Love One Another ~

" 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. "

*John 15:12-13*

♡♡♡

February 14th is a day in which we celebrate LOVE~Valentine's Day.

Cards are sent out, chocolates are given, flowers adorn our homes
by those who graced our hearts with their love.

I know for myself, I enjoy blessing others by sharing my love and gifts, 

but I enjoy being remembered just the same. 

I'm not one to buy chocolates for myself, 

but there is something beautiful in receiving one of those

fancy red velvet heart shaped boxes filled with delicious chocolates. 

I enjoy storing sentimental little keepsakes in those heart boxes once emptied, 
then years later sit and pull out those keepsakes 
that have been tucked away and look back over sweet memories.
Do you reuse your heart shaped candy boxes for anything special?

LOVE...

Valentine's Day is a time when we can show others how much we love them
with little acts of kindness.
May we have big hearts spending the day looking for ways to love on others.
To you, my graceful followers, love and hugs are sent your way 
with best wishes for a special Valentine's Day.

♡♡♡

As Christians we must strive to love sacrificially, just as Jesus did.

Paul taught the Ephesians to walk in love ~

"And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, 

and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice 

to God for a sweet smelling savor. "

*Ephesians 5:2*

~~

The love that believers have for one another should be a selfless

effort to meet each other's needs~in a way that

let's the world know who we really are. 

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, 

if ye have love one to another. "

*John 13:35*

We see Jesus' love manifested in His substitutionary atonement ~

"We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us"

"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."

*John 3:16*
For God so loved the {whole} world...
His love spreads to every tribe and nation,
to every believer and non-believer and His love is without measure.
Oh the wonderful love of Jesus!
Have you received the love of Jesus?
"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world through him might be saved."
*John 3:17*

Jesus laid down His life for us,"herein is love."

As believers in Christ we should display our mutual love by humbly

meeting one another's needs.

John expressed brotherly love's practical implications 

in 1John 3:17-18 ~

"But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need,

and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him,

how dwelleth the love of God in him?

My little children, let us not love in word,

neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth."

In the book of 1John chapter 3 verses 7-21 
John says "God is Love" these are tremendous Scripture verses
that instruct us on how to love one another, for love is of God; 
and every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God.
If we say that we love God, then we will love our brother also.

♡♡♡

How have you been blessed by allowing the Lord's love to shine through you?

"We love Him because He first loved us."
Amen.

Be Loving!
~Debbie~

 The hand painted items in my photo's were purchased from 
Celestina, who has a lovely Blog over at Southern Day Dreams
You will find gorgeous hand painted roses and home decor
in her beautiful etsy shoppe Rose Garden Market

By Grace Through Faith

Easter... Is my favorite Holiday celebration

because of what Christ did for me personally;

He suffered and endured the shame of the cross

when it should have been me on that cross.

"Christ, being found in fashion as a man, he

humbled himself and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross."  (Philippians 2:8)

He came to prove His love towards me,

in that while I was a sinner, He died for me,

so that I might live a victorious life through Him.

I cannot help but think about the free gift 

that we have through Jesus Christ our Lord,

 as we celebrate Resurrection Sunday.

 Ephesians 2: 1-10 is such a beautiful reminder

of God's divine formula for rescuing His people from their sin.

God's rich Mercy (verse 4 a) "But God who is rich in mercy."
Romans 10:12&13 are beautiful verses showing God's mercy to ALL

who call upon His name. 

"For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek;

for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord

shall be saved." 

 God forgives all our iniquities

and heals all our diseases. (Psalm 103:3) 

He removes the barrier that separates people from Himself

by canceling the debt of sin (all our iniquities) so that anyone

can enjoy a loving relationship with Him.

God's love removes a persons sins as though they never existed. (Psalm 103:12)

Oh my! That should cause us to bow down on our knees

to the Lord and lift His name on high and thank Him

for the work He has done for us

as we trust Him in His unfailing love. 

God's great Love (verse 4 b) "For his great love, wherewith he loved us."

John 3:16-17 are verses we quote so often, and are filled 

with the wonderful truth of salvation.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish,

but have eternal life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world,

but that the world through Him might be saved." 

******

God's Grace (verse 5) "Even when we were dead in sins, 
hath quickened us together with Christ,
by grace are ye saved."
Paul expresses his thanksgiving to God 
for his salvation through the grace of God in 1 Timothy 1:14&15
"And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith
and love which is in Christ Jesus.
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation,
that Christ Jesus came into the world 
to save sinners, of whom I am chief."  

Mercy, love, and grace combined together produce a free Gift. (verses 8&9)
"For by grace are ye saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.
Not of works lest any man should boast."   
Romans 6:23 ties in so well with these two verses,
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God
is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."  
Eternal life is a grace, a gift received through Faith. (verse8) 
"So faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." 
Have you trusted in the marvelous grace of Jesus
and received His free Gift of salvation? 

******

"Why Should He Die 
For Such As I" 

In everything both great and small
we see the hand of God in all,
and in the miracles of Spring
when everywhere and everything
His handiwork is all around
and every lovely sight and sound
proclaims the God of earth and sky
I ask myself "Just who am I"
that God should send His only Son
that my salvation would be won
upon a cross by a sinless man
to bring fulfillment to God's plan-
For Jesus suffered, bled and died
that sinners might be sanctified,
and to grant God's children such as I
Eternal life in that Home on High.
~ Helen Steiner Rice ~ 

Great is the Lord and most worthy of our praises.
Our Precious Heavenly Father,
thank you for the gift of salvation
through Your Son Jesus Christ,
who willingly suffered and died
so that we may have life.
Amen.

Hallelujah
Christ is Risen!
~ Debbie ~ 

A Compassionate Heart

 "But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed,

came where he was.

And when he saw him,

he had compassion."

( Luke 10:33 )

~*~

"Go and do likewise."

( Luke 10:37 b )

~*~ 

This lesson in the Bible on the Good Samaritan

teaches us on compassion and grace.
( Luke 10:25-37 )

There was a certain man that was on his way to Jericho,

and fell among thieves. They stripped him

of his clothing, wounded him,

and left him for dead.
( Luke 10:30 )

A priest went down that same road and came upon him,

passing by on the other side.
( Luke 10:31 )

A Levite also went down the same road, looked upon him,

and he too passed him by.
( Luke 10:32 )

But a certain Samaritan, as he was on his journey 

came upon him,

but he...had compassion
( Luke 10:33 )

~*~

When we as individuals comprehend the depth of God's love,

we can learn how to love even the least lovable,

becoming Good Samaritans to those around us.

Proverbs 14:21 teaches us that "he who has mercy

on the poor, happy is he."

 Compassion does not originate

in religion or responsibility,

but in a relationship with God. 
When we are graciously walking in the Spirit of God,
we will manifest Christ, and His standards
found in the Word of God
and compassionately love the unlovely
and the needy.

~*~

 The Good Samaritan saw the need of this wounded

helpless man, and did something about it.

Just as Jesus, in Matthew 14:14

"And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude;

and He was moved with compassion for them,

and healed their sick."

Jesus stopped to meet the needs of the crowd,

healing their sick.

~*~
This Samaritan man was on a journey,
he was obviously heading somewhere...yet...
he stopped and took the time to care for this man in need.
His heart was moved with compassion, and he took action.
The Samaritan man not only had compassion on this man,
but grace and kindness was showed upon him.
He "bound up his wounds, placed him on his own beast,
took him to an Inn, and there took care of him.
He then gave the host of the Inn money for this mans needs
asking the host to care for him,
and said he would return to pay the remainder of the bill."
( Luke 10:35 )
That is love-in-action!
*~*
It is so easy to get caught up in ourselves
and all that fills our own lives,
that we, many times miss those wonderful opportunities
to be a servant of the Lord.
Would we... like the Samaritan...
stop in the midst of our "journey" and take the time
for that one whom God has placed in our path?
What could be so pressing that we would be like the
Priest or Levite, and just walk on by?

A heart like Jesus should be our desire,

full of compassion and grace.

Our hearts should be aroused by the suffering

or misfortune of another.

When we give of ourselves in the lives of others,

there is great joy.

God's Word commands us to

"Go and do likewise."

( Luke 10:37b )

~*~

May we not be like the Priest or Levite,

seeing the need of another... and passing by.

But may we have the heart of Jesus, 

and the Good Samaritan,

reaching out to others and taking care of their needs

bringing glory to our Great God!

  

Our Precious Heavenly Father.
Oh to be like Jesus...
Cause us to follow after Thee,
and to be like Thee in the lives of others.
Grace us with Your love and compassion
giving us a heart that is moved
when we see a need.
Amen.

~Be Lovely~
Debbie