Even If i Walk Alone

Instructing and encouraging you to live your life as a disciple of Jesus

Equipped for the Job

by

Most are familiar with the story of Moses and the burning bush. If you grew up in church, it was one of those Sunday School lessons that tend to stick with you. Too often, the story is left in one of those Sunday School rooms, never to be examined again. Re-reading the story this week, it struck me how like Moses we all are. Before you feel too good about yourself, I’m not intending this as a compliment.

equipped for the job,Christ in you,holy spirit,spirit of God,mission,courage,fear,faith,workd,John 14:12-13,you will do greater things

image © whitestorm via Fotolia

Moses had many amazing qualities, but this was not his finest moment. God called, and Moses balked. He gave excuses why he wasn’t the right man for the assignment. He explained he wasn’t equipped for the job and asked God to send someone else. How many times have we done this when God gives us something to do?

[Read more…] about Equipped for the Job

One of Those Days

by

We’ve all had one of those days. One of those days when nothing seems to go right. The car breaks down. The babysitter bails. You spill coffee down your shirt before a big presentation. Or maybe it’s one of those days that negatively impact your life forever. A parent dies, or a spouse walks out. You lose your life savings in an investment that was never supposed to fail.

one of those days,despair,tragedy,storms,trials,death of a parent,divorce,job loss,bankruptcy,Matthew 5:44-45,rain falls on the righteous and unrighteous,Matthew 7:24-27,building on rock or sand,Ephesians 6:13,in the end stand

image © robsonphoto via Fotolia

I’m not sure why, but often these disastrous and tragic events seem to occur in groups. In these times, your faith will be tested. When you have one of those days, how will your perception of God change?

[Read more…] about One of Those Days

Complete Surrender

by

Surrendering our lives to Jesus is not a trivial decision. It means leaving behind everything we have known and to place our trust in the hands of a God we’ve never seen. While “Surrendering your life to Christ” is a common phrase we hear in churches, I believe we do an insufficient job of explaining what such surrender means. Because surrender is a commonly understood word, I think we neglect to explain the ramifications of such a decision.

complete surrender,surrender,salvation,commitment,discipleship,Jesus is Lord,Jesus as Lord,Lord of your life

image © digitalskillet1 via Fotolia

Complete surrender is not conditional. There are no areas of our lives we get to keep for ourselves. There are no aspects of our personality over which we maintain control. Complete surrender is the only acceptable way by which we can be called true disciples of Jesus.

[Read more…] about Complete Surrender

Be the Church

by

Mahatma Gandhi had a famous quote: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” It’s great advice. I believe we as followers of Jesus can subscribe to a similar quote: “Be the church you are praying for”. When I pray for the body of Christ in the world, I pray we will always act in love. I pray we show grace and mercy to everyone we encounter.  Perhaps most of all, I pray for unity among believers.

be the church,gandhi,be the change,kingdom of God,God's kingdom,discipline,discipleship,racism,passion,mission,Jesus is Lord,surrender,unity,church

image © monique delatour via Fotolia

We are an incredibly diverse bunch, and there are as many opinions as there are Christians. Ultimately, the only thing that matters is we look like Jesus to the world around us. We can’t be the church until we demonstrate his love and beauty to everyone we meet, regardless of their ethnicity, background, or social standing.

[Read more…] about Be the Church

We are Not a Humble People

by

We are not, by nature, a humble people. We desire to be praised and honored. At times, we even seek it. At the very least, we maintain a deep and sometimes hidden desire to be recognized and known. Our tendency to pursue selfish pleasures over the needs of others is rampant. God forgive us for having our focus on ourselves instead of others. Forgive us for not keeping our eyes on You.

we are not a humble people,humble people,humility,pride,humble,commitment,pride,Matthew 25:23,well done good and faithful servant,Matthew 22:37,greatest commandement,love the lord with all your heart,

image © gustavofrazao via Fotolia

Our preoccupation with self is destroying our lives, our purpose, and our sense of peace. If we would put Jesus first in our lives, if we would live lives looking like Him, we would be fulfilled and joyful. Alas, we are not a humble people. Humility seems to always lay just beyond our grasp.

[Read more…] about We are Not a Humble People