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Read the following Bible verse and see if you can find the obvious and hidden message. Answer at the end if you need help:
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
What’s the fastest box of Valentine’s candy ever snatched out of your hands?
When I was in grade school (5th or 6th grade, not sure), I remember my Mother buying a special heart shaped (bright red) box of candy for my teacher. Gee thanks Mom, you know my guy pals are on that bus too! Since it was big and bright there was no way to hide it under my coat, I would just have to take the comments one at a time. After being heckled at the bus stop, I climb aboard, and right away this girl “Darlene” grabs me forcibly by the arm to sit next to her. No sooner then I plop down she plants a big kiss on my cheek, grabs the candy and starts opening it. Yikes, what is worse, bringing candy to my teacher or getting kissed on the cheek by a girl? She ripped open the package and started eating the candy and then her friends wanted some too, so she passed the box back and that was the last I had seen of it. Of course, EVERYONE it seemed like were chanting “Stephen has a girlfriend!” Ugh! Can this get any worse?
I managed to make it through the day, and put up with all the nonsense and just couldn’t wait to get off the school bus and run to my room and hide. BTW, Darlene was sitting with some other guy snuggling up together on the ride home. Her loss! LOL As I get off the bus and start walking up the driveway, but who greets me at the door? Yeppers! My mother, asking if my teacher liked the candy I had brought her. Um, Er, Ah, “why Yes” she did, and I was hoping that was the end of that discussion. After Supper, (I don’t do dinner) my parents tell me to get my coat on, and we were going into town for some shopping. Ugh! Following my parents around, looking at clothes, and other girl junk, who do you think we bump into? Yes, it was her! No, not Darlene. It was much worse, it was my teacher. My mother asked her if she liked the special candy that lil’ Stephen had brought her. After all, it was all full of caramels that she loved. Candy? Huh? What? I’ve now been ratted out, and I knew the ride home was not going to be a joyful one.
It does not have to be Valentine’s day for someone special to show their love for you. God loves you everyday, and that is worth more than any box of chocolate caramels. The Bible has a wealth of Bible verses about love. You'll find passages that speak of romantic love (eros), brotherly love (friendship), divine love (agape). Make this Valentine’s day an extra-special day, whether you're married, dating, or single. These are a few ideas to kick start your thoughts of how you can share “Love” back to God:
Spend time reading the Bible. The book of Psalms are full of love.
Pray to God and simply thank him. Don’t ask for anything, spend the day thanking him for all goodness and blessings you have received.
Worship the Lord by singing songs about God and do it aloud. Who cares other’s can hear you? Perhaps you may inspire someone to get on their knees and speak with God for the first time.
Be an encouragement for others. Go visit a Nursing home, hospital, or call your church ahead of time and see if they know of anyone that could use a special blessing.
Is it really better to give than receive? Try giving to be other's all day long and see how you feel at the end of the day before you say your bedtime prayers.
The day-after Valentine’s day is Saturday February 15, 2014. You can do those same things everyday of the year, and we do not need any holiday to do so. Open your Bible and read the book of Psalms, or even the four Gospels. You WILL find more love in those scriptures than you probably ever thought.
ANSWER: Valentine
