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What is a Practical Atheist // Friday E-Devotion

Today's e-devotion continues with my notes from the CATALYST conference that I attended last week.  This is stuff is awesome!
 
I have to give a shout out and thanks to Lifechurch.tv and their pastor Craig Groeschel.  If you don't know, they give away everything they do and are having huge impact for God on many different playing fields.  His session was titled "Practical Atheist" and was awesome.
 
Definition of a "Practical Atheist" is a person that believes that God exists but does life like He doesn't.
 
That hurts, man does it ever, mostly because we have to get real with ourselves and look to see areas of our life where we kick God to the curb or just leave Him out all together.  Think about it!
 
Isaiah 29:13  (nlt) --- And so the Lord says,"These people say they are mine.They honor me with their lips,but their hearts are far from me.  And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote. "
 
Craig talked about being a full-time pastor but a part-time follower of God.  It is easier than it sounds.  He talked about three problems that come into life that make this "practical atheism" a reality:
 
First, believing that our effort is better than God's power.  We have to remember 'it is not about us' but everything is all about God.
 
Second, believing that our private life doesn't effect our public life.  Samson is a great illustration of this.
 
And third, believing that we must please people more than we please God.  Don't ask how can I get more people to church.  Ask how can I give more glory to God.
 
Groeschel encouraged us to pray, "Lord, disturb me," and asked what can we do when we realize this is true of us?
 
It is time to repent of where we are and/or where we have been and come running back to God and let that hunger grow strong.  Practical Atheist are scary people, and they are all around us.  A bit too close for comfort.
 
I pray that God will share with us the truth and that we will be willing to be honest.  This next verse comes only a few inches below the one above, and I close...
 
Isaiah 29:19  (nlt) --- The humble will be filled with fresh joy from the Lord.  The poor will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

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