We love Him, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (AMPC) Why do you love God? Is it because Jesus commanded you to? Are you fulfilling some sort of obligation or following a rule? No, today’s scripture gives the real reason why you love God—because He loved you first. This may not seem significant to you if you’re doing pretty well in life. If you’re following His principles and you’re serving Him, it may be easy to see why He would love you. But you have to remember something really important. He has always loved you, even at your most unlovable moments. God sent Jesus to die for you, knowing all the wrong thoughts you would think and the bad choices you would make …

There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! 1 John 4:18 (AMPC) God wants us to pursue a relationship with Him before performance or any kind of “clean-up operation” on our behaviour. You have to remember that your relationship with God is the most important thing. He wants you to live by His guidelines and principles because they are the best way to live. However, your ability to follow them has nothing to do with His love for you. He loves you just as you are. You see, God is not focused on your shortcomings. He wants a relationship with you. He loves you and wants you …

I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. Matthew 11:28–30 (MSG) I love how the Message Bible puts today’s verse. The “unforced rhythms of grace” Jesus refers to speak of God’s unearned favour and help, but they also speak of the relationship every believer has with Him. You see, each relationship has its own unforced rhythm. None of us can predict exactly how our relationship with our spouse or friends will develop. There are natural discoveries you make as you do life with them. You have to discover how each relationship works yourself, and you can’t force it. It’s about continually learning how to love each other. …

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. Matthew 11:28–30 (MSG) If you’re exhausted from trying hard to earn something from God, you need to know that there’s a better way. Jesus says that you can getaway with Him and you’ll recover your life. You see, relying on religion as a way to please God will burn you out. Religion uses fear and guilt to motivate behaviour. It’s a reliance on systems, structures and impossible-to-follow rules to adhere to in order to please God. It also teaches that God will nail you if you don’t follow those rules. If you’ve been relying on religion, you need to recover your life because religious …

Jesus replied, “Yes, look at these great buildings. But they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” Mark 13:2 (NLT) Throughout history, religion has centred itself around temples and holy places. Jesus, on the other hand, didn’t come to build another temple. At that time, Jewish leaders offered sacrifices in the temple to cleanse the people. The people relied on this ritual to give them a sort of temporary right standing with God. As long as they obeyed the rules and followed the rituals, they were okay. But Jesus said that the temple would be thrown down. Instead, you and I are temples of the Holy Spirit, if we believe. There is no longer a system, ritual or …