Are You Following God, Or Just Following Rules?

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TODAY'S TEACHING

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
—John 17:3

I used to treat prayer like a fire alarm. I’d yank the cord only when the smoke got thick and the situation felt scary. The rest of the time, I kept a polite, holy distance and called it “being religious.”

Then I learned something that wrecked my old routines in the best way. The Holy Spirit wasn’t visiting only at church. He was living in me every day to comfort, teach, help, and direct me through ordinary stuff like picking out an outfit, making a good chess move, and choosing the right birthday gift without guessing wrong.

Somewhere in there, it clicked. Jesus didn’t die to hand me a label or a rule sheet. He opened the door to a real relationship with God where love speaks louder than rule-keeping (like today's scripture says).

I stopped trying to earn gold stars like I did in elementary school. My faith quit riding on my “good days” and started resting on what Jesus already finished. Mercy and grace did what my hustle never could.

Let me tell you about a barista who used to pray only when the rent was late or her mom’s tests came back unclear. One day, she prayed, “God, I need Your help,” while trying to steam milk and keep from crying, and she felt this quiet thought rise up, “Slow down, one cup at a time.”

She started inviting God into little moments thereafter. Which playlist to put on at 6 a.m. Which regular customer needed an extra minute just to listen. Which job offer to accept when two showed up the same week. Nothing flashy, just a steady, loving Presence guiding her like a gentle hand on her back.

Months later, she said, “I used to think God only cared when life exploded. Now I know He meets me between espresso shots and bus rides.” No choir. No spotlight. Just a loving Father who enjoys walking with His kid to work.

That’s the place you need to settle too. Avoiding trying to impress God with good works, to trusting the finished work of Jesus. You'll find the door into daily fellowship flings wide open. You'll notice His gentle voice and enjoy His presence in every situation.

So choose to be relational (even more), not religious. That’s where the life is. That’s where the help is. That's where the blessing is.

If this resonates with you, here's a short prayer you can say today:

"Dear God, I don’t wanna just go through the motions anymore. I want the real thing. Tear down every wall I’ve built with my habits and fears, and draw me close enough to feel Your heartbeat. Remind me that love is louder than any list and obedience flows best from relationship, not religion. Help me walk with You, not just around You, every single day. Amen."

God bless you!

Your brother in Christ,

Daniel
Daily Effective Prayer™

P.S. - Thank you for allowing me to connect with you through email. If you ever want to UNSUBSCRIBE you can do so at the bottom of any of my emails - no questions asked. God bless you.

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DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS

1. Are Christians stuck in a routine, or actually walking with God?

If we’re honest, we know the difference. Religious routine is us clocking in and out. It's us checking off boxes on a list. But walking with God feels like a conversation in the kitchen while the kettle’s humming and the dog’s barking at nothing. We bring the real stuff, not the cleaned-up version. If our faith feels stiff, we can stop and say, “Lord, we’re showing up for You, not to look good.” That simple shift makes all the difference and it's such a blessing.

2. Are we measuring success by boxes checked or by fruit growing in us?

Religion keeps score. Relationship grows fruit. If we’re getting sharper with people, grumpier at home, and stingier with mercy, our “perfect record” isn’t worth much. But when we notice more patience during traffic, more kindness with that difficult coworker, more peace when plans fall apart, that’s relationship at work. Fruit doesn’t shout. It just shows up, one small bloom at a time, and before we know it, we’re carrying baskets we didn’t even plant by ourselves because God brings the harvest.

3. Do Believers talk with God like children at the table, or like employees scared of the boss?

When we treat prayer like a religious performance review (see my previous newsletter), we try to hide our imperfections and polish our words. But kids come clattering in, socks unmatched, stories spilling, hearts open. That’s how we were invited to come... as we are. We can tell Him the truth, where we blew it, where we’re scared, where we need help by noon or we’ll lose it. Relationship says, “Pull up a chair.” Religion says, “Earn your seat.” We already have a chair thanks to Jesus Christ and our name is on it.

4. When interruptions hit, does a Christian guard their rules or follow His nudge?

We know the feeling. Calendar packed, plan tight, and then a holy detour shows up in the form of a neighbor, a text, a quiet request for help. Religion grumbles, “I'm busy.” Relationship whispers, “This is the moment.” We won’t catch every nudge by the Holy Spirit (that's fine), but we can practice noticing. Sometimes the assignment is a listening ear, a short prayer in the hallway, or five extra minutes with our kid at bedtime. Love is flexible. Law stiffens. Let’s choose to be willing and bend to God's direction.

5. Are we trying to look godly, or are we letting God make us new from the inside out?

Acting religious can fool people, but it can’t fool our hearts, and it certainly won't fool God. We can know all the right words and still limp with hidden exhaustion because we're trying to hold it all together on our own strength. Relationship invites a deeper work by God. The slow renovation where He pulls up old carpets of fear, patches the cracks of shame, and opens the windows for fresh grace. We don’t have to fake peace while white-knuckling. We can receive it. Day by day, we cast our cares on Him in exchange for His light yoke, and we actually breathe again.

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