Freedom Announcer

I’ve heard people say “God wants me to be happy,” or “Do what makes you feel good.” Is the Christian life about me? What does God want out of me? In this episode Tim and I discuss God’s goal for us. Is His goal our happiness or our holiness?

Have you heard this statement before? Many people think it’s Scripture, but it’s not! Mike and I jump into this idea and talk about what scripture actually says as opposed to the clichés that we hang onto.

So many times in my life experience have I been presented with an opportunity where I could physically or financially meet the need of someone else. But instead of being a blessing to that person, I have limited myself to praying for that person and not being the answer to their prayer. Why do we think that we need permission in order to do good? Why do we pray more about something, when if it’s in our capacity to do it, why don’t we do it? James 4:17 really hit me on this one. Take a listen as George and I tackle this question.

A few months ago Zach and I were talking and he asked “how can I pray for you?” I shared whatever was current on my mind and then he said, “can I pray for you right now?” I was shocked. So many times I/we say we’re going to “pray for you,” but do we? Do you? Why don’t we just pray right then, with that person? In a survey sent out before this podcast, 80% of people said they’ve prayed with that person right in the moment. Honestly I don’t think I’ve been prayed for 80% of the time after sharing something, and I haven’t prayed in the moment for that person 80% of the time. So what can we do to get better? What’s holding us back? Maybe it’s just me? Listen in.

Are we supposed to talk with God as a believer? Yeah, sure! But how do I pray when I don't have the words? When trouble comes and I'm angry, frustrated, annoyed, doubting; how do I form the words? In this episode, Trey and I connect about what praying looks like during these times. Take a listen and make sure to get the context of this line when Trey said: "The Lord can take our anger. He's not going to fall off the throne." If you'd like to get Trey's book he mentioned, search Amazon for "Praying God's Word Over Your City."

In this episode we dissect this cliché saying into potentially the true meaning behind it; That we are unintentionally and selfishly attempting to please God through our own efforts, and once that’s done, then God takes control.

I think it’s a bit of a rub, that statement. Because I almost want to push back. But our culture of busyness has overshadowed what maybe God intended 1 day to look like. What if it looked different than we thought?

Here’s a question that I hope pulls in a variety of thoughts. It comes from my general thinking that Christians love unbelievers with the hopes that they become believers. And if they don’t, we write them off. Should that be our motivation?

So if our command is to “Go”, why aren’t we on the same page? There has to be something off. Giving, going, sending, involvement here and there. This is a great discussion I’m sure you’ll enjoy!

It’s apparent (at least I think) that discipleship in the Church has largely been boiled down to a class or program that you sign up for. Not everywhere, but a lot of places. So I asked, and 19 of you answered :) But what was surprising was the % of people discipling/being discipled and their thoughts of how the Church is doing in that arena. We haven’t arrived, but this is a good conversation. Listen in!