Claudette's Blog

One Sunday morning, while on my way to Church, I couldn't help but notice that a few signs had hearts on them, but it did not dawn on me until two days later that Valentine's Day was drawing near.
I usually don’t think much about Valentine's Day in January, because my mind is focused on my daughter’s birthday, however, on this particular day God wanted to focus my attention.

On Valentine's Day we run out and grab cards, flowers and chocolates, wanting to tell that special someone how much we appreciate and love them. My husband and I always take a traditional approach to that day by having a special dinner out together, but this year seems different to me. Seeing the hearts on those signs reminded me that love is discipline.

Hebrews 12 : 5-6 NIV:

My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you ,because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.

Love is discipline, especially toward those who do not love back. I have heard people say “Where is the love today?”
The discipline in Love is showing it and walking in it, yet it has become easier for people to express their disgust, rather than express love.

Corinthians 13 : 1-13 NIV:

Love

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, 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. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

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

We must not forget that the greatest command is love, and that Jesus displayed an unselfish love for us on the Cross of Calvary, when He died for the sins of all Mankind.

Oh what discipline He displayed. He talked it and walked it all the way to the Cross. Jesus showed us love without limits by stretching His love as far as the east is from the west. Jesus will forever bear the marks of His love for us.

When you see candy hearts, red roses, and the color red, filling the stores for Valentine's Day, remember your First Love, remember His unfailing love for you, and let me encourage you to share your love of Christ with others, even with those who are not so easy to love.

Blessings,

Claudette Moss