Let Go of Christian Traditions and Religion

James 1:26-27

Matthew 23:23

 

You have probably heard this Christianity is not a religion; it is a relationship with God. And rightly so. Jesus did not come to talk about religion. He preached about the kingdom of God, which starts when we accept Him as our Lord and savior.

 

A look through the gospels and you will realize that Jesus was hard on the Pharisees? He did not sugarcoat things when he spoke to them.  These were religious leaders and teachers of the law. They knew the law and were committed to the things of God, or so it seemed.  But Jesus called them snakes and vipers. But why was that?

 

While the Pharisees knew the law well, they didn’t practice it fully. They turned the things God intended for good into traditions and religion.  They were using the law to fulfill their own selfish desires and to control others.

 

If you want to be on fire for God, you need to be a follower of Jesus and not just a religious person. Religion will blind you from the great things God has done and is doing in your life and the lives of other Christians. When you focus on religion, you find yourself straying away from what God expects you to do.

 

The truth is you cannot be on fire for God and religious at the same time.  In order for you to ignite a flame for Christ, you need to be willing to do things that may not go well with religious people.  Jesus healed on the Sabbath and dined with sinners. That did not go well with the Pharisees because a holy and learned person was not supposed to associate with sinners.

 

Christian traditions and religion will block you from spreading the gospel to the world effectively. You will be so keen on observing traditions that have been set in place instead of doing things God’s way.

 

For example, Christian tradition may tell you not to associate with people who have tattoos or have colored hair because they’re not fit to be Christians.  Maybe you have been made to believe that some things ended in the Old Testament. They don’t apply to us today. But imagine if Jesus was here today. Would he send these people away if they came to listen to Him or seek healing?  If you want to ignite the flame for Christ, especially among the youth in your school or church, you need to forgo some things and do exactly what God is telling you.

 

Action:

You may have to befriend some people that do not fit in the Christian Community.  Yes, you may feel out of place or uncomfortable doing it, but since it is God telling you to do it, go ahead and befriend such people to ignite a flame for Christ in them. God may put a particular song in your heart, and it may not go well with religious people but sing it anyway because, at the end of the day, you have to glorify God and not man.

3 Things to Do If You’re Feeling Down

3 Things to Do If You’re Feeling Down

 

 

1. Get Up and Move

One of the best ways to pick yourself up when you’ve been having a bad day or week is to get up and exercise! 

 

And it doesn’t have to be long. Even going on a 15 minute walk or following along with a 5 minute stretch routine in Youtube can help create a drastic difference in your mood and feelings! 

 

2. Talk or Text with Someone You Love (And Who Loves You)

Sometimes, when you have the blues, family or friends can be the best medicine to fix that or ease your symptoms. 

 

Call them on the phone or shoot them a text to get something off your chest or just remind yourself that you have people around you who care!

 

3. Laugh

Look up one of your favorite comedies online or scroll through a meme/joke page on social media. 

 

Sometimes, we just need a laugh to remind us not to take things too seriously or get tahat heavy feeling off of our chests!

A Few Christian Poems to Strengthen Your Faith

A Few Christian Poems to Strengthen Your Faith

It’s pretty easy for life to take a toll on our spirits. One thing can go wrong and cause this ripple effect in our lives where it seems like nothing is going right. In these times, before removing yourself from the world for a long soak in the bathtub or a Netflix binge, read these poems by Joanna Fuchs so that you can go into a more peaceful, reassured slumber.

“You’re Always There for Me”

When the world comes crashing in
And chaos rules my mind,
I turn my heart to you, Lord,
And pure, sweet peace I find.

You lift me out of trouble
You comfort me in pain;
You nourish, heal and cleanse me,
Like cool, refreshing rain.

In times of joy and bliss,
When things are going right,
You lift me even higher,
And fill me with delight.

You listen to my prayers;
You hear my every plea;
I’m safe because I know
You’re always there for me.

“We’ll Get Through This”

Lord, our troubles
Are so great,
We don’t know what to do;
The price for our
Iniquity
Is finally coming due.

The world is crumbling
All about;
No safe place can be found.
Right is wrong,
Wrong is right;
The change is quite profound.

Lord, we need
Your guiding light
To lead us out of here;
We’ll focus on
Your Word, and prayer,
To take away our fear.

Temptations of
This dying world
We’ll rule out and let go;
Give our burdens
All to you,
Shed all worldly woe.

That’s how we’ll
Get through this, Lord,
Fixed on heaven above,
Assured of your
protection, help,
And everlasting love.

 

“To Do List From God”

I ran my life in search of worldly things;
My time and will were firmly in control.
I thought I had no need for what God brings;
I gave no heed to murmurs from my soul.

“You’re planning, doing all the time,” it said,
“But something else is missing deep inside.
Your mind is whirling, but your heart is dead,
So turn to God and let go of your pride.”

I did, and God said, “Here’s My plan for you:
Give your life to Me, and just let go.
Have faith and pray, and read the Bible through,
And you’ll have blessings more than you can know.”

So simple, yet it brings me perfect peace,
Living life for God the way I should.
Direction, purpose, fullness and release—
Life with God is very, very good.

DE-STRESS | Week 3 | Discover Easy Days to Relax by Getting Creative

DE-STRESS | Week 3 | Discover Easy Days to Relax by Getting Creative

Kicking caffeine is a fantastic way to reduce stress long-term. However, that’s no good if you need to relieve tension right this second.

 

Whether at home or work, an easy way to relax can be to write about your feelings.

 

When your head is a tornado of emotions, it’s not always possible to disclose these to other people. Writing solves this problem by allowing you to channel your stress outwardly.

 

  • Carry a journal or create a file on your phone or tablet, where you can write out your feelings whenever you feel overwhelmed.
  • Write honestly, even if what you are writing wouldn’t usually make sense to another person.
  • Freely jot down thoughts, dreams, and details of stressful situations that otherwise always stay bottled up.

  

Writing feelings out is essentially a form of self-therapy. Just remember to keep where you write your most intimate thoughts far from prying eyes.