WHEN I WAS DOWN, I PRAYED FOR THIS TO END. I WAS SENT YOU. NOT THE ENDING I THOUGHT OF. NOT AN ENDING I COULD EVER HAVE DREAMED OF. HE GRANTED MY PRAYER IN THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WAY — NOT THE WAY I EXPECTED, BUT THE WAY I NEEDED. NOW I WILL USE THIS GIFT FOR YOU, AND I SHALL DO HIS WORK ALONGSIDE YOU. “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” — Psalm 40:1–2
When you let Jesus’ light Into your heart, No matter how dark And lonely things may seem, He will not desert you. He will stand beside you Through the darkness. Let Him in, And know that you Never have to walk alone. Psalm 145:18 (KJV) “The Lord is near to all who call on Him.”
Religion Can become Fear • rules • control • tradition And can even use hatred or terror To keep people in line. But following Jesus Is different. Rules Control Tradition Fear Hatred Obedience Jesus → He taught love, not hatred. He offered grace, not terror. He asked you to choose Him, Not simply follow the crowd. John 13:34 (KJV) “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you.”
Don’t confuse Religion With following Jesus. Rules Control Tradition Fear Hatred Obedience ← Religion Jesus → People can be united and still be wrong. People can disagree and still be searching for truth. Mark 7:8 (KJV) “For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men.”
Don’t follow People Because they stand Together. Search For truth. And if you want to understand Christianity, don’t begin With Christians. Begin with Jesus. Rules Control Tradition Fear Hatred Obedience Same Crowd Same Lies A Different Name. God loves you. Jesus died for you. Grace is offered to you. Religion may demand your allegiance. Jesus wants your heart. John 14:6 (KJV) “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
We can spend a lifetime Drinking tap water. We take it for granted That it’s the right water. But fresh water From the stream Can nourish us And be healthier. Think of Water processed by man. Move away from habit And go back to The source. Follow Jesus. He is the real source That will nourish you And help you grow. John 4:14 “Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
