First Love

Who was your first love? Was it someone you met in elementary school? Maybe you're one of the people who first fell in love with their teacher, or maybe it was the kid next door. Do you even remember who that first love was?

The Bible actually speaks of God as being our first love (1John 4:19) When I initially heard that statement, it occurred to me that my first love definitely was not God.

Years later, I realized that I was wrong. God was my first love after all. He first loved me. Yes He loved me before I knew Him and loved Him . But the love of God reaches further back than my first thoughts of Him. He loved me before I even existed. (Ephesians 1:4)

How could anyone leave a love that's eternal, everlasting, unconditional, divine, and supreme and perfect? Sounds foolish, right? Yet we leave the love of God daily.

We leave God when we say," I know better than He does, forgetting that He knows it all." We leave God when we allow fear to torment us, surrendering our peace ( He is our Peace). We leave God when we align ourselves with people, places and things that distract us from His purpose - which is a life fully devoted to Him.

But the most amazing fact is that GOD NEVER LEAVES US! (Deuteronomy 31:8)

So return. Return to your first love. (Revelation 2:4, Mark 12:30) It wasn't your elementary school sweetheart nor was it your memorable teacher. It wasn't even your doting mother. Your first love ever was, and forever will be, God. He's waiting for you! Repent and return to your first love. No one else can ever love you more. By the way, don't delay. Tomorrow is not promised, but the everlasting love of God is! (Jeremiah 31:3).

BE MY VALENTINE By Louisa Guzman

The heart is a powerful organ. Through it flows life sustaining blood and oxygen. Like all other muscles, the stronger it is, the better it works. Daily we read or hear about what to eat, which vitamins and supplements to take, and the exercises we need to do in order to strengthen our heart and keep it healthy.

People of all ages sign up for workshops and seminars on how to win the heart of the one they're interested in, only to later read up on how to mend a broken heart after a breakup. Way before February, we start to see all the Valentine's Day heart shaped boxed chocolate, stuffed animals, balloons and flowers, pink and red heart shaped everything.  Many purchase expensive gifts, with the goal of professing "true love", in the hopes that Cupid will pierce the heart of their intended.

Others spend the day depressed, hoping next year they too, will have a Valentine. 

Imagine how different this day would be if everyone knew that Jesus is our true love - the lover of our soul. There is no one that loves us more, for God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. [John 3:16].

There is no need to impress Jesus with fancy gifts, because every good and perfect gift is from above [James 1:17].  Jesus doesn't delight in sacrifices...or take pleasure in burnt offerings [Psalm 51:16]. Jesus is already in love with us. No need to text cute emojis or call. He is constantly calling us and pursuing us. Just listen, your beloved is knocking! [Song of Songs 5:2]. Even when we turn from Him, He readily takes us back. 

When Jesus is the love of your life there are no broken hearts to mend because not one of the Lord's good promises has ever failed [Joshua 21:45]. Besides, God promises to wipe away every tear [Revelation 7:17 & 21:4]. His unfailing love...will...comfort you always [Psalm 119:76]. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love, lives in God, and God in them. [1 John 4:16]

Do you dream of a perfect, unconditional love? Then look no more. Jesus' kind of love is patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, is not proud. It won't dishonor you, nor is it self-seeking, is not easily angered, and keeps no record of wrongs...it always protects...and always perseveres. [1 Corinthians 13:4-7] Hopes placed in mortals die with them [Proverbs 11:7], but the Lord is good to those who place their hope in Him [Lamentations 3:25]. Jesus is the only one your heart needs to belong to. Yet if you devote your heart to Him...life will be brighter than noonday [Job 11:13-17].

Valentines Day may be for lovers, but when Jesus holds your heart, every day is Valentine's Day. Jesus: "Be My Valentine!" You: Yes, Jesus! Always and forever!

PRAYING

By Christina Calvache

“Pray for me”, we hear it and say it all the time. Whether in small talk or on Facebook, the request is always out there. With every situation, every need, every conflict, we hope prayer will change things for the better. When I first became a Christian, I thought there was a certain way to pray. In Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus taught us to pray the Lord’s Prayer. I wondered if there was a method or particular words that would sway God. I was determined to find the key.

The Word (Bible) makes it clear that “the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:15 NKJV). Ok, so what does that mean? Another translation states “the prayer from the heart of a man right with God has much power” (NLV). If we are right with God, why are our prayers so powerless at times? Dare I say, not even answered at times?

The deeper I went in the Word, the more confused I became. I read in Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you”, or in John 14:14 (NKJV), “If you ask anything in my name, I will do it”. These scriptures are the words of Jesus himself! So why were my prayers unanswered? Why were my prayers unanswered even though I prayed “in the name of Jesus”?

I went back to the beginning, asking myself, “What is it that makes a man righteous? How can I have a heart that is right with God?” I felt baffled. I was born again but my prayers were hindered. I wanted to get God’s ears open to my prayers (1 Peter 3:12).

I came across some interesting scripture which brought clarity. 1 Corinthians 11:28 says to examine yourself. I also found in Lamentations 3:40, it says to “Examine and probe our ways, and Let us return to the Lord.” I learned early on that as Christians we need to continually examine our hearts and our ways to maintain a heart that is right with God.

When we pray, we need to be careful that we are not harboring sin in our hearts, and we are not walking in disobedience. We must make humble and faithful requests to our God. Hindrances to prayer include:

SIN

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear. (Psalm 66:18)

DISOBEDIENCE

One who turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.

(Proverbs 28:9)

WRONG MOTIVES

You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. (James 4:3)

NO FAITH

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt (James 1:6)

How powerful can prayer possibly be? There are no limits in prayer. Hezekiah’s life was extended! We read about him in 2 Kings 20. He was sick and dying. He was told by the prophet Isaiah that the Lord said he would not live. Hezekiah prayed to the Lord and reminded the Lord that he walked with him in truth and with a loyal heart, doing what was good in the sight of the Lord. And he wept bitterly. And do you know what the Lord did? He said, “I have heard your prayer and have seen your tears, surely I will heal you” ....and Hezekiah lived 15 more years! Prayer can be so very powerful.

Having a heart right with God is a choice we must make and maintain every moment of our lives. I encourage you to read 1 Peter 1: 13-21. This part of the book is titled “Living before God Our Father”. As you strive to be holy as He is Holy ( 1 Peter 1:16), I guarantee your prayers will be more effective and powerful.