Transformation from Religion to Relationship

for Those Seeking A Closer Walk with God

Barbara Frankson

• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Year: 2019
• Print ISBN: 9781644160466
• eBook ISBN: 9781644160473
• Topic: Theology & Religion

In life, we are either in a storm, coming out of a storm, or approaching a storm. Where in life are you?The author's writings are 365 days of personal transparent testimonies of her life and her walk with God from religion to relationship backed up with scriptures, daily challenges, and instructions to help you have a closer walk with God and encourage you to seek him daily. Transformation from Religion to Relationship emphasizes the need to be mentored by the Holy Spirit, and walking in obedience to God. Anyone can be religious and walk through the motions of being a Christian, and wearing the tittle 'Christian'; however, one must make a conscious decision to intentionally seek after God and have a one on one relationship with him. This book is a daily blueprint on building a stronger relationship with God. Unlike traditional devotionals there are no months or dates. The first day you start your journey becomes your day 1. Do you desire a closer walk with God? Step out on faith and let your journey begin. Your Day 1 awaits you.

Day 1 The Lord Is a Delight

Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

—Psalm 37:4–5 (KJV)

I remember when I was in the world doing things of the world, I would still expect God to give me the desires of my heart. Not understanding unless my desires lined up with his will, I could seek, ask, and knock on those things, and I still would not have it if it was not lined up with God’s will. In order for us to delight ourselves in the Lord, we have to be walking in his will for our lives. There is no way that we will know God’s will if we don’t spend time with him praying, reading his Word, fasting, and asking for guidance and direction. How can you obey his laws if you don’t know what the laws are. I once had a sister in Christ come to me showing me her new tattoos. Well, if she was spending time with God and truly trying to walk in his precepts, she would have understood what he said about tattoos. God’s temple should in no way be defiled, and tattoos are permanent markings on our temples. Our desires have to be lined up to God’s Word, and we should be living a life that is pleasing to God. If you are single, then you have more time to devote to God and his kingdom because of marriage ministry (yes, to be married is a ministry), and even if we have children, we have more time to give to do kingdom work than someone who is married. We have to make a commitment to seek God first and spend time with him daily.

I started writing letters to God every morning before I got out of bed, and by me making that commitment to him (and I did fall short some days), he gave me this vision of writing this book for those seeking a closer relationship with him. We look for commitment with people that we meet and want to establish a relationship with; however, God is waiting for us to establish a relationship with him, and that requires more than going to church and Bible studies. In order for you to reach your God-given purpose and potential, you must move from religion to relationship, and that requires commitment and time. Every single one of us has a purpose in life; however, unless we make a commitment to God, we will never know what that purpose is. Before we were in our mother’s womb, he knew us, and now it is time for us to commit to seeking a relationship with our heavenly Father.

Commit today: Spend more time today with God than you did yesterday. You choose which way: praying, reading his Word, fasting, writing a letter to him, or by simply having a talk with him while you’re driving or walking. Whichever way you choose, God will be waiting for you as the old folks used to say, “Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before.”

Day 2 Lord, I Trust You!

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

—Proverbs 3:5–6 (KJV)

I remember when I was younger, they had us do a trust exercise in school. We had to fall back and trust that the person behind us would catch us. Trust in the Lord that not only does he have your back but also he has you covered in all directions. Life is always going to be happening around you, and that is why you have to keep your focus on God. Do not look to the left or the right; you have to look straight ahead and let him lead the way. In life, 99.9% of the things that happen to us is not about us. We are all living testimonies, and we cannot control what a person does, says, or thinks. However, what we can control is how we react to it. You must never react in a way that will take you out of the path that God is trying to lead you or affect your peace. Whatever is going on in your life today, give it to God, and trust that he sees and knows everything, and he is working it out for your good. Continue to praise God through the pain, and if you trust him, he will never let you fall. A person once told me, “If you pray, why worry, and if you worry, why pray.”

Trust God today: Give God one issue that is going on in your life, and surrender it totally to him, and once you are at a place of total surrender, ask God to help you not to pick it up again. I also want you to write that issue someplace with a date and be still and wait on God. He might not come when you want him, but he’s always right on time!

Day 3 Meditate on the Lord Laws

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

—Psalm 1:1–2 (KJV)

When I used to go out clubbing on Saturday nights and church on Sunday mornings, I surrounded myself with people who were walking talking and thinking like me. The people I hung out with were religious. They sinned all week and went to church on Sundays to make themselves feel better myself included. Well, “The definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.” I had an out of body experience in the middle of intimacy with someone that convicted me and vexed my spirit. This incident made me want to stop the insanity, and the pain propelled me into seeking a relationship with God instead of going through the religious motions. The people, places, and things in my life started to change. It is so important if you are single to surround yourself with other singles who are truly seeking after God and his will for their life by trying to have a relationship with God instead of just being religious. God cannot be mocked, he knows your heart. If you surround yourself with individuals who are worldly instead of godly, then more than likely, you will be taking advise from the ungodly, and all they do is speak to your flesh. This leaves you open for the enemy to have access and wreak havoc in your life. A true friend always tells you the truth, and if that fried is walking with the Lord, they will also tell you the truth according to the Word of God. When we meditate on God’s Word day and night and live our lives accordingly, it will attract like-minded individuals, which will help our relationship grow with God instead of pulling us away from God and feeding our flesh instead of our spirit. Light and darkness have nothing in common.

Meditate today: Find a scripture pertaining to an issue you are facing or a scripture giving thanks and praise to God. Challenge yourself to meditate on that scripture throughout your day. This exercise will help you to be led by the spirit instead of your own fleshly desires. Every action starts with a thought, and God tells us that what we think becomes our reality.

Day 4 Jesus Will Calm the Storm

And, behold there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?” Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea and there was a great calm.

—Matthew 8:24–26 (KJV)

In life, a person is one of three places in their lives: in a storm, coming out of a storm, or approaching a storm. I remember when my soon-to-be husband disappeared one month before our wedding without a phone call, a text, a “Dear Jane” letter—nothing. I felt the boat rocking so hard at times, I thought it was going to tip over and the boat was going to crash so hard that I would break into pieces. I would wake up at night having that queasy feeling as if I was seasick and the boat was just rocking too hard. During those dark hours, I would start talking to God in the boat and telling him that the boat was rocking really hard, the waters and waves were rough, and I felt as if I was going to tip over and die. I would then realize at the point of impact that God was there. I could see him in the boat with me, and then the boat would stop rocking, the waves would subside, and the boat was back on course. I could feel God’s comfort and hear him say to me, “This too shall pass. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” It is in these times that you will have to dig deep into your inner spirit through God’s words that have been imbedded in your spirit and start to encourage yourself.

You must speak life into your circumstances, always remembering that life and death are in the tongue. “I am more than a conqueror.” “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” “In my weakness, you are strong God.” “I know God that all things work together for them who love the Lord and are called to his purpose.” The words do not have to be exactly as quoted in the Bible because now you are making it your own and personalizing it. The relationship process is taking place. I guarantee you that none of your friends will stay up with you all night, every night, until the storms in your life has calmed, but God will. I am so thankful that he and I have established a strong relationship. We have a bond that no one or nothing can separate. In my singleness, I might have times of loneliness, but I am never alone because God is always walking with me giving me guidance and instructions at all times.

Reflect: Are you in a storm, coming out of a storm, or approaching a storm? Wherever you are, God is with you. God is processing you for the purpose he created you for, and that process can only be completed if you have a relationship with him.

Day 5 My Body A Living Sacrifice

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service.

—Romans 12:1 (KJV)

Wow! God says we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable onto him. You should read this scripture, meditate on this scripture, and live this scripture. It is imperative if you are single that you understand that your Holy Spirit dwells within and that you are to honor it, and when you sin by not honoring your body, which is the temple where our Holy Spirit dwells, then you are going in the wrong direction, and you are not walking in the spirit but being led by your flesh. You have to honor yourself by walking in a life that is pleasing to God. You cannot pray and ask God to bless something that goes against his will for your life and is not pleasing to him.

Ladies, understand that you don’t have to use your bodies to get the love you so very much deserve because you are made in God’s image and if you walk, talk, and meditate on his Word and honor God and live a life that is pleasing onto him, he is preparing you for the man he has made you for. Please do not settle for someone who you were not made for and definitely don’t use your body to get that love ...

Table of contents

• Day 1 The Lord Is a Delight
• Day 2 Lord, I Trust You!
• Day 3 Meditate on the Lord Laws
• Day 4 Jesus Will Calm the Storm
• Day 5 My Body A Living Sacrifice
• Day 6 A Good Thing
• Day 7 Wait on the Lord
• Day 8 Faith Pleases God
• Day 9 Double for Your Trouble
• Day 10 Trials Bring Perseverance
• Day 11 Obedience Honors God
• Day 12 Being Fed Spiritually
• Day 13 Spirit Consumes Flesh
• Day 14 Give Your Burden to God
• Day 15 Kingdom Living
• Day 16 God Reveals Our Future by His Spirit
• Day 17 God’s Laws for Wives
• Day 18 Be Anxious for Nothing
• Day 19 The Power of Prayer
• Day 20 Devotion to the Lord
• Day 21 Sweet Rest
• Day 22 Choose to Do Good not Evil
• Day 23 Lord, I Bless You
• Day 24 A Husband’s Helpmeet
• Day 25 Prayer Closet
• Day 26 God’s Temple
• Day 27 Faith
• Day 28 Love God
• Day 29 To Be Content
• Day 30 What You Sow, You Shall Reap!
• Day 31 No Condemnation
• Day 32 God’s Disciples Walk in Love
• Day 33 Hearer or Doer?
• Day 34 No Arguments Here
• Day 35 Are You Perishing from a Lack of Knowledge?
• Day 36 Fear Not, God Is with You Always
• Day 37 The Power of the Tongue
• Day 38 A New Thing in You!
• Day 39 Are You Living a Holy Life?
• Day 40 Be a Giver
• Day 41 Be Not Unequally Yoked
• Day 42 The Heritage of the Lord’s Servant
• Day 43 Rise, Take up Your Bed, and Walk
• Day 44 Prosperity
• Day 45 You Are Never Forsaken, God’s Got You!
• Day 46 Am I My Brother’s Keeper? Yes, I Am!
• Day 47 Forgive Because Jesus Says We Must!
• Day 48 Pray! Pray! Pray! Never Stop Praying!
• Day 49 Wisdom You Have Not Because You Ask Not
• Day 50 The Treasure of Wisdom and Knowledge
• Day 51 Heavenly Treasures
• Day 52 Living a Holy Life That Honors God
• Day 53 Robbing God in Tithes and Offering
• Day 54 Seeking God with All Your Heart
• Day 55 A Peace That Passes All Understanding
• Day 56 Pure Religion
• Day 57 God Is Your Refuge
• Day 58 Rejoice in Persecution
• Day 59 Meditating on God’s Word Day and Night
• Day 60 God’s Plan for Your Life
• Day 61 The Two Greatest Commandments
• Day 62 Can You Cast the Stone?
• Day 63 The Rib of a Man
• Day 64 I Am a Friend of God’s
• Day 65 Watch the Company You Keep
• Day 66 Putting Childish Ways behind You
• Day 67 Action Speaks Louder than Words
• Day 68 The Bible Is God’s Manual for Christian Living
• Day 69 Your Soul or Worldly Things, What Will It Be?
• Day 70 Don’t Ever Forget Where You Came From
• Day 71 Pray and Believe
• Day 72 Fighting Temptation
• Day 73 Shelter in the Storm
• Day 74 Holy Spirit vs. Carnal Nature
• Day 75 Accountability for Your Conduct
• Day 76 Open Doors
• Day 77 The Lord’s Battle
• Day 78 Feeding Your Enemies
• Day 79 God Knows Your Heart
• Day 80 Resolving Disputes with Other Believers
• Day 81 Growing in Your Knowledge of God
• Day 82 Vengeance Belongs to God
• Day 83 God Will Give You Strength
• Day 84 Do You Have Faith?
• Day 85 No Excuses
• Day 86 God Chose You
• Day 87 Sanctification and Honor
• Day 88 Praise God for Today
• Day 89 Humility
• Day 90 Whatever Comes Your Way, God’s Got You
• Day 91 Blueprint for Life
• Day 92 Controlling Your Tongue
• Day 93 Are You Ashamed of the God You Serve?
• Day 94 Focus on God
• Day 95 Forgiveness
• Day 96 Everything Is Purposeful
• Day 97 Blessed
• Day 98 Praise God
• Day 99 Pay Attention
• Day 100 Don’t Worry, God Will Provide
• Day 101 False Evidence Appearing Real
• Day 102 The Traits of a Virtuous Woman
• Day 103 Are You Walking in the Light or the Dark?
• Day 104 Overcoming Your Unbelief
• Day 105 Being Faithful through Tribulation
• Day 106 Meditating on God’s Word
• Day 107 Stand
• Day 108 Your Father’s Voice
• Day 109 Who Shall Inherit the Kingdom of God?
• Day 110 Take up Your Cross and Follow God
• Day 111 Good vs. Evil
• Day 112 The Spirit of Deception
• Day 113 Accountability
• Day 114 To Love God Is to Keep His Commandments
• Day 115 Tribulations
• Day 116 The Lord Is My Strength
• Day 117 Living by the Spirit
• Day 118 Confidence in Having What We Ask For
• Day 119 How Are You Living?
• Day 120 Speak to Your Mountain
• Day 121 True Love
• Day 122 Walking in Temptation
• Day 123 God’s Perfect Order
• Day 124 The Name of Jesus
• Day 125 Is Your Light Shining Before Men?
• Day 126 Unequally Yoked
• Day 127 You Can’t Hide from God
• Day 128 Is the Truth within You?
• Day 129 Choosing God over Family
• Day 130 God Calls You to Help the Needy
• Day 131 No Matter What, Trust God
• Day 132 God’s Correction
• Day 133 A Strong Foundation
• Day 134 Got Milk? It’s Time for Solid Food
• Day 135 Sexual Relations
• Day 136 Overflow
• Day 137 The Judgment Seat of Christ
• Day 138 Anguish Turned into Joy
• Day 139 Authority of the Husband and Wife
• Day 140 What Are You Bringing to the Altar?
• Day 141 Stay Alert
• Day 142 Turning the Other Cheek
• Day 143 Confession Time
• Day 144 The New You
• Day 145 Does God Know Who You Are?
• Day 146 Live What You Teach
• Day 147 When You Know Better, Do Better
• Day 148 The Spirit of Truth
• Day 149 When Fearful, Trust God
• Day 150 Love Your Enemies
• Day 151 Wealth
• Day 152 It’s Not Over
• Day 153 Be Gentle
• Day 154 God’s Vision
• Day 155 Faith and Works
• Day 156 Mentors
• Day 157 Bless Them No Matter What!
• Day 158 Let God Give You Rest
• Day 159 A Quiet Life
• Day 160 Open Doors for God’s Message
• Day 161 Praiseworthy Thinking
• Day 162 The Chosen One
• Day 163 Partnership
• Day 164 Prayer Loosens Chains
• Day 165 Pleasing God or Pleasing People
• Day 166 The Way! The Truth! The Life!
• Day 167 Your Character
• Day 168 Take up Your Cross!
• Day 169 God’s Word Is Forever
• Day 170 Remove Your Temptation
• Day 171 Standing Out
• Day 172 But as for Me and My House
• Day 173 Ask, Seek, and Knock
• Day 174 Greatness in God’s Children
• Day 175 Lip Action Only
• Day 176 Obedience Is Greater than Sacrifice
• Day 177 How Do You Want to Be Treated?
• Day 178 Husband and Wife, One Flesh
• Day 179 Hope
• Day 180 Godless Chatter
• Day 181 Saying “No” to Ungodliness
• Day 182 God’s Judgment
• Day 183 God Commands You to Love Your Brother and Sister
• Day 184 With Wisdom Comes Humility
• Day 185 Testing of Your Faith
• Day 186 God Delivers You out of Battles
• Day 187 Flee, Devil, Flee!
• Day 188 Everything Done in Darkness
• Day 189 Paying Attention to God’s Word
• Day 190 Worship God No Matter What
• Day 191 God Looks at Your Heart
• Day 192 Eat the Word of God
• Day 193 And This Too Shall Pass
• Day 194 Persecution
• Day 195 Training Yourself in Godliness
• Day 196 Love of the World
• Day 197 Depending on God
• Day 198 Walking in Agreement
• Day 199 The Life You Choose Will Either Accept or Reject God
• Day 200 Walking in Obedience Requires Knowing God’s Word
• Day 201 Present Suffering No Comparison to Future Blessings
• Day 202 Being Content with God
• Day 203 Strength and Honor
• Day 204 Your Season to Do Good
• Day 205 Put on the Whole Armor of God
• Day 206 Are You Ready for God to Come?
• Day 207 Do the Right Thing
• Day 208 The Word of God Is Powerful
• Day 209 Choose to Walk in the Light
• Day 210 God Strengthens You in the Meantime
• Day 211 The Chosen One
• Day 212 God Is the Boss of You!
• Day 213 Christ’s Sacrifice for You
• Day 214 Are You a Giver?
• Day 215 Blessed Are Those Who Trust in the Lord
• Day 216 Your Assignment Is
• Day 217 Pray for One Another
• Day 218 God-Given Authority
• Day 219 Watch
• Day 220 The Fruit of the Spirit
• Day 221 God Will Turn a Mess Into a Message
• Day 222 God’s Got You No Matter What
• Day 223 Live in Peace
• Day 224 How Much Is Your Soul Worth?
• Day 225 An Undisciplined Child
• Day 226 Look ahead and Not Behind
• Day 227 Help Comes from the Lord
• Day 228 Merely Religion
• Day 229 God Has You Covered
• Day 230 A Covenant with God
• Day 231 The New You
• Day 232 Fix Your Thoughts on God
• Day 233 Our God-Given Duty
• Day 234 Walking in the Spirit
• Day 235 Learning Obedience through Suffering
• Day 236 Blessing and Cursing out of Your Mouth
• Day 237 Obedience Produces an Ancestral Harvest
• Day 238 The Ultimate Sacrifice
• Day 239 Faith to Move Mountains
• Day 240 Fear of the Lord
• Day 241 A Fool’s Belief
• Day 242 God Is on Your Side
• Day 243 Whose Table Will You Choose to Sit
• Day 244 The Healing of the Land
• Day 245 God Is Love
• Day 246 A Higher Accountability
• Day 247 Serving God
• Day 248 An Example for the Believers
• Day 249 More than You Can Imagine
• Day 250 God’s Breath
• Day 251 Patience! Patience! Patience!
• Day 252 Being Molded by God
• Day 253 Prayer Works
• Day 254 Repenting
• Day 255 The Holy Spirit
• Day 256 You Are Branded by God
• Day 257 Love Your Enemies
• Day 258 Fishers of Men
• Day 259 Choosing to Serve God
• Day 260 Are You Trustworthy?
• Day 261 Your Pain into Praise
• Day 262 Be Led by the Spirit not the Flesh
• Day 263 God’s Protection
• Day 264 Knowing the Spirit of God
• Day 265 God’s Truth or Man’s Truth?
• Day 266 God’s Power
• Day 267 A Place of Rest
• Day 268 God’s Anointing
• Day 269 Am I My Brother’s Keeper
• Day 270 Calling on God
• Day 271 God the Great Provider
• Day 272 Trusting God
• Day 273 Material Possessions
• Day 274 Religion or Relationship
• Day 275 Walking in the Will of God
• Day 276 Remaining in God’s Love
• Day 277 The Levels of Faithfulness
• Day 278 A Sacrifice of Praise
• Day 279 The Lord’s Will
• Day 280 Secrets
• Day 281 The Words of My Mouth
• Day 282 Purification
• Day 283 “Yes” or “No”
• Day 284 Life or Death
• Day 285 Secret Giving
• Day 286 Disciplining a Child
• Day 287 Resting in the Lord
• Day 288 Subjection to Governing Authorities
• Day 289 Temptations
• Day 290 Transformation
• Day 291 The Example of Christ
• Day 292 Anger and Sin
• Day 293 God is Your Lawyer
• Day 294 God’s Heir
• Day 295 Mastering Sin
• Day 296 Strange Doctrines
• Day 297 Seed of Abraham
• Day 298 Put Your Trust in God
• Day 299 Your Brother/Sister’s Temptation
• Day 300 Pray and Praise
• Day 301 Deception
• Day 302 Consequences
• Day 303 Suffering for Christ
• Day 304 “Abba, Father”
• Day 305 Protection from Evil
• Day 306 Are You Ready?
• Day 307 Troubled Times
• Day 308 Your Reward Is on Its Way
• Day 309 Children and Fathers Must
• Day 310 Do Not Fear Man
• Day 311 Watch Your Mouth
• Day 312 Inheriting the Kingdom of God
• Day 313 Holding on to Faith
• Day 314 Accountability/Stumbling Blocks
• Day 315 Peacemakers
• Day 316 Questioning God’s Judgment
• Day 317 Knowing the Name of Jesus
• Day 318 The Finish Line
• Day 319 It’s Only a Test
• Day 320 Are God’s Laws in Your Heart?
• Day 321 No Rehearsal Needed
• Day 322 Patience in Suffering
• Day 323 The Proverbs 31 Woman
• Day 324 No Guilt and No Shame
• Day 325 You Are More than a Conqueror
• Day 326 Listen to Hear
• Day 327 A Thousand Years/a Day
• Day 328 Fasting
• Day 329 Greater Works
• Day 330 Your Gift
• Day 331 Discipline Produces a Harvest of Righteousness
• Day 332 The Commandments of Men
• Day 333 Trusting God
• Day 334 The Workers of the Lord
• Day 335 Doing the Right Thing
• Day 336 Needs and Wants
• Day 337 The Benefits of Paying Attention to God
• Day 338 Opportunity and Purpose
• Day 339 Enticement
• Day 340 Avoiding Arguments
• Day 341 Spending Time Wisely
• Day 342 Running the Race
• Day 343 A Seasoned Conversation
• Day 344 The Honor of Marriage
• Day 345 God to the Rescue
• Day 346 Treasuring God’s Word
• Day 347 Obedience to God’s Laws
• Day 348 Timely Beauty
• Day 349 Remaining Faithful
• Day 350 God’s Strength and God’s Power
• Day 351 God’s House Is Sacred
• Day 352 The Gift of God
• Day 353 Remembering Others
• Day 354 Jesus Paid It All
• Day 355 Humility Brings Honor
• Day 356 The Light of the World
• Day 357 Persecution Is an Opportunity
• Day 358 Good Soil
• Day 359 One Flesh, One Love
• Day 360 Seasons Change
• Day 361 God’s Helper
• Day 362 The Lord’s Justice
• Day 363 Inner Beauty
• Day 364 What Must You Do to Be Saved?
• Day 365 God’s Worker