We told God to get out – so he did
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“First, I give thanks to my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is heralded throughout the world. God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in proclaiming the gospel of His Son, that I remember you constantly, always asking in my prayers that somehow by God’s will I may at last find my way clear to come to you.” (Romans 1:8-10)
There is a commonly held belief that our faith and relationship with Christ is a private matter. Faith is never private. The Sacred Scriptures clearly teach that not only is our faith public, and not private, but it should draw people to Christ. Our faith is a tool the Holy Spirit can, and should, be able to use to pull Christians away from sin and into a life hidden in Christ.
A Christian’s faith, as Paul acknowledges to the Romans, should cause others to speak about Christ. It should cause others to have a desire to know God. We are to share the Gospel and truth of Jesus, His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension with all those around us. It begins with all how we live our life. It begins with more than just attending church but allowing the Lord to keep our actions and life pure. We are to set an example of repentance and godliness to others.
If we do not repent, how do we expect others to believe repentance is necessary? If we do not pray, how should we expect others to believe prayer changes things? If we do not read Sacred Scripture, how are we to show others the importance and life-changing power of Scripture? If we do not live a life intentionally devoted to pleasing Christ, we cannot expect others to learn a different example and truth. “Do as I say and not as I do” is diametrically opposed to the Christian life. Our faith should be recognized and spoken of by those around us. Our obedience, or disobedience, to Christ is on public display every moment of our life. Allow your life to point others toward Christ and not away from Him.
We should also remember those who have helped us in our faith journey. Our prayers should always contain prayers and intercession for those the Lord has used in our life to draw us into a relationship with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Prayer is a foundation stone of our daily faith life. The Holy Spirit has used other loved ones, friends, and even strangers to help increase our faith at times in our life. Spend some time today contemplating what sins you should repent of and how your life either causes others to be attracted to Christ or repelled. Additionally, make a special intent to spend time praying for all those the Lord has used in your life to draw you into the faith and knowledge of God.
Amelia Monroe Carlson graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. Being raised as a Methodist during her early years, it was not until she entered college where she began to take her faith seriously. She was baptized as a Southern Baptist in Muscle Shoals, AL and began immediately serving in international missions and in the church.
During college, she became the Co-founder of an International Ministry, where she spent time traveling and speaking to church groups and in large conferences. She authored a Bible study and traveled abroad on mission work. She sat on the Mid-South Interfaith Conferences in Mississippi, where she defended the faith and discussed beliefs with leaders of various religions.
After a business trip to Washington D.C., where she was introduced to a former Baptist who converted to the Catholic Church, she was placed on a journey to enter into the Catholic Church.
Amelia is a military wife and currently residents with her husband and daughter in Tennessee. She is a nine time award winning journalist, receiving press awards for various categories including investigative journalism, best news coverage, and best single feature. It is her desire to help Catholics, particularly Cradle Catholics, see the beauty in their faith which converts see and appreciate the fullness of truth which the Church has held and guarded throughout history. It is her desire all Catholics fall as much in love with Jesus as she is, and love the Church to a greater capacity than they could imagine.
Amelia taught PRE for 4-6 grade at St. Mary Catholic Church in Bolivar, Tennessee from 2014-2016. She served as Youth Director at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Somerville, Tennessee in 2017-2018. She now teaches 7th grade (1st year Confirmation) PRE class at St. Philip. She's also a writer and frequent podcast guest on Our Warpath.
She has a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Francis de Sales, St. Padre Pio and St. Maximilian Kolbe.
To contact Amelia for speaking inquiries at conferences, retreats, or parishes contact her via social media on Facebook (Amelia Monroe Carlson), Twitter (@2_catholic ) or send a text to: (731)518-6923.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ameliamcarlson
Twitter: @2_catholic (Catholic ministry account)
Twitter personal account: @ameliamcarlson
