BE A LIVING MESSAGE OF HOPE

“Whoever comes to Me, and hears my sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.  And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it for it was founded on the rock.”—Luke 6:47-48

 

God has ways of shaking the world when He is at work. He literally caused the ground to quake when Jesus died on the cross, “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up his Spirit.  Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split” (Matthew 27:50-51).  Hebrews 12:26 describes a time still future when the earth will undergo a similar display of His power and presence.

 

Likewise in our present day, He often lets the foundations of our world be shaken—whether political alliances, financial systems, or other forms of human security.   Then we can see the flimsiness of the structures on which we have based our pride and hopes.   Individual lives are also often shaken when a family experiences crisis or a marriage begins to unravel.   If we have built on the fragile cornerstones of human wisdom, pride, and conditional love, things may look good for a while, but a weak foundation causes collapse when storms hit.

 

While adversity affects everyone, we can have peace in knowing that God always has a greater purpose when He allows upheaval and crisis in our world.  Hard times can also shake believers out of apathy and self-focus, reminding us not to trust in ourselves or the temporary structures of this world.  There is only one secure firm foundation: a genuine, deep relationship with Jesus Christ, which will carry you through any and all turmoil.  No matter what storms are raging all around, you'll stand firm if you stand on His love.

 

It is not enough for believers to simply enjoy the security of knowing that our "house" is built on a solid foundation. As God's ambassadors on earth, we have a responsibility to extend His compassion to people whose lives are crumbling.  Be a living message of hope to those around you today so that they too can stand on a firm foundation.

 

Prayer—Father I repent for the times that I have panic in the midst of a crisis in my life and have trusted myself and others for the answer, and I ask You to forgive me.  Lord, today with Your help I purpose in my heart to stand firm on the foundation of our relationship, knowing that You will never leave nor forsake me, and that You are always helping me even when I cannot see it in the natural realm, in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

 

 

ARE YOU TALKING FOR CHRIST OR FOR RELIGION?

“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”—Colossians 4:6

 

In some areas of the world, people are asked what religion they are; however, other places may phrase the question as “What church do you go to”?  The meaning of the question is usually the same; the person asking the question wants to find out if the answer agrees with their religious beliefs.  Jesus asked questions so that people could be directed to a solution to their problem, not to the nearest temple (church or religious idea in today’s terminology).   For example, when the Scribes and Pharisees (the religious leaders of the day) asked a question they were expecting His answer to agree with their religious beliefs.  One time, they brought to Him a woman caught in adultery and asked Him what did He have to say in the matter, He said one simple statement, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”  He taught the people that religion kills; but that His message of the Gospel brings life by forgiving, healing and restoring (John 8:1-12).

 

I have compiled some notes to help us understand what religious looks like. I took them from a sermon preached by Dr. Daisy Osborn entitled The Rare the Ridiculous the Religious.  I trust that these will be a blessing to you as they are to me in helping to discern if we are talking religion or are we talking Christ to people.  When we lift Him up He will draw all people to Himself, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32).

 

Religion always sees the dark side of every picture.  Religion sees the burden of society.

 

Religion sees the violation of a religious rule.  Instead of rejoicing with someone, religion will always find some reason or excuse to tear the person down.

 

Religion and God do not mix at all.

 

Religion and God’s love are not bed-fellows.

 

Jesus is the rare one.

 

All kinds of religion were abounding when Jesus came.  God did not see this as a handicap.

 

God looks at you as an individual one-to-one.  Religion groups you into a mold. 

 

Religion has twin attitudes—Culture and Tradition

 

Dr. Daisy gave an acronym for the word “religion.”

 

R — reserved, cautious, established

E — envious, can not stand free people in the spirit

L — lonely, ceremonious, dull, boring, long face, sober countenance, no creativity

I — intolerant, no understanding, religion can not meet you half-way

G — guilty, blocks people from seeing Jesus

I — indoctrinated, narrow minded; mind no longer has room for creative ideas

O — opinionated, force opinions on people out of fear which restricts the people

N — negative and nasty, cruel with tongue

 

A natural tongue does not have the ability to testify of Jesus.  An anointed tongue alone can testify of Jesus.  Where there is Jesus there is life.

 

Christ is revolutionary.

 

Jesus was a need muter.  (When you are speaking for Christ you are muting the needs and meeting the needs of the people because you are speaking life into their situation).

 

Religion sees imperfection.  Love looks beyond the imperfection.

 

I exhort you today to remember that religion always excludes, but Christ always includes.  If you have responded to people and/or situation with a religious attitude, I encourage you to repent today, ask the Father for His forgiveness, and persist in your faith to present the presence of Christ in every situation.

 

Prayer—Father I repent and ask You to forgive me for responding to people and situations with religious attitudes that do not represent Christ or Your kingdom.  I now understand that this is not a true representation of Christ and how You think, and I ask you to help me to respond in Christ’s love instead of religion, in Jesus Name.  Amen.