Love Doesn't Come From Cupid

It's finally here! I hope you are as excited as I am!! For this special series the posts will look a little different. Rather than the typical theory vs reality; we will start each day with a Reality Check aka God's Word. This series will apply to anyone but if you have children, make sure you check out the Family Activity at the bottom. Use these to relate what you read in the blog to your kids (who probably aren't interested or old enough to read it ;) ) Enjoy! And don't forget to comment to be entered into the Valentine's Card Give Away!

Reality Check

“We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” 

1 John 4:16

The fact is that without Christ, we would be incapable of loving. ! If God is love- then the beginning of our journey would logically take us straight to him! Have you ever noticed that on the days that you start your day with prayer, Bible reading and/or devotions- things seem easier? The coffee that baby knocked on your blouse, as you walk out the door, is not quite as frustrating as it was last week when it happened. The comment your spouse made that would usually send you into a tizzy, is easily glanced over with grace. Why is that? Because when we start with God, we start with love. And when we start with love we have; patience, kindness, a lack of jealousy. We have humility and meekness, and we act with decency; we are not selfish or easily provoked; we do not take into account a wrong suffered, or rejoice in unrighteousness, but we rejoice with the truth; we are able to bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, and endure all things. Because we know that Love never fails!

Practice: Start with love. Place a sticky note in a place you will first see when you wake up or start the day. Write a reminder to start with God, who is love and gives us the ability to love.

Family Activity: With your family, make bracelets that remind you to love always. Use “love” colors like red and pink, or letters that spell love. Talk about how God is love and that’s why we are able to love each other. Discuss the meanings of the words in 1 Corinthians 13, and give examples. (Depth of discussion will depend on age. You may also decide to focus on certain meanings more than others.)