May 18, 2019
There are many things about Christianity that are not true of any other religion. But one of the most amazing is the personable-ness of our relationship with Christ.
Any Muslim or Buddhist or _________ (name any religion other than Biblical Christianity), may read the teachings of their supposed master. But there is no mention of intimacy, for their leaders are all dead and gone. The relationship they carry with the founder of their religion is simply head knowledge.
But not so with Christ, our resurrected Savior and the Shepherd of His Sheep. His promise is continually that He will be “with us.”
John 10:2-5, 11
“But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers ... I am the Good Shepherd.”
CHRISTIANITY IS PERSONAL
It is not about religious rules and regulations. It is a relationship with a living, being who "calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." Over time, we learn to "know His voice" and become more and more intimate with Him for He always leads us by green pastures, still waters, and restores our soul (Psalm 23).
If you want a religion of rules and regulations, seeking forever to somehow prove yourself by a standard of laws, then don't surrender to Christ and believe in Him. But ... if you long for a relationship with the God who knows you by name, loves you personally, and leads you individually, and who died for you so that your sins could be forgiven so you would be accepted and forgiven by God's grace... then run to the Good Shepherd.
He knows you by name and is waiting for you now.
January 23, 2025
We are sheep, pure and simple. We are wayward and foolish at every turn. But as we humbly come to the end of ourselves and gladly surrender to the Shepherd’s care, we begin to know the level of care and leadership we were designed to enjoy.
January 22, 2025
When you enter freely into the throne room because Christ has “given us an introduction by faith into this grace in which we now stand” (Romans 5:2) … never forget the price paid for your freedom and salvation.
Stand in awe of Him … and stand humbly.
January 21, 2025
We must cooperate with God in ways that make it so. We should be careful that it is nothing less … that we are creating an environment where people are encountering God and communing with Him. A place alive with His presence.
