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- Apr 25, 2006
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Loving people
'... Love one another ...' John 15:12
Hearts, cherubs firing arrows, valentines day, snogging, diamond rings, soppy text messages, wedding bells ... Maybe these are the sort of things that come to mind when you hear the word 'love'.
So what on earth does this verse mean when it tells us to 'love one another'? Does that mean we all have to go around gooey-eyed, hugging and kissing, with a permanent grin on our faces, telling everyone how awesome they are whether we know them or not? Errrrrr, no thank you!
But this is a command we've been given from God, and loving others is something we have to do proactively (meaning it has to start with us).
Here are three hints to help you really love someone:
1) Give them some confidence. You're not the only one who has a bad day. Under the 'it's fine' mask that your mates and family wear, you might find they're struggling a bit. So remind them what God says: '... I will never leave you nor forsake you' (Hebrews 13:5 NKJ).
2) Big them up. Compliment someone when they least expect it, without expecting them to say something nice in return!
Look through your Bible and see how often God tells us how special we are - pass some of that on!
3) Use your ears. Often people just need to be listened to, to feel they're valued. So put those lug-holes on the side of your head to good use!
written by Bob Gass
'... Love one another ...' John 15:12
Hearts, cherubs firing arrows, valentines day, snogging, diamond rings, soppy text messages, wedding bells ... Maybe these are the sort of things that come to mind when you hear the word 'love'.
So what on earth does this verse mean when it tells us to 'love one another'? Does that mean we all have to go around gooey-eyed, hugging and kissing, with a permanent grin on our faces, telling everyone how awesome they are whether we know them or not? Errrrrr, no thank you!
But this is a command we've been given from God, and loving others is something we have to do proactively (meaning it has to start with us).
Here are three hints to help you really love someone:
1) Give them some confidence. You're not the only one who has a bad day. Under the 'it's fine' mask that your mates and family wear, you might find they're struggling a bit. So remind them what God says: '... I will never leave you nor forsake you' (Hebrews 13:5 NKJ).
2) Big them up. Compliment someone when they least expect it, without expecting them to say something nice in return!
Look through your Bible and see how often God tells us how special we are - pass some of that on!
3) Use your ears. Often people just need to be listened to, to feel they're valued. So put those lug-holes on the side of your head to good use!
written by Bob Gass
