OVERJOYED
Experiencing the Love of Jesus on Valentine’s Day
Editor’s Letter There is no love like the love of Jesus. Psalm 139 was written by David and expresses his joy when meditating on being known by the God who created him. Jesus knows us. He knows our thoughts, the words we speak before we speak them, and our coming and going. There is nowhere we can go to separate ourselves from His love. What a comfort knowing we are always in His hands. Isaiah 49:16 tells us, “Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” Because we are a part of His body, His walls of protection surround us. Because we trust in Him, He will always show up for us. He is the God who goes before us and behind us. He is a cloud by day and a fire by night. He releases new mercy for us every day and when we reach for Him in need, He is a very present help in trouble. When Hagar felt all alone, she cried out, received help, and knew “thou God seest me” (Gen. 16:13). I pray you feel seen by the Maker of Heaven and Earth, that the very Jesus who has your name written on His palm and keeps you there so that nothing and nobody can pluck you out, makes Himself very real to you in the pages of this devotional. Whatever season you are in, I am sure there is a woman of God who has poured out her heart into this project and her words will guide you closer into the arms of the Savior today. This Valentine’s Day, let’s celebrate the love God has placed in our lives. He died for us and because of His great act of love, heaven is waiting and is cheering us on as we walk with the Savior. In everything, always, more Jesus,
O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? Psalm 139:1-7
Ashley Ennis
The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3
seeking unity
Robin Ralston My husband and I have been happily married for forty-three blessed years. We are blessed with amazing children and grandchildren. We all live in very close proximity and see each other daily. I attribute this first to the mercies of our mighty God and second to a very close family dynamic that started with the roots of our marriage where love is at the center, but Christ is at the top. In Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus tells us “You shall love the Lord God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And a second is lit it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
The Lord created us for deeper unity with our spouses more than any other human. There are profound reasons for this, like the necessity of strong families for flourishing churches and societies. There are also pragmatic reasons for this (I believe), like how it sanctifies us as individuals to seek unity as a couple, and how pursuing unity causes you to have otherwise impossible conversations with each other. We should always take this unity and show it in all we do in every sector of our lives, including our Church and community. Showing His light, love, patience, mercy and forgiveness where we live, work and play. “Blessed is the marriage, that from the very start Is built on selfless love, with Jesus at its heart Blessed is the couple, whose faith is strong and sure, With Jesus as their partner, their devotion will endure Blessed is their life they share, their laughter, joys and trials For in the Lord their closeness, will grow deeper all the while Blessed is their lasting love, a seamless unity Of heart and mind and spirit, shared not with two but three.”
To me, love equals unity. In Psalms 133:1 scripture says “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.” Unity has many different meanings to many different people, but I like the definition that states “a condition of harmony: one accord”. Unity does not mean that you are a clone of one another. Both of you have different gifts and talents, interests, and attitudes that make the marriage work. One is an excellent cook while the other is mechanically inclined. It doesn’t have to be the gal being the cook and the guy being the mechanic either. It very easily could be the other way around! Unity in marriage means to be of one mind and purpose in marriage. When you make your vows, you are committing to the Lord and each other, agreeing that you will always strive to pursue the hard work it may take to get there, always having a humble heart with a servant's mission. In Ephesians 4:32 scripture tells us “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ has forgiven you.”
“I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” John 17:23
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Lori Stevens As Valentine’s Day approaches, attention begins to focus on the love and romance of the season. People begin wondering about who their valentine will be and what gifts will be exchanged. While it is nice to celebrate love and have a day to just appreciate this concept, love is not just a one-time-a-year event. People often talk about falling in love and even falling out of love. Relationships are formed and broken quickly in the world today. Our marriage rates have been dropping and divorce rates rising. Love is in a sad state of affairs per the world’s measures and ratings. Many of the younger generations in our world place low value on marriage and the relationships needed to make a marriage work. Love is an important part of a relationship and very important to make any relationship last. This world needs a better understanding of love. What is love? Love is defined by the dictionary as 1. an intense feeling of deep affection: 2. a great interest and pleasure in something. That is true. Love is an emotion, a feeling. It can overwhelm a heart. Love can be great. But I define love a little differently. Love is an emotion we feel but it is also a choice we make. In a relationship that will last, love must be chosen. God has a great deal to say about love. I have been married to my wonderful husband for 29 years. Love, the emotion brought us together. Love grew as we developed a relationship. However, as life goes on, dayto-day routines, the requirements of running a home, jobs, children, and all the ups and downs of life can cause relationships to waiver and even drift apart. Love becomes a choice. I choose to love my husband and he chooses me. We make choices to make time for one another, to do things with and for one another, and to stay together. Love becomes an active choice. Is every day easy? No. We choose to overlook little faults, forgive, look for the good in the other person, encourage and not tear down, speak well of one another and not destroy with our words. We speak life to one another. Those things are a choice. 2
choose love It is so easy to fall into talking about faults, complaining about spouses, and focusing on their negative qualities. It is so easy to allow ourselves to think only about how the other person fails you in some way. But for a God-honoring relationship, we must choose to do the opposite. 1 John 4:8 says He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God is love. Think about that for a minute. We experience God through loving others and being loved. Love does not exist without God. He is love. What did God do for us? He loves us so much he sent his only Son to die for us (John 3:16). He forgives, cares, helps, encourages, protects, and honors. He does so much for each of us. Part of the fruit of the spirit is love. (Galatians 5:22). If we are to be true Christians, our relationships should reflect the love of God for all of us. That means when God commands us to love one another just as he loves us (John 13:34) he means we are to really love in how we treat one another, honor, respect, care, forgive, and encourage. That means we get to choose to forgive the small things, speak life to others, and even speak well of them. Leave out the gossip and negatives. It means we care and share well. We are honest and trustworthy. We treat them the way we want to be treated. We respect and honor. We treat them the way Christ treats us. 1 Peter 4:8 tells us that love will cover a multitude of sins. There are small things that could add up to big problems if allowed to do so. Rather than focusing on the fact that those socks never end up in the laundry basket, just pick them up and put them in. Rather than complain about how they do something, try to discuss it or decide is it really something that is going to make or break this relationship. Respond in love. God forgives me daily, over and over. Shouldn’t I do the same?. God loves me regardless of my failures and shortcomings. I choose love that goes beyond just an emotion. I choose to represent Christ in my relationships. I choose to show the world that God is love by how I treat others. I choose love. God chose to love me. I choose to love.
a holy love Debbie Barnhouse There is a love that is greater and more timeless than any man has had for a woman. A love that would send a man out into the cold for two January days to work on wheels on a trailer for a family whose husband just got out of surgery. The wife of that husband makes candy and takes it out to sell in order to help provide for her family. A love from yet another man who would come and help out the wheel repairing man after going to see a very ill hospitalized wife of a friend. He would wait patiently for the family of this lady to walk out so that he could ask her about her relationship with God. And then explain the love and mercy of the lord and lead her in prayer to accept the Lord into her heart. A kind of love that would have a woman reach out to a very timid young wife and mother of two small children, whose husband worked out of state to provide for his family. She would help with the children and house work, even though she had an ill husband home from surgery and candy to make to sell. The time this woman spent with the young timid wife, she would tell her of the love and mercy of God. Until one day, this young mother asked the Lord into her life. A love that would make a young timid mother reach out to other young women for their walk with the Lord and go to a weekly Bible meeting and encourage these other young women in the Lord.
A love that would have a man open his home once a week to strangers for a Bible Meeting where many would come to find Jesus as their Lord and savior and they would be encouraged in the love of God. He would even have the people to come into his home while he was in the hospital having surgery. All so that they could continue to be ministered to. This story makes a complete circle. People sacrificing their time, abilities, homes, and love for those around them on a daily basis.
“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12
This love happens so easily in them because they have the love of God in their hearts and spirits. He gave His only son to die for them, so they could live. God pours His spirit into His children and His love lives within them. The scripture says in 1 John 4:20, “If a man say: I love God and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” The greatest love is seen in the Holy Word of God with many types and shadows as examples. The greatest love is also seen in the hearts of God's true believers. All because of God! All because of Jesus! All because of the Holy Spirit! 3
no greater Love
Rebecca Cooper Before I began writing the piece, I looked up the origins of Valentine’s Day, and it’s not pretty to say the least. But something stirred in me when I read that the name of the love holiday was most likely named after two martyrs named Valentine that were both executed on February 14th. Not much is known about these men, but being martyred for you beliefs takes a courage not all possess.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has not one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:12-13 ESV) In this verse, Jesus commanded us to love each other as He has loved us. He didn’t say we should, or we could if we feel like it. Can you say that you love others they way Jesus loves us? I can probably say that I love some people that way, but I cannot say that I love all others in that way. Several years ago, I began to pray that the Lord teach me how to love like He does. That’s what you call a loaded prayer. Anytime you ask the Lord to help you change your attitude, be ready to face what triggers you head on over and over until you have achieved an attitude adjustment. I hope you if decide to pray a prayer like that you will learn faster than I did. I had a long two-year span in my life where I was surrounded by people who are difficult to love. “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” (Luke 6;27-28 ESV) “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.” (Luke 6:32 ESV)
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There were times in my anger that I would have to say, “Lord, I don’t want to forgive this person, but I know that I am commanded to if I want to be forgiven. So right now, I forgive her. And, Father, I ask that you bless her to the overflow. Bless her so greatly that she knows she had an encounter with you.” Eventually, as I began to pray those types of prayers over the people that were trying to slander me and cause me grief, my heart began to soften. The Lord began to reveal to me the root causes of their behavior. See, people that are out to hurt others are usually acting out of hurt. They have a broken place in their life, and they are reacting out of that broken place. The Lord taught me to quit praying to try to change others, and He taught me to pray to change myself. I can’t control anyone’s behavior but my own. So now I often pray things like, “Lord, teach me to love this person in the way that they need to be loved right now. Help me to be the kind of mother, daughter, friend, sister, etc., that I need to be right now. Help me to see this person through your eyes and with your love.”
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for God so loved Linda Duvall Four words.
Love looked like us, and dwelt among us.
It is what everyone is looking for. LOVE. Four letters. We look in the most peculiar places for a love that satisfies every longing and desire, both naturally and spiritually, and it has to feel good, or it’s not love, right?
Love called His betrayer FRIEND.
Well, maybe we have a wrong perspective of exactly what real love is.
Love allowed suffering for a purpose.
Love is not February 14. Love is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Love healed. Love wept. Love laughed. Love corrected. Love even felt anger.
Love was beaten. Love was whipped. Love bled. Love carried His cross.
Love said, Let Us make man in our own image. Love formed man from the dust and breathed the breath of life in him.
Love laid down on a cross.
Love had a plan from the foundation of the world.
Love was lifted up in humility.
Love left His throne to become flesh.
Love was mocked and scourged.
Love was born and laid in a meager manger.
Love forgave.
Love grew up in an earthly house.
Love died.
Love preached the gospel of the Kingdom of God.
Love paid the price.
Love taught the truth in synagogues.
Love was buried.
Love ate with sinners and washed their feet.
BUT, LOVE AROSE! Love lives! Love’s mercy came running to you and me. LOVE SAVED…..YOU and me.
Love touched the leper and healed him. Love allowed the sick to touch Him.
Love took the nails in His hands and feet.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down His life for His friends.” John 15:13
Love looked on sin and yet did not sin.
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Janis Duvall Valentine’s Day begin many, many years ago, although it looked quite different from today’s celebrations. It has certainly become a more commercial holiday and the focus is more on lovers than the way it begin.
the heart of God
From the fall of man and the subsequent slayings of animals to cover their nakedness God has been in pursuit of mankind. It has been that love for—that longing for—that desire to have fellowship with us as His children that perpetuates that zeal.
According to legend ,St. Valentines (a priest from around the 3rd Century) was said to have sent to soldiers, and persecuted Christians, hearts cut from parchment paper. It is said that he used hearts to remind them of their dedication (vows of service) and of the love of God It was the use of hearts that evolved into it becoming the symbol of the day itself.
From the covenant established with Abraham, the laws given to Moses, to the death of Jesus upon the Cross, God has been seeking to establish a relationship, a connection with his own creation. One of the most comforting Scriptures that I have ever found is in Isaiah. Not once but five times.“For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.” (Is. 5:25, 9:12, 9:17, 9:21, 10:4)
As, St. Valentine was a priest and was in part reminding the people of that day of the love of God, that same thought bears repeating today. So,I would like to remind you of the same thing. The all consuming, never ending, matchless love of God.
I LOVE this!! It is written 5 times in 5 places and the number 5 is the number of GRACE!! So, no matter the fact that He is angry for all the sins, His heart is still on reconciliation, His hand is reaching out STILL.
The very HEART BEAT of God. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that WHOSOEVER believes on Him should not perish but have eternal life.” Years, ago our church participated in a Christmas parade. The theme for the parade was “The heart of the River Valley.” The float that we built had a humongous heart as it’s main focal point with a quote that said “From the heart of God to the heart of the River Valley” (we won for most unique). To me that theme represents the very essence of God. From the beginning of time it has been the heart of the Father to love His children.
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Years ago, we lost our young son to illness and I was crying out to the Lord. I could not understand how could he relate to my heartbrokenness and the longing to see my son. The separation was more than I could bear. As I was praying God simply reminded me that He could understand because when Adam sinned He lost too. He lost his connection, his fellowship, his relationship with his children. The sin and the complete separation was more than He could bear.
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my beautiful boy Cindy Fields
Part I My beautiful child, my sweet, beautiful child.
They call him King, Savior, Messiah, but to me, he was just a boy.
God told me who he was; I treasured these things in my heart,
I changed his diapers, fed him chopped apples, sang him to sleep.
saved them for the day that I would need them, but when I watched
I bathed his soft face when he fevered ill, kissed him goodnight.
them murder him, when my son was executed like a common thief,
They call him a god, but I remember the nights he ran to my room, afraid of the dark.
I forgot all He told me. I saw only my son, my sweet, beautiful child suffering, dying at the hands of this filthy mob. Oh, my boy, my sweet, sweet boy, how will I go on without you?
"MICHAEL. ANGELUS. BONAROTUS. FLORENT. FACIEBAT"
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Part 2 It’s every mother’s dream, her every desire fulfilled.
My beautiful boy, How long now since I’ve seen you? My eyes grow dim with age, but, oh, the agony of that day! A remembrance not muted by time.
Oh, how Your face reborn shone! How it gleamed with an otherworldly light, a light too good for this dirty place.
Yet still your face smiles in my memory, in my hope.
Yet that very light it was that cleansed everything You touched, cleanses still.
Still can I feel the pounding of my heart when they said
You, the Way, the Truth, the Light. You, my path to an afterlife of elation, my road to an unending place where you and I will never again be parted.
You were risen from the grave. I couldn’t believe it. My happiness could not be contained.
You, it’s you, my beautiful boy.
Years now since You returned to the Father, but my joy remains. Knowing that You live, truly live…
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beyond the stars Marylou Forrest The love of Christ Is free to all When on His name We choose to call His ears are open To hear our plea While arms are spread for those in need Our sin and shame He will erase With Calvary’s blood He took our place His love is real Don’t ever doubt That grave stone moved And He came out Eternal life freely ours Forever to live beyond the stars
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He is Love
Anita Tilley
We are coming up on a season that is represented by red hearts and angels flying around aiming arrows at unexpected victims. Unfortunately, this season can also be a reminder for a lot of people of just how hard mortal love can be to maintain and survive. Love is hard and love can wound. I have been fascinated by love for as long as I can remember, I have loved and failed many wonderful people, it was never my intention to fail them. In the beginning there was our creator, who not only loves but says He IS LOVE. If you read His word you see many, many ways HE IS LOVE. His love for us caused him to determine we (created man) was worth the pain we would cause. He put us in a garden where we had everything we could possibly desire, not only that, but the creator of the universe came to walk with mankind. That boggles my mind. Many times I have asked God "Why did you give man the choice to eat from the knowledge of good & evil, why not remove the tree?" He told me He wanted my love to be free will not earned or forced. He placed within mankind a God-shaped hole, not as a punishment but as a tool to lead us home. I believe He knew we would be influenced by many things that could cause us to get off track. This hole was designed to cause man to yearn to be whole. We live in a sinful environment that offers many alternatives to God to place in that hole, but by doing so it is almost like the need grows larger.
Anxiety, depression, confusion, and dysfunction begin to spread throughout. Only God, our creator, can satisfy that longing. Mother Teresa realized this when she said, "The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread". Love assures us that our being matters, that our life means something, that we are relevant in some way. From childhood we accidently learn that doing good makes those around us happy so we form the value of love based on performance. We can even attribute love as being joined to manipulation. I made those connections as well but as a child, I was introduced to a different kind of love. Now that I am older I can only relate it to the kind of love I found in my grandfather I called Papa. Oh I know this is a meager example but it's all I can use to explain a supernatural love. My Papa was a giant of a man. Had he not been so full of love, he might have been intimidating. His smile was one of the most beautiful things I can remember ever seeing. I came from a broken home so I spent winters with my mother and summers with my father. I was always homesick for someone or someplace. Even though they tried to keep it away from me, my mother and father greatly disliked each other. There was always an underlying tension in the air. Not at Papa's house. He adored me. He always told me how perfect he thought I was. He called me his little princess, co-pilot, little darling. I was far from earning that place but I could clearly see I filled his heart with joy when I could come stay with him while my dad and step-mom worked.
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Heidi McCullers
a prayer about Love
God is gracious—it is he who makes things right, our
Dearest Lord,
most compassionate God.
In profound gratitude, I lift my heart to you, acknowledging the gift of our emotions, the boundless depth of Your love, and the extraordinary sacrifice of Your Son. My words falter in trying to fathom what love would be without Your divine example. We, mere mortals, often distort the sacred essence of love, deceiving ourselves and misusing the word.
God takes the side of the helpless; when I was at the end of my rope, he saved me. I said to myself, “Relax and rest. God has showered you with blessings. Soul, you’ve been rescued from death; Eye, you’ve been rescued from tears; And you, Foot, were kept from stumbling.” I’m striding in the presence of God,
In a world tainted by falsehoods, love is frequently trivialized and trampled upon, veering away from its true meaning. You, O God, embody love in its purest form, and to know and walk with You is to truly love. Today, I implore You to lead every soul to encounter genuine love. May Your revelation be mighty and transformative in their lives.
alive in the land of the living! I stayed faithful, though overwhelmed, and despite a ton of bad luck, Despite giving up on the human race, saying, “They’re all liars and cheats.” What can I give back to God for the blessings he’s poured out on me?
My heart sings in resonance with Psalm 116 (The Messenger), expressing the depth of love for You:
I’ll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to God!
I love God because he listened to me, listened as I begged for mercy. He listened so intently as I laid out my case before him. Death stared me in the face, hell was hard on my heels. Up against it, I didn’t know which way to turn; then I called out to God for help: “Please, God!” I cried out. “Save my life!”
and I’ll do it together with his people.
I’ll pray in the name of God; I’ll complete what I promised God I’d do, When they arrive at the gates of death, God welcomes those who love him. Oh, God, here I am, your servant, your faithful servant: set me free for your service! I’m ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice and pray in the name of God. I’ll complete what I promised God I’d do, and I’ll do it in company with his people, In the place of worship, in God’s house, in Jerusalem, God’s city. Hallelujah! Amen.
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My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely. Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies. Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether. Song of Solomon 2:10-17
above all things Gail Reeve
Love. What is love?
Love does not envy. If our love is directed towards others, we rejoice in the blessings they receive rather
Webster’s dictionary defines love as a strong affection for another. The Bible says, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). In 1 Corinthians Chapter 13, we have the greatest explanation of what true love is. The love that the apostle Paul described comes from the Greek word agape, which means a love based on the deliberate choice of the one who loves rather than the worthiness of the one who is loved. It is a giving, selfless, expect nothing in return kind of love (unconditional love).
than desiring those blessings for ourselves. The selfless love that God calls us to does not involve pride or selfglory. It does not parade itself and is not puffed up. True love does not seek its own. When we truly love others, we will set aside our plans, agendas, and entitlements for the good of others. Jesus said in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” I don’t believe Jesus meant you will take a bullet for
Paul began this chapter in Corinthians by speaking of some spiritual gifts. He said if we speak in an
them, although this may be the case for some. But I believe he was saying that a man who loves his friends will lay down his plans, his desires, and his time for his
unknown tongue, if I can prophesy if I have great faith, if I am a big giver to the poor, and if I even give my body for the kingdom, but not in love then it profits me nothing. It is all in vain if it’s not for love.
friends. Love is not easily provoked. That is love is not easily angered or overly sensitive. When we love others we are careful not to be touchy or quick tempered
He continues to explain what this “agape” love is
concerning other people’s words or actions towards
and what comes from it:
us. In 1 Corinthians Chapter 6, Paul is writing to the Corinthians about taking their brouthers to court. And
Love suffers long and is kind. We live in a “throw-
he said to them, “Why do you not rather take the
away” society that encourages us to get rid of people in our life who are difficult to get along with or who cannot benefit us. But this attitude is in complete contrast to the love that Paul describes and what Jesus taught. True love puts up with
wrong?” Love does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in teh truth. The godly love described in this chapter has nothing to do with evil, but has everything to do with
people who would be easier to give up on. Jesus told us to even “love our enemies” and to do good to them that despitefully use us.
what is right and true. It believes all things and hopes all things. This doesn’t mean that love is blind or naive.
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steadfast love of God
Alesha Kendrick
“His steadfast love endures forever.” We find this English form of the Hebrew word, “hessed” used 242 times in the Old Testament, twenty-six of which are in Psalm 136 alone. Steadfast is synonymous with faithful. Somehow even faithful doesn’t really get to the heart of the steadfast love of God. Think of steadfast as constant, unchanging, or unwavering. The steadfast love of God is fixed, immovable, and resolved. God has steadfast love for His children in spite of them. Throughout the Word of God we see patterns of His commissioning the most unlikely of people to use for His good purposes and to bestow is love upon. Moses killed a man and was weak in speech, yet God loved Moses and made him His spokesperson and the leader of God’s people. Rahab was a prostitute and God loved her enough to save she and her family from destruction. She would also have the honor of being listed in the genealogy of Christ. Lowly shepherds, societal outcasts, would be loved so much they would get the honor of being the first visitors to see Christ, the newborn King. Some of Christ’s disciples were poor fisherman and even a hated tax collector. But God, because of His steadfast love, would entrust them with many of the mysteries of the faith and with sharing His story to all the ends of the earth. There was nothing inherently worthy in them our in us. In fact, Jeremiah 17:9 says “the human heart is the most deceitful of all things and desperately wicked” and Romans 3:23 tells us “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Romans 5:8 expresses that
“while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” This act of His sacrifice was the ultimate example of His steadfast love for us. God’s steadfast love draws us to himself. The Hebrew word for draw, māšāk, is used in Genesis 37 when describing Joseph being dragged from the pit where his brothers left him to die. This is the same word used in Jeremiah 31:3 “…I have loved you with an everlasting (steadfast) love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Take a moment to reflect on a love that draws us in and drags us out. Even as a follower of Christ, I went through a season of being in a pit, a miry bog, as David describes in Psalm 40. In actuality, we can all describe the fallen world in which we all live as a pit from which we need to be dragged from. As much as I fought and clawed, I could not rescue myself from the pit of depression. Likewise, none of us can deliver ourselves from the human condition of sinfulness and despair. We, like David, need the steadfast love of God to draw and drag us up into life and peace with Him. Our good Father God gives us this gift of steadfast love by drawing our hearts to His. No one understands and no one seeks for God. (Romans 3:11) No one can boast in effort or wisdom. Because of God we are in Christ Jesus, who himself became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption. (1 Corinthians 1:30) Give thanks to the Lord “who has remembered us in our low estate, for His steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 136:23) God’s steadfast love is eternal, His steadfast love endures forever. The eternality in scripture is eternity in both directions. God stands outside of time, no beginning, and no end. The love of God is not merely an attribute of His, but part of His very essence. God is the source of love. If love is part of who God is and He has always been and will always be, we can deduce that love is eternal as well. Friend! Do you know what this means? Before any of us ever existed, and on past the time we are all gone, love will be. After we failed God in our sin, love was.
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expressions of love
Allene Duvall
Have you been to Wal-Mart lately? The isles are full of candy, chocolate, balloons, hearts, and bears; end caps overflowing with beautiful flowers for “make your own” bouquets! All of which are in bright hews of pink and red. Every basket I passed, as I hurried toward the back to retrieve a gallon of milk, was filled with all these goodies. I smiled as I passed young moms with children in tow chatting loudly about the gifts in the baskets. There were older women with serious looks on their faces as they pondered boxes of chocolates then lay them back just to pick you a super box of sweet tarts. Oh, and don’t forget a young fellow carrying a huge bouquet of red roses!! Decisions decisions!! What is this all about!!!??
These parties or yester years evolved to more elaborate parties where all boxes and cards were purchased and now gifts of yoyos and puzzles. The holiday of Love grew as parents would have flowers and gifts delivered to schools and gifts delivered to the workplace! This progressed until many schools had to stop this newly developing tradition because it was taking office personnel out of the office delivering flowers and gifts all day! In today’s world, the need to materially express love has possibly exceeded the actual base of LOVE. These expressions are so needy in a world where kindness, goodness, and love are so often forgotten. As we hurry around to gather gifts, candies, flowers, and cards for our families and loved ones, let us remember the true meaning of Love and the greatest gift ever, available to all and for all. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16…this is God’s gift to each of us.
When did Valentine become the ultimate expression of Love? And how did it become such a burden of commercialized giving? Going back to my childhood experience of this then obscure holiday, it was exciting to have a party the last of the day. Room mothers would bring Kool-Aid and cupcakes. All my classmates and I would have Valentine boxes made of shoe boxes or Quaker oat boxes! These were covered with tissue paper of pink, white, and red. These would have pink and red hearts made of construction paper attached with Elmer's school glue around the sides! We often made the little cards; some were “store bought” but all would say “be my valentine” or “will you be mine” or other funny comments. There was always one special just for the teacher and one for your special friend.” What excitement as the day would draw to an end.
We know love by this, that He (Jesus) laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren (1 John 3:16). “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lay down His life for the sheep.” John 10:15
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Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8
love in
Shawnna Reed Sometimes I feel like I am on the biggest roller coaster of the seasons. We all experience the ups and downs in natural life. We experience spring, summer, fall, and winter. Sometimes I feel so close to my Lord, and other times I am so far away. After many years of being distant, I have a closer understanding of the big picture of what the Lord’s plans are, and what his eternal love means to me. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace” (Eccles. 3:1-8) My lowest roller coaster season was when I lost my brother suddenly in 2011. I immediately turned away from God. I was furious that God allowed this to happen to me and my family. Looking back now, I realize what a fool I was. God's love is what carried me through this tragedy. Even though I gave up on God, God did not give up on me. When my world crumbled into pieces, He waited for me faithfully. Even when we hide, and we choose not to look upon Him, we are perfectly loved. Christ is our firm foundation. When everything around us is shaken, God carries us. “It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:2223) 17
all seasons
Praise Jesus!!
Christ's love for the church is the ideal love he intended for a husband and a wife. Song of Soloman love song is a celebration of the goodness and beauty of perfect love. Soloman had 700 wives, and 300 concubines. How could a man that lived that lifestyle write a song about love? Only by the grace of God. God inspired Him to understand true love, and further record it in such a way that we may see a pattern for the New Testament church, and Christ's eternal love for her. “I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys” (Song of Solomon 2:1). I believe God works in the ordinary, but my heart shows I fear this. I think I am good enough, smart enough, organized enough, holy enough? Lord be with me. King David is an example in showing us how to trust in God's plan. David said, “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him, for he delights in him” (1 John 4:16). “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love; dwelleth in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:19 ). We love him, because he first loved us. Throughout Jesus' earthly ministry, Jesus showed His love for others by blessing and serving the poor, the sick, and the distressed. He told His disciples to love each other in the same manner that he had loved them.
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love
Mindy Alvarez There are people in this world that we find just plain hard to love. It might be a family member, a friend, a coworker, a boss, a neighbor, but most especially an enemy. We know God asks that we love "everyone" but honestly, we cannot imagine love that person...ever....under any circumstances. Think of someone you find hard to love. What is it about the person that makes him or her hard to love? The truth is that we cannot fully love people out of our own love tank. In part, because we lack the necessary resources in our fallen nature to love that deeply and that unconditionally. But also in part, because our culture lives by a principle be good to those who are good to you. If a neighbor helps us out in a bind, we reply in kind. If someone invites us for dinner, we return the invitation. If a parent drives our kids to practice because we just had surgery, we offer to do the same. If our boss honors us at work for a job well done, we will work even harder to show appreciation for the recognition. It's good manners. Its expected. And most of all, it makes loving others easy. It comes naturally. We don't mind being kind to those who are kind to us. But what about when........... Your neighbor yells at your children every time they step even one foot into the neighbors yard, even when no damage is done? You drive your friend's kid to practice and back every day of every week all season and never even hear the words thank you? You work your tail off at work and do the extra and your supervisor takes credit for it to the boss? Loving is no longer easy is it? And yet we are called to love....even when actions and words of another prove thoughtless, unapprecitiave, and unkind. We cannot possible do this on our own.
unconditional
If our view of love is "what will I get" it will fail us every time.If our view of love is "what will I give" it will never fail. Love is a choice. We must choose to give it...period. Godly love only works when we allow God to work His love in and through us. What does that look like?
First, God's love is unconditional. We are to love people despite all the reason we can list not to love them. Remember Romans 5:8? God demonstrated His Love for us in that while we were sinners (while we were rotten, rebellious, prideful, selfish people), Christ died for us. He loved us when there was nothing lovable about us. You see, we are never more like God than when we love an unlovable person. We will never feel God's pleasure more than when we love someone who's unkind, thoughtless, or unappreciative. When we don't extend this kind of love, we look exactly like the world. We are no different. God calls us tp be different. Set apart. To be a shining light in this generation.~ "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16~ Second, God's love is sacrificial. It is a giving love. A selfless love. An active love. We can speak words of love to someone, but it isn't until we show God's love that they truly experience and know His love. Jesus made the ultimate sacrificial gift when he gave up His glory, His honor, His life to free us from our sin and certain death. It's a love that doesn't keep score.What does that look like for me and you?
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I have heard my whole life that people don’t change, and now I realize that’s not true. People change if they want to change. They can either allow circumstances and the consequences of their choices to make them change, or they can allow the love of the Father to change them. After my divorce, I walked around broken for years unable to love anyone fully because I was so flawed. But there came a time when I wanted to break free of the bondage of the pain that I carried around with me, but I first had to learn how to love the Lord. And without even realizing it, my definition of love changed. I no longer believe that love is something that we hold onto, but instead, love is something that we give and receive. If we say that we love someone, we must be willing to serve that person. And if they love us, they will be willing to serve us as well. Love takes action.
And THAT is why He has done everything He could to be able to have that again. To repair that breach that was made when man fell. To restore, to have mercy instead of judgment. What a great thought! God so loved us, that He gave His most, His best, His Son! Why? So that He could have access to all mankind. Just like St. Valentine, God, himself used a heart to provide for His children. He gave us His Heart. His way to remind us of His great love for us. To assure us that He would give His world to have the way made to make us His own. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us , that we should be called the sons of God.” 1 John 3:1
I have been single for many years, so while I know Valentines Day is considered a romantic holiday, I think if we just made it a day of serving others then we would really be spreading what true love is all about. And I hope that you take some time on Valentines Day and everyday to reflect on how much Jesus loves you. He laid down His life for you, and there truly is no greater love.
This my friend, is the HEART OF GOD!
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“I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies.”
Before any of us said, “yes” to being a follower of Christ, love was. Long after we have repented and repeated the process, love will be. You have always been loved and will always be loved because His steadfast love endures forever. Romans 8:38-39 assures us, “that neither death, nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus or Lord.” This means, not even you or what you do can separate you from His steadfast love.
Song of Solomon 6:3
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He allowed me and my cousin Marta to get in my grandmother's cedar chest and dress up in her long fancy dresses and we would pretend to do fashion shows. He always made sure we were both the winners. Then he would have my cousin and I stand on his shoes and he would dance around the room, twirling our long dresses. We felt like Belle's in a ball. It was clear he had as much fun as we did. The joy did not come because we were good or because we did anything. The joy came because we were his.
“This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12) Powerful statement from Jesus that is not so easy to read for a sinner like me. When Jesus showed us that “there is no greater love than this” when he laid down his life for us. The main point of this verse is: Jesus displayed the ultimate form of love for us by going to the cross.
“And this is love that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, "That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it” (2 John 1: 6 ).
I learned that some love has more to do with the giver than who receives the love. This kind of love begins in the heart of the giver. And the receivers enjoy the free gift because of who they belong to. I hope somewhere in everyone's life they experience a papa kind of love so that it helps you believe in a creator who is overjoyed to have you believe in His Son Jesus and ask him to be the Lord of your life. This gift is free but was bought with a very special price, the father's only son.
Obeying the words of God is love. Put God first in everything. Allow Him to become your everyday leader of life. A personal relationship with Christ is the foundation of a Christian life. We are creatures who live in time. We must respond to the seasons of life as they come. How we respond, displays our level of Christian maturity. We should grow in Christ, and in love, and our understanding of both, by seeking Him while he may be found. Christ is Love.
It even says in Isaiah 53;10(TPT) Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer and through the Lord,Jesus made his life an offering for sin, therefore mankind was reconciled to God. How could God say this of his own son? Because He loves you so much and His son, Jesus, was willing to die for your iniquities. What does it cost you? Nothing, just believe and accept your free gift. An eternity awaits your choice. You were created to love and be loved by the creator of everything. You were created to be His. I am still dancing but my feet are planted firmly now on the creator of the universe, love itself. And I follow His lead.
And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 20
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When we love, we may recognize problems and failures in people, but we do not lose faith in the possibilities of what they may become. We pray for them. Love never gives up, knowing God can change lives for the better.
It might be baking cookies and taking them to your unfriendly neighbor. It might mean writing your prideful boss a note sharing how you appreciate working for the company. It may mean driving your friend's kid to practice expecting nothing in return and trusting her schedule is overwhelming and that she just needs your help.
Love endures all things. Love accepts any hardship or rejection, and continues to build up and encourage others. The love Paul is describing here in this “love chapter” is determining what is best for another and then doing it by laying down your life and putting others first!
We are the earthly vessels God uses to reveal his heavenly love. Our neighbors may never walk through the doors of a church, but they will walk through your doors. Our friends may never open the Bible to learn what's in God's heart, but they will join in conversation with us to learn what's in our hearts. We make God real. We are His ambassadors.
This is the love God has shown to us. John 3:16 says, “That God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes on Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” So, if God is love and God gave, then love is an action. In the original King James Version of I Corinthians Chapter 13, it uses the word “charity” for love. We know charity as a gesture of goodwill and giving toward others. Charity is love you give away. Isn’t that what God did for us? He gave life so that we can have life.
Think of that person who is so hard for you to love, the one you cannot believe God is asking you to love. I have a name in mind right now. I can tell you with confidence that the Lord is calling me to love that person. But not in my strength, and He isn't asking you to love in your own strength. He is asking us to love that person in His strength. Let's pray on God's unconditional, sacrificial love and invite Him to fill our love tank so we can love our unlovable one in and through His strength.
I John 4:7 says, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and everyone that loves is born of God and knows God.” Verse 20 continues by saying, “If a man says, ‘I love God’ and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves not his brother who he has seen, how can he love God who he has not seen?”
Now let's you and I commit to one act, one word, one way to love our unloveable person today!!!
“And above all things, have fervent charity among yourselves for charity shall cover the multitude of sins” (! Peter 4:8).
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world 1 John 4:4
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7 21
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. MATTHEW 11:28-29