Religion to relationship

John 11:1-44

One of my favorite things to do as part of my
devotions/study life is to "muse" on Gods word. To think on
it, reflect on it and ask questions of Jesus. Usually, I
start with a devotional book. There are a ton of them out
there. I look at the authors comments, but when the Holy
Spirit takes over, there is no telling where he will lead.
That is where it gets exciting! When Jesus says, "Class is
in session."

Today I was musing over the story of Mary, Martha and
Lazarus, today's reading. This world is full of religion.
In this country there is a church on ever corner or so it
seems. I was speaking with a woman recently, who said, "I
am Catholic, all my family is too. It is what we believe."
I am in no way picking on Catholics, rather the religious
spirit that is fed by Satans lies. All too often people
place their faith in the religious system, family and
allegiance or simple belief (as if believing in a set of
facts ever opened Heavens doors) and NOT with the one who
suffered and died to give us life. If you look closely at
today's reading we can see the Savior lovingly, gently
moving these two women from Religion to relationship. Look
at verse 24, she makes a religious proclamation. In verses
25,26 we see Jesus (I love those words) turn the tipic with
Martha to her personal relationship (Do YOU believe this?).
Verse 27 is the start of a beautiful personal relationship.
It is her conversion from Religion to relationship, from
knowledge to experience, from an outward expression to a
hearts desire.

As is often the case we see her first: Good work, she ran
and shared Jesus with her sister Mary. She enjoyed the same
personal experience as her sister. Is it any wonder Mary
did what she did in John 12:1-7? Jesus inspires LOVE. Our
hearts conversion makes us love him more. What an amazing
God we serve!! Only he can take us from Head knowledge to
Heart experience. The difference is as different as Heaven
is from Hell. Have you made the step from Religion to
relationship? Do you know Jesus with your head or your
heart? The answer to that question, will settle your
eternal home. Let us pray:

Father, help us to define and declare our relationship with
you. So often many of us when asked what we are, will
reply, "I'm Catholic, I'm Lutheran, etc", when what we
truly need to be is a follower of Christ. Help us in our
hearts make that relationship with you. Help us past the
knowledge in our heads to bring that final step to fully
allowing you into our hearts. We ask that for those who
have made that true relationship with you to help others
who are not sure how to make that final step. We want that
full loving relationship with you. Father we ask this in
the name of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen