Even If i Walk Alone

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

John

Sober-Minded and Alert

by

As we discussed in Prepare for Persecution, the first step in preparing for persecution, according to 1 Peter 5:8-9, is to be sober-minded and alert. This probably conjures up some ideas in your mind, but what are some practical things we can do to cultivate this in our lives? Remaining vigilant is a discipline that needs to be honed and strengthened over time.

sober-minded and alert,discipleship,persecution,prepare for persecution

We don’t wake up one day and suddenly live with greater focus and attention. The first thing we need to do is understand the signs of this age and recognize the urgency of these times in which we find ourselves. Most of us have never had to worry about persecution and cannot grasp the reality or inevitability of it. Let me state it plainly. Persecution is coming; Jesus promises it will (John 16:33).

[Read more…] about Sober-Minded and Alert

Prepare for Persecution

by

What is certain, but not being preached from many pulpits today, is that persecution is coming. Why pastors are not preparing their flocks for the coming trouble is beyond me. I listen to sermons from various churches constantly as I seek to learn and understand more about God and His Word. What I’m not hearing from most pulpits (thankfully, there are a few exceptions) is an urgency to repent and prepare for what is coming.

prepare for persecution,commitment,faithfulness,persecution,fear,steadfast,hold fast

There is no talk of how to prepare for persecution, and resources on the topic seem scarce. But Jesus told us the world will persecute us because of His name (John 15:20-21; Matthew 24:9). Because most of us live in places where persecution has not been a reality in our lives, we’ve become lazy, blind to the signs of this age (Matthew 24:3-31), and so comfortable in this world that we are ill-prepared for the coming persecution.

[Read more…] about Prepare for Persecution

Getting Lazy

by

Yet we all know we can get lazy in our eating, exercise, and work habits. More devastating than any of those areas, though, is when we find ourselves getting lazy spiritually. It does us no good to be disciplined in physical matters if we’re not going to apply the same or greater discipline to eternal things.

getting lazy,God's Kingdom,commitment,discipleship,discipline,humility,integrity,mission,promises,integrity,Kingdom of God

I’m not only referring to the well-known spiritual disciplines of prayer and Bible study, but also the less obvious areas, like our relationships with family and friends, personal integrity, and service to others. It doesn’t take much to knock us off our game in these areas, which hinders our witness to the world, and disrupts our relationship with the Lord.

[Read more…] about Getting Lazy

Draw Closer to Jesus

by

It’s been fifty years since I accepted the gift of salvation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. You would think I’d have the Christian walk figured out by now. Sadly, you would be wrong. I’m still learning, failing, and growing. Our finite minds will never comprehend all there is to know about God, and our fallen humanity can never walk in perfection with Him.

draw closer to Jesus,God's Kingdom,surrender,salvation,discipleship,priorities,commitment,discipline

But we must never cease striving to live our lives in obedience and surrender to Him. His Word compels us to do so, and our love for Him keeps us ever-yearning to serve Him better and please Him more. Until that glorious day when He calls us home to be with Him, the best we can do is to draw closer to Jesus every day we live.

[Read more…] about Draw Closer to Jesus

Honoring God

by

I woke up at 3:30 in the morning recently. That’s not an hour where I normally have a great deal of clarity. But on that morning, I was immediately hit with the thought that the only important thing is to honor God with all my life. I must make every decision with the aim of honoring God. Every activity I endeavor to engage in, every plan I make, every thought I think, and every word I speak means nothing if they are not honoring to God.

honoring God,surrender,commitment,discipline,holiness

Who or what else is worthy of my honor? Me? Certainly not! Only the Lord is worthy of honor and praise (Psalm 96:4; Deuteronomy 10:21; Revelation 5:12; Revelation 4:11; Psalm 29:2). In the dark and stillness of the night, it was a clear and simple course of action. Whatever else I would do that day, it would mean nothing if it weren’t for the glory of God.

[Read more…] about Honoring God