Thursday, February 14, 2013

Lovers of God



Luke 10:27 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.”

I was listening to a Christian radio talk show on the drive home today, where listeners called in and talked about “Valentine’s Day” or less common name “the Feast of Saint Valentine”. There were many calls about the commercialization of this holiday, where the National Retail Federation said the average person celebrating Valentine’s Day spends $126.03, 4.1 billion spent on jewelry, 42 million Valentine Cards are bought and given, 3.5 billion spent on romantic evenings, 198 million roses sold, and $650 million in candy sold. Then there was callers that brought up the point that this day that focuses on the romantic love of couples, creates a discouraging depression upon so many of those who are single (due to not dating, break ups, divorce or death) by the pressure.

John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

A single grandmother called in and made a declaration that all of us love someone and are loved by someone, so we need to focus on our loved ones and not on the negative because we can choose to be pulled down by the painful thoughts and memories or be blessed by the loving ones that we have and are making.

John 15:11-13 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
The last caller was a single man, who proclaimed that no matter what our current state and situation, we always have the love of God. That if we, Lovers of God,  focus our attention this Valentine’s Day on His love for us and our love for Him, then we will be fulled with the love, joy and peace of the Holy Spirit. We always have the joy of our Salvation. Amen.

Romans 8:38-39 “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Happy Valentine’s Day!
In Christ, Brian

4 comments:

Alice said...

God Love:)

I hope you had a nice day, whether you participated in Valentine's stuff or not.

Brian Ray Todd said...

You make a good point Ma. Buying cards, flowers, candy, taking your spouse or girlfriend out to dine and dance, buy them a nice piece of jewelry,and spending quality time is not a vice, but a virture, when taken it the "right" light and not exploited. Two issues were brought up by the first callers (1) Some people feel pressure because of their personal situations on these kinds celebrations (the same thing happens at Christmas) and (2) putting the wrong emphasis (either fiancial exploitation, overt humanistic importance - taking it too far, or ulterior motives behind the actions - "what's in it for me" type hidden agendas. In that case "unconditional love & Agape love is not goal, but by no means is the "day of rememberance" to be thrown out, ceasing the "right" & "good" purposes of the because of the "wrong" or "bad" thoughts and intentions that this day creates in a "fallen world". There is sad situations that need our love and perverted objectives on this planet every day (which need our balnced focus). The bottom line is that we should be naturally loving all the time to every person. I totally see your point Ma. Thank you for addressing the "proper" love issue of this Valentine's Day. I'm glad that I have you to bring to light the angles that I forget, because it is all about enjoying the Lord and enjoying life with love, walking in truth and righteousness. Blessings.

Denise said...

Love is one of the most profound things God has placed in our lives, and there are so many ways to show love. Whether to our family and friends or to those who persecute us, it is one of the greatest commandments He has given us. The most important thing is to keep it real and from an authentic heart! :)

Blessings and love Brian!
Denise

Brian Ray Todd said...

Thank you Denise for your great insight. Love being the very essence of God, we find true love in Him that flows out from us to others. I could agree with you more that "the most important thing is to keep it real and from an authentic heart!" Can we grasp that truth? That is a marvelous part of our Christian walk and growth. I am happy that you came by and commented. Blessings and love!