DAILY DEVOTIONAL TODAY – April 23, 2025 || Our Daily Bread [Daily Devotion] | MamClaireTV

Devotional Message:
(1 John 3:18)
"Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."

Devotional Message:

Love. It’s one of the most powerful words in the world. We hear it in songs, movies, and conversations every day. We say, “I love my family,” “I love my friends,” even “I love food!” But in 1 John 3:18, we’re reminded that love is more than just a word. It’s more than something we say—it’s something we show.

The verse says, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” The Apostle John was writing to early Christians, encouraging them to go beyond just talking about love. He wanted them to live it out—to love in real, honest, and practical ways, just like Jesus did.

Let’s break it down.

“Dear children…”
John calls us “dear children” to remind us who we are. We are God’s children—loved, valued, and chosen. Just like children naturally imitate their parents, we are called to imitate our heavenly Father. And God is love. So, if we are His children, we should also be known by our love.

“Let us not love with words or speech…”
It’s easy to say nice things. It's easy to post a kind comment or send a heart emoji. But love that stays only in our mouths or on a screen isn’t real love. Words without action are like empty promises. Imagine someone saying, “I care about you,” but they never show up when you need help. That kind of love doesn’t feel real, does it?

“…but with actions and in truth.”
This is the heart of the verse. Real love does something. Real love shows up. It doesn’t just say, “I’m here for you.” It actually is there for you. It doesn’t just say, “I’ll pray for you.” It actually takes time to pray and maybe even offer a helping hand. This kind of love costs something—it might cost us time, energy, money, or even comfort. But this is the kind of love Jesus showed us.

Jesus’ Example: