“We ourselves love now because He loved us first.” 1 John 4:19 CJB

God created us with the need to love and be loved and when His love has filled our hearts, we in turn are able to love others. 

1. But when God’s love is missing in our hearts we tend to look for it in the wrong places. 

2. And we also have a hard time loving others.

“….the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”  Romans 5:5 CEB

Love could be expressed by a kind deed, smile or gesture, a kind word, card or even a gift, you add to the list! Doesn’t it bring great satisfaction when you extend that kind of love or kindness to someone and you see their face light up with appreciation or when it is reciprocated? That is why the bond between family and friends is so important!  We thrive on loving and being loved!

In this month of February when people are thinking about “Love” and Celebrating Valentine’s Day, let’s take a moment to think about how we can show a little more love and kindness to others.

• Kindness to the store clerk

• Kindness to the bank teller

• Kindness to the gas station attendant

• Kindness to the restaurant server

• Kindness to your neighbor

• Kindness to your co-worker

• Kindness to your family 

• Kindness to your spouse

• Kindness to your church family

• Kindness to _______________?

“Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others].” 1 Peter 4:8 AMP

There is so much hate and unrest in our world today, let’s be the one to shed a different light on things!

“I have loved you just as the Father has loved me.  You must go on living in my love.  If you keep my commandments you will live in my love just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and live in his love.  I have told you this so that you can share my joy, and that your happiness may be complete.  This is my commandment: that you love each other as I have loved you.  There is no greater love than this—that a man should lay down his life for his friends.  John 15:12-14 PHILLIPS

My prayer for you is that you would “Love” and be “Loved” not only in February but everyday!