God Is Love

1 John 4:11-18

Beloved, God loves us so much,
we must love one another too.

No, we haven’t seen God,
and yet, by loving one another,
God lives in us!
And God’s love perfects ours.

How do we know we’re in God,
and God is in us?
We have His Spirit.

Furthermore, we have seen
(through God’s Word) how
the Father sent His Son
to save us and the world.

If we acknowledge Jesus
as the Son of God,
we can be sure God lives in us
and we in Him. And we can know
and believe in the power of love
God gives.

For God Is Love!

So as we remain in love,
God remains in us
and brings our love
to perfection.

Then we can know for sure
not to worry about judgment day
because we’re living as God wants.

Oh, Beloved, in love
there is nothing to fear!

God’s perfect love
frees us
from any fears we have
of being punished,
tormented, or even
harshly rebuked.

So if you’re still afraid,
pray to experience
ever more fully
the pure, pure love
of God.

© 2016, Mary Sayler prayer-a-phrased today’s reading in 1 John 4 with the help of several of the many translations found on Bible Gateway.

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For the love of Christ

Prayer-a-phrase of John 15:12-17

And Jesus said to all who follow Him:

Here’s what I want you to do:
“Love one another as I love you.”

What kind of love is that?

The greatest love is when
you give your life for your friends.

You are My friends,
and you show this
by doing as I ask.

You’re not enslaved by Me!

A slave has no idea what his master is doing!
But I told you everything I’ve heard from My Father,
because you are My friends.

You didn’t choose Me first,
but I chose You,
and now I’m appointing you
to go and bear fruit for eternity!

Then, whatever you ask the Father in My Name,
He will be able to give you
as you fulfill My command:

Love one another.


©2015, Mary Harwell Sayler prayer-a-phrased this scripture in John 15 from several of the many translations found on Bible Gateway.

…

Love shines from the Golden Rule

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets,” Matthew 7:12, King James Version (KJV.)

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets,” Matthew 7:12, New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE.)

“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets,” Matthew 7:12, New American Standard Bible (NASB.)

“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets,” Matthew 7:12, New Living Translation (NLT.)

The Golden Life

Love others
The Way
you want them
to love you.

Love others,
and you will
fulfill
what the Law
and Prophets
agree our
God of Love
requires.

©2014, Mary Sayler prayer-a-phrased the above poem from parallel translations found on Bible Gateway.

...

Thank God for love

As the Apostle Paul wrote to Philemon, so he writes to us:

Grace to you and peace
from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.

As I mention you in my prayers,
I thank God for your love
toward all the people of God
and for your faith toward the Lord Jesus.

I pray your sharing of faith
may become effective
as you know every good
given for the glory of Christ.

For I have received great joy
and encouragement from your love,
and the hearts of the saints
have been refreshed through you.

©2013, Mary Sayler, prayer-a-phrase of today’s Daily Bible Reading in Philemon 1:3-7

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