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.

Today's Verse - 1 John 4:9

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

—1 John 4:9

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Showing love means sharing God's grace and giving life to someone else. No one has demonstrated this principle as fully as Jesus! His sacrifice saved us and brought us fresh and eternal life from God. God wants us to show this love to others in ways they can understand and appreciate that love and can know the love God has for them. They see God's love in how we live as love draws them closer to our loving Father through us.

My Prayer...

Holy LORD, my heavenly Father, thank you for today. Please help me share my life with someone else who needs to experience your grace. Please help me notice those who are wounded and give me wisdom on the best way to lead them lovingly back to you. In Jesus' 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.