Religion Versus Relationship

Many people have asked me the difference between Religion and Relationship. For me it has meant doing away with all of the man made do's and don't do's and seeking what I should do from the book of instructions that He left for us. I believe this will be especially helpful to a person who has recently been Born Again or to one who may still be in that Religious Stage of their life. For me it has clarified what a true Relationship with Jesus is really all about. I know the next time someone asks me the difference, I will have a much clearer answer for them. It's time to move beyond Religion to Relationship through Jesus Christ by entering into God's presence. I came across the following in a Christian Newspaper and want to share it with you. I pray that it will answer your questions and help you to see the differences.

• Religion focuses on rules.
• Relationship fixes on presence

• Religion closes the door to the Holy of Holies
• Relationship opens the door

• Religion demands sacrifice
• Relationship willingly offers sacrifice

• Religion excludes
• Relationship includes

• Religion uplifts the external
• Relationship bonds with the internal

• Religion concern itself with style
• Relationship hungers for substance

• Religion promotes performance
• Relationship thirsts for presence

• Religion sets boundaries and maintains distance
• Relationship invites intimacy

• Religion makes building into churches
• Relationship transforms people into churches

Inviting God's presence has nothing to do with Religion and has everything to do with Relationship. Reprinted from "Inviting God's Presence", Larry Keefauver Until next time, "Keep Your Eyes On Jesus" !!

Power of Prayer in Your Life

PRAYER

A LIFESTYLE OR A RELIGIOUS EXERCISE ??

Prayer should be be based on your intimate relationship/fellowship with God The Father, through Jesus The Son often answered by The Holy Spirit. Jesus often went out alone away from the Disciples and the crowd of people to spend time with the Father in prayer.

He withdrew to the wilderness to pray (Luke5v16), He went out to the mountain to pray, (Luke 6v12),Jesus was a man of prayer and prayed often (Luke 22 v39 &40). How much more important is it for you and I to spend time alone with Father in prayer ?

Websters says of Prayer: an earnest request, entreaty, supplication -- a request made to God -- a spiritual communion with God. Prayer was established by God the Creator for those He created, you and me. God wants prayer to be a lifestyle, not a religious exercise.

in Elementary School, gives you a clue to how old I am. I remember in church the Pastor or Teacher reading prayers from a book. When I became a born again believer I was shocked and confused to hear people actually praying out loud, talking to God in everyday language, just as they would speak to me. This was a whole new world to me! I could really speak to God like I talked to my friends and family. Best of all, IF I would stop and listen to that still small voice inside of me, I would often hear from Him, He really cared about me and my problems.

I never knew that God was ready and willing to come to my aid when I called on Him and asked in line with His Word. (James 5v16 b). Our prayers must line up with the Bible !I began to understand that prayer was my way to communicate with God, just me and Him. Awesome !! Over time I came to KNOW that this life of prayer gave me a relationship with Jesus, as I learned that Jesus was my Advocate, (Lawyer), I prayed in His name, the Father heard me. He cared, I asked, I believed, I received. Sounds so simple, this is where Faith comes in, (Heb 11v1) having faith for what you can not see. This is a growing and learning process. I believe now that the biggest hindrance Christians have in their prayer life is, we allow the daily events of life to interfere with our prayer life, this in turn clouds that relationship that we truly need to sustain our daily walk. Paul instructed the church to pray without ceasing, (I Thess.5v16), when I first heard this I thought, "There is no way", I now understand Paul was speaking of the condition of my soul and mind, to be in an attitude of prayer at all times. When I allow the Spirit to be in control of my soul and mind, the problems, trials, and tests that life brings my way, I will be ready to pray and seek His will for whatever comes my way. I am convinced you show me a Christian who does not have a strong, steady prayer life, I will show you a weak person who when life's storms come their way tend to fall apart, they do not have that close relationship with God, they can not hear from Him, they panic and often make foolish choices/decisions that effect

not only their life, but trickle down to others. I am convinced that prayer is a vital part of knowing and doing the will of God. I believe a true follower of Jesus will make time for a prayer life. I urge you today if you are not a person of prayer, START !

What better time to begin than during the season of Lent ? Is this power of prayer a part of who/what you are ? A relationship with God is possible for every person who believes, but it takes discipline and effort. A great prayer life is achieved when practiced daily, it is in these intimate times with the Father that a lasting relationship is built and maintained. A relationship that will sustain you in the storms of life !

Until next time, "KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS !!"

10 Good Things About Getting Older

Bobby was 70 on March 1, he received a fun card from my sister, Kathy. I thought for a change of pace I would share it with you, You may have reached the stage in life where you are older and will appreciate the humor of this card. If you have not reached that age yet, this will give you something to look forward to. 10 Good Things About Getting Older !! 10. It gives you the perfect excuse to forget things 9. You know lots of good stories to tell 8. Each story can be told many times, whether anyone wants to hear it or not 7. The view is better once you are over the hill 6. You can amaze your friends with obscure facts preceded by," I remember when" 5. You can take bets on which part of your body will conk out next 4. Your kids finally grow up and move out, (if your lucky) 3 Nodding off at inappropriate times is considered quaint, rather than rude 2. Creative use of a hearing aid allows you to hear only what you really want to And The BEST Thing About Getting Older : 1. Every birthday you have gives people another chance to make a big fuss over you and say things like, "How great You Look !" (for an old person)

The Last Days ??

The recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chili have caused me to think on the scripture that says ,In the last days there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles . This certainly describes the world we live in today. Seems like weekly we here of another major disaster where hundreds and often more are killed in these earthquakes and tsunamis. These are the beginning of sorrows. (Mark 13:8 & 9) I believe the church has lost some of the reverent fear that is necessary to serve God and be the diligent seeker that He wants us to be. I find it very shocking that only 10% of those who claim to be, "born again believers believers" have ever shared the message and led someone to Jesus. I believe the church has become like the 10 Virgins who were waiting for the Bridegroom to arrive, we have heard for toooo many years, "Jesus is coming back", we have become complacent in our waiting and many have gone back out into the world just as 5 of the virgins did, when the Bridegroom arrived they were without oil, (Holy Spirit) and could not get into the wedding feast,(heaven). The 5 unwise Virgins were not ready they were not allowed into the wedding, I believe were Jesus to return today many who cry Lord, Lord on Sunday would be outside the gate. The 5 Virgins who kept their lamps lit, had a plentiful supply of oil were ready and waiting when the Bridegroom appeared. I ask you to examine yourself, are you full of the oil of the Holy Spirit ? Are you allowing your light to shine in a world that is full of sorrows and troubles ? If Jesus were to appear at the Eastern gate tomorrow would you be allowed in ? Or have you tired of waiting, gone back out into the world that He once delivered you from ? My Pastor often says, "What is there in Hell that you want ?" You can be like the prodigal son and return home, the Father is waiting with the robe, the ring and he will have a feast prepared for the child that lost his/her way. Luke 15:13-31). You have only to repent, ask forgiveness, and become a diligent seeker of His Word, then a doer of that Word. Share your experience, you may be the only person to ever have shared Jesus with them. Your life may well be the only Bible they read, by the Word of our testimony, the way we live our life should cause others to have what we have, love, joy, and peace that comes from a life dependent on God ! Until next time,"Keep Your Eyes On Jesus".