The Choice To Love

The definition of love is an intense feeling of deep affection. We all have someone, even something that we love, that brings some joy and happiness into our lives. Love in recent years has not been respected like it was in the past. People often make jokes about falling in love, and what being in love with someone does to your life, and your behavior. Suddenly, you are concerned about someone else and what goes on in your environment, because you realize that these things are actually important for your own well being.

Selfishness brings a sense of pursuing your wants and desires to the exclusion of everyone and everything else. Selfish people have a lower capacity for love in general, even to love themselves, because they are focused on accomplishing their goal(s), and they allow themselves to be blinded by the consequences of their actions. When you try to get close to a selfish person, you might find their response to you may be a hit or miss scenario; their decision to respond to your kindness and compassion is usually based upon the results that they will receive, namely if they will get the results they are looking for when they respond to your loving gestures.

Loving others comes from within your heart and soul, it is a decision we make to open ourselves to another person who hopefully is willing to respond the same way. In a perfect world, everyone would be open to love and to receive love from others, and no one would be afraid that their gesture of love would not be returned in kind. We need love in our lives, and we cherish every loving encounter, but in these days, it has become harder for people to express love, to give of themselves selflessly.

That is why having a relationship with Jesus Christ is special, for He loves us unconditionally, with all His heart,soul, and mind, and He wants that same type of loving response from us. He made us to fellowship with Him, to share His heart with ours, and to show the generosity of His character to His little ones, His children. This world would be a lifeless void without His presence, His Love, His Spirit; His Word brought the earth into existence and it is His love that keeps it going, for God is love, the purest, highest, sweetest, expression of love.

Long ago, He made a choice to create the earth and to populate it with animals, fish and birds, plants and trees, and He also made man in His image, a being that could communicate with Him heart to heart, and mind to mind, to praise Him, to love Him for His name's sake and Glory. Some have decided that they don't need a God in their lives, but God has never forsaken us, and He will always love us, even when some of us behave as if He doesn't exist, even though they may reject Him in their hearts.

Matthew Chapter 5:43-48

(Jesus said)"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

John 13:34-35

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

God wants us to choose to love one another, because it shows the true character of His kingdom, and we represent Him in this world. He has loved us all, and He knows what it is like to love people that refuse to love Him, and to have sadness in His heart as they depart from this life separate and apart from Him forever into eternal darkness; He never wants anyone to leave His presence, but He will not allow rebellious, selfish, and unloving souls to corrupt His creation forever; as a Father He has a responsibility to sustain a universe of peace, compassion, and love for Himself, for His Heavenly creations, and for His little ones, the Body of Christ.

Chose to love yourself, your family, the ones around you, as the Lord has chosen to love you, for he cares with a deep and everlasting love that will burn for an eternity and beyond. Show Him your love today, by praising Him, taking time to be with Him, obeying the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and showing His love to others. Once you submit your will to His will for your life, He will change the way you see yourself and others, your heart will be changed, and you will love others with His selfless love, it will pour out naturally from your heart.

If you want to love yourself and others like the Lord does, you need to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, and He will show you how to love others perfectly:

Prayer of Salvation

Lord,

I repent for trying to be master of my own life. I change my mind about who I want to be in charge of my life. I turn from my useless and unproductive thoughts that I am the center of my universe and choose to believe in the living God who created everything, including me (Acts 14:15). I have lived without a purpose but now I will live to hear and obey You, God (Jn. 5:19, 20,30).

I confess with my lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead. I believe that God so loved the world He sent His only Son Jesus to shed His blood to wash away the barrier of sin (Jn. 3:16)

I receive You, Jesus as MY Lord and Savior (Jn. 1:11,12).

I welcome You, Holy Spirit, into my life to rescue and empower me and to restore me to intimacy with my heavenly Father (Acts 2:38).

If you just confessed this prayer, you are saved! I welcome you into the family my (brother/sister) I pray for peace, joy, and happiness in your life as you allow the Lord to love you and bless you and give you assurance of everlasting life with Him forever and ever......PRAISE GOD!

May the Lord keep you and Bless you this day....AMEN