Love is an Adjective??? Really you say!

When I thought about the subject of "Loving One Another" I thought about adjectives.  You ask why?  that's how my crazy mind works. 
What is an adjective?  It describes:  Who, What, Where, When, & How.
So I went from the there to the question....
Who do I love?
His Word says to love the Lord God with all my heart, and with all my soul, and with all my mind.
So for me my goal is to love Him.  I want to love others, but will never be able to do that if I don't love Him!!
Then His Word tells me to love my neighbors.
I wondered about that word love?? 
1.Strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties.
2.Warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion.
3.To hold dear, cherish.
4.A beloved person.
It says to that I am to love them as I love myself.  How does one do that?  Love their self I mean??
I know from personnel experience that If I'm not loving myself, I am not loving to many around me either.
Soooooooooo I pondered on that a while and wondered how can I love myself??
One way is to feed myself properly?
With food....NOT!
By putting into my heart His Word I will draw closer to Him.  And this may seem like a no brainer for most of you, but when I am down, angry, depressed, sad, whatever it is, its not the first place I go?  Do you?  I hope so!  When I draw closer to Him, it will spill over to others.I want it deep within my soul, my mind, my heart.  the only solid way I have come up with is to dine with the King of kings. What a feast He prepares for us everyday, every second of our lives.  Hallalujah1  Thank you Jesus!
The words were found and I ate them, and Thy words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Thy name, O Lord God of hosts.  Jeremiah 15:16
I want to feed me with Him night and day, but I fail so badly.  I am sooooo glad He doesn't condem me like I condem myself most of the time. Even though I don't know anyone who feeds on Him night and day it is a good goal to strive for I think. 
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal:  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  Matthew 6: 19 & 20
What makes me happy I love.  I want to love the right thing, but only by His wonderful matchless grace and mercy can I do that!  Amen!
His word tells us to love my enemies!  Not to good at this one either!  How about you?  The shields go up, and the love of God goes out the door!  Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.   Persecute and don't pray for them!  That's me!  That's the worlds way, and sometimes mine.  Lord, cleanse my heart of this sin, and give Your heart to love as You love, and serve as You love!!  The world says to shun those who bug you.  His word says different.  I'm sure glad He didn't shun me when I was His enemy.  If not for His grace and mercy I would still be His enemy.  I can praise Him, and thank Him continually for His kindness..
Why do we even love in the first place?
I love because He first loved me!  Hallalujah!!!  This kind of love is not within us!
I am told through the scriptures to love one another!  I want to...at least most of the time! 
And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.
1 John 4: 21
It seems a big reason to love, perhaps the biggest!
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  1 John 4:11
The wonderful thing about commandments is that are for our betterment!  Thank you Jesus!
It seems loving one another must be important.  This is My commandment that you love one another, just as I have loved you.  John 15:12
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as i have loved you, that you also love one another.  John 13:34. 
I love how He repeats it just so I can get it deep in my heart, soul, and mind!
It is not a drugery to love one another, it is a joy.  I know I will be blessed beyong measure when I take my focus off myself, and always put it on others. 
We have multiple opportunites to love all day long!
Church, market, home, the work place, music lessons, telephone conversations, on the freeway, _____________________you fill in the blank.
Then, I wondered what that would look like?
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32
How often am I unkind to family members just because I know I can be.  There is no excuse for rudeness, but I believe God does make our children/spouses learn forgiveness through it all.  God has shown me many times that I need to go to them and ask for forgiveness!  Because of pride this is not something I easily do!  My sons learned to forgive me many times.  Thank you Jesus, and thank Richard & Aaron for you forgiveness when I was so silly!  I am borrowing some of that forgiveness right now for future silliness!  :o) 
I want to ask God today right now to continually fill my heart with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience. and so much more!!
I wanted to think on the practical ways to love one another:
PRAY FOR EACH OTHER
Phone calls, letters, notes, b-day cards, hugs, smiles, e-mails, anniversary cards, short visits to them, and_______________________you fill in the blank.
I also was thinking how much time it takes to jump out of my comfort zone and actually think of someone else other then myself.  Then, the Lord reminded me that my time is really His!!  I found in my own life when I tend to His business He tends to mine!  I don't understand how that works, but I know it does.  I have been on the receiving end, and the giving end and it was a blessing both ways.  I must say though I think I like the giving end better.  Don't think age is a factor either!  I was very ill one time, and on that very day, I received a note in the mail from a young one and what a blessing it was.  And she didn't even know that I was ill!
Another time I had an incident at our house with the police in the very early hours of the morning, and I really needed someone to talk to.  A dear sister called out of blue, and I was able to share with her, and she prayed for me, and we were greatly blessed. 
Note cards seem to be a great encouragement to everyone1  Even our husbands like note cards.  At least mine does.  Many times I slip notes in Mike's lunch, and he is surprised when he gets to work and has his first break.  He has told me how loved he felt.  Remember your kids and hubbies when you send notes.  When you see someone be sure and give them a hug.  I wasn't raised in a touchy feely family so this was kinda hard.  Not so much anymore! 
Start by doing one loving thing a month, then move to one loving a week, a day, and whala you have been giving the love and  you will be feeling the love.
As I did,  you will begin to see you do have time for all of it.  And I know you will be blessed!
                                                          LOVE ONE ANOTHER
                                                                        because
                                                          HE FIRST LOVED US!!!
AMEN         AMEN              AMEN             AMEN                AMEN             AMEN            AMEN