Even If i Walk Alone

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

Acts

Prosperity and God

by

I was sickened by the results of a recent poll taken by Lifeway research concerning prosperity and God. Lifeway polled Americans with evangelical beliefs who attended Protestant churches at least once each month. The results were startling: 75% believe God wants them to prosper financially; 41 % said their churches teach the more money they give, the more they will be blessed; and 26% agreed they had to do something for God in order to receive material blessings from Him.

prosperity and God,riches,wealth,health,prosperity gospel,prosperity,rich young ruler,foxes have holes,love God with all your strength,Matthew 19:21,Luke 12:48,Matthew 6:19-21,Luke 12:15-21,Matthew 19:24,Matthew 19:16-21,Matthew 8:19-22,Matthew 10:32-39,Luke 9:57-62,John 16:33,Matthew 6:24,Mark 12:30-31,John 15:12,Matthew 28:19-20

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

It made me wonder what Bible these people and churches are using? It sadly confirmed the common suspicion that people aren’t even reading their Bible’s. None of the above can be found in Scripture. Yet this is what many churches are teaching today, and worse, it’s what people are believing.

[Read more…] about Prosperity and God

Going Through the Motions

by

Are you going through the motions as you walk with Christ? I look back on a couple generations of church-going Christians who have done a wonderful job of keeping their traditions alive. How many things have come and gone since the local church began meeting? For hundreds of years, Sunday after Sunday, people have flocked to churches. Even those who can’t seem to make it every Sunday still show up on Easter and Christmas.

going through the motions,routine,purpose,commitment,Acts 4:34-35,share as any had need,Jim Rohn,change,John 10:10,abundant life

image © Wayhome Studio via Fotolia

While the implementation of the details has changed over the centuries, the format has remained virtually untouched: Sing a couple songs, listen to a sermon, sing another song, and go out en masse to live our lives as if nothing has changed. Such is the legacy of the modern church. There is no doubt we are going through the motions and will probably continue to do so for another couple hundred years.

[Read more…] about Going Through the Motions

More Jesus

by

The local church has changed a lot in my lifetime. As the son of a pastor, I’ve had a front-row seat to many of these changes. I’ve seen pews replaced by theater-style seats, platforms transformed into performance stages, pulpits disappear, and suits replaced with jeans and leather jackets. Worship styles have gone from centuries of tradition to modern and contemporary. Sunday School is fast becoming a relic of the past. Vacation Bible School has transitioned from flannelgraphs to all-out adventure camps.

more Jesus,mission,local church,megachurch,commitment,tradition,pews,hymns,pulpit,Acts,book of Acts

image © Kevin Carden via Fotolia

There’s no doubt the local church is far cooler than it’s ever been. I’ve been a fan of many of the changes. Certainly, some have led to some coming into a church who wouldn’t have dared before. Still, I can’t help to ask, at what cost have we become cooler? I’m convinced what we have lost and what we need today is one and the same: it’s more Jesus.

[Read more…] about More Jesus

Never Defenseless

by

We are never defenseless. God has promised to never leave our side (Deuteronomy 31:8). He will always stand with us. A.W. Tozer wrote, “If you accept the gospel of Jesus Christ, you will have all the power of God back of you to defend you; all the will of God on your side; all the justice and righteousness of God pledged to your defense, as well as all the infinite love and mercy of God to welcome and bless you.” What amazing promises!

never defenseless,God's power,power,A.W. Tozer,Tozer,faith,fear,God's will,spiritual warfare,Matthew 28:18-20,great commission,Acts 10:34-35,no respector of persons,1 John 4:18,love casts out fear,John 13:34-35,live in love,Proverbs 18:24,closer than a brother,Deuteronomy 31:8,never leave or forsake you

image © alexshutter95 via Fotolia

Too many of us spend too much of our lives living in fear. Whether it’s a fear of failure, intimacy, confrontation, inadequacy, rejection, whatever, we spend much of our lives in fear. The fear of what complete strangers will think of our appearance or actions keeps us huddled within a protective cocoon. Jesus called us to live in love, not in fear (John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:18). He didn’t call us to shrink back but to go out (Matthew 28:18-20)!

[Read more…] about Never Defenseless

Our Excess

by

I was recently intrigued by a thought passing through my brain: “The excess I have belongs to those in need.” It’s not the most comfortable thought to consider. I like a little excess. I appreciate the peace and comfort it affords. Yet how can I hold onto more than I need when there are those in the world suffering in abject poverty? One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Proverbs 30:8 which says, “Give me just enough for today.”

our excess,comfort,security,faith,commitment,priorities,retirement,Proverbs 30:8,give me just enough for today,Matthew 6:9-12,our daily bread,Luke 12:16-21,store up treasures in barns,Acts 2:44-45,shared with anyone in need,had all things in common,Leviticus 23:22,don't glean to edges,Luke 18:18-23,rich young ruler

image © martinprague via Fotolia

The author states if he has too much, he will take it all for granted and forget God’s provision in his life. If he has too little, he may be tempted to steal to acquire what he needs. The sweet spot is having just enough for today. Any excess should be shared with others.

[Read more…] about Our Excess