Does It Matter Who We Pray To?

 When the kids were small, I began looking for a church to attend.  I wanted that church to be tolerant of differences and open to all lifestyle choices.  It needed to be accepting of those who prayed to Jesus, Buddha, the Universe or themselves.  After all, who was I to judge?  I had been recently enlightened, you see.  Those who believed Jesus was the only way to God were judgmental, narrow-minded and exclusive.  I wanted church, but I wanted a church of my own making.  I believed everyone was entitled to their own "truth" and that prayers to Allah, mother earth or Jesus all reached the same place.  I liked Jesus best, but the Jesus I had created in my own mind would certainly agree with my idea of utopia here on earth.

     God had specific plans for my life (just as He has for yours) and I stopped looking for that church.  I couldn't get away from the fact that Christianity rises and falls on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  If this event is historically true, it makes all other religions false.  Jesus claimed again and again that He was the Way, the Truth and the Life and no one could know God except through Him.  I chose to listen,  turn away from all my confusion and follow Him.   If we want a secure hope, we must choose the God who really exists and the evidence stacks up for Jesus Christ.   Yes, Christianity is exclusive in it's claims to be the only truth.  But it is free to every living person who has a bit of faith and chooses to put their trust in Him.  And the gift is peace on earth and eternal life.

    I've done my research and have been open to anything that tickled my itching ears.  But all those other religions and all those other so-called gods were lacking the one thing most needful:  Jesus Christ.  I had forgotten, but was blessedly reminded that "there is no name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."  Acts 4:12.  Do you want answers to your questions?  Seek them and He's promised to show you the answers.  What are you waiting for?

Favorite Sin

Today's blog is a guest post that features the words of my friend, Kelly.  I receive weekly emails from her and they are always thought-provoking and wise.  This one was particularly exceptional.  I've always considered her a spiritual mentor.  Thanks for allowing me to snag this, Kelly!

What’s your favorite sin?  What’s the one thing you have the hardest time resisting?  Everybody has at least one, usually several, areas of weakness, that we continually give in to.  For instance, maybe you are kind, loving to the less fortunate, generous with your money, but a glutton or sexually immoral or lazy.  Or you’re self-controlled, meticulous about never stealing or cheating on anything, even your employer’s time, and you keep your word, but you want to be rich and comfortable, and you covet that lifestyle and sacrifice relationships if necessary to get it.

The sin itself is so delicious or so dear to us that we don’t want to deny ourselves the indulgence.  There’s a possibility we might go to hell because of the sin, but apparently we’re willing to take that risk when we continue to keep that “pet” sin.

What’s the problem here?  Why aren’t we motivated to give up the sin?  I think it’s because we’re afraid of missing out.  If we don’t go ahead and indulge here on earth, we’ll miss our chance.  In other words, we don’t believe God’s reward, his heaven for us, will be adequate to make up for what we’ve missed.

Psalm 84:10 says:

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;

 I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

Let’s have faith that whatever we sacrifice for God will be amply rewarded by the God who can do “above all that we ask or imagine.” (Eph. 3:20)

Don't Be Scared

     I hear it all the time.  People are scared.  We worry that America is in a moral decline.  We worry that our government has so much power and such a humanistic agenda that God will be booted out altogether.  Some worry that the rich people will be in charge and forget the little man.  I read the scared and desperate postings of facebook friends who fear the end is near and the world will win. I hear the vitriolic speech on the news channels and radio shows.   

     Do you trust in God and believe what He said is true?  If so, we surely know that God has not given us the spirit of fear.  Instead, He's given His children power, love and a sound mind.  The word of God is a slow moving yet relentless force that will eventually topple every power and authority that stands against it, no matter how mighty they appear at the time. 

     The word of God will continue to increase and spread no matter how much the world tries to stop it.  God has it under control and He will be the final judge that rights every wrong.  Paradoxically, if we fear God, we have no reason to fear what will happen to us on this earth.

 

Daily Grace-Injection

     It's so weird.  I totally understand grace.  I really "get it".  In fact, I could even say it came to me in a God-given epiphany!  So why do I go back to the old ways and the old feelings as often as I change my socks?  Why is the fallacy of "earning" God's love and "earning" salvation embedded so deep within us?

     Do you struggle with any of this junk?  This came from the writing of C.J. Mahaney (who has recently gone through some yucky stuff, I might add). 

1. You are more aware of and effected by your past sins than the finished work of Christ.
2. You are more aware of areas you need to grow in than the finished work of Christ. In other words, you figure that if you can just spin enough "discs" (Bible reading, prayer life, meditation, family worship, serving others, church ministry) on your fingers then you’re more accepted with God.
3. You live thinking, believing, and feeling that God is disappointed with you.
4. You assume His acceptance is dependant upon your obedience.
5. You experience regular condemnation.
6. Your sin in the morning ruins/condemns everything you might seek to do for the Lord that day.
7. You have an undue concern of what others think about you. For example, someone confesses sin in a small group, and though you struggle with the very same sin, you remain quiet.
8. You lack joy. You think that joy in the Christian life is based on your worthiness rather than the finished work of Christ. 

     But I come back to "grace" every time and am just as astounded the thousandth time around as I was the first.  That's why it's so amazing.  That's why we call the gospel "the greatest story ever told".  It's seems impossible that it could be true.  We can't live the Christian life.  Period.  But Christ lived it perfectly and wants to live it for us. 

"He who knew no sin became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God."  2 Corinthians 5:21.  I hope that gets me through the day.  I'll have to pinch myself again tomorrow to remind myself that I really am that blessed and His grace really does cover me.