God’s love

Valentine’s Day is often a day for people to think of love between people, whether as friends or romantic attachments.

For those who put their trust in Jesus Christ, it’s a wonderful opportunity to remember true love.

God’s love is true.

John 3:16 KJV — 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.

God’s love is timeless.

Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV — The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

God’s love is sacrificial.

John 15:13 KJV — Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

For He created mankind in the Garden to be in relationship with Him.

He warned Adam what to stay away from, as He knew that sin would break the relationship through the consequence of eternal death, separation from God for eternity.

Yet, when Adam and Eve sinned, God gave a promise to redeem them and Jesus is our Redeemer.

He loved each one so much He was tortured and executed to pay our penalty for sin.

That is true love.

As you celebrate Valentine’s Day, or choose not to celebrate, remember there’s one who loves you perfectly.

1 John 4:16 NKJV — And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

Let His perfect love be what you share with those around you today.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your perfect love. Thank You for teaching us that You are the only One who does love perfectly. We cannot love perfectly, because sin taints all things even our love, yet through Your Word and Your Holy Spirit we can learn to love as You, we can abide in You and You in us. Lord Jesus, please continue to teach each one of us how to love as You do. Help us to look to Your Word for direction and guidance, truth and wisdom, encouragement and comfort. Lord, only through You can we find all we lack, for You gave us life and salvation and You sustain us daily through Your love. Thank You! May Your name be glorified this day and every day. Amen.

The gift of love

Our daughter and son-in-law allowed their oldest girl to spend the night with us Saturday.

The next morning Papa and Faye came out to see the animals while I was doing chores.

I was surprised by our male rabbit, he rarely lets anyone pet him, but as you can see, he sat quietly and let her.

She helped feed both bunnies, pet the sheep, and said “Hi” to the chickens before returning inside so we could prepare for church.

She was a little shy as people greeted her and sat between Auntie and myself during worship.

She wanted me to hold her for one song, tucking her head under my chin and grasping my arms with her tiny ones.

Once service began, Auntie (Anne) took her to the nursery.

The sermon was from 1 John and our pastor began with describing the love and trust his granddaughter has when her dad tosses her in the air.

That same love and trust I see in our grandchildren for their father.

It’s the same love we experienced while Faye was staying with us.

Like her joy and hugs when we got up in the morning.

Her smiles and cuddles when she came in from seeing the animals.

The kisses and hugs she gave each of us before she returned home with her parents.

These beautiful moments will be added to the string of cherished memories I have of our precious little girl.

One of my favorite memories, during her infancy, is when I’d walk her to sleep, then sit in the rocker and enjoy holding her while she slept.

I feel so blessed to have these times with her, and am inspired by her.

Her gift of love is a blessing and she loves, because we first loved her.

And in turn, I love because Jesus first loved me.

1 John 4:19 KJV — We love him, because he first loved us.

This gift of love from God is meant to be shared.

And I’m taking the example of our granddaughter in how to love.

I want to love God with perfect trust in Him.

1 John 4:18 NKJV — There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

Because I am safe in the salvation of my Lord Jesus, I can lavishly love without restraint.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your love. Thank You for our grandchildren and how much I learn from them. Lord, thank You for our children and the things I’m still learning from them. Lord, thank You for Your love and how far You went to bestow Your love upon us. Today, I want to love You as my granddaughter loves, without restraint, without worry. Lord, I want to learn to trust You as a little child. For I know You are worthy of my trust! You are worthy of all my praise. Your Word is truth and Your salvation is eternal life. What do I have to fear when my soul is safe in You? Nothing but You do I want to revere. Lord Jesus, thank You for showing me the gift of love. I’m unworthy of it, but I’m so thankful for it! I love You, Jesus. Amen.

“Whom shall I fear?”

Psalm 27:1 NKJV — A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?

It’s a slick, crafty, sneaking kind, the voice of fear which piggybacks upon “reason”, “caution”, and “sense”.

Too often its poison has seeped into thoughts and begun to sway actions before those influenced by it are even aware of the change.

It takes God’s Spirit and His Word to reveal the truth of fear.

Because if we succumb to fear, our very existence becomes tainted and our love dies.

Fear is a cruel and unjust Master.

Fear is the direct enemy of love.

It often leads the heart to hate.

But God has defeated fear by crushing sin and death.

Without the fear of eternal death, what is there to fear?

King David, of all people, understood what it was to live through extremely frightening circumstances.

He was on the “hit list” of both his own king, his own son, and from enemy countries.

He had literally run for his life many times.

Yet, he penned these words:

Psalm 27:1 NKJV — A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?

His trust was solid.

His love of God was unwavering.

His heart knew he need not fear.

And ours should know this as well.

For Christ died and rose again, and His sacrifice is our salvation.

With this security, we need not fear, but trust and love our Lord Jesus.

We do this by putting our lives in His hands, surrendering ourselves into His perfect plan, and living obediently unto His Word.

Psalm 56:11 KJV — In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

Proverbs 29:25 KJV — The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

For the redeemed, God’s love is our security, our sanctuary, our safe place.

1 John 4:18 KJV — There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your promises. Lord, thank You for being life, truth, and the way. Lord, You reach us exactly where we are. Your Word is truth in every generation. Please continue to help me to walk in Your love and to be on guard against fear. Lord, help me remember that fear kills faith and strangles love. Lord Jesus, I want to walk with You in all things; to be loving, faithful, kind, honest, honorable, and wise. Please help me to do so. Please walk with me in today. Thank You for showing me where I was afraid and teaching me to trust. I love You, Jesus. Amen.