“For all that is in the world
– the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and the pride of life –
is not from the Father but is from the world.”
1 John 2:16

So, I’m stuck in the whole Francis Chan message. That, combined with recently stumbling on to Ray Comfort’s evangelism, have got me to thinking about things. From the way I see it, the church in America is sitting on the sidelines seemingly unaware that there is even a game going on. Like I mentioned yesterday, we are very quick to organize prayer for someone that comes down with cancer, but do we have the same energy to combat someone’s sin?

Why is that?

Could it be that we are too comfortable that we fail to see that the cares of this world have dulled our hearts to our sin? Isn’t sin the number one interference we have in our relationship with God? I believe it is.

Not that material wealth, in itself, is bad. Some of the characters of the bible were extremely wealthy, even in Jesus’ time. So, it’s not money in and of itself. It’s all that comes with it. Or, maybe I should say all that “goes” with it. What do I mean by that? How about time, for one. The more money we have – or the more we want other people to think that we have – the less time we have to enjoy the things that money is supposed to provide.

We really aren’t much different than the rest of the world.

Let me stop and let you know that I am sorting all this out in my own life. I guess it’s time to take an inventory of my life.

– Do I relish in the Lord like I could? What’s preventing me from that? Is it sin? Is it simply a matter of developing new habits?
– What would my life look like if I was actually was connecting with God like I could? Would my personal relationships improve? In the grand scheme, possessions aren’t important, people are.
– What in my life doesn’t fit? Do I need to sell something that distracts me? Am I clinging to toxic relationships? Do I simply have a bad attitude?
– With what will I replace that which I’ve discarded? Take a marriage building class? Learn how to share the gospel?

This inventory business is an on-going process. In reality, this is a new habit for me to develop. Out with the old, in with the new. What am I desiring to improve in my life? I really would like to improve my skills to share the gospel. Like I’ve mentioned, I am really intrigued by Ray Comfort’s work. That is the direction I am going. Where am I going to find the time? Well, we have discussed a training series for our home church. Regardless, I’m sure I could put my phone down in the evening to spend time on it.

Feel free to ask me how it’s going. I need people holding me accountable.

Father, prioritize the events of our lives. Give us the desires of our hearts. Stir in us a distaste for things that don’t fit. In fact, let us be repulsed by them. Shine your light on that which you desire for us. Make us yearn for that like nothing we have ever wanted before. Draw us, Lord, like only you can do. Amen.

Copyright © 2019 Scott Powers