God is Love!
Greetings, Loved Ones, on this new day that the LORD has made! Happy Love Day! Today is just one of 365 days this year to celebrate loving GOD and loving each other unconditionally, empathetically and compassionately.
Mark 12:29-31 AMP – Jesus answered, “The first and most important one is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul (life), and with all your mind (thought, understanding), and with all your strength.’ This is the second: ‘You shall [unselfishly] love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
While doing some research to learn about the origin of Valentine’s Day, I was horrified to discover what historians have revealed about what the day represents. Some records indicate that it originated as a liturgical feast to celebrate the decapitation of third-century Christian martyrs. Ancient sources reveal that there were several St. Valentines who died on Feb. 14. Two of them were executed during the reign of Roman Emperor Claudius Gothicus in 269-270 A.D., at a time when persecution of Christians was common. Some suggest that the modern holiday is a Christian cover-up of the more ancient Roman celebration of Lupercalia in mid-February.*
This is quite a heart-wrenching and eye-opening piece of history. We owe it to ourselves not to accept things presented to us at face value but to continually seek GOD’s wisdom, asking for knowledge and understanding to be revealed to us.
Romans 12:1-2 AMP – Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].
So, I pray that we focus on the real love. Let’s spend every day celebrating the One who is Love and He will reveal to us in real-time what true love is.
1 John 4:16 AMP – We have come to know [by personal observation and experience], and have believed [with deep, consistent faith] the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides continually in him.
Prayer: LOVING GOD, we love You because You are FATHER, the Source and Sustainer of life. The circumference of Your loving presence is far too great for us to comprehend. We are forever blessed by Your showers of love, mercy and grace. Thank You for showing us how to love as You love. In JESUS’ Name. Amen.
*Source: theconversation.com/the-real-
Love Always,
SpreadSonshine! – A Filling Station of Victory Victory Ministries
Elder Gloria J. Hunter – Visionary/Steward/Servant in Leadership