Discipline

A New Plan

December 30, 2021 by Tim Sherfy

For years, the last couple of weeks of the year were a flurry of activity for me. This was goal-setting time, a time to reflect on what I accomplished over the past year and make plans for what I would aspire to do in the year to come. I had one-year plans, three-year plans, five-year plans, and ten-year plans. I laid out everything neatly and precisely. While my goals would evolve, I always had a roadmap for my life.

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I was leaving as little to chance as possible. “The man who fails to plan plans to fail”, or so the saying goes. But, to quote another famous saying, “Man plans, God laughs.” Except I’m not sure God was laughing at all the plans I was making. I think shaking His head might be more accurate.

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Steadiness

December 16, 2021 by Tim Sherfy

Life, and all of history, is cyclical. We’ve all heard the phrase, “history repeats itself”, and those who have lived or studied long enough know it to be true. We see it on a more personal level in our individual histories. Everyone goes through periods in our careers where we enjoy what we do and the people with whom we work. Then the company gets sold or a few of your favorite people leave, and everything changes.

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After some time, you begin enjoying your work again, either at that company or by moving on. Our satisfaction in our work and personal life always ebbs and flows. God created a cyclical universe. The one thing not cyclical is God Himself. He is the epitome of steadiness, the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8).

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Information Overload

September 6, 2021 by Tim Sherfy

How do we keep things simple in an age of information overload? We need to focus on the basics and what is real. So, what do we know for certain? We know we have a sin problem. On our own, we can’t live up to God’s standard. He is holy; we are not. We know God sent His only Son to die in our place. Jesus paid the price for our sin. We know Christ will return one day and we will live in His presence forever.

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There will be no more hurt, no more sickness, no more division, and no more pain. This is what is true. These are the things we know. Amid so much chaos and the deluge of information, both true and false, we must keep our focus on the truth of the gospel of Jesus and nowhere else.

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Focus on Today

March 15, 2021 by Tim Sherfy

The wise man Agur gave us a wise principle when he asked God to give him “just enough for today” (Proverbs 30:8-9). Jesus affirmed the wisdom of the principle when He taught His disciples to pray. He said for them to ask for God to provide them with their “daily bread”. Whenever you find an Old Testament teaching affirmed in the New Testament, it bears extra attention as we know God is teaching us an important lesson meant to last throughout the ages.

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When we live with our focus on today alone, we are showing obedience to Christ and a faith that trusts Him to take care of everything that’s coming. We free ourselves from the anxiety and worry of an uncertain future in this world.

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Rhythms and Reminders

January 25, 2021 by Tim Sherfy

It has never been more important to grow deeper in Christ. For too long Christians, particularly in the West, have lived in a laissez-faire manner, without urgency, and lacking serious commitment. The landscape is changing. Society is becoming more hostile towards followers of Jesus every day. The foundations of our culture are being attacked with an unrelenting fervor.

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It has come to where Christians are being silenced if they dare to speak Biblical truths. But this is no time for fear. It is time instead for a redoubling of our commitment and devotion to Christ. Toward that end, you must establish rhythms and reminders in your life that will make prayer and Bible study second nature.