Committed to Love

These days, there is a widespread belief that the real problem people have in relationships is they haven't learned to take care of themselves properly. You hear people say all the time, that we should love each other as we love ourselves. AND we interpret the teaching as "we're pretty good at loving others; but our problem is loving ourselves". This may be true in some respect but not entirely. I believe that what Jesus was saying in Mark 12:31 is for us to love others with the same kind of commitment that you already have in loving yourself. The scripture does not justify learning how to love yourself before you love others....which is sadly, what we hear most of the time. If your commitment to loving yourself is invaluable, uncertain, low and dim, then guess what, your commitment to loving anyone else will be just the same. It's just the way it is! Love builders:

1. What do you think "loving yourself" means?
2. Why are you responsible to love others, even if your self-esteem is often low?

{"The first in importance is, 'Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.' And here is the second: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' There is no other commandment that ranks with these." (The Message - vs 29-31) }

Appoint a blessing!

Deuteronomy 28:8 (King James Version) The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. There is nothing more satisfying to know that all the Lord wants for His children is to be blessed. So much that He commands the right blessing our way. Blessings come with obedience. Taking a step into God's direction is what protrudes us into a land of abounding provision. It is God's desire to pour out all He has for us but we have to make a choice to walk in His way and accept His will for our lives. Set your hands in the things of God. Focus your desires on the things of the Kingdom. Keep your eyes on the way of the Lord. Don't get carried away by the things of the flesh. Carnal things only lead us to distruction and isolation. Walking in the ways of God has a lot of benefits. As we worship God, He adores us. As we thank and praise God, He blesses us. Blessings come in different forms and through different mediums. It could be through a visitor, a messenger, a friend, a co-worker, a loan officer, a family member, a best friend, a stranger etc...whatever it takes. God will set in order a gift of blessing for His children, because it is His promise to us. Be open to being blessed. Be open to trusting God. Set your affections toward Him. Allow your store houses to be filled with plenty.