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Catch the Story Here
God’s Special Someone
We all desire to be a valentine – someone’s special someone.
February, the historic month special sentiments are shared goes as far back as the Middle Ages, though written Valentine’s didn’t begin to appear until after 1400. The “month of expressed love” is here to stay.
The season can be personally exhilarating or excruciating; filled with unconditional love or empty and hurting. It doesn’t have to be the latter.
God sent a love letter to you, His beloved. Yes, beloved. The Bible is the ultimate Valentine to all of mankind. His words to you are written with affirmation, approval, instruction, guidance, redemption, grace, sacrifice, desire, hope and are incredibly personal.
You can spend hours roaming through a Hallmark store, reading beautiful sentiments of love, and nothing you find there can ever compare to His love letter.
People spend a lifetime searching for unconditional, sacrificial love. Exhausting themselves in the quest for long-lasting euphoria, only to realize it doesn’t exist among humanity.
You can only find this kind of love in one place, and it is free. No need to turn the card over and check the price. The ultimate price was paid, His son’s life. God the Father gave His only son, Jesus Christ, to express His love for all (John 3:16). His love is so great that He provided a way that will never separate you from Him. It is called everlasting love. He is your ultimate Valentine.
- God’s Valentine to you (The Holy Bible), is available throughout the year. Like receiving a handwritten card in your mailbox daily.
- He hand delivers it to us, never forcing it to be read.
- His words are trustworthy, when He makes a promise, He keeps it.
- The love letter is perfectly timed, each time, every time.
- He doesn’t reject, shame or disregard His beloved. He only invites you to open His letter of endearment.
- It is available now and always.
This ultimate Valentine, heals the deepest hurts, calms the anxious heart and encourages the weary soul. Often it is left unopened, a treasure undiscovered, unwanted or bypassed in the rush of life.
The world has the opportunity to accept God’s love letter, unless they mark it “return to sender.” If rejected, they will continue to search for something that will never be found, Gods unconditional, eternal, forever Love.
You are that special someone – God’s Valentine.
Practice Intentional Love
The world is in a race to the bottom. Living a Christian life is not easy. Those who are in the church, “Christian couples,” statistically are not all that much different than those outside the church when it comes to divorce and unfaithfulness in marriages. That’s a real indictment. We wonder why we are impotent in our church, in our faith and in our communities. But the truth is that many are just not living it. That’s why the intentional living message is so desperately needed in the Christian mind and heart today.
1 Corinthians 13 is often referred to as The Love Chapter, and it gives us a glimpse of what intentional love is from God’s perspective. Verse 2 and 3 says, And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, I gain nothing.
When you discover that negative feelings toward your spouse are building up…
When you become disappointed with your spouse and their behavior…that’s the time to focus on intentional love. Intentional love figures out what will please Christ in each situation and then does that very thing.
Intentional Love says:
- I’m not only going to think of my own interests but the interest of the other person.
- I will be patient.
- I choose to be kind and long-suffering.
- I will practice all of the fruits of the spirit.
- I’m determined to do the things that the scripture teaches me to do.
- I will change my head, my heart and my hands.
Again, I said the Christian life isn’t easy. And choosing to respond with intentional love is difficult. Does that mean your spouse is going to change? Does it mean your marriage will be great and you’re never going to experience divorce? Not necessarily. Intentional love is not about trying to change your spouse. Your decision should be because that’s what the Bible teaches you to do, and it pleases Christ.
Wherever you are in your desire for a successful marriage, I pray you will practice intentional love.
Give Love Away
Helen Keller said, “The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard but must be felt in the heart.” Helen Keller could not hear or see, which makes that an even more profound and beautiful statement.
We can live our lives every day, but if we don’t have a passionate heart for Christ, we can give up and miss the mark. As Christians we know that our calling is to love people and use things. In today’s world that goes against the flow—it is counterculture.
The Book of Acts is the story of the first church made up of Jewish believers. They had given their lives to Christ in a culture that in many ways was similar to the one we live in today. Scripture tells us:
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need (Acts 2:42-45 nkjv).
These believers got together in Jerusalem, and they brought all of their stuff and shared everything with one another. What would happen if those of us who are followers of Christ made intentional decisions to love people above all else. What if our love for God grew into a passion and perspective that the things that we have are only instruments to be used to reach people for Christ? In reality, our goal would be to give love away—to demonstrate the love of God to others by using the things God blessed us with to reach them at their point of need.
Honestly, as I am thinking about this, I am convicted because of all the stuff that I have. Think about all the stuff that we each have, the stuff that we collect, the things that are important to us. I asked myself, how can I use things and love people which led me to ask five questions that each of us need to ask ourselves in order to give love away.
- Do I more highly value those who can help me in life than those who can’t help me at all?
- Think of a time when you gave up something that was of real value to you in order to meet the need of another person, and then ask the question, why did I do that?
- What one descriptive word or phrase do you think would be spoken most about you at your funeral?
- Today, have you given more thought to meeting the needs of other people or have you given more thought to the things that you’ve got to get done?
- How likely is it that you would spend money from your own pocket?
Everywhere Jesus went, He gave love away. Most of the lives He touched weren’t people that were going to add value to Him. It was all about what He could do for them.
My encouragement to you this month is to do ONE THING in the next 30 days that would exemplify your heart’s attitude to love people and use things. Choose to give love away. I believe it would really bring pleasure to Christ in our lives.
ONE THINGS you can do to give love away:
- Focus on the need of someone less fortunate than yourself and do ONE THING without expecting anything in return.
- Find one person today and do something unexpected to pay it forward to meet the need of another person.
- Give someone who is discouraged a word of encouragement.
- Call one person today that you know who is hurting and without any conditions, pray for them.
- Think of something that you really value and give it to someone.
Are you ready for the holidays?
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
— Colossians 3:2 (ESV)
What does “ready for the holidays?” mean exactly?
If I were to guess, I think it means, “Is your checklist complete?” Does it include baking, sending Christmas cards, buying and wrapping gifts, decorating, etc. and have you checked it off?
I don’t want to miss the true reason we celebrate: Jesus.
That’s exactly what you help people do through Family Life Radio: celebrate Jesus! And not just during the holidays, but every day.
Thank you for the simple and pure devotion you make possible — and for keeping the focus on Jesus!
Yours in Christ,
Evan Carlson
President
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Merry Christmas
We want others to be encouraged too!
This Christmas …
Intentional Living Alaska Cruise
Community Impact
This holiday season … Share the hope of Jesus through Family Life Radio
This holiday season … Share the hope of Jesus through Family Life Radio
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior, I can’t think of a better way to honor Jesus than to do what He calls us to do: “Be my witnesses … to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
This Christmas, you have an opportunity to reach people in desperate need of a new life in Christ — while encouraging and strengthening believers.
When you support Family Life Radio, you help send Christ-centered music and content to our hurting world — bringing the hope, joy and peace of Jesus to our communities and around the world.
Please GIVE TODAY to bring the hope of Jesus to more people in 2022!
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Merry Christmas
We want others to be encouraged too!
This Christmas …
Intentional Living Alaska Cruise
Community Impact
Are you ready for the holidays?
INTENTIONAL LIVING Alaska Cruise
June 12–19, 2022
Join Dr. Randy and Donna Carlson for this unforgettable 7-day cruise.
The Intentional Living Cruise is a vacation intended for spiritual renewal and building lifelong memories and friendships. While at sea, you’ll enjoy times of worship and teaching on how the power of intentional living can bring hope, freedom and joy for each day and during each season of life. The wonder of God’s glorious creation, outstanding experiences and Christian fellowship await. Cabin availability is limited, so reserve yours today at inspirationcruises.com/ila
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Merry Christmas
We want others to be encouraged too!
This Christmas …
Community Impact
This holiday season … Share the hope of Jesus through Family Life Radio
Are you ready for the holidays?
Community Impact
Thank you for making it possible for Family Life Radio to bless our community!
Congratulations to Stephanie Taylor, a paralegal in downtown Albuquerque. She was our August “Happy Birthday Facebook Contest” winner.
Stephanie has been a Family Life Radio 91.5 FM listener ever since she was introduced six years ago at a Casting Crowns Concert!
Her birthday was August 2, and her favorite treat is Chantilly Cake (white cake layered with whipped-cream frosting and fresh fruit or berries). She shared her birthday cake with her coworkers as they listened to Family Life Radio! Congratulations Stephanie! We celebrate YOU!
A very special recording by the band Cain.
One of our listeners, Pam Harris, is battling thyroid cancer, including serious side effects from treatment.
Pam heard about a “Cain Concert Experience” giveaway on Family Life Radio and decided to enter … and she won!
Her prize was four front row seats at their concert, and also a private meet and greet. During their time together backstage, Cain recorded a custom voicemail message for Pam to use on her phone.
“Hey, this is Pam,” the recording starts. “Can God cure thyroid cancer?” In reply, Cain sang, “Yes, He did. So, yes, He can!” (a verse from the chorus of their song, “Yes He Can” off their album Rise Up).
Congratulations Pam! We will keep you in our prayers as you continue your journey. Thank you, Cain, for using your talents to minister to one of our listeners in such a special way!
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Merry Christmas
We want others to be encouraged too!
This Christmas …
Intentional Living Alaska Cruise
This holiday season … Share the hope of Jesus through Family Life Radio
Are you ready for the holidays?
This Christmas …
Don’t Hide Your Light
“You are the light of the world … Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14–16 NIV).
We are in a dark season, both figuratively and literally.
Figuratively, because I’ve heard this season of the pandemic referred to as the “dark winter.”
It’s not over!
Literally, because winter consists of short days and cold weather. It’s just dark and gloomy!
The enemy of your soul would love for you to isolate and fall into depression during this dark season.
Refuse to give in. Don’t hide your light!
Here are some practical ways you can shine your light this holiday season:
- Smile and greet others with the love of God (from a good distance, of course).
- Spread hope and inspiration instead of the negative news.
- Video chat with someone shut in. They’ll be excited to see your face.
- Pick up groceries for someone who can’t go out.
- Send snail mail. An unexpected card or note showers light into someone’s day.
Many of you are already doing these things, and we say thank you! And to those who will take on this challenge and act now, thank you, too!
**For more inspiration like this visit https://theintentionallife.com/
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Merry Christmas
We want others to be encouraged too!
Community Impact
Intentional Living Alaska Cruise
This holiday season … Share the hope of Jesus through Family Life Radio
Are you ready for the holidays?
“We want others to be encouraged too!”
The impact YOU make through Family Life Radio …
If ever there’s a time to cry out to God for help, it’s during a life-threatening situation.
When Catherine learned her husband Michael needed a liver transplant, that’s just what she did — she called out to God.
“My husband was severely ill and in need of a liver transplant,” Catherine said. “At that point, all I could do was pray.”
Thankfully God answered her prayer! Catherine and Michael got the great news that a donor kidney had been located — and a little over a year ago, Michael underwent a life-saving liver transplant surgery.
But Michael wasn’t out of the woods yet.
“Over the past year, Michael has suffered many life-threatening setbacks,” Catherine shared. “He was in and out of the hospital.”
Again, all Catherine could do was pray and trust in the Lord.
God works through YOU to encourage people who are hurting.
“Family Life Radio has been such an incredible blessing to me throughout all this,” she said.
Whether in her car on the way back and forth to the hospital, or in the quiet of her home when she was alone at night, Catherine drew strength from Family Life Radio.
The Christ-centered songs and messages you help make possible provided Catherine with just what she needed. Hope when she had none.
Encouragement when she needed it most. Peace and comfort that Jesus gives so freely to those who come to Him.
“Today, Michael is finally doing better. He is now listening to Family Life Radio too — and he loves it!” Catherine rejoiced.
“Thank you to all who give to make Family Life Radio possible — and for being a lifeline of encouragement when things seem so desperate,” Catherine said.
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Merry Christmas
This Christmas …
Community Impact
Intentional Living Alaska Cruise
This holiday season … Share the hope of Jesus through Family Life Radio
Are you ready for the holidays?