Today's Verse - 1 John 4:17

In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.

—1 John 4:17

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When we live lovingly toward others as Jesus did, we can have the same confidence in the face of death our Savior did. We can place our spirits in the hands of God. We can trust our future to his grace. We don't have to worry about standing before God in judgment. However, our confidence is not in our personal achievements, religious efforts, or good deeds. Our confidence on the day of judgment is based on the work of our Savior and being joined to him and safeguarded with him in glory (Colossians 2:12-15; 3:1-4). His love has not only redeemed us from sin; it has changed us to trust him and live in his love. His love is not only a gift to us but also given through us. We can be confident because we know that Jesus' life is present in us until we stand with him in the presence of our Father.

My Prayer...

Holy Father, thank you for the power to love others. Thank you for the confidence your love gives me. You have done so much to save me. Thank you for your loving grace and my confidence in Jesus, in whose name I pray. 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 4:16

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

—1 John 4:16

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We can rely on God's love because he demonstrated it by sending Jesus to save us (John 3:16-17). The Father wants us to live in and be blessed by his love. That love is more than just the grace that reached us when God saved us. We experience God's love when he extends it through us to others who need it. His love is redemptive and manifest — shown through our loving behaviors toward others. His presence is demonstrated and experienced through our loving attitudes, words, and deeds expressed to our brothers and sisters in Christ, our neighbors, and even our enemies. As we share God's love with others, his love blesses us as we experience the presence of the Father, Son, and Spirit, making their home in us (John 14:21, 23, 25).

My Prayer...

Father in heaven, I rely on your love. I cannot imagine my life without it; I would be lost entirely. However, I know you love me, Father. I am confident about my future because of that love. I am full of joy as I stand on tiptoe in my heart, looking over my life's horizon to the time I experience your love in its full glory at Jesus' coming and I see you face-to-face. Thank you for loving me. In Jesus' name, I thank and praise you. 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 4:15

If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.

—1 John 4:15

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"Jesus is the Son of God."

Six simple words. However, they are much more than simple words when we believe them! They are the doorway that opens our hearts to God. So, today, as you confess Jesus as God's Son, consciously and intentionally welcome God into your heart. He longs to live with you and in you. And as you pursue Jesus by knowing more about him, the Holy Spirit is at work transforming you to become like your LORD (2 Corinthians 3:18). As you listen to Jesus and obey him, he promises us that he and the Father will join the Holy Spirit (our Comforter and helper) and make their home in us (John 14:21, 23, 26) because we have confessed the Son and are seeking to live for him!

My Prayer...

Father, I want to live my life in and center my heart on your Son. I gladly confess that Jesus is the Son of God. He is also my LORD and my Savior. I praise and thank you in the name of Jesus Christ, trusting in the intercession of the Holy Spirit who lives in me. 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.