Today's Reading:

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Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.
Proverbs 16:6

This is the heart of grace-centered living. Love and faithfulness have the power to bring atonement, which covers and cleans sin. God’s character is full of mercy, and He forgives because He loves. Today, this is found in Jesus. Jesus’ faithful love gives us complete atonement of our sins because He went to the cross.

The fear of the Lord (awe and respect) helps us to turn away from evil and avoid sin before we fall into the trap. Grace does not just forgive sin; it gives us the strength to walk away. God understands us, our desires, and our failures. He gave us a way to make sure our sins were atoned for, but it was at a high cost of His Son. Know He loves you so much that the sacrifice of His son was for you! Stop and let that love wash over you. Then let the fear of the Lord guide you towards wisdom to keep you from harm.

Know He loves you so much that the sacrifice of His Son was for you.

Here are a few ideas to let that love wash over you today:

• Take 5–10 minutes to sit quietly and read (or listen to) the story of the cross (John 19 or Isaiah 53).
• Write down one thing you feel guilty about and then write next to it: “Jesus already paid for this.”
• Listen to a worship song that speaks of God’s love and just receive it — don’t sing, just let the truth sink in.
• Pray a simple prayer: “Lord, help me feel how much You love me right now.”

Which one of these (or another way) will you try today to let God’s love wash over you? Come back and share with us what you did and how it affected your heart.

There were so many key verses to choose from this week. A few stand out that cover the epitome of these books:

Song of Solomon chapters 5-8 celebrate love, it is deep, passionate, and beautiful. Like in verses 8:6-7: “Love is as strong as death…many waters cannot quench love. And in 6:3, “I am my beloved and my beloved is mine.”

Psalm 45 revealed the glory of the King and His bride pointing to the Messiah and His church.

Proverbs had many important wisdom truths. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (1:7, 9:10) Trust in the Lord with all your heart (3:5-6) and guard your heart (4:23). Love, Glory, and Wisdom are all rooted in God. We are loved by Him and made wise through Him therefore be in awe of Him.

Today's discussion question: 

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