Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
July 27, 2024
1 John 4:13-19
13 This is how we know we remain in him and he remains in us because he has given us a measure of his Spirit. 14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the savior of the world. 15 If any of us confess that Jesus is God’s Son, God remains in us, and we remain in God. 16 We have known and have believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who remain in love remain in God, and God remains in them. 17 This is how love has been perfected in us so that we can have confidence on the Judgment Day because we are exactly the same as God is in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear expects punishment. The person who is afraid has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love because God first loved us.
Good Morning! We love because God first loved us.
The book of 1 John is all about God’s love. 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Unconditional love is the greatest power in the universe. We exist because God loves us. God made us and said, “It is good!” Despite our flaws, and we have so many, we are good. Perhaps you have to dig deeply to find the good that we try to hide from others. Evil causes fear, and showing our goodness makes us vulnerable, so we bury it deep within our souls.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear expects punishment.
When we let go of our fear and accept Christ, God makes us perfect in love!
Loving God, Thank you for creating us. You love us unconditionally. Help us to believe, trust, and share in your love. Thank you for loving us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God’s love gives me the power to serve.
Love one another! Pastor Liz
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