In this day, God is calling us to really believe that we are the Beloved. Corporately yes, but more importantly, personally. If we have any chance of successfully loving our neighbour and living out God's call on our lives, then we need to know how loved we are, and how loved our neighbour is. Is there more to it than reading John 3:16? Yes, there is far, far more to knowing God's love than just reading about it.

Proverbs 4:23 tells us the state of our hearts can determine the course of our lives. What influences are affecting your inner world, your responses and choices? "The way you spend your days will ultimately determine how you spend your life."

Paul tells the Colossian church, "Since you have been raised to a new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of Heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honour at God's right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth." (Col. 3:1-2 NLT)

Jesus declared himself to be the "gateway to heaven", the fulfillment of Jacob's angelic vision and that Heaven now stands open through him. We need to understand for ourselves how that changes our everyday life.

Sometimes we get so busy doing the 'tasks' that we think God has instructed us to do that we can miss the purpose for which He has called us.

Jesus tells a story of people being invited to a great banquet. the servants are sent out several times, but the task of inviting is not the point. As the Master says, "Compel them to come in, so that my house will be full."

We are not called to just make invitations - God desires a FULL HOUSE!

Beka shares about her experiences at CRC National Conference and the impact of bringing God's love and acceptance to our young people.

Have you ever wondered why love is greater than faith or hope? It is love that creates the fertile ground in which faith and hope can grow. You can't create faith or hope in someone else, but you can give them love. Eagerly pursue love, and be burning hot to speak God's love to people.

Animal sacrifice was common in ancient times. Did you realise that God began it? Right back in the Garden of Eden he made coverings from animal skins (rather than wool or cotton) - demonstrating that He is the one that covers our shame to restore intimacy with him, and pointing to Jesus ultimate sacrifice to bring us back to Him. God has always worked to restore us to close relationship with Him.

The Apostle Paul wrote that following Jesus makes our lives "fruitful" in every way. So what is your next step in knowing God better and having a more fruitful life?

How does the Bible describe "God's people"? A house, a field, a bride,a city, a temple, the light of the world, salt and flavour. Don't make a big scene of your good deeds, but the Lord wants us to shine for Him and say "Yes" in spite of our flaws and cracks.

The spies in Canaan - obstacles and scary dudes. (Numbers 13)