Keeping It Real
Beloved, How I missed you on Sunday and how I look forward to seeing you this evening and Sunday coming...Lord willing.
As many of you know, one of my favorite phrases in Bible Study is to "keep it real not religious". Some might think there is something conflicting in that statement. I assure you that it is quite consistent. As I have taught and teach, we live in four dimensions - physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Our religion can be captured by our minds but not impact the rest of our dimensions. In keeping it real, I want you to know how important it is to have a solid spiritual foundation to inform your emotional being which should direct your mental acumen as to give you physical expression in what you say and do. So, to keep it real, knowing about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit is not enough. You must know and be in relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. How do you know if you are keeping it real? You are keeping it religious if you show up at church because you are supposed to. You are keeping it real if you show up because you know that you need to and have to. You are keeping it religious if you speak bible and church talk in the building but use words nothing like that outside of it. You are keeping it real if you are the same person outside of the building as you are inside of it. You are keeping it religious if you only talk about Jesus among Christians. You are keeping it real if you share the Gospel whenever and wherever you can. Jesus wanted and wants you to keep it real. In Matthew 10:32-33, Jesus said, "Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven." I think that Jesus was saying, "Keep it real." Either we are His own or we are not. God has blessings in store for His children; but, being religious is not going to get you to where you want to be in relationship with Him. In the name of Jesus, we must submit ourselves wholly and holy before God, trusting, believing, and faithfully walking with Him day by day. It is in our real lives that God wants to be so real to and for us. Let us receive His best for us. Let us keep it real. I look forward to seeing you this evening. If you have been coming but have gotten inconsistent, get back on track. If you have not come and know you should, get on track. We, your church family, are here with you and for you. Be with us and be for us. Let us all work towards keeping it real. God has something wonderful for us all, really! You come and invite someone to come with you. Be blessed, Rev. Cain
