an apology...

I just want to apologize to anyone if I have offended you in anyway by being judgemental, condensending, harsh, or mean. It was brought to my attention by a former friend and also a family member that I am this way. In my heart, I haven't meant to be. I don't want to be that kind of person. I truly thought I was encouraging them and advising them. I never meant it hurtful or mean. I never meant it to sound judgemental or self righteous, and for that I'm am very sorry, and therefore sorry to any of you, if I have ever came across that way. Please forgive me.

labels

Why is it that people would rather be labeled than just be a Christian? Why do we have to called Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, Catholics, Non-denominational, etc? Why can't we just live and practice being a Christian?

Romans 10:9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

That's it...that's all we have to do to become a Christian...why do people think that we have to live by all these religious church guidelines?

After we become a Christian, we want to read GOD's WORD and grow...but most people want to listen to what other people say, instead of reading GOD's WORD and finding out for themselves what's in there. People then have a tendency to believe what they have heard without going and discovering it themselves...

For example...
God helps those that help themselves....um, that's not in the Bible. That's a quote from Ben Franklin in "Poor Richard's Almanac". If you think about it, that's the furthest thing from the truth that there is. GOD wants us to TOTALLY RELY on HIM and not ourselves. That doesn't mean don't work, because we are waiting for GOD to supply all our needs...because that would contradict what the WORD says...
2 Thessalonians 3:10
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

It's time to take the labels off and stand up for Christ! I just want to be be a sheep! How about you?

Blessings until next time.

BTW...Susan and Rosemary-About my post below...I'm not going to allow the enemy to win. I was sharing what goes on, not just in my life, but life in general. We have a choice, to listen to the flesh or the spirit. My choice is the spirit...but that doesn't mean the battle's not there. Thanks for the prayers!

Not ashamed...

Sometimes when I write a post, like the previous one, I'm afraid of offending somebody. Then I remember I can not be ashamed of the GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST. I need to be bold in my faith and what I believe in. Some people won't understand, some people won't agree, but I have to remember it's not me they don't agree with, it's not me they don't understand. It's GOD in me.

Romans 1:16 (King James Version)
16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

I think too often, we as Christians, are worried about offending someone so we try to be polite, or even politically correct, instead of being bold in our faith. This doesn't mean we go around and purposely are rude or inconsiderate. This means that if the LORD lays something on our heart, HE gives us the words, we are to say it boldly and unashamed. We might offend the person because of their beliefs or lack of them. ;)

Do you remember when you first became a Christian? Do you remember before becoming a Christian how things of Christians would offend you? I do! I remember going out with this guy and he would always play Christian music...it was so annoying to me. It was like...slap...right in the face. Anyone that disagreed with my religion, I had a problem with.

Now I see what the problem was, that's what I had...religion! I didn't have a relationship with the one, true, living GOD. I believed in GOD-don't get me wrong...but I didn't have a relationship with HIM. I went to church, I did the Holy days of obligation, I took communion, I went to confession. I did it all, and yet something was still missing...it was a relationship!

After my mom died, I started searching...I knew there had to be more to church than just the things I mentioned above. I didn't understand why when I went to confession and did the repentence, why I still felt unforgiven. Again, it was not having a relationship with GOD, through HIS SON, JESUS, that I was missing. Thank GOD, HE sent people along my path that knew HIM and had a relationship with HIM, so I wasn't lead astray.

My life has never been the same. I'm living the greatest adventure here on earth-Serving the one, true living GOD! Everyday is a day of growth, adventure, of amazement and wonderment. I no longer fear the unknown...

1I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
3He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
Psalm 121

When I have a problem now, I just turn it over to GOD, knowing according to HIS WORD, HE hears me, HE's going to answer me, HE's going to give me peace that passes all understanding, that I can go boldly to HIS throne, that I can ask anything-forgiveness, help, etc.

I can look up and say GOD, I am excited about today...I am excited to see how YOU are going to turn this situation over for my good and not evil, I'm excited to see how YOU are going to change it from glory to glory.

If your life isn't like this, if you don't have a personal relationship with the one true, living GOD, if you are seeking answers or forgiveness and feel like nothing ever changes, will you let me pray with you, or will you pray this prayer?

FATHER GOD, I have come to the realization that I am a sinner, and that I need to be saved, through YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST, who died on the cross to take away those sins. LORD, I accept HIM now, and with my mouth, I boldly confess YOU are the way, the truth, and the life, and with my heart, I believe. I will follow YOU and have a relationship that is ever growing with YOU starting today. In YOUR precious SON, JESUS' name. Amen.

I encourage you to go get a good Bible and read the book of John first. Ask GOD to open HIS truth to you. It says in the book of James 1:5, If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask GOD. I prefer a Bible with several different translations in it. My Bible has the King James, New American Standard, Amplified, and another version (just can't think of it now)
I also encourage you to find a great HOLY GHOST filled church...yes, it might seem weird at first, you might be taken out of your comfort zone, and out of your religious box, but you will be blessed. If you have a problem understanding what a HOLY GHOST filled church is, please feel free to email me or leave a msg here. I will be happy to explain and/or point you in the right direction.

Wow! This post did not go the way I intented. LOL...but I was changed to another course by GOD. :)

Blessings to you, until next time!