Daily Life

Rhythms and Reminders

January 25, 2021 by Tim Sherfy

It has never been more important to grow deeper in Christ. For too long Christians, particularly in the West, have lived in a laissez-faire manner, without urgency, and lacking serious commitment. The landscape is changing. Society is becoming more hostile towards followers of Jesus every day. The foundations of our culture are being attacked with an unrelenting fervor.

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It has come to where Christians are being silenced if they dare to speak Biblical truths. But this is no time for fear. It is time instead for a redoubling of our commitment and devotion to Christ. Toward that end, you must establish rhythms and reminders in your life that will make prayer and Bible study second nature.

Times of Trouble

January 21, 2021 by Tim Sherfy

In the darkest days, we must remember Jesus is good. He always seeks justice and love. When discouragement encroaches on our soul, He is our comfort. Our unchanging God is in control and we can know all things are working toward His sovereign plan and ultimate victory. We must not grow weary. Our battle is long and our journey difficult. But, oh, our righteous King is our ever-present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1-3).

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Don’t let the circumstances and events surrounding you consume your thoughts and dictate your mood. Turn your eyes to Jesus. See His beauty. Gaze on His glory. Bask in the warmth of His love. He is not panicked or taken off guard by the happenings in our world. We can rest in His unending provision and power.

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Read the Bible

January 18, 2021 by Tim Sherfy

At the beginning of every new year, scores of Christians resolve to read through the Bible in the upcoming year. And about right now is when a large percentage of them realize they’ve gotten so far behind in their plan they are unlikely to catch up. As Robert Burns noted, “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.”

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I’ve successfully read through the Bible in a year several times, but I’ve failed in my attempts far more often. I think every follower of Christ should read through the Bible, but there is nothing magical about doing it in a year. In fact, it may be disadvantageous to do so. If all you are doing is checking off boxes to achieve a goal, then to read the Bible in a year is doing nothing to change your heart.

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Prayer Life

January 14, 2021 by Tim Sherfy

If we are going to stand strong for Jesus, we must build and cultivate a life where prayer becomes as natural and constant as breathing. You cannot live victoriously while having a weak and erratic prayer life. A. W. Tozer put it this way: “We pray only as well as we live.” When we surrender our lives to Jesus, we will pray more, and our prayers will have more power as our requests align with the will of God.

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A life surrendered to Jesus will be filled with prayer. You can’t be all in with Jesus and not have prayer as the central theme of your life. Yet, for many of us, a prayer life that is vibrant and full of power remains elusive.

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The End of Nominal Christianity

January 11, 2021 by Tim Sherfy

As we watch the moral decline of Western society and the growing indifference or outright hostility toward followers of Jesus, one bright spot in all of this is the end of nominal Christianity. For years, many in the West have been Christ-followers in name only. These are people who like the idea of Jesus, but not the surrender of their lives to Him.

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They go to church every weekend and proudly profess their faith in Jesus, particularly when it is socially expedient. There is a certain panache to being able to claim the moral high ground by proclamation of one’s faith. But surrender their lifestyle to live according to the commands of Jesus and the Bible? Well, that always seems to fall into some sort of “gray area” for these so-called and nominal Christians.