"Come Together—In Love," ML #3100:17–18, 21-24, 26–30, 32-36, Vol.24

17. (Jesus:) As you, My beloved spouse, grow into this new closeness, this most intimate relationship with Me, in this new day of love, I would that you now not only show My death in your remembrance of My sacrifice on the cross, but that you also show My life until I come. As I have given you a sample to follow‚ so follow Me. I am the Good Shepherd, I go before you. I am the Good Shepherd and I give My life for you, that you may also follow and give of yourselves to one another.

18. Therefore, know that this communion time is a symbol of My love. It is a symbol of My life given for you, that you may in turn give your life for another. In this time of gathering to partake of My body, and to partake of My blood, remember My gift of love, that you may live in My love each and every day. As I have shed My blood for you, I would that you, My Family‚ shed your blood‚ your sweat, and your tears for each other. As My body was broken for you, I would that you give of your body to love each other.

21. Give your body for one another in love, in all you do throughout your days. Give, and I will give to you. Give of yourself as I gave of Myself. As I gave My life for you‚ I would that you daily give of your lives for one another. Give at every opportunity. Give in every way. Wherever possible and whenever possible, show love to another. Give a tender touch and a warm smile. Give a listening ear. Lend a helping hand. Do a kind deed for another. Say a silent prayer. Speak a word fitly spoken. Go out of your way to help another. Stoop to lift a brother when he falls.

22. Give when it's difficult to give. Give when it hurts to give. Give of your time. Give of yourself. Give freely. Show patience to those who feel frustrated. Show compassion to those who are in need of understanding. Give a hug and a warm embrace to those who are in need of affection. Yield your body wholly to Me that I might live and love through you. Be My arms, be My hands‚ be My lips, that I may love another through you.

23. Be ready at all times to give of yourself. Work together. Weep together. Laugh together. Enjoy together. Have fun together. Encourage one another. Put your arms around your brothers and sisters and comfort one another. Pray together. Trust together. Fight together. Unite together. Hold on together. Rise up together. March on together.

24. Love without partiality. Love the unlovely. Let your love for one another bear all things, and believe all things good toward one another. Let your love for one another be such that it never loses hope. Love one another always, and walk a mile in another's shoes. Go to any length. Suffer any agony. Make any sacrifice that another may know My love through you.

26. When you gather to celebrate My communion of love, let it be a time of commitment to Me and to each other. Let it be a time to pray together, renew your unity, and to think and reflect and make this declaration of love. For as My body was broken that you may know My healing touch, and My blood was shed that you may be born again to life eternal, so both My body and My blood were given that you may know My love and live in love and love one another as I have loved you.

27. Therefore, remember this when you gather together in sweet communion, that this may always be a time of uniting and communing with Me and with each other. For if any man says he loves Me, then let him show love for others.

28. Let this be a time‚ therefore, to look deep into your neighbor's eyes and say, "I love you and I thank Jesus for you. By God's grace‚ I give my life for you. By God's grace, I will die daily for you each and every day of the year. For we are one; all one body we—one in hope, one in doctrine, one in unity. I love you with God's love, and I would never ever purposely do anything to hurt you."

29. (Mama:) It would make me so happy if you would take the time during this communion to do what the Lord suggests in the above paragraph. Don't just read this and forget about it, but please do your best to do what He says: Look into your brethren's eyes and say the little pledge of love to each other. You don't have to do so this minute. In fact, it would be better if you finish reading the entire Letter, and then afterwards partake of the bread and wine and have this little love feast with the Lord and each other.

30. If you can just make it through the initial awkwardness and say those words that don't come easily; if you can put your arms around your brother or sister and appreciate him or her; if you can love one another, forgive others for any way you've been hurt, and forget about the things that have seemed unjust or unfair, you will be greatly rewarded! Look at each other with new eyes of love and expectancy and appreciation, and remember that each one of your brothers and sisters‚ your friends, your mate, your children, your shepherds, love Jesus. They are so precious to Him. Please, won't you love them with His love?

32. (Jesus continues:) As you do this, know that I will pour down My strength as never before. Let this time of sweet communion be a time of liberation: liberation from fear of loving one another; liberation from fear of total commitment; liberation from selfish living; liberation from all that would hold you back from loving; liberation into My freedom and fullness of life—that you may live My love to the full.

33. Therefore dedicate yourselves in this communion ceremony and follow My sample of love. For as I gave My life for you, as My blood was shed and My body was broken, so I leave with you a sample that you may follow. Give of yourselves to one another at every opportunity, and in this you will find strength that you know not of.

34. In your times of communion, remind yourselves of your love, not only for Me, but for one another, and walk away only to live in love. For I would that you carry the communion of My love in your heart at all times, as you show My life until I come. In this, comfort one another.

35. You need not be bound to a certain ceremony or a certain format week in and week out, for I love all your ways of loving Me in your sweet communion times together, as you unite and remember Me. Just do all things in love and walk in love. Remember Me as I remember you. Stay close to Me, for I am close to you. As you partake of the bread and the wine, in remembrance of Me‚ remind yourselves of your love for each other. Believe in Me. Believe that I will do all that I promised in all My Words to you.

36. As you do this, I will pour out My power in greater measure, that you may be filled with My power of love to celebrate My life in all its fullness! By this all men may know that you are My disciples, not only in word, but in deed and in truth—you, My children of David, who know My love and live in My love to the full. This do in remembrance of Me. Love one another and live in My love. (End of message.)

"Loving Kindness," ML #3237:6-13, 37-51, GN 840

6. (Jesus: ) Affection is something that takes time, just like praising and noticing little things—the colors of a flower, the songs of the birds, or how delicious a meal tastes. It takes going at a slower pace in both body and mind, where you have time for the little things. The little things are really the big things, because that's what makes life so enjoyable and special and gives meaning and depth to living.

7. Affection is one of the priceless treasures of life; it provides that special touch that lets someone else know that they are special.

8. It's these little things that are remembered and written down up Here—little smiles‚ a touch of affection‚ a kiss, an "I love you"—because they're acts of love, and no act of love is ever lost or forgotten.

9. Affection is one way that I can manifest My love for others through you—through every stroke on the head, embrace, or squeeze of the hand. Or even pulling out a chair for someone to sit on‚ fixing them something to drink or eat, perhaps doing something for them they don't even see—like placing some flowers on their desk when they're not there. You may not actually be touching them, but you're showing your affection, which is a tenderness in your heart that is reaching out to them in some way that shows your fondness towards them.

10. Affection is when your heart expresses your love for another in some physical way that is giving to that person—whether it's saying something sweet and kind, helping them with their work, hugging and holding them, giving them soft kisses on the cheek, or putting your arm around their waist or your head on their shoulder.

11. Affection is a wonderful gift of love that you should always take the time for and not let it be choked out by the busyness of the affairs of this world‚ the tares of many cares. Because where affection is, there is love; and where there is love‚ there am I also, giving and loving through each person to another. As you give affection, so will the love in your heart grow, and it'll grow in the hearts of others, helping them to be loving too.

12. You can even be affectionate with your eyes, so that when someone looks into your face and into your eyes they will be touched inside by the love reaching out from your eyes and loving them for who they are. You can be so filled with love that being affectionate just comes natural by the way you talk and reach out to others—touching them, holding them, kissing them, and looking at them in love, because your heart is filled with My overflowing love.

13. Your gentleness will make you great. In other words, your kindness, your tenderness, your affection towards others will make you great. As you are filled with My love, so will it be greatly manifested in your affectionate actions and love towards others. (End of message.)

Showing Love by Being Kind and Courteous!

37. (Dad:) Little things are very important to the Lord, because when you're obedient and faithful in the little things, this is a sign of your love for Him.

38. When you show people love in little ways, when you show people little courtesies and are well-mannered around people, it's really showing the Lord a lot of love, because people are His property. People belong to the Lord and He loves them dearly. So when you take good care of people, show them love, do loving things for them, treat them with courtesy and good manners‚ it's really honoring and respecting the Lord.

39. You're being loving and kind to the Lord. You're telling the Lord that you love His creation, His people‚ and you want to be loving to them not only for their sakes, which is a good enough reason‚ but also out of love for Him.

40. You can show others and the Lord a lot of love by just being kind and courteous every day. It's amazing how much the little courtesies and good manners affect people. It means a lot to people and they really, really appreciate it when others treat them with love and courtesy. Just ask anyone if they don't feel better when someone says, "Excuse me" if they happen to bump into them‚ or pass something in front of them, or walk in front of them when they're having a conversation.

41. People love and respect others even more when they're kind and courteous to them, even if nobody makes a big deal out of it, but you just do it naturally. It's love‚ it's being loving, and it's part of our duty as Jesus' disciples to be loving to one another. Showing courtesy and manners to one another in the little things is a wonderful way to show the world His love. You don't have to do big things to be loving, and as a matter of fact, it's often the little things that are so important.

42. It's so easy to unintentionally hurt people a little or make them feel unloved or unappreciated, when just a little courtesy can do the opposite and make them feel appreciated and loved. Stop and wait for someone if you're walking too fast and give them a chance to catch up, and slow down your pace.

43. If someone suddenly walks up to you while you're having a conversation with another person, try to include them in the conversation and fill them in on what you've just been talking about. That's just good manners; it's rude and hurtful to people to ignore them or exclude them from your activity or conversation.

44. I won't go into a big long list of all the daily courtesies and manners that people should strive to show each other, because that would get pretty long. There are hundreds of things you can do throughout the day, little things that make someone's life more beautiful because of your kindness. It would probably be a good idea to have a little pow-wow amongst yourselves and try to come up with all the practical ideas you can of how you can show courtesy to each other and display good manners.

45. If you follow Jesus' golden rule to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you," then you'll be kind and courteous and won't have any trouble knowing what you're supposed to do. But it takes time to build the habit of doing the loving thing, and in the meantime it's good to have a specific list that will help you get started.

46. When you pray and ask the Lord to help you be more loving, at the same time ask Him how you can be more loving, and then start working on those practical areas. That's like putting feet to your prayers. As you do your part, He'll put the love in your heart, and soon it will become a loving habit to do those things.

47. See, you can't have one without the other. You can't just ask the Lord for more love but then not work on it or do the practical things the Lord shows you to do. Neither can you just try to work it up in the flesh, or it won't come across right. It'll just be dead works, a superficial tradition without the spirit. You've got to both ask the Lord for the love you need and do your best to put it into practice!

48. It's a wonderful opportunity to preach the Gospel to each other and to lift up Jesus, just by having good manners and being thoughtful of each other. The people who are thoughtful and courteous are also probably the same people who have the least problems with disunity, contention, and misunderstandings, because love begets love.

49. If you're in the habit of being sweet to others just in your everyday manners, it really helps the unity of the entire Home and sets a good example to others of the love of Christ. It helps to smooth over those times when you will do something wrong. It helps people to be forgiving and kind to you in return, because you've been in the habit of being loving and kind.

50. Courtesy and manners are very important because they're showing love—and love is the most important thing. It really pays to do the loving thing, to show courtesy to others, because it builds friendship‚ it builds loving interaction, it strengthens unity, it brings harmony, it shows others appreciation and helps to lift their load, it makes life so much more beautiful, and it shows your love for Jesus.

51. I hope all of our folks are making a habit of being courteous with each other, because it's a very important part of your sample as Christians, and the Lord will bless it. (End of message.)

"Do the Humble Thing," ML #3251:6-15‚ 109–113, GN 853

6. (Jesus: ) What is the greatest goal in life? What goal have I given you to strive for? It's a twofold goal‚ but it has the same root of success to it—love. Thou shalt love Me with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself. This is the greatest goal, for it encompasses all things.

7. Love will redeem lost souls‚ repair any breaches, solve any problems, mend any heartaches, even heal broken bodies and bring about My plan for you. So if there's any one goal that is most important, it is love—love among the brethren, love for the lost, love for Me. This four-letter word embodies all that I am and that I wish you to be. So come before Me and ask Me to help you to love more in every way.

8. A greater increase in love will increase the witness you give, and the fruit of your witness. It will increase your supply, the finances that come in. It will increase your unity, which strengthens you, your Home, your children, your prayer power.

9. Love is all things and can do all things! It's the greatest power in the universe—not just on Earth, but also in the Heavenlies. My love is the only thing that will give you what you need to do the job ahead of you—to reach the lost.

10. In order to reach the lost, you must first begin at home and set things right within your hearts. Charity begins at home. Increase the warmth of your home fires, the love that emanates from the hearth. Then your love for the lost, for your outreach, for your ministering to others, will increase.

11. Love can cause marvelous chain reactions! As one reaches out to love Me, to love another, then it sets in motion a chain of love. Love begets love. So if you begin with a loving deed, a loving word, even a loving thought, it sets in motion the spiritual chain that continues and continues and continues.

12. Although to many this is simplistic and childish and a simple step to take, I say this is the greatest step you can take, for it is the step to Heaven, the step to make you more like Me, more Heavenly, more of a representation of My Father and of Me. Be My love for your brethren, for your children, for your mates, for your friends, for the lost, for the hopeless and helpless, the poor and the needy. This will I bless greatly.

13. If you love‚ you will bring down all the other blessings upon yourselves, upon your Homes, upon your sheep, upon your ministries. My love will beget love, and you will receive in great measure as you pour it out.

14. My goal is love; let this be your goal. Follow in My footsteps, looking forward to see who you can reach out to‚ who you can touch with My great love, forgiveness‚ comfort and peace. Give it freely, and freely I will repay and give manifold blessings to you in return. Let this mind and heart be in you—My mind and heart—a mind and heart which loves and loves and loves again unto the utmost.

15. I love you, My children. Seek to give and to share this love with others, and you'll be richly rewarded with My bounty, protection‚ supply, joy and freedom of spirit, all of which you can share and pour out to others. As you give, you receive; as you receive, you will have more to give. And so the cycle continues until all are overwhelmed and overshadowed by My perfect love. So love! I love you! (End of message.)

109. (Mama: ) As I was thinking and praying more about how you can apply these messages from the Lord, it came to me that really what the Lord is asking of each of you is a commitment to love. Yes, He's asking for unity, oneness, harmony‚ but those are things which have to be brought about by everyone's effort together.

110. No one person can bring about unity—and yet He's making it very clear that this is a personal thing‚ between each of you and Him. You might read these messages and think, "Well, we all have to be working together in order to bring about unity, so it's not really something that I can strive for on my own." That kind of puts the onus to change on others rather than it being a very personal commitment.

111. But what is it that makes unity possible? What is it that brings us together and enables us to all strive for the same goals in harmony and unity? It's love—not our own love, which fails and falls short, but God's supernatural love. When we're living in His love‚ we're promoting unity. So the way to make a personal commitment towards living in unity with your mates and brothers and sisters is to make a personal commitment to love—to do the loving thing‚ the humble thing. If you do that, you'll be doing your part to live in unity—and that's what the Lord is asking of you.

112. I hope that helps to make it clearer to you what the Lord expects of you. He doesn't expect you to try to legislate righteousness or single-handedly bring about unity. That's not possible for any one person to do, and if you try, you'll probably just wind up being self-righteous and making a mess of things. But you can make a personal decision to love—not just once, but every day, each time you're faced with the opportunity to do so.

113. The kind of love that I'm talking about is the kind that truly prefers the happiness of others to your own—the kind that lays down its life that others may live‚ the kind that's willing to sacrifice just so life can be a little easier for others. It's not easy; it's the most difficult law the Lord ever gave—the Law of Love. That's the kind of love that the Lord is asking each of you to have, and that's the kind of love that will bring about unity! So don't worry about everyone else‚ and whether or not everyone is doing their part to bring unity. Just ask the Lord to make you more loving—and then sincerely do your best to love, and you'll be bringing about unity!

"Show Appreciation," ML #3254:4-12, 16-32, 43-65, 106-114‚ GN 859

The Importance of Expressing Praise and Appreciation to Others!

4. (Jesus:) You might not realize it, but praise is an actual spiritual power which uplifts‚ encourages, and strengthens. When you praise Me, you empower Me to work on your behalf. When you praise your brothers and sisters, mates, co-workers, and children, you're strengthening their walls of defense against the Enemy's discouragement, and giving them spiritual strength to keep going.

5. Praise is such a powerful tool against the attacks of the Enemy! It helps you to count your blessings, to see the positive, to keep your mind on the good things, and it also does wonders for the person who you're encouraging. When you praise Me, it draws us closer together and strengthens our bonds of love. When you praise and appreciate those around you, it also draws you together; it encourages you that you need each other. It helps the other person to know that you love them, need them, and that they're not alone or unnoticed, that their labors are worthwhile.

6. Praise, encouragement, and appreciation are some of the most effective weapons against the Enemy's attacks! Those who learn to wield them skillfully not only develop strong fighting muscles in the spirit through concentrating on the positive, but they also become rescuers of those in need, who I know I can send to encourage and help those who are faltering and in need of uplifting.

7. So learn to be one of My encouragers! Learn to wield the weapon of praise and encouragement against the Enemy's attacks on your brethren. Realize that when you see something good about someone, it's probably Me putting that thought in your heart because I want you to say it! And the more you learn to give what I put in your heart, the more I can give you‚ and the more effective you'll be in My hand as a tool of encouragement and uplifting.

8. What is showing appreciation? It's taking the time to either put into words or show by your actions what it is about a person that you like, what it is that makes you want to be around that person, or what that person does or is that makes your Home a happier Home and your life a happier life.

9. It doesn't have to be big things that you praise or appreciate people for. As a matter of fact‚ concentrate on the little things, because the little things are the things that often go unnoticed. If you feel you're not observant enough to notice or know what to say, just ask Me! And then when I give you something, say it! Don't be too proud or worry about what the other person will think—just lovingly give My Words.

10. For example, if you see a pregnant mommy looking radiant and beautiful, tell her! It might just be the time that she's battling about the physical changes in her body and feeling unattractive. When your child does something sweet, go out of your way to praise them for it and let them know that you noticed. When the cook puts out the food, show your appreciation for whatever I put on your heart, whether it's the nice presentation, the clean kitchen, the delicious sauce, etc. Let your JETT know how much you appreciate her help and sacrifice in helping you with the kids at Family time. Tell the dear single in your Home how much you admire him or her and appreciate their being on call to fill in—how much it does to strengthen your Home and keep things running smoothly.

11. Everyone needs praise and appreciation, and when you give it freely, you become a channel for My love to flow through to that person. So give! Realize the tremendous power of My Spirit which is in your hands, and give praise and appreciation to those around you.

12. You should even appreciate the ones outside your Homes. The waiter‚ the garbage men, the shop owners, the contacts—let them know how appreciative you are of their labors. Thank them, and never be too proud to show your love—because it's really My love for them. You are the tool I want to use to encourage them. (End of message.)

What Holds Us Back from Showing Appreciation?

16. (Jesus:) There are so many things that hinder the show of appreciation:

- Being in a hurry.

- Being too shy.

- Thinking the other person will think what you do or say is dumb.

- Thinking that your show of appreciation will be misinterpreted by the recipient.

- Feeling that to say or do something sweet would be looked upon by others as being corny or overdone.

17. Sometimes people don't show proper appreciation because they just don't take the time to look around them to even notice the many blessings that come their way through others' actions and sacrifices. So the most important first step if you want to show more appreciation for others is to pray and ask Me to open your eyes and to help you to see how much there is in each of your brothers and sisters, friends and lovers, your mate or children, that can be appreciated. I'm not talking about general appreciation, but specific things that are unique to that individual.

18. Just stop for a moment and look at that person and let Me speak to your heart about all their good qualities, the things they do that are special, that light up your life and make your load easier and give you a reason to live and joy in your heart. You can even stop and ask Me to speak to you in prophecy about that person, and I'll show you things that you would have never thought of or seen on your own, things which you can then appreciate them for, and be even more effective in your giving of encouragement!

19. Once you've let Me reveal to you how much there is to appreciate, then it's just a matter of making that appreciation known to the other person—and the easiest way to consistently, faithfully and impartially show appreciation is through your words. A lot of times people want to say something appreciative and it's right on the tip of their tongue, but they hold back because they're embarrassed and they don't know what the other person's reaction will be.

20. But let Me remind you of one very important people-handling principle which I think will give you the faith to step out more to put those thoughts into words: Everybody is hungry for appreciation. There's not one person on Earth who doesn't need the encouragement of appreciation. Everyone needs to know that they're noticed, that the things they do make a difference, that it matters to somebody.

21. Even just a few words of simple, honest, sincere appreciation can go so far to make somebody's day, to help pull them out of a negative mood or to help refute the lies of the Enemy. Very few people are actually conceited; most people have inferiority complexes. Most people think negatively about themselves‚ and their own flaws and weaknesses loom before them as an almost unconquerable mountain.

22. The Enemy has been able to get a hold on so many of the children of David through negativity and comparing and low self-esteem because those around them were not faithful to pass on My love through words of encouragement and appreciation. So make it a personal project, even a hobby, if you will‚ to give it all you've got to develop the gift of encouragement. It's easy, as I've said; just slow down long enough and prayerfully seek Me—even in prophecy—and let Me show you all there is to appreciate in those around you, then step out by faith to put that appreciation into words.

Be Specific!

23. Now‚ if you really want the words you speak to do the most and to hit the bull's-eye, be as specific as you possibly can be in what you say. It doesn't always have to be long and flowery; it can be simple and specific too. Just say whatever words I put on your heart! But be specific‚ and if you can't think of anything specific, then ask Me and let Me show you something specific to appreciate!

24. The more specific the appreciation, the easier it is for the recipient to believe it. Instead of saying, "I really appreciate the way you're always so cheerful," you can say, "When I see you in the morning, you always have a cheerful smile on your face and you never fail to say 'Good morning' and to show interest in me. It really lifts my spirit and I look forward to seeing you each day."

25. Or if you want to encourage a child, instead of simply saying, "Good girl, Honey. I appreciate when you don't leave messes around," instead say, "Good girl, Honey! I know it's difficult for you when you want to go on to a new game or go to get–out, but I appreciate it when you take those extra minutes to put away your toys and to straighten up the room. It shows you're really growing up. You're becoming conscientious and mature, and it's a very important quality."

26. Or if your mate does something special for you—makes you a little snack, brings you a wild flower from his get-out walk, or takes the time to make the room nice and romantic before your date—instead of just saying, "Oh, thank you, that's so nice of you," you can say, "Thank you so much. I really appreciate the love you show me. You're such a good sample of Jesus' love to me, and you can't imagine how these little acts of love inspire me and make me love you all the more."

27. If someone has prepared a meal, instead of just saying "Thanks for cooking! I appreciate it," try to make your appreciation more specific, saying, "Thank you for cooking and going out of your way to make the presentation of the food so appetizing. It makes it taste even better when it's arranged so beautifully on the plates. I know that takes extra time and effort‚ and I really appreciate it."

28. When you thank the provisioners or shoppers, be specific and say, "Thank you for driving all over town today to get our needs and minister to the contacts. It must have been a really big day for you, since it was so hot and involved a lot of driving. I really appreciate it!"

29. Tell the teachers and childcare people how much you appreciate the way they're so watchful and prayerful with the kids at get-out, or the way they're always looking for new opportunities for the kids to learn about witnessing, or how they tune in to the kids during little moments like snack time, always trying to make their time together fun, educational, and a learning experience. Tell them you appreciate their diligent care of the school materials, the way they're so energetic with the kids, or the way they're teaching them to sing. The possibilities for specific appreciation are limitless! You just have to pray and ask Me to open your eyes, and you'll be amazed at how much there is to appreciate in those around you!

30. So you see, it's not that difficult to show appreciation. Just put yourself in the shoes of the other person and think, "Now, what would I like someone to say to me right now?" Ask Me to show you the sacrifice that they've made or any little difficulty that they might have encountered, and then show through your words that you realize it, that you know whatever they've done has taken time, effort, and has cost them in some way. You can show appreciation for the things that people do for you‚ for the qualities that they have, for the sacrifices they make, for the gifts I've given them, for the way they're growing and progressing.

31. There are so many things to be appreciative about, that appreciation should be flowing freely in your Homes. There should never be a lack of appreciation, for once you get in the habit of going slow enough and prayerfully assessing whatever situation you're in and looking around to see how you can be a blessing by giving appreciation, you'll be surprised at the multitude of opportunities you'll find. You'll see that it's easy to be appreciative. It just takes honest concern, a moment of observation, and then the humility to put into words the appreciation that you feel.

32. I can give you the gift of appreciation if you'll just ask Me, and then put feet to your prayers by putting forth the effort to build a good habit of showing sincere, honest appreciation each time you have the opportunity. And the wonderful thing about it is, the more you show appreciation‚ the happier it makes you, because part of being appreciative is recognizing your blessings, being positive‚ looking on the bright side. And the more you do that‚ the more thankful you'll be. (End of message.)

Love and Appreciate the Dear Ones by Your Side!

43. (Jesus:) It's good that you tell others of Me, that you spread My love and My message abroad in the hearts of all men, that they may be drawn to Me and find life, peace, and true love. But neglect not to love those who are by your side‚ to love and appreciate your neighbor as yourself. This you ought to have done, and not to have left the other undone.

44. This is My commandment, that you love others as yourself, that you appreciate others as you yourself wish to be appreciated, that you give to others as you wish to be given unto yourself. Look not every man on his own things, his own works and concerns, but look every man on the things and works of others and see how he may be a blessing to them.

45. Your ministry is not only to the world, but also to the dear ones by your side, your brothers and sisters in Me‚ your co-workers‚ friends and companions who also lay down their lives for Me daily, who have also taken up their cross to follow Me.

46. Appreciation begins with loving, appreciative thoughts. As a man or woman thinks in their heart, so are they. As they think positive and uplifting thoughts about their neighbors, this results in positive and uplifting attitudes and actions towards their neighbors.

47. Don't dwell on your brother or sister's lacks and failings, their faults and idiosyncrasies; think instead on their good points—how much they love Me, how hard they work‚ the sacrifices they make, their cheerfulness in the face of affliction‚ their faith in the midst of adversity, their love for the lost and their dedication to My cause.

48. This is why I counseled you in My Word to dwell on the things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, to think of the virtues of others and the things for which they deserve praise. As you see others in this way‚ your attitudes towards them change, and they begin to feel the change in your spirit.

49. They begin to feel needed, appreciated, valued—not just another child who's learning lessons and growing up, not just another young person who does outreach or watches children, not just another SGA struggling to find their place in the Family and the one with whom they would like to spend the rest of their life, not just another older adult with afflictions or marital problems or difficulties with their young people.

50. As I have loved you, so should you love one another. Appreciate one another. Express your appreciation for each other every day in many little ways. When the women in the Home look beautiful, tell them so. And by beautiful, I don't mean just when they're dolled up with makeup or a fancy dress. You'll find so much beauty to appreciate once you start looking for it! When the men in the Home look neat, clean and handsome, or do something kind and courteous, tell them so. When the children are especially obedient or are making progress in some little way, tell them so. When the handyman has repaired something or done something worthy of praise, express your praise. When the cook has prepared a nice meal‚ tell her so.

51. Show your appreciation even if things don't turn out as people hoped they would. Maybe the child made a few mistakes in her drawing, or the cook burned the potatoes, or the handyman bent a few nails, or someone completed a project but forgot a few little details. Praise the love and effort that went into it and overlook the faults, if you can‚ like the Lord does. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, and be loving and sincere in your approval, appreciation and praise.

52. During your praise times, think of something to praise Me for about your mate‚ your children, your brothers and sisters and co-workers. Don't merely say that they're wonderful or are a blessing, but be specific:

53. "Thank You Lord for Marie and what a terrific mother she is and how much she loves her children and is so sacrificial in caring for them, willing to give up what little free time she has so that they can be happy and fulfilled."

54. "Thank You Lord for Pete and how he works so hard to pay our bills and keep our Home running smoothly each month, taking care of a multitude of business."

55. "Thank You Jesus for Phillip and what a good sample he is of prayerfulness and including You in his conversations and thoughts. It's so uplifting to be around him because he's praising You and voicing his love for You, and it makes me want to do the same."

56. "Thank You Lord for Jeanie and how cheerful she is. Even when she gets asked to do things that she probably doesn't really feel like doing‚ she never makes anyone feel bad for asking for her help, and is so cheerful and willing."

57. "Jesus, thank You for John, and for what a good handyman You've made him. Thank You that we don't have to pay lots of money to get the little things fixed and repaired and even built around the house, because You've gifted him with the know-how to take care of those things. He fills such a big need in our Home."

58. "Lord‚ thank You for Sherry and what a good sample she is of getting in your Word and sharing it with others. It's always so encouraging when she shares with me one of her recent favorite quotes‚ and makes me want to go read that Letter too. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and I'm so thankful for how she's helped me to be more faithful in my Word time!"

59. You could do this even if you're not having praise time—go around the circle and express appreciation for each other, or express your appreciation for one person or child who is in need of encouragement and praise.

60. For someone's birthday, you could even prepare a list of all the things they do and the ways they are which you appreciate about them—their kindness and gentleness with the children, their courtesy and concern for others, their sweet and cheerful spirit, their attitude of praise, their liveliness and uplifting attitude‚ their diligence in business‚ their ability in the kitchen, their love for the lost and the way they know how to get out the tools, their talent in follow-up or the mail ministry‚ and many other such things.

61. It's also good that you express more interest in your brothers and sisters. Though you live close together, often you don't know each other in a deep way. Share testimonies of your life before or after joining the Family, or growing up in the Family, over dinner or during fellowship. As you come to know each other more deeply, you'll learn to appreciate each other more.

62. Love and appreciate your neighbors—the brethren by your side—in the same way you love the lost. You wouldn't think of being grouchy, irritable, or angry with the lost, or rushing off when they're in need and wish to talk. Try to have the same love and appreciation for those who live with you and are close by you. Smile, even though you may not feel like it. Hug them, even if you're not feeling affectionate. Talk to them, even though you're short on time.

63. When you're with your mate, your children, or your brothers and sisters, give them your full attention. Don't be distracted by other thoughts, other jobs, other people, but give them your loving look, your listening ears, your concentration and prayerful attention, your sympathetic heart, your affectionate touch, your caring and concerned words.

64. Another way to effectively give appreciation is by telling a person an encouraging thing someone else has told you about them. Of course, you must be prayerful and wise when you pass on another's words, but when someone compliments someone else in your presence and you prayerfully pass it on, it can be doubly encouraging to know that someone appreciates them enough to tell others about it, and that you also appreciate them enough to pass on the compliment.

65. As you give to others, it will be given to you. As you care for and appreciate others‚ so will they care for and appreciate you. Then your Home will truly be a Home of hearts, with hearts full of love overflowing on each other and the lost. (End of message.)

The Love Game!

106. (Jesus:) Everybody is in the love game and all Heaven is watching you play, because this is Heaven's favorite sport! I'm the author of the game, and I've designed it to have no limits. This is one game you can never get enough of. The time to play is right now. The time to stop is never. You can go as far in the game as you want. New records are being broken every day. Will you be next?

107. The love game will always keep your interest! It will always challenge you, stimulate you, satisfy you. It's the best active pastime you can ever take part in. And to top it off, it has the best payoff! It's the highest-paid sport of all time! The prizes you win for playing the game are off the charts‚ out of the world imagined by earthlings!

108. The rules of the game are this: The object is to be the most loving person you can—to show love and appreciation to as many people as you can, as often as you can.

109. The goal of the game is to be on the top of the list of the most loving. You can take as many turns as you like. A turn consists of doing something loving. Reach out and give someone a hug, a kiss, an encouraging word. Do a kind deed, tell someone how much you appreciate them, make a little sacrifice to help someone, lend a listening ear‚ say a kind word—take your pick from any one of a limitless number of things you can do to brighten someone's life, make their job easier or give them a little love.

110. Any deed you do to show love and appreciation to those around you gains points in the love game. The more turns you take, the more points you score. As long as you take a turn, you never lose. I have assigned each of you a Heavenly scorekeeper whose job is keeping track of your score. Every time you gain a point, it's recorded on your official love scorecard. You'll always win something for each point, but naturally those with the highest scores win the most prizes! When you arrive up Here, the scores will be displayed for all to see. You'll get to see who was the most loving, who showed others the most appreciation and who won the most prizes. It's all on exhibition up Here!

111. This is the most exciting game going on in the universe! Love is the name of the game! All Heaven is watching you play the game, rooting for you and cheering you on, watching to see how skilled you become, watching to see if you discover new moves and ways to score points. It's to your advantage to become skilled at the game right now, because when you get Here‚ the game goes on! Love—that's the name of the game in Heaven. It's the in thing in Heaven, and everyone plays it.

112. You might have a tennis match or a soccer match, but the hottest thing going in Heaven is watching you down there in the love match! My Heavenly helpers are all watching to see how you fare, to see how they might help coach you and help you develop your love skills. Take it from Me, it pays to learn the love game well. It pays to work out and stretch those love muscles, listen to your coaches, keep taking turns and stay in shape for the love game—because that's what Heaven is all about!

113. If you want to get ahead in the game, train with Me. I'm the Champ. If you pay close attention, I'll teach you the winning strategies and techniques that will guarantee your success. The key to getting ahead in the love game is to give it all you've got. Be hard–core for love. Go all the way! Let the game of love occupy your mind and dictate your actions all the time. Remember, your game improves with practice. Never pass—always take that turn to show love and appreciation. Perform great feats of love when you can, but never underestimate the simple moves. You'll be surprised what the simple maneuvers will do. Simple little turns taken regularly and consistently add up the points!

114. I love this game! It's really My thing. The love game is the best recreation you will ever know. Stick with Me if you want to become skilled in the sport of love. I'll give you your game plan each morning geared to your playing field of that day. I'll keep giving you the right calls throughout the day so you can gain points. Be a love devotee‚ and you'll join the all-time greats—My all-star cast, those who are tops in the field of love, experts at the love game! Now, want to play? I challenge you to a love match! (End of message.)

"Gems and Jewels‚ Part 1," ML #3416:75-83, GN 1003

75. (Mama: ) Have you found yourself being closed off or cool in your interactions with others, when you used to be more loving and affectionate? Have you caught yourself having selfish reactions out of habit, and wondered how you could have become that way so easily, without even realizing it? Have you felt that your life has become dry, that you're indifferent in spirit to the needs of those around you‚ and that you're lacking in love or motivation? Here's some good counsel from the Lord on what can cause that spiritual condition‚ and how to break the cycle!

76. (Jesus:) You ask how it's possible to lose the love I give you to give to others. You wonder how it's possible to backslide in this area? It's simple. Every time you withhold the love I would give through you, your heart becomes just a little bit harder. Over time, it's hardened more and more, to the point where there is a hard crust on the outside of your heart, and as much as you want to give out My love, you're encased in a cage of hardness and indifference.

77. This is the way it works: If you want to break down those walls, you have to break through with one little thing at a time. Just like water running through a leak in the dike, the hole will grow bigger and bigger till the crusty exterior will crumble and be washed away by the great flow of love I give you.

78. I can't pour great measures of love on you while your heart is hardened. I must wait till you begin to pour out so that I can pour back in. If you're full, how can I fill you more? It's only in giving away that which I've given you that you're able to receive more.

79. So each day give a little more than you did the day before. Give to someone else and let Me widen the hole in the walls you've allowed to build up around your heart. Let Me wash away all the walls you've built with a flood of My love. Let Me rush in and rush out to others.

80. Open up and pour out so that you may receive. Open your heart so My glory can flow in, and so the crusty and hardened exteriors may be broken down and melted by the warmth of My love as your heart beats with love for others.

81. Take the little steps of love today. Express your love to someone you don't normally talk to with a hug or a kiss. Hold someone's hand and tell them how special they are both to you and to Me. Love the unlovely—for what reward is it to love only those who you're attracted to? What sacrifice is that? I reward your love, but I reward the most a sacrificial love and a giving of love that is difficult. When you give from a heart that is full of My love to those who you don't like in the flesh, or to those you have a hard time getting along with, then I give you extra blessings, and this does much more to break down the walls. This is genuine love, not a selfish, me-first love. It's a genuine, sharing love that gives and cares with My love.

82. Really make an effort today to love others. Everyone you come in contact with is special to Me. I love each one, great or small, old or young, pretty or plain, handsome or normal, and I want to use you to show them My love. It matters not what a person is like outwardly; to Me what matters is their heart—and I want to use your heart to love their heart, and their heart to love another's heart, so that the warmth of My love might spread, and that all may be happy in My fold!

83. My commission to you today is to love, love, love! Love is blind in some ways. It sees not the weaknesses, only the strengths. It sees not the disadvantages‚ only the advantages. It sees the good where others cannot see it. It sees the potential where others only see the current mistakes. So let My love wash through your heart and overflow on those around you. Amen? (End of message.) (See also "Prophecies on Yieldedness," ML #3044:44-56, Lifelines 23.)

"Shooting Straight, Part 5," ML #3503:103-108, GN 1091

103. (Jesus:) At the end of your life when you come Home to see Me, what do you think I'm going to care about the most? Do you think that I'll say, "Well done, you sure got a lot done; enter into the joy of your Lord," if those successes came at the price of neglecting loving interaction with your brothers and sisters?

104. I'm talking to those of you who get so focused on the work and all that you think you need to do that you start to see your brothers and sisters as hindrances to your progress. I'm talking to those of you who push aside the most important aspect of all—love—in preference to getting "one more thing" done on your to-do list. I'm talking to those of you who are so accomplishment-oriented that you've forgotten that you're on Earth to be love-oriented, and that without love‚ nothing else you do will profit you anything.

105. I know you all remember 1 Corinthians 13, right? Those aren't just Paul's words; that wasn't just his personal standard, or just true in his personal life. Those words came from Me. They are too beautiful and true and everlasting to just be Paul's own idea. They were directly inspired by Me‚ because they show how I feel; they expose My heart and how I judge when it comes to accomplishments vs. love. It says that if you do all those things, but don't have love, it profits you nothing. No profit = no good. Do you understand? That means that things done without love, or things accomplished at the cost of showing love and compassion and care for others, are unprofitable work—a waste of time, idle work, useless work, work no better in My eyes than the idle words you'll have to give account for.

106. No profit means that it didn't help you any. You might think that your haste and hurry and the lacks in your kindness and consideration of others will be justified in the end‚ but they won't be. The end will not justify the means. You can rush through life "getting stuff done‚" but you will have failed if you don't take time to care for others, to love them, to be Me for them‚ and to even delay the more important things you have to do in order to show those immediately around you that you care about them and their needs and that they matter to you.

107. I know that many of you have important jobs for Me, important duties for the Kingdom, and I thank you for being such faithful servants. But being a faithful servant, as important as that is, is not a higher priority than obeying the first two commandments. Those are your highest priorities of all: to love Me and love others. No matter what your to-do list says, you should always imagine that written above your top priority are two extra items: Love Me and love others. Getting your first priority done without doing those extra two means you really only did third best, which isn't good enough. That's failing in My books.

108. There's nothing that can compensate for a lack of love. There are no works that you can do which will make it okay that you didn't care for those around you. There's no task that is so great that I'll say it was okay that you treated others rudely or roughly or like hindrances to your plans in order that you could accomplish it. And since you cannot make up for a lack of love, the only solution, if you want your life to amount to anything in the next world, is to show that love. Love is life. Love is the only way to live. The greatest of these is love.

Copyright © 2006 by The Family International