Monday, February 13, 2017

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

32 comments:

Karen said...

I loved your post today. Isn't it amazing to think about the humility of Christ Jesus and His sacrificial love. Won't it be glorious to see Him face to face someday! Have a wonderful Valentine's day.

Celestina Marie said...

Dear Debbie, such a beautiful post for Valentine's Day sharing the most important of love in our lives in that of Jesus Christ our savior and friend. Your words and sharing of scripture is special for all times.
Yes I love those gorgeous heart shaped candy boxes to hold keepsakes. Such a sweet idea. Thank you for sharing your lovely photos and giving me a shout out. You are most kind. Blessings my friend for a beautiful Valentine's Day filled with love of family, friends and our Lord!! XO

living from glory to glory said...

Happy Valentines Day. Loved this post!!
Thank You for reminding us of HIS great love...
And the need to love others!
I recognized the beautiful art work right away she does such lovely work Roses my favorites!! Blessings to you and yours! Much Love
Hugs, Roxy

Melanie said...

Such beautiful dainty photos! I used to keep the Valentine boxes but they have long since gone. Thankfully, although my Alan is in heaven, I have Jesus as my Valentine! Have a blessed day.

Daniela said...

The hearts by Celestina are simply stunning, she's truly a great artist, thank you for sharing her art with us, dearest Debbie, together with your always beatiful words of comfort and deep Faith, which warms our hearts !!!

Wishing you a very happy Monday and new days to come,
I'm sending blessings of joy to you,
with utmost gratitude, sweet friend

Xx Dany

P.S.: Happy Valentine's Day to you !!!

Christine said...

Dear Debbie thank you for sharing your loving heart and love for the Savior in your post today! It has been a blessing to me!

Kim said...

Such a lovely post, Debbie reminding me once more of the amazing love that Jesus has for me. I have been blessed unimaginably because of His love for me. It is always a joy to try to find special ways to share this love with others. AND....it is always a joy to visit you, lovely lady, in your lovely corner of the world. Celestina's hearts are beautiful; she is such a clever artiste! May you have a most wonderful Valentine's Day, basking in the love of God.....and indulging in a chocolate or two.

Joyful said...

I love your post Debbie and agree that Valentine's Day is a good day to be reminded that we can do loving things for others. Big hugs. xx

AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

Very sweet, loving post! What I love about God's love and His love that goes through us to others is that we can truly love others without knowing them. And for our brothers and sisters in Christ, the love is deeper because we are all His children and are like-minded. XOXO

Anonymous said...

Hi sweet friend and Happy Valentine's Day to you! Thank you for these beautiful verses and the delightful photos. God bless you.

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Such a love-filled post today...so beautifully written...and such a powerful message of Christ's love. I must admit, I am woefully off schedule this year for Valentine's Day...it has really crept up on me and I didn't even mail out the cards I purchased for some of our young relatives! I will see them in person on Saturday, and we will have to celebrate then. I've just been busy with company and my hubby spent a day in the emergency room last week, and I guess that really threw me off balance more than I realized! So thank you for putting me in the Valentine's mood tonight. Maybe I'll get something done tomorrow afterall. I don't eat chocolate, so I don't have any heart shaped boxes to keep. But I know they would be delightful if I had any! Great idea!! Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours.

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

What a beautiful post you've shared, my friend, with wonderful, carefully chosen, and thoughtful verses from scripture, full of God's love.
I just knew that the lovely rose painted pieces were from Celeste. Aren't they perfect for a romantic display? You've enhanced her pretty pieces with such glorious words. Happy Valentine's Day to you, sweet friend! ❤️

Brenda said...

Hi Debbie,
we could not know a better love than the love of God that shone through Jesus. Beautiful design on your blog, and lovely rose paintings. Just like you use things you have been given for future purpose, so God fashions us in what He wants us to be once we are born again of His Spirit.
God bless you and your family (it's not hard to see that Stephanie is your daughter, very much alike).

Stephanie said...

Good morning and Happy Valentine's Day! First of all, WOW! What breathtaking photos of Celestina's handmade delights. Oh, she makes the loveliest things, doesn't she :) Her work is truly a beautiful gift from the Lord and it's a blessing to have her share her loveliness with us.

Thank you for such a wonderful post filled with beauty and encouragement...my heart was richly blessed by what you shared.

I hope you have a splendid day! The boys and I are about to leave to do a bit of shopping and a whole lot of bowling :)

I love you, dear Mother of mine!

hobbyloes said...

The love of God is amazing and endless.
We are not such huggers, but just love each other very much.
The hearts are so beautiful and delicate.
Have a nice and blessed week!

Anne Payne said...

Debbie, your post is as lovely as you are! Your hand-painted hearts are beautifully crafted just like yours, only your heart has been 'hand-painted' by the Master Painter, God!!! Bless you on this Valentine's Day and thank you for sharing the LOVE of JESUS so unashamedly and lovingly! ❤

Debby Ray said...

I thought those lovely heart-shaped and pink rose-adorned boxes looked familiar! Celestina paints the most beautiful things...just as beautiful as the words written in this love-laden post. I was greatly humbled just this past weekend as I was out getting a bite to eat in the midst of the house being turned upside down due to the new floors...I had gone to a local chicken place (do you have Zaxby's in CO?) and ordered a salad with chicken. When I pulled up to the window to pay, she told me that the person in the car ahead of me had paid for mine! I was at first dumbfounded and shocked, feeling a little guilty of not using my "act of kindness cards" that we have from our church (which I had some in my wallet). I then felt totally blessed and humbled...and prompted to use one of my cards the next time I am in the drive thru and do the same for someone else. God has so many ways to remind us to love one another, doesn't he? Beautiful post, my friend and I hope you are having a Happy Valentine's Day! HUGS! ♥♥♥

NanaNor's said...

Wonderful post! I will have to check out Celestine's shop. May your day be blessed dear one!
Hugs,
Noreen

Creations By Cindy said...

Debbie, your hand painted items from Celestina just melts my heart. So pretty. But I have so enjoyed your beautiful post this morning. Nothing like the love of Jesus. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Ginny said...

Debbie, I love your hand painted items from Celestina. I have so many beautiful things from her! I like Valentines Day also. I have a box from chocolates that my husband gave me years ago that has the scripture passage..."Love is patient, Love is kind...." I set it up every year on a shelf. I also have a metal candy box with a victorian lady on the front that I bought at a yard sale years ago, and it is in the shape of a heart also. I have received so many valentines, heart boxes, candy, flowers, cookies, and even red wine over the years. I also like to treat my two guys (son and husband) to a really nice meal and a desert created by me! Most of all, i love the kind gestures we give each other throughout the day..simple kindnesses, thoughtful and endearing words....spreading the love of Jesus....Hoping your day was special.

Dianna said...

Dear Debbie,

I am sorry it has taken me so long to drop in here since returning to the blogging community the first of the year.

This is such a precious post and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading. I love it that you keep sentiments in your heart shaped candy boxes and then take them out each year and re read them.

I've been blessed so many times over the last few weeks by Jesus love shining through. Valentine's Day has especially been different this year...a time where I didn't think about what someone might do for me, but rather what I could do for others. People's responses have blessed me more than any tangible thing they could have handed me as a gift. How can we wrap up God's love?

Hugs to you,
Dianna

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

Oh you shared such beautiful, delicate lovely hand painted items. Celestina creates such amazing items, does she not?

I am sorry I am a bit late wiahing you a happy St. Valentine's Day - hope it was wonderful.

Hugs and love to you! ♥

Betsy Brock said...

Such great thoughts....

Thanks for visiting my blog today! :)

Saleslady371 said...

Hi, Debbie!
Getting heart shaped boxes of candy brought back so many memories. It's been a while, I remember keeping the boxes but I don't recall what I put in them! These Scripture verses are a great reminder of the beauty of loving. Thank you for visiting me and leaving the sweet comment. I look forward to getting to know you!

Blessings,
Mary

Deborah Montgomery said...

I recognized Celeste's signature roses right away, so beautiful! Yes, so much more than the human love we celebrate on Valentine's Day is our Savior's love for us. There are so many without a spouse or special someone on Valentine's Day, and it is painful for them. I like to think of it sometimes in terms of a special day to show love and kindness to everyone. To recognize the Lord's love for us and to share that love with others, not just our sweetheart.
I am hoping to get out there this spring. And hoping maybe we can all meet again? I'll be in touch. xo Deborah

Cheryl said...

Happy Valentine's Day to you, sweet friend...a bit late, but better late than never, right? I hope your day was filled to the brim with so much love and gestures to let you know how very precious indeed you are! This was a lovely post, as usual. I always leave here refreshed in my spirit. Sending you much love and many blessings!

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

Dear Debbie... you know how to make a post just shine with the love of the Lord in every possible way! From the exquisite photos of the gorgeous handmade items from Celestina to the uplifting scriptures and quotes you chose (one of the scriptures of which I used for a post of mine too!, just a post that speaks about the love of the Lord deep into my heart. Isn't the love of the Lord something so wonderful to ponder and be amazed in! I appreciate so much the sweet presence of the Lord that just flows through your writing and beautiful pictures, such a lovely visit, every time! Many hugs to you today dear friend, praying that sweet love of the Lord blesses you in a special way!

Sheryl said...

Beautiful post Debbie, thank you for sharing such gorgeous hearts and photos.

Rosella said...

Such a love filled post! Thank you so much for your sweet comment on my "Sew Blah" post and sorry that I didn't see it till today. I'm heading back to your web page to read more of your posts. It's so great to meet such wonderful perfect strangers in blogland! God Bless you and yours!

September Violets said...

What a comforting post this is :) I always like to give chocolates on Valentine's Day and a special card for my husband. It brings me happiness to let my family know I love them through these gifts on special days...nothing really fancy, just a few good quality chocolates. It would have been nice to receive something from them too, but I think that's just not ever going to happen. I just hope my kids will continue with these little traditions when they have kids of their own. Gestures of love are always appreciated ;)
Wendy

Linda Walker said...

How lovely! The post, the photos....I spied some beautiful pieces painted by Celeste! Those hearts are exquisite! So pretty photographed with baby's breath!Love your inspirational posts Debbie! xo
Linda

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