Love is a powerful emotion. Without love life doesn’t have much meaning…as
is experienced by those who have lost someone to suicide…or murder. Lack of
love can leave you feeling drained… dazed… discouraged. I have seriously felt
that way lately—filled with anxiety, feeling rejected although so many around
me were praying for me. I was bogged down in the depths of a despair focusing
only on myself and my husband and our immediate needs. Jesus taught us that we
need to “love one another” and He Himself did the ultimate of the “lay down his
life for his friends” when He died on the cross for us. Can we do that for our
friends and family? We can choose to have an attitude of putting others first
but to do that we have to love ourselves as Jesus to wisely also taught. You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any
grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as
yourself; I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:18. (Repeated in Matthew 19:18
and other places.) God expects us to love ourselves—we are His creation. We
need to respect and love ourselves…and then others. This thought from Hebrews
10 should help us get beyond ourselves and help us to consider others. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope
without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how
to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own
assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another;
and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 10:23-25. Can you
get beyond yourself and encourage others?
RSVP: Jesus is expressing His love for us—He laid down His life for us. How
will you respond to His message today?
Prayer~ Jesus, help me to love myself for You created me as a wonderful,
loving being. Then help me to love others around me…as You would. You are an
awesome God. I love You and praise You.
Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table
Breathe in the air
that God created just for you. Outside my door I have peppermint planted and on
morning like today with the windows open and a gentle spring breeze blowing, I
can smell the mint. It’s time for a cup of mint tea. Please pull up a chair and
join me.
Herbal Mint Tea
Brew up a pot of
herbal tea of your choice…lemon, rosehip, or my favorite today…Teavana Passion
Fruit. Add a handful of chopped or torn peppermint leaves, stir and brew for a
few minutes. Pour over ice cubes in a tall glass and enjoy. The fruity
peppermint flavor is so thirst quenching and refreshing. Love in glass—for you
and a friend. Feel it?
© 2014 by Mickey
M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted
from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.
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