relationship not religion

There is so much more to living the Christian life than just being a Christian. Yet I want to make sure we both understand that Christianity is not a checklist of do’s and don’ts. It is not religion but relationship.

Here are some key thoughts about relationship, our daily walk with and getting to know Christ:

John 1:12 NKJV

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name”.

Being a Christian is asking Christ to come and live inside of you. This relationship is a day in and day out way of life. In other words you don’t add God to your life. God is life and part of every area of life.

Like in marriage as a husband I am to treat my wife like Jesus treated the church. We are to live with understanding and love.

To neighbors and those we come in contact with we are to offer grace and kindness in every way possible. That is a different way because so often humanity says we are to do whatever we must to get ahead even if it hurts someone else.

God says live so others see Him. That points me back to the first point I made today. It is relationship and not religion. God is our father and friend.

Make sure that you magnify God’s love and His grace. Let others see how good God is by living for Him.

Matthew 5:16 NLT

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

People will know who we are by how we act and live and speak.

1 John 4:7 NLT

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.

I close with a little more understanding about how we see ourselves and then deal with others. It is not about us but about Him. It is not something we can take credit for. In fact God gets all the credit, and we must and should give Him all the praise.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

There really is more to come because life is all about Him!

In one week I return to Cuba, and I will help lead a retreat for the FCA staff in Villa Clara, the central region of Cuba. Will you support this trip with prayer and finances? If so, please reach out to me at pastormh@gmail.com

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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