"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
(1 JOHN 4:10-11)

1 John 4:7-21
Raised in rural Arkansas and eventually speaking before Presidents, her life reflected the civil rights struggle in the U.S. Maya Angelou was known for her poetry and novels, though she was also one of the first African-American females to work in film and on Broadway. She passed away at the age of 86 in 2014.


Maya Angelou was only the second poet ever asked to read at a presidential inauguration. Her poem “On the Pulse of Morning,” written for the newly-elected Bill Clinton in 1993, described an America united in freedom despite its difficulties with diversity. It’s a noble call to love our neighbor.


And yet, without Christ, it’s impossible to truly love. Humanity has always struggled against inequality. But through Jesus we are able to love our neighbors and even our enemies.


The apostle John knew that true love could come only from God and that it was not a sappy, “Hallmark” love. It’s sacrificial and committed. Christ loved us while we were yet sinners. May we love our neighbors today the way Christ loved us.



Scripture Focus

1 John 4:7-21

Insight

Spend time with your father today asking Him to fill you with the love and grace of Jesus through his Spirit.

Bible In A Year

  • Exodus 7-8
  • Psalm 29
  • Mark 9

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