August 3, 2025

 

Devotional

Day 1: The Truth of God’s Unconditional Love Sets Us Free
God’s love is not based on our performance or worthiness, but is freely given because of who He is. When we internalize this truth, it breaks the power of lies and fear that have taken root in our hearts, freeing us from anxiety and self-condemnation. Jesus invites us to remember His love through the breaking of bread and the pouring of the cup, urging us to let this truth be the foundation of our identity. As we meditate on His love, the Holy Spirit confirms it within us, casting out fear and filling us with peace. [10:28]

Romans 8:38-39 (ESV):
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reflection: What is one lie about your worth or God’s love that you have believed? Can you bring it to Jesus today and ask Him to replace it with the truth of His unconditional love for you?


Day 2: Feeding on God’s Truth Instead of Lies
The thoughts we dwell on shape our spiritual and emotional health. Just as unhealthy food harms the body, negative and condemning thoughts can lead to anxiety and depression. Jesus calls us to “chew on” the truth of His love and forgiveness, especially when we are tempted to believe otherwise. By focusing on His sacrifice and the reality that we are deeply loved, we find freedom and peace that the world cannot give. [21:30]

Philippians 4:8 (ESV):
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Reflection: What is one negative thought you have been “feeding on” lately? How can you intentionally replace it with a truth from God’s Word today?


Day 3: Looking Up to Jesus for Healing from the Lies
When we are bitten by the lies of this world—feeling unworthy, unloved, or rejected—Jesus invites us to look up to Him, just as the Israelites looked up to the bronze serpent for healing. In our moments of complaint, despair, or self-doubt, the remedy is to return to the cross, remember His sacrifice, and ask Him to put us back together again. In that humble turning, we experience His restoring love and the promise of paradise with Him. [38:40]

John 3:14-16 (ESV):
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Reflection: When you feel “bitten” by discouragement or self-condemnation, what would it look like for you to “look up” to Jesus today and ask Him to heal and restore you?


Day 4: Coming to Jesus for Rest and Renewal
Jesus knows the burdens we carry—weariness, anxiety, and the wounds from lies spoken over us. He invites us to come to Him, declare our need, and ask to be clothed again in His love. This simple, honest prayer is always answered, as He fills us afresh with His Spirit and reminds us that we are beloved, cherished, and never alone. In His presence, we find true rest and the strength to love ourselves and others. [43:59]

Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV):
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Reflection: Where do you feel weary or worn today? Will you take a moment to pray, “Lord, love me again, clothe me in your love,” and wait for His presence to renew you?


Day 5: Living as the Beloved—Evicting Lies and Embracing God’s Truth
God desires that His truth would be magnified in our hearts, evicting the lies that have lived “rent-free” for too long. As we rest in the reality that we are adopted, cherished, and never forsaken, His peace and joy take root in us. This deep assurance of being loved enables us to love others genuinely and to face the world’s darkness with hope. The Holy Spirit works this good news into even the darkest places of our souls, making us a people marked by love. [50:13]

1 John 3:1 (ESV):
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to “evict” an old lie and embrace your identity as God’s beloved child? How can you remind yourself of this truth throughout your day?

Sermon Summary

This morning, we gathered to remember and celebrate the steadfast love of God—a love that pursues us, redeems us, and never lets us go. We began by acknowledging the many reasons we have to worship: God’s mercy in our pain, His peace in our anxiety, and His faithfulness in our wandering. We confessed our tendency to seek security in the things of this world, rather than in the unshakable security of God’s love, and we received the assurance that nothing can separate us from that love.

We explored the importance of knowing the truth about ourselves, especially in a world filled with lies that diminish our worth. Just as we are what we eat physically, so too are we shaped by the thoughts we “feed” on. Jesus invites us to feast on the truth of His love, symbolized in the bread and the cup, reminding us that we are deeply loved, forgiven, and eternally secure in Him. This truth is not just for others—it is for each of us, even when we struggle to believe it for ourselves.

We wrestled with the reality that the world often tells us we are unworthy, unloved, or not enough. Yet, Jesus’ love is radically different: it is unconditional, not based on our performance or worthiness, but on His character and sacrifice. When we internalize this love, it has the power to break the chains of fear, anxiety, and self-condemnation. Like the story of Babe the pig, we are often wounded by the lies of others, but the voice of our Good Shepherd sings over us, restoring our joy and sense of belonging.

Drawing from the story of Moses and the bronze serpent, we saw how God provides a remedy for the “snake bites” of life—the wounds and lies that poison our souls. Just as the Israelites were healed by looking up at the serpent, we are healed by looking to Jesus on the cross. In our moments of darkness, complaint, or despair, we are invited to look up, remember His sacrifice, and cry out, “Lord, remember me.” In that humble turning, we experience His healing love afresh.

Ultimately, the invitation is to return again and again to the source of our identity and worth: the love of Christ. As we receive and rest in this love, we are set free from fear and empowered to love ourselves and others with the same grace we have received.

Key Takeaways

- The Power of Truth Over Lies: The thoughts we dwell on shape our spiritual and emotional health. Feeding on the truth of God’s love brings freedom, while internalizing lies leads to anxiety and despair. Jesus calls us to discern truth from falsehood and to let His Word define our identity, not the voices of the world or our own self-condemnation. [15:54]

- Unconditional Love as the Foundation: Unlike the conditional love we often experience, Jesus’ love is given freely, not based on our merit or performance. This love sees us fully—our darkness and our potential—and chooses us anyway. Embracing this truth dismantles the old system of earning love and invites us into a new way of being, rooted in grace. [24:07]

- Healing from the Wounds of Others: The world is full of voices that diminish, devalue, or discard us, but only Jesus has the authority to define our worth. When we are wounded by others’ words or actions, we must return to the cross, remembering that Christ’s love is the ultimate truth about us. His voice restores our joy and enables us to live with confidence and hope. [30:05]

- Looking Up for Healing: The story of the bronze serpent teaches us that healing comes not from our own efforts, but from looking up to God’s provision. In our moments of complaint, despair, or spiritual “snake bite,” we are invited to look to Jesus, confess our need, and receive His restoring love. This act of humble faith brings us back to the place of wholeness and peace. [38:40]

- Daily Returning to the The journey of faith involves being bitten by lies and fears again and again, but the remedy is always the same: return to Jesus, ask to be clothed in His love, and wait for the Spirit to confirm this truth in our hearts. This daily bread of love sustains us, sets us free from fear, and empowers us to love others as we have been loved. [43:59]

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Steadfast Love of God

### Bible Reading

John 3:14-17 (ESV)
> And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
> “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
> For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)
> For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 John 4:18 (ESV)
> 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.

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### Observation Questions

1. In the story Jesus tells Nicodemus (John 3:14-15), what did the Israelites have to do to be healed from the snake bites? How does Jesus connect this story to himself? [32:25]
2. According to Romans 8:38-39, what things are listed that cannot separate us from the love of God? Why do you think Paul makes such a long list?
3. In the sermon, what are some of the “lies” or “snake bites” that people experience in life? [30:05]
4. What does 1 John 4:18 say about the relationship between love and fear?

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus chose the story of Moses and the bronze serpent to explain his mission to Nicodemus? What does it reveal about how we are healed or saved? [32:25]
2. The sermon talks about “feeding” on thoughts—both true and false. How does what we dwell on in our minds affect our spiritual and emotional health? [16:49]
3. The pastor said, “Jesus’ love is quite different. Jesus loves you because that’s who he is. He just chooses to love you for no gain on his own, for no condition, just because that’s who he is, his goodness.” How does this contrast with the way love is often experienced in the world? [24:07]
4. When the world or others “diminish, devalue, or discard us,” why is it important to return to the cross and remember Christ’s love? [30:05]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon described how we often seek security in things of this world instead of God’s love. What are some specific things you tend to look to for security? How can you shift your focus to the “unshakable security of God’s love” this week? [11:50]
2. The pastor used the example of “feeding” on negative or condemning thoughts. What are some lies you have believed about yourself? What is one practical way you can “feed” on the truth of God’s love instead? [16:49]
3. When you hear the world’s message that you are “not enough” or “unworthy,” what helps you remember that Jesus’ love is unconditional? Is there a verse, song, or practice that helps you? [24:07]
4. The story of Babe the pig showed how the words of others can wound us. Can you think of a time when someone’s words hurt you deeply? How did you respond, and how might you respond differently by listening to the “voice of the Good Shepherd”? [28:24]
5. The Israelites were healed by looking up at the bronze serpent. When you are struggling with fear, anxiety, or self-condemnation, what does it look like for you to “look up” to Jesus? Is there a specific prayer or action you can take? [38:40]
6. The pastor encouraged us to “return again and again to the source of our identity and worth: the love of Christ.” What is one daily habit you could start (or restart) to help you remember and rest in God’s love? [43:59]
7. The sermon ended with the idea that as we receive and rest in God’s love, we are set free to love ourselves and others. Who is one person you can show grace and love to this week, as a response to the grace you have received? [45:12]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray, asking God to help them know the truth of his love, to heal wounds from lies, and to empower them to love themselves and others with the same grace they have received.

Quotes

``But Jesus' love is quite different. Jesus loves you because that's who he is. He just chooses to love you for no gain on his own, for no condition, just because that's who he is, his goodness. He sees worth in us. He sees glory in us. He sees what we can become. He sees the dark and the ugly. And he says, I still, despite it all, I choose to A love so great that I give my life for you. I reign in heaven for you. I make a covenant with you, a sworn promise. I'm going to get you home. [00:24:16] (54 seconds)  #UnconditionalLoveAlways Edit Clip

Paul would talk about that. That his love is such that that nothing can separate you from his love. Not the trials, not the difficulties, not your sinfulness, not your dark, nothing, once you've accepted his love for you, can change it. And so there's this old system that love needs to be earned and deserved, and then there's this Christ system that says, I love you just because. Because, in fact, I've already taken the cross for you. I've already paid for your redemption. There's nothing you can do that can separate my love for you. [00:26:16] (38 seconds)  #NothingSeparatesHisLove Edit Clip

And you're going to be in a world full of toxicity. And a world full of darkness. And a world where people will become instruments of the evil one speaking evil into you. But you've got to know the truth and allow for that truth to set you free. because there's so many lies. And some of them have been internalized in you. Unconsciously held by you. [00:30:32] (32 seconds)  #RememberMeAtTheCross Edit Clip

And jesus was trying to help his people to be free from the things that have bit them that just diminish them and take away their health their spiritual health and their emotional health and and so he tells a story to nicodemus about how it is that we can deal with those snake bite lies you know the snake bite the things that people say to us that jesus would never authorize in in in the presence of jesus none of these words would ever be spoken you're no good you're unworthy of my love you're you're junk rejected and discarded and devalued like like all of those and but yet they get us as we're walking into your life and so what do you do [00:32:48] (64 seconds)  #RestForTheWearySoul Edit Clip

And so when things aren't the way they should be, when your soul is complaining, and dark, and angry, distressed, Jesus says, remember me, come to the cross, and look up, remember me in the breaking of the bread and the pouring of the cup, remember this truth, and in your broken and bleeding and sin -stained heart, cry out, remember me, put me back together again, Jesus. And in that moment, the love that he has for you is experienced. Today, you shall be with me in paradise. [00:40:34] (58 seconds)  #PrayForLoveRenewal Edit Clip

On the way home to the promised land. we're going to get bit time and time again with the lies of this world that we aren't loved, cherished, valued, worthy. These core wounds will have a way of bringing us into a depression and anxiety. And Jesus says the remedy is to come to Him. Oh, who are weary and heavy laden, I'll give you rest. You can come to Him, the cross. Declare your need to be remembered, put back together again. He says, today you'll be with me in paradise. Call on my name and I will save you. [00:41:34] (52 seconds)  #LoveYourselfToLoveOthers Edit Clip

But often what happens is when these lies take shape in us, we take too long to go to the remedy. And so we live many days in a place of darkness and despair when we could find remedy if we would just simply stop and pray, Lord, put me back together again. Lord, you say that you love me. I need to experience that love. I'm being overwhelmed by dark thoughts and anxiety, by worry. I'm being overwhelmed. Can you remind me again that you love me? Can you give me a fresh expression of that love? And just wait in that place until the presence of the Holy Spirit makes this truth a reality once again in your soul where He fills you up with His love, clothes you again with His love. [00:42:34] (78 seconds)  #DailyBreadOfLove Edit Clip

You want to love yourself so you can love others. Jesus is giving us the remedy. It means when we don't feel that love or experiencing that love, that we can go to Him and ask Him, remember me. Love me again, Lord. Lord, I'm tired, I'm weary, I'm worn. Clothe me again in your love. And that humble prayer time and time again will always be answered. He says, He says, Truth will set you free. And perfect love, his perfect love, casts out all fear. And so he wants us to be free from all of the worry and anxiety and all the lies. And he also wants us to be free from fear. The remedy is his love. [00:43:52] (68 seconds)  #FilledWithGodsPeace Edit Clip

So look up to the cross. Take the bread and take the wine. Remember him. And then call out to him, Lord, love me again. Clothe me with your love. I'm weary and worn. And day after day after day, that daily bread comes to you. And you become a loved people, able to love people the way he's loved you. [00:44:59] (31 seconds) Edit Clip