Far too many people
loose themselves in selfish living without thinking about other people.
It is when we lose ourselves in loving God and serving others that we will find
our passion and purpose in life. Serving others gives us a sense of
worth. It also helps us take our thoughts off of us and on to others.
The people we come in contact with have needs.
Some needs are bigger than our own needs. By meeting needs we may even
meet our own. By connecting with people around us we will have a stronger
and richer life.
Jesus lived it. Serving is a
pretty simple way of loving others. Would you agree? Many people
have used this pattern: JOY --- Jesus, Others and You.
Philippians 2:3 MSG
"Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your
way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get
ahead."
Thinking of others first may be the first step to a
better life. Here are some thoughts that may point us in that direction:
--- lift up
your friend (Eccl 4:10)
--- loves all the time (Prov 17:17)
--- speak encouraging words to one another
(1 Thess 5:11)
--- build up one another (1 Thess 5:11)
--- serve one another (Gal 5:13)
--- confess your sins to each other (James 5:16)
--- pray for one another (James 5:16)
--- speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15)
--- put on a heart of compassion (Col 3:12)
--- sharpen one another (Prov 27:17)
--- be good friends, devoted to one another
(Romans 12:10)
--- do not judge one another (Romans 14:13)
--- welcome one another (Romans 15:7)
--- accept one another (Romans 15:7)
--- be courteous to one another (Eph 5:21)
--- be content with second place (Col 3:13)
--- forgive each other (Col 3:13)
--- whoever wants to be great must become a
servant (Mark 10:43)
I learned the following definition of
love a very long time ago and must be reminded often: Love gives to others
without ever thinking what you might get back.
May our lives literally demonstrate the love of God to the people we come in
contact with.
NOTE: much of this was first shared in May of 2006
Comments