To many in the world February is considered the love month with February
14th set aside as the day to express love to family and friends. This is
done by giving cards, flowers and candy all packaged in pink, red and white
with ribbons and tissue paper.

But, beloved of Christ, let's lift our voices to sing praises and songs of
love to the One who is Love. The One who so loved, He gave. The One who
loved us first. The One who clearly defines true love. The One who provides
the very means of expressing this love. The One who is the pattern of how
and who we are to love. The One who provides a test for our love. Blessed
are we who have been called and made alive in Christ by grace because of 
His great love. How can we not sing and shout for joy?

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

"But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that
while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for
us." Romans 5:8 The Amplified Bible

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved
us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together
with Christ. The Amplified Bible goes on to say, '...[He gave us the very
life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him]...'"
Ephesians 2:4-5

"...God is love, and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues
in God, and God dwells and continues in him. In this [union and communion
with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that
we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness
to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world." 1 John 4:16-17 The
Amplified Bible

"We love, because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19

"If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the
one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he
has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves
God should love his brother also." 1 John 4:20-21

Christ's love is our standard!
"Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.
This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
John 15:9 & 12

As we all know, the description of this love, agape, is found in 
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,
"Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and
is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not
provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in
unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all
things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails..."

"...May the Lord cause you to increase and abound IN LOVE for ONE
ANOTHER, and for ALL MEN..." 1 Thessalonians 3:12 (My emphasis)

Only by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us can agape be expressed through us,
therefore, let us allow Him to have His perfect way in our lives so that 'love
may abound to all men'. The cards, flowers and candy are fine but, this love
is a gift we can give to all who come in contact with our lives every day of
our lives.

Thank You Father for this indescribable love that has drawn us to You and for 
our salvation and reconciliation in and through our Lord Christ Jesus.  We love You, 
adore You and we give You all honor and praise.  Amen