“We know the love that God has for us, and we trust that love …. because God’s perfect love drives out fear.” (1 John 4:16a, 18a NCV)
I’ve talked to thousands of people about why they don’t fully trust God. Usually it’s one of three things. People are afraid that if they give their lives fully to God, they’ll lose their freedom, they’ll lose their fun, and God will turn them into some kind of religious fanatic.
None of that sounds inviting.
The bottom line is, people are afraid. Yet God has an answer for our fear of trusting him. The Bible says, “We know the love that God has for us, and we trust that love …. because God’s perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:16a, 18a NCV).
God loves you. You were created as an act of God’s love. Over and over in the Bible, God makes this clear. God thought you up and created you to love you and to let you love him.
The greatest expression of God’s love is Jesus. God came to Earth in the form of a human being to show us what he is really like. He then showed us how much he loved us by dying on the cross.
The cross tells us once and for all that we can fully trust God. We can trust him with our lives because he gave his Son’s life for us.
If God is telling the truth in his Word that he loves you, you know he won’t take away your freedom or your fun or turn you into a fanatic.
God isn’t a cosmic killjoy. He’s your heavenly Father.
The more you know God, the more you trust him — and the less you’re afraid of him. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick>> Talk It Over
What scares you the most about fully trusting God?
How have you seen fear get in the way of someone else’s faith in God?
Why do you think understanding the love of God helps you trust him more?
Today’s Scripture
“[In His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy...” (Ephesians 1:4, AMP)
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Handpicked by God
Before you were ever born, before the very foundations of the earth, God chose you. He approved you and called you His own. You may have been overlooked by people in your life; maybe you were passed up for a job or overlooked by someone whose opinion you valued; but remember, God won’t ever overlook you. In fact, He handpicked you. He chose you to be holy, or set apart, for Himself. Let that truth sink down in your heart today. You are God’s most valued possession. You are special. You are the apple of His eye. He knows everything about you; He even knows the number of hairs you have on your head. He gave you the gifts and abilities you have for a purpose. You carry great value and significance. Don’t ever lose sight of the fact that you are God’s treasure, and you are handpicked by Him!
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for loving me today. Help me to understand Your love so that I can extend that love to those around me. Let me see myself and others as Your treasure in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
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