God Hates Religion...

What’s up with religiosity?
Based on the way Jesus spoke to the Pharisees, I have no choice but to believe that God hates religion. Generally speaking, the idea of religion seems to sound good but… “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12.
Too many people have the wrong idea about religion anymore. I’ve decided to compose a list of characteristics of religion:

-All preach, no practice
-It’s a routine obligation
-Following heartless rituals
-Repetition of prayers (Matthew 6:7)
-Idol worship
Oh, the devil and his trickery!! Christianity is NOT a religion…at least it shouldn’t be. In spite of this affirmation there are many Christians who are religious, even among Fundamental Baptists. Following Christ is a relationship, a relationship where we obey God’s commands even when we don’t feel like it, a relationship that grows from day to day, a relationship where God is the center of our lives.
Here are some symptoms of a religious Christian (Note: You may suffer from some or all of the symptoms listed below):

-You find it easy to point out others’ mistakes before you look at your own sick condition
-You look for any reason NOT to go to church, examples: family reunion, too cold or rainy, no time to fix my hair, homework, too tired, too busy, had a sports game, had to watch the Super Bowl, had a tummy ache or head ache, etc.
-You think you’re a good Christian because you have been baptized, you say the Lord’s Prayer, and you volunteer in the community.
-Instead of reading the Bible, you read a bunch of spiritual helps
Please don’t take me wrong. All the things listed above are good, but then again, what the Pharisees did was also good. The problem is, it was all an outward show. God works from the inside out. So if you’ve got all the makings of a genuine Christian on the outside but lack the spiritual conviction, determination, and passion on the inside, then you’ve got a heart problem.
Our dedication to God should be without conditions. Yes, that means you’ll have to tell your family that you won’t make it to the reunion on Sunday because you have to go to church. Yes, that means you should finish your homework earlier in the week or stay up late to finish it after church. Yes, you’ll have to read your Bible more than A Purpose Driven Life book. After all if God really wanted us to read spiritual helps He would have left that for us, but no, He left us His Word…the Bible.
Let us apply religiosity repellent:
· Read God’s Word everyday (and pay close attention to what He says)
· Have the attitude that says, “Wild horses couldn’t drag me from a 2-hour sermon!”
· Be a soul-winner
· Be willing to go the extra mile for God
“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.”
-Mark 7:6

Patience, what's that?

I don't know about you, but I don't like to learn patience. I am always in a hurry to get things done, to get where I need to go, to learn what I need to know, etc. If I have to slow down for something, it is really easy to complain, to get a bad attitude. But, what if I am complaining about slowing down because God has something that He wants to teach me? Like patience.... ugh! I am like the person who says, "God, please teach me patience. But, teach me quick." I guess I am a slow learner. It seems that God has to take me aside time and time again to learn His patience - and I know that I still have a long way to go.
This week has been one of learning patience, and contentment along with it. I have been away from my husband and three children since last Tuesday, and today is Saturday. I have no hope of going home until tomorrow - maybe. You see, my daughter (Curly-Top) has been in the hospital since Tuesday (this is the third time since last June), and her doctor is in the Children's Medical Center of Dallas, and we live in Amarillo. So, here we are, hearing the doctors say, "Tomorrow, if....." And we have been hearing that since last Wednesday. So, what am I to do? I have some choices here. 1) I can sit back and complain every moment because we are here, and I have "so much to do" back at home. 2) I can be grumpy because I would rather be with the rest of my family back in Amarillo. 3) I can choose to accept this as a time that God wants to teach all of us (Curly-Top, me, and the rest of the family, too) something. What could that be? Patience - waiting on God to work out His will for us. Contentment - like Paul said in Philippians 4:4 & 11. By losing my patience I do nothing but cause others to suffer as well, nor does it help me in any way. By being discontent I am forgetting about all the blessings that God has given me, like a place where my daughter can receive the care she needs, my husband has a good job, my children at home are learning more responsibility and are trustworthy, I have other family and friends who love and care for me and my family. And, most importantly, I have a wonderful, loving God Who is with us here in Dallas, and my family in Amarillo, and with all of those who have accepted Christ as Savior. And, along with all of that, He is able, and does, meet each of our needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).
So, what does this have to do with you young ladies? Well, are you patiently waiting on God? Or, are you like me you want what you want and you want it NOW! Being patient means to wait on God, contentedly. Wait on Him to bring the right young man into your life - for the rest of your life. Wait on Him to guide you to the right school. Wait on Him to provide what your true needs are (maybe you don't really need that cute red mustang convertible). All I am trying to say is that we are all impatient very often. We all want our own way. But, God has a better plan for us; He will provide what we need, what we truly need, in His time. Meanwhile, let's be content where we are, trust in Him, and have a good attitude. God bless you!

Are you a tortilla Christian?

Somewhere across the blustery plains of northern Mexico there is a tortilla being flipped on a hot comal. The plump bronze hand of the lady behind the apron regularly flips the tortilla from one side to the other until lightly browned. The result? A pile of piping hot tortillas ready for her hard-worked husband and famished children.
The devil seems to be cooking up some tortillas of his own. These tortillas are cowardly Christians who he flips from side to side, Christians who know what they believe, but don’t want to stand up for it. They allow the world to influence them. At church they act spiritual but when it comes time to face the secular world they are too afraid to act like Christ! What a shame! To be ashamed of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!! That is absolutely abominable!!
The devil fattens on tortilla Christians. Are you a tortilla Christian? Are you afraid to dress in modest skirts all the time because your friends will laugh and think you’re weird? Are you afraid to stand up and tell your friends when they are wrong? Are you afraid to change your own stubborn attitude to please God?
“But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”-Matthew 10:33

Passion for Christ?

Well, we just ended our annual ladies' retreat titled: Passion for Christ. Our aim was to be a girl, young lady, or lady with a passion for Christ. Passion is a strong emotion that compels to action. We should have so much passion for God that we are moved to action.

The Preacher's Wife shared some of her thoughts on characteristics of a person with passion.

A passionate lady will:

• Spend money on her passion (2 Corinthians 9:7)


• Spend time on her passion (Joshua 1:8)


• Seek to improve (I Corinthians 11:1)


• Seek to learn (Ephesians 1:18 and 3:18)


• Connect with others (Hebrews 10:25)


• Evangelize (Matthew 28:18-19, Acts 1:8)

We also show passion for Christ through our obedience to Him. (John 14:15)

3 commands given to us in John 15:

1. Love one another (John 15:12, 1 John 4:7-11)


2. Bring forth fruit (John 15:16, Galatians 5:22-23)


3. Be separate (John 15:19, 1 Peter 2:9-12, 2 Corinthians 6:17)

To close the retreat, Preacher's Wife showed the video: I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb. You can click on the link below to watch the video yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ew-Kip22oaU

It's so beautiful to remember all those saints who suffered for the cause of Christ...that is passion.

I Dare You: If you Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb, post a comment!

All I want for CHRISTmas...

CHRISTmas is just around the corner everyone! With all this CHRISTmas cheer it’s hard to miss it! I saw people decorating their houses even before Thanksgiving!! Why shouldn’t everyone be excited? It’s on that grand day we celebrate my Savior’s birthday over 2,000 years ago!
Perhaps you’re wondering why I have CHRIST in caps. We all know that CHRIST is the reason we celebrate CHRISTmas, but what about that other part of the word…mas? I think ‘mas’ has something to do with the catholic mass, but since I am not catholic that word just doesn’t suit me. So, I changed it a little, ‘mas’, to me, is the Spanish word for ‘more’. How appropriate, don’t you think?
On CHRISTmas, I want ‘more’ of CHRIST! Although I love the CHRISTmas decorations, parties, plays, lights, food, presents, and excitement, this is NOT the reason we celebrate CHRISTmas. There’s nothing wrong with all of this just remember to keep your mind on what’s really worth celebrating. Besides can you really have too much of CHRIST, especially considering the fact that He gave up EVERYTHING for you and me?

Happy 19th Anniversary!!

We G.A.G.O.H.ers would like to congratulate Pastor Mejia and his wife, Regina (a.k.a. preachers wife), for reaching their 19th anniversary!!

"I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine..."

-Song of Solomon 6:3 KJV

We are praying for you and we love you both! Congratulations!!

What's your passion?

Passion. Have you thought about what passion is? Among the many definitions of passion are: strong feelings of love or hate, or an outburst of strong emotion or feeling. An interesting aspect is that it also has, in its Latin root the meaning of suffering and submission. What are you passionate about? Guys (I may be old, but I remember a lot from when I was your age)? School - that may be a little far-fetched, but one can only hope... Sports? Shopping? What about God? Are you passionate about Him? Or, do you just go to church because your parents make you? Having a passion for God will make going to church exciting! "I get to go to worship the Creator of the Universe! The One who sent His Son to die for me! The Almighty, Loving, Wonderful God, Who is my Savior and Lord! Wow! I challenge you to get a passion for God and His work. It will change your life. It did mine, and He is still changing me. God bless you!