We should love everyone, even our enemies. First, the Apostle John made it clear that we should love our brothers and sisters in Christ. He writes, "And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters" (1 John 4:21).

Beyond loving our Christian brothers and sisters, we are supposed to love our enemies. It is hard to love someone who isn't nice to us, but that is what God wants us to do. Jesus said: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous" (Matthew 5:43-45). It is easier to love those who love us back. But Jesus said if we don't love our enemies, we are no different than those who don't follow Him (Matthew 5:46-47). As you reach out to those who are not nice to you by being nice to them, you might be surprised to see what happens. When you treat someone nice, they just might end up being nice to you, too!

If you are having difficulty with someone, talk with them about the things they like to do. It could be sports, music, movies, hiking, fishing, or reading -- anything. When you find something that you both like to do, start talking about that. Jesus taught us that, next to loving the Lord, the second greatest commandment was to love our neighbor as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). This echoes the Old Testament commandment: "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18). The Apostle Paul said, "For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'" (Galatians 5:14). So when someone isn't nice to you, try repaying him or her with kindness. One of the best ways to be a friend is to look for things you have in common with another person. Someone once said, "The only way to have a friend is to be one." You might find that in time they will become kind to you as well.

God wants us to be fulfilled, blessed, and successful in what He has planned for our lives. He also wants us to be a reflection of His love and a blessing in the Earth. In Jeremiah 29:11, the Lord makes clear His intentions for you and me: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'" We read in Genesis 3:8: "When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees." This is how God wants to relate to us today, as well. It is God's desire to walk with and to communicate with His children. He wants to talk to us. And He wants us to listen and talk to Him.

There is more good news: we can hear His voice. The Bible makes it clear that we were created to have two-way communication with Him. Jesus tells us in John 10:27, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." The prophet Isaiah says, "Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, 'This is the way you should go,' whether to the right or to the left" (Isaiah 30:21). You can hear God's voice by reading the Bible, through listening to your parents, and by going to church, and listening to your pastor or Sunday School teacher.

As you get older, you will learn how to know God's voice from the other voices you may hear. God's voice can come with peace you will feel in your heart. In the Old Testament, a boy named Samuel thought that Eli was speaking to him when it really was God (1 Samuel 3:7-8). He had to learn to identify God's voice. But after some practice, he became one of the greatest prophets in the whole Bible. As you practice hearing God's voice, you will find that you too can identify it so that you can do all God calls for you to do.

Don't be ashamed. The Apostle Paul said, "For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes..." (Romans 1:16a). God has done so much for us, but sometimes it is hard for someone who does not believe in Him to appreciate and respect that. But God wants us to be a reflection of His love to that person. That is why He wants us to obey His commandments -- especially to "love your neighbor" (Matthew 19:19). By obeying God and doing the right thing -- even if sometimes it doesn't seem like the cool thing to do -- you are actually loving your neighbor. They may have never read the Bible or learned what God's plan is for their life. By doing what God says to do, you become like a living page of the Bible for them.

Jesus said, "No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father" (Matthew 5:15-16). Shine the light that Jesus has placed in you! Because, when you do, other people will see Jesus -- maybe for the first time.

God's instructions are in Scripture (Joshua 1:7-8). The Apostle Paul writes to his young friend Timothy, "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). There is no way for any human being to know what is right and what is wrong unless God reveals it to them. That is why God has given the Bible to us as a guide for living. God's will is expressly revealed in His Word.

Hundreds of thousands of people have suffered, sacrificed, been imprisoned, and even died to make sure that you and I received a copy of the Holy Bible. It is foolish to neglect the Scriptures when such a high price has been paid to ensure that we have access to them. Serious study of the Bible will teach us what God expects from us and desires for us in our daily lives. The first thing said about the believers on the day of Pentecost was that, "[They] devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching" (Acts 2:42). They were following the principle of Psalm 1 that states, "Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do" (Psalms 1:1-3).

When we find and obey God's truth in the Bible, we will have success in life.