July 19 2018

Religion vs Relationship

Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men.” Matthew 23:1-5

Jesus warned the people against the religion of the Pharisees. 
Religion is about rules, burdens and performance.
Even though Jesus talked about following the observances of the Pharisees, as they were based on the law, He warned against the condition of their heart. 
They provided rules but didn’t follow up by assisting the people in the burden of the rules. 
They had no compassion on the people for how the rules would impact them. 
And the works they did participate in were for all the wrong reasons; they worked to be seen and applauded by men, not out of a love for God or the people around them. 
When we are walking in relationship with Christ, we are to have compassion on people. 
We aren’t to add to their burden but to help, in our compassion, to relieve that burden. 
And we are not to do this for the praise of people but out of our love for Jesus and from the love of Jesus that flows in and through us. 

Relationship is about love, relieving burdens and resting in our identity in Christ.

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July 19 2018

Religion vs Relationship

Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men.” Matthew 23:1-5

Jesus warned the people against the religion of the Pharisees. 
Religion is about rules, burdens and performance.
Even though Jesus talked about following the observances of the Pharisees, as they were based on the law, He warned against the condition of their heart. 
They provided rules but didn’t follow up by assisting the people in the burden of the rules. 
They had no compassion on the people for how the rules would impact them. 
And the works they did participate in were for all the wrong reasons; they worked to be seen and applauded by men, not out of a love for God or the people around them. 
When we are walking in relationship with Christ, we are to have compassion on people. 
We aren’t to add to their burden but to help, in our compassion, to relieve that burden. 
And we are not to do this for the praise of people but out of our love for Jesus and from the love of Jesus that flows in and through us. 

Relationship is about love, relieving burdens and resting in our identity in Christ.

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July 18 2018

Humble Yourself

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

God has a plan. 
God is in control. 
God sees the beginning from the end. 
We can humble ourselves under His mighty hand and He will guide and direct our path and the rising and falling of our journey. 
We don’t need to strive, push and shove, and fight to get to the top.
 God will exalt us in “due time”. 
That is in the time that is most appropriate for our own individual journey. 
We can be patient, not worrying about when and how we will rise, but taking all our cares and concerns and laying them at His feet, and trusting that in the appropriate time we will arrive where we are meant to be. 
It takes off a lot of the pressure. 
We just need to be mindful to be in His Presence and in His Word, listen to His voice and take His direction, and He will take care of the rest.

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