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.
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! [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… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos 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.
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 4:9
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.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 84:11
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. —Psalm 84:11 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Isn’t it wonderful that God doesn’t hold back on his goodness? The Father loves to give his children gifts. These gifts are all-encompassing. These gifts are gladly given. How do I know? Three ways: God has repeatedly blessed us. We can see what God has done to bless his people throughout the centuries. God’s Scriptures promise this to be true. God does not withhold from us! But what happens if we are not blameless? None of us are blameless on our own, yet in Christ, God sees us as his blameless children if we keep pursuing Jesus. As we do, the LORD blesses us with grace upon grace (John 1:16) Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father, thank you for the many blessings you have poured into my life. I want to list several that are on my heart today. (Make a list of things you are thankful for and share them with God as we pray.) Most of all, Father, thank you for the gift of your Son and my Savior who allows me to come before you “holy in [your] sight, without blemish and free from accusation.”* I get to come before you confidently, knowing I will receive your gracious gifts and loving promises. In Jesus’ name, I rejoice as I pray to you. Amen. * Colossians 1:22-23.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 – Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. —Proverbs 19:21 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What are your plans for today? If you are like me, you prayerfully plan your day. You make appointments with people for the future to address their needs, hear their concerns, or discuss issues and projects involving them or you. But we must always live humbly, recognizing that none of our plans will be valuable unless they come from the Father! My Prayer… Holy God and righteous Father, please bless me as I seek to discern your will for my plans and decisions. I recognize that each breath I take is a gift and that each success I enjoy is because of your grace. Please use me to bring you glory and help me find your path for my life. In the name of Jesus, 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.