Posted on February 14, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Freedom Fighters
“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’.” – Jeremiah 31:3
Well, it’s Valentine’s Day week and love is in the air… or is it? I can’t help but think that sometimes a well-meaning day of special recognition causes more harm than good. For each of us that experience that special relationship, there is one who feels the pain of not having that special someone, feeling unloved. Yet the Bible is God’s Word and is a message from God: Love.
I think the statement, “Loved people love people” is true. Those that have experienced and embraced God’s love allows them to love others without hinderance. Love is an attribute of God that is to be shared with others. Paul teaches us in 1st Corinthians 13, “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
Jesus, when He was about to depart from His disciples, tells them He will be with them only a little while longer. His next words have a message that I believe we all need to hear: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
I place emphasis on, “as I have loved you”, this is the path we should take if we have a problem loving others. The fruit that comes from the experience of God’s love is love for others. The cross is a good illustration of relational love; if we have a problem loving others horizontally, it’s most likely because there’s a problem vertically. The answer to loving others is to allow God’s love to penetrate our hearts, the vertical and horizontal relationships will fall into place. You don’t have to have a special someone when you already have “The Special Someone.”
My prayer for you this Valentine’s Day week is to experience the Love of God in a special way. God’s mercy and grace come from the great love He has for us.
“With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm, for His mercy endures forever.” – Psalm 136:12
Written by Rob Russomano: Rob is married to Terri and serves with her as full-time staff members. He is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is also available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can contact him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org.
Think About This: “The overriding character trait of Jesus is love, and the entire Gospel story is woven with love. Sometimes it’s not easy, and oftentimes it requires sacrifice, but it’s when we love that we are the most like Jesus.” – Steven Furtick
The Daily Bible Reading: Leviticus 11-13 You can download our 2023 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here.
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “For the word of the Lord is right, And all His work is done in truth. 5 He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.” Psalm 33:4-5
Consider a retreat at America’s Keswick retreat center.
