It’s All Relationship

It's All About Relationship, Not Religion

Anyone can see that we are currently facing uncertain times. With everything that is going on in the world, it is clear that we are living in the last days. There is, however, a remedy for these uncertain times. For God's children, these are good times because it is an opportunity for us to be a light to the world. Believers should be like a laser standing out in a dark day. As times become darker, people will literally die of fear, but not the children of God. Believers should walk boldly and courageously because we have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Without faith in God, society is lost. People are nervous today because they cannot figure what is going on in the world. Jesus never said that we would be able to save the world. Nicodemus was a religious leader who represents the arrogance and pride that is prevalent in today's society (John 3:1 NKJV). Nicodemus thought that Jesus would be impressed by the fact that he recognized that Jesus was the Son of God. However, Jesus responded to Nicodemus that unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. In other words, Jesus told Nicodemus that he would have to start from the beginning. Being "born" implies relationship, so having a lot of knowledge will not help you. Jesus was basically telling Nicodemus that he really didn't know anything.

The only true answer to the woes of the world is to become an adopted child of the King, Jesus Christ. Because society is separated from God, it is trapped in darkness. The Bible describes those who are separated from God the "sons of disobedience." (Ephesians 2:1-3) The phrase "sons of disobedience" implies a relationship, but not a relationship with God. The only people who are designed to go through tribulation are those who don't receive Jesus Christ. Those who are not in God's covenant are trapped in a world that is under the control of the enemy. We children of God are liberators for them. Those who are in the world are cut off from God because Satan has a leasehold on this world. Those who walk according to the course of this world are Satan's children. We believers used to walk according to the course of this world before God gave us life. Before we were born again, we were slaves to pleasure (sensuality), possessions (greed) and prestige (pride and arrogance) (Titus 3:3).

The enemy uses lies to try to keep people lost (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). The world is passing away right before our eyes. The body of Christ should stand out because we are building on eternal things. We believers should be gleaming as a beacon of light to those who are lost. The enemy uses lies to keep people cut off from God, which is why deception is running rampant in today's society. People today do not know about the gospel because the god of this world, Satan, has deceived them. If you want to walk with God, you have to focus on the things of God (Romans 8:5). You have to be spiritually-minded. If you are carnally-minded, it will lead to death (Romans 6:16). If we obey God, He is responsible for what happens to us. This is what covenant means. People mistake God's goodness and mercy for being directly blessed by God. In reality, God's goodness and mercy is supposed to lead a person to repentance (Romans 2:4).

The number one thing Satan uses to deceive people is religion. Being accepted by God has nothing to do with what we do (Matthew 7:21-23). Eternal life is that we may know Jesus Christ (John 17:3). We have to give our time and submit ourselves in order to have relationship with God. People in the world are work-minded (pride-minded), which is the result of Satan's deception. The real "work" is having a relationship with Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:29-30). It is all about relationship, not religion. The "light" works, not religion. The light is Jesus Christ in us. We believers should let our light shine so people in the world can know our Father in heaven.

Behind the Scenes

God has made preparation for us.

Many things are uncertain in today’s world. It seems that everyone is facing serious challenges of one sort or another. The Bible describes the world in which we find ourselves today as “perilous times.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NKJV). As believers, we cannot be scared or intimidated by the uncertain times in which we live today. We must be courageous! Courageous people are not immune from fear. In the face of fear, courageous people laugh because the Bible says that perfect love casts our fear (1 John 4:18). In John 16:33, Jesus tells us to “be of good cheer” because He has overcome the world. This means that we should be courageous, not cowardly, because this is a time of spoils for those who are in Christ.

If we are scared or fearful, then we are being disobedient because it is our covenant right to have peace. Jesus told us to not let our hearts be troubled and He gave us His peace before He left (John 14:1, 27). The peace Jesus left for us is different from the peace the world has to offer. “Peace” in the Bible means wholeness and nothing lacking. Peace operates in the face of adversity. When we rest on what Jesus has done, then we can have the peace that He left for us.

You may not see it, but God has already worked out all of your problems. It helps us to not be afraid when we know that God has already worked everything out for us. The Bible says that on the seventh day God finished His work and He rested (Genesis 2:2). God has already provided the solutions for all of our problems. However, we can’t sit around waiting for God to do something to solve our problems. God is specifically looking for people of faith so that He can show Himself strong. When God sees someone of faith, He will show Himself publicly so that people know that He is still there (Psalm 77:14).

God’s footsteps are hidden (Psalm 77:19). In Psalm 77:19, “known” means to know by seeing. In the world, to see it is to believe it. As Christians, we shouldn’t have to see it to believe it because we should know it by revelation from God. To be victorious in these “perilous times,” we must understand that God has already made a way for us (Proverbs 30:18-19; 1 Corinthians 2:9). Psalm 37:23 says that “the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” In this context, “ordered” means established beforehand. In other words, God has already taken care of our problems so all we need to do is walk by faith. The enemy will do everything in his power to prevent us from walking by faith. That is why we have to understand that we are soldiers in Christ’s army who are called to fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12).

The things God has prepared for us are unseen and unknowable on our own.

God leads us by His chosen ministers (Psalm 77:20; Hebrews 6:11, 12). Christians need someone to guide, protect and supply them so God provides a person to fulfill this role. God sent Jesus to show us Himself and His Word. Jesus was the visible image of the unseen God.

We believers are God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10). Once we come to Christ, God makes us new. God has ordered our steps so that we can do good works. No one, however, makes it alone (1 Corinthians 2:9-10), which is why God send us His chosen to show us how to live. Pastor Rick is the ministry gift sent by God to show us how to live as believers. He has been given anointing and authority from God to show us how to live (Hebrews 13:17). God’s chosen are there to show us the way (Ephesians 4:11-12). As Christians, we are called to imitate our ministry gift (Hebrews 6:11, 12).

Free to Live Right

This is the time of year when Americans celebrate their independence. There is a lot of talk going around about freedom, but much pain, chaos, and confusion has been caused in the name of freedom. Why? The reason is, freedom cannot be demanded or legislated. The problem is the lack of the understanding of true freedom. Whenever you don’t understand the purpose you are prone to abuse it. Today we will talk about being free to live right. Thank God you don’t need a government, army or country to ensure your freedom!

1. When we come to Christ, we find freedom. The gospel of John 8:31, 32 tells us the truth shall deliver us, guaranteed. We find freedom when we come to Christ – but notice I didn’t say we’d be free.
Galatians 5:1 -- a more literal translation from Greek is this: for freedom, Christ has made us free. Fight to stay in the freedom Christ has given you.

There are two types of freedom:
False = doing whatever you like is false freedom. The reality of this is the highest and worst form of bondage – you are your worst taskmaster!
Galatians 5: 19 – lists the myriad ways you can be enticed to slavery of the flesh. Bondage to pleasure, strife, or anger leads to sin. There is no greater pleasure than being “drunk” with the Holy Spirit.

True = the ability to do what’s right. It’s freedom from the Law and freedom to please and live in the inheritance of God. True freedom is less about what you’re free to do, and more about what you’re free not to do. Believers are in an environment of slaves who don’t know they’re in bondage. You can release a career criminal from prison, but that doesn’t mean they know how to live free.

2. The key to truly being free is choosing whom you’ll serve.
Romans 6:16 – it is a principle that you’re always going to serve someone. You are not in righteousness if you are in Christ and still serving sin. Anything the Father acquires belongs to the son (note: the Covenant of David and Jonathan in 1 Samuel). We are the children of God by adoption through Jesus Christ.
Matthew 11:28, 29 – you must take the yoke upon yourself – God can’t make you do it!

3. You know that you’re truly free when you’re: not a stumbling block to others (Romans 14:13-19), and you build others up (Romans 15:1-3). Christ did not please Himself and was able to love all by serving One (the Father). We are to serve one another thorough God’s love (agape). Serve God and trust His life in you to serve others. Do not use your liberty to do what you want. Do not go back again into the yoke of bondage. Follow Christ’s example. Do everything unto the Lord and not to men (Colossians 3:23).
Today you are free to do what previously was impossible: live selflessly following Christ’s example.