From Tradition to Truth

As a child, I grew up attending a Catholic Church..until I met a family who started taking me to Church with them. Although I never understood the rituals of Catholicsm, however, I was never drawn to it. (I am thankful for God's protection.) Standing in front of a Catholic Church this past weekend brought me back to my childhood of going to Mass every Saturday or Sunday.  Although I don't know much, but one thing that didn't resonate with me is that 'Jesus blood is not enough.' And that was enough for me to not participate and just pray for souls.

As I think about God's  grace in bringing me out of the Catholic Church as a child, I can't help but grieve over those who are still involved, especially the ones I know. These people are so rooted in their traditions that they do not realize the Truth. Jesus Christ says he is the Way, Truth, and Life..and that no one comes to the Father except through Him.
 Here is my letter to my Catholic friends: (My letter is not to bash anyone, but the Holy Spirit would use His truth to open eyes to the reality of Jesus Christ and the false nature of tradition that so entangle men.)

Dear Friend,

I know what it is like to play religion- constantly bombarded with the thought and duty of 'earning' your salvation. I know what it is like to have no clue of the various rituals practiced every Sunday, yet still walk away hopeless and empty. I understand being dragged into Mass out of love for deeply-rooted family tradtions. I totally get it! "I, too, was ritualistic..until I found the One who became the Ultimate Sacrifice."

What if I told you that you were actually grieving Jesus Christ! You've been in the Catholic Church your whole life and never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, least not the true gospel that does not add man's filthy works.

What if I told you that you can NEVER earn your salvation and ALL your constant sacrifices and praise to Jesus, Mary, and the other saints are meaningless...and sinful!. Yes, sinful! Although you were convinced to believe that a priest can forgive your sins and stand as a mediator between you and God; this is folly. "Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins" (Hebrew 10:11). (Yes, your priest needs forgiveness for his sins through Jesus.)When you say that Jesus is one of the ways for salvation ( a right relationship with God).. or believe that you are responsible for your salvation, according to Catechism of the Catholic Church (1994) #2021, "Grace is the help God gives us to respond to our vocation of becoming his adopted sons…" then you are totally contradicting Scripture, which says: "God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure" (Ephesians 1:5). You see.. it is only through JESUS Christ; not your works, that you have been chosen to become a child of God.

Before I came to know Jesus, I struggled greatly with trying to please God on my own. I tried so hard to follow sermons and other rituals I was told to do, but I found myself falling back into sin. Until God opened my eyes and showed me how filthy I was and the condition of my soul was stained with SIN, I felt so hopeless in that moment- because for once, there was NOTHING I could do make myself clean. Then, Praise God!! I got a glimpse of the Cross and how Jesus Christ had already paid the price for my sins. I NEEDED A SAVIOR!!!!! I had been trying to be my savior for so long, yet always fell short. I can't begin to tell you what  freedom it was to finally know and confess that I didn't have to pay for my sins. That weight have been lifted off my shoulder. Because I have repented of my sins and COMPLETELTY trusted in Jesus, He has made me a new creation. The life I now live is totally in FREEDOM to worship my Savior with my entire life! I continually praise Him for what He has done and daily accept His grace! 

As I write this and think about you, my friend, who is in bondage with tradition, my heart utterly aches for your soul. You have been under false pretense by an unbiblical doctrine that has made your soul weary and grieved the One. Mary, Joseph, priest, sacraments, and everything in between cannot save YOU! ONLY JESUS! "For by one sacrifice he, Jesus Christ, has made perfect forever those who are being made holy" (Hebrews 10:12).

I know this is a hard truth, and one that will take the HOLY SPIRIT to open your eyes from rooted false doctrine. I know it's so grippling for someone to tell you that what you have been working for your whole life is vain. BUT.. it's so freeing to know you no longer have to. (I'm talking about Salvation here!) I think that is why Jesus was so frustrated with the Jews, because they were trying to earn their salvation by doing all these ritauls..(he even rebuked them, proclaiming,  "Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning,refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truthin him. When he lies, he speaks his native language,because he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me!"...( John 8:44-45). Even to the point of Jesus' death, these people were still trying to make sacrifices (atone) for their sins, when Christ death became the sacrifice once and for all!

Will you accept what Jesus has done on the Cross, completely? With open hands and humility, receivethe gift of salvation. "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is the free gift of God, not by works, so that no man can boast.." (Ephesians 2:8).Repent from the idols you have been worshipping your whole life and trust in Jesus alone. Ask Him to show you His truth and then walk in it. I am sincerely praying for you!

In Christ,

Angela 

The "Bible Belt" South: Modern Day Pharisees

I write this with tears in my eyes and an aching heart. Many know that the term "Bible Belt" refers to the South, and is part of the Southern culture. While this may be for some - especially Southerners-- something to take pride in; but gosh... my heart breaks. With sadness, I am crying to the LORD because we are just like anywhere else-- or in the areas that may be considered less religious. Why does my heart break so desperately for the "Bible Belt" South? Well, my heart breaks because... that's all it is!!! RELIGION!! PEOPLE ARE PRACTICING RELIGION AND DO NOT KNOW JESUS!!!!!!!!! Many fool themselves into thinking that they have been a Christian their whole lives, yet are not TRULY SAVED. Religion-- meaning attending church, being in a particular denomination has become their identity. Going to church every Sunday is a ritual because it's being practiced without JESUS. If you look closely, they do not LIVE in the Spirit, which is evidence that we are born again (new creatures). SALVATION for many is "saying a prayer as a kid," and as long as "I" go to church then I am fine.  Oh, Father, how they are like the Pharisees who never knew the real JESUS, yet He lived amongst them- and even exchanged words with HIM. Jesus saw that these people were not saved;  they were blinded by their religious practice, as He quotes: "You Pharisees and teachers of the Law of Moses are in for trouble! You’re nothing but show-offs. You lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. You won’t go in yourselves, and you keep others from going in" (Matthews 14:13-14). People, religion cannot SAVE you! Church is not  a means to salvation (And I am not saying this to condemn anyone, but to invite anyone to experience this incredible life with Jesus). There are so many nonbelievers in the church who are thinking they are believer because they attend.You see, Church is a response to a believer's life and not a a substitute relationship with Jesus.It's like buying a new car--the most amazing and cool car on the planet, but just parking it in your garage and NEVER driving it. You've only heard about how incredible this car is, but you cannot say yourself  that you've experienced it's magnificence. What a waste to have something so amazing and not drive (experience) it. That's  the very thing going. I heard this sermon by Francis Chan, where he was talking about a guy from India that he knew and how this man just started sobbing. The Indian man was crying because he met a pastor in America, and after talking to him, he knew that this man was not truly saved. Ugh..such a heartbreak. Sadly, I meet people like this everyday; and I just breakdown pleading that they would come to really have a Relationship with Jesus. You see, believing in something and not living it is not believing at all. Moreover, I know this a cliche', but it's so true that "being a Christian is about a PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP with Jesus, not RELIGION," but it is statement that is being missed. A personal relationship with JESUS is an intimacy that one experience every day through the HOLY SPIRIT. It is letting GOD be SAVIOR and LORD over your life. It is experiencing HIS sweet presence and being TRANSFORMED into His image. It is LIVING out His power and love, so that people will come to know HIM! It is LOVING more than anything and letting our actions follow. It is DOING His will and FULFILLING the PURPOSE He has for you!! Church cannot take the place of these things in your life, and it is not just experienced on a Sunday-- it's every day!! Oh, how I pray that God will tug your heart so your eyes will be opened to the true knowledge of Jesus. And as a response, you will be TRANSFORMED and EXPERIENCE this life that is so amazing and beautiful with JESUS. I end with some questions that must be personally answered:
1) Do you have a RELATIONSHIP with JESUS or are you practicing RELIGION?
2) Is JESUS LORD and SAVIOR of your life?
3) Has your life been TRANSFORMED or is religious practices- going to Church- the identification for calling yourself a "Christian?"

Do not be despaired, but there is HOPE. I do believe that JESUS speaks to us because He wants to change and invite us into His presence. That is why He paid for our sins on the Cross. He longs to have a Relationship with you and experience all that He is. So, my brother or sister "repent" and "be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Now go and truly live for Jesus by His Spirit enabling you!  STOP PRACTICING RELIGION AND KNOW JESUS!

A Lady In Waiting

Many of us have nicknames or have created one for ourselves, whether its for a twitter, facebook, or instagram -we all have one. For me I call myself "A Lady in Waiting," sounds creative right? This name is more than some creative "social media name" it is something that I have become and has changed my life. I have acquired this name, well it has become who I and how I see myself because of a book that has impacted my life as a teenager  called "Lady In Waiting." As a young teenager walking with Christ I did not understand my identity in Christ and what it meant to be a woman of God. This book has changed my perspective of relationships and how I look at myself. The words, quotes, verses, questions, and discussions has all stuck with me, shaped, and shown me what the Lord sees in me,  a woman and how he wants me to be my best. There are lots of guys that have come way, but I have stood firm on these words and the perfect reminder that "I am a lady in waiting." It has encouraged me to always wait on God's best and to give him my everything. it simply taught me my priorities as a young godly lady, Matthew 6:33 "seek first his kingdom and all will be added unto you,"  what has become my life verse. Although it has been almost 7 years since I've read this book, my life is still being changed by it and there is not an experience that goes by that God has reminded me who I am through this book. Despite my short comings and sometimes I forget who I am, I remember the stories of the incredible women of faith that waited on God and his faithfulness to them. That is why I cherish these words and proud to call myself "A Lady In Waiting."

PROVERBS 301:30 "Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised."

Idol Checks

Woke up this morning and talked to a friend who I have been discipling. It is so weird that the words she spoke to me is exactly what I needed to hear. I am doing an idol check.

Honestly, I have been emotionally unstable for the past month. I have been emotionally clingy to a certain person in my life. I did not realize the extent of my actions until my friend said these words "I've realized that I have been clingy towards this guy. I do not want to make decisions about my life based on him." Wow, how these words grasped my heart. I have been so emotionally invested that it is consuming me inwardly; I simply forgot where my hope lied. I failed to understand the purpose of being separated from this person. I thought God was punishing me and that he did not want me to be happy- it is obvious where I was looking for joy. I did not see it as a way of God's protection  and healing for me, he is looking past my present. I have not been healed emotionally from my past, which has built all these emotional turmoils inside of me. The wound in  my heart is still open and has not been healed completely. The more emotionally invested I became, the deeper my wound. The emotional pain has become too much and I needed something, the one I have been emotionally invested in to fix it-which is a lost cause. It is so clear that I am putting my happiness, hope of the future, literally my everything into this guy. Relationship is a good thing, but a good thing can be a bad thing when it consumes you.

That is not all- here is the cherry on top, she continues with these words, "I have been so focused on my appearence that  feel like I cannot leave my room without makeup." Inside of me is like "guilty" that is so me. The Lord has spoken to me about how vain I am through other people. Oh, how much I worship my physical appearrence because of my insecurity. I need something to make me feel that "I am beautiful," seeking the affrimations of others. The mirror I look at everyday does not show the true reflection of Christ in me "beauty in Christ," which is more precious. I have been praying about this and have laid it down to Jesus. Physical appearence is one of the things that has held me back from walking fully with God. I want to maintain the image that I have created of myself and do not want that to be stripped away. I know God has set me apart, but I do not want others to look at me any differently.

These are the idols ("gods")in my life that the Lord has shone his light upon. It is something serious because it is hindering my walk with the Lord. I am not resting fully in who I am in Christ Jesus. It is all about him, not a guy or my appearence.

What are the idols in your life, expose them and get rid of them. The only way to get rid of idols in our lives is to be consumed by the love of Christ. When we experience and know the  LOVE of Christ in our lives, our hearts will only want him. God's LOVE is only the way to remove idols in our lives.



EXODUS 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before me"

Down the Aisle

 Saturday I attended the wedding of a church member of mine. I thought to myself, it is that time again, wedding bells. I have thought about the many outfits and dresses I've bought over the years. That' s a lot of weddings I have been to. It is always magical to see the bride walk down the aisle. As soon as the song play, I immediately observe the groom, as his heart melts when he sees her in white and veiled for the first time. The whole ceremony represents something, starting with the aisle. The aisle represents the journey it took to get where these two couples are. The woman walks to her groom which symbolizes their individual walk with Christ. At the end of the ceremony when they are declared husband and wife, they walk down the same aisle together as couple. This symbolizes their new beginning and walk together in Christ. The woman will no longer walk alone, but her husband is there to lead her every step of the way, pointing them to Christ.

I've heard lots of wedding sermons, some that stuck out to me and others that just went in one ear and out the other. It might be a little mean to say, but I have seen some couples that do not represent the picture of marriage as a sacrificial and pure love. Hey, I am not here to judge. On with my point, there were something different about this wedding sermon, I had a moment when it all made sense to me!!!! I am not a married woman yet, but I am thankful for the illustration of godly marriages display in Christian couples. Anyways, when my pastor said these exact words "It is not you or him that bring each other together, it is God." I know this sounds like a DUHH statement, but for me it was an AHHH, I get it. It makes perfect sense going back to the allegory of the wedding aisle. This is where the gift of singleness ant the gift of marriage comes into play  as Paul states in [1 Corinthians 7: 6-9 ] "to the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am." Oh how much do we waste the moments of singleness in order to strengthen our walk with the Lord because we are too focused on trying to find the "right one," being matchmakers for ourselves. This is something that Lord has been showing me and growing me, even in my struggle to want to rush getting married because I think I found my mr. right. He is letting me walk the down aisle without a man because he wants to grow my walk with him, seeking him first (Matthew 6:33) which has been my life verse. 

You are not walking alone done the aisle, God is walking with you. Ladies, do not be in no rush because God is not. Singleness is a gift, so Glorify him with it and stop wasting this precious time by trying to find the one. He will bring you to the man that he has for you. As for now, he wants you to walk with him in holiness.

"You oh dear one are my bridegroom. The one I gave my life for so that you may have joy in me alone.That my Love will be made perfect in you and no one else." I love you." 

-Love, your bridegroom, Christ