Repenting … from Religion

S -"Now because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began persecuting him. So he told them, “My Father is working until now, and I too am working.” For this reason the Jewish leaders were trying even harder to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was also calling God his own Father, thus making himself equal with God. … “But I have a testimony greater than that from John. For the deeds that the Father has assigned me to complete – the deeds I am now doing – testify about me that the Father has sent me." (John 5:16-18, 36 NET)

O -Actually, Jesus wasn't breaking the Sabbath at all; he was breaking religion's Sabbath which claimed to be God's and was not. In fact, the very things which offended and inspired the leaders to pursue him were very things the Father gave him to do and was doing with him. "So Jesus answered them, “I tell you the solemn truth, the Son can do nothing on his own initiative, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise." (John 5:19 NET) Religion, all religion, is always susceptible to misquoting the Scriptures, misguiding people and masquerading as God's kingdom. It will speak with "authority" where the Scriptures are silent and remain silent and resist where they speak with pristine clarity. At its best it can be a good reflection but never the reality; not any more than my body could become my spirit. Thus, the inaugural slogan and call of Jesus remains paramount for all who will follow him. Engage and accept the ongoing transformation of your thinking (repent) because the Kingdom is at hand. 

A -I admit my susceptibility to misquoting, being misguided and masquerading as something I'm not. I embrace the need for ongoing transformation in every area of my life and thinking. I don't want to be left to myself, even my best intended self. Today, while it is called today, I repent. 

P -Lord who works and calls to this very day,

Thank you for wanting me/us and for wanting to bring the ongoing transformation so desperately and consistently needed. I give you my full and unqualified cooperation … do what is already in your heart to do so that I will be transformed into your likeness in every way. I want to think, speak, live, love and act like you; unto the life that is really life. I repent from my religion and say yes to transformation in Jesus' name.

Love,

Steve

Help Not Wanted

S - “God made the world and everything in it. He is Lord of heaven and earth, and he doesn't live in temples built by human hands. He doesn't need help from anyone. He gives life, breath, and everything else to all people. ... God has done all this, so that we will look for him and reach out and find him. He isn't far from any of us, and he gives us the power to live, to move, and to be who we are. “We are his children,” just as some of your poets have said. … He isn't like anything that humans have thought up and made. … He says that everyone everywhere must change their thinking. He has set a day when he will judge the world's people with equity. And he has chosen the man Jesus to do the judging for him. God has given proof of this to all of us by raising Jesus from death.” Acts 17 TS

O - Heaven is requiring a change in thinking about everything. Every thing … God included. He does not dwell in religious buildings or places. He made everything and everyone (all 7.6 billion and counting). He does not need anyone’shelp for anything. Everyone will be assessed in these terms by Jesus of Nazareth. All people will be treated with equity. All. The proof for all of this is the resurrection of Jesus. He is reaching out to all and hoping all will reach back. As Jesus says, “Change your thinking the kingdom of heaven is near.”

A -There is not one person God hasn’t made or doesn’t love. In a world full of problems and things which need to be done God does not need the help of anyone of us for anything — anything. In fact, he is working on all the problems right now; every one of them. What he’s hoping for and desiring is for us to work with him. What if we all stopped helping and started cooperating? What if we actually started believing Jesus about earth(John 3:11-12)? A true change in thinking will produce a change in how we live and work. I will pursue and accept ongoing change in my thinking and living according to Jesus; intentionally choosing cooperation. I will stop helping.

P -Lord of heaven and earth,

Thank you for loving us and wanting us to work with you. I admit that:

·      there’s nothing you can ask me to do with you that you couldn’t do better without me. 

·      the point of the work is being together rather than getting it done.

·      you are focused on how we live not what we accomplish. 

Reaching back,

Steve

Heaven's Certainty on Earth

S -"Now I am certain that God treats all people alike. God is pleased with everyone who responds to him and does right, no matter what nation they come from. This is the same message that God gave to the people of Israel, when he sent Jesus Christ, the Lord of all, to offer peace to them. … Jesus was put to death on a cross. But three days later, God raised him to life and let him be seen. Not everyone saw him. He was seen only by us, who ate and drank with him after he was raised from death. We were the ones God chose to be witnesses." Acts 10 TS 

O -  The ones God chooses to be his representatives, his ambassadors, are those who know that he treats all people alike.  Not just all people who join or belong to a certain subset of the world's population (religious or otherwise) -- all people.  The ones chosen by God, not self-appointed or commissioned by other humans, accept that they are to BE witnesses rather than to DO witnessing. Religion teaches that people can please God ONLY if they join their group. Religion wants its adherents to do witnessing (propagate its teachings and conclusions). Heaven wants all people to meet a person who is already reaching out to everyone. Those who respond to him are to be his witness. One of the very first follower put it this way: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.”1 John1:1-3ESV

A -According to Jesus, he is not discovered in the Scriptures. The Scriptures testify of him but he is revealed by his Father, by the Spirit (John 5:39-40; Matthew 16:15-18). This is the experience of millions and hundreds of millions of people over the years and it is my experience too.  It’s not knowing about Jesus but actually knowing him that is the point.  This is because he is heaven's only point!  This is certain and made certain in him. “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John17:3ESV) God's Kingdom is relational not theological or religious. We are invited to a relationship with Jesus which is eternal life.  The result is being a witness of him rather than doing witnessing about theological ideas and precepts. This is the certainty all people are invited to … and I am gladly accepting him and his invitation!   

P -Lord of all and Lord of me,

Thank you for engaging me relationally according to Spirit; for letting me know you and not just know about you.  Your love for all people is amazing, unchanging and eternally life giving. I am very glad to be able to be a witness of your person.  You have made me certain on earth about heaven's intent and purpose. AMAZING!  I do love you back!

Steve 

Regarding God’s Love

S -“It was before Passover, and Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and to return to the Father. He had always loved his followers in this world, and he loved them to the very end.” John 13 TS

O -There is nothing passive or disinterested in God’s love for the world (7.6 billion and counting). Jesus and his Father love us “in this world.” They are not waiting for the next age to come to express their love to us. They’re not even waiting for us to respond … they’re initiating with unconditional love. “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”(1 John 4:10 NIV) We are loved in this world to the very end.

A -We are loved unconditionally; actively, personally, passionately. We are not loved by God so that we will love him back; though he wants us to love him back. We are loved because we are loved, period, full stop. It’s a decision and commitment made by him and he refuses to change his mind. The relational, personal experience of his love and person is being offered unconditionally in this world, to every person, every day … to the very end. Will I open my heart to him who has already opened his heart to me? I will make myself loving present to him unto the life that is really life. His love for us/me will never end even when my days in this world do. 

P -Sovereign Strong and Friend of sinners,

Thank you for not waiting, for not conditioning your love toward us. You love us first and most and refuse to change your mind. I turn to you my face and offer a wide-open heart and life unto you and all you already have in mind. I do love you back.

Steve