St. Valentine ministered to persecuted Christians in Rome in the 3^rd Century.  He was therefore placed in house arrest.  The judge said, “Prove to me the truth of Christianity.  I have a blind daughter.  If you can heal her, I’ll give you whatever you want.”

Valentine prayed over the girl and Jesus healed her!  The judge in gratitude said, “Tell me what you want.”

Valentine said, “Destroy the idols in your home, fast and be baptized.”  The judge complied, freed all the Christians imprisoned in his care and brought his whole household to Christ, all 40 of them!

Later Valentine was imprisoned by the Emperor Claudius II.  The emperor told Valentine he needed either to abandon his Christianity or be clubbed to death and beheaded.  Valentine would not give up his faith and was killed on February 14.  But Valentine had led many to Christ and had celebrated Christ’s love with others.  When he died, he left a note for the judge’s daughter which he lovingly signed, “Your Valentine.”

Sunday I’ll be preaching on “Celebrate God’s Love with Others” from Acts 18:1-11.  We’ll talk about “Celebrate Love with Family,” verses 1-4; and “Celebrate Love with Support from Others,” verses 5-11.  Please celebrate God’s love with us this Sunday by coming to Sunday School and church.

And have a Happy Valentine’s Day with Gods love flowing through you!

Love,

Jim Meek