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February, a month set aside for romance of the heart. A time to show those you care for that they are loved. But what after the candy has been eaten, flowers fade and thrown away? When cards are tucked away in the keep-sake-box?

What if you still feel empty? Even a little lonely if we were to be honest with ourselves. Oh, it’s just this gray ol’ cold winter, we may say.

The focus of this February, From The VINE™ Blog post is a focus on what the Valentine that God has sent your way means. Jesus said, “Behold, I (Jesus) stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20 KJV)

What does John 3:16, the widely memorized scripture, really saying to YOU? Father God, Creator of all (Colossians 1:16 KJV), sent His own Son Jesus Christ to earth in the body of flesh and blood, to take our place, to receive in our stead the very physical, gruesome beatings and nails through both hands and feet, shedding real blood to take the penalty we deserve.

Why was this necessary? Because of the fall of man, the sin nature. Without going deep in this post: Man required a Savior. Man is sort of in the middle of a great war. Jesus Christ came and saved us from the eternal damnation intended for Satan and those fallen angels who sided with him (Revelation 12:9 KJV). Thus entered Satan’s deception the fall of man and mans need of a Savior.

But the point I want to make in this post is that long after any trinket, candy, or flowers others may give to us on February 14th, God’s love never changes. (Hebrews 13:8 KJV) It lasts for eternity for those who will open their hearts and accept God’s gift, Jesus Christ and the finished work He completed at Calvary’s Cross. (John 19:30 KJV) Jesus Christ and all that His shed blood makes possible to us. Even if other’s change and walk away, we have His promise, ” I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 KJV)

A far better Valentine. Have you opened yours sent by God yet?

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20 (KJV)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (KJV)

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! Isaiah 14:12 (KJV)

And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. Revelation 9:1 (KJV)

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelation 12:9 (KJV)

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (KJV)

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is finished: and He bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. John 19:30 (KJV)

God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall he not make it good? Numbers 23:19 (KJV)

We love Him, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (KJV)

“… the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5 (KJV)

” I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5(KJV)

Happy New Year.

We are several days into the New Year at the time of this post.

So, … how is it working for you? Fallen away from your New Year’s resolution? Feeling as the dieter does who proclaimed to diet tomorrow while yet full from an overstuffed dinner?

It is OK to reset the clock. Give yourself some slack. Get up and start again. Remember: “His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:21-23).

Regret

Let’s talk about regret. How it eats away, nagging in those self thoughts. Tell yourself, STOP and then begin again as often as it takes. The smallest steps, smallest victories are still motion(s) in the correct direction.

Don’t quit. Don’t give up. Encourage yourself as David did, he “encouraged himself” (1 Samuel 30:6). Be your own cheerleader if need be.

You see, you don’t have to believe all those negative, discouraging words or thoughts directed at your accomplishing a new (or old) goal.

Do what you can now, today. You have heard it, I am sure, some sort of statement like, the only failure is the failure to try. So, … fail. But get up again.

Count it as a credit if you take the steps instead of the elevator. Then grow upon that. If you only read one paragraph of the Bible, that is one more paragraph read then if you hadn’t. Those read through in a year plans, or the daily devotions books for every day of the year, before you know it’s July and your book mark is back in January. OK, so last year’s New Year’s resolution had to be rolled over for “another” year. Take the pressure off, forget time limitations.

The word picture often used: if you fall off your horse (bike) get back up in the saddle and try again. Forgive yourself so you don’t stay stuck. My word picture for this concept has always been: “You can move a mountain with a spoon, if you keep at it and don’t quit. Slow, seemingly impossible, yet if diligent, a spoon can move a mountain like a bucket load, only in smaller amounts requiring not being “wearied in well doing” (Galatians 6:9).

Do you need to adjust your goal? Maybe the goal to lose one pound in a year lacks real commitment, setting your goal too high … wait … This is beginning to sound like a motivational speech. We have enough how to succeed with the battle of the bulge.

Nor did Jesus give His disciples the 7 steps to a feel good life. What He did do was go to the Cross because we could not overcome in our own strength. He took our place, He paid the price. Why do we think we must do everything beyond salvation in our own strength? In Matthew 11:28 He said, ” Come unto Me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

So when, not if, you slip from your “New Year resolution” or in any area of your life where you are trying to overcome, go to Him in prayer asking for His help. “… Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord ….”  Zechariah 4:6 (KJV) Then rest in Him, get up and begin again (Lamentations 3:21-23).

Lamentations 3:21-23 (KJV)
²¹ This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
²² It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
²³ They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

1 Samuel 30:6 (KJV)
And David was greatly distressed; …: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

Galatians 6:9 (KJV)
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Matthew 11:28 (KJV)
Come unto Me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Zechariah 4:6 (KJV)
… Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

Galatians 2:16 (KJV)
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Yep, it’s the Holiday Season and for most, more activity is crammed into already over booked schedules. Not to mention over taxed budget.

The Holidays require of us more than we may have. Gifts exchanged, meeting with friends for lunch or dinner more often than the monthly budget can afford? With last year yet on the charge account(s), the still small voice from within begs for your attention with the message, “some day is today”, you can’t continue to support this/these habits? … Please don’t ask me how I know.

Do I have the answer? I know Who does. Jesus Christ. Meet with Him in your prayer closet. Perhaps you don’t have a dedicated space to physically shut out the noise of the world and/or those pulling at you this and thus, but if you can find a quiet place, a restroom stall on a lunch break if nowhere else, close your eyes and let your heart seek the KING of kings. I like the saying, “Wise men still seek Him”.

In Him you will find a sustainable schedule and/or the strength to face … perhaps family who hurt you in the past, or any number of reason(s) why the relationship is on a, … strictly Holiday or as needed basis?

Perhaps you are on the other end. Invited but not warmly embraced? … Are you the one who invites yet give a chill with your greeting?

In Him, He can help to warm up those chilly embrace(s) or shield from the chill if need be.

You see, we all know the story, half minded grant lip service to “the reason for the season”, but do you really?

How is it playing out today, on your New Year’s resolution list? … Again?

The reason for the season is for a spring holiday, so to speak, and I’m not referring to furry critters with a basket of chocolate and eggs. Before we break into the basket of goodies, we lose out if we skip over the black days of the Cross. Yet without that gruesome event, the brighter day with an empty tomb would not be. So, what does all of that have to do with this Holiday? Everything. Everything was done, “it is finished” (John 19:30 ) We can study this meaning for a lifetime and still not grasp the depth of the Father’s love to have “sent His only begotten Son” (John 3:16).

If you have known me over the years you have heard me say, “Because of Christmas we have Easter, and because of Easter” … [fill in the blank of your need, be it to see a beloved (believer) in eternal life or any other need we may have].

Another such saying or prayer my friends may have heard is a prayer for our LORD to protect/heal your heart from pain. For the Holy Spirit to minister [word picture] like medicine sprayed on a painful burn. Your medicine cabinet is your prayer room.

We cannot be all things to all people. We can’t fix their issues by anything we can say, do, or purchase. We can however go to HIM, the Giver of gifts for whatever we need to get through a day.

We cannot do it in our own strength. (Zechariah 4:6) Why would we want to anyway?

Come to His banquet and partake what you need for each given day. Give yourself the gift HE has provided for you. You personally, this Holiday Season, please don’t miss the most important “gift” of your life. The “gift” of HIS life that you may receive the gift(s) He went to the Cross to make a way to Him.

Spend time with “the reason for the season”. He loves YOU so. (1 John 4:19)

John 19:30 (KJV)
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

John 3:16 (KJV)
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes  in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Zechariah 4:6 (KJV)
… Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

1 John 4:19 (KJV)
We love Him, because He first loved us.

Colossians 2:9-10 (KJV)
For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
And you are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power:

John 14:1 (KJV)
Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in Me (Jesus Christ).

John 14:27 (KJV)
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

“Be not afraid.” In the words of Jesus: “Let not your heart be troubled“.
He does not want you to worry or be in fear.

You see, He loves YOU, very much. He would that you come to Him and let your fears, worries, troubles at the foot of the Cross where He paid the price, cleansing us from all with the Blood He shed at Calvary.

HE is the answer. All you have need of you will find in Him.

Daily reminder:
We are complete in Christ our Lord and Savior.
He already knows our needs, our hurts, sorrow not, fret not.

“Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27b (KJV)

Please don’t take offense. Just a thought when reading the Word.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV)

1 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

1 Peter 3:9 (KJV)
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

The one time we may feel like repaying is the time the Word of God tells us not to. Instead, the Word tells us not to return a wrong done unto us, or an insult when insulted. Another verse that comes to mind is:

Luke 6:31 (KJV)
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

These two verses often come to mind when emotional reactions rise and the mind fills with an unadvised reply. They have stopped poor reactions and when ignored, reinforced why it is better not to repay evil for evil.

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