😊☀️👋🏻 Good morning, friend!

Welcome to Day 5 of Daily Hope! Today we’re looking at a simple but powerful commandment that ties faith and love together and is at the heart of following Jesus. Let’s discover how this command shapes our relationship with God and with others.

Personal Devotion:

📖 Today’s Word: 

“And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us.”
— 1 John 3:23 (NLT)

💡 Heart of the Message: 

At the center of our faith is a command that’s as simple as it is profound: believe in Jesus and love others. This isn’t just another rule; it’s the very essence of what it means to follow Christ. Faith in Jesus connects us to God, and loving others shows His love to the world. When we truly believe, our lives naturally overflow with love.

But what does it mean to “believe in the name of Jesus”? It’s more than just agreeing with facts about Him. Believing means putting our trust in Him as our Savior and the Lord of our lives. It means trusting that He’s the way to forgiveness, peace, and eternal life with God. And as we grow in this faith, our love for others deepens.

When John says to “love one another,” he’s calling us to action. Love isn’t just a feeling; it’s a choice to serve, forgive, and care for others as Jesus did. By loving others, we live out our faith in a real and visible way. This command to believe and to love is the foundation of our relationship with God and with the people He’s placed in our lives.

❓ Reflect and Respond:

1. Digging Deeper: How has your faith in Jesus changed the way you view and love others?

2. Applying the Text: Think of one person who could use some encouragement or kindness today. How can you show God’s love to them in a simple, tangible way?

🎯 Live It Out: 

Today, let your faith overflow into love. Ask God to help you show His love to others, whether it’s through a word of encouragement, an act of service, or a simple prayer for someone in need.

🎶 Worship Through Song: 

Song suggestion: “Your Love Never Fails” by Jesus Culture.

You can listen to it here. This song celebrates the unchanging, faithful love of God that inspires us to love others in return.

🔍 Dig Deeper in the Word: 

For further study, check out these related passages:

• John 13:34-35

• Matthew 22:37-39

• Galatians 5:6

🙏 Pray Back the Word: 

"Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us what true love looks like. Help me to trust You more each day and to love others as You’ve loved me. Give me the courage to live out my faith in real and visible ways. In Your name, amen."

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Devotion: 

💬 Family Devotion:

Do you know what’s most important in following Jesus? It’s two things: believing in Him and loving others. Believing in Jesus means trusting Him, knowing that He’s the Son of God and our best friend who came to save us. And loving others means showing kindness, forgiveness, and care to everyone, just like Jesus did.

Today’s verse tells us to put these two together—our faith and our love. When we believe in Jesus, it changes how we act, making us want to help, encourage, and care for people around us. By showing love, we’re letting everyone know that Jesus loves them too!

🗣️ Talk It Over:

• Ask your kids: How do you think believing in Jesus changes the way we treat people? What are some ways we can show God’s love to others today?

🎯 Family Mission:

Pick one act of kindness to do as a family today. It could be as simple as making a card for a neighbor, baking cookies to share, or offering to help someone in need.

🎤 Sing Together:

“Jesus Loves the Little Children” is a joyful reminder that Jesus loves everyone, and we’re called to share that love.
You can listen to it here.

🙏 Family Prayer:

"Jesus, thank You for loving us and for showing us how to love others. Help us to trust You and to be kind and caring toward everyone around us. Amen."

❤️ Spread the Hope! 

If you enjoyed today’s devotion, would you please share it with a friend?

💬 Join the Conversation: 

What stood out to you in today’s devotion? How is God calling you to love sacrificially this week?

Hit reply and share your thoughts, or comment below if you’re on the web.

🎧 Listen to the Podcast: 

Want to go deeper? Listen to today’s Hope for the Mountainside podcast episode, where we unpack how to live out sacrificial love.

🔜 Tomorrow’s Preview: 

Tomorrow, we’ll talk about how God’s Spirit lives in us, guiding and assuring us as we walk in faith and love.