Valentine’s Day: What is True Love?

Happy Valentine’s Day!! ❤

I was thinking about what the word “Love” really truly means – and I think most of us don’t fully understand the depth of the word. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 says:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

Think about that for a minute. Love is not simple, but complicated – and beautiful! Love is perfect, because God is perfect: and God says that whoever does not love does not know God, because God is Love. (1 John 4:8)

The Bible talks about love a lot. Look here:

“One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’

 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:35-39

Loving your neighbor is important. Loving them means that you will always love them to the best of your abilities no matter what happens; that you will stick by their side at all times. You “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15). Loving your neighbor as yourself is extremely hard, because we as humans will always fall short, because of sin. Think of all your selfish thoughts you’ve ever had: even the small things, like taking the bigger cookie for yourself, or letting someone else clean up your mess because you don’t feel like getting up. When we are selfish, we are loving ourselves so much that we don’t think about others: imagine if that focus was flipped! If we always loved our friends and neighbors more than ourselves, think about how wonderful that would feel! I know that whenever I purposely do something good and kind to someone, it fills me with happiness. When someone does something kind for you, it feels good! That is when we love our neighbors. ❤

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.“

1 Corinthians 13:13

Love is a powerful gift from God. We can never love to the extent that God does, but we can try our hardest. Today, love your neighbors: your friends and family, yes – but your enemies, too. Even those prickly people need love too!

“‘But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.'” Luke 6:27-31

Today I challenge you to love like you’ve never loved before, and to show kindness to all who cross your path. ❤

 

© Chick & Co.

Chick & Co.

Living the Sweet Life

 

God’s Salvation

What does salvation really mean?

Salvation is being saved. It means that you don’t have to worry about living life perfectly, because God has covered ALL of your sins! Isn’t that incredible? If you see Jesus as your Savior, then you know what freedom really means. It means more than just being able to mess up, it means that you have someone always watching out for you, someone you can always talk to, and someone that will always love and forgive you. Sometimes we get caught up in this mortal life of social media, fashion, social anxiety, and much more. We can easily forget God’s Grace and Salvation – and just because we are forgiven of our sins doesn’t mean that we can just do whatever we want, we still have to do the right thing. When we get distracted – stop reading the Bible, getting focused on social media – we just have to regroup and remember what God has called us to do:

“And he said unto them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'” Matthew 4:19

“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.'” Mark 16:15

We have been put on this earth to tell the wonderful story of God’s Grace and Love. Here are some of the lyrics to Live Like You’re Loved by Hawk Nelson:

“So go ahead and live like you’re loved: it’s ok to act like you’ve been set free, His love has made you more than enough, so go ahead and be who He made you to be, and live like you’re loved!”

If you haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you can pray this prayer and become a follower of Him!

“Dear Jesus,

I recognize that you have died for my sins, and want to live for you, Father! I love you and ask to be forgiven of my sins and be saved! Thank you for your sacrifice, LORD! I thank and praise you!

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.”

 

 

© Chick & Co.

Chick & Co.

Living the Sweet Life

Give Ear to my Words

Psalm 5:1-8

“Give ear to my words, O Lord;

consider my groaning.

Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God,

For to you do I pray.

O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;

in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you

and watch.

For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;

evil may not dwell with you.

The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;

you hate all evildoers.

You destroy those who speak lies;

the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,

will enter your house.

I will bow down toward your holy temple

in the fear of you.

Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness

because of my enemies;

make your way straight before me.”

Chick & Co.

Living the Sweet Life

Answers

Everyone is looking for answers.  Answers to what?  Life.

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27

God created you.  He cares about you.  He loves you, so very much.  God wants to be with you, He even died so He could.  He rose from the dead to show you His power!

“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” Matthew 16:26

God made you for a purpose, nobody is made without one, and each person’s purpose is different from everyone else’s. God can save you, it’s not too late.  It’s never too late.  Seek God, and you will live! To be saved, pray this prayer:

Dear Jesus,

I believe you died on the cross for my sins and rose again from the dead to save me.  I love you, and I want to be with you.  Thank you for loving me unconditionally, God, thank you for being my Father in Heaven. From now on, I live my life for You.

In Jesus’ Name I pray,

Amen.

Post a comment below if you prayed this prayer and accepted God as your Savior!

 

Chick & Co.

Living the Sweet Life