Even If i Walk Alone

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

I Peter

The Direction of Your Life

by

One of the wonderful things about human beings is we can change the direction of our lives any time we desire. Sometimes this involves major life changes, like switching jobs, going back to school, or retiring. At other times, the change in direction is based in its entirety on adjusting our attitude or the habits we nurture. While wrapping any of these changes in New Year’s resolutions is a popular practice, no one needs to wait until then to change the trajectory of their lives.

commitment,discipleship,gifts,Gof's Kingdom,discipline,mission,New Year,resolutions,priorities,purpose,Kingdom of God

No matter how near or far away the next New Year is, you can decide to change your life today. There is no greater change you can make than deciding to follow Jesus with everything you have in every area of your life (Luke 9:23-24). No decision will have a greater impact on the direction of your life (2 Corinthians 5:17).

[Read more…] about The Direction of Your Life

The Blessings of the Lord

by

There are times when the blessings of the Lord are overwhelming. Truth be told, that’s how we should feel every day. Where would we be without God? The blessings in your life are innumerable and outrageous, even if you think your life is a mess and feel you’re at the point of breaking (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Every one of us is a sinner, guilty of breaking God’s law, and deserving an eternity in Hell (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23).

humility,grateful,thankful,provision,blessings of the Lord

Few of us consider that as often as we should, assuming we ever consider it at all. You’re still breathing. You still have an opportunity to fulfill your purpose in life (Philippians 1:6). How much more of a blessing could you ask for? And yet, the Lord still showers more and more blessings into our lives every day (Lamentations 3:22-23).

[Read more…] about The Blessings of the Lord

We Love Sin

by

Did you ever wonder why the world hates Christianity, and by extension, Christ so much? The world doesn’t care if you’re a Muslim, Buddhist, or Hindu, but a Christian? That’s unacceptable. Years ago, Matthew Henry wrote, “Christ is hated because sin is loved.” Deep down, we all know that’s true. We love sin (John 3:19). Even those of us who follow Christ and reject sin know that our affection for it never goes away (Romans 7:15-20).

we love sin,commitment,discipleship,discipline,priorities,spiritual warfare

Our natural desire from birth is to sin, to follow the patterns of this world, and to resist anything that would restrict our freedom to pursue sin (Ephesians 2:1-3). I’m uncomfortable with even the thought that I might love sin, and it’s difficult to write it in such a public place. But if we didn’t love sin, we would not struggle to follow the commands of God (Romans 7:21-24).

[Read more…] about We Love Sin

Are We Willing?

by

We’ve heard countless stories of people praying for someone with cancer, which results in the doctors no longer being able to detect any cancer in the patient. Yet most of us also know firsthand what it’s like to pray that God would heal someone, only to see healing never come. Why does God choose to heal some but not others?

are we willing,commitment,God's Kingdom,sacrifice,mission,persecution,suffering,Kingdom of God

In some countries, Christians face harassment, beatings, and imprisonment for following Christ, yet in others, they are free to worship the Lord however and whenever they choose. How is any of this fair? Perhaps we asking the wrong questions. Instead of asking, “Why”, I think the better question is, “Are we willing?” Are we willing to suffer both physical and emotional extremes for the sake of knowing Christ (Philippians 3:10-11)?

[Read more…] about Are We Willing?

Your Love of Christ

by

In times of severe testing, what keeps you persevering for the faith? When life hands you one setback after another, how do you maintain hope? The obvious answer for believers is always, “Jesus”. But what about Jesus compels you to get knocked down over and over, then get up tomorrow to do it all again? What drives your desire to suffer in this life?

Your love of Christ,commitment,devotion

There are a lot of very good answers to this question: “He commands us to obey Him” (John 14:15). “We know our calling is to suffer” (1 Peter 2:20-21). “A great reward awaits those who hold fast until the end” (Revelation 2:10). These are all true and good reasons to carry on. But none of these reasons will be strong enough to carry you when the pressure becomes extreme. The only thing that will sustain you in the toughest of times is your love of Christ.

[Read more…] about Your Love of Christ