Today's Verse - 1 John 4:12

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

—1 John 4:12

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

What an incredible thought! God can be seen in my home when I love those in my family. The Father of the universe lives in my church, and his presence can be recognized when I love those in my church family. Almighty God's love is recognizable in my life when I love those around me and when we choose to be loving instead of petty, unforgiving, critical, and harsh to our brothers and sisters in Christ. God reveals his presence, power, and perfection in us! God is love; we reveal his presence when we do love each other.

My Prayer...

O Father, please make your presence, power, and perfection known through my love for your children and our love for each other. In Jesus' name, I ask this. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - 1 John 4:11

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

—1 John 4:11

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The Creator of the Universe loves us personally. He knows us and made us intentionally. Our Heavenly Father cares about us tremendously. Although God knew about our weaknesses and sinfulness, he was willing to pay a terrible and outrageous price to redeem us. Even though we are sometimes weak or rebellious, he still loves us, forgives us, and welcomes us back when we are willing to confess our sins, turn from them, and come home to him. So if God has consistently, faithfully, and graciously loved us, how can we not share that love with each other?

My Prayer...

Thank you, Abba Father, for your awesome and gracious love. Please continue to pour your love into my heart through your Holy Spirit. Help me be more forgiving, patient, and sacrificial in my love with your children. In Jesus' name, amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - 1 John 4:10

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

—1 John 4:10

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God loved us first! He paid the huge price to atone for our sins in Jesus before calling us to follow Jesus to love others. Jesus was the way God displayed his mercy and justice before he asked us to love. We know what love is because God demonstrated it before demanding it from us. How we demonstrate God's mercy, justice, grace, and love to others shows how much we understand God's love for us!

My Prayer...

Father, your love is vast, gracious, and life-changing. I ask that the blessed Holy Spirit change my heart so that I can more perfectly reflect and glorify your love in my daily life. In Jesus' name, I thank you for your love, which has saved me and is changing how I treat others. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.