Today’s Daily Bread ~ Be My Valentine

1 John 4:10 – This is real love.  It is not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

I woke up this morning with love and valentines on my heart.  This is a holiday that’s been taken over by Hallmark, but once upon a time it was a religious observance.  There were an estimated 14 men with the name of Valentine who were martyred for their faith.  The “Valentines” celebrated on February 14^th are Valentine of Rome (killed in AD 269) and Valentine of Terni (killed in AD 197).  The Roman Catholic Church removed the celebrated day from the Calendar of Saints for various reasons in 1969.  Enter the card industry.

I feel like I can hear the Holy Spirit best first thing in the morning.  Today, as I sat in my quiet house, coffee on my left and Bible on my right, He whispered a love letter that I feel compelled to share.  Happy Valentine’s Day…I hope you feel loved and cherished, no matter how many cards you open today.

Jeremiah 1:4-5 – The LORD gave me a message.  He said, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.  Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world.”

Precious child, I love you so much.  I knew your name before I spoke the world into existence.  Before there was time and space, I thought of you.  I knew exactly where I would place you.  I knew the exact moment you would enter the world, and I celebrated as you took your first breath.  I created you with a specific, unique skill-set, fully equipping you for the tasks I set before you. I gave you a job that you, and you alone can do.  I put people in your path on purpose, some to comfort or edify you, some to sharpen you.  I pour my love into you so that you, in turn, will love them.

Jeremiah 31:3 – Long ago the LORD said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.  With an unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.”

Beloved, my heart swells with delight when you make me your priority.  I listen when you sing songs of praise and worship, and it’s as beautiful as a chorus of ten thousand angels. I hear your prayers, listening intently to every word.  Trust me when I tell you that I have a plan for your life; one that is absolutely perfect.  You will find peace when you place yourself in the center of my will for you.  You may not understand the path I guide you down.  It may not look logical, and it times it may look impossible.  Remember that nothing is impossible for me.  Do not worry about it.  Simply hold out your hand and allow me to take it.  I will show you great and wonderful things.  I will amaze and astound you if you let me.  All you have to do is follow me.

John 16:7 – “But it is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Comforter won’t come.  If I do go away, He will come, because I will send Him to you.”

 I know that, at times, you feel alone and discouraged. At these times, come away with me to a quiet place.  I will fill you and sustain you.  I will give you rest when you’re weary.  I will fill you with my peace.  Although you can’t see me, I am wrapping my Presence around you through my Holy Spirit. It hurts me to see you struggle, let me shoulder your burdens!  Cry out to me, nothing is too small or too trivial to bring to me, for I delight in every detail of your life!  I go before you, walk beside you and follow you. Nothing can get to you without first getting through me; trust that there is a plan in place when storms and trials come your way.  Trust that I will see you through it, and that you will emerge stronger and with deeper faith if you cling to me.

John 15:9 – “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me.  Remain in my love.”

My child, it is crucial that you stay connected to me.  Nothing on earth will ever give you peace that lasts.  You are specifically created to lean on me.  There is no challenge too great if you remain in my love.  The world will promise you many things, but they are empty promises.  Know that the way to everlasting life is through me alone, though many will tell you otherwise.  If this weren’t so, my Father wouldn’t have sent me to die for your sins.  Know this, and write it on your heart:  I would’ve done it all for just you.  If you had been the only one through all of time that would’ve come to me with a believing heart, I still would’ve endured every nail, every lash of the whip, and every other indignity.  I thought of you on that cross, and I completed the work.  Remember that when the world tells you that I am not the way.  Love those who reject me in such a way that they see me working through you.  All you have to do is surrender to my will – I will do the work and I will give you the words.  Precious one, I love you more than you have the capacity to fathom.  More than you could ever imagine.  Remain in my love, and you most certainly will find me when you seek me in earnest.

Dear Heavenly Father, today we ask that you would touch our hearts and inspire us to love others as You do, and as You command us to do.  Not everyone is easy to love, Lord, so we ask for compassion, kindness and patience as we remember that they are the ones who need Your love the most.  Help us to remember that this kind of love is not an emotion or a feeling, but a choice.  Give us a burning desire to share Your love and to make Your Name known.  Give us an unquenchable thirst for Your Holy Spirit.  Help us to rely on You for everything, knowing that You will never fail us or forsake us.  Fill us today, Father.  Give us generous hearts.  Let us feel the Presence of Your Holy Spirit.  Take our breath away!  We love You so much, God.  Today, as everyone celebrates their loved ones, remind us to celebrate the One who loved us so much that He died, so that we might live forever in eternity with Him.  Let this be Your holiday, Father.  We ask these things in the beautiful, precious name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.