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How Should a Christian Respond to Anti-Christian Sentiment?

Why is there so much anger, bitterness, and hatred evident today? And why a sudden increase in anti-Christian sentiment in a nation founded on a Judeo-Christian foundation?

I’ve wondered if part of the cause of anti-Christian feeling is because people with low morals react to Chritians’ judgment of them. In many cases, I believe that could be part of the problem.

When Christians oppose and publicly condemn them, it isn’t surprising that they would react by turning against those who judge them as well as the God they claim to represent.

I gained new insight into another possible answer while reading in Acts. In chapter 6, it was said of Stephen that he was “full of faith and power” and “did wonders and miracles among the people” (v. 8).

Some of the religious leaders were displeased and disputed with Stephen. “They were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. Then they secretly induced men to say, ‘We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.’” (Acts 6:10-11).

However, that doesn’t seem to be the case with Stephen, and these verses indicate a more basic issue. There is no indication that Stephen was judmental. He spoke with faith and power and did miracles, and those who saw and heard him could “not resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.”

Rather than reacting to judgment, they were convicted by the faith and power they witnessed in Stephen.

However, instead of falling on their knees before the Son of God, they sought to destroy Stephen and convinced men to tell lies about him.

Is that not what is happening today? There is a segment of the society that is actively seeking to destroy Christians. Furthermore, they stir up others to their cause and even lie about them.

In the 1960s there was a counter-culture movement that championed personal freedom and sexual revolution. The loosening of morality has continued to escalate. Consequently, activities which were unacceptable twenty years ago are now declared the norm.

They may be declared, and even legislated as normal and good, but I suspect that many people who advocate for sexual freedom know in their hearts that God disapproves. Testimonies from those who once lived a loose lifestyle indicate that the majority know it is sin.

Like those who heard Stephen, today, when people living a lifestyle of sin are confronted by faith and power would they not be convicted by God? Is it hard for them to resist wisdom, the Spirit, and their burdened conscience? The nature of mankind has not changed. Why would it be different today than in Stephen’s time?

Do people fight God, His messengers, and anything that reminds them of Jesus—such as public display of crosses, and the Ten Commandments because they are moved by the Spirit of God? Is it is a threat for Christians to live by their convictions, because they are finding it hard to resist conviction themselves?

Stephen’s detractors stirred up the people, took him to court (the council) with false accusations, ran him out of the city, and stoned him to death. All because they “were not able to resist.”

This passage may give answer to the question of why so many are fighting God, but it also speaks to those who love Him and seek to serve Him. Stephen spoke with wisdom and the Spirit..

He told about their common history, then shared about Jesus. He spoke with boldness, even though he knew he was a target of their anger and schemes. He didn’t mince words, but he spoke out of His love for and relationship with Jesus.

Acts 6:15 tells us that while Stephen was at trial, “All that sat in the council looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.”

Stephen was so firmly attached to Jesus—that the love and light of the Lord shone through him while he was under attack.

The question for us is whether or not we are walking in faith and the Spirit so that those who are lost and walking in darkness will be convicted and drawn to the love and light of God.

If we are so full of faith and power so that it shines through our lives, some of us may suffer for it, but many people will see the love and light of God and be drawn to the living Light.

Our lives are impacted by the changes in our culture and many around us are without hope. As Christians, we need to understand so we will better know how to respond to the changes.

More important than understanding, we need to be plugged into the power source, abiding in Him. Then, like Stephen, we will be ready to share the reason for the hope and faith that is within us. (See 1 Pet. 3:15-17.)

It impacts me that an interaction with me may be somebody’s only opportunity to experience the love and life of Jesus.  I want the heart of God to so evident in me, as it was in Stephen, that it draws people to Jesus rather than my flesh and judgment driving them away.

Frankly, that concerns me. I don’t see that kind of love, faith, or power in me and my walk. How about you? (See 1 Pet. 3:15-17 for more on being ready to give a defense.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do Unto Others

This past week with grandchildren was a special treat, but the  three-hour lay-over in Atlanta made an exhausting return trip. Robert and I stopped to visit over a nice, leisurely meal to catch up.

Robert chose a rib-eye to celebrate, but was disappointed in the quality of the cut.

When our server stopped by to see if everything was all right, we said yes, but Robert added, “You might mention to the cook that this rib-eye is a bit tough for a rib-eye.”

The water offered to take it back for another one, but Robert insisted that it was fine, but “was tougher than you’d expect a rib-eye to be, so the cook would probably want to know.”

Shortly afterward, he told us he had mentioned it to the cook. We had further conversation and even shared some ideas for grilling steak.

Near the end of the meal, he returned to the table and said he’d talked with the manager, and was told that we could have a discount on our ticket or have a free desert. He continued, “I don’t do that for everybody. Some people are really ugly, but y’all are good people and were so nice, that I want to do whatever I can to serve you.”

We didn’t ask for special treatment, nor did we expect it, but we received it anyway. This is a simple situation. The reward is minor, but the principle isn’t.

We received special treatment because we “were so nice.” We didn’t do anything special, we simply treated our server with respect, and we showed interest in him as a person.

I’m much like our server. When someone treats me well, I tend to want to do something for them. If they are harsh and demanding, I’m tempted to be harsh toward them. I resist internally, even when I try to act graciously.

If we love out neighbors as ourselves (Lu. 10:27)and treat others as we want to be treated (Mt. 7:12), we will be nice to them. We’ll treat them with respect, be interested in them as people, and will listen to them. We won’t always be offered a discount on our meal, but we will sow peace and good will. Consequently, there will be reward.

I was recently with a family that shows respect to their children in such a way that caught my attention because it is unusual. They listened carefully to their children and responded graciously. They were kind and gracious in their tone even when rushed and distracted. I couldn’t help but notice their reward. It was evident in their children.

The children respond with quick obedience and with respect. They play together peacefully and help each other. They do their chores with enthusiasm and without constant reminders. It was amazing.

They are children and are still in training. I’m sure there are bumps in the road, but the pattern has been set by the parents. They require discipline, but they are kind, caring, and respectful toward their children. And they are reaping what they have sowed.

The same principle applies with a spouse, a co-worker, a neighbor, or a disgruntled sales clerk. We can set the tone for relationships.

It’s really simple. All we have to do is obey the Word–love our neighbor and treat him or her like we’d like to be treated.

Simple, and yet sometimes it’s so hard, because we walk in our shoes. Without God’s help, we only see from our perspective, holding our hurts from the past, insecurities, and weaknesses. We must look beyond those things. We need to step into their shoew to always be sensitive, showing love and compassion.

That need is good because it makes us always dependent on our Maker. In order to relate to those around us well, we need to die to self, take up our cross and follow. Daily. Throughout the day. It’s a life style. (See Mt. 16:24-25 and Mt. 10:38.)

As I child, I learned, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Mt. 7:12). I understood it was a good thing to practice. I even understood that’s how I wanted to be treated, and that it led to good relationships.

I didn’t understand how hard it can sometimes be to live it out. It can feel right to expect, and even demand, a tender piece of steak when you pay extra to get one–much less when more important matters that go wrong.

But Jesus did not demand that things go His way. He saw with compassion and treated others with love and respect. If we follow Him, we will do unto others as we want them to do to us.

 

 

 

 

 

To Be Like Jesus

At the Last Supper with His disciples, Jesus knew that one of them would betray Him, He would be crucified, and that He would rise from the dead. He also knew His disciples would scatter, leaving Him to suffer alone.

Jesus understood what was before Him, and yet in obedience to His Father, He continued forward so we could be cleansed of our sins, be joined with Him and His Father, and enjoy fellowship together as one.

The opposition of the religious rulers had reached a climax. It was time. Time for false accusations and questioning by the religious and political rulers. Time to be mocked, scourged, and hung on the cross. Time to die.

He warned His disciples that He was about to be killed (Matt. 26:1-4). Then, taking them with Him, He went forth.

After an agonizing time of prayer,  Jesus was met by Judas, leading “a great multitude with swords and clubs” coming to arrest Him (Matt. 26:47). When Judas betrayed Him with a kiss. Jesus responded with, “Friend (companion), why have you come?”

A mob came with swords, ready for a fight, but Jesus did not resist.

In contrast, Peter didn’t back down. He did what a man of courage would do when a mob attacks. He pulled out his sword, ready to stand for what is right. In his effort to protect his beloved Teacher, he cut off the ear of an attacker.

Rather than thanking Peter for his courage, Jesus touched the man and healed his ear (Luke 22:51). Then He said to Peter, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matt. 26:52).

In confusion, “all the disciples forsook Him and fled” (Matt. 26:56).

Deserted by His friends, Jesus submitted to the religious leaders and was led away. He was tried, mocked, and tortured before being nailed to a cross, But He went without resistance, as a sheep to the slaughter (Acts 8:32).

We’re familiar with the story. Maybe too familiar.

I’ve heard it at least once a year for years. However, as I read this passage a few days ago, certain aspects about the scene stuck with me.

  • Judas was betraying Jesus, not acting as a friend. However, in His greeting Jesus overlooked the evil in Judas’s heart and spoke of what they had in common.
  • Jesus didn’t rebuke Peter for drawing the sword or cutting off the ear. In the midst of animosity and chaos, He was gentle and straightforward with Peter, as he asked him to put away his sword.
  • With an angry multitude seeking to end His life, Jesus had compassion and healed the ear of his enemy.
  • Immediately after agony in prayer that was so great it led to sweating blood, Jesus acted with authority, apparent peace, compassion, and love in the midst of hostile chaos.
  • What do these actions say about who Jesus is?
  • What does it say to us about how He views us:
    • When we betray Him?
    • If we take matters into our own hands and blow it?
  • What does it say about how He loves us–indeed, everybody—even those who seek to destroy Him.

Two things stood out to me as I read that passage. First, Jesus did not defend Himself in word or actions, but neither was He a helpless doormat. He demonstrated quiet authority as He yielded to the enemy.

Second, He exhibited selfless love and compassion for those around Him, including His betrayer, a faithful impetuous disciple, and the enemy who sought His death. God is love. His love was–and is–unconditional, unwavering, and encompasses the enemy.

We live in a time when it is often difficult to know how to live as a Christian. From meditating on this passage to discover how Jesus responded,  I’m convicted that what made Jesus stand out in the crowd was His love.

His love was clearly demonstrated and it shone through the darkness. It wasn’t flashy and put on. He was/is anchored, secure, and motivated by His love of His Father. That love was/is part of Him, defining who He is. It shines because of its sincerity, simplicity, and purity. It is not contaminated by self interests.

“We love because He first loved us” (1 Jo. 4:19). Help us, Lord, to be like Jesus.

 

 

 

 

Love

 

It is Valentine’s, time for cards, flowers, chocolates, and dinner out. Time to express love and caring. Time to say, “I love you.”

But then, when isn’t it time to show love and caring? Cards and gifts are mandated by culture on this special day.
For many, they are necessary in order to maintain the status quo in a relationship, to avoid having a major confrontation.

But, they are not necessary to express love.

                                     God tells us how to show love and caring in 1 Corinthians 13.

Love:

  • is patient,
  • is kind
  • is not jealous;
  • does not brag
  • is not arrogant,
  • does not act unbecomingly;
  • does not seek its own,
  • is not provoked,
  • does not take into account a wrong suffered,
  • does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
  • bears all things,
  • believes all things,
  • hopes all things,
  • endures all things.

Love never fails;      (1 Cor. 13:4-8, NAU)

Our efforts to say, “I love you,” through Valentine’s are empty if we do not express God’s love throughout the year. I’d like to adapt the preceding verses to illustrate my point. All italicized words are my substitutions in the verses to relate the verse more directly to our Valentine’s Day efforts.

If I give cards filled with flowery words of endearment; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, my words mean nothing.

And if I give flowers, chocolates, and a romantic dinner out, laying aside all my plans to be with the one I love, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. (1 Cor. 13:2-3 adapted).

Cards are thrown away or put away. Flowers die. Chocolates and romantic dinners are soon gone. In contrast, “faith, hope, and love abide (endure), but the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor. 13:13).

As we celebrate Valentine’s this weekend, let’s strive for consistent enduring love.

 

A Son Was Given

I helped change our church sign for Christmas. Gathering the letters one at a time, led me to mediate on adoption and on Isaiah 9:6. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given . . ..”

Many sons are given these days. Mothers who are children themselves aren’t prepared to tackle the full-time demands of a baby or for guiding them into adulthood. They often give their innocent babies up for adoption.

Most of those mothers are torn apart when they make the decision that their baby would be better cared for in a family. There are exceptions, but most give up their infants because they want the best for them. They do it out of love.

Over the years, they track their child’s birthdays, watch other children who are the same age, and dream of what their child looks and acts like. Most continue to hold their babies in their hearts. even though they will never see them again.

Adoption usually brings life and joy to the child and to the family that enfolds it. However, recently, I spoke with a mother who gave up two babies and continues to long for them. With tears in her eyes, she said she was glad she did it, because she knows it’s best for the children.

But it is a sacrifice to give up a child, to release someone who is part of you.

At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the son that our heavenly Father gave up. As I pulled the letters for the sign,  I began to think about what it takes to give a son.

The almighty, the perfect Father in whom all wisdom dwells, gave up His son. He is the perfect father, the model for all fathers, but He gave His son.

Furthermore, He didn’t give just any child. He gave His only son, a perfect child, one born without sin. A Son Who had been with Him from eternity, One He knew would please Him in everything.

Two other words in the verse stood out to me, “to us.” “To us a child is born. To us a son is given.”

God gave His Son up—to us! Like many parents today, He was motivated by love. John 3:16 say, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.”

But, there is a marked difference from us.

God didn’t make the sacrifice because it would be best for His son. He did it because He “so loved” the world. He loved you and me so much that He gave His beloved son to and for us.

That love is deeper than we can imagine. You see, there’s more.

When God gave that baby, born in a lowly manger, to us He knew that the day would come when His precious Son would be despised, rejected, and die a cruel death on a cross. God sent His perfect son to suffer a terrible death at our hands.

And yet, “to us a Son was given.”

Why? A holy God can’t fellowship with sinful man, and He wanted to have a relationship with us, so He provided a way to clean us up. He did it so we can be adopted as his children.

He did it because He loves us.

In return, He simply asks us to love Him in return. He offered his pure, faithful always-with-us love, asking only for our wavering, contaminated love, which is polluted with self-centeredness.

That is something to celebrate! But it is also incomprehensible. We’re not worthy of such a gift.

And yet, God did it. He gave His son to–and for–me and you. Because he loves us so much.

Unto us a Son is given. Seeing this more clearly deepens my desire to know my heavenly Father, to know His love, and to love Him in return.

I desire the same for you. This Christmas, may you and yours be wrapped in God’s perfect love.

 

 

 

 

 

Snares for Today’s Christian – Part 3: What Can I Do?

As darkness gets darker in the world, I’m tempted to make my voice heard and fight 1349021113jjoqofor my rights. When pushed, my tendency is to push back.

But I’m reminded that Jesus, who was without sin, didn’t push back when He was pushed. He went to the cross as a lamb to slaughter.

However, I don’t live in Jesus’ day. Maybe God will call me to be vocal, to fight what I see as evil. But for now, He’s called me to be sure my heart is clear, that I’m right with Him, so that when I, personally, am confronted with darkness, I will respond with life and light.

The obvious deviations from God’s design that are increasingly accepted do not tempt me. They are not likely to become a snare for me, but that doesn’t mean I’m lily white.

I’m prone to less obvious sin. Things such as fear, pride, judgment, and self-sufficiency sneak in unnoticed.

If I want to drive back darkness and build the kingdom of God, my first order of business is to get myself right with God. I need to be one with Him so my ears and heart will be open to hear His directions and carry His work with His power.

God has given me steps to take to maintain a right relationship with Him. Some of them are:

BELIEVE: How can we follow if we do not believe? Don’t fall into the trap of framing your beliefs around your experiences or desires.

STAND: Stand firm in Christ and on His Word, don’t be trapped by the lures of the world.

LOVE: If we don’t have love, we like clanging gongs (1 Cor. 13:1) and all our efforts toward change are in vain.

SOW PEACE: Respond to attacks in a spirit of peace, showing love and respect. Leave an opening to share Christ’s love.

  • Ephesians 6:15: Shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;    Eph. 6:15
  • 1 Peter 3:10:  Refrain your tongue from evil. Turn from evil and do good. Seek peace.
  • Matthew 7:12:  Treat people the way you want to be treated.
  • (Also Gal. 5:22-25, Matt. 5:9)

PRAY WITH THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE: Pray for God’s kingdom to be established, in the church and in the world.

These things don’t call for great heroics or direct confrontations. They are basic training. Nevertheless, we are dependent on God working in us to faithful even in the basics. If He doesn’t build the house, we labor in vain as we build it—beginning with the foundation.

May the Lord help us to be a light in the midst of the darkness, free from the snares of the enemy that would try to hold us back. And may we be prepared to hear His voice and be obedient to what He asks of us.

Help us, Lord, to “watch out that the light in [us] may not be darkness” (Luke 11:35 ).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Embrace the Cross to Find Freedom and New Life

Man carry cross 2 iStock_000013345813Small-1Sometimes you need to embrace the cross to find freedom from anger and experience new life.

A 3-year-old boy pulled back and swung, hitting an elderly lady in the stomach with all his might.

At a special event, 16-year-old girl glared as she declared to the group sponsor, “You are not my mother and I don’t have to do what you say!”

A desperate 40-year-old confessed, “My anger is tearing the family apart. My marriage is in trouble—we’re separated again, my children are insecure, and I need help.” He went on to share that his father died when he was young and his mother always smoothed things out for him, but he’s discovered that that doesn’t work in his adult life.

In the last week, these have all been reported to me or been part of my experience. They all have one thing in common.

The child who has everything “smoothed out” for him is taught to expect everything in life to go his way. When it doesn’t, he doesn’t know how to deal with it, so he responds in anger. The real world doesn’t cater to individual whims, so the child isn’t prepared for a life where he doesn’t get what he wants.

To complicate matters, the child probably learns that if he gets angry enough, he’ll get what he wants. Consequently, he’s trained in anger as well as selfishness. Both lead to misery—a life of anger, bitterness, strife along with hurt and loneliness from broken relationships.

Unfortunately, lessons from years of being rewarded for negative attitudes and behaviors are not easily unlearned. But there is a cure for the adult who wants to overcome an angry, self-centered lifestyle. Jesus shows us the way.

He chose to suffer and die a terrible death for problems, sins that were not His own. He did it so we could once again enjoy intimate relationship with Him.

Anger destroys intimacy. If we want to overcome anger and restore relationships, we need to follow Jesus. He said, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23).

Daily. It’s a lifestyle of denying your own wishes, your self-centered life, and self-centered expectations. If you follow Jesus, you put the interests of others above your own. Daily take up your cross and die to self.Man carrying cross

That’s not easy, but it wasn’t easy for Jesus either. Hebrews 12:2 tells us how He had the grace to embrace the cross. Jesus endured the cross “for the joy set before Him.” He was given grace to take up the cross and to endure because of the reward He foresaw on the other side of the cross.

If anger is destroying your life, the joy set before you is love, joy, and peace. That longed-for life can replace the anger, bitterness, and broken relationships that are so familiar. The reward of denying self and taking up a cross of self-denial will yield a new life in place of the old.

If you want to get rid of your sinful, self-centered nature, you must follow Jesus. The first step toward reaching that joy is the choice and commitment to deny yourself and embrace the cross.

Happy FamilyIt is worth it for the joy set before you. You will not only find peace with yourself and love, joy, and peace with those around us, you will also find the favor and blessing of God. That is true joy.

Jesus said, “For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? (Luke 9:24-25).

By embracing the cross, you can conquer anger that is rooted in self-centeredness and expects life to go your way. You can find freedom from anger and experience love, joy, and peace.

Love Never Fails

You may be asking why ILove X stitch IMG_1229 (Toshi) seem stuck on the topic of Love. There are four reasons. (1) Love seems extremely important to God. In Jesus’ own words, it is the focus of the first and second commandments. (2) God used it to turn my life around. (3) It’s Valentine’s so I thought I might get away with it. And (4) Love never fails.

During a period of great conflict between Robert and me, I didn’t feel very loved, so I went to the Bible to confirm that God cared. Frankly, I couldn’t find confirmation. I saw that He loves the world, but not that He loves me. I finally decided to believe it anyway. That was a turning point toward new life.

As I studied, I realized that we didn’t know how to love. We didn’t live it and show it the way God does.

My understanding was a bit warped by deep depression. However, there was also some truth in my perception. I saw that much of our love was self-serving, rather than the self-sacrificing love we see in Jesus. I also realized that the problem wasn’t wasn’t just ours. It was a common malady of mankind and of the church.

During that time, I cross-stitched and framed the words, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails” and I hung it on the wall. It became a standard as a representative and reminder of 1 Corinthians 13.

After that, when I had conflict with my husband, God’s spotlight would shine on those words and I would see that I had not loved my husband during the interchange. Time after time, I was confronted with my sin. Time after time, I was called to repent and confess—to Robert as well as to God.

True love is sacrificial, it’s taking up our cross to follow Christ. I’m still self-centered and slow to sacrifice myself for others, but I’m not where I was. The Lord loved me enough to discipline me in order to form me into His image. The more I grow, the more I experience His love, and the more I want others to.

I want to know what it’s like to really abide in Him—always—and to experience His love and be filled with His joy—even in the midst of suffering and strife. Furthermore, I know the Lord wants that too—for me and for you.

“Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Pet. 4:8

I’d like to share the familiar passage He’s used in my life. It’s appropriate for Valentine’s. After this, I promise I’ll change the subject. This defines how to love.

cropped Family in Hands

   “Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous;                     Love does not brag and is not arrogant,                Does not act unbecomingly;  

             It does not seek its own, is not provoked,                        Does not take into account a wrong suffered,                         Does not rejoice in unrighteousness,                       but rejoices with the truth;

               Bears all things, believes all things,                                     Hopes all things, endures all things.                                                  Love never fails”                                                                                            (1 Cor. 13:4-8)

Abiding Love

Grapevine file8561258684899 (1)Everybody needs and wants to be loved. In fact, psychologists and sociologist describe love, affection, or belonging as one of our top fundamental needs of human beings. In order to thrive as individuals, we need love.

Consequently, for various reasons, people who—for whatever reason—don’t feel loved are constantly seeking it, often in the wrong places. However, I don’t want to focus on the negative indicators. I’d rather talk about the good news.

The good news is that we can all experience daily love. Every day. No exceptions.

The living God loves us and His love will never fail. He said:

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy” (Zeph. 3:17).

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  . . . But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, [nothing]shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:35-39).

Furthermore, He asks us to abide in His love as the branch abides in the vine, to live in His embrace and share His joy. He wants our joy to be full. It doesn’t get better than that.

“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.  If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.  These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full” (John 15:9-10).

“Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9).

“Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments” (Deut. 7:9).

We experience such love from God only as we give our love to Him. “Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for Him” (2 Cor. 2:8).

Are you abiding in God’s love? If not, why not? Valentine’s is a season of making and declaring commitments of love. It is a good time to reaffirm your love for the Author of love—the One who loves you most.

Alone at Valentine’s – Part 2

If you know Jesus Christ, you are not alone, because Jesus promised He  would never leave or forsake those who love Him. Connecting with Him is a sure way to not feel lonely during early February when it seems the whcropped Pensive lady on bench L8953674ole world is celebrating Valentine’s. However, something else will further fight the feeling of loneliness if you are down because you are not that special someone for somebody else.

When we are lonely, it’s because we are thinking of what we are missing, rather than being grateful for what we have. We want someone to love us, to be with us, to give us attention. If we continue to focus on what we’re missing, we will feel increasingly lonely and alone.

Jesus has a cure for that. He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Many people around you are in need. If you are lonely, reach out to someone else. As you show love, you will be blessed in return.

Jesus also said, “Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return” (Luke 6:38). Don’t show love to someone else expecting them to reciprocate equally, give in order to bless the other person, with the assurance that the Lord will bless you in return. He will fill your need in accordance with how much you give out.

In His Word, God gives many guidelines for reaching out to others in love. A few of them are:

“For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same?” (Matt. 5:46). Bless someone outside your normal circles and see what happens.

Cropped Arnhem Market Sep 20 2013 (51)“Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble” (Is. 35:3).

“Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing” (1 Th. 5:11).

‘This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world” (Jam. 1:27).

“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Gal. 5:13-14).

“We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16).  “Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Col. 16:14).

“We love, because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11).

If we follow Christ and are obedient to His Word, there is no reason to be lonely or alone at Valentine’s. We can be His arms and legs to carry His love to others. If we do that, we will be blessed too. Chances are, part of that blessing is that we we will no longer feel lonely.

Who can you reach out to for Valentine’s this year?

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