Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to all!

I've been overwhelmed by the commercials and the marketing of Valentine's Day, all in the name of "love"...to me it looks a lot like the world's definition of love.

I think on this day that everyone is focused on love, we should look at the true meaning of love:

John 3:16-17: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Joh 13:34-35: A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Joh 15:12-13: This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

And Paul's beautiful writing concerning charity/love:

1Co 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
1Co 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
1Co 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
1Co 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1Co 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1Co 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1Co 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
1Co 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
1Co 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1Co 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
1Co 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

I'm preaching to the choir everytime I write...God uses these lessons to convict my heart...the past couple of weeks, I have had some negative feelings in my heart. But God used the prophet Jeremiah to show us the true nature of our hearts:

Jer 17:9-10 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

And as I have learned before and the Lord will keep reminding me...our words and promises are often empty. Only His Word stands strong and true. Instead of talking about it, we need to live it. I need to live it.

And the only way to love anyone at all is to move out of the way and let Jesus love them through us. We can't do it - only He can.

Happy Valentine's Day, to all of you! Let His Love shine through and change your heart. It's a process, but God's plan is to make each of us more like His Son. Open your heart and let Him in...let Him change it so that the world only sees Him.

What is on my mind now is testing this to see if it works...I hope so!
Melissa

Keeping The Old Man Down

Sometimes it's hard to stay ahead of the past.

I have had a couple of weeks here lately where I really started feeling alot like Job...each day, something else seemed to go wrong...and each time something went wrong, I tried my best to stay focused on Jesus. I'll admit it, I'm human...I lost my temper, I cried...and when all of that failed, I prayed. Now THAT was the key!

I've posted things here and on my website about my struggles...and how God has had to knock me down on my face in order for me to be able to look up at Him. I've had to deal with anger issues, self-centeredness, pride, and dependence on others rather than on God. And for the last 6 months, I have felt closer to Him than I ever have before. So now, when life's struggles seem to be ganging up on me all at one time, the "old man" (or should I say "old woman") wants to rear her ugly head again. But this time it's not me that's bringing it up.

Sometimes I wonder why, as Christians, we see God change hearts...but we still want to hold someone in their past. Someone did that to me this week, and it brought back a world of hurt in my heart. And it made me think of a song by Brian Free and Assurance called "Keeping The Old Man Down":

I'm my own worst enemy, when I remember back to what I used to be; and despite the love I've found, sometimes it's hard to keep the old man down; it's not because I want to be who I used to be, it's because people keep reminding me

Chorus: But what people can't forget He won't remember; And when they come along and keep fanning the embers; I'll hold my head up high and just remember what I've found; as I keep on keeping the old man down

Some folks try in their own way to help me change; but they don't realize, that all my "want-to's" He has rearranged; it's true I know I have a long long way to go; if He's forgiven yesterday, why won't they let it go?

Bridge: If it's true when He says we're covered in His love; then why won't they let my past, stay under the blood?

Chorus: But what people can't forget He won't remember; and when they come along and keep fanning the embers; I'll hold my head up high and just remember what I've found; as I keep on keeping the old man down.

In the new year, I encourage each one of you to be an encourager - be a Barnabas to your brothers and sisters in Christ. Remember their struggles so that you can know how far God has brought them and how He has healed their hearts - I know He's healed mine. And the sin of the past was paid for on the Cross and is covered under His blood. If you do see someone struggle, be the brother or sister that helps pick them up....don't be the one that tosses the rock that knocks them down. Love each other....stay away from negativity...let God be the one to make the changes....and most of all, keep your eyes on the Cross - all of our sin was paid for there....and Jesus is alive today! God wants to grow us to be more like His Son...and He can't do that if we stay burdened with the past. Don't forget where you came from, but don't let it keep you from letting Him take you to where He wants you to be going.

Stay safe...take care...and live for Him!

Be God's,

Melissa