Black Church

Marriner’s Moments: What’s Love Got To Do With It? – Part III

By Pastor Melvin O. Marriner
Grove Church

In Romans 8:39 we find assurance of God’s love, “neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Is this how you feel about God as well … that nothing will separate you from His love? If so, why is it so easy to forego prayer time, Bible Study, and, yes, even church?

We often profess to love God, but there are times when we need to ask ourselves, ‘what or who is it that can influence me or take me away from prayer time, church or studying God’s Word’? What are those every day, mundane things that keep us from having a closer relationship with God? Some days we are too tired to wake up early for quiet time before work, some Sundays we sleep in because we’ve had such busy and chaotic weeks and we justify it by saying, ‘God knows my heart!’ Does He?

When we love someone, we sacrifice. We put them first, and we don’t make excuses. Our desire is to develop a deeper and more intimate relationship with those that we love.

This month’s theme “What’s Love Got to Do With it?” is a reminder that God is love, and He loves us with an everlasting love –even when we don’t return that love in a like manner. God desires to have an intimate relationship with us, yet too many of us only connect with Him (prayer) when we need something, when we are in pain or distress, and as a last resort.

What’s love got to do with it? Love has everything to do with our relationship with God. Apart from Sunday worship, how much time do you spend with Him during the week? God is patient and long-suffering, but He is also a jealous God. He desires our best, not our leftovers.

As we celebrate those individuals who are significant in our lives this month, this month’s theme – What’s Love Got to Do With it? – is a reminder that God is the reason for our being. He is the reason we are forgiven; after all, He gave His only Son for us. Let’s love and reverence Him; not just on Valentine’s Day, but every day!

Peace and power,

We invite you to join us at Grove Church, 5910 West Norfolk Road, Portsmouth, Virginia, Sundays at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Tuesdays at noon and Wednesdays at 7 p.m.