True Love

Thinking about today, Valentine's day, and what this holiday represents; LOVE. In our household this is a fun day to show each other small acts of love. This morning my hubby surprised me with some very thoughtful gifts and when he went to get into his van to leave for work I had surprised him with some of his favorite candy. My youngest son made me a paper football which he was excited about. Later we'll have a nice dinner together and pass out valentine's to the kids and a small treat to enjoy. Of course even if we didn't give these small gifts of love we all know that we love each other and that it is the meaning behind the gift that really counts. Cost is not important but what is shared from the heart.

I was also thinking how today reminded me of hearts and how there are so many children(123,000+) in the United States waiting for forever homes and to have their hearts filled with the love a family they can call their own can bring. I know, I take for granted that I will always have people around me that will love me and show their love for me. For some of these children having someone express true love to them is foreign. What they know as love often presents itself with conditions, inappropriateness and short lived. No wonder these children come into our homes confused and act out when we show them love with no strings attached. It's scary to them. It's something their not used to experiencing. I would encourage you today to take some time and prayerfully consider whose heart you could help show true love too but helping them have a forever family to call their own. We have the greatest example of love through our Savior Jesus Christ.

1 John 4:10-11

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation(payment) for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

You may be reading this and thinking I don't know what true love really is so how can I help someone else. If this is you I would encourage you to find someone to talk with about the greatest love story there ever was. Jesus Christ loves you so much and came to earth to be born of a virgin and died on a cross for all mankinds sins(past, present & future). But the exciting part is He didn't stay dead but rose from the grave and is in heaven interceding to the Father for us. 1 John 4:7 says, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”

Having that love and relationship with God(Jesus) is freely given to all who will receive it. It is a gift though. You have to choose to receive it. Jesus will not force His way into your heart. He wants to be there but He also gives us freewill to choose.

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 10:9-10 &13 “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

“For whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Happy Valentine's day!