My apologies, it's been a few months, no excuses, just not sure what to write.
I have been going live on Fb, it has occurred to me a few times to write about the same topics God gives me to go live and talk about. So until I sense to do differently, that is what I will do.
I go live every Wednesday at 5:00 pm PST on my Fb page, Tammie Conner Pipgras. The topic for the week of the 7th of Jeune is Religion vs Relationship.
Over the past few months, God has brought two friends from my past back into my life. In one situation it was to encourage, well to a degree in both situations.
One of the friends I hadn't talk to in 30 years, she found me on Fb. She has a lot happening in her life, to the point of despair. Although I have not been in her situation I have been to the point of despair, therefore, I am able to encourage her and point her to the ONLY one who can truly help her, Jesus!
I spoke with my friend's adult son on the phone the other day, it was obvious by his slurred speech that he had been drinking. As our conversation progressed he stated that he wasn't a religious person, I replied, "good, neither am I, I have a relationship with Jesus Christ". We talked a bit more then ended the conversation, his mom, called me later.
The next day while pondering my conversation with the young man, I sensed God telling me that He wanted me to talk about Religion vs Relationship on my next Fb live broadcast.
I started thinking about the young man's statement when it occurred to me, I personally do not remember anyone except non-churchgoers making that statement to me. That doesn't mean they haven't asked Jesus into their hearts, just that they don't attend church.
This is what I know about religion: Religion looks at the outward appearance, vs a relationship with Jesus, He looks at the heart.
Religion convinced me that Father God was a hard taskmaster, ready willing, and able to smack me down if I did anything "wrong". Was I praying enough or reading the bible enough for Him to reward me, was I being good enough for Him?
Religion told me I couldn't look a certain way or act a certain way because God couldn't use me if I was myself. Religion told me If I had a past and was broken God couldn't use me because God only uses the ones that are in the "crowd", those that fit into what man considers acceptable and looks as though everything is ok and their life is nothing short of all together. Religion told me I didn't fit the mold of someone who could record songs, or write a book or multiple books for that matter. Religion told me I didn't dress properly or act accordingly for a situation I was going through. (I shouldn't act so happy).
However, a relationship with Jesus says, come as you are, it says I will take the brokenness of your life and use it for My glory. A relationship with Jesus says I have not given you a spirit of fear, but of power love and a sound mind, so don't be afraid, trust me I won't let you down. No one who trusts God like this-Heart and souls- will ever regret it, Romans 10:11 msg.
Father God sent His only son, Jesus, to be beaten, mocked, have a crown of thorns be placed on His head, take 39 stripes on His back with a cat of nine tails (look it up, it was a horrible whip) having His flesh ripped from His body and His bones exposed, be hung on the cross naked by huge nails piercing His hands and feet, giving up His spirit after proclaiming "IT IS FINISHED" then going to hell for three days to pay the price for our sins and being raised up after making a spectacle of every demonic power and taking back what Adam gave away to satan in the garden of Eden.
It's not up to me to be perfect and get it all right, Jesus already paid the price I owed for everything I have done or will do that isn't right. What He wants is simply a relationship with me that will show forth the love He has for mankind. Which is being changed into the image of Jesus. The Bible states if you see Jesus you have seen the Father.
To me, having a relationship with Jesus means Jesus saying to me, I am going to take your brokenness and use it to show people there is hope, forgiveness, and wholeness in Me. All you have to do is ask for it, and receive it.
As we allow God to change us into His image we won't want to do the things we used to do. I personally know where He has brought me from and how He has brought me through the storms of my life with a sound mind. Knowing what Jesus has forgiven me for and saved me from causes me to want to live for Him and tell everyone who will listen that in Him I have peace, in Him, I have strength. The Bible tells me that when I am weak He is strong, His strength is made perfect in my weakness. To the natural mind that makes no sense, but in Him, I live, breathe, and have my being.
The Good News is that Jesus died for us so we can live a life of Shalom Peace which Is-- NOTHING MISSING AND NOTHING BROKEN in our lives. Wholeness in Him!
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Feel free to subscribe to my blog publishings.
For those of you who are new to my publishing's, I wrote and self-published a book titled, ~So Thankful! Life Behind The Posts~ Between the covers is my testimony about the daily struggles I faced and how leaning on God gave me strength, recognizing Him as my only Hope while discovering His faithfulness in my life.
To purchase a copy of~So Thankful! Life Behind The Posts~, you can contact me directly through my email listed below. The purchase price for a paperback copy is $12.99 plus $2.65 shipping and handling. For a digital download please see my website also listed below. If you live outside the United States please go to my website for links to Amazon for digital down or Create Space for a print copy. My website address is;
lifebehindtheposts.weebly.com
To Contact Me, my email address is, sothankful.tcp@gmail.com
Your message may go to junk mail, to ensure it will not be deleted, next to the subject please type in
To book me for speaking engagements please contact me at;
sothankful.tcp@gmail.com
Again, next to the subject please type in,~ I read your blog~.
Thank you all so much, I appreciate you.
Blessings
#BLESSEDbeyondmeasure
Tammie
Feel free to subscribe to my blog publishings.
For those of you who are new to my publishing's, I wrote and self-published a book titled, ~So Thankful! Life Behind The Posts~ Between the covers is my testimony about the daily struggles I faced and how leaning on God gave me strength, recognizing Him as my only Hope while discovering His faithfulness in my life.
To purchase a copy of~So Thankful! Life Behind The Posts~, you can contact me directly through my email listed below. The purchase price for a paperback copy is $12.99 plus $2.65 shipping and handling. For a digital download please see my website also listed below. If you live outside the United States please go to my website for links to Amazon for digital down or Create Space for a print copy. My website address is;
lifebehindtheposts.weebly.com
Your message may go to junk mail, to ensure it will not be deleted, next to the subject please type in
To book me for speaking engagements please contact me at;
sothankful.tcp@gmail.com
Again, next to the subject please type in,~ I read your blog~.
Thank you all so much, I appreciate you.
Blessings
#BLESSEDbeyondmeasure
Tammie
