Following religion instead of God

 The Holy Bible warns about phony religions, fake prophets, and false gods popping up and leading Christians away from the truth.  Too often and in too many places, it has been considered politically or socially correct to allow these counterfeit religions (who offer only dead prophets, bogus idols, and false teachings from the devil/satan) to speak freely and loudly.  This comes from an evil place to try  to convert people to a religion founded on lies or hate.  Let it be clear that any religion that teaches sacrificing babies, raping women and children, burning property, or killing anyone who disagrees with their hateful message is not from God. God is love, but  we are also warned He is jealous and can become angry with nations when His people are deceived into pulling away from Him.  Only satan/devil and his demons/minions push hate, lawlessness, violence, evil, and phony religions.  Satan wishes to trap many people in Hell.  Whereas, God does not want people to go there.

But there were also false prophets among the people, 

just as there will be false teachers among you. 

They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, 

even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them

bringing swift destruction on themselves.

- 2 Peter 2:1 (NIV)

The truth is there is one loving God which is our Father in Heaven.  He gave His son Jesus Christ to die and absolve those that believe from sin.  God did this to provide a path to Heaven for any of mankind who whould believe and faithfully follow.  He also sent the Holy Spirit after Christ to lead and guide faithful believers to more closely know Him, feel His love for them, and show them His will.   Jesus emphasized God's love when He pointed out that God should be first in Christians' life per the Ten Commandments, then love and respect for other people and follow related laws was the way  to show they are part of that loveing God's plan.  Jesus, the prophets from the Bible, and the apostles warn Christians that false gods, fake prophets and phony religions will come to try to lead them away to following false gods.  Do not let that happen by staying faithful in prayer, reading the Bible, and attending a church that teaches the full gospel truth of the Bible.

It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. 

Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.

- Deuteronomy 13:4 (NIV)

Using Your Spiritual Presents from God

As a Christian, who wants to grow in your spiritual relationship with God, you should be earnestly praying for the spiritual gifts that God wants to provide to the Church through you.  Once you have a gift, you are expected to use it for serving others, building-up your Church, and for the glorification of God. Whether or not you feel you have received a spiritual gift, as a Christian, you are to be an example of and a witness for Christ.  Thanking God always for the many ways He has blessed you and can use you for His glory.

"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves:
for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another,
as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 
If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God;
if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth:
that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ,
to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."  - 1 Peter 4:7-11 (KJV)

The gift(s) of the Holy Spirit use your talents, give you certain abilities, and allow you to accomplish much for the kingdom of God.  However, you are still warned to be watchful of the those in the world who wish to destroy God's people and there may even be people who mock your gift(s).  You must remember the gifts are for God's use and you can not be boastful about  yourself in what He has given you or does through you, rather than glorifying God for all He has done.  Continual prayer is required to stay in communication with God and His will for your life and actions.

Jesus the Entertainer?

What did he crowds of people want when they followed Jesus?  Did they want to see His miracles or wished to see a magic show?  Did they want to hear His excellent sermons and parables, or were they just expecting a great motivational speaker and orator of the times?  Did they want to be fed spiritual food for their souls or to satisfy physical hunger?  Jesus the Entertainer, NOT!  Instead they found teacher, healer, savior - the Son of God.

"And the people saw them departing,
and many knew him, 

and ran afoot thither out of all cities,
and outwent them, and came together unto him. 

And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, 

and was moved with compassion toward them, 

because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: 

and he began to teach them many things." - Mark 6:33-34 

Are preachers taking the pulpit for Biblical ad spiritual learning to meet entertainment standards.   Are worship leaders getting everyone to grow closer to God and learn scripture by singing along, or are they just giving a concert?  Are church congregations becoming audience members rather than active followers of Jesus and anointed by the Holy Spirit to do God's work?    

"And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, 

he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, 

and gave them to his disciples to set before them; 

and the two fishes divided he among them all.  

And they did all eat, and were filled." - Mark 6:41-42

Remember the acronym WWJD: What would Jesus do?  If you study the Bible, you know what Jesus did ad you learn what he expects you to do too.  It is time to go back to the purpose of the church and the mission of discipleship.  Time to feed the hungry - body and soul.  Focus on John 3:16 and tell everyone about Jesus and what God did for them through Jesus Christ.    It is time for real REVIVAL!

"And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, 

they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him 

that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: 

and as many as touched him were made whole." - Mark 6:56

Spirit of Blessings and Growth for Believers in Christ

A few religious leaders concentrate on the physical blessings of God to His people.  Christians need to understand that they have spiritual blessings and duties too.  The Church (body of Christ) need to understand Ephesians 1, which explains God wants to bless His people and He also gives them a mission of growth.  Too many Christians choose to: bask in their current blessings, not understand who they are in Christ,  and not grow themselves or the Church.  God wants a spiritual growth and connection in all of His people.  Christians should use what He gave them to grow and expand the role of the Church to bring the unsaved unto salvation through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: 

and whom he called, them he also justified: 

and whom he justified, them he also glorified. - Romans 8:30 (KJV)

As a Christian, you must:

• Recognize and accept your spiritual blessings 
• Know who you are in Christ (redeemed from past sins, adopted child with full inheritance, LOVED)
• Grow in your spiritual knowledge of God (devote time to daily pray and study the Bible)
• Share your knowledge and blessings with others 

Freedom in God through Christ and the Holy Spirit

God started the concept of freedom by breathing into mankind life, love, and individual will.  Your willingness to follow God and love Him is a real liberty that the unsaved can not understand.  Whereas bondage exists (emotionally, physically, and spiritually) for those that follow the continual lies of satan and who accept the bad examples of other people as a standard for living their own lives.

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” - John 8:36 (KJV)

True freedom in your life begins with the confessing of sinful nature and asking forgiveness through Christ.  Christians are no longer enslaved by sinful desires or unnecessary religious rituals, rather given salvation and liberty through the love of Christ

"Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." 

- 2 Corinthians 3:17 (KJV)

Occasionally Christians may slip from their relationship with God when they are having a hard time with finances, health, or family issues.  It is important to remember that God wants his people to feel free and know they have his anointing of the spirit that Christ promised. To refresh the spiritual anointing: stop what you are doing, pray, trust God, and you should feel His love and liberty flow through you.