“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
1 John 4:7 & 8
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We are entering the month of LOVE! Do you remember how we, as children, in grade school would spend a few days preparing before our Valentine Party? We would take time writing names on all of the envelopes for our classmates, whether we liked them or not, to put into the beautifully decorated boxes or large envelopes each had made with names on them. It was a wonderful way to learn that sometimes we do or share with others not based on “feelings” but because it was what we were SUPPOSED to do.
The mantra of Christianity has been grounded in LOVE! What is the most quoted verse by Christians from the Bible? John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” We are made aware of the fact Jesus was willing to die for the world, not because the world was deserving of his “love in action”, but because that was the best “valentine” God could put into the world’s box.
Whether or not the world knows and understands the great love which Jesus has been shown, nothing will change the action of God in Jesus! In fact, for us as Christians now Valentines Day becomes everyday in Christ. Once we understand Jesus’ “love in action” God’s hope is that our hearts will explode with great love as well and that will translate to our “love in action”!
The type of love we are called to is a “love in action” that opens us up to discovering new kinds of Valentine cards to share with others. Those “cards” may not be actual cards, but events and actions that let others know of the love that is out there for them! What does your “card” look like?
-Is it helping your spouse with little things around the house?
-Maybe your card is cooking a great meal to share?
-What about dropping off food for Aurora Interfaith?
-Cutting the grass for your neighbor?
-Supporting the ministry at Bethel so we can do more for others?
-Maybe your card is picking up the phone to reach out and touch someone?
We don’t need to think big…we just need to think! Taketime this month to share God’s love with someone who needs to know they are loved!
In Christ,
Pastor Barb
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