I AM SO LOVED THIS VALENTINE'S DAY!

As St. Valentine’s Day rapidly approaches, you may feel depressed that you do not have someone special in your life to call your Valentine. Being single for the last 11 years, I usually make every effort to disregard anything that reminds me of the fact that I am not involved in a romantic relationship. To receive no card, flowers, candy or gift on Valentine’s Day is just as disappointing as not receiving any Christmas or birthday presents. As I drove down Red Bluff toward Johnson Space Center on my way to work one day last week, the thought occurred to me that I was feeling sorry for myself a tad. Why did I have to be by myself in these the last years of my life? Why, oh why couldn’t I fall madly in love with a handsome millionaire who would whisk me off my feet and tell me to quit working so I could spend all my time on my college education and writing my book. In my spare time I could travel, speak and sing, etc., etc., etc. I was having a little pity party. Unfortunately, the RSVP for such an event was quickly responded to by Satan himself. He is the only one who looks forward to attending. None of my family or friends wants to be there. Oh, they may show up for a bit, but will quickly find an excuse to leave. You know what I mean. Thankfully, I am a Christian and know the truth, but sometimes I just have to bellyache a little bit. Isn’t it strange that something we understand and know will totally disappear from our thoughts when circumstances cloud our vision and we find our focus out of whack? God is faithful and his forgiveness is never ending. It didn’t take but a split second for me to regain my senses as the Holy Spirit brought to my mind back to the truth and away from what the enemy had me thinking about.

Do you experience God's love or do you sometimes think you are all alone in the world? I imagine there are many more people who are an island unto themselves than we can even imagine; people who have no extended family who don’t celebrate any festivities or holidays. Actually, we are never alone. There is always the presence of One who gave us life, our Heavenly Father. If you have ever had these thoughts, you are not the only one. Multitudes of people have similar thoughts. This was also true in the first century when Paul, who was probably the greatest missionary who ever lived, prayed that the Ephesians would deeply know God's love.
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:16-21).

Jesus offers each of us a walk with God and a fullness of life that is not possible without him. Jesus' death, burial, resurrection, and offer of eternal life is the greatest manifestation of God's love for you. John 3:16 is the first Bible verse I memorized as a child. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
If you have been struggling with the concept, or even if you have never thought about how much God loves you, make it a goal that between now and February 14 to do some research and take to heart how much God loves you. Here are some Bible verses to get you started. If you do not have access to a Bible, just e-mail me at candy_jones_jc@yahoo.com and I will get one for you. Seriously, I would be honored to supply you with a copy of the greatest book ever written that will encourage you to be all God created you to be. Read the following verses slowly and prayerfully, and ask God to make them real to you. He will because He sees your heart and knows your intent.

“How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.” (Psalm 36:7)

“Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.” (Psalm 48:9)

“But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 86:15)

“Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:26)

“The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness." (Jeremiah 31:3)

**Here is one of my favorites. Can you envision God, the creator of the world and everything in it rejoicing over YOU and singing?? WOW!**

“The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:4-5)

“Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2)

“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:9-10)

"I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me.” (Proverbs 8:17)

"Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” (Deuteronomy 7:9)


“See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are.” (1 John 3:1)


I have been blessed with the greatest love I could ever experience. The creator of the universe loves me unconditionally. He is my God, my Savior, my friend, my counselor, my everything. I need no one else in my life because I have Him. If His plan for me is romance and marriage, I will thank Him. If His plan for me is to remain single, I will thank Him. Again quoting Paul, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation . . ..” Philippians 4:12b. God can be everything to anyone who calls upon His name. He will never leave you or forsake you. If this great God is for you, who could ever be against you? Trust Him today to be your all in all and He will!