Thursday, February 18 - Day 2

I think the word ‘love’ is overused and has been watered down in today’s culture.  With Valentine’s Day just past, we see how ‘love’ is marketed and commercialized.  The tagline for a truck commercial several years ago stated America ‘loves’ baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolets.  So, to find the true meaning of love, we have to turn to the source: God.  God is love.  Love in the Bible has a much richer meaning, particularly when applied to God's feeling toward His people.  The Bible describes a kind of love that goes far beyond what we can even grasp as humans.  It is abundant, faithful, steadfast, patient and unfailing.  Read these passages out loud and listen to God’s heart.

The LORD watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. We depend on the LORD alone to save us. Only he can help us, protecting us like a shield.  Psalm 33:18, 20

"I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself."  Jeremiah 31:1

Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD . So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!  Psalm 32:10-11

The Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father.  John 1:14

God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.  And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God's judgment.  For since we were restored to friendship with God by the death of His Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be delivered from eternal punishment by His life. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God -- all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of God.

Today, I hope you seek the love that only God can provide.  May you be revived, restored and refreshed by His Spirit.

God bless,

Brent Schulte, Antioch Christian Church