LOVE 2020: WHAT YOU GIVE

Good Evening Friends!

I pray your weekend has been a fantastic one!

I have enjoyed mine

And, I just got done watching Super Bowl LIV with my sons

Outstanding job by the Kansas City Chiefs!

They have not been to the Super Bowl in fifty years;

However, tonight the walked away CHAMPIONS!

And it does tie into what I would like to share today – WHAT YOU GIVE

YOU SEE –

That team gave their all tonight  – the coaches, the QB and all the team members

And, no, they were not everyone’s favorite

But – at the end of the day – it matters not how much you are loved

IT MATTERS HOW MUCH YOU GIVE

Several weeks ago, I shared a quote from a Korean drama series that I had been watching – Chocolate. And, at the end of that series, a very interesting quote was shared:

‘The value of one’s life is in the love they give, not the love they receive’ – Epictetus

This quote spoke to me –

It spoke to me because we so often we get it wrong with our modern ideology

It is often believed that those who are most popular and those who are most loved are most valuable

However – that belief could not be farther from the truth

One need only delve into the Word to see a textbook example of how the opposite is true.

‘God so loved the world that He gave ….’ John 3:16

He gave because He loved

And, what did He give?

He gave His all – He gave His Son

Now – the value of Jesus was not assessed by the love He received

‘For He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering’ [Is. 53:1]

No – His value was evaluated in what He gave

And – what He gave was His life

The value of the LORD [in the estimation of man] is not in the love He received or receives,

But in the love He demonstrated; the love He so freely and generously gave & gives to us

And it has an impact on our capacity to love.

We love because He first loved us. [I John 4:19]

HOWEVER –

Even in this season of love – it can be one of the loneliest times of year;

For those who are single and even for some of those in relationships

SO –

As we journey through this season of love,

I would encourage you to keep an open mind and perspective.

Even if it is not a lonely season for you, it good to remember some basics of love:

Our value is not established in the number of people who love us –

Rather, it is evident in the love we are able to consistently share with those around us.

I pray you will embrace every opportunity which presents itself this week –

To demonstrate love to those around you

And, I pray you have a wonderful evening and blessed week

God Bless & Much Love  

LOVE 2020: IT IS WHO HE IS

Good Morning!

I pray your week has gone well

And I hope you are ready to enjoy a relaxing weekend –

And, while I am getting a late start on writing this post,

It is not because I arose late 

I have actually been up all night – I am not certain why

I believe my mind is full –

I have been thinking about what I would like to write,

And, I have been thinking about all that has already transpired in 2020

Nationally and around the globe, we have had multiple devastating events:

§  Downed Aircrafts – Military & Civilian

§  Missile Strikes – Injuring Our Service Members

§  Earthquakes

§  Multi-Vehicle Accidents

§  Helicopter Crashes

§  Tornados

§  Coronavirus Outbreak & Deadly Regular Flu Season

§  And that is just to name a few

2020 in the first thirty-one days has been filled with challenges

And it can be a bit overwhelming &discouraging

Indeed, I find myself praying more than I have in recent months

Even so, I am trying to keep my eyes focused on the positive;

I am trying to fix my gaze on the One who knows all things

It is not easy - trust me!

I find myself having to go back to Scripture & Prayer repeatedly throughout the day

There is so much I do not understand about suffering

YET – 

I know and understand this ... 

I understand that the LORD is Sovereign

I know that He is worthy of my trust;

And – even when I face, witness and hear about bad situations;

HE IS STILL A GOOD GOD

LOVE IS WHAT HE IS

§  He has good plans, to prosper and not to harm [Jer. 29:11]

§  He seeks opportunities to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are loyal to Him [II Chr. 16:9]

§  He is ever-present … no matter where I may find myself [Ps. 139:8]

§  He is full of love for His creation [John 3:16]

§  HE IS LOVE … [I John 4:8]

AND NOW – we are entering one of my two favorite times of year

We are at the beginning of the lead up to Valentine’s Day

It is a season all about LOVE

AND – for the next fourteen days [or longer],

I choose to be intentional about focusing on the good

I will seek it out in every situation and circumstance

I will fix my mind on the things which are lovely – as instructed in the Word of God

Why don't you join me on this journey?

I would be so glad if you would.

I pray you have a peaceful and love-filled weekend.

God Bless & Much Love

Have a Great Day!

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,

whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable

--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—

think about such things.”

Philippians 4:8