"Deny Religion, Embrace Jesus"

Ah the joys of a traditional Easter Sunday...this is one of 2 times a year most people make it a point to come to a building and I guess punch in their ticket so God can see that they were at "church". This is also were traditionalists and religious people make not of that and do nothing but stay seated on their "throne". I am a recovering traditionalist as well as a recovering religious spiritualist. Let me explain...someone who suffers from a religious spirit, knows all the answers as per the bible and fail to live them. The Book of James says that were aren't to just merely listen to the Word, but do what it says...someone with a religious spirit doesn't do what the Word says, its all a talk. If this was 2000 years ago, Jesus would have referred to me as a Pharisee...Jesus would have said to me that my lips praise Him but my heart is far from Him. Like I said, I am a recovering religious spiritualist...I didn't go to "church" on Sunday, I went to a building and had fellowship and sang praises with my brothers and sisters in Christ who belong to HIS church. Being a minister is something I "get" to do, not something I "have" to do. I don't go to a "church"; I belong to His' church. I am happy that there are those who only come to a building a couple times year, I just glad that they are there and I pray that seeds are planted that God can water and that they don't see me but they see Christ in me. A Pharisee thought highly of themselves, they knew the all answers and they were never wrong. How can God use me, if I am full of myself...He can't. I have a bumper sticker on my guitar case that says "Deny Religion, Embrace Jesus"...the greatest thing one can do is have a personal relationship with Jesus, not some religion...money can buy religion, but not hope, peace, strength, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and love which comes from God through Jesus. When I was baptized, or when I read the Bible, or when I come to a building on Sunday... I am doing nothing for God; those are all gifts that He gave me. Its not about head-knowledge, its about TRANSFORMATION. Its about a 24/7 lifestyle. Its not about pleasing people, its not about what your giving, its not about what you are doing, its not even about you...it is always, always has been, always will be about GOD. So today enjoy Jesus and let Him come into your life and transform you. Get out of your comfort zone and take God by the hand. Remember worship is not just on Sunday; it is your lifestyle for God.
-Gravy JMM