Even If i Walk Alone

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

I John

Fight Back

by

As countries around the world face great upheaval, we must remember the weapons of our warfare look nothing like those of the world (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Where I live, righteous indignation often results in violence begetting violence. Christians are angry and want to fight back against the forces coming against them. It’s understandable and natural. But it is natural only in the context of the old self we put away when we gave our lives to Jesus (Ephesians 4:22-23).

fight back,humility,love,mission,prayer,spiritual weapons

Our new nature looks like Jesus (Ephesians 4:24), so we now must fight back in the way He modeled for us. We fight back by immersing ourselves in the Word of God, praying for our enemies, and loving everyone as ourselves. It all seems counter-intuitive, but this is what Jesus taught us to do.

[Read more…] about Fight Back

Fear and Negativity

by

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.

fear and negativity,fear,negativity,positivity,hope,surrender,mission,depression,nervous breakdown,Deuteronomy 31:8,God goes before us,Deuteronomy 31:6,never leave or forsake you,1 John 4:18,love casts out fear,dream theater,images and words

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).

[Read more…] about Fear and Negativity

Our Weapon

by

The greatest weapon we have in the face of tyranny, persecution, and spiritual warfare is the presence of God. Our God is unlike any other God in that He is alive and with us wherever we go. The omnipresence of God is our weapon against everything the enemy throws at us. There is nowhere we can go where God is not. He goes before us (Deuteronomy 31:8) and fights for us (Exodus 14:14).

our weapon,love,faith,surrender,Deuteronomy 31:8,He goes before us,Exodus 14:14,God goes before us,1 John 4:4,greater is He that is in us,Psalm 18:1-2,God is our stronghold

While we spend our time trying to figure out how to live a victorious life, God has already secured the victory on our behalf. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we have already won. No matter how dark the days or the circumstances surrounding us, we have the assurance that God is here.

[Read more…] about Our Weapon

Times of Trouble

by

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).

times of trouble,faith,hope,love,fear,commitment,Psalm 46:1-3,ever present help,Ephesians 6:12,battle not against flesh and blood,1 John 2:1,we have an advocate with the Father,1 Peter 5:10,suffer for a little while

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.

[Read more…] about Times of Trouble

A Scared World

by

When the modern world seems overwhelming, it’s always good to look back on the giants from our past for a little wisdom and perspective. A. W. Tozer once said, “A scared world needs a fearless church.” I’m sure there have been periods in the last couple thousand years where this was truer than today, but it is timely and necessary wisdom we should heed. At least in my lifetime, I’ve never seen the world be more scared.

a scared world,hope,love,panic,fear,faith,mission,commitment,discipleship,disciple,Tozer,Church,1 John 4:18,love casts out fear,Matthew 28:18-20,great commission,A.W. Tozer,Luke 11:33-36,No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl

Suicide rates are climbing rapidly. Turning on the news will only leave you frightened and depressed (I recommend you turn it off!). Fear is everywhere: fear of a global pandemic, fear of rioting, fear of job loss, fear of economic ruin, fear of government… the list goes on and on. We are living in a scared world in desperate need of hope.

[Read more…] about A Scared World