Care About Yourself and Others

One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: "Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus replied, "What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?" The man answered, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.' And, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" "Right!" Jesus told him. "Do this and you will live!"  Luke 10:25-28 

Meditate.

 

Look in the mirrow.
What do you see?

Look at yourself in the mirror…or just think about yourself as God would see you…
What one quality do you see?
    Loving
    Joyful
    Peaceful
    Patient
    Kindness
    Goodness
    Faithfulness
    Gentleness
    Self-controlled / Spirit controlled
    Honesty
    Wisdom
    Understanding
    Compassion
    Generosity
Other qualities as reflections of our Lord.

Do you like who you are?  I would hope so…God made you in His image. He formed you in your mother’s womb.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:13-16

For a lot of people at some point in our lives we have a low image of ourselves or low self-esteem. If we don’t love ourselves, it is hard to love others. It is so very important to God that we love others—they are His creation, too—that Jesus mentioned that as one of two important commandments He wants us to follow. Love God. Love others as we love ourselves. 

How can we love ourselves? Find one quality that God loves about you. Look at the list above. Are any of those qualities part of your character?

            Not how pretty you are, but how kind you are. 

Not that you wear nice clothes…or drive a fancy car, but that you are compassionate towards those with handicaps, in poverty, or in a disaster like a flood or fire. 

God loves you just the way you are—but as Jesus saves you…you change beginning with the renewing of your mind. Renewal is continual—not just a one-time event, but the best time to start is now.

Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God--truly righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:21-24

Let the Holy Spirit renew your mind—that you would think, say and do things that would honor the Lord Jesus Christ, the Heavenly Father, and the Holy Spirit. There may only be a short time before Christ calls His followers home. Be ready…by loving God, loving yourself and loving others. That is just what God expects you to do.

 

Prayer – We’re ready. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:16

Happy Labor Day

 

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© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

Take a Day Off – Labor Day! Portions from September 6, 2021, Banquet With The King blog.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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