1 John 1-5

We hear from Jesus' beloved disciple today in 1 John 1-5.  This time he is writing to us to set the record straight.  God came to us through Jesus.  He was a living, breathing man who lived among us to save us from our sins.  John saw it all first hand.  He was there.  He is telling the truth. And even through Jesus is now in Heaven, He is still with us in the Holy Spirit.  

I don't know about you; but for me, knowing John witnessed Jesus, in all His glory, so intimately, I just can't wait to read more.  His words are full of God's truth and love for us.  

God's love for me is what saves me.  God's love is so powerful.  It changes me.  It's what heals me.  It's what fills me with joy.  Yet, God's love is so much bigger than me and my understanding.  Thank goodness, God knew I needed that kind of pure love.  I can know this love God has for me and what I am supposed to do with it because of Jesus.  He came to us as a little baby born in a manger.  

3 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!

1 John 3:1

18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3:18

11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 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 4:11-12

I just love hearing all that don't you?  God "so loved us."  He still does.  That's what he wants us to depend on day to day.  

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 them.

1 John 4:16

I hate to admit it, but I know I need to.  I forget about God's perfect and powerful love sometimes.  I get caught up in my busyness, my impatience, my frustration, my anger, my poor perception, my bad judgement,  my own selfishness and I mess-up.  I am a sinful woman.  God wants to pour His love out on all of that for me, but I have to CHOOSE to let Him.  

And here's the other thing about God's love.  It's not just for me.  It's for all of us, everywhere.  We are all made perfect in God's love.  That's how God calls us to look at each other too (not just ourselves), through His love and grace.    

A prayer for today-

Dear God,

Thank you for loving me so much.  Thank you for sending Jesus to be my example.  Your love is all I need.  Forgive me for often failing to see others through Your love and grace.  I pray you will help me to love others in Your truth.  Help me let go of my imperfect love and replace it with Your love.  Guide my actions, Lord.  I want to be more like Jesus.  To You, be the power and glory forever and ever.

In the name of Jesus I pray, 

Amen

In Christ's love,