How to Love Yourself

How to Love Yourself

     “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment.  And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31 (NKJV)

 

 

            Read these scriptures carefully and you will see they are both commandment from God.  He didn’t say we should try to do these things, but that in order to obey God, we had to do them.  Today, I want to address part of this second commandment.  “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  I read this several times and wanted to make sure of what I was really seeing here.  I came to the conclusion that it was really important that I love myself!   That sounded a little more difficult than I first thought.

           The first thing I thought of was the story of Snow White and the evil witch.  The witch would go to a magical mirror and look at herself and say, “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of us all?” Most of us don’t have the ego that she did.  We look in a mirror and here’s what we see:

·       Every little line and wrinkle

                        ·       Everyone is better dressed

·       Everyone has prettier hair

·       Bigger muscles

·       Nicer Home

·       Bigger Car

·       Everyone else is a 10 and we feel like a 0

·       Doesn’t meet other’s standards

Then we go from there to the ‘Poor Me’ syndrome

·       Has poor health

·       Loves to carry our own burdens

·       Complainer

·       Misses great opportunities because we don’t think we’re good enough

·       We think we deserve better. Why?

·       Self-indulgent because we think we earned it.

·       Depressed

We become critical

·       No one else can do anything right

·       Jealousy sets in

·       Judgmental

·       Looks for backsliders

·       Self-righteous

·       Unhappy with everyone including self

Although it sounds contrary to Mark 12, I Corinthians 15:31 that we must die daily to self,

this has an entirely different meaning in that we must not indulge in pride or thinking our selves better than others.  So we really need to understand that today we are dealing entirely on ‘loving ourselves’.

 

            I have come to the conclusion that unless I love myself with God’s love, I will have a very difficult time loving others.  I might go through the actions of being a caring, loving person, our heart may not be in it and that is not the sacrifice God wants.
            We are an object of God’s love and it was He who made you. Did God the Father ever make ‘junk’?  God is perfect in all His ways, so therefore He made us perfect in the beginning.  What we have become is generally not how we were created.  It is disobedient to God to resent who you are.  There are certain things about each of us that we can’t change; eyes, structure, teeth, hair, foot size, etc.  (Unless by artificial means).  However, we can change the way we feel about ourselves. 
            What can we see about ourselves to love?  The Word tells us that we who are born again have Jesus in us.  Ask yourself, “Do I love Jesus?”  If you answer “Yes” then surely we must love ourselves if we claim to love him.  We are the temple of the Holy Spirit.  ^“ Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?”  1 Corinthians 6:19 (NKJV)  If this is true, why not look at ourselves as precious, beautiful and rare; like a temple should be.    
              Then, cannot we say that we are amazing men and women of God, whom God loved us so much that he sent his only Son, Jesus, to die for us; for you and for me?  God has given us favor because he sees us as His Bride; the Bride of Christ.   Have you ever seen an ugly bride?  No!  Every bride is beautiful.  

Men and women – rise up; you are blessed of God.  You are warriors, princesses and princes who have a Holy temple within you.  Your Father has riches untold and you are going to inherit them right along with Jesus Christ.

“Mirror, Mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?” 

 

  “You are, O daughter of God; Son of God!”

How Can You Climb out of the Valley When You Can't Find Your Hiking Boots?

How Can You Climb out of the Valley

When You Can’t Find Your Hiking Boots

             Sadly, the valley is where most of us live; plodding along day after day just letting life happen.  You watch as others climb the mountain and know they are experiencing something you haven’t had and you feel your soul stirring.

            Have you ever watched a travelogue showing the Alps in Switzerland?  Suddenly the picture zooms in on a lovely village nestled down in a valley.   Towering around the village are huge mountains rising above the clouds at times.  It seems like an impossibility to reach the top, but looking closer we see a moving dot here and there at different levels.  These are people who dare to conquer the mountain.  They will tell you when they reach the top, all struggle is forgotten as they look out over a scene so awesome, they never want to go back down. 
            Down here in the valley where we live, occasionally something stirs our soul and we think we’ll get out our climbing gear and try it out.  It’s then we discover we can’t find our hiking boots and it’s surely impossible to hike without those boot.  We can’t buy another pair because we only get one pair in a lifetime.  God gives us a set of armor to wear when we go into spiritual battle and part of that armor is our hiking boots.
            We know we should be wearing them all the time and not stashed away to never find again.  God tells us in the Word, “Wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the Good News of peace with God.” Ephesians 6:15  [TLB].   God knows most of us certainly aren’t ready to climb the mountain, because we don’t have the readiness; the preparedness, of relying solely on God; we can’t even find our hiking boots.
Roman’s 10:15 tells us, “How beautiful (blessed) are the feet of those who bring glad tidings (preaching the gospel of peace).
            Here we are searching for our hiking boots when a knock comes at the door.  Oh, no!  It’s the enemy and before we can slam the door in his face, he sticks his foot in it and he quickly comes inside.  He looks around and says, “Where were you going?”
            “I thought I might try climbing the mountain”, I answered quietly.
            “Don’t be ridiculous; why would you want to leave this beautiful place right here?   You’re pretty comfortable here; you don’t have to take any risks or try to be any better than you.”
            After a while, you begin to think he’s right and settle down in your easy chair; so comfortable where you are.  You look around see your Bible; maybe you’ll read a verse or two.  “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.”  Psalm 84:5  It’s talking about a journey.  Instead of staying in the valley, verse 6 says, “When they walk through the Valley of weeping, it will become a place of springs where pools of blessing and refreshment collect after rains.”  TLB  
            Although this is an allegory it is all too true.  We generally settle down to live in a valley and when trouble comes, we weep over it and can’t seem to rise above it.  Yet in Matthew 6:25, Jesus said, “Do not worry about your life… your heavenly Father knows what you need”.  We need to get out of that cottage of self-pity in the valley.  What we must realize, is that beyond the valley, all our weeping will “become a place of springs where pools of blessing and refreshment collect after the rains.”
            We need to get on those boots and begin our pilgrimage; the journey to higher places.  Why?  Because in verse 7 it says “They will grow constantly in strength”.   But where are my hiking boots?  Did I outgrow them and throw them away?  When we think we are so spiritually grown up and can do everything on our own; what we are really saying is, “I don’t need you any longer, Jesus.”  Maybe that’s where I took my boots off.
            It could have been when I became too busy doing things for Jesus.  At that time I didn’t have time to pray or read the Word.  Maybe the boots came off then.
            When I first was saved, I had such joy and peace and I trusted the Lord for everything.  But, as time went on my joy grew less and less.  Could be my boots came off then.
            Then I read Psalm 51:10-13, “Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.  Then I will teach transgressors your ways.”
            That’s where I left them; where I lost the joy of my salvation. I can’t spread the Good News without that joy.  When I find my joy, I’ll find my boots.  Now I know what to do; pray, study the Word and come into God’s presence with praise and worship.  Then I will be restored the joy of my salvation.  Do you want your feet fitted with readiness so you can walk steadfastly and surefooted as you begin the climb?
            We can sit in our homes and place of comfort, saying “I’m saved, bless God.”  Or, we can put on those hiking boots and begin the climb toward the greater presence of God.  We can be a witness to everyone, or to no one.  As for me, I want to grow and climb and preach the Good News to anyone who will listen.  That’s why you are reading this today; it’s one way to spread the News.  
          If you’re a child of the King, get out those boots, dust them off and head for the mountain.  They say the joy you experience when you climb high enough is worth it all.  Be blessed!

           

It's All in the Family

It’s All in the Family

 

            At one time the American family stood for everything good, honest and moral; where right was right and wrong was wrong.  The family worked together for what they needed and didn’t expect anything to be handed to them.  The whole family; grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins stood together helping one another in times of need. 

            In today’s society ‘family’ doesn’t hold the same meaning as it once did.  Brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles often live within a few miles of each other, but rarely visit or even call.  Many of us may long to be like “The Walton’s”, but in truth are more like the television families we watch while they struggle to find individual self-satisfaction.  Their motto is, “If it feels good, do it and above all don’t let anyone or anything stand in your way.”
            In Old Testament times, family meant covenants.  A covenant was sealed by the spilling of blood; generally a sacrifice.  To break a covenant was to sin.  The New Testament speaks more of commitments in family relationships and faith relationships.  Christian family relationships were based on openness and compassion, forgiveness and understanding.  The image of committed family relationships was so important; it was used to describe the relationship of Christ and the church.  (see Ephesians 5)
            Today we speak of ‘The Family of God’ where all believers are members of the household of faith.  This is a relationship with the church.  There are three parts to these relationships that help us live and work together for the glory of God.  1) Resolving conflicts, 2) Respecting leadership, and 3) Behaving in a manner that pleases God.
            Resolving Conflicts:  Jesus gives us some guidelines to follow in Matthew 18:15-17
“If your brother sins against you go and show him his fault just between the two of you.  If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.”  Most of us don’t follow these guidelines.  Rather than confront one another, we talk behind each others backs and then withdraw our friendship.  Jesus said we have gained a closer relationship if we can work out our differences.  If not, there are consequences; “But if he will not listen take on or two others along so that every matter may be established by testimony of two or three witnesses.  If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”  This must be done prayerfully and led by the Holy Spirit.
            Do we leave them to be snatched back into Satan’s clutches; of course not.  Galatians 6:1 says,  “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him.”  Those who are spiritually mature should do everything they can to restore those who have fallen into sin.  Remember, someday you might need restoration in some area in your life and would want to be treated with love and mercy.
            Respecting Leadership:   Every clan or family group needs leaders and it’s been that way throughout the ages.  This is true in the church as well.  Leaders in the body of Christ have a huge responsibility.  God has placed them in authority over us in the realm of spiritual training.  This doesn’t mean they will always do the right thing; they may make mistakes and unwise decisions in their humanness, but their responsibilities are greater than most of us would want to assume.  Paul writes in I Thessalonians 5:12-13, “Now we ask you, brothers to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.  Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.  Live in peace with each other.”  Don’t forget they need encouragement, appreciation and cooperation.  You may not agree with everything the leadership does and says, but their position in the church demands respect.
            As the morals in our country have declined, so has respect for authority.  The titles, Bishop, Reverend, Pastor, Elder and Deacon might not mean much to you.  We hear the disrespect of those who say, “Titles don’t mean anything – they put their pants on just like anyone else.”  Those kinds of statements mean either low mentality or ignorance.  One only has to read God’s Word to know what happened to those who showed lack of respect for Moses authority.  Too many show their lack of respect by referring to their pastors by their first name.  If you hear anyone in the church call the pastor by his first name, they should be stopped and admonished.
            Behaving in a Manner that Pleases God:  God has called us to walk Holy lives; to love one another; live quiet life; mind your own business and work to take care of yourself and not depend on others if you are able.  If we don’t live in this manner, we will be punished.  Many think they can live like the devil and still be called Christians.  Remember, we will reap what we sow.  Christianity is not a religion; it is a relationship with Jesus Christ.
            Loving on another doesn’t always mean liking another’s attitudes, characteristics or actions.  It does mean caring what happens to others, praying for them, and loving their soul enough to overcome our own petty reactions.
            Part of our life means to be industrious be being willing to work at whatever is put before us.  How many times do we hear people who are out of work say, “I’m not going to lower myself to work at a fast food place; I’d rather starve than do that.”  Well, maybe we should let them go hungry for a while if their pride is too great to earn an honest living.  The apostle Paul had no problem working at what was looked down on, in those times as the lowest form of work; making tents.
            In the ‘thirties’, the Depression touched every part of America and most did what they could to make a meager living.  Men took off their business suits and put on overalls to dig ditches.  Doctors took garden produce in turn for services.  Clothes were handed down again and again.  Nothing went to waste.  Times were tough and there were no food pantries to go to.  Everyone worked and everyone shared.  Those were the days of “The Walton’s”.  They were good days, but hard days when people took pride in their honesty and work.  “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”    [1 Corinthians 10:31  NKJ]

Remember this; it’s part of being “All in the Family”!  

 

Help! I'm in the Belly of the Whale - Part 2

Help! I’m in the Belly of the Whale – Part 2

         After being trapped in that big fish and thinking his life was over, I can’t imagine how Jonah felt.  He must have sucked in deep breaths of pure fresh air; took a bath in the sea and with determined steps headed to Nineveh.  I doubt if he still wanted to do what God told him to do, but ‘obedience is better than sacrifice’,and he wasn’t about to go through that again.

            When Jonah finally reached Nineveh, he began to walk through the streets crying, “Forty day from now Nineveh will be destroyed.” [TLB]  It took him 3 days to walk through the city, but as he cried out people began to believe in God and in the message.  From the lowliest to the greatest the people began to repent.  Even the great king of Nineveh took off his royal robes and dressed in rough clothes like the beggars wore. 
            The king sent word to everyone in the whole city that he declared a time of fasting; no food or water.  Even the animals were not allowed to eat or drink.  Then the people began to cry out to God for forgiveness and they all turned from their sinful ways.  So God showed his mercy and the city was not destroyed.  The outcome was that thousands of souls were saved because of one man’s obedience to God.
            If we listened to God’s voice, and do what he wants us to do, how many souls would be saved from Hell?  Here’s how it works:  We share about Jesus with someone and they get saved.  They tell another person and they get saved. That person tells another and another and another.  In time that can add up to hundreds of thousands of people receiving salvation.
            How do we know we should do that?  Because Jesus left us with the ‘Great Commission’ in Mark 16:15-16 “And then he told them, "You are to go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.  Those who believe and are baptized will be saved. But those who refuse to believe will be condemned.”  That wasn't just for the disciples to do, but for generations to come.
            Was Jonah happy about the outcome?  No, he was angry.   Jonah was like some of us, even though he went through the motions, he still hadn’t found compassion or forgiveness.  He became depressed and told God to take his life.  He was a prideful, self-centered man who had not yet learned the secret of true happiness which is caring for others.  God caused a great plant to grow in a desert place so it made shade over Jonah’s head as he sat pouting.  He sat there and thanked God for his personal comfort, but cared nothing for the lives of those in the city.  So God caused the plant to wither and die to teach Jonah a lesson.  Jonah’s priorities were out of order.
            Where are our priorities – does 'self' generally come first?  When we are spending time in the ‘belly of the whale’, are we learning from these troubling experiences?  When we are first ‘swallowed by the whale’ we are usually wallowing in self-pity.  Listen!  God is merciful.  He wants what’s best for you and you will have that if you put Him first in your life.  One of my favorite verses in the Bible is this; “The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT)  Don’t miss this point ‘His mercies are new every morning’.   
            Put yourself aside and concentrate on others; it’s the best antidepressant you can have.  All through the word of God we are told to reach out to this lost and dying world with love and compassion.  We must die to self in order to live for Him.  Take your mind off yourself and put it on others.  Maybe you can't get out there in person, but you can always pray!  You can always send a note or a card to encourage the sick, lonely, and hurting.
           What ever happened to Jonah?  The Bible doesn’t say because it’s a never-ending story.  With his attitude, he might have found himself back in the belly of the whale.  We don’t have to be like Jonah; the Lord is our strength and we can do all things through Him. [Philippians 4:13]
            Today is a new day – a day to start fresh.  You can begin again by your feet going in the right direction.  True; you many occasionally stumble, BUT we can begin again.  If you never memorize any other verses in the Bible, memorize these; write them in your heart, for they are for each new day in your life.  “The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT)  
            If your find yourself in the belly of the whale cry out to God; “HELP!”  He hears you and sees you even in the deep, murky waters of life and his Mercy comes in like a flood.