Here is Monday's Morning Message for July 6, 2026,
from Brother Sam Scheib:
Good morning, Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Happy Monday to you.
This week I want to encourage you to let go of religion. Many people
in my generation and generations close to mine have had bad
experiences with religion. Growing up going to church or having
friends that went to church and being taught how to dress for church,
who was welcomed at church, what to do, what not to do, and how to
do it have left scars on many people's idea of religion. Following Jesus
isn't about religion; it's about faith in Him. Wearing formal attire isn't
required to approach, seek, and learn about God. I've had people tell
me they have to "get their life right" before attending church again.
That's not how it works! We need to go to God to get "fixed" and not
try to fix ourselves and then go to Him. It's impossible to "fix"'
ourselves. I know I and others have witnessed church elders push
away people who didn't dress right, didn't speak right or didn't worship
right. I've seen people be judged and pushed away for their sins by
the same people that speak of Jesus' love for everyone. Some
religious practices even teach that we don't have direct line to God,
that we need someone more spiritually equipped to talk to Him for us.
This too, is not true. St. Matthew 11.28 says, "Then Jesus said, 'Come
to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give
you rest.'" Jesus is a refuge for the broken, and our outward appearance
makes no difference to Him. And as for our inward appearance, "Come
now, let's settle this," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet,
I will make the as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will
make them white as wool" (Isaiah 1.18). We are told to go to Him
tarnished and stained and He will cleanse us. "All those the Father gives
Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will never drive away"
(St. John 6.37). Did you catch that? "Whoever comes to Me, I will
NEVER drive away." People may drive you away from a church because
of their false ideas regarding religion but Jesus will never drive you away
from Him, no matter what. Repeatedly throughout the Bible, the LORD
used prostitutes, murderers, cheaters, liars, thieves, and sinners of the
worst kind, to do His will. No one is too broken for Him. Don't let
religion ruin your relationship with Jesus. Let go of your past experiences
of religion that have harmed you and accept the LORD's welcoming grace
in the way it was truly intended.
Have a blessed week!
Soli Deo Gloria!
He is risen! He is risen, indeed!
