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.

Today's Verse - 1 John 4:8

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

—1 John 4:8

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

An unloving person doesn't know God. It's that simple. Enough said. No more words are needed. So, let's seek the Holy Spirit's power, poured into our hearts by God's grace, so we can love as God has loved us (Romans 5:5).

My Prayer...

Father, please bless me with a loving heart and a lifestyle that generously shares your love with others. To help me do this as I should, as you want me to love, please keep pouring your love into my heart through the Holy Spirit. 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.

Today's Verse - 1 John 4:7

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

—1 John 4:7

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The old song from the musical "Oliver" asks, "Where, oh where, is love?"

This is an excellent question! Where does love come from? How is love defined and truly known?

Love is with God. Love comes from God. Love is the key attribute of God. Love is from God. Love is of God. Do you want to be more loving? Do you want to find greater intensity in your love? Do you want to know how to love others who are hard to love? Look to God. And where do we see God's love most clearly? Jesus! Look at how God demonstrates his love for us through Jesus. Over and over in the past and now even in our lives today. Once we notice how God loves, we can commit to loving others as God has loved us!

My Prayer...

Holy God, I want to show that you are my Father by loving others more perfectly. Please bless me as I seek to follow Jesus' example in treating others with love. In the name of the LORD Jesus I ask for your grace to be loving like you, my Father. 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.