As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. John 15:9

You may have heard the tragic news that the iconic Valentine candies, Sweethearts, are going to be harder to find on the shelves in February because the company that makes them declared bankruptcy. Until a new company decides to bring them back, we’ll have to resort to knockoff brands to declare messages of the heart through candy. (Or we can use the new “Cupid’s Messages” or M&M’s – Maybe you like chocolate better anyway!)

What “heart messages” have you given and received throughout your life? Unfortunately, they are not always so sweet. God created our hearts perfectly, but we broke His heart with our sin. In fact, early on in Genesis we hear that “every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.” As a result of sin, we may be tempted to believe untrue and hurtful messages—told to us by the Devil (the father of lies), others around us, or even ourselves. Messages like…

NOBODY loves you.

You’re NO good.

YOU don’t belong.

You’re ALL alone.

 

Human hearts turned cold toward God, but He didn’t let them stay that way. He promised us.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26

Because Christ opened his arms for you in love on the cross, the Holy Spirit now lives in your heart. God sent you the ultimate message of His love through His son. Your heart again looks perfect to God, and it will be united with Him in Heaven. Until then, when you struggle with heart messages, read the Valentine that God gave you and remain in His love. Messages like BE MINE and KISS ME are fun to receive, but they pale in comparison to the heart messages we receive from God:

I LOVE YOU
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! John 3:1

I FORGIVE YOU
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. Ephesians 1:7

I AM WITH YOU
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; YOU ARE MINE. Isaiah 43:1

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you brought my heart back to you. In the midst of messages meant to draw me away from you, remind me every day of the truth of your love and forgiveness. Help me to thank you for your grace by loving you and others with all of my heart. Amen