Even If i Walk Alone

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

Secondary Issues?

by

If you hang around Christians long enough, you’ll no doubt eventually hear them talking about the difference between primary and secondary issues. Various denominations and individuals will agree on the “primary” issues like the Trinity, incarnation, resurrection, and the authority of Scripture. They may disagree on what are called “secondary” issues such as modes of baptism, eschatology, and the sign gifts (in case you are unfamiliar with any of those terms, I’ve linked to some more details on each).

secondary issues,integrity,commitment,discipleship,discipline,discipleship

More and more, we’re seeing modern “Christians” and pastors trying to place a lot of social topics into the category of secondary issues. Any time you try to justify sin by minimizing it, you are on dangerous ground. Not only will this lead many astray, but those perpetuating such nonsense are begging to have the wrath of God poured out on them.

[Read more…] about Secondary Issues?

Revival Starts Within

by

Why do we get so angry when those without Christ commit sinful acts and implement sinful policies? They are unrepentant sinners. What else would we expect them to do? A better question is why aren’t we who know Christ more angry with our lack of devotion and actions for His Kingdom? It’s very easy to see the specks in the eyes of others but difficult to notice the logs in our own eyes (Matthew 7:3-5).

revival starts withiin,discipleship,commitment,mission,surrender,revival,the church

Our world is spiraling into evil and darkness, causing no small amount of hand-wringing from those of us who long to see all people repent and acknowledge Jesus as the Lord He is. While it is right to call out sin intending to point people to Christ, we must never forget that any revival must first begin in the hearts of God’s people.

[Read more…] about Revival Starts Within

Crossing the Line

by

When I was younger, I remember a popular question asked in youth groups was, “How far can I go?” How far was too far, and when were we crossing the line into sin? I think we ask the same questions as adults. When does the joke go too far? How far should we push our political agenda before it overtakes our spiritual commitment? When do movie scenes or song lyrics go too far? As married people, when does being friendly cross the line into flirtatious?

commitment,discipleship,focus,sin,crossing the line

In so many areas of our lives, it seems we are determined to push right up to the edge of sin, but back off before crossing the line. Where is that proverbial and perhaps mythical line? Is there an actual line or is it just in our heads? Finally, shouldn’t Christians be far more concerned with fleeing from temptation than with how close they can get to “the line”?

[Read more…] about Crossing the Line

High Places

by

As you read through the history of the kings of Israel and Judah in scripture, the first thing said about most of them is whether or not they served God. The next thing you read is what they did about the high places in the land (2 Kings 18:4, 23:8; 2 Chronicles 14:3, 31:1). These high places were where the Canaanites worshipped their pagan gods before Israel took possession of the land God promised to Abraham. To keep these places of worship intact represented rebellion and a lack of faith in Yahweh.

high places,surrender,salvation,idolatry,pagan,commitment,discipleship,discipline,priorities

Often the people would erect Asherah poles atop the high places to worship Asherah, the supposed god of fertility and nature. Both the high places and Asherah poles were detestable to God, so the best kings tore them down. Lesser kings let them stand and they became stumbling blocks for the nation. There is more than a history lesson in all this, but also a stark warning for each of our lives.

[Read more…] about High Places

Always Listening

by

With the number of apps and devices listening to everything you say, there is a growing concern about the death of privacy. It has been well-founded that many of these devices are listening even when you turn them off or restrict their permissions. Combine this with the growing number of cameras in your home and in public, and it’s safe to say privacy in modern cultures is a thing of the past.

always listening,discipleship,discipline

Someone or something is always listening. Someone or something is always watching. This makes most normal people uncomfortable, to say the least. We don’t want our most intimate words and actions to be known. But this is nothing new. From the beginning, God was always listening and watching (Psalm 94:9). You have never said or done anything that escaped His awareness (Psalm 139:1-4).

[Read more…] about Always Listening