The Thought For Today

Encouraging You Through God's Word

     Jesus said in John 15:12-14, “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” In this cold, evil world, so many people are looking and desiring true love. It is not until you have an encounter with Jesus that you and I are able to not only love one another but to receive love.

     There is love for you when you love like Jesus loves. 1 John 4:7-12 reminds us, “Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.”

     It can be challenging to love people. However, you and I are instructed on how to love in Colossians 3:13-14. It says, “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” You and I can only learn to love people when we examine the life of Jesus.

     So, be encouraged today that you can love and give love by accepting the everlasting love that comes from Jesus.

“There is Love for You” Praise: Most Gracious, Heavenly, Father, we thank you that you chose to love us before the foundation of the world. Your Word tells us that we love because you first loved us. There are no words to express our thankfulness. We praise you for your love. We are in awe of how much you loved sinful people like us.  We live our lives because of your love. We testify to your goodness because of this love. We serve you simply because you first loved us. Lord, we thank you! Thank you for your love, Jesus, that washed away our sins. In Jesus’ name. Amen.