Heart Choices: The Best Love on Valentine's Day -->

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The Best Love on Valentine's Day



Valentine's Day is a day for love!

I am excited to be hosting today's "In Other Words Tuesday".

Instead of using a quote about love from a favorite book or author, I decided to go to God's Word; the Bible.

Here's the quote for us to write about this week:

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
New International Version (NIV)
 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

I think it is universal to say that we all want to be loved.  But when you open yourself up to love another, you become vulnerable.  What if that person doesn't love you back or betrays you?  People who have been hurt by others tend to build up walls of protection.  Hearts become hard and difficult to penetrate.

I can tell you that there's a love that will never disappoint.  That love is found in a relationship with Jesus.

When I finally realized how much God loved me, my heart began to overflow with His love.

1 John 4:16 "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."

I couldn't contain the love that was poured out for me in Jesus.  As I truly began to experience it, I was able to love others better.  Yes, I've had scars from previous hurts in human relationships.  But I began to see others in light of His love.

In our Pre-K 3 class, we teach the children what the word 'patience' is. They can now recite that it means 'waiting without complaining'.

  • Are you patient with an aging parent who may not be quite as quick as they used to be?
  • Are you patient with a small child who takes forever to tell  you something?

I've had three year old children take my face in their two hands and move it so that I was looking directly at their face.  They wanted my full attention.  They didn't want me distracted by anything or anyone else.

  • Do you feel the need to always boast of what you've done or have?
  • Are you truly happy when someone you love does something well?


  • Are you able to forgive a loved one?
  • Or do you keep reminding them over and over about how they hurt you?
I truly believe the only way we can love others in this way is when Jesus comes to live within your heart.  He alone is totally trustworthy.  He can offer you hope when you're at the end of your rope.  He can give you strength for one more day.

You can trust your heart to Him.

So how about you?  Can you live out the love chapter of 1 Corinthians 13?  It's often read at weddings.

Let's challenge one another to live out that kind of love every day.  I'd love to read your blog posts using this quote from 1 Corinthians.  Or if you prefer, you may leave a comment below.

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit
Debbie Petras
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15 comments:

  1. this is convicting! oh, to love like He does.
    i pray you have a sweet valentine's day!

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  2. What a powerful entry Debbie! I'd be quick to say that I love as He does, but I'm afraid there are times that I do not. Not on purpose but without thought and that is a shame. Thanks for stating it so beautifully this Valentine's Eve. May your heart be especially blessed this week!

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  3. Dear gifted Debbie,
    You have understood the meaning of love to an extent that I may not yet have reached, even being older in years than you are.
    I feel like holding God's face to get his full attention even though billions have the same need. He is there for me in particular, I am allowed to believe in that and put all my trust in that.
    From Felisol
    P-S- I find it easier to forgive the ones I love for major things, than people I actually do not love, but who have an influence on my life that I do not like. I admit, I have a problem with that. Injustice makes me harm, and when it affects my loved ones,-- I am not able to love. So sad. I mean, I don't wish them harm or anything like that, I just find the love thing hard.
    Oh, I've got a long and winding road ahead.

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  4. You are so right! There is a love that will never fail...a love that loves through all things! One way I remind myself that is with this 1 Corinthians 13 verse...I go through it and as I say it I substitute "God" for the word love. "God is patient, God is kind. God does not envy, God does not boast, God is not proud. God does not dishonor others, God is not self-seeking, God is not easily angered, God keeps no record of wrongs. God does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. God always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." Yes, there is a love that never fails...the love of God - for He IS love. Happy Valentine's day Debbie!

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  5. Oh how I want to love like He does. It is a daily project for me though. But the more I keep my eyes on Him, the easier it becomes. Happy Valentine's Day Debbie! ENJOY the kids tomorrow, they will have so much fun with this day! HUGS

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  6. Thank you so much for hosting today and for picking this chapter. So appropriate, yet so easy to overlook too! It's one that requires WORK and daily dedication.

    THANK YOU DEBBIE!

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  7. Thanks for the link up today Debbie! :)

    There are certainly times I don't love as He does, but God reminds me that His perfect love fills my heart and soul until I overflow, so that I can bless those around me in His Name! :)

    Blessings and hugs sweet friend for a joyful Valentine's Day!
    Denise

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  8. Hi Debbie - thanks for sharing this perfect verse for today! No matter how long we have been reading our Bible, the truth of His Words always bring new blessings. In so many ways these verses have changed my life, both in my spiritual growth and walk with the Lord, but also in my earthly journey, so I am doubly blessed by these words ;o) Thank you again - have a blessed Tuesday! Hugs, Nina

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  9. This is the first IOW that I've done since November 2010 and I really enjoyed this one! I particularly like your examples in the questions you ask. Thanks for hosting, Debbie!

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  10. Very, very good questions...almost all of them tooooooooo close to home. My hubby spent time this morning on the phone with his mom (age 96) who is having a hard time adjusting to not being able to live at home any more...how easy it would be to become impatient...and then just having a little one talking all the time, or seeing success others have and...oh my! the list goes on and on.
    I am glad that He first loved me!!!

    Your package is on its way!

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  11. Great questions... I could write a post on each one. It is good to take a deep look into our hearts. Have a blessed day!

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  12. This is one of those verses that can become caked in the ordinary because it is quoted often. Thank you for the opportunity for me to reflect on how it can be seen in action in small moments.

    The opening line of vulnerability & walls of protections stung. So true. And yes! The unfailing love of Jesus! I still can't wrap my mind around it.

    All thru Him,
    Cin

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  13. Debbie,
    As you know, 1 Cor. 13, has special meaning for me, my daughter Charity is named after the love chapter. As we studied that passage this week in BSF, we are reminded that without love, all the good things we might do really do not please God if we do not love, that indeed love is to be the motive and that it is truly the greatest gift of all. I loved your post, lots of good thought provoking questions. Thank-you for a wonderful Valentine's Day message. Loving you, h.

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  14. Thank you for those questions that help us reflect on practical applications of this passage. Let's live a life of love!

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I love to read your comments! I know you have something to share so join in the conversation. And thank you for taking the time.

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