Single Girl Valentine’s Week Confession

Happy Valentine’s Week. Some of you may have read this vulnerable blog post from last Valentine’s Day. Please enjoy this encore presentation:

It’s tough being single on Valentine’s Day. As soon as Christmas is over, the stores are full of red hearts, love balloons, and Valentine’s Day merchandise. Hallmark Channel even plays non-stop Love movies! Yes, I sometimes get sucked into watching each one. Yes, I am a hopeful romantic.

Last Valentine’s Day was different. It was a cold night. I built a cozy fire. I was excited. I was ready. Sitting by the warm fire, it was time to write my Love Letter. Opening my journal, the following is the Love Letter penned on those pages:

Dearest Lover of My Soul,

Happy Valentine’s Day! Thank you for being my First Love, today and always.

Thank you, Lord, for pointing out and healing the sin of idolatry I suffered for my future husband for years without even realizing it. I had elevated the idea of a future husband much higher than I had elevated You as my Lord and Savior. My heart is changed. Please forgive me.

Holy Spirit, I want to be content in my singleness. Help me. I am Yours. You are mine. I am at peace.

My Rock and My Redeemer, Gentle Healer, it is an honor to convey a portion of my immense love for You. No journal, no library can record all my love, dear Jesus. Thank you for loving me. Every breath is for You, precious Lord.

How may I serve You more? On this Valentine’s Day, I recommit my life to You. It is You and You alone who I need. (Not the only man I want and desire, I admit). Right now, make me more of a vessel for You and Your Gospel. I want to be your humble ambassador, Your spokesman who only utters worthy, not worthless words. (Jeremiah 15:19). May it be so.

“Speak, for Your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10)

I Love You With My Whole Heart, Danya, Your Daughter of the King

Friend, I learned that God is the only one to fill our “soul holes.”

Since the Bible is God’s Love Letter to me, I had finally written my Love Letter to Jesus. That night transformed Valentine’s Day for me. Contentment came.

I’m looking so forward to Valentine’s Day in a few short days. Bring it.

PS. Stay tuned next week for an encouraging message from Guest Blogger Teresa Tarrant on how to heal a broken marriage.

Reflect:

–Are you content in your circumstances? Please comment.

–How can you express your love for God more?

Renew:

“Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. I will praise You as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.” –Psalm 63: 3-4 NIV

“‘My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.'” –John 15:12-13 NIV

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. ” –Philippians 4:12 NIV

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” –1 Timothy 4:12 NIV.

Recharge:

–Write your Love Letter to Jesus today.

–The Bible is God’s Love Letter to us. Please read it daily.

Holding It Together

Some days I don’t feel like I hold it together very well. Schedules seem too full with important meetings needing important decisions. Praying for wisdom is constant.

Then I read the sweet Truth: “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” –Colossians 1:17 NIV.

I heard a sermon once about this verse, but the busy-ness of life had caused me to file the profound message away. The pastor, Louie Giglio in Atlanta, was preaching about the Glory of God and the human body. One day he met a molecular biologist who told him about “laminin.” The scientist asked him to look up laminin on the internet. Pastor Giglio Googled the word. He had never heard of the word. I certainly had not either.

What Pastor Louie found made his jaw drop. Laminin is the basic protein network foundation of most of our cells and organs. It’s what holds us all together. Then Pastor Louie saw the image of laminin under the microscope…. Laminin is shaped like a CROSS!

You are a masterpiece creating by the Master of the Universe, wonderfully and fearfully made with laminin! You are made by Jesus, for Jesus. Jesus is our divine glue holding us together. What a relief!

Be encouraged today with this message and by watching Pastor Louie Giglio’s video called “How Great is Our God” below.

Reflect:

–How are you holding it together today? Please comment.

–How does your perspective change knowing about laminin?

Renew:

–“For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body.” –Psalm 139:13-15

–“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” –Matthew 11:28 NIV

Resource:

Louie Giglio’s “How Great is Our God” short sermon version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0-NPPIeeRk

Archives for February 2016