Following God is NOT about a bunch of rules

The Bible doesn’t teach that Christianity is about keeping rules to earn God’s love — it teaches the opposite! You’re saved because of what Jesus did, not because of what you do.

📖 Ephesians 2:8-9
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."

Being a Christian starts with a relationship with Jesus, not a checklist.

❤️ 2. Jesus Didn’t Come to Start a Rulebook
When Jesus was asked what matters most, He didn’t list rules. He pointed to love:

📖 Matthew 22:37-40
"‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ [...] ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Jesus isn’t about "do this, don’t do that" — He’s about loving God and loving people.

🔥 3. Rules Can’t Change Your Heart — Only Jesus Can
Following rules might make you look "good" on the outside, but only Jesus can transform your heart. That’s why the Bible talks about new life, not just new habits.

📖 2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

👀 4. Rules Come After Relationship
When you know Jesus, you start to live differently — but not because you're trying to “earn” God’s love. You live differently because He’s changed your heart. Obedience is a response to love, not a way to win it.

📖 John 14:15
"If you love me, keep my commands."

First comes love and relationship. Then comes obedience. Not the other way around.

🧠 💡 Summary Thought:

Being a Christian isn’t about following rules to become accepted by God — it’s about being loved, forgiven, and adopted first, and then living differently because of that relationship.

God does not want you poor!

Have you ever heard someone say, “God wants you to be poor” or “If you follow Jesus, you have to give up everything and never have anything nice”?
A lot of people believe that. But guess what? That’s not the full truth.

💡 Let’s Clear This Up:

God is not against money. God’s not sitting in heaven hoping you stay broke. The Bible actually says He gives us the ability to work hard, create, build, and earn:

📖 Deuteronomy 8:18 — “But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth.”

God doesn’t hate success. He just doesn’t want money to control us.

❤️ The Real Question: What’s in Your Heart?

Whether you have a lot or a little, the real question is:
Are you generous? Are you thankful? Do you help people?

The Bible shows us that money isn’t the problem — it’s the love of money that causes trouble.

📖 1 Timothy 6:10 — "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil."

🌍 Blessed to Be a Blessing

Sometimes God blesses people with a lot so they can be a blessing to others. The Bible teaches us that whatever we have, we should be ready to share:

📖 1 Timothy 6:18 — "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share."

So no, God isn’t trying to keep you poor. But He is trying to shape your heart so that whether you have $10 or $10,000, you’ll be generous and ready to help.

🙌 Bottom Line:

Being a Christian isn’t about being rich or poor.
It’s about being grateful, generous, and kind — whether you’ve got a little or a lot. God can use your life to bless others no matter where you start!

God does NOT get mad at us when we mess up!

Let me ask you a question:
Have you ever felt like a total failure?

Maybe you’ve messed up at school, disappointed a friend, or fallen back into a bad habit you promised God you’d stop. And suddenly this thought sneaks in:

"God must be so mad at me."

But here’s the truth:
💡 God wants you to do better, but He’s not waiting to crush you when you mess up.

💡 God Loves Growth, Not Perfection

God knows you’re a work in progress. He doesn’t expect you to have everything figured out the day you believe in Him.

📖 Philippians 1:6 — "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

God isn’t surprised when you fall. He’s not shocked when you stumble. He’s right there, ready to help you get back up.

❤️ A Father’s Heart, Not a Judge’s Hammer

When you mess up, God doesn’t throw you away.
He’s more like a good Father than an angry judge.

📖 Psalm 103:13-14 — "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust."

God’s goal isn’t to make you feel small. His goal is to help you stand tall.

🔥 Failing Forward

God calls us to do better, but He’s patient with us as we learn. The Bible is full of people who messed up — Peter denied Jesus, David fell into sin, Moses got angry and disobeyed — but God still loved them and still used them.

📖 Proverbs 24:16 — "For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again."

💬 Bottom Line:

God loves you enough to meet you where you are,
but He loves you too much to leave you there.

When you mess up, don’t run away from God — run toward Him.
He’s not mad at you. He’s ready to help you grow.

🙏 Closing Prayer:

"God, thank You for loving me, even when I mess up. Help me to grow stronger and not give up when I fall. Teach me to trust Your love and follow You, even on my worst days. Amen."

God has huge plans for your life!