“Heart Day” Part 2 - My Beloved Valentine

Jesus said to him, “you shall love the Lord your God with

all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

- Matthew 22:37

I love Starbucks (just saying).  I crave my cup of coffee.  My Grande White Mocha is to die for.

Whoa .... STOP RIGHT THERE...

As a society, have we become too casual in the use of certain words? Do we really mean what we are saying? What importance am I placing on the words: love – crave – to die for? To determine the answer to that question, let’s take a look at their meaning ...

Love – feel affection for, adore, worship, be devoted to

On Friday we talked about how God loves us and some of the ways we can pass that love on to others. Loving God with our heart, soul and mind is the key to everything in life. So I ask:

          • How do I show my love to God?
          • Am I living a life that is pleasing to Him?
          • Do I put God’s Will above my own?
          • Does my love for God make me want to learn more about Him?

Crave – long for, desire, need, beseech

I’m currently in a Bible Study class and the topic is all about learning to “crave” God. We are discovering ways to satisfy our deepest desires with God, not coffee, food or other cravings and unhealthy habits. The choice is ours ... “Luke 9:23 tells us, Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

To Die For – breathe your last breath, give up your life for, meet your maker

Really? Would I give up my life for a cup of coffee ... I think not! On the other hand, Christ gave up His life for me so that I could have eternal life. Oh, how I just want to shout the words of Psalm 84:1-2, “How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”

That sure puts everything in perspective.

Hmmm ... maybe I should be saying, “I really appreciate the convenience of Starbucks. I enjoy a good cup of coffee. My grande white mocha is such a treat!” Now that sounds much better.

 
So, all of this perspective stuff got me to thinking, “When was the last time I told God I love Him?” Valentine’s Day is just two days away – what perfect timing to be reminded that we should express our love to God on a daily basis. Let’s use the words of Ephesians 5:18-20 as our guide:
 
“Be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Worship Him daily with a thankful and prayerful heart ... “You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 118:28-29).

Worship Him daily with a joyful spirit ... “Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises [zamar] to Him with the timbrel and harp” (Psalm 149:3).

Worship Him with a sound mind ... Our thoughts and words, reading and studying His Word, keeping His Commandments, all of these actions reflect our obedience and love for the Lord.

Worship Him with a passionate soul ... Loving and meeting the needs of the “least of these” through serving others, not only reflects our love for the Lord but also brings glory to Him.

Worshipping God is paramount to nurturing our relationship with Him. By doing so on a regular basis, it becomes a spiritual discipline. And for me, during this year committed to “self-discipline” - that is definitely a good thing!

Today I plan to sit down and write some Valentine cards to send to family and friends.  I think I’ll start by putting God at the top of my list and writing a love letter to Him.

How will you choose to tell God you love Him?
 
Have a Happy Valentine’s Day, remember - God loves you, and so do I.
God’s Peace, Donna Weaver

"Heart Day" Part 1 – Be My Valentine

“YOU are precious and honored in MY sight,
and I love YOU” - Isaiah 43:4

You have just received a Valentine from God. The words were taken straight from the Bible which contains lots of love letters and special messages, written especially for you!

How do we really know that we are loved by God?

I was taught at a very young age that “Jesus Loves Me.” My Sunday school teachers read me Bible stories that told me so, and my family taught me prayers that told me so.

BUT, do I really believe that I am loved by God?

I have to be honest and say that there are times when I forget that I am loved by my Creator, and think to myself, “Why would someone love ME?”    ... God has taught me that I am precious in his sight, that I am beautiful and wonderfully made, and I am valued.  He has a plan for my life that only I can fulfill and that all of the days ordained for me were written in his book (Psalm 139). 

Other times when I am struggling to accomplish something that seems way beyond my reach, I tell myself “I can’t do anything right!”  That's when I wish I could hear the words, “You are doing a good job.”     ... God assures me that I can do all things because of the strength and power I receive through Christ.  I pray that maybe someday I will hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

I hate to admit it, but occasionally I feel so alone.  I grow weary, and wonder to myself, “Does anyone care?”    ... God has promised me that he is always with me and will never leave me or forsake me.  I find such peace and comfort in those thoughts.

And then there are moments when a small voice whispers, “You are not worthy.”  ... but God reminds me that he loved ME so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that I could have eternal life.

The following is an excerpt from a devotion I read this week.  It is taken from the book Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young:

"Every morning when YOU wake up let YOUR first words by, "I am loved by God."  And every night when YOU go to sleep let YOUR last words echo, I'M loved by God."  

I don’t know about you, but I need to write those words down on a card and carry them with me. My Christian walk is based on the beliefs of my faith. God gave us His Word and if I accept Him as my Lord and Savior, I understand that he pursues me and calls me to a relationship. The Bible continues to speak to me through the stories of God’s people, and as my Pastor said in a sermon a few weeks ago, “Their story is OUR story.”

It’s Friday, Let’s Sparkle ... Action Required ... A woman says, “Tell me I’m beautiful.” A man says, “Tell me we’ll grow old together.” A child says, “Tell me I’m your super hero.” These words express the emotions of so many people struggling in today's world.

Hallmark has a commercial running right now and the tag line says, “Everyone has something they need to hear. This Valentine’s Day, vow to tell them.”

What a great idea.  Let’s reach out and brighten someone’s day - express your love – offer encouragement - let someone know how important they are to you – pass on God’s love!

Why not make everyday a valentine’s day, a real “Heart Day?”

Loved ones, friends, co-workers, lonely and hurting people are not the only ones that need to hear how important they are to you, how much you love them, that you couldn’t live without them …

Have you told God lately how much you love Him?

Check back on Monday for Part 2 of my "Heart Day" blog, as we talk more about our love relationship with God.

Sparkle (shine, glow, twinkle, glitter, shimmer) for HIM!
God’s Peace, Donna Weaver

 

Check out this link for great ideas to “fill all your days with love” … http://www.hallmark.com/online/promotions/life-is-a-special-occasion.aspx?mc=T_V_P_ED_HM_LIFE#kids