Love—found 344 times in the Old Testament and 324 times in the New Testament

Variations: beloved, beloved’s, love, loved, lovedst, lovely, lover, lovers, loves, lovest, loveth, loving, lovingkindness, lovingkindnesses

First usage in the New Testament: Matthew 3:17 (beloved)

Last usage in the Old Testament: Malachi 2:11 (loved)

Interesting fact: The apostle John never named himself in his gospel or his epistles. Instead, he was identified as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 21:20). It should, therefore, come as no surprise that John’s gospel contained more verses on love (39 verses) than the other three gospels combined (35 verses). Likewise, his first epistle (First John) contained more verses on love (29 verses) than any other epistle.

Bible study tip: Look for chapters that focus the most upon your particular subject of study. For instance, Numbers chapter 30 is considered the “vow chapter” because of the magnitude of its mention, while Psalm 119 is considered the “word of God chapter” due to its emphasis upon God’s word in most every verse. Many people throughout the years have identified 1 Corinthians chapter 13 as the “love chapter,” but this distinction clearly goes to 1 John chapter 4 where love, in all its various forms, is mentioned thirty times.

Sunday, Day 183—Church Day (no devotional)

Monday, Day 184Why Should We Love?

Tuesday, Day 185—Grounds for Love

Wednesday, Day 186—Church Night (no devotional)

Thursday, Day 187—What Should We Love?

Friday, Day 188—When Should We Love?

Saturday, Day 189—What Should Happen When We Love?

Day 183: Church Day

Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.