Even If i Walk Alone

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

Matthew

A Small Group Primer

by

intentional community,shane claiborne,the simple way,discipleship,small groups,life groups

Perhaps no single idea has been so universally embraced by the church over the past 30 years as that of the small group. It is the strategic backbone of larger and smaller congregations alike. Too often these groups become nothing more than just another clique or a social club. Friendships develop, and there is a passing attempt at working through a Bible study booklet, but rarely do you find these groups engaged in the mission of Christ. There are exceptions; perhaps you belong to one of these. I do know of groups building intentional communities with tremendous outreach; they exemplify the early church. However,  if you belong to one of the more common implementations of a small group – one not engaging your culture – then it’s time to ask some hard questions.

[Read more…] about A Small Group Primer

No Fear

by

Jesus first,making disciples,the great comission,francis chan,david platt,multiply movement,multiply,radical,crazy love

Having just participated in the ‘Multiply Movement’ webcast put on by Francis Chan and David Platt, I have come away both convicted and encouraged. The event centered on the command of Jesus to go out and make disciples. As the last command given by Jesus before He ascended to Heaven, disciple-making is one of our primary objectives. We are not only to live as disciples ourselves, but we are to multiply that by making other disciples who will make other disciples who will make other disciples. This is how the message of Christ will expand and change our world! The love of Jesus is not something we can keep to ourselves. To be real, love must be shared.

[Read more…] about No Fear

Preoccupied

by

first love,devotion,discipleship,Jesus first,putting God first,mission,purpose,commitment,walk on water,faith,putting first things first

I believe most people are sincere in their commitment to follow Christ. We really do want to make Him the Lord of our lives and to put Him before everything else. Satan knows this as well which is why he is constantly looking for ways to discourage and distract us. It’s not the catastrophic failures that tend to doom us; it’s the small, incremental distractions that knock us off course to the point that we one day wonder how we got where we are. So often a bad day finds us looking to anything other than God to salve our frustrations. We seek comfort in mindless entertainment or destructive addictions in hopes of numbing a life that has gone off plan and seemingly has no solution in sight. We neglect our first love (1 John 4:19; Revelation 2:4), and Satan is delighted. No matter what’s going on in your life, you must never let your affliction cloud your affection.

[Read more…] about Preoccupied

Simple Truth

by

Kierkegaard,soren kierkegaars,kirkegaard,kirkegard,kieregard,Jesus first,following Christ,disciple

Søren Kierkegaard once said, “The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand, we are obliged to act accordingly.” He’s absolutely correct. The Bible is very easy to understand. The question really is whether or not we want to hear what it has to say. With knowledge comes responsibility, and with responsibility comes obligation. If we know what the Word says, we are either compelled to obey it or reject it.

[Read more…] about Simple Truth

The Nudge of God

by

surrender,obedience,sensitive to the spirit,Holy Spirit,nudgingstill small voice

Obedience is a lightening rod of a word. We all want to obey God, to do everything He tells us to do. Intrinsically we all know that this is the only way to live a totally fulfilled life. When we walk contrary to His Word everything is, at best, a bit off. Aspiring disciples seek to follow Christ whatever the cost. Sometimes I think it’s easier to do this in the loud, noticeable ways then in the subtle, quiet activities. How many times have you ignored a simple prompting to help someone in need? It’s so easy to rationalize our way out of that scenario. It’s in these seemingly insignificant moments that Jesus refines our character and we build our obedience to Him.

[Read more…] about The Nudge of God