From Love Come Great Joy and Strength…

It’s a simple but encouraging message this morning, and it’s all about love!

As we share this Sunday learning more about the joy and strength of the Lord AND celebrating Valentine’s Day, let us be reminded of the most powerful love in Heaven and on earth: the love of the Father and the love of His Son, Jesus Christ! And rest assured, my friends, that the evidence is all throughout Scripture...

“For God so loved the world that He gave up His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved Me. Remain in My love so that you will be filled with joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”

John 15:9,11

“This is My command: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.”

John 15:12

Quite clearly, no greater love exists than that of the Father and of the Son. What a source of immense joy for us! However, this news is also a source of tremendous strength, for it allows us to uphold the great but sometimes challenging command of loving others.

Let’s be honest...

Love can be hard!

Love can be heavy!

Love can be draining!

This is why we need the perfect love of a Savior to fill our love tanks. Until we know the love of Jesus, we cannot possibly love well. And we should not feel bad about this! Our dysfunctional versions of love and affection are just part of residing in a fallen world.

It is indeed only Jesus Who can teach us how to love and to be loved. He enables us to mature into true doers of the Word who are ready, able and willing to love God, others, and ourselves so radically that we all stand in awe and wonder why!

Wow! Great joy and strength really do come from the love of God. What an amazing gift this Valentine’s Day and every day to follow...

Here’s to love, my friends! Let’s go do it well! And by the way, I love you, too!