God's Prophetic People - A People of Passion, Purpose And Power

God's Prophetic People

rather than the supernatural. When we look at the world and all the things in it, we see it through a naturalistic lens. This brings us to the conclusion that everything within the universe are mere machines, operating according to mere natural laws. This mindset leaves out God and other supernatural beings, therefore we never acknowledge other powers or beings outside of our finite minds. 2. Materialism At its core, materialism is really just an obsession with ownership — the constant desire to possess more and more. I’m sure you’ve seen those tongue -in-cheek bumper stickers that say things like, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” It’s meant to be funny, but it also captures a truth about our society: we live in a culture where what we own often defines us. We’re constantly measuring ourselves — and others — by material things: the neighborhood we live in, the kind of house we have, how new or old it is, what car we drive, and what brands we wear. It’s everywhere, right? These things are visible, and all too often, they become the standard by which we judge worth. Materialism seeps into our everyday lives, offering a false sense of comfort and security in a world that can feel unpredictable and cold. It creates this illusion that the more we own, the better we are, or the more successful we become. And in turn, we start to judge others by the same standard. If someone drives a luxury car, we admire them. If they’re dressed to the nines, we assume they’re doing well. But if someone doesn’t fit that mold, we can easily overlook them— or worse, look down on them. As Christians, we need to challenge this way of thinking. We should be measuring people by the same standard God uses: their character, their integrity, and the love they show to others — not by what they own or how they look. True value

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A People of Passion, Purpose, and Power / © Brian Daehn