We sometimes mistake religious performance for a relationship with God, convinced that if we just check enough boxes, we’re doing what He desires. The Pharisees kept all the rules, yet their hearts were far from Him. Jesus repeatedly crossed their man-made boundaries, not in rebellion, but to remind us that God cares more about what’s right than what’s merely religious. The world isn’t looking for people with all the answers; they want to see people who actually look like Jesus. May we have the courage to love like He does, even when the religious establishment won’t, because doing what’s right sometimes means breaking the rules.

Five Fools in America
No one likes to be called a fool. Sometimes that word is used in a hurtful sense to simply belittle another person, but there are five kinds of people that God actually does identify as fools. In the world’s eyes, these people may be successful, powerful, admired and influential; but in God’s eyes they are fools. Do you know what thoughts, attitudes and actions qualify a person as a fool, so that you can make sure you are not listed in that category?



