Fear

Fear and Negativity

March 4, 2021 by Tim Sherfy

In a recent sermon, Pastor Craig Groeschel made the statement that “You can’t have a positive, faith-filled life if you have a negative, fear-filled mind.” Living victoriously for Christ begins in our heart but is quickly followed by the thoughts in our head. After taking the initial step of surrendering our lives to Jesus, we begin a lifelong journey of surrendering our minds. What we think about matters. It reveals what’s really in our hearts.

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If we claim to have the love of Jesus in our hearts but spend our days dwelling on negative thoughts and living in fear, it demonstrates we have not grasped the power of Jesus and the transforming strength of His love. The love of Jesus banishes fear from our lives (1 John 4:18). No matter in what circumstances we find ourselves, we know Jesus is with us. He goes before us (Deuteronomy 31:8) and will never leave us (Deuteronomy 31:6).

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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.

Times of Trouble

January 21, 2021 by Tim Sherfy

In the darkest days, we must remember Jesus is good. He always seeks justice and love. When discouragement encroaches on our soul, He is our comfort. Our unchanging God is in control and we can know all things are working toward His sovereign plan and ultimate victory. We must not grow weary. Our battle is long and our journey difficult. But, oh, our righteous King is our ever-present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1-3).

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Don’t let the circumstances and events surrounding you consume your thoughts and dictate your mood. Turn your eyes to Jesus. See His beauty. Gaze on His glory. Bask in the warmth of His love. He is not panicked or taken off guard by the happenings in our world. We can rest in His unending provision and power.

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The End of Nominal Christianity

January 11, 2021 by Tim Sherfy

As we watch the moral decline of Western society and the growing indifference or outright hostility toward followers of Jesus, one bright spot in all of this is the end of nominal Christianity. For years, many in the West have been Christ-followers in name only. These are people who like the idea of Jesus, but not the surrender of their lives to Him.

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They go to church every weekend and proudly profess their faith in Jesus, particularly when it is socially expedient. There is a certain panache to being able to claim the moral high ground by proclamation of one’s faith. But surrender their lifestyle to live according to the commands of Jesus and the Bible? Well, that always seems to fall into some sort of “gray area” for these so-called and nominal Christians.

Courage and Surrender

January 7, 2021 by Tim Sherfy

Beatrice Stockli was a Swiss missionary to Mali. She first visited the country in1998 as part of a mission’s team and ended up staying and ministering to the people there for many years. In April 2012, she was kidnapped by Islamist insurgents. After ten days of captivity, she was released and returned home to Switzerland for a brief time. And then, against counsel and the wishes of her family, Beatrice returned to Mali to continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus to people who did not know Him.

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In June 2016, she was again kidnapped by a radical Muslim group called Jama’at Nasr al-Islam. At some point in her captivity, Beatrice was killed by her captors. She died living out the mission of Christ. Hers was a life of courage and surrender. As we complain about the state of our lives, I wonder who among us possesses the courage and devotion to live a life as committed to Christ as Beatrice and so many other Christian martyrs have?