Is life about religion or about having a personal relationship with Yahweh (God)?
For the last 5 years or so I have been given sight by studying the Word that this life is not about Sunday services or being part of a religion. I study by taking the Word scripture by scripture and breaking down the words in Hebrew and Greek. The verse 2 Timothy 2:15 says: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
This is the only way that we will truly understand Yahweh's plan for us. I have yet to see anywhere in the bible where He commands he children to be part of a religious group or even call themselves Christians. He calls his chosen servants, my people. The church is not a four walled building that you attend. The church is the body of Christ. We have all become echoes of our families before us and we need to study and find the answers to the "why's".
What do you think?
This is the only way that we will truly understand Yahweh's plan for us. I have yet to see anywhere in the bible where He commands he children to be part of a religious group or even call themselves Christians. He calls his chosen servants, my people. The church is not a four walled building that you attend. The church is the body of Christ. We have all become echoes of our families before us and we need to study and find the answers to the "why's".
What do you think?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Denna J. Shelton on -
I believe there are many paths to one God. I respect and honor all the different paths that ultimately lead to harmony, joy, love and peace....Unity.
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Permalink Reply by Tamara Garcia on -
Thank you for your response Denna. I look forward to many, many more. I love to engage and hear others.
Peace be with you
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Permalink Reply by Spottie on -
[This group has been pretty quiet for awhile...]
Question Tamara: What do you mean by the word "site"? {" I have been given site..."} I'm guessing you mean "sight"? or "insight"?
I agree that life is not about Sunday services but I believe it is about being a part of something which can take many forms/beliefs, whether that something comes in the form of religion, church, or nothing tangible but something between oneself and a higher power of whatever name one enjoys.
I admire you for your breaking down the scripture by Hebrew and Greek. One simple phrase can take on a whole new meaning from one language to another. I myself have been trying to learn metaphysical meanings.
I agree with Denna too that there are many paths to one's higher power and I too respect and honor all different paths. Unfortunately though I don't think all paths lead to peace, harmony, joy and love. Crazy mean violent stuff has been done in the name of one's higher power...
As I said in another post, natural milestones are more fun/easier when celebrated with people, rituals for birth, marriage, death, etc. With such a mobile society today, joining a church family may be the only closest family someone has. So no I don't get hung up on what I wear to church or having to go every Sunday but I do enjoy belonging to 'four walls'.
~*~
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Permalink Reply by Denise on -
Hi Tamara,
Thanks for posting this. I feel that my personal relationship with God is in every moment. It has little to do with going to church. I go to church because I live in a small town and I enjoy the people at my church, I enjoy the beautiful rituals and the offerings of prayers and meditations we do together for the people in our community who are suffering or are celebrating. Our prayers, cards, letters and flowers, or gifts of food are meant to connect us in spirit.. It is community spirit at its best. But, for me, these spiritual connections are not limited to church or Sunday. It's only a part of it. I do regular yoga and meditation/chanting practice both in and outside of my home. I am so grateful that all of these paths are there for me to connect in oneness of spirit with God and others.
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Permalink Reply by Tamara Garcia on
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Ladies,
I must say that I appreciate your words and thank you for sharing. I must say that it's nice to come to a place where we can express ourselves and let each other know who we are without judgment.
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Permalink Reply by Toni Parker on -
I agree. While I do enjoy hearing a powerful sermon, I tend to shy away from religion and do not consider myself religious. I am spiritual and like to focus on the holy spirit because that is where we walk in Christ and bring peace and love to mankind.
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Permalink Reply by Tamara Garcia on
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Hi Toni,
Thank you for responding to my post. I am a firm believer that the bible has the answers to every solution. I do not look too anyone else for my trials in life. I do however love spending time with other women that are also striving and wanted to be a true servant and daughter of our Father.
I must admit that at this time it has been hard for me to sit in study groups that only seek books, and focus on self improvement. I live in wanting to deny my flesh and continue to strive to live in the Spirit daily.
Live is not about self improvement but more about self denial.
Toni Parker said:I agree. While I do enjoy hearing a powerful sermon, I tend to shy away from religion and do not consider myself religious. I am spiritual and like to focus on the holy spirit because that is where we walk in Christ and bring peace and love to mankind.
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Permalink Reply by SaVonni Yestanti on -
I believe that God calls us individually, not when we are amongst a group of people. I say that first, because God said it...LOL....and second because having a personal RelationShip with my Creator isn't about others; it is about how I respond to the Creator as the maker of all things. Travelled and participated in lots of churches, HowEver, it was only when I was by myself that my Creator drew me closer and validated my existence while assuring me that I belonged, RegardLess of what others had to say about that fact.
When I study, I too break down the words. I use the dictionary (yes even on the common sense words) just because I get an alternate way of looking at what is being said to me. There's also a book I just started studying entitled Sparkling Gems from the Greek: 365 Greek Word Studies for Every Day of the Year To Sharpen Your Understanding of God's Word by Rick Renner. Breaking down the words gives us an amazing UnderStanding of the message that is truly being sent to us.
My RelationShip with God is just that: mine. It's not about the people who happen to be around or the building some would like to meet in.
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Permalink Reply by Tamara Garcia on
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SaVonni,
Nice to hear from you and I also agree with what you said. I think too many times we become and echo of someone else with no true understanding. I do not consider myself to be apart of any denomination or part of religion. But I do fall under the banner of Christ and Him alone.
We had did a study on the word Christian and where it came from an you will be surprised that it was out of mockery that the name came about. In the bible you will find the the word christian is in there once and the word christians is in there twice. The unbelievers of Christ in that time only used that word to the believers as mockery. Today I do not consider myself a christian but a saint. The Most High mentions and calls His people saints and you will find that over 100 times in the bible.
So much to learn and share and we must "study to shew thyself approved" and we will be greatly rewarded with the mystery of the library of God's word.
I will look into that book that you mentioned because I am sure that it will help in our studies.
Peace be with you (Shalom)
SaVonni Yestanti said:I believe that God calls us individually, not when we are amongst a group of people. I say that first, because God said it...LOL....and second because having a personal RelationShip with my Creator isn't about others; it is about how I respond to the Creator as the maker of all things. Travelled and participated in lots of churches, HowEver, it was only when I was by myself that my Creator drew me closer and validated my existence while assuring me that I belonged, RegardLess of what others had to say about that fact.
When I study, I too break down the words. I use the dictionary (yes even on the common sense words) just because I get an alternate way of looking at what is being said to me. There's also a book I just started studying entitled Sparkling Gems from the Greek: 365 Greek Word Studies for Every Day of the Year To Sharpen Your Understanding of God's Word by Rick Renner. Breaking down the words gives us an amazing UnderStanding of the message that is truly being sent to us.
My RelationShip with God is just that: mine. It's not about the people who happen to be around or the building some would like to meet in.
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