commitment

What Does Discipleship Look Like?

January 30, 2017 by Tim Sherfy

This entire blog is predicated around becoming a disciple of Jesus. But what does discipleship look like? How do we know if we are getting closer to the mark? I would say first, discipleship is a standard to be pursued, not a target to be hit. There will never be a day when you can sit back and exclaim, “Ah! At last I’ve reached discipleship!”

what does discipleship look like,mission,humility,discipleship,disciples of Christ,disciple of Christ,Jesus disciples,Jesus followers,commitment,Matthew 22:36-40,great commandment,Matthew 7:13-14,wide and narrow gate,Matthew 22:1-14,many are called but few are chosen,Matthew 25:31-46,sheep and the goats,James 1:27,orphans and widows,Isaiaih 58:5-6,true fast,chains of oppression

image © hriana via Fotolia

Being a disciple of Jesus is a process that will consume your entire lifetime. To be a disciple signifies nothing ever will mean more to you than desiring to live a life mirroring the life of Jesus. Discipleship is the total dedication of your life to His calling and purpose. To be a disciple is to be daily engaged in the mission of Christ.

Pray for the Persecuted

January 16, 2017 by Tim Sherfy

We must never forget to pray for the persecuted. The majority of readers of this blog live in areas of the world where we have at least some degree of freedom to worship God. We should always remember to be extremely thankful for this, but we must never take it for granted. In many parts of the world, to follow Jesus is to risk losing one’s friends, family, employment, housing, freedom, or even their life. It’s a reality they live with every day.

pray for the persecuted,voice of the martyrs,VOM,persecution.com,persecuted Christians,Richard Wurmbrand,1 Corinthians 12:26,on body many parts,when one suffers all suffer,prayer,commitment,torture

image © Bits and Splits via Fotolia

In many countries, to choose Jesus is truly to risk everything. We who do not face such pressure can barely relate. It is imperative we move beyond simple head knowledge of persecution, and internalize it. When one part of the body suffers, we all suffer (1 Corinthians 12:26). We must never forget to pray for the persecuted.

Time Thief

January 9, 2017 by Tim Sherfy

There is a time thief lurking in all of our lives. Time is our most precious asset. You cannot acquire more than you’ve been given. We each have a finite amount that dwindles by the second. When it’s gone, it’s gone. Yet so many of us treat time as if there is a never ending supply. We spend our time foolishly on the nonsensical and irrelevant.

time thierf,priorities,mission,discipline,time suck,purpose,commitment,Matthew 28:18-20,great commission,Ephesians 5:16,reedeeming the time,reedeem the time

image © beebright via Fotolia

What if we spent our money the same way we spent our time? It would be the equivalent of throwing cash out the window every second of our day. If we are not intentional about our time, a time thief will steal away what God has entrusted to us. We all have a time thief; what’s yours?

[Read more…] about Time Thief

Move the Needle

January 5, 2017 by Tim Sherfy

One of the key concepts I want to establish through the blog this year is mediocrity is not acceptable in the Kingdom of God. Jesus, the perfect Creator of all the beauty you see in this world didn’t do a mediocre job of anything. None of His creation even hints at mediocrity. Even now He continues to make all things new. He continues to create. How many times have you looked at a sunset you felt certain was more beautiful than any you had seen before?

move the needle,mediocrity,we can't stay here,Commitment,purpose,mission,discipleship,Colossians 3:23,do everything as unto the Lord

Jesus continues to create beauty even in a dark and evil world. He continues to bring His best to every day we live. Do we not owe Him the same effort with our own lives? After all, we belong to Him. Mediocre simply can’t be good enough. We’ve got to strive to be better in ways that will bring Him glory. We can’t sit idling; we’ve got to move the needle in our commitment to God.

[Read more…] about Move the Needle

We Can’t Stay Here

January 2, 2017 by Tim Sherfy

As a year wilts away behind us, another blossoms on the path ahead. There’s something beautiful and fragrant about new beginnings. A new year heralds an opportunity for a fresh start. What was is no longer, and what will be is largely up to the choices we will make. This is our chance to shape what lies ahead in ways totally honoring to God. My theme for this year is “Move the Needle”, and nowhere will this be more important than in my walk with God.

we can't stay here,Genesis 1:31,God saw all that He had made and it was very good,mediocrity,new year,deeper relationship with God,service to others,time,commitment,purpose,works,priorities,prayer,mission,discipleship

Everything revolves around and springs from my relationship with Him. Moving forward into a deeper knowledge of God necessitates doing something different than we’ve done before. If this is your desire for the new year as well, there is one thing I know. If we want to move the needle in our connection with and understanding of God, we can’t stay here.

[Read more…] about We Can’t Stay Here