IT IS SIMPLE!

I am amazed at how complicated life is. I was pretty tired yesterday. We have been on the go for four straight days. All of the things we were doing were things I loved, with people I love. We had a concert, picked up our daughter from the airport in INDY late, had a family dinner in FW, and multiple activities with grandkids and things getting ready for this week. Then we concluded with church yesterday. Part of it is my age, but I slept like a baby last night even after an afternoon nap. 

I was reading Romans 10 this morning. 

"For Moses writes that the law's way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands. But faith's way of getting right with God says, 'Don't say in your heart, 'Who will go up to heaven?' (to bring Christ down to earth0. And don't say, 'Who will go down to the place of the dead?' 9to bring Christ back to life again). "In fact, it says, 'The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.' And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: 

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe. in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved." (Romans 10:5-9, NLT)

That last line is it. It doesn't say anything about reading scripture, going to church, paying your tithe, being baptized, and it doesn't give a list of a hundred rules to follow. It is simple. "WE must confess that JESUS IS LORD and the GOD RAISED him from the DEAD." When we do that we will be saved. 

The rest of the STUFF, which is good for us, which is a blessing and brings great joy to our hearts, is a BONUS!

I would never give up reading scripture, worshipping the Lord, praying to him, serving him, but those things in and of themselves do not SAVE! They are good. They help me in my growth and knowledge of the Lord. They help me feel his presence and I would recommend, even strongly encourage, everyone to do those things. But, they do not save!

 We need to share the simplicity of the GOSPEL MESSAGE. it is so important to make sure we don't complicate something God has made easy to understand and easy to believe. 

Heavenly Father, help me to relieve the burden of RELIGIOUS DUTY from the followers of JESUS. Help me to make sure the focus of the message is ROMANS 10:9. Help me to show your love to others in a way they seek that message. Help me to continue to grow in my knowledge of you and your ways. But, never let me forget the pure, beautiful, simple message of the GOSPEL. Thank you Lord! AMEN

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If you haven't repented of your sin, accepted what Jesus did for you on the cross, dying for your sins, or if you have not committed your life to Jesus, TODAY could be that day. give your life to the Lord. 

"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." (Romans 10:9-10, ESV)

If you gave your life to Jesus today, text the word "faith" to (765)-896-4302 and we will follow up with material for you and join you in your walk of faith!