"Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant broughtback from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasingto him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
Hebrews13:20-21
Greetings prayer partner,
This is a very FULL week! Between now and next week’s devotional email we will celebrate Valentine’s Day, Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, and President’s Day. Each of these give us an opportunity to reflect and respond to God.
Valentine’s Day gives us the opportunity to ponder and thankGod for all of the love and loved ones in our lives and throughout our lives. I have been thinking about my elementary school years and all of the boxes and bags we crafted each year and the Valentine cards we selected and signed forEVERY classmate. Do you remember doing that? Looking back at that, I thanks God for all of the friends He has given me all over the world, some for seasons and some much longer, but people I had the precious privilege to care for and share life with attending so many schools and living so many places as a military family as I grew up and in marriage. Some of you have the privilege of having life-long friends growing up and staying in one wonderful hometown. Those relationships run deep and you are thankful to know people who are “always here for you.”
For some people, your family are your closest friends. My brother is my closest constant and consistent friend as we moved over and over and over again. Now that we are grown, our families are close and there is joy, laughter and celebration when we are together.
I pray that you have friends and family like this as well and thankfully we can all celebrate because we are LOVED by God. Our Creator, our Everlasting Father, our Peace andGreat Shepherd loves you, loves all of us, beyond our comprehension but we should take time every day to ponder His great love for us that, “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” You and I walk in His loving presence every step of every day, He never leaves us, and thankfully, unlike human love, His love is unchanging and unconditional, it isn’t based on what we do, but who God is. He is love.
We will discuss President’s Day at length next week, but this week we also observe Ash Wednesday, a solemn and holy time of repentance and to remember the sacrifice Christ made and the love He gave and still gives as He lavishes us with His love every day. Even if your denomination does not observeLent, we should all take time to seek God and thank Him for His love as we prepare our hearts and begin the journey to Easter. We invite you again to join us as we seek Him and seek to celebrate and respond to His great love.
Would you please join us in prayer now?
Lord of love, thank You for loving us and for calling us to love one another. Thank You for showing us what true love looks like as You told us, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Thank You that we get to live in Your lavishing love. Please close the mouth of the enemy who speaks lies that we are alone and unloved. Thank You for Your example of love and for pouring Your love through us to all people. We pray all always in Your loving name and seek to bring You glory for ever and ever. Amen!
Serving Him with gladness,
Kathy Branzell
President
