Sunday, August 26, 2012

Why an Audit?

I love my job, but as with all things, there are certain aspects that can be unnerving.  One of these is an audit of business practices.  We recently had the misfortune of having two audits during our busiest month of the year.

When I hear the word 'audit', I begin to dread the event and become very apprehensive.   But what is an audit really?  The dictionary defines it as an inspection, correction and verification of accounts and records.  The inspection and verification are expected.  However, it's the correction that makes me cringe because that means that things will have to change.

What if one day you got an email from God informing you that He is planning an audit of how you are doing here on Earth?  My heart would start racing and questions would be bouncing around in my head like, "What did I do wrong?  What did I do right?  What did I forget to do?  What did I choose not to do?"  Panicking doesn't begin to describe what I would be doing!  Fortunately God doesn't deliver emails that will send you into a fetal position.  He very subtly begins to work on your heart, making you aware that something is not quite right.  A change will be needed.

Let's compare a business audit (work) and an audit from God (life).

What instructions am I following?
  • Work: Policy and Procedures Manual
  • Life: The Holy Bible
How do I know an error has been made?
  • Work: Auditor's report, or perhaps you uncover it while preparing for the audit.
  • Life:  God sends messages to you through the Holy Bible and His Holy Spirit living in you.
How do I correct the error?
  • Work:  Understand the error, research for the correct answer, and set up a new procedure to eliminate the error.
  • Life:  Understand the error, read your book of answers, the Holy Bible, and pray for God to reveal His solution to you.
Isaiah 28:29. This also comes from the Lord of Hosts, Who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance.

Why an Audit?  God loves us so much that he audits our thoughts and actions.  When our 'life' audit indicates a problem, let us accept the counsel and guidance that comes from our Heavenly Father.

Monday, August 20, 2012

Is Good enough?

Most people have good intentions.  I don't really encounter many people who have a true "mean streak".  So in general, people are Good, but are they Holy?  Consider the Ten Commandments.  Have you broken one this week?  I know I have!  You know the one about working six days and resting one?  Yep, I broke that one all to pieces.  After church, I proceeded to clean the house.  Ok, so it was just a tiny commandment breaker, I didn't do anything awful.  It's not like I stole something or murdered someone! Just a tiny misstep, right?

James 2:10  For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

Wow!  Guilty of ALL?  I don't think anyone can get through a week or maybe even a day without breaking at least one law.  Did you stay under the speed limit all the way to work?  I'm pretty sure that on most days I drive 35 in the 30 mph zone that runs through downtown.

I think we can agree that we humans are Good but not Holy.  God will allow only those that are Holy into heaven.  I obviously can't be Holy, but because I call Jesus Christ Lord, God will welcome me into heaven.

Hebrews 9:24  For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.

Is Good enough?  Jesus is the perfect and only solution to the question.