God loves us so much he sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save us…from ourselves! Love, God’s Love shuts down debilitating self-criticism…even when there is cause, says John. Read and rejoice. May our joy be restored as we bask in the Light of His love for us. And move on.

1 John 3, The Message

18-20 My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.

21-24 And friends, once that’s taken care of and we’re no longer accusing or condemning ourselves, we’re bold and free before God! We’re able to stretch our hands out and receive what we asked for because we’re doing what he said, doing what pleases him. Again, this is God’s command: to believe in his personally named Son, Jesus Christ. He told us to love each other, in line with the original command. As we keep his commands, we live deeply and surely in him, and he lives in us. And this is how we experience his deep and abiding presence in us: by the Spirit he gave us.

What do we learn?
–Don’t be so hard on ourselves. God’s love trumps all.
–Whew, I needed this today, how about you?

Love God. Love Others. Revolutionary.

Dear Heavenly Father, You remind us of your love daily and we love that about You. We are harder on ourselves sometimes than You are. (Maybe always.) Thank you for your forgiveness because of your love without conditions. Thank you for your mercy and grace. By realizing Your love for me makes me freer to love others more deeply. Thank you, Lord for this lesson through Your Word and our conversation this morning.
In Jesus Name, Amen