Earlier this month, I saw an acrostic of the word “valentine” that used each letter to share John 3:16. The purpose was to emphasize how much God loves us. That got me to thinking… how much do I love God? How do I show the Lord that I love Him? Here is my acrostic “VALENTINE” to Him.
V is for “Vision”
“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18
- I must have a vision for what God has for me in my life! I must actively demonstrate my love for Him by pursuing His will for my life. I must have a viable vision in regard to serving God and following in the footsteps of my Saviour.
A is for “Acknowledge”
“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:6
- I must acknowledge the importance of God in my life! I must pray daily and read His Word regularly. I must recognize and accept His presence and involvement in my life as vital as breathing!
L is for “Listen”
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
- I must take time to sit still, meditate upon God’s Word, and listen to Him as He speaks to me through it. I must make a concerted effort to listen to the Holy Spirit as He teaches, convicts, and guides me.
E is for “Exalt”
“Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.” Psalm 99:5
- I must lift the name of Jesus high in honor and praise. I must exalt Him as I worship Him. I must give Him the honor that is due Him.
N is for “Nigh”
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” James 4:8
- I must work to be near God, and diligently seek His presence. I must make time for Him in my daily life… not as an afterthought, but as the first priority!
T is for “Transformed”
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2
- I must make a commitment in my life to change and align my words and actions with that which is righteous in the sight of God. I must surround myself with things of God that influence my thinking and my behaviors, and reject the things of the world that are against the things of God. I must not surrender my thoughts and actions to the sinfulness of the worldly culture around me, but rather focus on Christ’s example of godly living and do the same.
I is for “Identify”
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
- I must live a life that is a reflection of Jesus, so others can see Him through me. I must be set apart from the sinful culture of man, instead, representing Jesus as His ambassador to a lost and dying world.
N is for “Narrow”
“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:14
- I must strive to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and not make excuses for following in the paths of the world. I must make a conscious effort to “walk the narrow way” because that is God’s way!
E is for “Embed”
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:11
- I must continue to study and commit God’s Word to memory. I must be “ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh” (1 Peter 3:15). I must embed His Scriptures into my mind, my heart, and my life!
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
Because He first loved me!
(from “Oh How I Love Jesus” by Frederick Whitfield)
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Does God know you love Him? How do you show it?