Remembering to Love

Scripture – 1 John 4:7-12: ⁷Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹²No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) Once again, there is far too much in this passage to deal with in this limited space. Love begins with God. In fact, in my mind, the reality and existence of love in this life is a proof of God’s existence. There’s no other way this kind of love would have found its way into the world. God loved us. He has empowered me and called me/commanded me to love other Christians. That command to love easily extends to all people, as well. As I obey, His love comes full circle and finds completion.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) I will pause from time to time today and let myself love the people I see. Often I forget to do that. On my worst days I just bounce from person to person and hardly even see them. I’ll avoid doing that today.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, your love for me is amazing. Let me be overwhelmed with it today. Lift me up and carry me in it today. Teach me to love as you love. Make this another good day.