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THERE IS NO VALENTINE LIKE GOD

Copyright 2014

There Is No Valentine Like God!

GOD is LOVE.

Whoever does not love,

does not know God,

because God is love.

1 John 4:8

A very short definition of God is He is love. But what is love?

Love is patient, love is kind...and a whole lot more. 1 Corinthians 13, commonly called the love chapter, gives us a definition of love. In doing so, this passage also gives us a description of God. Do you want to know who God is? Read this passage.

I think it's interesting that we're given a definition of love in the Bible. Could it be because we humans need clarity? Could it be because we get messed up and need reminding of what love is? Could it be because God is exact and precise, knowing what to explain and establish? Could it be that without Him, we're lost and destined to a miserable fate? Could it be that He saves? Could it be He's that powerful? Could it be He's that loving?

Yeah.

Here's 1 Corinthians 13 (with a sentence from 1 Corinthians 12:31 at the beginning):

And now I will show you the most excellent way.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels,

but have not love,

I am only a resounding gong or clanging cymbal.

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries

and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains,

but have not love,

I am nothing.

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender

my body to the flames,

but have not love,

I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It is not rude, 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 never fails.

But where there are prophecies, they will cease;

where there are tongues, they will be stilled;

where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

For we know in part and we prophesy in part,

but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.

When I was a child, I talked like a child,

I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.

When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

Now we see but a poor reflection;

then we shall see face to face.

Now I know in part; then I shall know fully,

even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain:

faith, hope and love.

But the greatest of these is love.

Pray thanking God for His love to us through Jesus. Pray that your children will know His unfailing love for themselves. Pray for God to help you love others, even those who are very difficult to love (and there are many!). Pray that our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ can love those that persecute them, which must be incredibly difficult! That's why we should pray for them.   

Remember them that are in bonds,

as bound with them; and them which

suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

Hebrews 13:3

It's not too difficult for God to know who's praying from a believing heart. So, keep praying.

Keep loving, trusting and placing in Him—the loving God who sent His loving Son Jesus to us—your hope. 
 

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TRACKS IN THE SNOW

Copyright 2014

TRACKS IN THE SNOW

Follow the way of love!
Skip along the path of joy!
Stroll the lane of peace!
Plod the track of patience!
Walk the street of kindness!
Run the road of goodness!
Endure the boulevard of faithfulness!
Tip-toe on the trail of gentleness!
March the pavement of self-control!


 Following tracks from the Spirit, it can be done!

Since we live by the Spirit,

let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25

and

But the fruit of the Spirit is

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

How often we have desired a letter from God. What should I do next? Where do you want me to go?

But then, we remember these verses and they are like tracks in the snow, showing us the way to go.

Here's another one:

Follow the way of love

and eagerly desire spiritual gifts,

especially the gift of prophecy.

1 Corinthians 14:1

The way of love is the most excellent way. 

The path of joy is the most exhilarating way.

The lane of peace is the most satisfying way.

The track of patience is the most rewarding way.

The street of kindness is the most pleasing way.

The road of goodness is the most effective way.

The boulevard of faithfulness is the most electrifying way.

The trail of gentleness is the most intriguing way.

The pavement of self-control is the most awesome way.

Is it not true?

Pray for God's tracks! 

When I look on the snow in my neck of the woods, I'd like to see God's tracks for me. 

I trust you are looking to God for provision and strength, relying on Him and His word.

Because of Jesus, we have direction, purpose—a way to follow!

Through prayer, every day, live with hope!