Today's Verse: 1 John 4:19

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

We love because he first loved us.
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Thoughts on Today's Verse...

It's all very simple. God is love (1 John 4:7-8). He is love's origin, example, and architect. I love because God loved me first. I know how to love because he has demonstrated it in Jesus. I can love because he made me in his likeness and to share his character, and because God pours his love into my heart through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). He is the fountain, the motivation, and the pinnacle of love. I love because God loves - first, last, and always.

My Prayer...

God of comfort, God of love, thank you for comforting me with your love. Just as a child learns from parents how to do so many things, I want to learn to love as you do: sacrificially, selflessly, and submissively so that others may know that they do not have to earn your love, only receive it and share it with others. In the name of Jesus, your perfect example of love, I pray. Amen.

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Illustration

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

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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.