love of God

What Does it Mean to Keep His Commandments?

December 8, 2022 // 12 Comments

Here’s a verse that can really trip you up: For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. (1 John 5:3a) What commandments is John talking about? If you have not learned to read scripture through a new covenant lens, you might think he’s talking about the Ten Commandments or the Law of Moses. If [...]

Is God’s Love Unconditional?

March 31, 2022 // 21 Comments

“Is God’s love really unconditional? The phrase unconditional love is not even in the Bible!” Ever heard that one? How about this one: “God’s love is unconditional, but…” Statements like these make me shake my head in wonder. What do you think the word love means? Is God’s love unconditional? It [...]

Who’s Your Daddy?

September 2, 2021 // 19 Comments

When our first child was born, there were some complications and she had to spend a few days in a special care ward. She was kept in an incubator and the only way I could touch her was by putting my hands through holes in the side of the incubator wall. She was only a few hours old when I came to her, stroked [...]

Three Things People Get Wrong About the Laodiceans

October 10, 2019 // 11 Comments

The Laodicean church is probably the most infamous church in history. Preachers use it as an example of how Jesus deals with slack Christians. “Jesus is angry with these guys and he’ll be angry with you unless you get on fire for the Lord!” Demonstrating their expertise on the subject, they refer to an [...]

Agent Romanoff and the Furious Love of God

May 23, 2019 // 23 Comments

One of the greatest mistakes we can make, is we undervalue the love of Almighty God. We put his wild, reckless love in a box of undersized belief and we bury it under a temple of tradition. God’s love is this. God’s love is that. We think we have it all figured out. Except we don’t. We have not even [...]

Does God Love Me When I Sin?

April 27, 2017 // 76 Comments

I heard a pastor of a large church tell his congregation, “God hates you, God is sick of you, God is frustrated with you, God is weary of you.” And why is God in such a dark mood? Because of our sin and apathy. Jesus went through hell for us, but we can’t even show up to church on time. I wish sermons like [...]

God Believes in You!

June 24, 2014 // 71 Comments

Last night I caught my five-year-old son reading in bed when he should’ve been sleeping. I asked him to give me his book and he did, albeit reluctantly. I reminded him that it was late and he needed to go to sleep because he had school in the morning. Then I put his book at the end of his bed and turned to [...]

The Bible is Not a Rule Book

November 26, 2013 // 50 Comments

Imagine it’s your wedding day. You’ve had the ceremony, and you’re starting to relax when the minister hands you a gift, a thick book of Marriage Rules. “Read this,” he says. “The secret to a happy marriage is found within.” You open the book with interest. Inside you discover countless rules and [...]

Does God Envy?

January 9, 2013 // 32 Comments

A misunderstood God leads to a misguided faith. If you think God is insecure and constantly assessing you on your performance, you will be insecure yourself. You will be forever wondering whether you have done enough to please him. Some time ago I wrote that God loves us unconditionally, that contrary to what [...]

Acceptance elevates us

November 19, 2012 // 14 Comments

When you know God is pleased with you regardless of your productivity, it will free you from the pressure to perform. When you’ve heard God say “Yes” to you, it will empower you to say “No” to the unhealthy demands of Pharaoh’s whip-cracking taskmasters. If you have been burning the candle at both [...]

What if I Disappoint God?

October 9, 2012 // 50 Comments

Do you fear the Lord’s rejection? Are you worried that he will kick you out of his family? Do you think you disappoint him? You need to read this: To the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he made us accepted in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:6, NKJV) We are accepted “in the Beloved.” Some take this [...]

God Accepts You (Even if No One Else Does)

September 10, 2012 // 20 Comments

In this world acceptance comes at a price. If you want to be accepted you have to perform, you have to deliver, you have to shine. You have to be first in and best dressed. You have to close the deal and make the sale. You have to woo the girl and win the crowd. You have to dazzle the customer and impress the [...]