<\/a><\/p>\n

We end our igniting the fire in our spirits series today with the second greatest commandment\u00e2\u20ac\u201dloving others.<\/p>\n

In Matthew 22:36, one of the religious experts in the law tested Jesus with this question: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/em><\/strong>Jesus replied: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (Matthew 22:37-39).<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Why is loving God and loving others the greatest commandment in the law? Because love covers all sins (Proverbs 10:12). It fulfills the rest of the commandments in the law.<\/p>\n

Romans 13:8-10 explains:<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do not commit adultery,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do not murder,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do not steal,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do not covet,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Love your neighbor as yourself.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been reading a wonderful book called \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Heavenly Man: <\/a><\/em>The Remarkable True Story of Chinese Christian Brother Yun.<\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/em>The sacrifices Brother Yun made and the love he had for others, despite the horrible persecution he experienced, humbled me. I recently told my husband that this book is showing me I am not where I need to be in my love walk. I have been burnt out lately and am not loving others like I should.<\/p>\n

My husband suggested that I ask God to give me opportunities to show His love to others. I realized I am exhausted because I am trying to do bigger things for others. I take on too many tasks, and it overwhelms me and slowly hardens my heart. Instead, I should follow the Holy Spirit and do only what God leads me to do.<\/p>\n

Most of my time is spent loving and caring for my family. So I will get burnt out if I try to do too many things for others. God showed me there are many little things I can do that don’t have to take a lot of my time.<\/p>\n

I started thinking about all the people in my life God\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s used to bless me through the years. The blessings that stand out to me are the little gestures of kindness and encouragement I have received from others. For example, a woman on Facebook \u00e2\u20ac\u0153like\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s\u00e2\u20ac\u009d every comment I post. It may seem like a small thing, but it puts a smile on my face every day I see her name on my wall.<\/p>\n

I have friends who send me messages of encouragement every so often to tell me they are praying for me. I’ve had people I don’t know email me a Bible verse at just the right time.<\/p>\n

My husband sends me text messages from work to tell me he loves me. I have family and friends who bless me with a grocery, clothing, or household item. Those small gestures are what I treasure the most, because God uses them to remind me that He loves and cares for me.<\/p>\n

God can even use our love for Him to show His love to others without us saying a word. When I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know Christ, a woman with a bright countenance and gentle spirit came into the restaurant I was working at. I remember what a relief it was to wait on her after a stressful lunch rush. Her order was simple. She was very kind. Her meal couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have cost more than $10, and she left me a $20 tip.<\/p>\n

It wasn’t unusual to receive a big tip at this restaurant. So it wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just her tip that touched me. It was her spirit. I saw God in her even though I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know Him. Her generosity, accompanied by her loving spirit, planted a seed that later led me into the arms of the Lord.<\/p>\n

I read a message by Andrew Wommack recently. He talked about Peter\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mother-in-law ministering to Jesus and His disciples in Mark 1:31, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153A<\/em>nd he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto th<\/em>em.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Andrew wrote:<\/p>\n

How did Peter’s mother-in-law minister unto Jesus and His disciples? Did she sit them down and preach to them? Certainly not. Yet sometimes people think the only way we can minister to another is to admonish them with the scriptures.<\/em><\/p>\n

Peter’s mother-in-law apparently ministered to them by serving them. The word translated \u00e2\u20ac\u0153minister\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is the same word that was translated \u00e2\u20ac\u0153deacon\u00e2\u20ac\u009d twice in the New Testament, and \u00e2\u20ac\u0153serve, served or serveth\u00e2\u20ac\u009d eight times.<\/em><\/p>\n

We can minister for the Lord by doing some of the menial tasks that many consider to be unimportant. Jesus said that even a cup of cold water given in His name would not go unrewarded (Matthew 10:42).<\/em><\/p>\n

Many people are waiting for the important jobs to come along where they can make a big impact or receive a lot of recognition, while they pass by many lesser opportunities every day. But in the kingdom of God, we won’t be given any great opportunities until we are proven faithful in the small things (Luke 16:10).<\/em><\/p>\n

We don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to do something amazing or preach to show God\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s love to others. And we don’t need to burn ourselves out trying to do everything for others. If we follow the Holy Spirit, God will show us little ways we can reach others with His love.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t love others, I would have gained nothing.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d
\n<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u201d1 Corinthians 13:3, NLT<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Heavenly Father,<\/em><\/p>\n

We praise You for Your unconditional love for us. Bring Your love to life inside of us. Help us to see others as You see them. Break our hearts for what breaks Yours. Give us opportunities each day to show Your love to others. Keep Your fire continually burning in our spirits for the lost and broken-hearted, so our lives draw others to You.<\/em><\/p>\n

In Jesus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Name, Amen! <\/em><\/em><\/p>\n