Month of Love
By Bruce Cannon
Mitchell County
“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” (1 John 4:7,8)
“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)
February is known by many as the month of love, even though every day should be a day for love. And, we should take every opportunity to express love both to God, our family and to man in general. The Scriptures teach that we love because He (the Lord) first loved us. (I John 4:19) He placed within the heart of man the desire to love and be loved.
There are so many Scriptures which speak about love. Luke 12:32 states that the Father takes great delight in giving gifts to His children. James wrote, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (1:17) Every gift the Lord gives is a “good” gift. Why does God give so many gifts? He loves us!
The Lord gives so many tangible gifts, but it’s the many intangible ones that really bless us and enable us to bless others. “He gives peace which passeth all understanding” (Phil. 4:7). He gives joy unspeakable (1 Peter 1:8). He, as stated above, gives the ability to love and be loved. He gives abundant grace. He gives heavenly hugs that warm our heart and pick up our spirit.
These are the gifts that we must share with others. They are also gifts which, when given, come back to us in an abundant manner. When we give love, it comes back and increases our love and ability to love. When we demonstrate peace, we are able to help others experience peace. When we show forth joy, we are able to help others have joy which further increases our own.
Remember what Jesus taught in Luke 6:38 when He said, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
Take the month of February and give these wonderful gifts to others. Give them what God has so freely given us. And as you are doing so, make sure you do not forget the one’s closest to you. Make sure you give abundant love, peace and joy to them as well. They will greatly love you for doing so!
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Bruce Cannon is the Pastor of Pine Branch Baptist Church in Spruce Pine, NC
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Read more good news in Avery, Burke, McDowell, Mitchell, Yancey, Avery, and Madison Counties
