Discipline

Finding Hope

December 14, 2020 by Tim Sherfy

Where are you finding hope these days? Perhaps a first question should be, “Where are you looking for hope?” More and more people are rejecting the authority or even the existence of God, and then wondering why depression and suicide are on the rise. There can never be genuine hope outside of God. Once we deny Him, there is no hope remaining.

finding hope,faith,focus,love,discipline,spiritual disciplines,hope,commitment,Deuteronomy 31:6,never leave or forsake,Hebrews 13:8,Jesus same yesterday,John 14:15,obey my commands,

As apologist William Lane Craig has said, “This is the reality in a universe without God: there is no hope; there is no purpose.” So, if you are trying to find hope while leaving God out of the equation, you are fighting a losing battle. You will find your only hope—in fact, the only hope of the world—in Jesus.

[Read more…] about Finding Hope

Wholly Devoted to Christ

November 30, 2020 by Tim Sherfy

The primary goal of my life is to live it wholly devoted to Christ; to become the person He created me to be. My second goal is to instruct and encourage others to do the same. I’ve read and listened to countless exhortations to put God first in your life, or to live a Jesus-centered life. I’ve written those very words on this blog many times.

wholly devoted to Christ,focus,priorities,commitment,discipleship,discipline,purpose,Colossians 3:17,work as unto the Lord

What is often missing from these exhortations (and I stand guilty here as well) is an explanation of how to do this in practical terms. How do we center our lives on Jesus and live wholly devoted to Him when myriad distractions are assaulting us every day? How do we live for Heaven and still survive on earth?

Time for God

November 23, 2020 by Tim Sherfy

Despite promises to the contrary, technology continues to overcomplicate and frustrate our lives. Having spent most of my career in the information technology field, I speak not as a Luddite but as an enthusiast. Still, it doesn’t take an expert to recognize how technology has exacerbated, and sometimes even led to, the growing sense of despair and sense of being overwhelmed so many are experiencing.

time for God,priorities,discipline,commitment,Exodus 20:8-11,honor the sabbath,Luke 5:15-16,Jesus went alone to pray

Social media fuels both the cancel and comparison culture while stealing away the moments we used to spend in the actual company of people or in quiet times of reflection. Our busy lives crowd out any time for God. He exists only in the margins of our lives if we allow Him entrance at all.

[Read more…] about Time for God

The Real Test

August 17, 2020 by Tim Sherfy

For a couple of decades, my passion was playing the drums. Like many kids of my era, I dreamed of playing on the biggest stages and touring the world. During those days, my musical hero was Neil Peart, the drummer and lyricist for the band Rush. I modeled everything I did after him, and his writing continues to influence my style to this day. While there are no indications Neil had a relationship with Jesus, he said and wrote many wise things that can apply to our Christian walk.

real test,discipleship,disciple,discipline,commitment,passion,James 1:22,doers not hearers,the real test

I was reminded recently of something he once said: “The real test of a musician is playing live.” In an age where there is no shortage of teaching and preaching, it is important to remember the real test of a disciple comes from how we live. As James, the brother of Jesus said, we must be doers not just hearers of the Word (James 1:22).

[Read more…] about The Real Test

What Are You Thinking About?

July 27, 2020 by Tim Sherfy

In Philippians 4:8, the apostle Paul instructs us to think about things that are true, honorable, pure, just, lovely, commendable, worthy of praise, and of moral excellence. What are you thinking about? Does it match up well with the list Paul gave us above? If it does, you are doing better than I am. If we’re being honest, most of the thoughts we have are about ourselves: our comfort, pleasure, entertainment, and safety. These are hardly noble thoughts.

what are you thinking about,God's Kingdom,discipline,2 Corinthians 10:3-5,take every thought captive,Philippians 4:8,think on these things,Kingdom of God

To be self-serving is the opposite of behaving honorably. Selfishness stands in direct opposition to every item on that list. Selfishness is the natural offshoot of pride, and prideful people have no place in the Kingdom of God. Consider where all the prideful angels are today. Their fall is a warning beacon for each of us.