Love

The month of February has long past.  The flowers have died and been thrown out.  In other words Valentine’s Day is long gone for this year.

I was reading an article on social media that really reached out and grabbed me.  It was about a man who wanted to divorce his wife.  You can read the article here.  In the article the wife gives the husband a list of demands prior to the divorce.  I was really shocked that he gave in to the demands.  I will let you read the article for yourself.  If I write much more about it I will be in tears all over again.  Oh, get a facial tissue ready as you will need it.

As I was thinking about this article on love something came to my mind.  That truth is that love is a choice.  I tell men all of the time, “If you love your wife you will take the trash out.”  This is true.  Love is a choice.  Yes, I know I repeated myself.  It was on purpose.

Here is the command to obey.  Look at Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”  Now, if Jesus commands us to do this then it is possible for us to do.  I did not say that it is easy.  I said it is possible.

So, how did Christ love the Church?  I am thinking of one word.  That word is sacrificially.  Jesus “gave Himself for it”.  That is truly sacrificial love.  This is easy to say and write; but, doing it is another story.

Maybe you think you have “lost that lovin’ feelin'”.  Well, here you go.  It is a command.  Love your wife!  This is not my word.  It is God’s Word.

So, how are you doing?

A Gift From God 6

I was thinking about the idea of gift giving and I remembered something.  When my wife played the piano for our Church and I led the music and choir I received a precious gift.  On dear little older lady in the Church came to me one Sunday before Christmas and handed me a card and a gift that had been wrapped.  I took it and joyfully told her thank you.

In the card was three one dollar bills.  The wrapped gift was a box of chocolate covered cherries.  That was a precious gift to me for sure!  This dear lady had given all she could.  I have not forgotten that gift.  Here is the thing.  I despise chocolate covered cherries.  I think I stooped so low as to re-gift them to someone that I know likes them.  I felt bad; but, I did not want them to just go to waste.  Instead they went to waist on someone else.

I travel the path of memory lane because it reminds me of James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”  That sweet lady gave those gifts to me and I counted them as a gift from God.    I know that our LORD was well pleased with His darling daughter that day.  It moved me to tears at her kindness toward me and my dear wife.  I can honestly say I have never received a dollar fifty (three dollars split between us); but, to me that was just as priceless as a million dollars for Christmas.

God has given His son Jesus to be our substitute and pay for our sin.  Yet, millions refuse this free gift of salvation.  One day they will regret this.  Will you trust Him today.  We are not promised another breath, let alone another day.  Trust Jesus today.

So, how are you doing?