“… if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, ‘WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”
~ John 6:36-37 NASU)A PRISONER’S PERSPECTIVE
~
Chantal Westerman, a former entertainment editor on Good Morning America, also volunteers in a program that counsels high-risk violent offenders in prison.
During one of her visits, just as she was getting started, an inmate interrupted her, asking: “Are you one of those religious types here to preach to us?”
Chantal explained that she was there to talk about spirituality, not religion. The inmate grumbled, “Religion, spirituality what’s the difference?”
Before she could answer, another inmate spoke up. “I’ll tell you the difference,” he said. “Religion is for people who are afraid of going to hell. Spirituality is for those of us who’ve already been there.”
When Jesus was on earth, he frequently confronted the difference between religion and spirituality. He emphasized this truth perhaps more than any other: The spiritual life isn’t about keeping mere rituals and following mere traditions, it’s about a personal relationship with a loving God.
For some reason, we’re easily attracted to religion. Maybe because it feeds our pride. Maybe because it allows us to focus on ourselves. Or maybe because it gives us the escape we’re looking for. But religion as opposed to spirituality has always had a strong pull on the human race.
Jesus calls us out of the religious life into the spiritual life a life with him not just rules and regulations, at the center.
The inmate was right. It can be said that religion is for those primarily interested in self-preservation those looking for fire insurance. For those who have already been through the fire, Jesus offers what religion cannot: restoration, peace, and fulfillment.
He said,
“
I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”
~ John 6:35 (NIV) ~
We have a tendency to grade our Christian walk based on how well we keep the rules on any given day. I wouldn’t suggest that we start breaking the rules but I would suggest that we shift our focus from them to Him. Especially if religion tends to leave you hungry.
Try it. Set aside the demands and expectations you place on yourself. Let go of the disappointments that so often stand in your way. Turn, once again, to Jesus, and him alone.Ask him to take away the hunger and thirst to fill your life with his presence.And take him at his word:
“… whoever comes to me I will never drive away”
~ John 6:37 (NIV) ~
Blessings on your week. Let me encourage you to lay religion aside and practice spirituality instead. I’m looking forward to seeing you this coming Sunday for In-Person or Online Worship. We are concluding the last section of IMMERSE. This week we’re looking at ACrash Course on Being a ‘Daniel Evangelist’.
Pastor Terrell
P. S.
Congratulations to all of you who will be finishing all six semesters of IMMERSE this coming week. Great job! I am proud of you.
with our activities.
ScheduleforSunday,September24,2023:
Ruth Class @ 9:00 AM in Room #202
The Saints Class @ 9:00 AM in Room #201
Prayer Room open @ 9:00 AM Room #206
Preschool Worship opens in KID CITY @ 10:15 AM
Morning Worship In-Person & Online @ 10:30 AM in Worship Center Kidz4Christ dismissed during Morning Worship
Schedulefortherestoftheweek,September24–30,2023:
Monday @ 4:30 PM Growth Group @ Puffers’ home.
Tuesday @ 10:00 AM Growth Groups: Men Room #202; Women in Fellowship Hall
Wednesday @ 6:20 PM Choir Rehearsal in Room #203
Wednesday @ 6:30 PM Youth Group in Fellowship Hall
Thursday@ 6:00 PM Growth Group in Fellowship Hall
Friday&SaturdayArise AZ Ladies’ Retreat in Sedona, AZ ariseaz.com
(Room #206)
Come early on Sundays and spend some time in prayer for the Morning Worship.
In addition, during the week, the Prayer Room is open to you when the Church Office is open.
GROWTH GROUPS
Chronicles is the final installment of Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience program. Check out this website for videos, reading schedule, online book, and even an audio portion that will read the selections to you! immersebible.com/chronicles-8-week/
Choir Rehearsals for the Christmas musical, “The Child Who Changed the World” continue each Wednesday @ 6:20 PM in Room [#203].
VAN FUND
$ 21,392.96
Keep on sharing the Good News of Jesus!
Gospel Conversations Total : 45,731
Come on out and enjoy this time … just for you!
Wednesdays in Fellowship Hall @ 6:30 PM
IF YOU NEED HELP OR ASSISTANCE
Deacon of the Week: Bruce Puffer 928-499-5882
THE PRAYER ROOMMorning Worship at a glance
“Take Us to the River”
“Hope of the Nations”
THIS IS CHURCH
Welcome & Offertory Prayer
Kidz4Christ dismissed
“Ah, Lord God”
“Jesus, All for Jesus”
“Follow On”
CHRONICLES
Immersing Our Lives in God’s Word
A Crash Course on Being a ‘Daniel Evangelist’
Daniel 4:27/page 167/paragraph 1
“Take My Life, and Let It Be Consecrated”
A Life Giving Church … Giving Life
2820 N. Pleasant View Drive
Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 928-772-7218
fsbcpv@firstsouthernpv.org
www.firstsouthernpv.org
Church Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday, 8:30AM - 2:30PM
Senior Pastor Terrell Eldreth: 619-244-6265
PastorTerrell@firstsouthernpv.org
Worship Pastor Bart Young 928-254-8713
PastorBart@firstsouthernpv.org
Advancing the Kingdom of God
one heart at a time.
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Offerings and Connection Cards will be collected in the Offering Boxes located just inside the two main entrances into our Worship Center, as well as in the Office Hallway.