Even If i Walk Alone

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

II Corinthians

Taking the Long View

by

Joshua Bogunjoko is the International Director for SIM International, a missionary organization with a worldwide outreach. Given his position, he has a unique and informed perspective on what it means to follow Christ in hard times and circumstances. Mr. Bogunjoko writes, “Gaining God’s perspective amid adversity means taking the long view. Our experience of adversity today may be for the work of God in days, months, and years to come. It may be for someone’s encouragement a generation from now.”

taking the long view,discipleship,God's will,sovereign will,commitment,mission,purpose,God's Kingdom,I Corinthians 3:6-8,planting seeds,2 Corinthians 4:17,light temporary afflictions,Kingdom of God

It often seems the work we do for Jesus doesn’t matter. No matter how much we pray, study, and serve, it’s difficult to see the needle moving. But God is always at work, weaving together every event on the human stage—now, in the past, and in the future—to bring about His sovereign will.

[Read more…] about Taking the Long View

We’re Not Home

by

As we go about our lives, it’s easy to forget we’re not home. If you have accepted the fact Jesus is Lord of your life, the place you live is not your home. We are here for only a little while, and then we can finally go home (2 Corinthians 4:17). If you’re discouraged by the events of this life, know whatever you are going through is temporary. It will not last forever.

we're not home,focus,eternity,hope,commitment,discipleship,2 Corinthians 4:17,light afflictions,James 4:14,life is but a mist,life is but a vapor,disciple of Jesus,Revelation 5:11-14,holy holy holy

For followers of Jesus, we know His love is on the other side of our pain. Sometimes we get so caught up in this present world, we forget we’re not home. We live as if this is all there is, but all this is more temporary than any of us could imagine. The purpose of this life is to prepare us for the next.

[Read more…] about We’re Not Home

What Are You Thinking About?

by

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.

[Read more…] about What Are You Thinking About?

A New Creation

by

When you give your life to Jesus, everything changes. It’s not only your eternal destiny that changes, but your life right now is transformed. God gives you a new identity. Everything you’ve thought about yourself is no longer true. You are no longer what anyone else has labeled you. You are no longer limited by your own beliefs or those of others. When you make Jesus Lord of your life, you become a child of the King.

new creation,love,grace,mercy,2 Corinthians 5:17,all things new,John 16:33,more than conquerors,2 Corinthians 5:6-8,present with Lord, Philippians 1:21-24,die is gain,2 Timothy 3:16-17,equipped for good work,2 Corinthians 5:17,new has come,Romans 8:37,more than conquerors,Ephesians 2:10,created for good works,

From that moment on you are not a failure, you are more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37). You are not an aimless wanderer, you are a person of purpose, created with unique gifts and talents to accomplish things for the Kingdom of God only you can do (Ephesians 2:10). Your old limitations and fears no longer apply. You are a new creation in every way (2 Corinthians 5:17).

[Read more…] about A New Creation

Creating New Habits

by

Andy Stanley mentioned in a recent sermon, “Every habit begins with a first time.” It sounds obvious, doesn’t it?  While obvious, I think it houses some profound truth. If every habit does indeed begin with the first time, then we must be ever diligent about what “first times” we are allowing to occur in our lives. I believe this is one reason why Paul encouraged us to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

creating new habits,Andy Stanley,discipline,habits,God's Kingdom,Kingdom of God,2 Corinthians 10:3-5,take every thought captive

If we don’t, we begin to create thought patterns that become more and more difficult to change as time goes by.But it’s not just our thoughts. Every action we take and every word we speak for the first time begins creating new habits. If we aren’t intentional about our thoughts, words, and actions, we will be creating new habits we don’t want to have.

[Read more…] about Creating New Habits