When you tell someone about your faith, do you give them religion...or relationship?
The Bible says we must be born again (see John 3:1-8), it doesn't say we must be religious. Unfortunately, we as Christians often present the Gospel to people like it's a list of religious rules, not true relationship with God.
But following "Christian" rules and going to church won't make you a Christian anymore than sitting in a garage will make you a car.
Religious rules and regulations can be harsh, hard and pressing, but that's not what Jesus wants for people. Jesus wants people to live in relationship with Him.
If someone asks us, "What religion are you?" we should talk about our personal relationship with Jesus instead of what church we attend. I like to answer that question by saying, "Thank you for asking. I don't have any religion, but I do have Jesus."
We need to start asking people, "Do you know Jesus? Is He your friend? Do you have a personal relationship with Him?"
Next time someone asks about your faith, give them relationship...not religion.
Prayer Starter: God, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that someone needs to follow a list of rules to really be a Christian, but that's not the kind of faith You want from people. Empower me to share Your Gospel with others in a way that leads them not into a religious system, but into a one-on-one, life-changing relationship with You.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Quiet Inner Confidence
Through the years, many people tried to hold me back from God's call on my life. There were those who did not understand what I was doing and why I was doing it, so they judged me falsely. At times their criticism and judgment made me want to "sit down" and forget about my vision from God.
But I had a big God standing up on the inside of me, and "sitting down" was not an option for me. He caused me to stand up on the inside and be determined to go forward no matter what others thought, said or did. It was not always easy, but I learned from my experience that being frustrated and unfulfilled due to being out of the will of God is more difficult than pressing through all the opposition.
Standing up on the inside does not mean being rebellious or having an aggressive attitude toward those who don't understand us. It means having a quiet inner confidence that takes us through to the finish line. It is knowing inside that despite what is happening on the outside, everything is going to be all right because God is on the scene, and when He is present, nothing is impossible.
Pray: Lord, Your presence in my life changes everything about me. Help me to stand up alongside You for all that You want me to do and say and be. Amen.
From the book The Confident Woman Devotional by Joyce Meyer. .
But I had a big God standing up on the inside of me, and "sitting down" was not an option for me. He caused me to stand up on the inside and be determined to go forward no matter what others thought, said or did. It was not always easy, but I learned from my experience that being frustrated and unfulfilled due to being out of the will of God is more difficult than pressing through all the opposition.
Standing up on the inside does not mean being rebellious or having an aggressive attitude toward those who don't understand us. It means having a quiet inner confidence that takes us through to the finish line. It is knowing inside that despite what is happening on the outside, everything is going to be all right because God is on the scene, and when He is present, nothing is impossible.
Pray: Lord, Your presence in my life changes everything about me. Help me to stand up alongside You for all that You want me to do and say and be. Amen.
From the book The Confident Woman Devotional by Joyce Meyer. .
Monday, April 16, 2012
In Due Season
"Due season" is God's season, not ours. We are in a hurry, God isn't. He takes time to do things right - He lays a solid foundation before He attempts to build a building. We are God's building under construction. He is the Master Builder, and He knows what He is doing. We may not know what He is doing, but He does, and that will have to be good enough. We may not always know, but we can be satisfied to know the One who knows.
God's timing seems to be His own little secret. The Bible promises us that He will never be late, but I have also discovered that He is usually not early. It seems that He takes every available opportunity to develop the fruit of patience in us. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit that grows under trial.
Developed potential without character does not glorify God. If we were to become a huge success and yet be harsh with people - that would not be pleasing to the Lord. Therefore, if we get ahead of ourselves in one area, He gently but firmly blocks our progress in that area until the other ones catch up.
Remember: God is never late.
Pray: Lord, thank You for Your patience with me. I want everything now, but You are building my life with eternity in mind. I don't understand everything You're doing, but I trust You. Amen.
From the book The Confident Woman Devotional by Joyce Meyer.
God's timing seems to be His own little secret. The Bible promises us that He will never be late, but I have also discovered that He is usually not early. It seems that He takes every available opportunity to develop the fruit of patience in us. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit that grows under trial.
Developed potential without character does not glorify God. If we were to become a huge success and yet be harsh with people - that would not be pleasing to the Lord. Therefore, if we get ahead of ourselves in one area, He gently but firmly blocks our progress in that area until the other ones catch up.
Remember: God is never late.
Pray: Lord, thank You for Your patience with me. I want everything now, but You are building my life with eternity in mind. I don't understand everything You're doing, but I trust You. Amen.
From the book The Confident Woman Devotional by Joyce Meyer.
Your Heart Desires
If you have been under a lot of stress lately, I encourage you to take an honest inventory of not only what you are doing, but why you are doing it. If fear is the reason you're involved, eliminate some stress by getting your priorities straight. Your priority is not to keep everyone else in your life happy by doing all the things they expect; it is to live a life that is pleasing to God and one that you can enjoy.
Too many people are not living their dreams because they are living their fears. In other words, instead of doing things out of their heart, they do them because they are afraid of what will happen if they don't. "Someone will get angry! I will get left out! People will talk about me!" It is time that you started being the person you really want to be. It is time to reach for your dreams.
Pray: Lord, I will delight myself in You today. You know the desires of my heart, and I entrust my dreams to You. Help me to be the person You created me to be. Amen.
From the book The Confident Woman Devotional by Joyce Meyer.
Too many people are not living their dreams because they are living their fears. In other words, instead of doing things out of their heart, they do them because they are afraid of what will happen if they don't. "Someone will get angry! I will get left out! People will talk about me!" It is time that you started being the person you really want to be. It is time to reach for your dreams.
Pray: Lord, I will delight myself in You today. You know the desires of my heart, and I entrust my dreams to You. Help me to be the person You created me to be. Amen.
From the book The Confident Woman Devotional by Joyce Meyer.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Forgiveness
Forgiveness is defined as the act of forgiving or the state of being forgiven, or willingness to forgive. To forgive is to cease to blame or hold resentment against (someone or something), to grant pardon for (a mistake, wrongdoing, etc), to free or pardon (someone) from penalty, or to free from the obligation of (a debt, payment, etc).
Luke 23:33-34(NIV) says "When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”[a] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots." <--- This is the ultimate form of forgiveness. Not only was Jesus wrongly beaten and crucified but he asked his father to forgive everyone. Now again i will ask... Can you forgive someone who have deeply hurt you? Think about it, I'll wait.....
When i was younger my grandmother and her long term boyfriend were arguing and he hit her upside the head with a glass ashtray sending her to the hospital. When i tell you i hated that man, i truly did and at one point i wanted to kill him. To put your hands on my grandmother is an ultimate no no and even though i was young i wasn't dumb. I called the police and they took him away but my grandmother never pressed charges. That hurt because you allowed a man to hit you and you take him back. From that point on i made it known that i hated him every chance i got! He got tired of it and he talked to my grandmother about it but it was either me or him and she made the right choice. He left but a couple of years later he came back. I moved out that time cause i couldn't sit there and be in his face. The purpose of this story is to let you know that it doesn't have to be something that was done to you but regardless you have to forgive. And i forgave him and i prayed for him. I never told him that because i haven't ran into him since then but in my heart i forgave because i carried that hatred around for so long making me bitter and i didn't even know it.
Mark 6:14-15 (NIV) says "14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." <--- God sacrificed his ONE AND ONLY son Jesus Christ for our sins.... and guess what? He forgave them ALL sins, and all he wants us to to is to repent and forgive others.
I know we have all had people (friends, family, associates, enemies) talk about us, spread rumors, or even accuse us of things we did (or didn't do). It hurts especially when it comes from people we thought were close. There was this one time when someone i thought i was close with called me "the devil" said i was a hypocrite and all these other nasty words. I was hurt, like that cut me deep because that person was suppose to be my "sister" someone who i thought i could turn to when i needed someone to talk to and for her to say something like that to me was the ultimate low blow. Now i have never been perfect, never claimed to be. I've always said that i wasn't a christian but i believed in God and what he did, i have a relationship with God. I've always tried to stay on that narrow road but as i said i'm not perfect so yes i make mistakes, i backslide, but i get back up. This also happened to be around the time i was going through a lot and close to a breakdown. With this person, i never thought about forgiveness, i hated this person and i knew for a fact that our relationship would never be the same. It took me a while to start talking back to this person and even till this day our relationship is not the same. I don't really tell to much of my business because they always have something to say about my life and i think it *curse word* because this person's life is far from perfect. I haven't truly forgiven this person because i still think about about it and i hurts my heart that someone would say that about me. Hopefully one day i will be able to truly forgive this person and not look back on the past with hurt and anger. The good in me will always pray for her and is there for her but i know my limits.
Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV) says "21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[a]" <--- Not SEVEN but SEVENTY SEVEN times!!
Okay lets think about this. I want you to think (maybe even write down) everyone one who has done you wrong, hurt you in anyway, caused trouble in your life... basically anyone who you haven't forgiven. Now once you have that done i want you to say this prayer and think about everyone you wrote or thought about.
"Lord Jesus Christ, I ask today to forgive EVERYONE in my life. I know that You will give me the strength to forgive and I thank You that You love me more than I love myself and want my happiness more than I desire it for myself. I ask that You bless the people that have hurt me in anyway and help them with the struggles/problems that they may encounter in life. Heal them Lord of any hurt, pain or stress. Lord Love them as You love me. May we have the strength to forgive others as You have forgiven us. Soften our hearts and allow of minds, hearts, and souls to be free from the bonds of unforgiveness. I pray for a sense of peace in our lives and hearts. Lord I love You Lord with all my heart and i am forever Thankful and Grateful for Your undeniable Grace and Mercy. I will forever give You the praise and worship You deserve, in Jesus name. Amen"
Now can you forgive them? Try it and watch the blessing pour into your life. Peace be with you. Goodnight World!
Thoughts
I'm so thankful that even though i sin and through all my mess, the Lord still chases after me! He loves me no matter what i do and knows that my heart is good! Though i may fall short, i get back up and i use my life tests as testimonies for others. Using my gifts instead of letting them become useless. I'm so grateful for Victory Life's April Friday Night Flow & Fellowship, Pastor Eric set the tone and FORGIVENESS was the key! I never knew that once you start to truly forgive it will open past wounds and hurts such as anger, sadness, regret etc... and i'm finally learned to let it go! It's no use to hold on to something that's not worth my time. People will always come in and out of life whether it be for a reason, season or lifetime. They are either a Blessing or a Lesson, you decide. However It's not gonna be a short walk in the park but i'm ready and willing. Lord continue to use me and continue to allow me to be a blessing to others. I will forever be grateful AND thankful for the simple things in life. :-)
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Don't Get Burned Out on Too Much Activity
In the early days of my walk with the Lord, I was very enthusiastic and eager to serve Him, so I signed up for everything that seemed even remotely interesting to me. One result of it all was that I quickly discovered what I was anointed to do.
Because of my busy life, I wasn't spending time with God on a regular basis. I was doing good things for God, but somehow ignoring Him in the process. As a result, I often spent time feeling frustrated because I was doing works of the flesh.
"Works of the flesh" are things we do without God's power flowing through us. They are difficult, they drain us, and they produce no joy or fulfillment. They are often good things, but not 'God things.'
People can literally get burned out on religious activity as they struggle to serve God in their own strength. But Jesus didn't die for us to have ceaseless activity...He died so that we could be one with God through Him, so we could have a deep personal relationship with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
Do you need to cut out some works of the flesh today to truly be with God?
Prayer Starter: Lord, I realize that doing good works is no replacement for truly knowing You. Help me to find my rest in You as I lay useless activity aside to spend more time with You.
Because of my busy life, I wasn't spending time with God on a regular basis. I was doing good things for God, but somehow ignoring Him in the process. As a result, I often spent time feeling frustrated because I was doing works of the flesh.
"Works of the flesh" are things we do without God's power flowing through us. They are difficult, they drain us, and they produce no joy or fulfillment. They are often good things, but not 'God things.'
People can literally get burned out on religious activity as they struggle to serve God in their own strength. But Jesus didn't die for us to have ceaseless activity...He died so that we could be one with God through Him, so we could have a deep personal relationship with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
Do you need to cut out some works of the flesh today to truly be with God?
Prayer Starter: Lord, I realize that doing good works is no replacement for truly knowing You. Help me to find my rest in You as I lay useless activity aside to spend more time with You.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Let God Be Your Tour Guide
When He walked on this earth, Jesus always knew the right thing to do because He did only what He saw His Father do. As our Lord, we can trust Him to lead us down the right path every day.
Psalm 48:14 says that God will be our guide even unto death! How wonderful to know that we have a guide to get us from one destination in life to the next.
It's always easier to follow an experienced guide than to wander aimlessly on your own. Instead of going your own way, do what you see your Father do, and let Him guide you. God is committed to guiding us, so it's clearly important that we follow.
Prayer Starter: God, I don't want to live life like a tourist without a guide, aimlessly going my own way. Only You can show me what to do and how to live, so I choose to follow Your guidance every day.
Psalm 48:14 says that God will be our guide even unto death! How wonderful to know that we have a guide to get us from one destination in life to the next.
It's always easier to follow an experienced guide than to wander aimlessly on your own. Instead of going your own way, do what you see your Father do, and let Him guide you. God is committed to guiding us, so it's clearly important that we follow.
Prayer Starter: God, I don't want to live life like a tourist without a guide, aimlessly going my own way. Only You can show me what to do and how to live, so I choose to follow Your guidance every day.
Prayer to Do Good
(F.B. Meyer [England, 1847-1929])
Forgive me, most gracious Lord and Father, if this day I have done or said anything to increase the pain of the world. Pardon the unkind word, the impatient gesture, the hard and selfish deed, the failure to show sympathy and kindly help where I had the opportunity, but missed it; and enable me so to live that I may daily do something to lessen the tide of human sorrow, and add to the sum of human happiness.
Forgive me, most gracious Lord and Father, if this day I have done or said anything to increase the pain of the world. Pardon the unkind word, the impatient gesture, the hard and selfish deed, the failure to show sympathy and kindly help where I had the opportunity, but missed it; and enable me so to live that I may daily do something to lessen the tide of human sorrow, and add to the sum of human happiness.
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