Love and care, just as we are instructed.

Hi guys and hope you're all doing good today. Today I want to talk about love and care, and I will be quoting Bible verses to guide us through. Before I start, let's all be in the mood of prayers.

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LET'S PRAY....
Dear God, we come before you today with hearts full of gratitude for the opportunity to learn and grow in our understanding of your love. As I prepare to share some insights on loving one another, I ask that you bless me with your wisdom, your guidance, and your grace.

May the words I speak be a reflection of your love and your light, and I pray that my teaching inspire and encourage all who hear it, to live lives of kindness, compassion, and empathy. We ask that you help us to see one another through your eyes, and to love one another as you have loved us.

We thank you for the gift of this beautiful blurt community, and for the many ways in which we are able to support and uplift one another. May this teaching be a reminder of the importance of loving one another, and may it help us to build stronger, more compassionate relationships with those we've met on this platform.
We ask all of this in your holy and precious name. Amen.

Please Readers should know that most of the verses in this post are in block quotations gotten from the Bible directly. No plagiarism.

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Love and care, just as the Bible instructed.

Now that we've successfully committed this session into the hands of God almighty, it's time to look deeply into his words.

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The commandment to love one another is one of the most well known and important teachings in the Bible. It is the central part of Jesus' teachings and is often referred to as the "Golden Rule."

In John 13:34-35,

Jesus says, "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."

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So, what does it mean to love one another as the Bible instructs?
It means showing genuine concern and care for others, regardless of their background, ethnicity, social status, or religion. It means treating others with kindness, compassion, and respect, and seeking to do good for them. It also means being forgiving, patient, and understanding, even when others may not deserve it.

Jesus himself showed us the ultimate example of love by sacrificing his life for us. As his followers, we are called to emulate his love in our own lives, to be selfless and humble, and to seek to serve others. We are called to love not just our friends and family but also our enemies and those who may be difficult to love.

Loving one another is not just a nice idea or a sentiment, but it is a commandment that we are called to follow. When we love one another, we demonstrate the love of God to the world and show others what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

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It really pays to love and to care for people, most especially those in need.

These books of the Bible talks about loving one another.
There are several books in the Bible that address the topic of loving one another and provide more explanations and insights on how we should love others.

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• The Gospel of John: This book is often referred to as the "love gospel" because of its emphasis on love. In addition to the verse mentioned earlier (John 13:34-35), John also records Jesus' teaching on love in John 15:12-13, where Jesus says,

"My command is this: 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."

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• 1Corinthians: In this letter, the Apostle Paul addresses issues within the Corinthian church, including conflicts and divisions among its members. Paul emphasizes the importance of love as the foundation of all Christian behaviours and warns against jealousy, pride, and selfishness. He also provides a detailed description of love in 1 Corinthians 13, which is often referred to as the "love chapter."

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• 1John: This letter, written by the Apostle John, emphasizes the importance of loving one another as a sign of true faith. John describes the love of God and encourages believers to love one another in the same way. He also warns against hate and urges Christians to love not just in words, but in actions and truth. The book entirely talks about love and care, so to know more, it's good to go through the book in your free time.

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• The Epistle to the Romans: In this letter, the Apostle Paul addresses the Roman church and emphasizes the importance of loving one another as part of Christian living. He encourages believers to be devoted to one another, to honor one another, and to live in harmony with one another. He also warns against judging others and urges Christians to love their enemies.
  Now Let's glance through this important text in the book👇👇
  Romans 13:8

“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law."

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Let's go through some of these Bible verses where Jesus Christ spoke about loving one another.

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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."

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John 15:12-13

"My command is this: 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."

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Matthew 22:37-40

"Love 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. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

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Mark 12:29-31

"The most important one [commandment],” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

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Luke 6:31

"Do to others as you would have them do to you."

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These verses make it clear that loving one another is not just a suggestion or a good idea, but it is a commandment that Jesus himself gave to his followers. As blurtians, today I urge us to love and care for one another. It pays to be a loving soul. Lots of people are going through a lot and needs your help and support. It's cost nothing to show love and care to your fellow human.

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How can a person show genuine love and care to another person?

Showing genuine love and care to another person involves a combination of attitudes and actions that communicate a sincere concern for their well being. Here are some ways that we can show genuine love and care to one another.

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1. Listen to them: One of the best ways to show someone that you care is to listen to them attentively. Take the time to hear what they have to say and give them your undivided attention. Ask questions, show interest, and respond empathetically to what they are sharing.

2. Be there for them: Whether someone is going through a difficult time or just needs someone to talk to, being available and present for them can communicate a lot of love and care. This could involve spending time with them, offering practical help, or simply being a supportive person.

3. Express empathy and compassion: When someone is going through a challenging situation, expressing empathy and compassion can be very powerful. Acknowledge their feelings, offer words of encouragement, and show that you understand and care about what they are going through.

4. Show acts of kindness: Small acts of kindness can go a long way in showing someone that you care. This could involve doing something thoughtful for them, such as bringing them a meal, sending a note of encouragement, or giving them a thoughtful gift.

5. Respect and value them: Treating someone with respect and valuing them as a person is a fundamental aspect of showing genuine love and care. This involves being considerate of their needs, listening to their opinions, and showing appreciation for who they are as a person.

6. Forgive them: Forgiveness is an essential part of love and care. When someone makes a mistake or hurts us, choosing to forgive them can be a powerful way to demonstrate love and care. This involves letting go of anger and resentment, and choosing to extend grace and kindness instead. I will talk about this tomorrow. I love this topic and whenever I discuss it with my students in the church, they always follow. They love it too.

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The act of giving to the needy

The act of giving to the needy is an important part of many religious and ethical traditions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism. Giving to the needy involves providing financial or material support to individuals or organizations that are in need, such as the homeless, the hungry, or those affected by natural disasters or other crises. Peace be unto the families of those affected by the earthquake in turkey. God will strengthen and rebuild all what you've lost.... Just believe and live on God😢🙏🙏🙏

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Here are some reasons why giving to the needy is important:

• It is a way to help others: Giving to the needy is a way to make a positive difference in the lives of others. By providing financial or material support to those in need, we can help to alleviate suffering and improve the quality of life for those who are less fortunate.

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It is a way to show gratitude: Giving to the needy can also be a way to express gratitude for the blessings that we have in our own lives. By sharing our resources with others, we acknowledge the ways in which we have been blessed, and show our appreciation by giving back to those who are in need. This is a very important human virtue.

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• It is a way to build community: Giving to the needy can also help to build community and believes in the sense of connection and mutual support. By working together to help those in need, we can strengthen our relationships with others and build a sense of solidarity and common ideas.

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• It is a way to honour our ethical values: Giving to the needy is often seen as a way to honour spiritual or ethical values that emphasizes on the importance of compassion, generosity, and social justice. By acting on these values, we can deepen our own sense of purpose and meaning in life.

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Let's go through our Bible guys, where it speaks about the act of giving.

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2 Corinthians 9:7

"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or by force, for God loves a cheerful giver."

This verse emphasizes the importance of giving freely and willingly, without feeling pressured.

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Luke 6:38

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

This verse suggests that by giving generously, we will be blessed in return.

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Proverbs 3:27-28

"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbour, 'Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you'—when you already have it with you."

This verse encourages us to be prompt and generous in our giving, and not to withhold help from those who need it.

Matthew 6:2-4

"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

This verse reminds us to give without seeking recognition or praise, but rather out of a genuine desire to help others. Don't give hypocritically.

Acts 20:35

"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’"

This verse highlights the importance of helping the weak and vulnerable, and suggests that there is a spiritual blessing that comes from giving.

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I also want to make this question clear
Is it only the rich that gives and care for the needy?
No, caring for the needy is not limited to the rich. In fact, many people who are not wealthy give generously of their time, talents, and resources to help those in need. While financial giving can certainly be an important way to help the needy, it is not the only way, and there are many other ways to make a difference.

Most people feel like you have to be rich and wealthy before you can help the needy. No no no!!! Help and love comes from a good heart. Those who help are neither rich nor wealthy, but have a good heart.
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Let's love one another just as Christ loves us, regardless of religion.

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Yes, loving one another as Christ loves us is a universal message that goes beyond any particular religion or belief. The concept of love is central to many faiths and traditions, and is often considered an important virtue to possess.

Regardless of our religious or cultural backgrounds, we can all strive to grow with the value of compassion, kindness, and empathy in our interactions with others. We can seek to understand and respect different perspectives and views, and work to build bridges of understanding and connection across different people in this world.

By focusing on our common humanity and treating others with kindness and respect, we can create a more peaceful, harmonious, and just world for all. Most importantly, the message of loving one another as Christ loves us is a call to embrace our common humanity and work together to create a better world for everyone, for our generation and generations to come.

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This message that I've passed here today, I pray we get motivated to care and love one another regardless of tribe, religion and ethnic.

Please Readers should know that most of the verses in this post are in block quotations gotten from the Bible directly. No plagiarism.