All Words At Their Root Have Deep And Profound Meaning, And Over Time They May Change Their Original

All words at their root have deep and profound meaning, and over time they may change their original connotation and be perceived a different way. Religion is one of those words.

In modern use it means the practice of any belief system, denomination or spiritual application — and in one sense that is true. However the actual meaning of the word is much more restraining and ominous.

The Latin origin of “RELIGION” is 'RE' which means “AGAIN” and 'LIGUARE' meaning to “To Tie Or Bind.” Put it all together and the real effect of all religions is to put people in a position to continually go back to those things that BIND THEM BACK To A Never-Ending Walk Of Works, Worship and Warnings.

Christianity on the other hand in the modern usage of the word could be classified as a 'religion,' but in the true meaning of the word it is the exact OPPOSITE of a system that ties you to rules, regulations, regalia, and restraints.

True Christianity is not another RE-LIGUARE which binds you to doing THIS, not eating THAT, wearing certain DRESS, self-PUNISHMENT, presenting SACRIFICES, requiring strict schedules of SERVICE OR ATTENDANCE, or PRAYING PRAYERS at certain times. Instead the true essence of being a Christian is being in a RELATIONSHIP — not only to God that made you, but to the only true God who is KING OF KING AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:16)

Christ alone is the only one that can and will redeem you from sin and eternal death, and freely give all that choose to believe that He conquered death by raising from the dead. In doing so he alone opened the way for all to follow HIM as truly the only “Way, Truth and Life“ (John 10:10b) to heaven and eternal life. All that He requires of you is to believe in your heart in the Lord Jesus, and confess with your mouth that Christ is the only true God and repent of your sins, then you will be saved (Romans 10:9)

Friend, all Religions require YOU to pay a cost by binding you to doing something to redeem your life or achieve a state of perfection. Your sweat and blood is not required because Christ has already PAID THE PRICE of redemption WITH HIS BLOOD to make YOU Perfect in His holiness and wholeness that 'religion' can only partially promise and vainly hope for IF you do certain things.

Saul who became the great Apostle Paul saw that religion is a FALSE PROFIT that cannot save. Like Paul instead put your trust in the TRUE PROPHET of Christ alone today as He is THE ONE TRUE AND ONLY WAY.

God Bless Your Day, Jesus Loves You

NotesOnLife.org

A good friend of mine worked for the FBI for many years and when I asked her how they caught criminals, she said something I never forgot:

“If you want to find a criminal, find their friends, because they are who they associate with.”

The same could be said for our regular lives, but especially as Christians for our life in Christ. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 15:33 that “Bad company corrupts Good Character” so when we associate with people of an unholy nature, their character can and does rub off on us. The Bible also warns us in James 1:27 “...to keep oneself unspotted from the world” so again we are reminded that it is important to not keep company with people of questionable character.

This does not mean that you cannot be friends with non-Christians. Keep in mind our goal is foremost LOVE of people and seeing them as Christ sees us – as sinners saved by grace. As today’s verse points out, as people of God we are ‘Holy;’ but that does NOT mean uppity or better than anyone else!! The word ‘holy’ means ‘set apart’ as we are set apart for God as His people to do his work and be ambassadors for Christ and need to act and be accordingly.

In your close relationships, choose people of like mind - people that also have the mind of Christ. When you do, godly friends will build you up and make you stronger:

“ As iron sharpens iron; so a friend sharpens a friend’s character.” Proverbs 27:17

God Bless Your Day, Jesus Loves You

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The Famous “El Arroyo” restaurant in Austin Texas is well known for their excellent Tex-Mex food, but also for their witty and wise signs like this one in today’s picture. Likewise like the title of this message we are also warned that when we chose to go our own way outside of the safe guidelines that God is giving us in living life that there will ALWAYS BE CONSEQUENCES.

All of us have a conscious (which is simply God speaking to our spirit) as well as access to the most published book in human history of a “Life’s Owners Manual” that everyone in the world has access to (but many never read) called the B.asic I.nstructions B.efore L.eaving E.arth. When we follow the instructions in this book carefully, it doesn’t mean everything in your life will be smooth sailing, but it does promise us that no matter what the trial we will always have a means to eventually have victory over it.

On the other hand as the verse in Ezekiel says, when we go our own way and choose our own actions outside of the “B.I.B.L.E. Life Manual,” when God sees you in peril because of bad choices, He has no pity over the consequences that you have brought upon yourself.

Instead of going your own way, do as your Heavenly Father instructs:

“Don’t forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; For when you do they will add length to your days and Years and PEACE to your life.” Proverbs 3:1-2

When you do, there will always be TRUTH, but no CONSEQUENCES.

God Bless Your Day, Jesus Loves You

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I opened my backdoor one morning and was startled that I had left it unlocked all night, and that got me thinking about what Jesus said about the thief entering into someone’s house. While Jesus’ parable seems to be about a physical house, He was really referring to the danger of leaving an opening in our spirit to destructive forces that can enter into our life through a hidden way that we are unaware of or have carelessly ignored.

All of us have flaws– that is just a part of being human – but some of these can be 'back doors' to the evil spiritual world of robber spirits of the soul that unless checked and secured can be an opening to temptations and weaknesses that can sneak up on us and rob and destroy our spirit. Many great men and women have been brought down because they did not check their 'unlocked spiritual backdoor' and were overcome, tricked and robbed into making tragic mistakes.

The best defense is a strong offense, so diligently practice 1 Corinthians 16:13 that commands us to “Watch, Stand Steady and...BE STRONG.” Always be vigilant and circumspect of all aspects of your life. No one will do it for you! Make sure the house of your spirit is always locked and secure and never “Give any place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27)

God Bless Your Day, Jesus Loves You

NotesOnLife.org

Ask people about whether they believe that “Jesus is the (only) way, the (only) truth, and the (only) life,” and most will reply with a resounding “NO I don’t believe that.” After all, there must be more than one way that leads up to a higher truth, not just one, right?!?

If you are in that camp, You Are Not Alone! The way 'UP' logically must have many paths, and besides… can anyone really KNOW if there is just one?? If not the answer must be NO.

While what you may hear about Christ being “The Way” may be said with honest sincerity by the person sharing it (like me as you read this) it is more often than not rejected out of hand as being too fantastic, far-fetched, or feasible to be believable — or more precisely — KNOWABLE. In our natural reasoning, Jesus is not, nor can he be the only possible way to eternal life...and that is precisely the point of today’s scripture verse.

You see, the Bible says that “the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:10) and without that light bulb of the illumination of God’s Spirit, you will continue to say and think NO, and KNOW will not be possible.

The reality however is that you can KNOW... but it takes a step of faith on your part to be open to the possibility that God and The Bible says what it says and that is true. In order to get there just like stating out on a long journey, it starts with the first step ascending up the staircase of KNOWING. Everything most likely will not be perfectly clear or KNOWABLE at first but if you are open, God’s Word promises us that His Holy Spirit’s WILL lead you to KNOW this 'truth' that “Jesus is (in deed!) the WAY, The TRUTH, and the LIFE.” He is THE TRUTH that indeed “Sets You FREE” (John 8:32) and that truth is only found in Christ.

If you’ve read this far and don’t agree...I get it. For some it happens at the beginning of a lifetime, for others in their 50’s, 60’s, or even 70’s. But this fact remains -you CAN KNOW and go from NO to KNOW. Simply start by asking God to show you the first step and He will.

That first step is entirely up to you, and the end of that ascension will be UP. The question is will you take that first step, and do you want to go from NO to KNOW??

God Bless Your Day Jesus Loves You

NotesOnLife.org

I hate to break it to you, but one day we are all going to die, but here’s something you may not of thought of before.

When you come into this world, your SOUL is united with your BODY and after living a (hopefully long life) one day your body will die and at that point your soul will then be separated from your body. This physical death is what the Bible calls 'The First Death,' but the question is - what THEN happens to your SOUL?

The Bible teaches at death that your soul will go one of two places. If you are “in Christ” it will go directly to be with God, and you will not die again or face condemnation. However if you are NOT in Christ, your soul will be separated from God and you will wait in hell until the end of time, and at that point will be judged for your sins and faced a self-imposed condemnation where you will go into “..the Lake of Fire.” This is the SECOND DEATH - the death of your soul - but a death that will never end and continue for all eternity.

Wow!! That message is really brutal! ... and YES it is, and perhaps the most harsh word I have ever written, but before you get angry at me, THIS IS WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS, but here is the GOOD NEWS and the Truth!

You have been offered an acquittal - a full pardon for everything you’ve ever done wrong or evil in your life. There is no reason why you or anyone should experience a 'Second Death!' It is entirely up to you to believe or NOT BELIEVE what the Bible says, so if you have read this far, here is the conclusion of the matter.

Either: A) You will believe God’s offer of forgiveness, believe what His Word says in the Bible about avoiding this second death and take His offer of deliverance from this Second Death -or- B)You will come to your own conclusion that this is some stupid, superstitious, imaginary religious fairy tale not worth your consideration.

It is going to be one or another, but either way it is YOUR CHOICE.

Friend, THIS IS SERIOUS. You really do have a soul that will live forever, and YOU have a CHOICE how many DEATHS you believe you’ll have.

WILL IT BE ONE DEATH OR TWO?

God Bless Your Day, Jesus Loves You

Pastor-Teacher Wayne Estrada

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