John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes: in him shall not perish but have eternal life.-
Romans 8:1-4 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Happy Valentine’s Day, my friends! Today is the one day of the year that we celebrate love. I have no idea why only one day was chosen for this spectacular celebration, but I am glad that we do set aside at least one day to remember and reflect on all the things of love. For many, today is one of celebrating their great romance. We share gifts and chocolates and romantic dinners with our sweethearts. We give chocolate filled hearts to our children, family and friends. We think about how much we truly love the person that we are doing life with. But for some, that special person has been called home to Jesus. Others haven’t yet met that special someone. Yes, for some this is a very lonely day, but it doesn’t have to be. For you see, there is one true, eternal love of our life that has been with us all along and who will never leave us.
I feel the love of my husband, my family, and my friends on a daily basis. I really do, but some days (most days actually) I really, really need to feel the love of my Savior. I am so thankful that He is always there. Life has been a bit stressful this past year. I’ve never worked in a pandemic before, and I pray that when this COVID pandemic ends (if it ever ends) that I never have to work through one again. I’m speaking from my heart when I say that I am so tired that my tired is tired. This whole thing has been very wearing on the body and the mind. It is easy to get dismayed, but then there’s God! My first true and forever love shows up and reminds me that He is very near. He reminds me that He never left me and that He is still in control and that I only need to be quiet and still.
A Chris Tomlin song came on the radio on my way to work yesterday. It is called Take My Life, and somehow, that song was exactly what I needed to here for this Valentine’s weekend. Let me share the lyrics with you: Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee. Take my moments and my days. Let them flow in ceaseless praise. Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of Thy love. Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee. Take my voice and let me sing always, only, for my King. Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from Thee. Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold. Take my intellect and use every power as You choose. Here am I, (here I am) all of me, (all of me). Take my life, (take my life) it’s all for Thee, (it’s all for Thee). Take my will and make it Thine. It shall be no longer mine. Take my heart, it is Thine own. It shall be Thy royal throne. Take my love, my Lord. I pour at Your feet its treasure store. Take my self and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.
If you are feeling not so “Valentiney” lovey, dovey today, or perhaps feeling sad or alone, don’t give in to those feelings. Go back and reflect on your first love: Christ. He is the one who gave up His life for each and every one of us. When we begin to comprehend what Christ did for us, how much He gave up for us, and how much He truly loves us, we learn what true love is. Let us recline in the joy of our salvation. Let us celebrate this true love we have for the Savior and this wonderful, unconditional love that He has for us. Let us give of ourselves fully to Him today and every day. Let our hands and feet be used for His glory. Let our lips be filled with His words. Let us give of ourselves to others, and ask the Lord to use us as He see fit. Let us show the love of Christ to this lonely, crazy, chaotic world we have found ourselves in. I know that Jesus can loves us through this pandemic, and we can love others through ti as well.
Today seek out and remember your first love. Celebrate Christ today and every day! You are loved so much more than you could ever imagine! I hope that you have received that precious gift of salvation. There is no greater gift than the eternal love of our Savior. Share that gift with someone you love today!
Inspirations from the Funny Farm 