No Need for a "Do-over"

Last weekend, Pastor Steve talked about the “oughts” and “ought nots” of religion.  He read off eight commands that most religions share.  They included not harming others with our words or deeds; honoring our parents; being kind to our siblings and the elderly; being honest in all of our dealings; not lying; not having sex with another person’s spouse; caring for those who are weaker; and putting others first.  Pastor Steve then asked us to raise our hands if we had broken some of them over the past week.  Most of us raised our hands!  Yikes!

                                                                             

The bottom line for all of this is that we knew the rules.  We broke them.  Now that we broke the rules, we are at odds with God.  Now what do we do?  We feel guilty and ashamed, right?  I try not to hurt people, but I did?  I try not to drink too much, but I did?  I didn’t mean to cheat on my test at school, but I did?  Now what do I do? 

Do you ever feel like God could never forgive you?  Have you ever wondered if what you have done is just too bad?  The cool thing is, it’s never about what we have to “do;” it’s about what God has “done” for us.  God has chosen to forgive us because of who He is.  God has chosen to do the very thing we can’t.  We are given a “do-over” every day! 

I’m not a very good golfer, but I like to golf.  Often times my friends give me a “do-over” when I miss the ball – which is often!  Thank goodness I play golf with “grace-filled” people who allow me to have a “do-over” from time to time.  Better still, God gives you and me a “do-over” all the time!  When we realize that our hope is not in religion or in keeping the rules or in living a good life, but that our only hope is in Jesus Christ, then we realize what God has DONE for us.  Because of that, we can have joy and peace in our lives rather than living in a never-ending abyss of guilt, disgrace, shame and distance from God.  He wants us to be close to Him! 

Today I would challenge each of us to look at our relationship with Jesus Christ and find ways to deepen that relationship.  Christianity is not about religion. It's about a person -- the person of Jesus the Christ.  And with Christ, you never have to ask for a “do-over” -- it's given freely to you!

Here’s a song by Hillsong that reminds us that Jesus is the Lord of our lives.  

In His Grip!

Pastor Carol

Forever Changed

This past weekend, I suggested that many of us focus more of our time on religious practices, traditions and relics, rather than seeing who God is and what God has done for us.  The trappings of man-made religion become our focus rather than Jesus Christ.  And for many people, especially in our culture today, they have doubts about who God really is and if He really exists at all.  Maybe you have doubts?

I suggested that if we stripped all the “stuff” that gets loaded up with Christianity and let go of all the churchy things that get in the way of having a relationship with Jesus that our doubts about religion would remain, but that perhaps our doubts about God and His love for us may begin to change.  What are the things that get in your way of having a relationship with Jesus?  (Share your thoughts on the blog – it’s simple to do.  The directions are on the right.)

The question that was asked at the end of the sermon this week was this: “How close will you let God get to you?”  God wants to have a close relationship with you and He longs for you and me to know Him.  However, God will only get as close to us as we are willing to let Him get.  Are there things in your life that are keeping Jesus at a distance from you?  What things about church would you like to “toss” in the box marked “Losing My Religion?”  What seems to be keeping Him at a distance from you? 

Here’s a great song by Toby Mac called “Changed Forever.”  It talks about living at a distance from God with all the things that money would buy and how you can be changed forever once you see God’s face.   

Pax,

Pastor Carol

Consider It All Garbage!

Pastor Matt kicked off a new sermon series this week called “Losing My Religion.”  Over the next few weeks, we'll look at how many of us can get caught up in the trappings of man-made religion, and we confuse that with real faith.  It’s easier to focus on our religious practices, traditions and relics than on what God has done for us.  Pastor Matt talked about the box marked “Losing My Religion,” where there were various religious relics, such as candle holders, offering plates, pastor stoles, crosses, eternal flame candle, hymn books and clerical collars.  Pastor Matt challenged us to lay down those things that get in the way of having a deep, true, authentic relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Did you look at your heart condition this week?  What did you find?  What is your faith based on?  Did you, like Paul in Philippians 3, discard all the trappings of religion and keep your focus solely on Jesus Christ this week or did you find that to be difficult?  Share your thoughts on the blog – see the instructions on the right. 

I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.  For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.   

(Philippians 3:7-9, NLT)

Sometimes the best thing we can do is lose our religion and get rid of the trappings of religion – the garbage, as Paul puts it – in order to gain a deeper relationship with God.  

Pax,

Pastor Carol

Just Say Yes!

Over the weekend, Pastor John wrapped up our sermon series called “What if?”  John shared many examples about how God “nudges” us.  Many times we either don’t recognize those “God nudges” or we simply choose to not respond to them.  Share your God nudge stories on the blog – it would be great to hear from a few of you.  Use the simple instructions on the right to chime in. 

Can you recall a time when God nudged you to get involved in a ministry or to do something and you said, “Yes, Lord?”  How did that work for you?  The “O” word comes to my mind here.  No, not Oprah, but obedience.  Being obedient to God’s nudges and callings in our lives can be a real struggle.  We like to be comfortable and sometimes God calls us out of our complacent, comfort zone to reach out to a world that desperately needs to hear and experience His radical love.

There is a saying that goes like this, “God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called.”  This week I hope that you begin to sense God’s nudges in your own life and respond to them.  Yes, you might feel a bit uncomfortable at first, but once you say “yes,” I guarantee you that your journey and life will be all the richer for it!  Saying “yes” to God, no matter what He is calling you to or be, will change you forever.  So, just say “yes” to Him when He nudges you today and see what interesting paths God will lead you down. 

Here’s a song by Dan Schutte called “Here I Am, Lord.”  It’s a familiar song that many of us have sung at Via de Cristo weekends, camp and retreats.  May these words nudge you to stand and say, Yes, Lord – send me, Lord.” 

Pax,

Pastor Carol