Back to Love~

I love to "talk" about love. Every human heart wants to BE loved. We were made for relationships. Yet to have deep relationships one must 'know' the author of love ~~God the Father & Jesus Christ. When you know HIM your love life will never ever be the same again. You will be transformed into a new creature. Your eyes become opened! You will know HE died for YOU. The sinless ONE gave his life for ME, chief of sinners. Seek HIM out if you don't know this LOVE! Read the book of John in the bible and you will never wonder what love is again.

February is the month our world chooses to celebrate LOVE. The kind of love they celebrate is different than "real love". Some think it is a tingly feeling, an all consuming thought of a girl or guy. Some think it is physical, or about giving gifts, or how handsome or kind a guy is. A thousand times NO! Real love gives, sacrifices, denies self and wants the best for the object of one's love.

God is LOVE. To know "real love" one must know this love. As I look at 1 Corinthians 13, I am taking one verse at a time. A couple days ago I started with verse 4. Love suffers long. I continue with verse 4 today....and a few more days after today---smile!

"Love is patient and is kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant. John 13:4a (ESV)

Love is kind. Love demonstrates itself. It is the nature of love to manifest itself. It is hard to hide love. So I ask myself questions again today:

1. Am I kind, considerate and respectful ?
2. Do I search for opportunities to be helpful? Am I useful to those around me?
3. Do I share with those less fortunate? (look around!) Am I a giver? In 'little' and big ways?
4. Am I kind at home with my family? Am I kind with co-workers, even those that irritate me?
5. Am I kind with my tongue (I so struggle with this one---ouch), using wise, well chosen words to encourage others? (I am constantly running to Jesus with this one~)
   

If you are like me....these questions make you squirm. I have a long way to go...but the grace of God is at work in me. Praise HIS name! I am set free from the slavery of doing what Sherry wants. I am not my own....I belong to a NEW master! A loving God and King! In fact I often think of myself as scripture calls me....a daughter of the KING! I cannot 'do' these things apart from the enabling power of the cross. Jesus knows it. I know it. I don't lament in how BIG my sin is (it is WAY bigger than I can know) but in HOW BIGGER God's GRACE is to cover my sin. I am so grateful. Is isn't about me at all----it is about HIM! HIS GRACE is sufficient for ME!

Sherry's JOY is full. Sherry's love isn't really Sherry's love---it is HIS love shed abroad in Sherry's heart. Oh to BE loved by HIM is without words. Oh that you would know this love too! It is found in Jesus--run to HIM!

Signing off for now, hugs, Lynette