Inspirational Words - For God So LOVED The World

For God So LOVED The World

Devotional:

"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

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Commentary:

~ Artist Unknown ~

February is a time of year when we all think about love and the special people in our lives. We send candy hearts and flowers hoping to show them how much we care and what they mean to us. God loved us so much that He gave His only Son on Calvary, that we might live eternally with Him. God loves you and wants you to be His Valentine. The love that God gives us is not like the world's love. The World's love is only as sturdy as the paper that most Valentine cards are made of, but God's Love is not a flimsy cheap imitation. It is the real thing. It is an all giving love that was, and is, willing to suffer and die for our deliverance. God loved us so much that He sent His only Son to earth to die for us, and all He asks in return is that we believe in Him and love Him in return.

If you haven't accepted Jesus as your Saviour, won't you please ask Him into your heart today. Let Him be the Valentine of your life, and He will bestow upon you the greatest gift of love you have ever known. Will you be God's Valentine? It is your choice. Say yes and return in kind the love that God first gave you.

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Meditation:

Father we thank you for the blessings you so freely bestow upon us, each and every day of our lives; but most of all, Lord, we thank you for the gift of Your Son, Jesus. You gave your only begotten Son to die for our salvation, and all you ask is that we love you in return. Forgive us of our sins Lord, and help us to never forget the sacrifice you made. I pray that we will always put you first and foremost in our lives, and look to you for our daily guidance. Thank you for teaching us what true love is all about and may we honor you by passing Your love on to others. In Thy holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Stories to Touch the Heart and Warm the Soul:

Breakfast at McDonald's

~ Submitted by Pam Thropp ~

I am a mother of three and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called, 'Smile'. The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions. I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway. So, I thought this would be a piece of cake.

Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son and I went out to McDonalds one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son. We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away and then even my husband did. I did not move an inch. An overhwelming feeling of panic welled up inside me as I turned to see why they had moved. As I turned around I smelled a horrible 'dirty body' smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men. As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was smiling'. His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's light as he searched for acceptance. He said, "Good day" as he counted the few coins he had been clutching. The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was menally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation. I held my tears as I stood there with them. The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted. He said, "Coffee is all Miss", because that was all they could afford. If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm. Then I really felt it - the compassion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes. That is what is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action. I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand. He looked up at me with tears in his eyes, and said, "Thank you". I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, "I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope."

I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, "That is why God gave you to me, honey, to give me hope." We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give. That day showed me the pur Light of God's sweet love.

I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with the story in hand. I turned in my project and the instructor read it. Then she looked up and me and said, " Can I share this?" I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class. She bagan to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being part of God share this need to heal people and to be healed. In my own way I had touched the people at McDonalds, my son, the instructor, and every soul that share the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student. I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn: Unconditional Acceptance.

You'll Find Jesus There
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~ This story was sent to me by a friend, and published in an earlier edition of Inspirational Words. It is one that has touched a lot of hearts, and I felt it appropriate to republish it. ~

"Tomorrow morning," the surgeon began, "I'll open up your heart..."

"You'll find Jesus there," the boy interrupted.

The surgeon looked up, annoyed. "I'll cut your heart open," he continued, "to see how much damage has been done..."

"But when you open up my heart, you'll find Jesus in there."

The surgeon looked to the parents, who sat quietly. "When I see how much damage has been done, I'll sew your heart and chest back up and I'll plan what to do next."

"But you'll find Jesus in my heart. The Bible says He lives there. The hymns all say He lives there. You'll find Him in my heart."

The surgeon had had enough. "I'll tell you what I'll find in your heart. I'll find damaged muscle, low blood supply, and weakened vessels. And I'll find out if I can make you well." said the surgeon.

"You'll find Jesus there too. He lives there." The young boy reassured him. The surgeon left.

The next day, as he sat in his office, recording his notes from the surgery, "...damaged aorta, damaged pulmonary vein, widespread muscle degeneration. No hope for transplant, no hope for cure. Therapy: painkillers and bed rest. Prognosis: here he paused, "death within one year."

He stopped the recorder, but there was more to be said.

"Why?" he asked aloud. "Why did You do this? You've put him here; You've put him in this pain; and You've cursed him to an early death. Why?"

The Lord answered and said, "The boy, My lamb, was not meant for your flock for long, for he is a part of My flock, and will forever be. Here, in My flock, he will feel no pain, and will be comforted as you cannot imagine. His parents will one day join him here, and they will know peace, and My flock will continue to grow." The surgeon's tears were hot, but his anger was hotter.

"You created that boy, and You created that heart. He'll be dead in months. Why?"

The Lord answered, "The boy, My lamb, shall return to My flock, for he has done his duty: I did not put My lamb with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve another lost lamb." The surgeon wept.

The following day, as the surgeon sat beside the boy's bed; the boy's parents sat across from him. The boy awoke and whispered, "Did you cut open my heart?"

"Yes," said the surgeon.

"What did you find?" asked the boy.

"I found Jesus there," said the surgeon.

~Author Unknown