Faith Journeys

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Are You Guilty?

I remember this play we were going to do at church one time.

It was entitled Guilty Christian.  

The premise of the play was that a teenage girl was put on trial for being a Christian. At first, the girl vehemently denied being a Christian because she did not want to be convicted. However, when the judge gave her a not guilty verdict the girl realized what she had done. She started saying, “No, wait! I’m a Christian! I’m guilty!” Of course by this time it was too late. The judge had already handed out his verdict.

My church, The Church Revived, is sponsoring a discipleship group called The Damascus Road Encounter. At first I didn’t want to sign up, but I did because I felt compelled to do so.

I am not the same person, okay? Like Paul, the scales have fallen out of my eyes. I had a real encounter with Jesus Christ, so I walked away different. It’s inevitable.

My goal now is to daily renew my mind, so I can look more and more like Christ.

I’m coming to find out that what the Bible says is true:

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)

If I’m looking more like Christ, then I’m looking less and less like the world. This may seem like an elementary concept, but it’s hard to master.

Try swimming upstream for a few minutes. It’ll take the wind out of you. However, what if you knew that going with the current would lead you straight to a waterfall?

Jesus was warning us that the road is narrow because He knew we would be looking around going, “Wait a minute. That road over there is a lot roomier…why can’t I go that way?”

Of course that road is broader because it has a lot more foot traffic.

Following Christ is a choice.

The narrow road might be a bit more difficult, but the destination is worth it.  

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No U-Haul Required

 

This is a topic that I’ve been thinking about for a while: 

Materialism.

Another word for it is greed, selfishness, stinginess…all of these terms are synonymous with materialism with me.

What’s the deal with needing stuff?

Why do I need 57 pairs of shoes, every new gizmo and gadget that hits the market, and a new car?

I go through my stuff periodically. When I start purging this question runs through my mind: When was the last time I used this? If I cannot remember the last time I’ve used something I get rid of it. Here recently I have been selling things that I haven’t used in a while, and I am proud to say that I have made some nice money doing so.

Now here’s an obvious statement:

When you die, nothing goes with you.

This fact has really inspired me to become more introspective. Why am I hoarding?  If nothing can go with me anyway why do I want so much stuff? Someone tell me that I am not the only one who feels this way.

What if I put the same amount of energy into reaching out to others that I put into seeking wealth and possessions? 

Maybe this is an extreme viewpoint, but I am quite confident that the issue of materialism is really stunting the growth of Christians.  

My dad shared this verse with me:

Luke 12: 15:

“And [Jesus] said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness,” for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

So Jesus says that your self-worth is not tangled up in what you own…that’s awesome! That’s freedom! That’s the gospel! And I love it!

I want my life to be filled with sharing the gospel, raising a family, you know? Things that actually matter.

The floor is now opened for discussion. What do you think about materialism? Share your thoughts, Bible verses, etc. I want to hear from you! 

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Help Wanted: The Best Employment Agency Around

I just had a really funny thought.

What if praying about the future looked like a job interview.

Picture it:

“You see, Lord, I have a 4.0 GPA, I was ambassador president my senior year, and I have two years of blogging experience.”

(The Lord is sitting at his desk and begins reviewing the immaculate resume you just handed him.)

“Audra, I do believe that your qualifications will be just right for the job.”

(He goes to his computer and after a few mouse clicks begins printing off some information for your new job.)

Here’s the cool thing:

I do not believe that this scenario is far from the truth. The Father knows each and every one of his children very intimately.

Oh! Don’t forget that He is omnipotent and omnipresent as well.

When you are living in the center of God’s will, He is already moving on your behalf.

Who better to help you get a job?

I realize that there are a lot of people who are unemployed right now. In fact, this sounds all well and good IF you’re the one who has so many opportunities available and not the one sitting at home wondering how the bills will be paid. The last statement expresses how the majority of the world views faith—this includes Christians too.

I cannot speak for anyone but myself; however, I have heard many a testimony about how the Lord has opened up employment opportunities for his children. I want to trust that I am a part of God’s economy—not the world’s—and that means that all of my needs will be met.

To be honest, I have no idea what I will be doing this fall. All I know is that I am listening to my Father and walking in the direction he is leading me.

I hope that you are doing the same.