¹Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. ²By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. ³For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, ⁴for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. ⁵Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

⁶This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.

• Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
• Sit five to fifteen minutes in silent meditation paying attention to the deep breath.
• You are a child of God.  You are beloved.
• Make a list of the ways God loves you.
• Read back over the list.  What is missing?
• How do you desire God to love you?
• Your neighbor is a child of God. Your neighbor is beloved.
• Make a list of the ways God loves your neighbor.
• Read back over the list.  What is missing?
• How do you desire God to love your neighbor?
• The world is made of the children of God.  All the children of the world are beloved.
• Make a list of the ways God loves the children of the world.
• Read back over the list.  What is missing?
• How do you desire God to love the children of the world?
• Go back over your lists.  What do you notice?
• Is there a message for you from God?
• Is there a call to action?
• Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.
• Share as you feel led in the reply box below.