Forget Religion, Find God
We should NEVER allow our religion to interfere with our relationship with God.
In society today, people can often differentiate themselves by religion. And there are many ways to define the means by which people orient themselves in the world with reference to both ordinary and extraordinary powers, meanings, and values. Religion is a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things – beliefs and practices which unite into one single moral community called a Church, all those who adhere to them. Religion has been defined as a “cultural system” that formulates conceptions of a general order of existence which acts to establish powerful, persuasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations.
And while I must admit that I, too, gather in a Church among people of similar moods and motivations, I am reminded that despite different religions across this world, we are all a part of the same one community as children of God. Religion is just a man-made construct, in which man teaches ideas as if they come to him directly from God.
Truly, though, there is only one Teacher, and every one of us – every religion – is equal under God. We should NEVER allow our religion to interfere with our relationship with God. So many people feel judged by the religious; it should be the exact opposite when we go to church. All are welcome, and God is there waiting for us. If we wish to know God in our daily lives, we must seek and serve God, as He serves us.
God is good.
The Lord is good to everyone. He showers his compassion on all.
Psalm 145:8-9
The lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger, and filled with unfailing love. Everything that is good comes from God. Remember that you have nothing to hide from God. He loves you compassionately and unconditionally.
Love well.
Love each other just as I have loved you.
John 13:34
Love each other as much as we can. Treat others with a deep, unconditional love - a love for humanity, for all mankind created graciously by God.
A pure heart encounters God.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Matthew 5:8
God makes our heart pure. Look to God to guide you. If you strive to live your life with a servant’s heart, God will purify you day after day.
The greatest of us must serve the most. The humble shall be exalted. Wash the inside of the cup and the outside will be taken care of. Stop worrying so much about what you look like on the outside and look inward, as God sees you.
All believers will be filled with love that comes from pure heart, a clear conscious, and genuine faith.
- 1 Timothy 1:5
A clear conscious permits true worship.
Christ will purify us so that we can worship the living God. He will clear our conscious.
Hebrews 9:14
Genuine faith moves the immovable.
Have faith in God.
Mark 11:22-23
You must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. God will come to you when you offer up your true belief in him.
Written by Schuyler Williamson
Believe in the Best and Prepare for the Worse
Hear God, and you will understand that it is only God who understands how and when things will happen on Earth.
Do not let your heart be troubled … You will be where I am. – John 14:1-3
Bring your life into the church. Follow God and you will understand the truth and experience grace.
In Revelations, we read that anyone who hears and obeys the Lord shall receive a special blessing.
Hear God, and you will understand that it is only God who understands how and when things will happen on Earth. We must believe in the best, and prepare for the worst:
Be Ready
Plan as if Jesus will not arrive during your Earthly lifetime, but live as if He is coming today.
Two will be working and one will go. You must keep watch. You must be ready all of the time because the Son of Man will come when least expected. – Matthew 24: 40-44
2. Be Assured
Your salvation is certain with Jesus.
Declare Jesus as Lord from your heart and you will be saved. – Romans 10:9
No one can rob you of your salvation. – John 10:28
3. Be Faithful
Turn to Jesus when you are in need. The righteous may stumble and fall down seven times, but they will reach for Jesus and rise up on that eighth time. All you need is Jesus.
Some will turn away and follow deceptive spirits and teachings. – Timothy 4:1
The one who remains faithful to the end will be saved. – Matthew 24:13
Written by Schuyler Williamson
Allow Room for God
Pour yourself into prayer. Serve others, and serve God’s purpose He has for you.
There are many ways to feel and see God show up in your life. Adjust your eye sight so you can see God’s next move. Focus on the current big picture instead of just how God has showed up for you in the past. We may not always understand it, or like it, but that doesn’t mean God isn’t at work, building good things for us. At a recent Sunday sermon, we discussed many analogies for the presence of God and His love for us in our lives.
… A farmer plows the land. He knows that rain will come, and bring growth and life to his crops, so he looks for seeds to plant in the land. The holes created by loss in our lives will be filled by Jesus. Something good will sprout from loss, from the holes in your life. Water them by pouring out your love for God. He will nourish your garden.
… A car needs oil to run. We cannot borrow someone else’s oil from other’s cars – we must find our own oil. The Holy Spirit is your oil. Pour yourself into prayer. Serve others, and serve God’s purpose He has for you. You will be filled with the “oil” – the Holy Spirit – you need to live a glorious life.
God is looking to fill you with the Holy Spirit. Do you allow room for God in your life?
Written by Schuyler Williamson
