Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.
Loving Others is a Sign of Spiritual Growth
Welcome to My Sun & Shade Ministries, where our primary focus is to help people find grace and inspiration to lead a life that pleases God. Our mission is to guide Christian women towards spiritual growth and personal development by encouraging the act of serving others. As Psalm 139 mentions, the Lord is constantly observing our actions and reactions towards others. He knows us through and through. He even knows our thoughts, and what we will say before we speak. If this realization doesn't inspire the fear of God within you, I'm not certain what will.
Love Others and Win the Favor of the Lord
My highest aspiration is to please the Lord and honor His name in all my interactions with others, whether they be coworkers, family, or friends. As a pastor's wife, I am especially mindful of my conduct while ministering to women, children, and in church services. I am pained at the thought of offending anyone or bringing dishonor to the Lord in any way. Therefore, I ask the Lord to help me be a blessing to those I encounter every day, starting with my husband, who is the first person I see each morning. I believe that loving your neighbor as yourself is the second greatest commandment in Scripture, and since my husband is my closest neighbor, I strive to be kind and loving towards him as the Lord watches over us and our marriage.
Love Others through Acts of Kindness
In the midst of busy days, difficult trials, or heart-wrenching pain, our greatest test is to bless someone else. It's important not to let a hectic life prevent us from showing compassion towards others. Often we neglect those in need and choose to live for ourselves instead. Is it possible that we ignore them intentionally so that we won't be bothered? Recently, I was inspired to collect Bible verses on "the Love of God" and "Loving Others" while writing this blog post. Check it out here: How I Found Peace in the Midst of a Crazy Schedule.
I was in a hurry because I was planning a big party one afternoon, and had to pick up a cake I had ordered for the occasion. The day had not gone as planned, and I was in a foul mood. After parking my car in the grocery store parking lot, I noticed an elderly lady wandering around with her cart full of bagged groceries. She appeared to be lost and couldn't locate her car. I observed her for a few seconds and decided to help her. Then, approaching her slowly I asked if she needed any assistance. She was frazzled and said she was fine. So, I inquired if she was having a hard time finding her car. She replied, "Oh, it's here somewhere." I asked her about the make and model, and after about 5 minutes, we found her car on the other side of the parking lot.
If I had not taken a moment to stop and help the elderly woman in the midst of my crazy afternoon, I might have missed an opportunity to make a difference. Who knows what could have happened, or what heavenly rewards I would have missed out on. But, I didn't miss out on any of it! In that moment, the Lord was my portion. Helping this lady find her car was more important than picking up my cake on time.
Become a member and subscribe to this website for Christian women. Gain access to FREEBIES, monthly blog posts, and special prayer requests!
Scripture Verses on Loving Others
Philippians 2:4, ESV
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Ephesians 4:32, ESV
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you.
John 13:34-35, ESV
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
Proverbs 21:13, ESV
Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.
Galatians 6:9-10, ESV
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Matthew 25:40, ESV
And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'
1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Galatians 6:2, ESV
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Proverbs 19:17, ESV
Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.
Colossians 3:12, ESV
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Galatians 6:10, ESV
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Luke 6:31, ESV
And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
1 Corinthians 10:24, ESV
Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.