HAPPY VALENTINES
Feb.12, 2017
Stay close to God.
Dear Saints,
What is this thing about Valentine……what is it all about? Thank you for the question.
The world is filled with both good and evil. In the third century in Rome, it was no different. There was a pious Christian martyr, and an oppressive evil emperor. The emperor Claudius, ordered all Romans to worship twelve gods. Failure to which he made it a crime, punishable by death, anyone found not worshipping his gods or found to even associate with Christians. But Valentinus (the Christian Martyr) was committed and dedicated to the ideals of Christ; the threat of death could not keep him from practicing his beliefs. They arrested and imprisoned him.
Despite his imprisonment, he still walked in love. The jailer knowing that Valentinus
was a learned man desired that his daughter (Julia) who was blind should be taken to him for lessons. Valentinus took the opportunity to teach the girl about the Lord until she became a believer.
As a child, Julia asked many questions such as “does God really hear when we pray?” Yes He does, Valentinus would answer…..”Do you know what I pray for every morning and every night?” “What do you pray for?” Asked Valentinus. “I pray that I might see.” “Do you think He can do that?” “Oh yes, if you believe.” She quickly responded, “I believe, oh yes, God l believe…..”
One day as they continued in prayer, they sat quietly together, each praying. Suddenly there was a brilliant light in the prison cell. Radiant, Julia screamed, “Valentinus, I can see! I can see!” “Praise be to God!” Valentinus exclaimed, and he knelt in prayer.
On the eve of his death Valentinus wrote a last note to Julia, urging her to stay close to God. He signed it, “From your Valentine.” His sentence was carried out the next day, February 14, 270 A.D.
That’s the story of Valentinus…….he was killed for his faith in God. You may not have to be killed, but do you have a story? Create one. There are opportunities all around you. Opportunities to create a story. Impact someone else’s life. I wonder if there is a “Julia” in your life, find one, they are all around you. Someone you can charge, “Stay close to God”.
THIS DAY, THIS WEEK, THIS MONTH, THIS YEAR…..TELL SOMEONE, “COME SEE A MAN….”
AFTER JESUS’ DEATH, THOSE WHO CAME, “TO SEE A MAN”,
John 4:29. …….LIVED TO TELL……
Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
