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.

Today's Verse - 1 John 4:13

We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.

—1 John 4:13

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Our sign of authenticity, showing we are truly God's children, is the Holy Spirit who lives in us. The Spirit helps bring forth the character of God in our lives (Galatians 5:22). The Spirit helps us when we pray (Romans 8:26-27). The Spirit empowers us to overcome sin (Romans 8:13) and gives us the strength to do things we never imagined possible (Ephesians 3:20-21). The Spirit comforts us in our brokenness and makes God's presence real in us (John 14:15-26). The Spirit continually pours God's love into our hearts (Romans 8:5). The Spirit is the most accurate sign that we are God's children (Romans 8:9) because the Spirit helps us display what helps others know that we are God's children — our love for each other (John 13:34-35). Thank God for the blessed Holy Spirit!

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[As God's children, the Holy Spirit does many other vital things in our lives. Check out God's Holy Fire, our free daily devotional on the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, available online and by email.]

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Father, I praise you for your holiness, majesty, and power. I thank you for your loving grace. I am humbled by your sacrificial love that has saved me. But today, dear Father, I thank you most for your Holy Spirit, who lives in me and empowers, cleanses, and comforts me as the Spirit makes your fatherhood accessible and real to me. Thank you, in the name of Jesus, from the bottom of my heart, for the gift of the Holy Spirit! 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 4:12

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.