Matthew

Be Thankful

November 23, 2023 by Tim Sherfy

While we should be thankful every day for the incredible blessings God has given to us, Americans set aside one day a year to express our gratitude as a nation. I recognize not everyone feels thankful today. Illness, job loss, personal tragedy, and general dissatisfaction with life can darken our minds and keep us from recognizing how much we have to be thankful for.

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Wherever you are, simply looking around you reveals much for which you can be thankful. I don’t know your circumstances, but I’ve never met anyone who couldn’t point to someone worse off than they were. So, that’s a start. If it could be worse, then there is something for which you can praise God.

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Die to Self

November 13, 2023 by Tim Sherfy

We don’t live surrendered lives because to do so is both inconvenient and difficult. Everything in our society and culture is designed to appeal to our worldly lusts and flesh. The culture calls us to surrender to its ways, enjoy the best of this life, and cast aside any restrictions on our pleasure and enjoyment.

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Every part of our flesh desires to chase after the things of this world. So, when we surrender to Jesus as our Lord, an immediate conflict ensues. Will we bow to the King or give our allegiance to the dark desires of our flesh?

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You Love the World

November 6, 2023 by Tim Sherfy

Over the past year, I’ve probably referenced (1 John 2:15) more than any other verse. I keep coming back to it because its message is so clear and sobering: “Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.” Do you love the world? If so, then you don’t love God. It’s a harsh statement, but impossible to avoid.

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There isn’t any wiggle room in the verse to accommodate how much we love the world, so we can’t rationalize and say we love God more than the things of this world. God has never been one to accept partial love. We cannot serve two masters; we will love the one and hate the other (Matthew 6:24).

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Are You Ready?

November 2, 2023 by Tim Sherfy

In a world seemingly caught in a death spiral, every day that you fail to prepare for what’s coming puts you that much closer to being too late to prepare. It amazes me how many nations are at war, with many more on the verge of war, while so many continue to live their lives as if nothing is happening. Jesus tells us in the days before the flood, people were carrying on as if they were exempt from the judgment God was bringing on them. (Luke 17:26-27).

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The same was true for Sodom and Gomorrah (Luke 17:28-30). Are you ready to die? Is your eternity secure in Jesus Christ or have you been putting off surrendering to His Lordship? I have met too many people who assume they will have time to live for God later, unwilling to sacrifice the pleasure of living in the now. Unless you choose to ignore what’s happening in the world, you must realize that the time to seek Jesus is running out.

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The Church is in Trouble

October 30, 2023 by Tim Sherfy

Before beginning, let me make one thing abundantly clear: the Church of Jesus Christ will never be defeated. No matter what Satan throws at her, God’s Church will weather the storm and come out victorious (Matthew 16:18). To my knowledge, no war has ever been a unanimous victory. Even on the winning side, battles and lives will be lost.

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In the same way, it may appear the Church loses some battles—even though we know God is in control of everything so even an apparent loss is useful to Him in leading His bride to victory—the Church will not lose the war, will never stay knocked down, and in the end will stand. With all that said, I submit the Church is in trouble today.