Happy Valentine's Day!

John 3:16-17
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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

As does most people, this is one of my favorite verses of the Bible, John 3:16. But the seventeenth verse is just as important. When I was a young choir member at church, we sang a song that was based on John 3:17. I remembering disliking the song. I think it was because of the tune, but I was a young Christian and did not want to sing it. But, being the faithful and good choir member I was, performed it. Today, if I could find the music, I might consider singing it again. What a valuable message. God sent his son into the world, not to condemn the world, but to save it. How I long to get that message out to the world. I see people every day that want to be accepted, loved and forgiven, but are scared that someone will see their faults if they walk into a church. I like that a my brothers and sisters see my faults and still love me. It still makes me want to do better, and grow, but at least I know I am forgiven. We need to start doing the same for strangers. See them for themselves, and love, accept and forgive them. That love and acceptance is what we all want and need to thrive. Start today by doing something nice for someone. It could be just saying a nice word, sending a note or phone call to a someone you haven't seen in a while. No matter what, love the unloved. Do not condemn them, they get enough of that from the world. Love them the best way you know how. Then your Valentine's Day may get brighter.

1 Corinthians 16:14

1 Corinthians 16:14

Do everything in love.

Ouch!  That was my first thought.  What do you mean by that?  It's like God is pointing a finger at me.  

Okay, so maybe I have been acting wounded about something that I maybe should accept.  And then there was that thing that that lady said to me at work.  Lord, I tried to let it roll past my other cheek, but it really stung!  And maybe there was that time I grumbled and pouted when I should have been happy to help out my friend.

Obviously, I need some help with my attitude.  I usually am a mild-mannered person, but lately I let little things get to me.  I try to do a lot of things in love for other people.  Sometimes when it comes to my family, I get frustrated and don't do what I should for them.  The saying goes, You always treat outsiders better than the ones you live with.  For that, I apologize.  

Lord, help me to change my attitude.  Let my life be what you want, and change my heart to a grateful and loving one.  Thank you for loving me.  

In Your Son's name, Amen.

 

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My Jesus, I Love Thee

My Jesus, I Love Thee by William R. Featherston
 
My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine.
For me all the follies of sin I resign.
My precious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou.
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus 'tis now.

I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree;
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I love Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.


I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I'll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow,
If ever I love Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.


When I feel lost or down, hymns always come to mind.   When I was told my dad had cancer, this song started singing in my head.  Whenever I feel lost or worried, this is how I give the problem to God.  I sing about how much I love him.  I sing about what He has done for me and what I can do to show my love for him.  I praise my Lord!   

This song talks about how I know I am loved by Jesus.  How I know that he is mine and that I will give up everything for him.  It tells how he gave his life for me.  It tells what I will do in my dying days and how much I will praise him when i get to heaven.  I love the last line.  I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow...  I can see the sparkles when I close my eyes.  I love this song.  How do you give your problems to God?


John 14:23
Jesus answered and said to him, " If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.

Show your love

1 John 3:18

 ¹⁸Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

I came across this verse this morning.  It  is almost a puzzle to me.  I keep zeroing in on the words deed and truth.  Is this verse saying that we shouldn't speak our love as much as show it?  I think that may be it.  It's easy to start saying "I like you" or "I love you".  People say all the time that they love each other.  I don't say it often.  My husband says it a lot.  I appreciate him doing that.  I don't need to hear it a lot, because he does so much for me that I know he loves me.  His deeds prove it.  His truthfulness proves it. 

I saw a quote yesterday that I am reminded of.  "The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up."  -  Mark Twain.  I don't know now if that fits, but it seems that if we do the good deeds out of love and not out of our own selfish gain, then it should be worth it, right? 

During Allie's gallbladder ordeal, so many people were supportive.  I feel a little selfish because I did not thank these people in front of the church.  There were so many that naming them all by name to you seems crazy.  You know who you are and the cards/flowers/food/prayers/gifts were so sweet and kind.  Allie appreciates them.  She is not one for a lot of attention.  She does take the limelight once in a while, but would rather make someone else happy than show herself.  But, thanks to the many of you who did a good deed for us.  You have shown your love.

How are you going to show your love today?

Stick It on Your Car!

I spend way too much time in my car.  I drive an hour to and from work, 35 minutes to church and back, school functions, shopping, etc. Only my drive to and from work am I alone.  That is when I am least distracted. I see lots of bumper stickers, signs and personal license plate messages.  I even have one on my Edge now.  It says, STUDENT DRIVER.  I like to warn everyone that there is a new driver and that is why the car is acting like it is. Yesterday on my way home from work, I saw a sticker on the back window of a vehicle.  It said   

3:16 The numbers of Love.

Isn't that just a wonderful thought?  Now why didn't I think of that?  of all the numbers and ways to say it, someone had a brilliant idea.  Of course, I am not sure if the word John was anywhere on that sign, but that is because I knew immediately what that meant.  I mean, the only book I have been exposed to that has every chapter and verse numbered is the Bible.  But what about those poor souls who haven't been informed?  Would they look at this and ask "What does that mean?"  How can three little numbers and a colon say so much? 

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.

That is one of the first verses I put to memory.  That verse tells me that God loves me.  That verse is Love.  Thank you to the person who made this sticker.  My only question is, where do I get one?

Love them tomorrow too!

Yesterday at our church was a special day. The kids especially love it. We call it Love Sunday. It is always the Sunday closest to Valentine's Day and we encourage our members to bring things to show our love for each other. usually people bring baskets of candy to pass out to everyone. Sometimes we bring cards or little gifts. It is a nice way for each of us to make sure we see others and express our appreciation and love for each other.

Showing love and appreciation on a designated day is easy for most of us. You do not feel weird about giving or receiving this expression because you are not the only one doing it. Others around you are doing the same thing. But what about those times when you want to show your love and concern but do not want to make a big show of it? Do you still do it? Do you write the person an email or do you give them a call? Sometimes a little note makes all the difference. Timm has one friend at church who emails me to find out how he is doing. This person makes sure I tell him "hi" and they are wanting to know if he is feeling better (he has been having a lot of headaches). Tim, being a (almost) thirteen year old boy, kinda grins when I tell him about the messages, and I know it makes him feel just a little special. It isn't something anyone else knows about, but he knows and feels the love this friend has for him.

It is so nice for people to show their love on Valentine's Day, birthdays, anniversaries, and all. But what about the non-designated days? That that extra step and tell someone you appreciate them today. Write them a note and show your concern for them. Just a couple of lines will do it.

John 13:34 - 35 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Love 'Em All!

Love is in the air! At least it was in chapter four of Song of Solomon. This chapter is all about how he perceives her and compliments everything about her. It is a beautiful picture of words that King Solomon uses to woo his love (though I do not think he needs to do much to have her). Sometimes pretty words is all we want to hear. We want someone to tell us we are beautiful. We want them to tell us what they like about us. To remind us of our faults would not be much of a love story would it?

God loves us. He tells us in his Love Story that he sent his most precious love, in the form of his son, to save us. John 3:16 For God so loved the word that He gave is only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

God tells us how he wants us to be. We are to be like Him. He loves each of us the same, even though we are unique. He wants us to love others the same way. That is not easy. Not for me, anyway. I love lots of different people. Some people, though, grate on me. I try my hardest to be Christ-like, but I fail everyday, I think. I want to be Christ-like. I am praying for a heart-change. I want to love my neighbor; all of them. Personalities don't always agree, but through Christ we can keep trying.

So be like Solomon, compliment your love. Say what you like about your family members. Even try to find something positive about those you are not crazy about. Change your attitude to be more Christ-like. Christ wants them to be apart of your family. Who are you to deny God?

Where, O Love Art Thou?

Song of Solomon, chapter 3 is interesting. It first talks about the the Bride's dream of finding her beloved. Then the second half of the chapter talks about Solomon on his wedding day. How he is under heavy guard. How beautiful his specially made chair is.

The bride is scared she can not find her love. When she does find him, she will not let him out of her sight. It is like a mother who lost a child in a store. She frantically searches, calling their name, wondering where they could be. When she finds her child, she hugs them, not ever wanting them out of her sight again. We know it is going to happen though. We just have to trust that we have loved them enough and they have loved us enough to come back again.

Song of Solomon 3:2-4

²'I must arise now and go about the city;
In the streets and in the squares
I must seek him whom my soul loves.'
I sought him but did not find him.
³"The watchmen who make the rounds in the city found me,
And I said, 'Have you seen him whom my soul loves?'
⁴"Scarcely had I left them
When I found him whom my soul loves;
I held on to him and would not let him go
Until I had brought him to my mother's house,
And into the room of her who conceived me."

Love comes in many forms. I hope we can experience all of those forms during our lifetimes.

Come and Dine!

Song of Solomon 2:4

⁴"He has brought me to his banquet hall,
And his banner over me is love.

This verse, of course, inspired the song His Banner Over Me Is Love.

Come with me to His banquet eating table.
His banner over me is love.
Come with me to His banquet eating table.
His banner over me is love.
Come with me to His banquet eating table.
His banner over me is love.
His banner over me is love.

He is the vine and we are the branches.
His banner over me is love.
He is the vine and we are the branches.
His banner over me is love.
He is the vine and we are the branches.
His banner over me is love.
His banner over me is love.

The one way to peace is the power of the cross.
His banner over me is love.
The one way to peace is the power of the cross.
His banner over me is love.
The one way to peace is the power of the cross.
His banner over me is love.
His banner over me is love.

Do you remember this song? There are many different verses and variations. These are the ones I remember (and I still needed help with them). God wants to dine with you. He wants you to eat of what he gives, sustaining yourself and living. He doesn't want you to over do it, but to be satisfied. Each time you open your Bible, you are eating from His Word, living and breathing how he wants you to live your life. Every time you are at church, taking communion, you are following God's will. You are and need this. We all do. I need it every week. I think it helps strenghthen me. Every day I mess up and say something or do something that is sinful. So every day I need the Bible and every week I need communion to remind me that Jesus died for me, that God loves me enough to show me through the cross. Yes...the one way to peace is the power of the cross, His banner over me is love.

1 Corinthians 11:23-29

23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, ²⁴and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." ²⁵In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." ²⁶For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. ²⁷Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. ²⁸A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. ²⁹For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.

A Real Love Story

This being the month of Love, I thought I would do love themed devotions. Hopefully I can come up with 20 different things to write about. If you have any ideas, let me know.

Chapter 1: 1-7
Isn't it wonderful that God chose to put in the middle of the Old Testament a beautiful love song? The Song of Solomon (also known as The Song of Songs) is thought to be one of over a thousand songs written by King Solomon. Though at first this song seems like a love story between a maiden and a shepherd and a King, it seems as though it is really about God's love for Israel. The first seven verses are about a young woman who is in love. She wants to be with the one she loves. She is very much in love with this shepherd and wants to be with him. She is bold in her questions and statements to him. She seems to be young.

Chapter 1: 8-17
The next 10 verses are the reply from her shepherd. He tells her he loves her, and compares her to a beautiful mare. He tells her she smells good and is very beautiful. There is no doubt these two are in love. They want to be with each other and compliment each other. Love is in the air. Reading Song of Solomon is like reading a love poem. The best part is that it is out of the greatest love letter ever written. Sometimes we forget that God gave us The Holy Bible as a love letter to us. It tells of his love past, present and future. Give this book a try.

Love Them

I am sad today. One of my favorite teenage crushes has died. Patrick Swayze, the actor who made dancing cool in the nineties, being a bouncer glamourous, and making us believe that love transcends death, has died. He was definitely an actor that I did enjoy watching on the big screen. How will he and the other actors of this year that have died be remembered?
There is quite a bit of controversy around Michael Jackson's death. Farah Fawcett may be remembered 20 years from now as a beautiful pin-up poster. Ted Kennedy will be history books, I am sure. But what about all the brave soldiers who died fighting in the war in Iraq and other countries around this globe? Family, friends and admirers will all miss them. Their names may be honored on a plaque in their hometown or in their family home. But you and I will never remember all of them. Only the people who have touched our lives in some way.
Do you want to remember someone in a special way? Do you want those around you to know how much you care? Tell them every day. This world needs more of us to tell each other that we love them and we care for them. I have a group of friends that I talked to just about every day. I have my family, but these people I make sure to tell every day that I am thinking of them or I care for them. It is now a habit that we all have. It makes me feel better that they know how I feel and that they are as comfortable telling me how they feel.
To each of you that read this, I want you to know that I appreciate you. I love you with the love of the Lord. James 2:8 "If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right."
Tell someone today how you really feel. You might be surprised in their reaction, or you might feel closer to them.