Jesus said these words to a man named Nicodemus. Nicodemus came to Jesus at night with many questions. Jesus told him something wonderful about God.
God loves the world. Not only the good parts. Not only the good days. God loves people when they do well, and God loves them when the day goes wrong. His love is not a prize you earn. It is a gift He gives.
God showed that love by giving His one and only Son, Jesus. Jesus said that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. That means they will never be lost. They will live with God forever, and that life starts now.
Emma's drawing did not turn into a perfect picture. Mama did not say it was perfect. She found something good in it, and Emma saw it too. God looks at you like that, and even more. Your day may go wrong. You may not get the petals right. God's love for you stays the same.
💝God Loves Me
God Loves You Just the Same
A bedtime truth from John 3:16, for the days that did not go right
October 13, 20262 min readNIV
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
— John 3:16 (NIV)
Jesus teaches Nicodemus
Today's Story
✍️Fictitious Story
Emma Yeo sat at the kitchen table with her drawing of a frangipani tree. The paint had run, and the trunk looked like a smudge. She folded the paper in half.
Mama looked at the folded paper. "Is that the only one you made?" she asked.
Emma pulled a second drawing from her bag. "This one is worse," she said.
Mama smoothed the paper flat. "I like the flowers on this one," she said. "You got all five petals."
Emma looked at the drawing again. She had got all five petals. She did not throw it away. She taped it on the fridge, next to Lucas's bus picture, and climbed into bed.
Reflection
Think About It
• Do you think God loves you more on a good day than on a hard day? • What could you say to God tonight, even if today went wrong?
Prayer
Father, thank You for Your love that never changes. Thank You for five small petals, for a warm bed, and for a Mama who sees me. Thank You for giving Jesus, Your one and only Son. I believe in Him. All glory to You. Amen.
Live It Out
Before you go to sleep tonight, say out loud, "God loves me." Say it slowly. Then close your eyes.