What Jesus Did! 'God Loves Us!' — John 3:16

Monday, February 16, 2026

[Continuing his talk with Nicodemus, Jesus said,] "For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."
— John 3:16 NLT

Key Thought

God loves us! That is the triumphant message of the Bible. That is the greatest message we will ever receive. Thankfully, however, this message is not just words. God wanted us to know his love for us, so he demonstrated that love at great personal cost.

God loves us! We know that because he gave his Son for us.

God loves us! He doesn't want the power of "perish" to claim us, so he gave us the power of his love.

God loves us! He sacrificed so we could have life.

God loves us! Don't ever doubt it. Don't let the evil one rob you of this life-giving truth.

God loves you and wants to give you life!

Today's Prayer

Father, I believe that you gave Jesus to save me from my sins. I confess that I cannot fully understand that love, but I thank you and praise you with all of my heart. Please forgive me when my life does not reflect your loving evaluation of my worth. Give me the strength to believe what you say about me and what you have done for me. I place my full trust in your love to continue its transformational work of redemption in me. Thank you that you are making me better than I am right now. Thank you even more for ransoming me from my sin and giving me life with you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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111 Related Resources by Heartlight

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"For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in..."
John 3:16
Devo: Today's Verse
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16
Devo: Today's Verse
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16
Devo: Today's Verse
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
See All 111 Related Resources about John 3:16

Illustration

Illustration of John 3:16 NLT — [Continuing his talk with Nicodemus, Jesus said,] "For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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