For our friends in other countries, here, in the US we celebrate Valentine's Day each February 14th. It is a time that we celebrate love and give expressions of love, like red roses, a box of chocolates, and a long list of other gifts. I remember as a school girl each classroom would decorate a large box with a slot on the top where other students could "mail" Valentine's Day cards. The cards would be collected and distributed on February 14th much to the delight of the children. My all-time favorite cards where from my daughter when she was a child. These were handmade cards where she'd make up a poem or draw hearts and flowers or pictures of the two of us. These expression of love are my treasures.
I recently woke up early one morning and heard the Lord say, I lavish my love on my children. How that delighted me! To lavish love, is to bestow love in generous or extravagant quantities. God's love for us is what led Him to Calvary, where He was offered as the sacrificial Lamb to reconcile sinful mankind to a Holy God.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16
But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:15
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9
Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.
John 14:2-24
Perhaps you're reading this today and you've never experienced the love of God. He loves you and wants to have a personal relationship with you. Will you accept Him today?
Here is how you can accept Christ into your life:
Admit your need. (I am a sinner)
Be willing to turn from your sins. (Repent)
Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave. (Be saved by faith)
Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive him as Lord and Savior)
I suggest a prayer like this one:
"Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sin and that you raised Him to life. I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord, from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
1 JOHN 3:1
Pat Graham – Missionary Evangelist
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