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