We are all accustomed to working and receiving a payday at the end of our work. We are either compensated for what we do or for the time we spend doing. Most people feel their relationship with God is determined by what they do. They think they must do certain things and not do other things for God to love them. Their spiritual walk is a life-long roller coaster ride, up one day and down the next determined by what they have or have not down. God’s gift is free to us. Our relationship with God is not determined by what we do for God, rather, it is determined by what God did for us. (John 1:12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he GAVE the right to become children of God.) “To get” means to obtain by struggle and effort, but “to receive” means to simply take in what is being offered. Our relationship with God was never intended to be complicated and based upon our own works. The more we learn how to receive from God by faith, the simpler and more enjoyable our walk with Him becomes. You can keep your relationship with God simple by receiving His unconditional love and believing His Word no matter what you think or how you feel. You can receive by faith all that He offers, even though you know full well that you don’t deserve it. And you can choose to lean on, trust in, and rely on Him to meet every need you have instead of worrying and trying to figure things out. And with His help (grace), you can obey Him and grow in spiritual maturity by knowing His will and receiving His best for your life! Pastor Don