Hey guys! So I have just finished reading "Jesus > Religion" by Jefferson Bethke. The book is taken from the poem that he wrote and then turned into a youtube video in 2012. The video went viral, and now he is a well known figure in the Christian, and secular world. I have to honestly say that I loved, loved, loved the video that he made! The way he delivered it and the way it was written was truly God-inspired. When I saw that Jeff made it into a book, I knew I had to read it...and I was not disappointed! This book covers all kinds of different topics and draws a clear line between Jesus and religion. He separates religious people from Jesus followers. He takes a look at the way religious people view life, and the way that Jesus intended us to look at life. He uses his own life examples, Biblical passages, and practical theology to get his message across. It's so refreshing to hear a voice like Jeff's in today's day and age. He is sold out for Jesus and is passionate about His church. He speaks truth and he speaks it powerfully and boldly. He isn't afraid to say what the Bible really says, and he's not afraid to call out what needs to be changed. There were times that I would be reading this book on my lunch break at work and I would find myself just about crying, and then I would find myself laughing, and then I would find myself squirming with excitement because of what I had just read. The Lord has really anointed Jeff with the gift of writing and the gift of words. The way Jeff wrote the book is so beautiful, between the pictures he uses and the way he writes his thoughts out. They make beautiful sense, and they really challenge you to wake up and figure out who you're following-Jesus or religion. You will not look at things the same after reading this book. If you're a new believer, or if you've been a Christian for many years, I highly recommend this book. It will challenge, convict, and encourage all people of all ages. It will change your thinking, and it will encourage you to live for Jesus and love Him more completely with every part of your being. Below is the original poem that Jeff has written if you want to check it out! Also, if you want to check out his youtube channel, he posts videos about other topics as well that I find very interesting. If you read any book, (other than God's Word), before the summer is over, please make it this one! As always, glory to God, and God bless! Until next time, Stephanie P.S.-Have you read the book or have questions about it? I would love to talk to you and discuss it! Please write me in the comments section or contact me via the 'Contact Me' page or via Facebook! Thanks, I look forward to hearing from you soon! |
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Normally I start off my writings with a Scripture, but today, I just couldn’t pick one that came to mind. I believe this is because of the topic that the Lord has laid on my heart to write about. It’s a very serious topic, and one that is a life-changer. Do you know Him? Do you know the One who created the stars and holds them all in place while calling them by name? (Ps. 147:4) Do you know the One is sovereign, in constant control of everything that happens in our lives? (Proverbs 19:21) Do you know the One who created you and constantly thinks about you? (Ps. 139:17) Do you know the One who can give you peace in times of trouble? (Ps. 46:1) Do you know the One who sweat blood and died, nails piercing His hands and feet so that you don’t have to pay for your sins? (Luke 22:44, Isaiah 53:5) Do you know the One who specializes in bringing dead things to life? (Romans 4:17, Rev. 21:5) Do you know Him? God. Do you know Him? I think today in our culture there is more misconceptions about God than there ever has been before. If I were to ask you, what is the first thing to comes to your mind when I ask you to describe God, what would it be? Would it be that He is the Grandfather in the sky, or that He is mean because of all the injustice in the world? Or would it be that He is the sovereign Creator of the universe, the One who sent His own Son to die so that we could be forgiven of our sins and have an everlasting relationship with Him? Do you know that God today? Do you know that God wants to be a part of your life every day? He wants to help you. He wants you to talk to Him. He wants to get rid of your sin so that you may have unbroken communication with Him. You may ask, what is sin? If you look it up online, this is the definition: an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law. This means that sin is a wicked (immoral) act that is disobedient (transgression) against the Bible and God’s standard (divine law). We sin constantly, because we were born that way. The problem here is that because God is holy, nothing unholy can come into His presence, yet we are unholy people. You may say, I’m not that bad of a person! Here are just a couple sins listed in the Bible: Hate Lust Selfish ambition Pride Control Greed/the love of money Idolatry If I compare my life to this list, I’m in pretty rough shape. However, the great news is that even though I fail according to the above list, and according to God’s standard, there’s hope. God made a way. He knew that we could never get to heaven by ourselves. I once heard an analogy that went something like this: trying to work your way to heaven is like trying to swim from California to Hawaii, some barely leave shore, other swim a little ways, and others swim a bit more than that, but ultimately, they drown. Think about it, God is so holy that no one can work their way in to God’s presence, we’re too unholy. But God knew that. God just didn’t watch the world that He created die in sin, instead He reached His hand out and sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, into the world. Jesus, being the Son of God, lived a life without sin. However, at the end of His life, He was accused of sin and was sentenced to death on a cross, which was a public act of humiliation, and it was also an incredibly painful death. Nails pounded with hammers into His palms. One by one, our sin pounded the nails through His hands, through His feet. Think about that, Jesus willing came for this purpose, to die so that anyone who called on His Name would be saved. Saved from what? From eternal separation with God. The only payment for sin was death, and because Jesus stepped on earth and died once and for all, now we don’t have to die for our sins. But Jesus did not stay dead, but after being buried in His tomb for three days, He was resurrected by God, and now is alive forevermore. If you believe in Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and on the third day was resurrected by the power of God, you are forgiven of your sins, welcomed in God’s presence, and will spend eternity with Him in heaven. However, if you don’t choose to believe in Him by the time your time is done here on earth, than you will be in eternal separation from God in a real place of torture and torment called hell. So do you know Him? Do you know that God loves you so much that He sent His only Son to come and die for your sins so that you may be forgiven, and that you could have a relationship with the Creator of the universe and the stars? Think about that. He loves you so much that He knows how many hairs are on your head. He knows your thoughts, He knows your problems, and He wants to be a part of that, He wants to be a part of your life. The One who created you loves you eternally more than you can ever imagine. He forgives you because of His grace and His mercy through Jesus Christ. The beautiful thing about grace is that it forgives even your worst mistakes. You are never too far gone to come to Jesus, or come back to Him. God sent Jesus to pay the price for your sins so that you could be set free. If you live in the freedom that He offers, and embrace the reality that you are infinitely loved more than you can ever imagine, and it will change your life forever. Prayer: Dear Lord, I admit that I am a sinner and cannot come into Your presence because You are holy, and I am sinful. Thank You for sending Jesus Christ, Your Son, to pay the price for my sin, and to die for me and take my punishment so that I wouldn’t have to. I ask that You would come into my life today and forgive me my sin through Christ Jesus. I love You and need You today, thank You for all You’ve done for me. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. If you have prayed this prayer from your heart for the first time today, than you are now a Christian and your eternity is secure! Please feel free to contact me via the contact page or via Facebook to let me know how this blog has impacted you! As always, glory to God, and for His Name only. Until next time, Stephanie
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AuthorI'm just a girl who tries to give everything she has to the One who gave everything for her. Archives
January 2016
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