*This post is from 8/31/12. Currently I am back at home with my children! But getting this job at Habitat was needed to pay off debt! Than one of the volunteers said to me, ” When you look back will you say, I wish I would have?” It hit me so hard. The job demaded too much of me in the time of raising kids, and I said, yes I think I would say I wish I would have stayed home.
Are you a lukewarm Christian? It breaks my heart to admit that there are many times I have to say yes I was or am. It seems as my brother’s progress is at more of a stand still my fire for God is diminishing. Of course Im reminded to praise him for all the good things I have and that is easy to do every day. But when my brothers health just kept plummeting and we didn’t know what was happening I leaned so hard on God and dug so deep into his word that I felt his presence in me all the time.
Now I hate that I have become busy. I wrestled with God about staying home, but boy oh boy did it bring me such a sense of simple and thankfulness. Again so close to him. Now that I am working our schedule has become a bit more hectic, but in all honesty not much. I only work 16 hours a week, but it’s the stress of Childcare and having new responsibilities at work that keep it seeming busy.
I remember my first week starting at Habitat I did not feel nervous. I did not have expectations going into the job and since having a baby my priorities were completely different. First I knew that God had complete control and to trust him and that no matter what if things were not working out for Riley then this was just a job, but yet God has reminded me that this is more than just a job. I mean what Habitat for Humanity started out as and what it stands for alone is all about God. I have a job where I get to lead us in prayer. A job where so far almost all of the volunteers are connected to local churches. So far I’ve got to hear personal testimonies of those who have come to know Jesus. I get to see so many people give their time to work hard on a house for someone they do not know. It’s very inspiring. My job is a constant reminder of how much God loves us, and yet I can feel that I’m still not making him my top priority. How can that be?
I guess because sometimes just talking about God isn’t enough. It’s going to that place where you can feel his spirit move through you. Have you found that place yet? My husband and I always seem to make major life decisions in front of water. Its where we always just reflect and come to peace. I know he feels God through nature more, and I do too. I also feel God a lot through music, which is why I love worship so much. But we are all different and everyone can feel the holy spirit move through them in different situations. It’s just important that once we find those spots to go there, with intentions of being with God.
So here are some reminders that we may be a lukewarm Christian and we need to make God our number one priority over everything else. And why shouldn’t he be? Look at how much he provides for u and how much he loves us? If you are questioning those two things then it may be time for you to surrender and trust in him.
Heres a quote from David Goetz, “ Too much of the good life ends up being toxic, deforming us spiritually.” A lot of things are good by themselves, but all of it together keeps us from living healthy, fruitful lives for God.
Here are a couple statements to see if you are “lukewarm” Take a deep breath, truth can sting a bit.
Lukewarm people attend church fairly regularly. It is what is expected of them, what they believe” good Christians do, so they go.
“The Lord says :These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men” Isa. 29:13
Lukewarm people give money to charity and to the church… as long as it doesn’t impinge on their standard of living. If they have little extra and it is easy and safe to give, they do so. After all, God loves a cheerfulgiver, right?
“King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.” ( 1 Chron. 21:24)
Lukewarm people tend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict.. They desire to fit in both at church and outside of church; they care more about what people think of their actions ( like church attendance and giving) than what God thinks of their hearts and lives.
“ I know your deeds, you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” ( Rev. 3:1)
Lukewarm people don’t really want to be saved from their sin; they want only to be saved from the penalty of their sin. They don’t genuinely hate sit and aren’t truly sorry for it; they’re merely sorry because God is going to punish them. Lukewarm people don’t really believe that this new life Jesus offers is better than the old sinful one.
“ I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)
“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can w e live in it any longer?” ( Romans 6:1-2)
Lukewarm people are moved by stories about people who do radical things for Christ, yet they do not act. They assume such action is for “extreme” Christians, not average ones. Lukewarm people call “radical” what Jesus expected of all His Followers.
” Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22)
Lukewarm people rarely share their faith with their neighb ors, coworkers, or friends. They do not want to be rejected, nor do they want to make people uncomfortable by talking about private issues like religion.
“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heave. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.”
These statements were written by Francis Chan.
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