Even If i Walk Alone

Instructing and encouraging you to live your life as a disciple of Jesus

focus

Focus on Today

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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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Other gods

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Psalm 16:4 contains a sober warning for us all. It says, “The sorrows of those who take another god for themselves will multiply”. The gods of this world fill our minds and our hearts, diverting attention away from Christ and onto our desires. We invest far too much of our time and resources in things that do not glorify Jesus. These other gods inhabit our entertainment choices, our priorities, and our thoughts.

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Jesus demands all of us, and we profess to have given it to Him. Reality dictates otherwise, and according to the Psalmist, we multiply our sorrows. If you wonder why you don’t seem to find the abundant life Jesus promised, perhaps it’s because too many idols are filling your life. It’s not something any of us want to admit, but is true in almost all our lives.

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Growing Deeper

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As we embark on a new year, we have the opportunity to devote it to Christ. With our culture eroding at an ever-increasing pace, it feels like it is more important than ever to surrender everything to Jesus and to grow deeper in our faith. The Western Church has long been isolated from the persecution so many of our brothers and sisters around the world encounter every day.

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Until now, at least from outward appearances, we’ve been allowed to survive and even thrive despite the prevailing winds of the culture. Without wanting to sound like an alarmist, I am convinced those days will end, and much sooner than any of us ever thought possible.

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What Really Matters

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Tasks and responsibilities constantly barrage us, but gratefully, only a very few things matter. Every day we seem to add additional tasks to our to-do lists. There is an unending stream of new things to which we can read, watch, or listen. As technology advances at a blistering pace, there is always something we’re being told we should learn. It’s exhausting and overwhelming.

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I love the sage advice of A. W. Tozer here. He said, “Nothing that matters is new.” That’s comforting and clarifying. All those things we keep adding to our lives are rarely, if ever, of any true consequence. They are just things we add to keep us busy or to keep up with those around us. We don’t need any of that; we simply need to focus on what really matters.

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Looking Back

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This is the time of year when many are writing about looking back over the past year, recounting lessons learned, blessings, and obstacles. Looking back is helpful only insomuch as it focuses us on the beauty and blessings of our Savior. There is a danger in looking back that we focus too much on ourselves and not on God. Considering what we have accomplished and overcome can inadvertently lead to self-satisfaction and pride.

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Reflecting on our problems and challenges can lead us down a road of discouragement and despair rather than focusing on the One who provides everything we need. If we visit it lightly, the past can teach us a few lessons and serve as a wonderful reminder of the provision of our God. Better to leave it quickly though and focus instead on the work ahead.

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