Are you Spiritual, Religious, or a when it is convenient Christian?

I have ran into many people who were desperately trying to sell me their product. Often their technique was trying to appeal to my emotions, fleshly desires, or connect with me by stating they were a Christian. At first they identified themselves as a Christian but as their bad fruit began showing then they would quickly jump over to the I am more of a spiritual person camp. It is not a good thing when l start sensing that this is not bearing witness with my spirit, discerning that something isn't jiving here, believing there seems to be a dead cat on the line, or thinking that the salesperson is peeing on me and telling me it's raining. It is sad when a person starts believing their lies or that the end result justifies the means. As many of you has witnessed also, it is clearly evident that many salespersons were doing as they had been taught and did not even believe in what they were saying at times. Christians believe God loves them, God has their best interest at heart, God wants a better life for them and that why he sent Jesus. They also believe that Jesus is the only way to Heaven, Jesus Christ is their advocate, intercessor before God, and Lord of their life. Their belief is when in need of comfort the Holy Spirit is there, the Holy Spirit was sent down to Earth to assist them on a daily basis, and they are never alone here on Earth. They truly trust that their protective, loving, generous. compassionate, and forgiving Father is Almighty God who abides in Heaven. In stead of seeking godly counsel, guidance, wisdom, knowledge, understanding and revelation from the Holy Bible, the Holy Spirit, or submitting to the Will of the Heavenly Father; wavering individuals often embrace traditional dishonest sales tactics, horoscopes, tea leaf readings, crystals, healings through cultural ceremonies, chanting, quote self-confirming statements, participant in seances, seek cleansing from demonic influence through herbs, search out palm and tarot card readers for guidance, looking into the future through water divination, and other forms of predicting one's plight in life or dive into calling upon satanic forces for power, vengeance, and worldly gains. Salespeople have often stated, "I am a religious person too" and then proceed by mentioning their religion, nature loving group, universal truths, god or gods they worshipped.

Centuries ago a man named Joshua (Joshua 24: 14-28 KJV) spoke to his people and said: 14Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. 15And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.16And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods; 17For the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed: 18And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God.19And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. 20If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good. 21And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD. 22And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses. 23Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel. 24And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey. 25So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem. 26And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God, and took a great stone, and set it up there under an oak, that was by the sanctuary of the LORD. 27And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God. 28So Joshua let the people depart, every man unto his inheritance.

I really have more respect for the straight shooters or the honest person who speaks their truth up front. I can identify with truth. I dislike others trying to pretend to be something they clearly are not, utilizing fear tactics, manipulation, cunning devices, deceptive words, flattery, and the followers of say what they want to hear approach to win favor or close the deal. I believe it is a lie or it is the truth. I do not believe in imagined truths, invented truths, or half truths. Jesus was wholeheartedly filled with truth. His purpose was clearly stated. He was unwavering. He was willing to embrace the old but branch out into new territories with His unconventional methods. He wasn't fearful of disappointing man. He did not use the excuse, I am human when he wanted to sin. And he did not use the narcistic statement, I am God so I can do what I want to do. Jesus did not think it was all about Him and doing whatever He had to compromisingly do to get people to buy into His message or follow Him. He didn't set His goals to obtain more earthly material things. He was not focused on the new boat or yacht that would be big enough for him and the disciples to rest comfortably in while riding the waves or traveling across the seas. He was not worrying about how he was going to feed his family or his followers. He wasn't meditating in the wee hours of the night on how he could charm more women into financing his ministry. He wasn't fretting about the competing religions of His day. He trusted that His Father's will was the best way to build the Kingdom of Heaven. Let's get real with who we are, what we truly want to accomplish in this life, why we are doing the things right in our eyes, or the inner desire we hide so others will feel comfortable. Instead why are you putting off fearlessly stepping out into the place that God has called you to, your purpose, His plan that has been ignored for far too long, What should you be freely, righteously doing, versus the ungodly acts that are hurting you and others. Do you really know God, what image he projects, why He wants to be reconciled to you? Do you know how much value he places in you, how much he truly love you. It can be overwhelming for some to imagine a home outside of God's protective shelters. For others they have only experienced rejection, punishment, shaming, and humiliation from fake Christians, legalistic pretenders, and unloving hypocrites so they feel forced to pose or pretend. Come back into the fold. Follow the voice of the Good Shepherd. Keep your focus on where we want to end up eternally, not on temporary fixes. Decide today who truly is your Father. Are you a child of Abba, Father, the Almighty God in Heaven or is your daddy the Father of lies, Satan, the devil?

(John 8: 42-47 KJV) 42Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. 46Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 47He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.?

Choose wisely whom ye will serve? Your eternity depends upon it.