Dear Val! (My letter on Valentine’s Day)

Dear Val! (My letter on Valentine’s Day)

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Valentine’s Day is here again—the season of red roses, candlelit dinners, and grand romantic gestures. Everywhere you turn, social media is flooded with sweet messages, couples showing off their love, singles showing off their bae/boo, and businesses selling the idea that love must be proved with expensive gifts and intimate moments. But here’s my candid advice for you—something to chew on even before the day goes far.

What is true love?
This is the question that should stay in your heart throughout today. Judge everything that comes your way with this question.

Many [young] people feel pressure on this day—pressure to be in a relationship, to impress, and, most sadly, to compromise their values. The world has painted a picture that love must be expressed through physical intimacy—and we are buying it, simply because we want to “belong” to the world—but God’s Word tells us otherwise.

The Bible tells us what True love truly is. True love is patient. True love honors. True love waits.

Any acclaimed love that buys you a gift and wants to unwrap you as you unwrap the gift is not true love. A straight warning here: Don’t carry yourself and go to places where it’s easy to compromise—his house, her house, lowly lit joints, etc. I saw a post recently by a pastor that made sense to me. He said that it is those who go close to a pit that have a greater tendency to fall in!

The Bible is clear: Flee from sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18). It doesn’t say “walk” or “resist”—it says flee! Why? Because sexual sin is not just another mistake; it affects your body, soul, and relationship with God.

Don’t go to strange places. Be overly careful, because the demon of lust will be operating strongly today, and compromising will be easier. So, take my advice, whether single or married: flee from every appearance of evil.

If you’re single, don’t let loneliness push you into something you’ll regret. If you’re in a relationship, don’t let the expectations of the world override God’s standards. If you’re married, what exactly are you looking for with that man/woman that is not your spouse? Why those chats? Why that expectation/desire in your heart this Valentine’s Day? Like, why? Kill it now! It will burn you!

Singles and couples, our strength to say no to nonsense comes from staying rooted in God’s Word and surrounding ourselves with godly friends. Find a church program and attend this evening, and after service, go home—go home with no one! Unless you’re married, then go home with your spouse.

Dear singles, remember that your worth is not in a relationship status but in Christ. Don’t be pressured today. This Valentine’s Day, choose to celebrate love the right way—pure, honorable, and pleasing to God. Instead of falling for worldly pressure, why not show love in a way that truly matters? Serve, encourage, and remind others of the greatest love of all: God’s unfailing love for us. Preach the love of Jesus to someone today!

I’m rooting for you. ❤️

From:
Your brother in Christ.

How God Demonstrates His Love for His Children

How God Demonstrates His Love for His Children

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God’s love is the foundation of our faith. It is not just an abstract concept but a reality that He constantly reveals in our lives.

His love is evident in everything He does because love is an action word.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

The love of God comes with actions each time He expresses it to us. He’s so intentional about you and I that He gave us dominion and access through His son (Jesus Christ) whom He made our advocate.

How does God demonstrate His love for His children?

God demonstrates His love for His children in many ways, and the Bible is full of examples of His deep and unchanging love through:

1. Jesus Christ’s Sacrifice

God’s greatest demonstration of love is sending Jesus to die for our sins. Jesus Christ is His only begotten son and the second in trinity yet He gave Him out for the atonement of our sins. (Romans 5:8)

2. Adoption after Redemption

After the redemption Jesus Christ brought to us, we were now called sons and daughters of God which is an incredible access to God. God doesn’t just love us, He adopts us into His family.  

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

The day we give our life to Christ is the signage of our adoption.

3. Provision for our Needs  

God cares about every detail of our lives, including our daily needs. The word of God says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) He is ever ready to show up for us in time of need. All that we need is to ask so we can receive from Him.

In conclusion, no matter where you are in life, single or married, employed or unemployed, trust in His love, it is always present, always faithful, and always enough.

Shalom.

Guarding Against Lust and Sexual Temptation on Valentine’s Day

Guarding Against Lust and Sexual Temptation on Valentine’s Day

Reading Time: 2 minutes

As Valentine’s Day approaches, the world often glorifies romantic love with images of passion, intimacy, and physical attraction. While celebrating love is beautiful, Christians must remain vigilant against the pitfalls of lust and sexual temptation that can overshadow God’s design for relationships.

This day can become a minefield for those who are single or in relationships but lack biblical boundaries. However, with prayerful preparation and reliance on God’s strength, we can navigate this season with purity and integrity.

The Bible warns us about the dangers of lust in passages like Matthew 5:28, where Jesus says, “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

These words challenge us to guard our hearts and minds from wandering into areas that dishonor God and ourselves. On Valentine’s Day, when society emphasizes physical affection and romantic gestures, it’s crucial to remember that true love aligns with God’s will—it prioritizes respect, self-control, and commitment.

To protect yourself during this time, start by setting clear boundaries. If you’re single, avoid placing yourself in situations that could lead to temptation. Surround yourself with accountability partners who encourage you to stay focused on God’s plan for your life. For those in relationships, communicate openly with your partner about what honors God and establish mutual expectations for how you’ll celebrate Valentine’s Day without crossing inappropriate lines.

Additionally, fill your mind with godly thoughts. Philippians 4:8 reminds us, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely—think about such things.” Replace worldly narratives about love and sex with the truth found in Scripture.

Meditate on verses like Song of Solomon, which celebrates marital intimacy within the context of covenantal love, or Ephesians 5:25, where husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church.

Lastly, lean heavily on prayer. Ask God to strengthen your resolve and give you the wisdom to resist temptation. Remember, He provides a way out of every trial (1 Corinthians 10:13) and desires for you to experience freedom from sin.

This Valentine’s Day, let your love reflect God’s holiness and purpose. By guarding your heart and mind, you honor Him and prepare yourself for the kind of love He intends—for eternity.

How To Live Above The Pressure to Conform

How To Live Above The Pressure to Conform

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The Bible warns us not to conform for a reason—it’s because conforming is easier. The pressure to fit in is constant. There’s pressure to get married, have kids, build a career, start a business, travel the world, and so on.

But God has given us a way out: the renewal of our minds.

Romans 12:2 (AMP) And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].

One of the key ways to experience transformation is by growing spiritually. If you’re still struggling with the basics—fasting, tithing, praying, meditating—how will you stand firm when the pressure comes?

Spiritual maturity doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s a journey worth taking. The more you grow in your walk with God, the less pressure the world will have over you. Instead of being swayed by expectations, you’ll stand firm in God’s will for your life.

A Battle-Proven Strategy for Your Life’s Journey

A Battle-Proven Strategy for Your Life’s Journey

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Battles are won through strategies. No military man would go to war without a strategy in mind. Things may change on the battlefield, but he would never go there with a blank mind.

Joshua had a strategy.

Jos 7:2-3 [NIV] Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, “Go up and spy out the region.” So the men went up and spied out Ai. When they returned to Joshua, they said, “Not all the army will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary the whole army, for only a few people live there.”

Gideon had one too.

Jud 7:17-18 [NIV] “Watch me,” he told them. “Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do. When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon.’”

David, Samson, and every other war veteran in the bible had a strategy they used.

Strategies are meant to be improved over time. You don’t stick to the same old plan you’ve been using. Even if it works for you, there is always room for improvement.

You’ve approached that marriage with the same strategy for years. Yes, you might have had some results, but there are still more grounds to conquer.

You’ve approached that ‘babe’ with the same game plan over the years. This Valentine’s Day, why don’t you change your strategy?

That business hasn’t yielded as expected. It’s time to try something new.

The Israelites had a winning strategy I would love to recommend to us this morning. It can be applied anywhere – business, family, career, finance, and so on.

Jdg 20:18 [ERV] And the children of Israel arose, and went up to Beth-el, and asked counsel of God; and they said, Who shall go up for us first to battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first.

In all you do, let praise take the lead. I know you are a prayer warrior. I know you are a master strategist, with a doctorate in strategic planning. Let Judah go up first. Read through the scriptures, anywhere they applied this strategy, it worked.

Ps 149:6 [CEV] Praise God with songs on your lips and a sword in your hand.

When you allow praise to take the lead, it translates to a sword in your hand.

May God open your eyes to this truth.