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. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 

- 1 John 4:9-11

If you’ve been to the grocery store, then most likely you have seen the red and pink hearts everywhere.

They are a tell-tale sign that it’s February and Valentine’s day is upon us.

Children decorate shoe boxes and fill out Valentines to take to school. Stores and social media fill our inboxes with reminders that a special day is coming—one set aside for us to express our love for one another.

Yet nothing we do or give could ever compare to the sacrificial love of Christ.

We are given the gift of eternal life through His death and resurrection. The red and white hearts in the store are a precious reminder of the blood Jesus shed to cover our sins and the forgiveness He offers to a broken world.

God’s gift of His Son is the most significant expression of love known to humanity. Out of that love, we see God’s heart, concern, and love for us and His desire that we are with Him for eternity. I can’t think of a better Valentine to receive in life.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me beyond what I could imagine. Please keep me focused on the joy I have because of your sacrifice. Thank you for loving me so much.

With Love,
Sherry Shepherd