Behold What Manner of Love
Day 1: Love Rooted in God's Nature
Reading: 1 John 4:7-16
Devotional: God doesn't merely possess love as an attribute—He IS love. This fundamental truth changes everything about how we approach Him. The love you've experienced from God isn't obligatory or formulaic; it flows from His very heart. When you doubt, remember: nothing can separate you from this love because it's intrinsic to who God is. His covenant love endures forever, not because you've earned it, but because loving is His nature. Today, rest in this reality: the Father Himself loves you (John 16:27). You don't have to perform or prove yourself worthy. His love isn't measured in drops but poured out in immeasurable torrents. Let this truth anchor your soul—you are loved by Love Himself.
Day 2: Love Featured in God's Plan
Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10
Devotional: Consider your condition before Christ: dead in trespasses, following the course of this world, deceived by the enemy. Yet God, being rich in mercy, intervened—not primarily because of His holiness demanding justice, but because of His great love. Love fueled the entire plan of salvation. While you were still a sinner, spiritually dead and hopeless, God chose to break through in love. He raised you to new life, seated you with Christ in heavenly places, and made you a trophy of His grace—all because He loved you. Without this love, salvation would be impossible. Today, thank God that His love wasn't passive but active, pursuing you when you had nothing to offer in return.
Day 3: Love Demonstrated on the Cross
Reading: Romans 5:6-11; John 15:9-17
Devotional: If you ever doubt how God feels about you, look to the cross. There, God incontrovertibly proved His love—while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, laid down His life willingly for His sheep. No one took it from Him; He gave it freely because He loves you. "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." The very God who is holy and hates your sin loves you in the midst of that sin enough to save you. This isn't permission to coddle sin, but an invitation to be transformed by love. The cross stands as eternal testimony: you are deeply, sacrificially, completely loved.
Day 4: Love Consummated in the Kingdom
Reading: John 14:1-3; Revelation 21:1-7
Devotional: Our misunderstandings about love will one day be completely resolved. Jesus has prepared a place for you in His Father's house, and He will return to receive you to Himself. Even now, at the Father's right hand, Christ intercedes for you with this desire on His lips: that you would be with Him forever, beholding His glory. You're not on a collision course with judgment—you're headed toward union with Love Himself at the marriage supper of the Lamb. One day soon, God will make all things new. You will dwell with Him, behold His face, and finally extend love back to Christ in the way He deserves. This is your destiny, your future, your hope—eternal union with the One who loves you most.
Day 5: Loving God in Response
Reading: Deuteronomy 10:12-22; John 14:15-24
Devotional: To love God and be loved by Him is your greatest good—the purpose for which you were created. Jesus summarized all of God's expectations in love: love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. But remember: you don't obey to earn God's love; you obey because you are loved. "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." This week, choose to love Jesus more than whatever tempts you—your anger, your stress, your addiction, your diagnosis. In each moment, simply love Him more. Don't hide your sin; bring it into the light and let God love you as you are, then love you into who you're meant to be. Let love be your motivation, not your reward.
"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are." - 1 John 3:1
Reading: 1 John 4:7-16
Devotional: God doesn't merely possess love as an attribute—He IS love. This fundamental truth changes everything about how we approach Him. The love you've experienced from God isn't obligatory or formulaic; it flows from His very heart. When you doubt, remember: nothing can separate you from this love because it's intrinsic to who God is. His covenant love endures forever, not because you've earned it, but because loving is His nature. Today, rest in this reality: the Father Himself loves you (John 16:27). You don't have to perform or prove yourself worthy. His love isn't measured in drops but poured out in immeasurable torrents. Let this truth anchor your soul—you are loved by Love Himself.
Day 2: Love Featured in God's Plan
Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10
Devotional: Consider your condition before Christ: dead in trespasses, following the course of this world, deceived by the enemy. Yet God, being rich in mercy, intervened—not primarily because of His holiness demanding justice, but because of His great love. Love fueled the entire plan of salvation. While you were still a sinner, spiritually dead and hopeless, God chose to break through in love. He raised you to new life, seated you with Christ in heavenly places, and made you a trophy of His grace—all because He loved you. Without this love, salvation would be impossible. Today, thank God that His love wasn't passive but active, pursuing you when you had nothing to offer in return.
Day 3: Love Demonstrated on the Cross
Reading: Romans 5:6-11; John 15:9-17
Devotional: If you ever doubt how God feels about you, look to the cross. There, God incontrovertibly proved His love—while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, laid down His life willingly for His sheep. No one took it from Him; He gave it freely because He loves you. "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." The very God who is holy and hates your sin loves you in the midst of that sin enough to save you. This isn't permission to coddle sin, but an invitation to be transformed by love. The cross stands as eternal testimony: you are deeply, sacrificially, completely loved.
Day 4: Love Consummated in the Kingdom
Reading: John 14:1-3; Revelation 21:1-7
Devotional: Our misunderstandings about love will one day be completely resolved. Jesus has prepared a place for you in His Father's house, and He will return to receive you to Himself. Even now, at the Father's right hand, Christ intercedes for you with this desire on His lips: that you would be with Him forever, beholding His glory. You're not on a collision course with judgment—you're headed toward union with Love Himself at the marriage supper of the Lamb. One day soon, God will make all things new. You will dwell with Him, behold His face, and finally extend love back to Christ in the way He deserves. This is your destiny, your future, your hope—eternal union with the One who loves you most.
Day 5: Loving God in Response
Reading: Deuteronomy 10:12-22; John 14:15-24
Devotional: To love God and be loved by Him is your greatest good—the purpose for which you were created. Jesus summarized all of God's expectations in love: love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. But remember: you don't obey to earn God's love; you obey because you are loved. "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." This week, choose to love Jesus more than whatever tempts you—your anger, your stress, your addiction, your diagnosis. In each moment, simply love Him more. Don't hide your sin; bring it into the light and let God love you as you are, then love you into who you're meant to be. Let love be your motivation, not your reward.
"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are." - 1 John 3:1