Required by GOD?

I have read many different articles and blogs talked with different people who believe that church is required and some that don't believe it is. I now have come to realize that there are way TOO many ideas out there. If the way to God is SO simple, then why so much confusion? What exactly is required by GOD? Since we sort of read the word and decide what WE would like to take from it (We meaning me & you). Maybe there are days when I don't really want to go to church and maybe there are those days that I volunteer to do things others won't but why make such an issue? I feel that we all pay for what we do. If I decide to revolve my life around "church" then that is my problem...not the church's. I am the one who put myself there no one else forced me to be involved in choir or missions. I put myself there. Does require me to be involved in choir? NO! Does God require me to be involved in missions? Yes, according to the Great commission. Does require me to go to Mexico every year...NO I choose to do this.
I believe now is the time we have to evaluate ourselves and see what does God really require from us? He doesn't require us to be followers of Man. So if your doing that...WRONG. He does require us to be obedient. His word plainly says that obedience is better than sacrifice. And no we don't choose what obedience is read the word and find out how you can obedient to God. It is plain and simple...if what you think is confusing and you have to ponder on the thought...then just test and see. If it gets you closer to God (with your thoughts & emotions) then it's probably your idea. Emotions should never be your way to God!

Difference

When I woke up this morning I had some thoughts about a particular person. I thought maybe I should make a phone call or maybe even stop by this morning to pay them a visit. I struggled with the thought of putting myself out there. My thoughts kept running and running and eventually by the time I got ready, got breakfast for everyone, and got the kids to school I realized that maybe my difference could make a difference. It didn't matter if my feelings were getting in the way.... what mattered is I was changing my way of thinking. I took my feelings and overruled them in hope to make a difference. You see a difference could be made by the simplist action. An action to die to self and I had to act in order to die to myself. We always hear people say we have to die to the flesh and live for Jesus. But how many actually do this? I know that I spoke these words many times and never done it. My actions are superficial and they are what show. The more and more I think about it I was not really trying to make a difference.
Today I can honestly say that I died to my flesh and made a difference. The difference didn't have to be for me to change anything in that person's mind, to make them like me more, or to be recognized for my actions. The difference had to be for me. In order for me to make a change in my walk with God or with the people around me something had to change. Maybe my actions didn't mean anything to that person and they can go on with their day like any normal day. But my actions meant something to me and more importantly meant something to Jesus.

We have entered into the blog world. Postings will be coming soon!