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