A Relationship Not Religion

 

Jesus Christ is not a religion. It is a relationship with God.

Scripture does not speak of salvation as cold ceremony, but as fellowship. John wrote, “our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” In Christ, we are not invited into empty tradition, but into living communion with the God who made us and loves us.

Religion without the heart can become a shell—something practiced with the lips while the soul remains far away. But Jesus calls us closer. He said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.” That is the language of relationship. Through Him, we do not simply learn about God from a distance; we come to know Him as Father.

This relationship is not earned by human effort. It is given by grace. “But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God.” What a tender promise: children, not strangers; welcomed, not rejected; loved, not merely tolerated. In Christ, prayer becomes more than ritual—it becomes speaking with the One who hears. Obedience becomes more than duty—it becomes love in action. Faith becomes more than agreement—it becomes trust in a living Savior.

Jesus did not die and rise again so people could merely adopt a label. He came so that dead hearts might live. He said, “I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.” That abundant life is found in walking with Him daily, hearing His Word, trusting His mercy, and abiding in His love. Christianity at its truest is not empty religion. It is life with God through Jesus Christ.

Taken from an online devotional)

The Joy of the Anticipation of Heavwn

(taken from an online devotional)

 

My only goal at this point in my life is to join Jesus in heaven one day.

Lord, the older I get, the more clearly I see what matters. So many things that once felt urgent—the spotless house, the busy calendar, the expectations of others, even the dreams I once chased—have quietly lost their shine. What remains is You. After years of caring for family, praying over children and grandchildren, enduring losses, celebrating small mercies, and walking through both laughter and loneliness, my heart has grown simpler. My deepest desire now is this: to finish well and, one day, join Jesus in heaven.

There is a holy comfort in knowing I do not walk toward an unknown future. Jesus said, “I am going there to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2, NIV). What a tender promise for a heart that has spent a lifetime preparing places for others—setting tables, making beds, welcoming loved ones, and keeping faith alive in ordinary days. Now Christ Himself is preparing a place for me.

When the world feels noisy and temporary, steady my soul with Your truth: “But our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20, NIV). This life matters, and I will keep loving, serving, forgiving, and encouraging while You give me breath. But I do not cling too tightly to what cannot last. My truest home is with You.

Teach me to live with heaven in view—not with fear, but with peace; not with regret, but with gratitude. Let my remaining years be marked by gentleness, wisdom, and a settled joy that points others to Christ. And when my race is complete, welcome me into

He is Risen! Praise the Lord!

 

                                                   

Because of  Jesus rising from the dead we too shall one day,  We too  have victory over death and  the devil.  We too experience peace.  

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Struggling With the "Whys" of Life

 

In the book of Job in the Old Testament we read about a godly man who lost everything he owned and all his children in a series of disasters.  As if that was not sufficient suffering, he was afflicted with a horrible disease himself.

Do you ever wonder, dear Christian, why God has allowed the illness of your loved ones for whom you are caring? Have you ever wondered why you have to go through all the heartaches and challenges of caring for your ill or disabled loved one? Have you ever wondered why you, a child of God, have to endure these trials or perhaps other trials?

In the book of Job in the Old Testament, Job, began to ask these questions. God responded to Job in chapter 42. In effect God says, “Who are you to question My ways and My plans? Why should you question Me without knowledge, without understanding My wisdom? You have no right to question Me. Your knowledge is too limited to understand My ways. You do not have My power and wisdom.” Later Job said to God that he had spoken of things that were far beyond his understanding. These were things only God could understand, and Job repented of questioning God’s ways.

I do not understand why my first husband and then later my second husband (although the diseases are different) were afflicted with devastating neurological diseases.  I do not know why I had to go through all the heartaches of being my first husband's caregiver and eventually losing him to death or why my second husband of only a little more than five years later needed to be confined to a skilled nursing home.  However, I must trust God that He kew what He was doing, no matter how difficult life became then.

The Bible reminds us that we can trust in the Lord, for He has and never forsaken us or will forsake us.   His ways are perfect even when we do not understand His ways. He is our shield, and we can take refuge in Him. I can trust in Him and not be afraid of what the future holds. Even in difficult times He is my strength and song.

I do know that I have been strengthened in my faith, and my relationship with the Lord is more precious than ever because of all that has happened to me. God has been my help and support through it all. I needed and still need to trust in Him alone. I don’t understand all God’s ways; but I do know He is a wise, faithful, and loving God. I do know that He is worthy of my trust.

Christian, you do not know what the future holds for you, but you do know that the Lord God holds your future. You may not understand His ways, but He asks you to trust Him. His ways are not always your ways, but He knows what He is doing in what He allows in your life. Rest in Him.

The Cross

 

I recently listened again to the hymn,  It is Well."   I especially like the words in the third verse which  speak of the Lord Jesus forgiving my sins, nailing them to the cross.  Thank You, Lord!!

The words for this hymn say this:

1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
   When sorrows like sea billows roll;
   Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
   It is well, it is well with my soul.
   • Refrain:
     It is well with my soul,
     It is well, it is well with my soul.
2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
   Let this blest assurance control,
   That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
   And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
3. My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—
   My sin, not in part but the whole,
   Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
   Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
4. For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
   If Jordan above me shall roll,
   No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
   Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
5. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
   The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
   Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
   Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
6. And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
   The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
   The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
   Even so, it is well with my soul.

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Prayer

(This is taken from a devotional from Facebook.)

Prayer is relationship. When Jesus walked the earth, He repeatedly withdrew to pray - even though He was the Son of God. Before major decisions, before miracles, and before the cross, Jesus stepped away from the noise of the world and into communion with the Father.

If the One who had perfect authority still chose to pray, that should tell us something about how essential it is.

Prayer does three things that nothing else can do.

1) It aligns us with God. Prayer isn’t primarily about convincing God to adopt our will. It’s about surrendering our will so that we can step into His. In prayer, our fears shrink, pride softens, and our perspective transforms.

2) Prayer reminds us we aren't alone. The modern world teaches radical independence - handle it yourself, solve it yourself, and carry it yourself. Christianity teaches the opposite. Prayer is a daily reminder that the Creator of the universe invites you to speak with Him directly.

3) Prayer changes us. God certainly answers prayers - but the first transformation happens in the person praying. Our anxieties steady, bitterness becomes forgiveness, and we begin to see more clearly.

Prayer doesn't always remove the storm, but it connects you to the One who rules above the storm.

Peace

Below is a post I posted a few days ago on my regular Facebook page in a different format. I hope it will be a blessing to you here today as well.

Peace is found in Jesus.

It is His presence with me while things are still unresolved, while the story is still unfolding, while prayers seem to linger in the silence.

He is never shaken by what shakes me.

He is never alarmed by what feels impossible to me.

He is never burdened beyond measure by the weight I carry.

So if He is with me now, then peace is available now.

Lord, teach me to remain near You in seasons of waiting, in the uncomfortable middle, in the space where I do not yet see the outcome. Keep me from pushing peace into the future, as though I must wait for circumstances to change before my soul can rest.

When fear tries to pull my mind forward into all the unknowns of tomorrow, draw me back into the safety of Your presence today.

Calm the noise within me.

Steady my heart.

Help Your truth sink deep into me.

You have told me that Your peace is a gift, and that I do not have to live troubled or afraid. Let that truth fill every anxious thought and every restless place inside me.

You are my peace in this moment, not just someday, but here, now, even before anything changes.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." - John 14:27

From the Rising of the sun

 

There is nothing more beautiful than things which the Lord God of the universe created!  I especially enjoy the early morning sunrises and evening sunsets.   Psalm 113:3 (NIV) reads: "From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised"

Here is  beautiful verse Psalm 113:3  in the King James version of the Bible:

Finally, for your pleasue and praise of the Lord is the link to a rendering of the beloved hymn,  HOW Great Thou Art:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf6C0L_7-CA

Chistmas Catcus Blooms Again!

 

I already posted this on regular Facebook a few days ago, but I am also going to post it on my blog.  I am not sure how clear you can see it in the picture but my Christmas catcus is starting to bloom again! The last couple years it has bloomed both around Christmas, and as we begin to contemplate Easter!  How appropriate as we celebrate Christ's coming to this earth to be born, to die for our sins, and to rise victorious over sin and death!  Praise His name for all He has done for us!

Thoughts About Heaven Revisited

 

The last book in the Bible, the book of Revelation, describes Heaven as a beautiful place, but what will make Heaven the most beautiful is that the Lord Jesus is there!  The PERSON of Jesus will be with us eternally!  Jesus is and will be the treasure of Heaven.

The only way to Heaven, however, is by repenting and throwing ourselves on Jesus for forgiveness from our sins and becoming His child.  That may sound narrow minded, but Scripture teaches us that Jesus alone is the only Way, the Truth. and the Life.  He is our only Light to lead us to Heaven.

In spite of our own assurance of Heaven and of our loved ones who have gone ahead of us, we still grieve the death of our loved ones.  I was reminded recently of my sister's death three years ago now.  Let us not forget to grieve with those who grieve and to walk with them in their grief walk.

Your Divine Valentine

 

Your Divine Valentine

A Valentine may play a love song for you, but God sings you the sweetest love song in the universe. (Zephaniah 3:17)

A Valentine may give you flowers, but God sent you the most beautiful rose of all, Jesus. (Song of Solomon 2:1)

A Valentine may bring you chocolate, but God provides you with something even sweeter, His Word. (Psalm 119:103)

A Valentine may love you for a lifetime, but God loved you before you were born and will love you for all eternity. (Jeremiah 31:3)

(The above picture is from my own rose bush in late June.)

Heaven

 Heaven  is an amazing place to contemplate, to anticipate with joy!   The Bible promises that Heaven is free from all earthly trials, sorrows, and pain.  In Heaven we only experience pure joy.   We will never be bored in Heaven, because will be busy endlessly and joyfully serving and working for the Lord.

In Heaven we will recoognize and fellowship with our loved ones who  have died before us.  What is more, we will even be able to do the same with all the Old and New Testament saints!  What is even more exciting is that we will be with the Lord Jesus forever, for Eternity!  What a day that will be!

God has set Eternity in Our Hearts

 

I receive daily grief share messages in my e-mail box.  Here is a few that I thought you might find to be a blessing:

"God Has Set Eternity in Your Heart

Day 349

Even if you know that heaven is your eternal destiny, you have probably had days when you’ve said, “Oh Lord, just take me home now.” Do you long for the time when you never have to say good-bye again? When there will be no more sickness, no more suffering, no more growing old?

The Bible says God has set eternity in your heart. To long for a better place is not a vain hope or delusion. You were made for eternity, and because of this, you can never be fully satisfied until you get to heaven.

“Training our minds and hearts, the totality of our being on heaven is instinctive because our souls are eternal,” says Dr. Joseph Stowell. “There’s something in us that feels right about believing there is something on the other side of death.

"But instincts don’t quite cut it because you have to have some content. When we are born again in Jesus Christ, when we’ve repented of our sin and embraced the finished work of Christ on the cross and have been reborn so that the Holy Spirit lives within us, now these instincts for eternity suddenly take on meaning because the Holy Spirit.

Preparing for Eternity Day 350 One thing is certain—eternity is in the future for all people. The Bible says that thanks to Jesus, you can spend that eternity with God in heaven. But how can you prepare while still living on this earth? Dr. Joseph Stowell says, “The Word of God comes along and trains you and talks to you about living life from an eternal perspective. You read through the Gospels, and you become convinced that Jesus Christ is driven by one reality—eternity. His whole perspective is driven by the fact that there is a world to come; this one will soon be done. And what you do here will count for the world that is yet to come. "Life here really is a dress rehearsal for the world to come. A person who embraces the world to come and lives in light of it has his whole world radically re-altered. He looks at people differently. Looks at his money differently. Looks at the things around his life differently. Looks at his own self differently.” Live your life from an eternal perspective, not longing for this one to be over, but driven by a new set of values found in God’s Word. The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight to life. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb.“ (Psalm 19:7-10 nlt) Lord Jesus, teach me the values of a biblical, eternal lifestyle, and change my world in light of this reality. Amen. Longing for Home Day 351 The Bible says just enough about heaven to make people wonder what it will really be like. “As it is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him’” (1 Corinthians 2:9). The reality of heaven is going to far surpass anything you can imagine now. Revelation 21 describes the heavenly city—a city so magnificent and vast that you can hardly comprehend it. It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates…. The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass…. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. (11-12, 18-21, 23) The walls will be over 200 feet thick. Each of the four sides of the city will be approximately 1,400 miles long: “I figured it out one time—396,000 stories high and one half the size of the United States,” says Dr. Erwin Lutzer.

Your will Be Done in 2026

 

THIS PRAYER POEM WAS SENT TO ME BY MY SISTER, LINDA, IN RESPONSE TO SOMETHING I WROTE ON FACEBOOK.

“I am no longer my own, but Yours. Put me to what You will, place me with whom You will. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for You or laid aside for You, exalted for You or brought low for You. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to Your pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You are mine, and I am Yours. May it be so. And may the covenant which I have just made here on earth be confirmed in heaven. Amen.” (This prayer is part of the New Year’s Covenant that John Wesley—1703-1791—established for the Methodist church.