Jesus would. We don’t turn our backs and say it’s hopeless, but we encourage and love. We reach out, we take time, we listen. But all of this isn’t possible if we aren’t first and foremost loving God. It’s in loving God that we are placed into position to love others well.

 

At the end of my life, the only way I will be able to say, “I have no regrets,” is when I have loved my Lord with all my heart,soul, and mind. Then I also want to be able to say,” Lord, I have given my all and loved those around me with the same love You showed me.” 

 Today, I want to encourage, strongly encourage, each of us to be better at walking in love. To continuously be in a position of love, to show love. This means that we stay in love with God, we don’t neglect our relationship with Him. In this and through this, God puts within us all that is needed to come alongside our loved ones. He places us where we need to be, with the words we need to say. We are in position because God has His hand on us. 

 

Let’s ask these questions:

•Am I showing compassion where others are throwing stones?

•Am I freely giving forgiveness, asking for nothing in return? Let us show forgiveness quickly. God says, don’t let the sun go down on your anger for it gives the devil an opportunity. An open door to go to work.

•Am I encouraging and lifting up those who are sad, weary and troubled? Am I speaking Gods Word to them?

•Is there anything that I can do to make life a little bit better? Let me do it. Is there any way I can show kindness, even if it’s a smile? Then let me do it.

•Just because someone has made mistakes in the past, doesn’t mean they will do so in the future. God is a God of second chances, let us show this heart to others as well.

•With which attitude do I face people? How do I approach them? What tone is in my voice? If it isn’t love at work in my attitude and words, then I’m not following the example of Jesus. Deliberately choosing love is a slap to the enemy. Let’s not let the devil have a say in how we interact with people! Let us love, and do so enthusiastically.

•Get up in the morning and ask God to show you who you can love on today. Ask Him to lead you to those that need Him the most. And let us be obedient when the Spirit nudges us. 

•Let us love those whom the world calls unlovable, but let us also love those closest to us. Let us show compassion and kindness to our fellow man, but let us not forget about our families. Let us forgive them quickly and gracefully. Let us first be loving, kind and merciful right here at home. Sometimes, this is the harder thing to do. But the outcome is also richer in reward.

 

Lord, Help us to serve you with hearts that seek to do Your will. Cultivate within us an attitude that is loving and compassionate. One that reaches out to those around us. Give us eyes that see the need and hands that are quick to act on Your behalf. We will be Your hands and feet. We will love and give as You have loved and given to us: freely and without measure. Implant within us this attitude that says: Here I am, Lord! Send me! 

You are great and mighty in love. We could never reach the depths of how much You love us, so great is this wonder! We praise you for showing us this love and enabling us to love. Teach us to love as You do. Inspire us to want to know You more and to fall in love with You more each day. You are our all in all, for this we say, Thank you! We praise You, In Jesus name, Amen.