Tomorrow is Valentines Day. For some they may say it is just a Hallmark holiday but never the less it makes us think about love and what the word really means. John 13:34-35 says "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples." If we claim to know Jesus then we need to show love to others.
Now Valentines Day is thought to me more for romantic love but it is a good time to think about what the word really means. Jesus has commanded us to 'love one another' and this type love is sacrificial love that puts the other one first. Love is to be about the other person and thinking about them first. This is easy to do when you are 'in love' but needs to continue into marriage and in friendships as well. Do not always wait for other person to do something kind.
Love is not just romantic and full of wonderful feelings but it is the thing we need in relationships to make life livable. 1 Corinthians 13 is often used at weddings and it is good for the new bride and groom to commit to memory but it is good for other types of relationships as well. In verses 4-6 of this chapter it reads as follows, " Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." Love is not just a feeling, although that part is important in the dating relationship as we all know. Love continues beyond feelings and for some you will need to show love when you do not feel like it. Love is commitment.
For those married people on Valentines Day it may be easy to overlook this holiday saying it is too commercial or you can perhaps use this as a time to renew your wedding vows to each other or just honor the other person that day in some special way.
Love thinks of other person. Love forgives and forgets. Love does not care about the others faults but loves them anyway. Love is caring.Love is kind. Love attempts to understand the other person. Love shows compassion and grace.Love is for better or for worse. Love looks for the good in others. Love looks for ways to share and give and put the other person first.Love is not rude. Love likes to laugh and have fun. To love is to enjoy someones company. Love sacrifices what he wants for what the other person wants and seeks to please them.
A real follower of Christ shows love to others. 1 John 4:7 says," Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God."
PRAYER: Father we love you and we want to show your love to others. Thank you for those who have a special person in their life to love. We thank you for bringing these special people into our lives. Help me show love to my significant other whether married or single. I thank you for bringing them into my life. For those without a significant other thank you Lord for the love I can show for all those persons you have put in my life. In Jesus Name. Amen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzfPHnoT0-0
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