1 John 4:18-21

"If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not...."

"There is no fear in love [dread does not exist]. But perfect (complete, full-grown) love drives out fear, because fear involves [the expectation of..."

Isn't it amazing the difference one simple phone call can make? Tom Norvell talks about a phone call he received on his 57th birthday from an old friend and mentor and how special and important it was to him.

"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."

"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."

"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. "

"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."

"We love because he first loved us."

"We love because [God] first loved us."

"We love because he first loved us."

"If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not...."

"And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."

"And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. "

"And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love their brother and sister."

"There is no light in the planet but that which proceedeth from the sun; and there is no true love to Jesus in the heart but that which cometh from the..."

Inspirational illustration of 1 John 4:20 -- If anyone says, I love God, yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

Scripture Image of 1 John 4:21 -- Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Inspirational illustration of 1 John 4:19 -- We love because he first loved us.

Inspirational illustration of 1 John 4:21 -- Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Inspirational illustration of 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.

So why do we deny it instead of addressing it in our lives? Bill Denton challenges us to understand that hateful behavior is our expression of hate no matter how we try to deny it.

What if loneliness has an invitation for a great discovery about God? Max Lucado reminds us that discovering God's love for us in Jesus, his perfect love, helps us overcome our feelings of loneliness, impatience, and fear.

"Dear Lover of God, During My earthly ministry, I was asked: "which commandment is the greatest?" (Matthew 22:36). Quoting Old Testament Scriptures,....."

"Dear Beloved, You are the Father's child! You are precious! The Father adopted you into Our — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit's — family....."

We often let our human tendencies overpower our desire for His Spirit to do his work within us. But we can do this one thing well! Tom Norvell reminds us how Jesus could be and do everything he needed to be and do, but we can't, but we can love as Jesus loves.

So what does this mean for all of us! Rubel Shelly writes about the current epidemic of racism that has shown up in recent days and has been confronted with the Black Lives Matter campaign.

What's there to fear except the fear of being afraid? Ron Rose challenges us to look beyond our fear and find help in God.

What difference can my imperfect love make in a mountain of need? Phil Ware writes about his trip to Sagrada Familia in Lima, Peru and how imperfect love can make a huge difference in the lives of children.

Sometimes it take the unbelievable to shake up a believer. The story of reuniting with my sponsored child.

Why do we dread what we don't know? Larry Davies shares a childhood experience and reminds us that we don't have to fear the unexpected or unexplained; we can pray and avoid a whole lot of sleepless nights.

What if loneliness has an invitation for a great discovery about God? Max Lucado reminds us sometimes loneliness is an invitation from God to find his perfect love that can drive out fear and chase away our isolation and fill it with love and promise.

Do more than try to hang onto love. Let's God's love Hang on to you! Max Lucado reminds us to accept and receive the love God longs to give us.

Should I be afraid of God? There's a difference between fearing God and being afraid of God. One has to do with reverence; the other is a lack of love.

Do we run toward God or run from him? We don't have to live in fear of God, waiting for him to zap us when we make a mistake. Yes, our God is a just God who will punish sin. But for those of us who seek him, who enter into a relationship with him, he is merciful and good. His love frees us fr

Staying connected can keep us apart Online social networking websites make a promise of community that they can't keep. We need interaction with real people. The church consists of those kinds of relationships

What's clouding your vision? Tom Norvell shares with us that fear keeps a protective covering over ourselves and keeps us from seeing and experiencing the beauty and wonder that God has for us in our world and in other people.

Do we let love drive out our fear, or are we still holding back? Phil Ware reminds us what we know, but often don't practice; our love must have no barriers.

Old farmer wisdom strikes again? While heaven and hell, punishment and reward, may be motivation for our behavior, eventually God wants us to be motivated by love.

What is your fear keeping you from doing? Fear can keep us from many things, but mostly fear keeps us from life!

Becoming like God in His most known virtue! Phil Ware continues his series on what is core and focuses on love and what it is and how Jesus and God demonstrate it.

What does it mean to be a good neighbor? Rick Brown writes about a group of ministers and pastors in Denver who got together to try to bless their community by calling their people to be good neighbors.

Core to following Jesus is becoming like God in offering love, first. Phil Ware continues his series on what is core and focuses on love and what it is and how Jesus and God demonstrate it.

If you can't be passionate about it, how important is it anyway? Phil Ware continues his series where he shares his dad's values with his adult children, and this one is on living with passion.