Even If i Walk Alone

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

Love

Finding Jesus

by

Every disciple is consumed with the adventure of finding Jesus. We search for Him in this place, in this moment, wherever we may find ourselves. The search is made more difficult by the amount of disguise we’ve allowed to be placed on Jesus. For our entire lives, we’ve been told stories of who Jesus is. We’ve chosen to believe some of it, and discarded others as inconsistent with our understanding of the character of God.

finding Jesus,finding nemo,finding dory,Bible study,discipleship,study scripture,God's Word,scripture,devotion,love

image © bburdette via Fotolia

Along the way, we’ve painted a picture of Christ in our minds to help us see Him in our lives. The extent to which our picture of Jesus is accurate in relation to who He really is, determines how successful we will be in finding Him in our day to day lives.

[Read more…] about Finding Jesus

Father’s Day

by

As I write this, it is only a few days until Father’s Day will be celebrated here in the United States. This holiday affects people in different ways, depending on their situation or upbringing, but few are emotionless about it. For those whose fathers’ have passed away, this day probably brings mixed emotions of joyful memories and sorrowful realities. Some never knew their father, and for these there can be an ever-present emptiness.

father's day,fathers day 2017,forgiveness,love,John 1:3,nothing was made,Exodus 20:12,honor your father,honor your parents,John 15:12,love God as He loves you,fathers,Mark 12:30-31,love your neighbor,greatest commandment

image © Romolo Tavani via Fotolia

Unfortunately, there are those who have fathers who were abusive in one way or another and, as a result, Father’s Day is a day of bitterness. To those like myself who had good fathers who are still with them, it is a day of celebration of years past. But to all who profess Jesus as their Lord, we have something even more important to celebrate: the love of our Heavenly Father.

[Read more…] about Father’s Day

Finding Your Identity

by

At least in the Western world, we tend to allow our lives to be defined by what we produce or consume. We measure our success in comparison to our friends and neighbors, whether it’s by how far up the corporate ladder we’ve climbed or how many toys we’ve collected. If our neighbor buys a new car, chances are good we’ll suddenly feel compelled to do the same.

finding your identity,love,mission,purpose,identity,Psalm 139:13,you knit me together,Jeremiah 1:5,I knew you before I formed you

image © Marina P. via Fotolia

If our friend and coworker receives a promotion, we’ll likely tell someone else the reasons we deserved it more than they did. When our identity is defined in relation to someone else, it’s easy to let these kinds of ugly reactions occur in our lives.

[Read more…] about Finding Your Identity

Which Jesus

by

I was talking with a friend recently who was wrestling with figuring out “which Jesus” she should be in given situations. She was asking, should she be the gentle Jesus, the humble Jesus, or the Jesus who overturns tables? It’s a great question and one we all encounter regularly. Put more plainly, we must constantly ask ourselves, “How can I most look like Jesus in this situation?” The good news is there is only one Jesus.

which Jesus,personality facets,character of God,true fasting,loose the chains of oppression,Isaiah 58:6,humility,love,humble,turn the other cheek,kindness,kingdom of Heaven

image © ave_mario via Fotolia

So regardless of our actions, as long as we are making our decision based on the character of Christ, we will look like Jesus in that moment. While this is good to know in theory, the challenge comes in determining how this plays out in practical ways in our day to day lives.

[Read more…] about Which Jesus

Memorial Day

by

In the United States, on the day this is being published, it is Memorial Day. It’s a day to remember the brave soldiers who have given their lives so those in this Country can live in freedom. Thanks to their sacrifice, we are free to worship as we choose, free to speak our minds, and free to do with our lives what we will. We can debate the travesty of violence and the suspect definition of a “just war” another time.

Memorial Day,veterans,honor,humility,just war,nonviolence,remembrance,respect,God's Kingdom,Kingdom of God,paradise,eternity,love,sacrifice,freedom,heaven,John 8:36,free indeed

image © Don via Fotolia

For today, all those living in freedom would be well-served to thank a veteran and remember those who have passed away. With that said, none of this means anything if not for the ultimate sacrifice paid by one man over two thousand years ago.

[Read more…] about Memorial Day