A Note of Encouragement

from Ciloa

 

  

 

 

 

The sun rises over the horizon with the words Love God, Love People, Live It written across the sky

Do not merely listen to the word.
James 1:22

 

 
True love is...
Volume XVI, Issue 7
February 15, 2016
The world revolves around us, or so many want us to believe. "Be this. Do that. And people will love you. You'll love the new you." Rarely do we hear, "Do this out of love for someone else"...rarer still, "Do this because you love God"...even as we celebrate true love.
 
Centuries ago Claudius II ruled the Roman Empire through bloody, brutal war campaigns. His life revolved around death and power as he sought to strengthen his position as Emperor and god.
 
Bust of Claudius II
Claudius relied on ever-growing, more powerful armies and always needed more men to fill the ranks. He believed that single men would fight harder and be more devoted to their Emperor than those married with families. So he issued an edict: From this day forth all marriages are hereby banned.
 
In Rome there lived another man, a Christian priest, quite unusual for the time. While refusing to worship the Emperor was often a deadly matter, he chose instead to worship God.
 
As word spread of the ban, his devotion strengthened. He believed marriage was ordained and blessed by God. If He saw such unions as holy, then no earthly ruler had the right to deny them. This man loved God, and there was no question as to Whose laws he would obey or Whom he would follow.
 
So he continued to perform marriages, in spite of the decree. In time he was arrested and brought before Claudius who demanded he renounce his faith and God. But the man refused. Furious, the Emperor had him dragged from the palace, severely beaten, and beheaded.
 
This man died because he loved God more than his own life. He reached out to others. He loved them and encouraged them. He showed them Someone worth believing in. He understood true love.
 
Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. John 15:12-15
 
We send cards or flowers. We remember our spouses, parents, and children. We remember those still with us, those far away, and those who've gone on ahead. But do we remember God and His love for us? Do we remember how much we love Him? Do we know what true love is?
 
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 1 John 3:16
St. Valentine baptizing a couple

Remember those around you. Love them. Encourage them. Help them to encourage others.

And allow others to see your life as an expression of the unfailing, everlasting love that God has for them.

As for the death of that man in Rome...

The date was February 14. The year, about 278 A.D.

And his name was......Valentine.
Take care & be God's,

Chuck

The first image is a bust of Claudius II, Emperor of Rome. The second is a portion of the painting by Jacopo Bassano of St. Valentine.
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