Ritual or Relationship? (from Exp God)

[6] They did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD who brought us safely out of Egypt and led us through the barren wilderness–a land of deserts and pits, a land of drought and death, where no one lives or even travels?’  [Je 2:6 NLTse]

Christianity … is not a set of doctrines to believe, habits to practice, or sins to avoid …

… God designed worship for us to see Him in His glory and to respond appropriately; for many it has degenerated into “religion,” one more meeting to attend out of habit …

… God gave us prayer so we could have conversation with Him, but we often distort this by “saying prayers” and hurrying off without ever listening to what is on our Father’s heart. God instituted His commandments as a protection for those He loves, but the commandments can become a pathway to legalism rather than an avenue for a relationship with our Father in which He protects us from harm.  Religious activity apart from fellowship with God is empty ritual … Don’t settle for a religious life that lacks a vital relationship to Jesus Christ. When God is present, the difference will be obvious.