Reading Tonight ~

Do you feel welcomed and accepted before God - just as you are - or is there "something wrong"? Certainly there is nothing wrong with God's love for you. After all, he literally shed his blood so you may know you are forgiven; the "Lamb of God" died in your place because God esteems you as worth his love. God says you are lovable, worthy, and infinitely valuable - despite your many failures, sins, and the perversity of your heart. Do not be robbed of the joy of the Spirit. The message of the cross is that you are accepted, loved and welcomed. The Scriptures teach, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love" (1 John 4:18). Indeed, the LORD imparts a spirit of power, love, and a "safe mind" to us (2 Tim. 1:7). Do you feel safe with God? empowered? loved? These are marks of the Spirit of God, not a sense of being condemned or rejected by Him.