Limitless Life-Chapter 7

“From Consumer to Contributor” Derwin Gray poses the question: “If you and I were to record our prayers, what would they sound like? Would they be an ongoing monologue of us asking God for things?” I have written my prayers for years. I have a journal from Becky Tirabassi, “My Prayer Partner Notebook.” She designed this journal and prayer has been her platform for 30 years. The first section is my part in prayer, praise, admit, request, and thanksgiving. The second part is God’s Part, listening, messages, New Testament, Old Testament, Proverbs, and a To Do section. I have prayed this way for years. When I start my prayers with praise and end with thanksgiving and then mix in the New and Old Testament and Proverbs, my prayers are focused and are usually not about just me.

I loved what Mr. Gray wrote, “Jesus will gladly give us what we ask for when what we request of Him advances His kingdom on earth by bringing His Father glory. Jesus delights in answering prayers that reflect His words.” When I pray by writing from the New Testament and the Old Testament, I am drawn to doing His will.

This chapter focuses on the label consumer changing to contributor. The empty self of the consumer is very individualistic, the empty self is all about itself. The empty self is infantile seeking happiness from food, entertainment, and other consumer good. I weighed 233 in October 2011 and I decided to seek healing from gluttony. I am at goal weight having lost 1o8 pounds. The empty self is narcissistic, a self-crush, manipulator, even to the point of manipulating God. The empty self is passive searching for pleasure provided by others. Mr. Gray states, “Jesus will gladly strip away the label the empty self.  Jesus will change you from the consumer to the contributor. Jesus wants us to grow from being a consumer to become a contributor.”

Mr. Gray gives keys to becoming a contributing bride of Christ than a consuming one: Key 1: Know that you are an ambassador. Key 2: Know that Christ’s Ambassadors are controlled by His love. Key 3: Know that an ambassador lives for the Glory of Another. Key 4: Know that ambassadors are reconcilers. We love God because He first loved us. We are more than conquers. We are saints who sometimes sin. I am God’s child. John 1:12. I am Christ’s friend. John 15:5. I am justified. Romans 5:1. I am complete in Christ. Colossians 2:10

My wish is to be an ambassador for Christ. My heart’s desire is to not serve the empty self but to serve our risen savior.

What do you need to do to be an ambassador for Christ?

What do you discover you are in the it is all about me, what can you do to change from consumer to contributor?

Who is God asking you to forgive so that you can reconcile with that person?

Father God, I praise you, you are the alpha, the omega, the beginning, the end. You alone are worthy of my praise. Your word says I am free from condemnation, I can not be separated from your love. The good work you began in me, you will complete. You did not give me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and discipline. Today I ask that who ever reads this blog will invest in becoming a contributor not just a consumer. When I think that you gave your only son so I am forgiven and have eternal life, I am in awe of your majesty. Jesus strip away any pride in me, any self-serving ways. Let me seek ye first. Let me serve you gladly with every thing that I have and everything that I am.  Let me be comfort to the woman who is hurting. Let me urge the woman who needs encouragement. Let me witness to the person who needs you as their savior. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Blessings Diana