Category Archives: Love

Interceding for Others, Learning To Pray Effectively, Love, Persecution / Glorifying God

What Does It Really Mean to Love Your Enemies? (Matthew 5:43–48)

How do we love people who oppose us, mistreat us, or reject God’s truth?

Key Verse:
“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” —Matthew 5:44 NASB

Background Context:
In Matthew 5:43–48, Yeshua continues teaching during the Sermon on the Mount, calling His followers to live differently than the world around them. While people naturally love those who treat them well, Yeshua challenges believers to reflect the character of God by showing love even toward enemies and persecutors.

This teaching goes far beyond outward behavior—it addresses the condition of the heart and what it means to truly reflect God’s character in difficult relationships.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Matthew 5:43–48

  43“You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ 44“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47“If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Reflection on Matthew 5:43–48:
Jesus says something that completely challenges human nature:

“Love your enemies.”

The world understands loving friends, family, and those who treat us kindly. But Yeshua points His followers toward something radically different.

He asks:
“If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that?”

Even unbelievers do that.

The distinguishing mark of a follower of Christ is not loving people when it is easy—it is reflecting God’s character when it is difficult.

But it is important to understand what loving enemies actually means.

Loving someone does not mean:

  • approving of their sin
  • ignoring evil
  • abandoning truth
  • or allowing someone to destroy you

Biblical love is not passive acceptance of everything a person does.

1 Corinthians 13:4–7 describes love as patient, kind, enduring, and truthful. Importantly, it says that love “does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.”

True love cares enough to value truth.

Sometimes loving someone means warning them that they are walking in sin and encouraging them to repent. Ignoring destructive behavior is not loving—it is indifference.

If children were playing with a sharp knife, loving them would not mean silently watching while they hurt themselves. Love would speak up because love cares about the outcome.

In the same way, speaking truth with humility and compassion can be an act of love.

This is exactly what we see throughout Scripture. God’s love does not ignore sin—He calls people away from it because He desires life, restoration, and transformation.

Jesus also says:
“Pray for those who persecute you.”

Again, this does not mean praying for evil to succeed. It means praying for hearts to change.

Pray:

  • for them to know truth
  • for them to encounter Christ
  • for repentance
  • for transformation
  • for salvation

This reflects the heart of God.

One of the greatest examples is Saul in Acts 9. Saul persecuted Christians fiercely, yet after encountering Yeshua, his life was completely transformed. He became Paul—one of the greatest missionaries and teachers of the Gospel.

Imagine if believers had only hated Saul and never desired his repentance.

God’s power can transform even those who strongly oppose Him.

This passage ultimately points us toward the character of God Himself.

Jesus says the Father:

  • sends rain on the just and unjust
  • shows kindness even toward sinners
  • extends mercy broadly

As His followers, we are called to reflect that same heart.

This does not mean abandoning wisdom, boundaries, or truth.

It means refusing to let hatred, bitterness, and revenge control us.

It means responding in a way that reflects Christ rather than merely mirroring the world.

The command to “be perfect” points toward spiritual maturity and completeness—a growing reflection of the Father’s character in how we love, forgive, speak truth, and pray for others.

This is not natural.

It is something God develops within us as we follow Him.

Application:

  • Pray for those who oppose, mistreat, or persecute you.
  • Remember that loving someone does not mean approving of sin.
  • Speak truth with humility, compassion, and a desire for repentance.
  • Guard your heart from bitterness, hatred, and revenge.
  • Reflect God’s character by responding differently than the world.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to love others the way You have called me to love. Teach me to respond with grace, truth, humility, and compassion even when others oppose or mistreat me. Guard my heart from bitterness and revenge, and help me to pray sincerely for those who need transformation through Christ. Shape my character so that my life reflects Your love and truth. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Love, Loving / Kind, Marriage, Song of Solomon

Covenant Love, Sealed Upon the Heart (Song of Solomon 8)

What kind of love survives time, pressure, and testing?

Key Verse:
“Set me as a seal over your heart, as a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death… Many waters cannot quench love, nor will rivers overflow it.” —Song of Solomon 8:6–7 NASB

Background Context:
Song of Solomon 8 brings the relationship full circle. The early longing, the seasons of distance, the celebration of intimacy — all culminate in a declaration about the nature of covenant love. The tone is mature, steady, and deeply rooted. This is no longer merely romantic admiration; it is enduring commitment.

The chapter closes not with drama, but with strength and resolve.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Song of Solomon 8

The Lovers Speak

    1“Oh that you were like a brother to me
Who nursed at my mother’s breasts.
If I found you outdoors, I would kiss you;
No one would despise me, either.

      2“I would lead you and bring you
Into the house of my mother, who used to instruct me;
I would give you spiced wine to drink from the juice of my pomegranates.

      3“Let his left hand be under my head
And his right hand embrace me.”

      4“I want you to swear, O daughters of Jerusalem,
Do not arouse or awaken my love
Until she pleases.”

      5“Who is this coming up from the wilderness
Leaning on her beloved?”

“Beneath the apple tree I awakened you;
There your mother was in labor with you,
There she was in labor and gave you birth.

      6“Put me like a seal over your heart,
Like a seal on your arm.
For love is as strong as death,
Jealousy is as severe as Sheol;
Its flashes are flashes of fire,
The very flame of the LORD.

      7“Many waters cannot quench love,
Nor will rivers overflow it;
If a man were to give all the riches of his house for love,
It would be utterly despised.”

      8“We have a little sister,
And she has no breasts;
What shall we do for our sister
On the day when she is spoken for?

      9“If she is a wall,
We will build on her a battlement of silver;
But if she is a door,
We will barricade her with planks of cedar.”

      10“I was a wall, and my breasts were like towers;
Then I became in his eyes as one who finds peace.

      11“Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon;
He entrusted the vineyard to caretakers.
Each one was to bring a thousand shekels of silver for its fruit.

      12“My very own vineyard is at my disposal;
The thousand shekels are for you, Solomon,
And two hundred are for those who take care of its fruit.”

      13“O you who sit in the gardens,
My companions are listening for your voice—
Let me hear it!”

      14“Hurry, my beloved,
And be like a gazelle or a young stag
On the mountains of spices.”

Reflection on Song of Solomon 8:
The bride begins by expressing a desire for uninhibited affection — love that is not restrained by social hesitation but confidently expressed. What follows is a profound declaration about covenant commitment.

“Set me as a seal upon your heart.” A seal represented ownership, protection, and permanence. This is not fleeting emotion. It is lasting devotion. Love here is described as strong as death — unrelenting, unbreakable, and enduring.

“Many waters cannot quench love.” Trials, misunderstandings, time, hardship — none of these extinguish covenant love when it is anchored properly. Rivers may rise, but true love remains.

The passage also reminds us that love cannot be purchased. It is not a transaction. It is chosen, cultivated, and guarded.

In marriage, Song of Solomon 8 teaches that love matures into steadfastness. Passion deepens into permanence. Covenant love withstands pressure because it is sealed intentionally.

Spiritually, this chapter reflects the enduring love of God toward His people — and the call for our wholehearted devotion in return. His love is not casual. It is covenantal. It does not dissolve under pressure.

The book closes with longing and pursuit still alive. Love is not stagnant. It continues to seek, to grow, and to deepen.

Application:

  • Guard covenant love as something sacred and permanent.

  • Remember that enduring love requires intentional commitment.

  • Do not treat love as transactional — it cannot be bought.

  • Allow trials to strengthen, not weaken, devotion.

  • Respond to God’s steadfast love with wholehearted loyalty.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for love that endures. Teach me to cherish covenant commitment and to guard it faithfully. Strengthen my devotion in marriage and in my walk with You. Seal my heart with steadfast love that cannot be shaken. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Discerning / Judging, False Prophets / Teachers, Jesus (hearing from God), Love, Obeying God, Rebuke Wrong Behavior, Repenting from Sin, Revelation, Study the Word, Through Prophets, Visions

Love With Discernment (Revelation 2:18-29)

Are your deeds aligning with your confession—or have you begun tolerating what Yeshua calls sin?

Key Verse:
“And I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.” —Revelation 2:23 NASB

Background Context:
Thyatira was known for trade guilds and economic life tied to idolatrous practices. For believers, pressure to compromise was constant. In this letter, Yeshua introduces Himself as the Son of God with eyes like a flame of fire and feet like burnished bronze—imagery that communicates His purity, His penetrating judgment, and His unshakable authority. He evaluates this church not merely by what they claim, but by what they do—and what they tolerate.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 2:18-29

Message to Thyatira

      18“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this:

      19‘I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first. 20‘But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21‘I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality. 22‘Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. 23‘And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. 24‘But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them—I place no other burden on you. 25‘Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come. 26‘He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS; 27AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority from My Father; 28and I will give him the morning star. 29‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Reflection on Revelation 2:18–29:
Yeshua begins by reminding the church that He knows their deeds. Their love, faith, service, and perseverance matter to Him. He wants more than acknowledgment with words—He expects a life that reflects obedience. That goes for us as well.

Yet He is not pleased that they are tolerating a false prophetess among them. Notice: she is not presented as an obvious enemy claiming Satan. She is a “prophetess”—someone who would appear spiritual and connected to the community of believers. This is what makes the danger so serious: false teaching often comes from inside the church, wearing a religious label while leading people into what is displeasing to God.

Yeshua says He gave her time to repent, but she refused. Judgment will follow, and He warns that those who follow her will also face consequences unless they repent. Repentance is not merely feeling bad or saying sorry—it is turning around, changing direction, and returning to His ways.

We should not miss that Yeshua searches minds and hearts, and He gives to each one according to deeds. Living for Him is far more than a moment at an altar or a single prayer long ago. There is an expectation of transformation. There is also an expectation that we do not “mix and mingle”—blending good with evil and calling it acceptable.

This letter makes clear that it is not enough to avoid sin personally. Yeshua also confronts the church for tolerating those who lead fellow believers astray. We are not called to sit silently on the sidelines while deception spreads. We are to reject false teaching, speak truth, and separate from what corrupts.

To those who hold fast and overcome, Yeshua promises reward—authority with Him and “the morning star.” Throughout Scripture, blessing follows obedience and consequence follows rebellion (see Deuteronomy 30:19; and the broader blessings and curses framework in Deuteronomy 28). The call is clear: choose life.

As we read these letters, we can also notice that Yeshua introduces Himself differently each time—the sword in one letter, eyes of fire and feet of bronze in another. The symbolism matters. There is significance worth further study and prayer. If you feel led to dig deeper, test multiple sources—but always test everything back to Scripture itself.

Application:

  • Let your deeds match your confession—Yeshua cares deeply about how we live.

  • Do not tolerate false teaching simply because it sounds spiritual or “churchy.”

  • Repent quickly when convicted—turning around is more than regret.

  • Reject mixing good with evil; obedience requires clarity, not compromise.

  • Protect fellow believers by speaking truth and refusing to enable deception.

  • Choose life daily—blessing follows obedience, and disobedience has consequences.

Closing Prayer:
Lord Yeshua, search my heart and expose anything in me that tolerates what You call sin. Strengthen me to live in obedience—not just in words, but in deeds. Give me discernment to recognize false teaching, courage to reject it, and humility to repent quickly when You correct me. Help me hold fast and overcome by Your grace. In Your holy name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Love, Marriage, Song of Solomon

Celebrating Covenant Love (Song of Solomon 7)

Can love be both passionate and pure—celebrated rather than hidden?

Key Verse:
“How beautiful and how delightful you are, my love, with all your charms!” —Song of Solomon 7:6 NASB

Background Context:
Following the reassurance and restored confidence of chapter 6, Song of Solomon 7 moves into open celebration. The husband speaks detailed affirmation over his wife, praising her beauty and presence. The tone is joyful, unguarded, and honoring. The wife responds not with hesitation, but with invitation.

This chapter portrays mature love—confident, mutual, and rooted in covenant security rather than insecurity.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Song of Solomon 7

Admiration by the Bridegroom

     1“How beautiful are your feet in sandals,
O prince’s daughter!
The curves of your hips are like jewels,
The work of the hands of an artist.

      2“Your navel is like a round goblet
Which never lacks mixed wine;
Your belly is like a heap of wheat
Fenced about with lilies.

      3“Your two breasts are like two fawns,
Twins of a gazelle.

      4“Your neck is like a tower of ivory,
Your eyes like the pools in Heshbon
By the gate of Bath-rabbim;
Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon,
Which faces toward Damascus.

      5“Your head crowns you like Carmel,
And the flowing locks of your head are like purple threads;
The king is captivated by your tresses.

      6“How beautiful and how delightful you are,
My love, with all your charms!

      7“Your stature is like a palm tree,
And your breasts are like its clusters.

      8“I said, ‘I will climb the palm tree,
I will take hold of its fruit stalks.’
Oh, may your breasts be like clusters of the vine,
And the fragrance of your breath like apples,

      9And your mouth like the best wine!”

“It goes down smoothly for my beloved,
Flowing gently through the lips of those who fall asleep.

The Union of Love

     10“I am my beloved’s,
And his desire is for me.

      11“Come, my beloved, let us go out into the country,
Let us spend the night in the villages.

      12“Let us rise early and go to the vineyards;
Let us see whether the vine has budded
And its blossoms have opened,
And whether the pomegranates have bloomed.
There I will give you my love.

      13“The mandrakes have given forth fragrance;
And over our doors are all choice fruits,
Both new and old,
Which I have saved up for you, my beloved.

Reflection on Song of Solomon 7:
The husband begins by affirming his wife from head to toe. His words are not crude, but reverent and intentional. He sees her fully and delights in her openly. This kind of affirmation strengthens intimacy because it communicates value, not possession.

The wife is not passive in this exchange. She responds with confidence: “I am my beloved’s, and his desire is for me.” This statement reflects security. She does not question her worth or his affection. Love has matured beyond uncertainty.

In marriage, this chapter teaches that intimacy thrives where honor and affirmation are freely expressed. Desire is not shameful within covenant—it is a gift from God. Celebrated affection deepens unity and strengthens trust.

Spiritually, this chapter reflects God’s delight in His people. God does not merely tolerate His covenant family—He delights in them. Likewise, believers are invited to respond with willing devotion and joyful surrender.

Song of Solomon 7 reminds us that healthy love is mutual. It gives and receives, delights and invites, celebrates and cherishes. Intimacy flourishes where affirmation is spoken and belonging is secure.

Application:

  • Speak affirmation intentionally and specifically within marriage.

  • Reject cultural shame around God-designed intimacy in covenant.

  • Cultivate mutual delight rather than one-sided expectation.

  • Rest in the truth that God delights in His people.

  • Respond to love with openness rather than guardedness.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for designing love to be celebrated within covenant. Teach me to honor, affirm, and cherish the relationships You have given. Help me rest in Your delight over me and respond with joyful devotion. Strengthen love where it needs renewal and deepen unity where You are at work. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father in your life? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Discerning / Judging, Love, Revelation

When Love Grows Cold (Revelation 2:1-7)

Can a church be doctrinally strong—and spiritually drifting at the same time?

Key Verse:
“But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” —Revelation 2:4 NASB

Background Context:
Ephesus was a prominent and influential city, known for commerce, culture, and the temple of Artemis. The church there had endured hardship and resisted false teaching. In Revelation 1, Jesus revealed Himself as walking among the lampstands—among His churches. Now He speaks directly to Ephesus, evaluating not only their actions, but their heart.

This letter sets the pattern for the others: affirmation, correction, warning, and promise.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 2:1-7

Message to Ephesus

      1“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:

      2‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; 3and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. 4‘But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5‘Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent. 6‘Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’

Reflection on Revelation 2:1–7:
Jesus begins with commendation. The church at Ephesus is hardworking, persevering, and discerning. They have tested false apostles and refused to tolerate evil. Their theology is sound. Their endurance is admirable. They have suffered for Christ’s name and have not grown weary.

Yet something essential is missing.

Jesus does not accuse them of heresy or compromise, but of leaving their first love. The issue is not external performance, but internal affection. Their commitment remains, but their passion has cooled. Orthodoxy has replaced intimacy.

The warning is sobering: unless they repent and return to the deeds they did at first, their lampstand will be removed. A church can maintain structure, activity, and reputation—and still lose its spiritual light.

But even in correction, grace is present. Jesus tells them how to respond: remember, repent, and return. Restoration is possible. The call is not to innovate something new, but to rekindle what once burned brightly.

The promise to the overcomer points back to Eden—the tree of life in the paradise of God. The One who walks among His churches desires not mere activity, but living relationship.

Application:

  • Examine whether your love for Christ matches your labor for Him.

  • Guard against replacing intimacy with routine.

  • Regularly remember what first stirred your affection for Jesus.

  • Respond quickly to conviction—repentance restores light.

  • Pursue relationship with Christ, not just religious performance.

Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus, search my heart. Protect me from drifting into routine without relationship. Rekindle my love for You where it has cooled, and help me serve from affection, not obligation. Restore what has faded and keep my devotion alive and sincere. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Faithful, Kindness / Gentleness, Love, Marriage, Song of Solomon

I Am My Beloved’s (Song of Solomon 6)

When insecurity whispers doubt, whose voice do you choose to believe?

Key Verse:
“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.” —Song of Solomon 6:3 NASB

Background Context:
Song of Solomon 6 follows a season of distance and longing. After missed connection and deep desire in chapter 5, this chapter opens with reassurance. The beloved is not lost, and love has not withdrawn. Instead, the relationship moves toward restoration, affirmation, and renewed confidence. What was strained is now steadied—not through blame, but through assurance of belonging.

This chapter reflects both the healing of marital intimacy and the faithful, restoring love of God toward His people.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Song of Solomon 6

Mutual Delight in Each Other

1“Where has your beloved gone,
O most beautiful among women?
Where has your beloved turned,
That we may seek him with you?”

      2“My beloved has gone down to his garden,
To the beds of balsam,
To pasture his flock in the gardens
And gather lilies.

      3“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine,
He who pastures his flock among the lilies.”

      4“You are as beautiful as Tirzah, my darling,
As lovely as Jerusalem,
As awesome as an army with banners.

      5“Turn your eyes away from me,
For they have confused me;
Your hair is like a flock of goats
That have descended from Gilead.

      6“Your teeth are like a flock of ewes
Which have come up from their washing,
All of which bear twins,
And not one among them has lost her young.

      7“Your temples are like a slice of a pomegranate
Behind your veil.

      8“There are sixty queens and eighty concubines,
And maidens without number;

      9But my dove, my perfect one, is unique:
She is her mother’s only daughter;
She is the pure child of the one who bore her.
The maidens saw her and called her blessed,
The queens and the concubines also, and they praised her, saying,

      10‘Who is this that grows like the dawn,
As beautiful as the full moon,
As pure as the sun,
As awesome as an army with banners?’

      11“I went down to the orchard of nut trees
To see the blossoms of the valley,
To see whether the vine had budded
Or the pomegranates had bloomed.

      12“Before I was aware, my soul set me
Over the chariots of my noble people.”

      13“Come back, come back, O Shulammite;
Come back, come back, that we may gaze at you!”

“Why should you gaze at the Shulammite,
As at the dance of the two companies?

Reflection on Song of Solomon 6:
The chapter begins with a question from others: “Where has your beloved gone?” The answer is calm and confident. He has not disappeared. He is tending his garden. Love is present, active, and purposeful. The fear of abandonment that marked the previous chapter is replaced by clarity.

The beloved woman then makes a powerful declaration: “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.” This is covenant language. It is settled, mutual, and secure. She does not say this because everything has been perfect, but because love has proven faithful.

The husband responds with affirmation rather than correction. He speaks beauty, value, and delight over his wife. Where insecurity once lingered, reassurance now flows freely. Love restores confidence instead of punishing vulnerability.

In marriage, this chapter teaches us that intimacy is strengthened not by perfection, but by reassurance. Love that heals does not rehearse past failures—it affirms present belonging. Confidence grows when love is spoken clearly and consistently.

Spiritually, this chapter reflects God’s heart toward His people. Seasons of distance do not negate covenant. God’s love remains secure even when our confidence wavers. He restores by reminding us who we are and to whom we belong. Our identity is not shaped by our failures, but by His faithfulness.

Song of Solomon 6 reminds us that love matures when it moves from anxiety to assurance—from fear of loss to confidence in belonging.

Application:

  • Rest in the security of covenant love rather than fear of rejection.

  • Speak reassurance intentionally in relationships that have felt strained.

  • Allow love to rebuild confidence instead of rehearsing insecurity.

  • Remember your identity is rooted in belonging, not performance.

  • Trust that God’s love restores rather than withdraws.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for love that reassures and restores. When insecurity rises or confidence falters, remind me that I belong to You and You have not withdrawn Your love. Teach me to speak reassurance, receive grace, and rest in the security of covenant love. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Love, Marriage, Traditions / Holidays

What Is Love? Exploring Biblical Love around Valentine’s Day

Ever wondered about the true essence of love beyond the commercial buzz of Valentine’s Day?

Valentine’s Day often comes packaged with high expectations and commercial hype, promoting everything from chocolates to expensive jewelry as symbols of love. Yet, these societal norms barely scratch the surface of true, Biblical love.

Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Background Context: In Greek, the language of the New Testament, several words describe different types of love, reflecting its complex and multifaceted nature. In contrast, English uses the single word “love” across various contexts, necessitating a deeper look at the intent and meaning in scriptural references.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul outlines the profound attributes of love in 1 Corinthians 13, distinguishing it from the shallow and often materialistic expressions seen in popular culture. This passage is a cornerstone for understanding Christian love, contrasting sharply with the superficial gestures commonly promoted during Valentine’s Day.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

1 Corinthians 13

The Excellence of Love

      1If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

      4Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

      8Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. 11When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. 12For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 13But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 13:

  • Patience and Kindness: True love mirrors God’s nature—patient and kind. It stands in contrast to the impulsive purchases and grand gestures often glorified by Valentine’s Day commercials.
  • Enduring and Selfless: Biblical love is enduring and selfless, not limited to a single day of acknowledgment but lived out daily in our actions and interactions.
  • Beyond Materialism: While giving gifts can be an expression of love, the commercial push during Valentine’s Day often distorts this expression into a compulsory act driven by societal expectations rather than genuine affection.

Summary Key Points:

  • Love is Multi-dimensional: Unlike the one-dimensional portrayal in Valentine’s Day advertising, Biblical love is rich and varied, encompassing patience, kindness, and selflessness.
  • Daily Expression: True love is not confined to special occasions but is a daily commitment to act out of love for one another, reflecting Christ’s love for us.
  • Critical View of Commercial Holidays: It’s crucial to discern the motivations behind our actions, especially during heavily marketed holidays. Are we acting out of true love or societal pressure?

One last parting thought… we can love YHWH and love others because He has first shown me love. Yeshua died for us to make a way for us to be forgiven our sins.

John 15:12-13

      12“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

The best way to show love for one another is through how we treat one another every day of the year.

(To learn more about the pagan origins of Valentines Day – World Religion News: Pagan origin of Valentines day)

Application: Consider how you express love in daily life. Are your actions influenced by cultural expectations or grounded in the Biblical definition of love? Discuss with loved ones how you might celebrate your love in ways that are meaningful and rooted in faith, not just on Valentine’s Day but throughout the year.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us the perfect example of love through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to love not just in words or speech but in actions and truth. Teach us to express this love every day, not just on special occasions, and to resist the pressures of commercial influences. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Love, Marriage, Seeking God, Song of Solomon

The Cost of Spiritual Complacency (Song of Solomon 5:1-8)

What happens when love invites closeness — and we respond too slowly?

Key Verse:
“I opened to my beloved, but my beloved had turned away and was gone.” —Song of Solomon 5:6 NASB

Background Context:
Song of Solomon 5 opens with intimacy already established. The relationship is real, committed, and loving. Yet even in a healthy relationship, moments of hesitation and complacency can arise. The beloved calls, but the bride delays. What follows is separation, longing, and pain.

This passage speaks powerfully to marriage — and just as powerfully to our walk with God.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Song of Solomon 5:1-8

The Torment of Separation

1“I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride;
I have gathered my myrrh along with my balsam.
I have eaten my honeycomb and my honey;
I have drunk my wine and my milk.
Eat, friends;
Drink and imbibe deeply, O lovers.”

      2“I was asleep but my heart was awake.
A voice! My beloved was knocking:
‘Open to me, my sister, my darling,
My dove, my perfect one!
For my head is drenched with dew,
My locks with the damp of the night.’

      3“I have taken off my dress,
How can I put it on again?
I have washed my feet,
How can I dirty them again?

      4“My beloved extended his hand through the opening,
And my feelings were aroused for him.

      5“I arose to open to my beloved;
And my hands dripped with myrrh,
And my fingers with liquid myrrh,
On the handles of the bolt.

      6“I opened to my beloved,
But my beloved had turned away and had gone!
My heart went out to him as he spoke.
I searched for him but I did not find him;
I called him but he did not answer me.

      7“The watchmen who make the rounds in the city found me,
They struck me and wounded me;
The guardsmen of the walls took away my shawl from me.

      8“I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
If you find my beloved,
As to what you will tell him:
For I am lovesick.”

      9“What kind of beloved is your beloved,
O most beautiful among women?
What kind of beloved is your beloved,
That thus you adjure us?”

Reflection on Song of Solomon 5:1–8:
The beloved knocks and calls with tenderness. His words are affectionate, patient, and inviting. He does not force entry. Love never does. But the bride hesitates — not out of rejection, but out of comfort and reluctance. She is already at rest and does not want to be disturbed.

In marriage, this moment reflects how intimacy can be weakened not by anger or betrayal, but by delay. Love may still exist, yet responsiveness fades. When one spouse reaches out and the other postpones, distance grows — often unintentionally.

Spiritually, this passage mirrors how God invites closeness. He calls us to prayer, obedience, repentance, and deeper fellowship. Often we do not refuse outright — we simply delay. We choose convenience over responsiveness. The result is not punishment, but distance that brings grief.

When the bride finally responds, the beloved has withdrawn. She searches for him, longing for what she momentarily neglected. The pain intensifies as she faces misunderstanding and mistreatment from others. Distance from love leaves us vulnerable.

This is not a picture of love abandoned, but love wounded by hesitation. The beloved’s absence is not cruelty — it is consequence. Love still exists, but intimacy requires attentiveness.

For believers, this passage reminds us that closeness with God must be nurtured. Delayed obedience dulls sensitivity. Spiritual complacency leads to longing that could have been avoided through timely response.

Song of Solomon 5 teaches that love — whether marital or spiritual — flourishes through responsiveness, attentiveness, and readiness to receive invitation.

Application:

  • Respond promptly to love. Delay weakens intimacy.

  • Guard against complacency. Comfort can dull responsiveness.

  • Honor invitation. Love invites; it does not force.

  • Pursue reconciliation quickly. Do not linger in distance.

  • Stay attentive to God’s calling. Closeness requires intentional response.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me recognize when You are calling me closer and give me a willing heart to respond without delay. Guard me from complacency that creates distance in my relationships — with You and with those I love. Teach me to value intimacy, respond with obedience, and pursue closeness with humility and devotion. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Faith / Trusting God, Love, Mercy, Protector / Deliverer

Kept by God, Built in Faith (Jude 1:17–25)

How do we remain faithful in a world that pressures us to drift, compromise, or grow weary?

Key Verse:
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy…” —Jude 1:24 NASB

Background Context:
After issuing strong warnings about false teachers and rebellion, Jude now turns his attention back to the faithful believers. He reminds them that the challenges they face were foretold and that they are not alone or unprepared. Jude closes his letter by calling believers to perseverance, discernment, mercy, and confidence in God’s preserving power.

This final section balances truth and compassion, vigilance and hope.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Jude 1:17–25

Keep Yourselves in the Love of God

      17But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” 19These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. 20But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. 22And have mercy on some, who are doubting; 23save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.

      24Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, 25to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Reflection on Jude 1:17–25:
Jude begins by reminding believers to remember the words spoken beforehand by the apostles. False teachers, mockers, and divisions should not surprise us. These realities are part of living in a fallen world. Awareness prepares us to stand firm rather than grow discouraged.

Believers are then instructed to build themselves up in their most holy faith. Faith must be nurtured intentionally. Prayer in the Holy Spirit, obedience to God’s Word, and abiding in God’s love strengthen us against deception and weariness.

Jude emphasizes mercy — but not a mercy that ignores truth. Some need gentle encouragement, others need firm warning, and all need compassion rooted in holiness. Loving others does not mean affirming sinful choices or remaining silent when truth is at stake. True love seeks restoration, not approval of sin.

The letter concludes with one of Scripture’s most powerful affirmations of God’s faithfulness. Ultimately, our security does not rest on our strength, but on God’s ability to keep us. He is the One who presents us blameless, not because we are perfect, but because He is faithful.

Jude’s closing doxology lifts our eyes from the struggle to the certainty of God’s victory. In a world full of challenges, compromise, and confusion, we are kept by God’s power and anchored in His truth.

Application:

  • Stay grounded in Scripture. Remember what God has already revealed.

  • Build your faith intentionally. Growth requires prayer, obedience, and perseverance.

  • Show mercy wisely. Love others without compromising truth.

  • Guard your heart. Remain anchored in God’s love.

  • Trust God’s keeping power. He is faithful to sustain and restore.

  • Give God glory. Our hope rests in His strength, not our own.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your faithfulness in keeping us secure. Help us build our faith daily, walk in discernment, and extend mercy without compromise. Strengthen us to remain faithful in a challenging world, trusting not in ourselves, but in You alone. To You be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, now and forever. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Love, Marriage, Song of Solomon

An Invitation Into Covenant Love (Song of Solomon 4:8–16)

What does it mean to be fully chosen — not shared, not divided, but invited into exclusive love?

Key Verse:
“You are a garden locked, my sister, my bride; a rock garden locked, a spring sealed up.” —Song of Solomon 4:12 NASB

Background Context:
Song of Solomon 4:8–16 shifts from affirmation to invitation. The groom’s words move beyond admiration to covenant language. The bride is described as protected, cherished, and exclusively his. Love here is not casual or consumptive — it is intentional, guarded, and deeply personal.

This passage reflects love that has waited, matured, and is now ready to be fully shared within covenant.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Song Of Solomon 4:8-16

Solomon’s Love Expressed 

      8“Come with me from Lebanon, my bride,
May you come with me from Lebanon.
Journey down from the summit of Amana,
From the summit of Senir and Hermon,
From the dens of lions,
From the mountains of leopards.

      9“You have made my heart beat faster, my sister, my bride;
You have made my heart beat faster with a single glance of your eyes,
With a single strand of your necklace.

      10“How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride!
How much better is your love than wine,
And the fragrance of your oils
Than all kinds of spices!

      11“Your lips, my bride, drip honey;
Honey and milk are under your tongue,
And the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon.

      12“A garden locked is my sister, my bride,
A rock garden locked, a spring sealed up.

      13“Your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates
With choice fruits, henna with nard plants,

      14Nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon,
With all the trees of frankincense,
Myrrh and aloes, along with all the finest spices.

      15“You are a garden spring,
A well of fresh water,
And streams flowing from Lebanon.”

      16“Awake, O north wind,
And come, wind of the south;
Make my garden breathe out fragrance,
Let its spices be wafted abroad.
May my beloved come into his garden
And eat its choice fruits!”

Reflection on Song of Solomon 4:8–16:
The groom begins with an invitation: “Come with me.” Love is not forced or taken — it is invited. This reflects the nature of godly love, which honors freedom while offering commitment. The bride is not pressured; she is pursued with respect and devotion.

The imagery of a locked garden and sealed spring speaks of exclusivity and protection. In a world that treats intimacy as something to be consumed and shared casually, this passage presents a radically different vision. Love is valuable precisely because it is guarded. What is protected is not withheld out of fear, but preserved out of honor.

The groom delights not only in beauty, but in faithfulness. His words communicate trust, safety, and belonging. This is love that creates security rather than anxiety. It invites vulnerability without threat.

Spiritually, this passage reflects God’s desire for wholehearted devotion. God does not demand forced allegiance — He invites His people into covenant relationship. He calls us to be set apart, not because He wishes to restrict us, but because He values us deeply.

The bride responds with openness and mutual desire. Love is now fully shared — not rushed, not stolen, but given freely in the proper time. This mutual surrender reflects the beauty of love when it is aligned with God’s design.

Song of Solomon 4 closes with a vision of love that is exclusive, joyful, and deeply satisfying — love that honors boundaries and flourishes within them.

Application:

  • Value exclusivity. Godly love is protected, not shared carelessly.

  • Honor invitation over pressure. Love that invites builds trust.

  • Guard what is precious. What is protected grows in beauty and strength.

  • Respond freely to love. Covenant love is mutual, not coerced.

  • Pursue wholehearted devotion. God invites us into faithful relationship.

  • Trust God’s design. Love flourishes within the boundaries He sets.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for the way You invite us into relationship rather than forcing obedience. Teach me to value what You call holy and to guard what You entrust to me. Help me respond to Your love with devotion, faithfulness, and trust. May my relationships reflect Your design — rooted in honor, commitment, and joy. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.