DANEA BASS

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. Have you ever felt that you’ve disappointed God, or feared that he could never love you again after all the bad choices you’ve made? Satan loves to use fear to guide you away from God’s true essence, that is, his perfect Love (1 John 4:8). If he can’t take you away from God by enticing you with sin then he will try to take you away from God by making you feel that what you’ve done could never be forgiven. Satan is known as the Father of lies (John 8:44), and he wants you to believe that you will never be good enough or deserving of God’s love. What you need to remember is that you are loved by God, not because of what you've done, but because of who you are. The Bible tells us that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8). God loves you more than you can ever know and there is nothing that will tear you away from his love. Question 1: Have you ever done things or continue to do things that cause you to fear God’s punishment? (If so, what) Question 2: What does it mean for God to love you not because of what you’ve done but because of who you are in Christ? Challenge: If you’re in fear of God’s punishment then you are in fear of God’s perfect love. He’s not looking down on you disappointed. He’s looking down on you like you’re His child. We challenge you to know who you are in Christ and, with all the power of the Holy Spirit, overcome that fear of punishment, and really experience God’s perfect love.

Romans 8:38-39 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. Have you ever found yourself making poor decisions that led you into some pretty awful circumstances? Maybe they weren’t as extreme as Danae’s decisions that ended in a coma, but still left you with some pretty bad consequences. The thing is that we have all made some pretty bad choices in life at one point or another. Many of these choices have caused us or someone we know real heartache and pain, but here is the good news: no matter what bad choices you may have made in your life, nothing, and I mean nothing, will separate you from the love of God. God’s love is unconditional, and he loves you the same on your best days as he does on your worst days. Don’t let your daily circumstances get in the way and dictate your relationship with God. God loves you for you, and there is nothing that will separate you from his love. Question 1: Are there times in your life that you feel God’s love more than others? (Explain) Are there times in your life that you feel the absence of God’s love? (Explain) Question 2: How does Romans 8:38-39 apply to your life’s choices? Challenge: We challenge you to embrace God’s love for you. Know that his love is unconditional and never let your daily circumstances get in the way or dictate your relationship with God! God’s love for you is everlasting and that will never change.

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. Have you ever bought into something that you thought would be amazing and looked great, but once you attained it, it just couldn’t live up to the hype? This could come in any form, from wearing the right clothes or having the right car to partying, sex with a boyfriend or girlfriend, drinking, drugs, etc. At the end of the day, did it really fulfill you? Well, if you’re anything like Danae, it only left you empty and disillusioned. So here’s the million-dollar question, if life-changing satisfaction doesn’t come from the things of this world, then where does it come from? If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, then your answer should be in Christ alone. Jesus is the only one who will never abandon you, and the only one that can fill the void that your heart so deeply desires. Jesus wants to give you life, and give it to you in abundance. If you’re not living the amazing life that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ, then ask yourself this question: With what or whom am I trying to fill that void in my life? Am I filling my life with the things of Christ or with the things of this world? God wants you to experience true life, the kind of life that cannot come from any brands of clothing you wear, parties you hit, or even relationships you have. Only God can give you the kind of life that is eternally satisfying! Question 1: What things have you bought into that just didn’t live up to the hype? Question 2: Do you feel that there is a void in your life right now? Are you substituting cheep imitations to fill the void in your heart that only Christ was meant to fill? Challenge: We challenge you to look past the glitz and the glamor that the world proclaims will satisfy you and look towards Jesus to find real fulfillment.