WINNING WITH THE WORD
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Hello and Happy Day! This is Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, novelist and life coach, welcoming you to another episode of Winning with the Word. Today is Monday, March 7, 2022, and this is Episode #10 of Series 2022. This episode is titled “Are You a Consumer Christian?”
So, what is a consumer Christian? In short, it is a person who looks to God as a vending machine.
Wow! That’s a pretty disrespectful way of looking at God, isn’t it?
Yes. It most certainly is!
Yet, all of us have been guilty of consumer Christianity at one point or another.
You may be asking, “How so?”
Well, let me give you some examples:
1. Do you go to God only when you’re in trouble?
2. Do you spend more time asking God for what you need than you do in worshipping Him?
3. Does your life revolve around you and the things you’re interested in rather than revolving around God and the things that matter to Him?
These are only a few of the ways we have bought into Consumer Christianity.
And, I can assure you that our Lord is not pleased!
In an insightful article by Matt Reynolds, titled “The Death Rattle of Consumer Christianity,” and published on July 20, 2020, the author writes this:
“The consumeristic approach we’ve taken to church life in the United States is collapsing because it lacks a foundation. We have favored pragmatism over theology, crowds over disciples, marketing over evangelism, coffee bars over catechism. We have shown greater commitment to manufacturing celebrity pastors than lifting up unseen, humble, and sacrificial shepherds.”
How true and how sad!
But we have only ourselves to blame. Yes, there are pastors who have not been what they should have been to the flock of Christ. Pastors who have twisted and perverted the Gospel for their own gain and their own fame. But we are individually responsible for our own lives. Scripture warns us in Philippians 2: 13 to “work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.” In other words, we cannot pass the buck to poor pastors when it comes to the kind of Christian life we are leading.
So, let me ask you again: “Are you a Consumer Christian?” If so, do an about-face. Repent and get serious about your relationship with Jesus Christ. Worship Him because He is God and for no other reason. He alone deserves our worship, adoration, and praise. No matter what!
If you do not yet know this awesome Jesus Who died and rose from the dead for you, welcome Him into your life now. He is the only way you can be saved. He is your only ticket to Heaven. There is no other way, no matter what anyone tells you.
In Acts 1: 11, the Bible says this: “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.” Hallelujah! Yes, this same Jesus will one day very soon return in the same way He left to remove His Bride from the earth and to take her to be with Him forever in Heaven. Those of us who are born again are that Bride. You can be, too!
How? By accepting Jesus Christ now. Pray this simple prayer with me:
Lord Jesus, I want to go with You when You remove Your Bride from the earth. So I now repent of my sin, and I ask You to forgive me. I receive You as my Savior and my Lord. Thank You for saving me. In Your Name I pray. Amen.
If you sincerely prayed this prayer, welcome to God’s family! Please write down today’s date. It is your spiritual birthday. And please write to me at drmaryann@maryanndiorio.com. I would like to send you a free PDF booklet, titled After You’re Born Again. This booklet will help you to get started in your walk with Jesus.
I also encourage you to get yourself a Bible and read it every single day. The Bible is God’s love letter to you, His manual for your life. In the Bible, God reveals Who He is, and He teaches you how to live.
Finally, ask the Lord to lead you to the church of His choice for you where you can learn about Him and have fellowship and encouragement with other Christ-Followers. It is critically important in these last days to fellowship with other believers who are mature in Christ and who can guide you as you grow in Him.
If you need help to move forward in your relationship with Jesus, consider hiring me as your personal life coach. Contact me at drmaryann@celebrationlifecoaching.com to set up an appointment. Also, visit my website at CelebrationLifeCoaching.com for answers to many of your questions about coaching and for testimonials from some of the clients I have already helped.
For example, Tracy said this; “Personal coaching was like having a personal trainer for the mind.”
Just click here: CelebrationLifeCoaching.com/testimonials.
Also, visit my bookstore at maryanndiorio.com/book-table for outstanding books that I have written that will bless you.
If this podcast has helped you in any way, please consider supporting it by becoming one of my valued patrons. Just go to patreon.com/winningwiththeword to join my wonderful Team. Patrons receive numerous benefits in appreciation for their support.
Until next time, remember that God loves you just as you are and just where you are, and that He will help you to keep on Winning with the Word!
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Source cited: “The Death Rattle of Consumer Christianity” by Matt Reynold
https://firebrandmag.com/articles/the-death-rattle-of-consumer-christianity
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