Today's Verse: 1 John 4:19

Sunday, August 19, 1945

We love because he first loved us.
— 1 John 4:19
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

John wants us to realize that our love doesn't originate in us. We love others because God has first loved us in Jesus. Oh yes, God has loved us in many other ways, but loving us in Jesus is the ultimate love. Our Heavenly Father taught us how to love by sending Jesus. Our Abba Father has given us security and confidence with his love for us so that we can love others more fully, with greater openness. Our Holy and Almighty God has loved us boldly and sacrificially so that we can more fully understand and define true love. We are not the source of love: God is. We are not the great example of love: Jesus is. We tend to be careful and share our love only with those we feel safe to share it with; God's love, however, is expansive and open to all. We know and share love because God loved us first. And because he loved us, we must love others.

My Prayer...

Forgive me, Righteous Father, for the times that I have been careful and guarded with my love for others. Please help me to love others as you have loved me. I ask especially for today, that I might touch someone's life with love that especially needs it, whether they respond favorably to that love or not. And then, after I do it today, in Jesus' name, I pray for your help to do it again and again and again - to love others more fully as you have fully demonstrated your love to me. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

14 Related Resources by Heartlight

1 John 4:19
Devo: Today's Verse
"We love because he first loved us."
1 John 4:19
Devo: Today's Verse
"We love because he first loved us."
Spurgeon AM Devo for Jun. 11th
Devo: Morning & Evening
"There is no light in the planet but that which proceedeth from the sun; and there is no true love to Jesus in the heart but that which cometh from the..."
First Loved
Illustration of 1 John 4:19
Inspirational illustration of 1 John 4:19 -- We love because he first loved us.
See All 14 Related Resources about 1 John 4:19

Illustration

Illustration of 1 John 4:19 — We love because he first loved us.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, August 19, 1945

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'A Fresh Start' (Acts 16:1)
"Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a....."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Setting a Good Example' (1 Ti. 4:11-16)
"Dear Father, May we never lessen our commitment to you because someone criticizes us. Instead, let us set an example in speech and conduct, in love,...."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Proof We've Moved from Death to Life'
"If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead......"
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'The Word of the Lord Holds True'
"Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre; make music for him on the ten-stringed harp. Sing a new song of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp,..."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

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.

More Today's Verse