RELIGION!

Religion or relationship?

Little did I know what God had in store for me this past weekend.
You know how we all like to have a schedule, a plan, ...structure in our lives? And with jobs, families, and churches these things are necessary, but ultimately there comes a time when we must learn to fully surrender to God's will and God's plan-daily. And that's how many of us learned to pray, as Christ taught us to pray:
"Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
or by His Words in the garden at Gethsemane, "...yet, not my will but thine be done."
And daily, to seek first His will, His kingdom, and His righteousness (Matt 6:33) with the promise and hope, that all "these things (our needs) will be added unto us."

But, I didn't hear from the Lord this weekend about whether to go to the homeless outreach or see some friends from out of town. ( Jas 1:27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.)

A friend from high school was in town and wanted to get together with some other friends. I hesitated, but ended up at the game with friends from high school. So, whether it's at a Lacrosse game, Mardi Gras, or an Airport, I'm gonna serve the Lord! But, I didn't stand at the gate handing out tracks and; I didn't preach the gospel. I didn't lay hands on the sick, but I did rebuke Jack for listening to AC/DC!! (And I am disgusted that he's interested in and talking about beer when he's in Middle School!) (And most of us were once this way!!!!)

I went hoping and praying for one lost person to come to know Jesus--a friend who is headed for Iraq, again. And this was and is my prayer:
Since we don't know the day or the hour when Christ will return for us, and since we are not promised tomorrow, I pray that we will ALL be ready for Him, that we KNOW we are saved, and then walk it out daily.

After three days of prayer and reflection, ( walking and talking with Jesus) I've found that I truly do not want the things of this world. Christ fills my heart to overflow and meets all my needs. What was promised has been fulfilled: I do not want. (Just as promised in Psalm 23:1 the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.) I surrender! His love is so good! How can I resist?! This is the revelation that the Lord has given me today:

I am a friend of God.

Rom 5:11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

It's not about sitting in a pew every Sunday. It's not about standing on a street corner and preaching. It's not about visiting nursing homes or hospitals or even feeding the poor. These things are good and necessary, but without love it's just going through the motions. Christ is love and that love fills our hearts, daily, if we let Him. I pray that we let nothing take the place of that intimacy with Him. I pray that you seek Him and His Truth, and find the fullness that fills your heart to overflow, the joy and peace that passes understanding. I pray you really KNOW HIM and His great love for you! Praise God for a wonderful love relationship with Him that's more awesome than we can comprehend.
Thank God for dying for us--while we were yet sinners.
Just praise God and say thank you.