Loving others.

[Salty Skipper]

Mark 12:30-32 (King James Version)

30And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

31And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.


It's easy for me to love the Lord. All we have to do is look around at His creation and marvel at the awesomeness. We can think to times in our lives when He has blessed us until our cups overflowed. We can think about the struggles we have faced and see how the Lord has shown mercy to us and brought us through the storms.

Sometimes it's not so easy to love other people. Sure, it's easy to love family (most of the time ) and friends. But what about people who do wrong, or don't seem to care about anything or anyone other than themselves. How are we to love them? We know that God loves them and commands us to love them. Sometimes it's really hard. I've been asking the Lord to help me in this area. Do any of you struggle with the same thing and how has the Lord helped you to love those folks who really get on your nerves?

Luke 6
1And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.

2And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?

3And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him;

4How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?

5And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

6And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.

7And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.

8But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.

9Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?

10And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

11And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

12And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

13And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

14Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,

15Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,

16And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.

17And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;

18And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.

19And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.

20And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

21Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.

22Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.

23Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

24But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.

25Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.

26Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

27But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

28Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

29And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.

30Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

31And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

32For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

33And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

34And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

36Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

37Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

38Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

39And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

40The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

41And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

42Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.

43For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

44For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.

45A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

46And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

47Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

48He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

49But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

[Keeping Alert]

Looking from the lack of response, obviously this is not an easy one to answer

Just the other day, someone really got on my nerves and to be truthful I almost wanted to give her a scolding but I held back. It was not out of love for sure - it was probably just pure self-control. I forgot about it and did not pray about it actually. But the next day, I met up with her again at the counter and something welled up within me, and I felt I must show love to her - I said Good Morning to her. She looked surprised and returned the courtesy. Yesterday, she said Good Morning to me first...

[Abiding in His Word]

Sometimes when I can't pinpoint why a person annoys me so much, I ask the Lord to show me what it is and why it is. I've been amazed at the "baggage" I've carried from incidents and/or persons from my past that has influenced my feelings toward persons with similar characteristics.

Other times, since I work in a consignment shop and come in contact with sometimes 30-40 people a day, I have made it a kind of challenge to change the attitude of a particularly snippy or stoic customer. Some of them come in on a very regular basis and I start to cringe when I see them come thru the door. At some point I decided to love them to death. I greet them with a genuine smile and offer to help them find something if I can. Then I compliment their choice of purchase and chat just enough to let them know I'm truly interested. Finally, I wish them a pleasant rest of the day. If I tell you that over time at least 3 of those "difficult" customers have hugged me when they came in the store and said how much they love our store, I hope you will know that I've arrived at the conclusion that loving a person is a decision.

I've concluded if we decide to love the unlovable, God will love them through us. I've seen people's facade come down and barriers melted. We become something of a "conduit" to convey His love to a person who may be hurting, angry, or rejected. Ultimately, He's doing the work in that person's heart.

Sometimes it's just a simple word of kindness that let's another know we care and are aware of their very presence in an impersonal world where some often feel like a number.

In case you might wonder how and when I learned this lesson.... it was one day when one of those irritants told me outright that I had been snippy and rude to her when I thought I had hidden my feelings toward her quite well. When she confronted me with my rudeness and insensitivity, I apologized profusely without making excuses and vowed to never let that happen again so far as it depended on me.

[Keeping Alert]

Abiding's post made me remember about the recent case where a bank robber pointed a gun at the cashier but in the end, the robber prayed with the cashier before turning himself in. It must have indeed been a decision to love the robber even though her life was at stake. And praise be to God that she did

[Abiding in His Word]

Abiding's post made me remember about the recent case where a bank robber pointed a gun at the cashier but in the end, the robber prayed with the cashier before turning himself in. It must have indeed been a decision to love the robber even though her life was at stake. And praise be to God that she did

You know, Keeping Alert, I saw that young man and the cashier interviewed on Oprah. Oprah asked him what he was thinking when she was talking to him. His response was that he was certain it was God speaking to him thru her. He said he knew Jesus as His savior but had acted in desperation several times since being unemployed and knew he had to repent of his actions. He also said that no one had ever spoken to him like she did.

He said the reason he only took the $20 was because it was his young daughter's birthday and he wanted to buy her a present. He knows he did wrong, has repented and accepted responsibility for his actions.

[PraiseHim]

I have recently been dealing with this too.

And for lack of figuring out about it I just started making myself lift them up in prayer, they don't deserve it I would be thinking, but then I don't either for all righteousness is as filthy rags. After a time though I have come to be surprised as it has been Well with My Soul. (Loved that you tube someone posted recently)

Right now I have been examining grace and that is so awesome as you know, reviewing it though has made me uncover another layer of understanding, that is for another thread I guess. Peace Yeshua bequeathed us and then we have to guard our hearts, take no care or worry, just stand back let the Him handle things, what a concept!

Colossians 3:15 (New International Version)

15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

[extravagantchristian]

It's easy for me to love the Lord. All we have to do is look around at His creation and marvel at the awesomeness. We can think to times in our lives when He has blessed us until our cups overflowed. We can think about the struggles we have faced and see how the Lord has shown mercy to us and brought us through the storms.

Sometimes it's not so easy to love other people. Sure, it's easy to love family (most of the time ) and friends. But what about people who do wrong, or don't seem to care about anything or anyone other than themselves. How are we to love them? We know that God loves them and commands us to love them. Sometimes it's really hard. I've been asking the Lord to help me in this area. Do any of you struggle with the same thing and how has the Lord helped you to love those folks who really get on your nerves?

Oh my goodness, I gotta tell you a story about how the Lord taught me to love the unlovable.

I used to do daycare in my home. I have to admit, I was mostly doing it for the money, I've always been the type of person that can love my own kids but not so much other people's kids. So, I endured the babysitting, but didn't really enjoy it. I watched toddlers mostly, so there was a constant flow of runny noses and dirty diapers. Then I started watching this boy who for some reason always seemed to have diarrhea. He had been to the Dr. and wasn't sick, he just had a sensitive stomach I guess.

I was 3 months pregnant at the time and tired and cranky and was getting to the point where I was starting to resent the children a bit, especially the one with the runny poo, because along with the nausea from the morning sickness, I had to change his diarrhea diapers several times a day. Every time it was all I could do to keep from puking. So one day when I was changing his diaper I was starting to feel the feelings of frustration coming on, and then all the sudden the thought popped into my mind of how Jesus washed the disciple's feet. For some reason, just picturing that act of service that Jesus did, made me realize that if I wanted to be a true Christ follower, I had to humble myself and serve people, even the least of these the way Jesus did, not with resentment.

Wow, aside from the day when I first got saved, this was the biggest changing moment in my life. The Holy Spirit revealed to me that love is not just a feeling. You can love someone by serving them and treating them good, even in spite of how they make you feel. So I began to DO things with the little boy that I didn't necessarily feel like doing at first. I would pick him up and read him a story or just give him a hug. I just started treating him the way I did my own kids, and very soon after that, my feelings started to change towards him. I grew to feel love in my heart for the boy, by first loving him by action. And all the resentment went away.

There is a verse in proverbs that says, "Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established".

I started using that technique with others in my life that would tend to get on my nerves, and I learned to love them as well.

We cannot always force ourselves to have warm fuzzy feelings towards our enemies and that's OK, God doesn't expect us to. God expects us to defy what's going on emotionally and physically treat them the way we would treat Jesus CHrist Himself, and that is unconditional love.

Come to think of it, that's how we love God too. Christanity is not a feeling. God said, if you love me you will keep my commandments. We must obey God even when we don't feel like it.

I also just want to add that I'm no longer that type of person who can really only love my own children. God used that experience in my life to radically change my heart. I have a passion now for children and showing them the love of God. I never knew I could feel this way. God is awesome!

[Salty Skipper]

Wow! Thanks for the testimonies you guys! It's apparent that the Lord gives us the ability to endure irritating circumstances and show His love to others in the midst of them. I can relate to you guys examples big time. Besides working in a retail environment where things can get annoying sometimes...not so much because I deal with people who are rude, because fortunately 99% of the people I deal with are very nice...but because I simply do not like working in the public. Oddly enough, I'm a much more behind-the-scenes type personality and am quite shy. It's like pulling teeth to strike up conversations sometimes, even with people I know. This job has been a learning experience in a lot more ways than one. On those days when I really, really, really don't want to be at work, that's when it's the hardest to smile and be patient and kind to others in spite of my own feelings.

Thanks again for sharing your examples of how the Lord has helped you guys in this area. We've all been there, but sometimes we can feel like we're the only one around that gets irritated about anything.

[Mrs. B]

Loving others.....

Learning to Love like God loves is not easy...

I've had said.....I can love my neighbor....
But why did he say.....as your self?


Because that is God's love......unconditional

By this Love shall all men know you are my disciples...

Loving the unlovely...

God allows things to happen to us to teach us how to love...

first.....we act out love...then somehow.....God put His Love in Us..
and we Love......inspite of.....
Christ in you the Hope of Glory...
God put His Love in us....and we can really love our enemies....
and forgive...
Praise HIs Holy Name....


Mrs. B

[Abiding in His Word]

Mrs. B

We love, because He first loved us. 1John 4:19

[Salty Skipper]

Ditto that

[SueAnn]

Looking from the lack of response, obviously this is not an easy one to answer

Just the other day, someone really got on my nerves and to be truthful I almost wanted to give her a scolding but I held back. It was not out of love for sure - it was probably just pure self-control. I forgot about it and did not pray about it actually. But the next day, I met up with her again at the counter and something welled up within me, and I felt I must show love to her - I said Good Morning to her. She looked surprised and returned the courtesy. Yesterday, she said Good Morning to me first...

Awwwwwwwww, I just love this. Thank you so much for sharing, Keeping.

[Salty Skipper]

Hey SueAnn!!! It's good to see you post! And thanks for bumping this. I'm still struggling with this. I don't know if it's because I need a break from my job or what.... Y'all pray for me!

[SueAnn]

Loving others.....

Learning to Love like God loves is not easy...

I've had said.....I can love my neighbor....
But why did he say.....as your self?


Because that is God's love......unconditional

By this Love shall all men know you are my disciples...

Loving the unlovely...

God allows things to happen to us to teach us how to love...

first.....we act out love...then somehow.....God put His Love in Us..
and we Love......inspite of.....
Christ in you the Hope of Glory...
God put His Love in us....and we can really love our enemies....
and forgive...Praise HIs Holy Name....


Mrs. B

"and forgive..." That is the biggest challenge for me. A constant battle.

Salty Skipper,
Our personalities must be very different because I think I am an extreme extrovert, while you say you are very shy.
As my mother (another introvert) states, I am "comfortable talking to anyone...including trees".
Loving strangers is easy for me. That's a gift from God. Loving (forgiving) people I know that have hurt me, aarrrggghhhh...now that's my serious weakness. Forgiveness. Such a simple word. Such a straightforward concept...but SO doggone difficult for me to put into practice.

Sweet Salty One, I will pray for you in your job...would you please also pray for me to allow the Holy Spirit to soften my heart in forgiveness of others?

[SueAnn]

And by the way, Salty, thank you for the "welcome back".

[Salty Skipper]

would you please also pray for me to allow the Holy Spirit to soften my heart in forgiveness of others?

Will do! And thank you for praying for me!

[burien1]

Be careful what you pray for, because the Lord, in his wisdom, will answer your prayers.

I've prayed for the Lord to help me love everyone. Well, he has put someone in my path who even cackles like a witch. Kid you not ! She is without a doubt the meanest, vilest person Ive ever had to deal with. She doesnt care what time of the night she calls you, either. She lies about her age, as well as quite a few other things. But I have been able to find out that she is in her 80's. She fell and broke her back a couple of years ago, and still gets around on a cane and a walker. She was too tight to pay for physical therapy.

She owns a huge apartment building, but will not rent any apartments out, because someone might hurt her cats. She quit driving several years back, because of several near misses. So she is entirely dependent on the help of others. She told me she has no friends because she can 'see' peoples faults as soon as she meets them. Her only family lives in another state (I fully understand why), so she is all by herself. Of the 2 other people who help her, she is constantly insinuating that anything she misplaces, is being stolen by them.

I could literally write a book about this character, but dont have the time. Take my word for it, all her neighbors despise her, and have evn put up No Trespass signs on theirs yards, to keep her away. Her home is in the middle of A beautiful neighborhood, but is an overgrown eyesore. You cant see any yard anymore. Only big overgrown trees, briars and cudzu vines overgrowing everything. She keeps her driveway gated and has cat carriers everywhere, so that you have to carry her groceries and things about 200 yards. After several trips with a bad back , you are exhausted and ready to drop. And i wont even go into what a nightmare she turns an ordinary trip to the grocery store into.

Even though she is mean and downright horrible, shes pathetic, too. My son and mother want me to have nothing to do with her, but I can't turn my back on someone who needs help. I'm trying to stifle what my flesh wants to do, and simply let this lady see Christ's love through me. And it is sooooooooooo hard !!!

So far she wants what I have. She is now reading her Bible, and has said that she repented of her sins and asked Jesus into her life. But she has a lifetime of Italian family Catholic teachings to get past. I pray daily for the Lords light to shine through me and give me strength. Because if it was just me in this body, I wouldve told that woman off so many times . . . . .

[extravagantchristian]

Burien1

You go girl! Show her the love of Jesus! That's great that she has repented and is reading the bible, I wouldn't worry about all the catholic stuff too much because it looks lie she already realizes she can have God right there in her own home without lighting candles and saying hail mary's.

[SueAnn]

Be careful what you pray for, because the Lord, in his wisdom, will answer your prayers.

I've prayed for the Lord to help me love everyone. Well, he has put someone in my path who even cackles like a witch. Kid you not ! She is without a doubt the meanest, vilest person Ive ever had to deal with. She doesnt care what time of the night she calls you, either. She lies about her age, as well as quite a few other things. But I have been able to find out that she is in her 80's. She fell and broke her back a couple of years ago, and still gets around on a cane and a walker. She was too tight to pay for physical therapy.

She owns a huge apartment building, but will not rent any apartments out, because someone might hurt her cats. She quit driving several years back, because of several near misses. So she is entirely dependent on the help of others. She told me she has no friends because she can 'see' peoples faults as soon as she meets them. Her only family lives in another state (I fully understand why), so she is all by herself. Of the 2 other people who help her, she is constantly insinuating that anything she misplaces, is being stolen by them.

I could literally write a book about this character, but dont have the time. Take my word for it, all her neighbors despise her, and have evn put up No Trespass signs on theirs yards, to keep her away. Her home is in the middle of A beautiful neighborhood, but is an overgrown eyesore. You cant see any yard anymore. Only big overgrown trees, briars and cudzu vines overgrowing everything. She keeps her driveway gated and has cat carriers everywhere, so that you have to carry her groceries and things about 200 yards. After several trips with a bad back , you are exhausted and ready to drop. And i wont even go into what a nightmare she turns an ordinary trip to the grocery store into.

Even though she is mean and downright horrible, shes pathetic, too. My son and mother want me to have nothing to do with her, but I can't turn my back on someone who needs help. I'm trying to stifle what my flesh wants to do, and simply let this lady see Christ's love through me. And it is sooooooooooo hard !!!

So far she wants what I have. She is now reading her Bible, and has said that she repented of her sins and asked Jesus into her life. But she has a lifetime of Italian family Catholic teachings to get past. I pray daily for the Lords light to shine through me and give me strength. Because if it was just me in this body, I wouldve told that woman off so many times . . . . .

Brenda,
I have so much respect for your gentle, loving heart. It does not suprise me that you continue to help someone that everyone else has kissed off as not worth the pain involved. Your words always come across as gentle and loving in the typed words on a computer screen, it is not surprising that you are equally (and probably even more) loving in "real" life.

Brenda, your description of this lady might well be a description of my Mom. She has "chased" away most of her family. She is also paranoid and ungrateful when anyone helps her. She is my Mom. I have a lifetime of positive memories to fall back on when she is in one of her "moods", bad-mouthing everyone and just being downright ugly and nasty. I can't imagine finding the strength to take care of a stranger that acts like this. Only you have that much love of the Lord, Brenda, only you.
Amazing.

[burien1]

That is so kind of you to say SueAnn. And you have the patience of a true saint if that is what you deal with every day. And anyone that gave birth to you, is very high up on my list. But I do not deserve or want any credit. God gets all the credit for this. Its his strength that stifles my evil tongue. Its the prodding of the Holy Spirit that makes me offer to take her anywhere. But it is my love for him, that makes me want to love everyone. And my love for him that helps me stifle my own feelings and extend love to even my enemies.

And to answer Salty's question, which I failed to do earlier. I always try to remember that I laid my life at the foot of the cross, and I live to serve and bring glory to Christ. Don't always succeed, but I always ask the Lord to help me do better the next time.

And God bless you, sweet SueAnn. Just as you bless this board.