{"id":1892,"date":"2014-04-23T16:27:52","date_gmt":"2014-04-23T20:27:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.faithlafayette.org\/school\/?p=1892"},"modified":"2014-07-21T11:06:05","modified_gmt":"2014-07-21T15:06:05","slug":"a-call-to-die","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.faithlafayette.org\/school\/a-call-to-die\/","title":{"rendered":"A Call to Die"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Briley Hancock,
\nFCS Student, 10th Grade<\/p>\n

The past couple months have been filled with time in God\u2019s Word and convicting lessons that have challenged me in various ways. All the lessons I’ve listened to and read have left me with at least one take away that has helped me become a more genuine follower of Christ. The Lord has been working on my heart through these lessons, and He is helping me grow in the areas that have been addressed in chapels recently and in a 40 day devotional book we’ve been reading, titled, A CALL TO DIE<\/a>, by David Nasser. I’ve been challenged to “become a doer,” speak truth, love others, and have been encouraged to overcome temptations.<\/p>\n

Become a Doer<\/h2>\n

With all the amazing lessons that God has sent my way recently, a few have really stuck out to me and have made me think twice. While reading on the topic of being a doer, from A CALL TO DIE, I was really convicted by the definition of an \u201carmchair Christian.\u201d I am often guilty of being an armchair Christian. I read my Bible, pray, and I get genuinely excited about God. Sometimes though, I don\u2019t want to do what He wants me to do, so I sit back and pretend not to hear. I think this particular topic stood out to me because it\u2019s a sensitive topic that doesn’t get addressed often enough. People who think they\u2019re living right don\u2019t want to hear that they\u2019re doing it all wrong.<\/em><\/p>\n

Speak Truth<\/h2>\n

Then, after reading \u201cSpeak Truth\u201d from A CALL TO DIE, I was challenged to get my heart in line with my actions. This relates back to “Being a Doer.” If I want to be a genuine, committed follower of Christ, not only do I need to do what He tells me and serve others, but I also have to do it with the right heart. This topic was tough for me to read because I know that no matter how big the smile is that I put on my face, God knows my heart and motives. Knowing that all my motives can be clearly seen by God is a scary thought and has motivated me to get my heart in the right place.<\/p>\n

Love One Another<\/h2>\n

I was confronted with another heart issue when I read \u201cLove One Another.\u201d\u00a0 This topic went right along with “Speaking the Truth” because a lot of the time I have to put a smile on my face even though people sometimes frustrate me. While I can put up a front for a little while, I know it\u2019s only a matter of time before my heart will be revealed. God doesn’t want me to pretend that I like someone, He wants me to truly love them as He\u2019s loved me. Loving others is a command from God that isn’t to be taken lightly. I was reminded that every person is a creation of God, and every person is a sinner just like me. The topic hit the nail on the head when it talked about the people who are hard to love, but then it also pinched a nerve in my heart when the author reminded me that Jesus loved people who were unlovely. Loving someone with your heart takes time and work, but it\u2019s something that will pay off in the long run.<\/p>\n

Overcome Temptation<\/h2>\n

Apart from A CALL TO DIE, I was challenged in chapel by Pastor Johnny Kjaer\u2019s lesson on overcoming temptation. Johnny\u2019s words encouraged me to take a second look at my life, and see where I was standing. I don\u2019t think I could really say at that time that I was walking in the Spirit, being led by the Spirit, or living by the Spirit. I still don\u2019t think I\u2019m doing that perfectly, but because of the lesson, I have been able to grow in this area by spending more time in God\u2019s word, surrounding myself with strong Christian influences, and praying for God to lead me by his Spirit. This lesson stood out to me because it wasn’t like other lessons on temptations where I\u2019m told to just be strong and don\u2019t give in. Instead, Johnny showed us specific ways to prevent satisfying our temptations. One of the biggest takeaways from that lesson for me was the challenge to develop friendships with people who will help me please the Lord. There will be temptation in my life, but God doesn’t ask me to overcome it on my own. He gives me opportunities to surround myself with friends and family who will help me remain firm in my faith.<\/p>\n

Matters of the Heart<\/h2>\n

Looking back, most of the topics that grabbed my attention and convicted me were the ones that deal with the heart. I have such a strong desire to have my heart in line with my actions, and these lessons gave me a starting place to make that possible.<\/p>\n

I hope and pray that God will help me grow spiritually by:<\/p>\n