"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus
Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the
world. Neither is circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what
counts is the new creation." (Galatians 6:14,15 NIV)
In
response to questions raised by the church in Galatia, Paul attempts to
convince those who are manipulating others into being circumcised as a
means of keeping the law to stop. He reminds them that those who are
circumcised don't keep the law and therefore the law is pointless if it
is simply a ritual.
There are many people
today who try to impress others with their "religiosity" by one means or
another. For some, it's who their pastor is, for others it's how often
they take communion, and still others who think we are impressed by the denominational banner under which they worship.
If we could ever get beyond the rituals and get into the Relationship, the world would view Believers differently. Unfortunately, we're too busy trying to make sure we keep up with the rituals and
because the rituals are divisive, we lose opportunities to witness to
others about the work on the cross and God's love for all mankind.
It doesn't what position a person is in when they pray as long as they pray--sincere communication with God, not just murmuring scripted words led by others.
I've never understood why anyone thinks a scripted prayer, written by
another mortal would be more effective than sincere communication with
God.
It doesn't matter what day we use to
observe our relationship with God--there are seven days in a week and
Jesus said He was Lord of the Sabbath--which means any day we choose to worship, is all right with Him. The reality is--everyday should be a day of worship.
It doesn't matter when we participate in communion or who serves it. Smith Wigglesworth served himself communion on a daily basis and he's considered one of the most revered men of faith. Whether we use wine or grape juice or water or any other liquid--the symbolism is important--not the elements used.
The reality of religion is that most leave out relationship in favor of rituals--that
won't change a thing in our lives. Rituals don't deliver, heal,
comfort, or guide. They are simply outward expressions devised by
mortals to control others and to ridicule those who won't or don't
participate.
There are no superior religions or religious groups of people.
We are all in need of a Savior and unless we see Jesus as our Savior
and accept the work on the cross, the rituals are a waste of time and
effort.
So, whether we pray once a day or ten times a day--if we have no relationship with God--we have wasted our time. It is being in relationship with God that motivates our behavior and ignites our promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
If we are not promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the midst of our
religiosity--we are simply being religious and are ineffective witnesses
of His Goodness.
It's time for a change--let's shed the rituals for right relationship with God and see the world come to know Him, through us!
Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts
Friday, October 9, 2015
Thursday, June 4, 2015
The Importance of Words, Perception and Relationship!
"All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations." (Psalm 22:27,28 NIV)
This particular statement seems a bit odd since we know the earth is round (not flat as some once thought) and there really are "no ends" as some might interpret ends, but there is "an end" of the earth.
What I love most about studying scripture is trying to align "the terminology" as written to what words mean today. Since language is constantly evolving and meanings ever-changing, it pays to know and understand that what we know today, was not known when God inspired men to write what He said, His meaning remains the same. Basically what is being said is that people in every place will remember and turn to the Lord (for they had turned away from Him and His ordinances) and all the families of the nations will bow down (every knee shall bow) before Him for in reality, all authority and control belong to Him and He rules overs the nations of people who belong to Him.
Now it is important to understand that God's Word was written for God's people--all who belong to Him, love Him, and obey Him. For those who don't know Him, don't want to know Him, His Word means nothing to them and is not worth a debate. The responsibility of the Believer is to expose His Word to all, but acceptance of His Word is on them. We are not called to make anyone believe God since that belief is an individual experience and the same is true of His Word.
I am always amazed at people who say they believe God, but have no idea what His Word says or means. The bible is not a novel and should not be interpreted as one. The events related in the bible are a summary of historical events that are not presented in a chronological layout in the bible, but are there for our understanding of what God has done, the role He has played in the lives of men, and how He continues to guide us, when we choose to listen. But for those who choose to "debate" what is said and why, they will never understand this aspect of The Word and they miss the importance of having a relationship with God so He can speak to their hearts and provide them with understanding based upon His wisdom, not their own.
I must admit I am growing weary of superficial Christians--those who say they know Him, but live anyway they want to live and promote and encourage others in living in opposition to God's Word. And some of these same people claim to have always "followed God" and never sinned, but they have no clue as what salvation means. When people tell me they have never sinned, I know they do not know God or His Word. They have a form of godliness, but deny the power of Holy Spirit and who He is.
What I see in people who debate God's Word is they do not have a relationship with Him, but with their church, or religion. Being a Christian is not about being religious nor is it a religion, but the affirmation of a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, our Risen Savior. Once we understand the history and perspective of those who have come and gone before us and can relate the events to where we are today, we can see God in all His glory and appreciate His sacrifice for us, today.
This particular statement seems a bit odd since we know the earth is round (not flat as some once thought) and there really are "no ends" as some might interpret ends, but there is "an end" of the earth.
What I love most about studying scripture is trying to align "the terminology" as written to what words mean today. Since language is constantly evolving and meanings ever-changing, it pays to know and understand that what we know today, was not known when God inspired men to write what He said, His meaning remains the same. Basically what is being said is that people in every place will remember and turn to the Lord (for they had turned away from Him and His ordinances) and all the families of the nations will bow down (every knee shall bow) before Him for in reality, all authority and control belong to Him and He rules overs the nations of people who belong to Him.
Now it is important to understand that God's Word was written for God's people--all who belong to Him, love Him, and obey Him. For those who don't know Him, don't want to know Him, His Word means nothing to them and is not worth a debate. The responsibility of the Believer is to expose His Word to all, but acceptance of His Word is on them. We are not called to make anyone believe God since that belief is an individual experience and the same is true of His Word.
I am always amazed at people who say they believe God, but have no idea what His Word says or means. The bible is not a novel and should not be interpreted as one. The events related in the bible are a summary of historical events that are not presented in a chronological layout in the bible, but are there for our understanding of what God has done, the role He has played in the lives of men, and how He continues to guide us, when we choose to listen. But for those who choose to "debate" what is said and why, they will never understand this aspect of The Word and they miss the importance of having a relationship with God so He can speak to their hearts and provide them with understanding based upon His wisdom, not their own.
I must admit I am growing weary of superficial Christians--those who say they know Him, but live anyway they want to live and promote and encourage others in living in opposition to God's Word. And some of these same people claim to have always "followed God" and never sinned, but they have no clue as what salvation means. When people tell me they have never sinned, I know they do not know God or His Word. They have a form of godliness, but deny the power of Holy Spirit and who He is.
What I see in people who debate God's Word is they do not have a relationship with Him, but with their church, or religion. Being a Christian is not about being religious nor is it a religion, but the affirmation of a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, our Risen Savior. Once we understand the history and perspective of those who have come and gone before us and can relate the events to where we are today, we can see God in all His glory and appreciate His sacrifice for us, today.
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Truth That Endures Forever!
"The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever." (Psalm 119:160 NKJV)
God's Word--all of it--from beginning to end is the truth and the truth that must be understood is that each time God spoke to people, He had a specific reason for saying what He said--to those who He was talking, during the time, He was speaking to them.
His decrees, judgments--whatever someone wants to call them--have enduring power and since they do not change, they will be the same as from the beginning until the end.
Jesus--God in the flesh--came to fulfill The Law--of sacrifice for repentance of sin. He did not come to change what God has said and He said, that He could only say what the Father said. Now, we need to see this very clearly. If we believe that God came to earth in the "likeness of sinful flesh" then we would have to understand that since He established His Word, He would not change it--simply because of a change in appearance.
How does Jesus fulfill The Law--by becoming the ultimate sacrifice for the remission of sin. There is no longer any reason for "sacrifices of animals or grain" to be made. The only thing that He expects from us is to fulfill the commandments of Love--Loving Him with all our hearts, souls, and minds, and Loving one another as we love ourselves.
When we love Him--we will obey Him. When we love others--we will not cause them harm; especially if we know how to love ourselves. The love that is referenced in the Bible is not lust and we know that lust is the reason that people sin against God; their fleshly dictates overrule any desire to please God. For The Word has said, we cannot serve two masters--God of heaven and the god of the this world. Either we function in the spirit or in the flesh. We either do what God says or allow man to manipulate what we do. It is an "either" "or" proposition--submit to God or submit to man.
I choose to submit my ways and thoughts to God so I can receive the benefits and results that God has chosen.
When we learn to make a distinction between love and lust, affiliation with religion and relationship with God, we will hopefully see the need to have a relationship with God rather than affiliation with religion and then--only then--will we see a change in the environment with weather patterns, violence, and unrest, as we return to enjoying the "peace of God" on a daily basis. His peace, surpasses all understanding--is greater than all of man's wisdom. For if we claim to have wisdom and is not the wisdom of God, we actually have nothing.
This is a Truth--based upon God's Word--that will endure forever!
God's Word--all of it--from beginning to end is the truth and the truth that must be understood is that each time God spoke to people, He had a specific reason for saying what He said--to those who He was talking, during the time, He was speaking to them.
His decrees, judgments--whatever someone wants to call them--have enduring power and since they do not change, they will be the same as from the beginning until the end.
Jesus--God in the flesh--came to fulfill The Law--of sacrifice for repentance of sin. He did not come to change what God has said and He said, that He could only say what the Father said. Now, we need to see this very clearly. If we believe that God came to earth in the "likeness of sinful flesh" then we would have to understand that since He established His Word, He would not change it--simply because of a change in appearance.
How does Jesus fulfill The Law--by becoming the ultimate sacrifice for the remission of sin. There is no longer any reason for "sacrifices of animals or grain" to be made. The only thing that He expects from us is to fulfill the commandments of Love--Loving Him with all our hearts, souls, and minds, and Loving one another as we love ourselves.
When we love Him--we will obey Him. When we love others--we will not cause them harm; especially if we know how to love ourselves. The love that is referenced in the Bible is not lust and we know that lust is the reason that people sin against God; their fleshly dictates overrule any desire to please God. For The Word has said, we cannot serve two masters--God of heaven and the god of the this world. Either we function in the spirit or in the flesh. We either do what God says or allow man to manipulate what we do. It is an "either" "or" proposition--submit to God or submit to man.
I choose to submit my ways and thoughts to God so I can receive the benefits and results that God has chosen.
When we learn to make a distinction between love and lust, affiliation with religion and relationship with God, we will hopefully see the need to have a relationship with God rather than affiliation with religion and then--only then--will we see a change in the environment with weather patterns, violence, and unrest, as we return to enjoying the "peace of God" on a daily basis. His peace, surpasses all understanding--is greater than all of man's wisdom. For if we claim to have wisdom and is not the wisdom of God, we actually have nothing.
This is a Truth--based upon God's Word--that will endure forever!
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Heartache!
While I watch the world collide--
Ideas, ideologies, opinions, beliefs,
My heart aches over the time wasted
Trying to convince others which one is right,
When babies are aborted, abused and misused,
Children lost, identity lost, and confused
In the midst of adult angst, not teens,
Who have their lost their way, understanding
Their role to model Godly behavior at all times,
Whether it makes sense or has reason or rhyme.
But my heart aches because in our busyness,
We have forgotten the great love by which
He has shown us and what we should be showing to others.
We can be different and no one right.
We can even the odds with words or a fight,
But until love abides in our hearts, our days will be as night,
With the darkness of evil reigning as selfishness,
And self-centeredness, closes the door and deepens the plight
Of injustice, when we say wrong is right and refuse to ignite
Our lives with the love of God, bringing others into the light,
Developing relationships with Him and others and not
New religions or religious traditions that do nothing more,
Than attempt to control man over man and we leave God
Out of everything we do and wonder how we came to be
In such a mess. My heart aches!
I pray as the tears flow and wonder if God hears,
My pleas to help us get things right with Him so
We can have peace on earth as it is in Heaven, or
Has He reached the place like once before, when
He told Jeremiah, "Don't pray for these people for
I will not hear you!" O Lord, my God, do not forsake
The remnant You said You'd save, that remnant who
Still believes and tries to achieve all that You ask,
And endures the scorn and persecution of completing each task,
Hear us O Lord, see our tears of regret and remorse,
Allow us back into Your presence where we'll be forevermore,
And cut away all this stuff in us that makes us rebel and oppose,
Goodness, inherent in us because of You creating us in Your likeness
That we might do what is needed to keep this relationship right,
Separating daylight from the darkness of night, desiring to know
You better, O my heart aches for the comfort of Your loving arms
Embracing us each day, The safety from which we turned away
To do our own thing, living life as we please, ignoring what You said,
And using our knees for everything but communication with You,
My H E A R T A C H E S!
Ideas, ideologies, opinions, beliefs,
My heart aches over the time wasted
Trying to convince others which one is right,
When babies are aborted, abused and misused,
Children lost, identity lost, and confused
In the midst of adult angst, not teens,
Who have their lost their way, understanding
Their role to model Godly behavior at all times,
Whether it makes sense or has reason or rhyme.
But my heart aches because in our busyness,
We have forgotten the great love by which
He has shown us and what we should be showing to others.
We can be different and no one right.
We can even the odds with words or a fight,
But until love abides in our hearts, our days will be as night,
With the darkness of evil reigning as selfishness,
And self-centeredness, closes the door and deepens the plight
Of injustice, when we say wrong is right and refuse to ignite
Our lives with the love of God, bringing others into the light,
Developing relationships with Him and others and not
New religions or religious traditions that do nothing more,
Than attempt to control man over man and we leave God
Out of everything we do and wonder how we came to be
In such a mess. My heart aches!
I pray as the tears flow and wonder if God hears,
My pleas to help us get things right with Him so
We can have peace on earth as it is in Heaven, or
Has He reached the place like once before, when
He told Jeremiah, "Don't pray for these people for
I will not hear you!" O Lord, my God, do not forsake
The remnant You said You'd save, that remnant who
Still believes and tries to achieve all that You ask,
And endures the scorn and persecution of completing each task,
Hear us O Lord, see our tears of regret and remorse,
Allow us back into Your presence where we'll be forevermore,
And cut away all this stuff in us that makes us rebel and oppose,
Goodness, inherent in us because of You creating us in Your likeness
That we might do what is needed to keep this relationship right,
Separating daylight from the darkness of night, desiring to know
You better, O my heart aches for the comfort of Your loving arms
Embracing us each day, The safety from which we turned away
To do our own thing, living life as we please, ignoring what You said,
And using our knees for everything but communication with You,
My H E A R T A C H E S!
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Love, Obey, See Him!
"Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them. Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” (John 14:22,23 NIV).
The manifestation of God's love towards us--coming down in the likeness of flesh in the person of Jesus Christ to save us from ourselves as demonstrated by the work on the cross.
The manifestation of our love towards God--keeping His commandments--loving Him and others as demonstrated by our actions towards Him and others.
The manifestation of unbelief--denial of God's existence, the work on the cross and God's love for others as demonstrated by those who denigrate and undermine those who believe.
At the end of this journey called life--we must all--believer and unbelieving--give an account for what we have done. God is not accountable to us--we are accountable to Him. As a believer and child of the most High, the only words I plan to hear from my Father are, "Well done, my child!"
What will you hear?
When we love God, we see His love manifested in what we do for others and in our obedience to Him.
Lord Jesus, help our unbelief so we may see You and the manifestations of Your goodness in our lives!
The manifestation of God's love towards us--coming down in the likeness of flesh in the person of Jesus Christ to save us from ourselves as demonstrated by the work on the cross.
The manifestation of our love towards God--keeping His commandments--loving Him and others as demonstrated by our actions towards Him and others.
The manifestation of unbelief--denial of God's existence, the work on the cross and God's love for others as demonstrated by those who denigrate and undermine those who believe.
At the end of this journey called life--we must all--believer and unbelieving--give an account for what we have done. God is not accountable to us--we are accountable to Him. As a believer and child of the most High, the only words I plan to hear from my Father are, "Well done, my child!"
What will you hear?
When we love God, we see His love manifested in what we do for others and in our obedience to Him.
Lord Jesus, help our unbelief so we may see You and the manifestations of Your goodness in our lives!
Friday, October 4, 2013
One in Purpose!
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).
Although there are four commonly known versions of the life of Jesus, I wish I had the time to fully expound on John's Gospel--his personal insight that brings me to new understanding every time I read it.
Before I can even begin to explain what I have been inspired to write, I must go back to the beginning. If we are to truly understand anything about life, we must understand the origins--the beginning of those things that we later say are "history." John reveals who Jesus is and that God and He are one and the same, in purpose from the first verse. "In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God and The Word was God." What is the beginning that John references? When God created all things that were created, The Word--Jesus--was with Him. How do we know? In the first chapter of Genesis in verses one through twenty-five, when God was speaking everything into existence, He said, "let there be" and it was. In verse twenty-six, He says, "Let us make man in our image" and they did.
Since God is a spirit, Jesus became the flesh of the implantation of the Spirit and lived among us. Glory to God! The Spirit of God, implanted in the virgin so that man's seed would not have any corruptible influence on God's plans to redeem--Jesus is God in the flesh. However, because He understands our inability to sometimes see clearly what He does, He references Jesus as His Son and rightfully so. Jesus, who from the beginning knew what His role in life was to be, called God "Father" and rightfully so. Since Jesus is the Son, and we are adopted into the family when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, Jesus is our "elder brother" because we are all now sons and daughters. I wish I could dwell here, but I can not, there's too much more to be said.
When Jesus ascended to Heaven, He sent back His Spirit--as promised--to comfort us, teach us, guide us and remind us what The Word said and did.
Three distinctive roles--the Divinity--God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit with the same purpose: The Father created us to have a relationship with Him, the Son restored us after the relationship was broken, and the Holy Spirit sustains us in keeping a right relationship with Him, to give us opportunity to have abundant life, share the gospel with others so all might be saved, and to have access into heaven as our eternal resting place.
Since this understanding as been revealed to many--either by the Holy Spirit--or by reading books written by man who received the revelation, there is no need for me to attempt to further explain. I suggest, reading the Gospel of John with eyes opened by the Holy Spirit, heart ready to receive what is revealed, and a mind made up to serve Him. Like them, we should all be--one in purpose! Life with Jesus is about relationship, not religion.
Although there are four commonly known versions of the life of Jesus, I wish I had the time to fully expound on John's Gospel--his personal insight that brings me to new understanding every time I read it.
Before I can even begin to explain what I have been inspired to write, I must go back to the beginning. If we are to truly understand anything about life, we must understand the origins--the beginning of those things that we later say are "history." John reveals who Jesus is and that God and He are one and the same, in purpose from the first verse. "In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God and The Word was God." What is the beginning that John references? When God created all things that were created, The Word--Jesus--was with Him. How do we know? In the first chapter of Genesis in verses one through twenty-five, when God was speaking everything into existence, He said, "let there be" and it was. In verse twenty-six, He says, "Let us make man in our image" and they did.
Since God is a spirit, Jesus became the flesh of the implantation of the Spirit and lived among us. Glory to God! The Spirit of God, implanted in the virgin so that man's seed would not have any corruptible influence on God's plans to redeem--Jesus is God in the flesh. However, because He understands our inability to sometimes see clearly what He does, He references Jesus as His Son and rightfully so. Jesus, who from the beginning knew what His role in life was to be, called God "Father" and rightfully so. Since Jesus is the Son, and we are adopted into the family when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, Jesus is our "elder brother" because we are all now sons and daughters. I wish I could dwell here, but I can not, there's too much more to be said.
When Jesus ascended to Heaven, He sent back His Spirit--as promised--to comfort us, teach us, guide us and remind us what The Word said and did.
Three distinctive roles--the Divinity--God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit with the same purpose: The Father created us to have a relationship with Him, the Son restored us after the relationship was broken, and the Holy Spirit sustains us in keeping a right relationship with Him, to give us opportunity to have abundant life, share the gospel with others so all might be saved, and to have access into heaven as our eternal resting place.
Since this understanding as been revealed to many--either by the Holy Spirit--or by reading books written by man who received the revelation, there is no need for me to attempt to further explain. I suggest, reading the Gospel of John with eyes opened by the Holy Spirit, heart ready to receive what is revealed, and a mind made up to serve Him. Like them, we should all be--one in purpose! Life with Jesus is about relationship, not religion.
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