commitment

Your Best Year Ever, Part I

December 28, 2015 by Tim Sherfy

As this year draws to a close, I am excited to see what might unfold in the next. The danger is we approach next year without a plan. If we don’t determine how we will endeavor to draw closer to Christ and to better reflect His love, odds are we will accomplish neither. There are plenty of articles out there dealing with setting New Year’s resolutions. I don’t want to talk about resolutions you may or may not keep past February. I want to discuss reorienting your life around Jesus not just today but for the rest of your life.

your best year ever,Jesus first,Matthew 13:45-46,new year's resolution,resolutions,commitment,discipleship,disciple of Jesus

image © hriana via Fotolia

Have you taken time to put any thought into this? If you want to be a disciple of Jesus, you must continually learn more about Him and live your life in a way that looks just like Him. This year can be the year you quit pretending and finally make the leap of committing fully to Jesus.
[Read more…] about Your Best Year Ever, Part I

Love the Lord

December 17, 2015 by Tim Sherfy

I read a quote from the wife of A.W. Tozer that has haunted me for months. I don’t really know what to do with it, as the words evoke such strong and diverse emotions within my soul. After Mr. Tozer passed away and his wife remarried a man named Leonard Odam, she said, “Aiden loved Jesus, but Leonard loves me.” I am at once excited about A.W.’s devotion to Christ, that He was unashamed to love Jesus more than his wife, but at the same time find it sad perhaps his wife (Ada) did not feel loved by her husband.

love the lord your God,Matthew 16:24,Luke 9:57-62,Philippians 3:8,A.W. Tozer,Ada Tozer,Tozer,commitment,love,discipleship

image © rghenry via Fotolia

While I can’t know everything that happened in their life and marriage that led up to her statement, it does make me wonder if perhaps she desired love from her husband more than she desired to love God. While I intend no disrespect and admit I do not and cannot know her heart, it makes me reflect on my own life and marriage.
[Read more…] about Love the Lord

Devotion

December 14, 2015 by Tim Sherfy

I’m a big fan of determining a theme for the upcoming year. One of my favorite themes from a few years ago was, “Consume less; contribute more.” Orienting my life around that mantra led to many positive changes that have endured to the present. As I contemplated my theme for 2016, I admit I was at a bit of a loss.

devotion,mission,one word,theme word,yearly theme,new years resolution,devoted to God,discipleship,commitmment,Kingdom of God,discipleship,disciple of Jesus

image © aradaphotography via Fotolia

Several unexpected turns over the past year left me feeling a bit uncertain of what future direction I should pursue. As I stood in the shower praying last week (I’m convinced all great revelation occurs in a warm shower!), my 2016 theme became very clear to me. It’s not a phrase or a mantra, but rather a single word: devotion.
[Read more…] about Devotion

The Unmaking

December 3, 2015 by Tim Sherfy

Nichole Nordeman had written some amazing lyrics over the years, and one of her latest songs, “The Unmaking”, is no exception. While the entire song makes one do some serious soul searching, one simple line in the song sticks with me more than any other. It says, “Had to lose myself/To find out who You are”. It’s a recurring theme in my life these days.

the unmaking,Nichole Nordeman,beauty in the breaking,discipleship,deconstructing,deconstruction,letting go,Matthew 12:30,Galatians 2:19-20,commitment,purpose

To truly know God, we have to empty ourselves of everything that is not God. This is both daunting and uncomfortable. It has caused me to confront things in my life I would rather have left undisturbed. But my ultimate goal remains to know God fully and to be utterly consumed by Him. This requires a bit of unmaking. It means I have to lose myself to find out who He is.
[Read more…] about The Unmaking

My Kingdom Go

November 26, 2015 by Tim Sherfy

Commenting on Aldous Huxley’s quote, “My kingdom go is the necessary corollary to Thy kingdom come”, A.W. Tozer said, “His kingdom can never be realized in my life until my own selfish kingdom is deposed. It is when I resign, when I am no longer king of my domain that Jesus Christ will become king of my life.” Before any kingdom can come to power, another kingdom must be kicked out.

my kingdom go,thy kingdom come,A.W. Tozer,aldous huxley,Mark 4:1-20,John 16:33,Luke 16:26,selflessness,selfishness,Kingdom of God

Two kingdoms can never coincide within the same boundaries of another. One is always in power, and all others are subject to it until such time as it is overthrown. The same is true in the soul of every individual. In order for the Kingdom of God to come into my life, first my kingdom must go.
[Read more…] about My Kingdom Go