Religion or faith (Aren't they the same?)

It seems odd to have to say that too much religion is a bad thing.

We certainly cannot get too much of God, cannot get too much faith and obedience, cannot get too much love and worship. But religion— which is defined as: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with zeal and faith, which is the well-intentioned efforts we make to "get it all together" for God, can very well get in the way of what God is doing for us. The main and central action is everywhere and always what God has done, is doing, and will do for us. Jesus is the revelation of that action. Our main and central task is to live in responsive obedience to God's action revealed in Jesus. Our part in the action is the act of faith.

But more often than not we become impatiently self-important along the way and decide to improve matters with our two cents' worth. We add on, we supplement, we embellish. But instead of improving on the purity and simplicity of Jesus, we dilute the purity, clutter the simplicity. We become meticulously religious, or obsessively religious. In other words, we get in the way.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. Hebrews 11:1-3 ESV

"What’s the difference between religion and faith?"

All God asks is that you place your trust in the saving power of His Son Jesus, that you turn away from your sins and surrender your life to Him.

If you answered religion and faith are interchangeable, you would be mistaken as they are two very different things. Religion is the practice and traditions of a belief. Faith is the heart of our beliefs and actions. It is all about being in a relationship with our heavenly Father, trusting Him, speaking with Him, and sharing His salvation with the world.

YHWH I come before You asking for wisdom to discern the difference between following  a cause, principle, or system of beliefs and following You. LORD give me wisdom to place my trust in Your son Jesus, the one true King of Heaven and Earth, and surrender my life to Him.

In Jesus Name

 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” John‬ ‭14‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭

Demons don't tremble just because you said "in Jesus' name".

They've heard His name before. They've seen it misused, mishandled, and thrown around by people who never truly surrendered to it.

What makes them tremble is when they recognize that you've actually been walking with Him...When your life carries evidence of intimacy with Him...When Heaven is not just in your vocabulary, but literally in your veins....

When they see that you're not just name-dropping the King of Kings but you're also backed by Him.

Because when you've been in the secret place... When you've been tried and tested, crushed and consecrated, His presence goes with you.

And that's what demons respond to.

Not the sound of His name alone... but that undeniable authority that comes from having a real relationship with the Lord, from being submitted to Him daily, a life that's been sealed in covenant not just with words, but with wounds. A life laid down, surrendered in the secret place, proven in the fire, and marked by obedience when no one was clapping. A life that didn't just say yes to Jesus, but stayed yes when it cost everything.

That's why they tremble.

They don't bow to noise. They bow to the One you're walking with. And when they recognize who sent you?

They don't argue. They leave... expeditiously!

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”” John‬ ‭14‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭

Resurrection Sunday

Resurrection Sunday or Easter, we reach the culmination of Holy Week. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most important event of the Christian faith. The very foundation of all Christian doctrine hinges on the truth of this account.

Early Sunday morning, several women (Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Salome, and Mary the mother of James) went to the tomb and discovered that the large stone covering the entrance had been rolled away. An angel announced:

"Don't be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn't here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen." Matthew 28:5-6

Lord Jesus, Just as You rose from the dead, I ask that You raise me from the things that keep me bound—sin, fear, and doubt. Let the same power that brought You back to life work in me, transforming my heart, mind, and spirit. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and guide me in Your truth. In Your name, I pray, Amen.

Good Friday

There is a stark contrast between Palm Sunday and Good Friday, between the crowds shouting “Hosanna!” and “Crucify him!” 

We are all familiar with the events of Good Friday but did you realize the day started with a kiss?

Jesus Arrested 

Matthew 26:47-50

47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people.

48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.”

49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

50 Jesus replied,  “Do what you came for, friend.”Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.

Friday started with a kiss. 

David Crowder wrote Surely We Can Change the first lyrics are:

And the problem is this: 
We were bought with a kiss 
But the cheek still turned 
Even when it wasn't hit.
And I don't know 
What to do with a love like that 
And I don't know 
How to be a love like that.

Judas comes and acts like a friend. He had told them the sign would be a kiss, which is still a common greeting in the Middle East. A slave would kiss the master’s feet. A servant would kiss the master’s hand. Friends would kiss each other’s cheek and close friends would embrace and kiss both cheeks. It was a sign of close affection and love. I don’t know about you, but that is hard for me to grasp. 

Heavenly Father, You are the symbol of love, mercy, and grace. You extend Your arms wide to embrace all who seek You, regardless of our past. Yet, as I ponder the actions of Judas, I am reminded of the fragility of loyalty and the darkness that can dwell within the human heart. I ask for Your forgiveness, Lord, for the times I have betrayed You through my own choices. In moments of weakness, when I have chosen convenience over commitment, I have kissed You with my lips while my heart wandered elsewhere. Amen

Beginning

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

I recently listened to a song that talks about the Bible in a different light.

The chorus goes:

And I read the holy books and I poured through the pages 

Upon a closer look, I had a revelation 

Yeah, I noticed there's a trend 

The world keeps spinning 

We've been talking 'bout the end ever since the beginning

Yep, I never really thought about the Bible in that light. We have been talking about the end ever since the beginning! 

But, our God is patient. He wants no one to fall away from Him. So he gives us a new beginning each day to stay with Him. 

Yet the sun comes up again 

Yet the sun comes up again 

Someday we'll all look up and pray for love to change us 

Find the courage to be kind and then 

…., maybe we ain't finished

Yeah, maybe 

This is just the beginning 

The beginning 

The beginning, yeah

We need to seek God daily, ask Him to grant us a new beginning. 

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." - Psalm 118:24

YHWH - I thank You for all you’ve done for me, my salvation and Your provision. Restore to me the joy of knowing You. Renew my faith when I feel weak. Fill me with Your Spirit and help me trust You again. Thank You for not giving up on me and restoring my joy. Amen. 

Seeing bad people thrive

 Seeing bad people thrive

How often do we see folks getting away with things that they shouldn’t be. It can be a frustrating reality that the wicked often prosper, and the righteous often suffer. This seems unfair. The righteous try to live God’s way. The wicked reject God and live their own way. And yet… the wicked often seem to have it better than the righteous.

If you have ever been punished for doing the right thing, if you’re a good guy who seems to always finish last. 

Psalm 37 tells us how to manage that. 

1 “Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; 

2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. 

3 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 

4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 

5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 

6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. 

7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” 

8 “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.”

Psalm ‭37‬:‭1‬-‭8

Lord, forgive me for the times that I have allowed the wicked ways of the ungodly to disturb my rest in You. Keep me from anxious thoughts, and may I learn to be still in Your presence, to rest in Your love, and to wait patiently for You to act, knowing that You work all things together for my benefit and for Your glory. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.

41

 41

In the Bible, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights. Day 41 came and the rain stopped.

Moses committed murder & hid in the desert for 40 years. Year 41 came, and God called him to help rescue Israel.

Moses went up on the mountain for 40 days. On day 41, he received the Ten Commandments.

The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. Year 41, they walked into the Promised Land.

Goliath taunted Israel for 40 days. Day 41 came, and David slew him.

Jonah preached a message of repentance to Nineveh for 40 days.  On day 41, God stopped His plan to destroy them.

Jesus fasted and was tempted for 40 days. Day 41, and the devil fled.

After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples for 40 days. On day 41, He ascended into Heaven.

All this to say...don't quit. The rain will stop, the giant will fall, and you will enter your "promised land." Don't give up at 40.

41 is coming.