Archives for November 2015

Holiness over Happiness

November 30, 2015 by Tim Sherfy

A vile disease has wormed its way into the hearts and minds of modern Christianity. The teaching of “God wants you to be happy” is preached from pulpits across the nation regardless of the fact this principle is not found in Scripture. I don’t find anywhere where God said to “Be happy because I am happy”. What I do find He says is to “Be holy because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16) There is a vast difference between holiness and what we equate with happiness.

holiness over happiness,francis chan,pursuit of happiness,be happy,does God want me to be happy,1 Peter 1:15-16

image © enterlinedesign via Fotolia

Before you get too depressed, know this: there is no joy like being obedient and faithful to Jesus Christ. Happiness is a fleeting emotion, counts for nothing, and fades as quickly as it came. Holiness lasts forever, counts for everything in the eyes of God, and is hard to shake once you’ve tasted its beauty.
[Read more…] about Holiness over Happiness

My Kingdom Go

November 26, 2015 by Tim Sherfy

Commenting on Aldous Huxley’s quote, “My kingdom go is the necessary corollary to Thy kingdom come”, A.W. Tozer said, “His kingdom can never be realized in my life until my own selfish kingdom is deposed. It is when I resign, when I am no longer king of my domain that Jesus Christ will become king of my life.” Before any kingdom can come to power, another kingdom must be kicked out.

my kingdom go,thy kingdom come,A.W. Tozer,aldous huxley,Mark 4:1-20,John 16:33,Luke 16:26,selflessness,selfishness,Kingdom of God

image © slonme via Fotolia

Two kingdoms can never coincide within the same boundaries of another. One is always in power, and all others are subject to it until such time as it is overthrown. The same is true in the soul of every individual. In order for the Kingdom of God to come into my life, first my kingdom must go.
[Read more…] about My Kingdom Go

Syrian Refugees

November 23, 2015 by Tim Sherfy

I don’t typically write about current event topics. There are enough voices out there clamoring for your ear. I also avoid them so as not to be pigeonholed as leaning in one political direction or another. That’s so useless to me. All I care about is demonstrating the love of Christ to others and living in a way that allows people to see Him through me. I couldn’t care less about much else.

Syrian refugees,sheep and goats,Matthew 25:31-46discipleship,love,love your neighbor,shelter the homeless,care for the poor,care for the sick

image © Krasimira Nevenova via Fotolia

This blog has always been, and always will be, focused on teaching and encouraging fellow disciples to authentically live out their faith. So I had mixed feelings when a friend suggested I write about the plight of Syrian refugees. It’s a hot political topic with opinions raging for and against whether or not they should be allowed into the Country in which I live. But let’s strip away the politics and look at this through the eyes of Jesus.
[Read more…] about Syrian Refugees

Getting Satan’s Attention

November 19, 2015 by Tim Sherfy

I can imagine few fates worse than being ignored by the devil. Disciples of Jesus make it their business to go about getting Satan’s attention. Our goal should be to be so effective for the Kingdom that Satan cannot ignore us. I read a prayer once that said, “Lord, it’s not hard to see why Satan attacks. May I continue to be enough of a threat to him to merit his attention! Don’t ever let me become so anemic in my Christian walk that he doesn’t need to bother with me. Amen.”

getting satan's attention,gospels,Matthew,Mark,Luke,John,armor of God,Ephesians 6:10-18,2 Corinthians 4:17,these light afflictions,

That should be our prayer as well. If we’re not getting Satan’s attention, then we are living lukewarm, weak, and ineffective lives.
[Read more…] about Getting Satan’s Attention

Know Your Why

November 16, 2015 by Tim Sherfy

It’s difficult to live for Jesus. Everything in this world conspires against you. You want to serve well and follow in His footsteps, but the cares and circumstances of this life keep getting in the way. Nowhere is this more evident than when you attempt to put some spiritual disciplines into your life. It seems as soon as you set the alarm clock for an hour earlier in order to pray and study, some crisis hits that finds you getting to bed two hours later than planned.

know your why,start with why,simon sinek,purpose in life,purpose,mission,God's will for your life,commitment,discipline,devotion,disciple,discipleship

When the alarm clock goes off the next morning, you quickly rationalize your way through hitting the snooze button a few dozen times. You have lost your motivation as quickly as you had found it. I am convinced the problem is you don’t know your why; your “why” is the reason you do what you do.
[Read more…] about Know Your Why