How many of us look forward to the candlelight romantic dinners, or giving or receiving the roses, cards, chocolates? Ohhhh, the CHOCOLATE!!! I confess, I may be a choco-holic!

But seriously, we know that February has long been celebrated as a month of love and romance, and St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition – it’s one of the most shopped for holidays of the year. However, token items gifted on such a holiday are not commensurate with the love we are commanded to show to others……

There are so many Scriptures speaking of Agape Love, brotherly love, that we must practice to show the world the Jesus in us!

♥     Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Romans 12:9-10 (NLT)

♥     Above all, have ^[a]fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others].  Be ^[b]hospitable to one another without complaint. 1 Peter 4:8-9Amplified Bible (AMP)

Indeed, in practicing this type of love, we become more like Him

♥     But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:15 (NLT).

There’s a song we sing, “We are One in the Spirit”. In all honesty – sometimes it’s quite a challenge to feel love towards certain individuals, much the same way it is a challenge to feel that we have great faith in certain situations. Here’s the thing – faith is not a feeling! It’s a way of life, a decision to exercise that which has been placed in us through our relationship with Christ.

♥     For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to everyone of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and a purpose designed for service]. Romans 12:3 

And so, as we decide and determine to exercise our faith, we can and should decide to practice that love on purpose . ….” And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love! Yes they’ll know we are Christians by our LOVE.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I praise You for your unfailing love! I ask today that You be with _________ and show ______ Your amazing faithfulness in a special way. Help ______  to hold tightly to what is good and hate what is evil. Fill _______  with Your love for others. May ______  be a reflection of You and Your love to those around. Please help me to always find delight in honoring others/ ________ and may they know that I REALLY love them. Help me to be hospitable to those I encounter today and remind me not to complain but to love with a genuine love. I love You Lord ! Thank You for your love, compassion, and mercy for me. In Jesus Name, Amen.