January 13, 2015 (Tuesday)
Today would have been my grandfather’s 133rd birthday. I’ve written about him in this blog several times. My sisters and I lived with our grandparents off and on during the 1930’s and 1940’s. They loved us and we loved them. When I went away to college, he sent me a post card or letter every day, occasionally sending a box of “teacakes” (cookies) made by my grandmother. He died 58 years ago, but I still miss him.
I recently saw a Disney movie that spoke of “True Love’s Kiss.” As the plot developed, we were taught the meaning of real love. I liked the movie. It showed the audience that love comes in many forms, and is full of surprises, both for the one being loved and the one who loves.
One of the greatest verses of the Bible speaks of true love. It is the love of God. It goes like this: ” For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV).
That “one and only Son” is Jesus, who died, was buried, and rose triumphantly from the grave. “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, ‘Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.’ For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile–the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’ “(Romans 10:9-13 NIV). A wonderful hymn speaks:
The Savior is waiting to enter your heart,
Why don’t you let Him come in?
There’s nothing in this world to keep you apart,
What is your answer to Him?”
..Ralph Carmichael, 1958