The Upward Look
© Copyright 2007, Max D. Hutto,

“We love because He first loved us.”
1 John 4:19 HCSB ©

God loves us. He had loved us before we ever were. Before the foundation of the world, God planned to provide a way for sinful people to be redeemed. His plan proved His great love for us when He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross taking the punishment for our sins and offering us the gift of eternal life. Because He loved us, we are to love Him and others. Jesus said the greatest commandment is that we love God with all we have and are. The second greatest commandment is that we love others just as we love ourselves. God’s love fills our lives and flows through us to others.

Lord Jesus, I am amazed at how much You love me and what You have done for me. Help me to express my love for You by sharing Your love with others.

* (footnotes & credits)

NASB ©
The Bible quotes marked NASB are from the New American Standard Bible,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977,
by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA. (used with permission)

HCSB ©
The Bible quotes marked HCSB are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible,
© Copyright 2000 by Holman Bible Publishers (used with permission).

NIV ©
The Bible quotes marked NIV are from the New International Version,
© Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, by The International Bible Society. (used with permission)