Today is a day that we celebrate love. People are buying
cards, roses, and jewelry. There will be couples to get engaged or married.
There will be single people that won’t celebrate at all or will be sad. And all
over the world, people will miss the real power of love. Today I want to
introduce you to the ultimate valentine…GOD! God is love. Have you felt Him? God is
faithful. Have you tried Him? God is truth. Do you trust Him? God is present. Do
you recognize Him? If you’re missing love in your life, you’re in the right
place!
Back in the 90s, Mary J. gave us that famous jam “Real Love”.
Y’all remember! When the music came on you immediately started jamming…then
Biggie came in with his verse and it was on! It’s a classic…and the more I
thought about the lyrics, it’s more of a classic cry for help than anything
else. I know, I know…I hear you saying, come on, Ebony! Don’t mess with one of
my favorite jams. But it’s true. Mary was looking for someone to set her heart
free and satisfy her every need. She was looking for a real love alright but
that’s not a love you can find in man. So often we are searching for a person
to give us something that only God can provide. You don’t have to search high
and low for this love, God is right here waiting to give it…free of charge!
Well…I take that back. It wasn’t free because He sacrificed His only son for us
to have it but it didn’t cost us a thing! You know the verse… “For God so loved the world, that He gave
His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life.” (John 3:16 NKJV) That’s love!
It doesn’t matter whether you are married or single, rich or
poor, educated or not. God offers a love like no other. He offers a love that
isn’t predicated on feelings, it’s a gift. You don’t have to prove yourself to
receive it; you just have to accept it. You don’t have to get yourself together
first, it’s been waiting for you. So often, marriages die because the
individuals are trying to get each other to live up to an unattainable standard
instead of allowing God to shape the marriage into His design. You don’t have
to “fix your spouse”…not going to happen! But guess who can do it? You got it…God!
I love Colossians 3, especially the 2nd half of the chapter. It is
filled with nuggets for how to live a saved life …covers everything from how to
please God to how to have a successful household. Verses 12-14 especially
struck me and give great insight on God and love. “So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe
God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength,
discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an
offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And
regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose
garment. Never be without it.” (MSG) God wants
us all to get it right and not chase the world’s love when His is so much
better! That’s love…
So here’s the good news…God loves you! I mean He really loves you! You don’t need a
box of heart candy or a dozen roses to know it either. Sure those things are
great to get but the love of God is all encompassing. It will warm you when you
are alone. It will fill you when you are empty. And it most certainly will save
you when you are drowning. “There is no
fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment,
and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” (1 John 4:18 ESV). Let
God’s love perfect you today. Let it overwhelm and cover you. I promise that
you will never be the same. You can stand strong that no matter what you
receive today, you already have the best gift!
May the love of Christ fill your heart to
overflowing…AMEN!
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