Even If i Walk Alone

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

mission

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

Election Results

by

barack obama,mitt romney,election 2012,vote Jesus,Jesus for president,love

As the dust settles on another election in the United States, about half the country is depressed and half is elated. Listening to the radio and various conversations today, it seems that a good number of Christians find themselves deflated, defeated, and depressed. This is the result of putting our hope in earthly governments and finding at least some of our identity in our nationality. As followers of Jesus, we must remember that we are not of this world (John 15:19). We have a higher call to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We are to reflect the light of God’s truth into the dark world around us. Carrying out the mission of Christ remains our commission regardless of who happens to be in residence at the White House.

[Read more…] about Election Results

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

Vote Jesus

by

Jesus first,mitt romney,barak obama,presidential election,presidency,united states,america,voting,vote,christian voting,christian nation

Next week is the Presidential election in the United States. The past several months we have been inundated with commercials and news reports extolling the virtues of one candidate while lambasting the other. Religious leaders have made their endorsements, as have the elite of the business, entertainment, and academic worlds. The whole world is watching to see who will be the President of the United States over the next four years. As a citizen of the United States, I feel it is my duty and privilege to vote for the political leaders I believe will best serve the needs of this country in the future. But more importantly, as a servant of the King of the Universe, I realize that whoever wins this election ultimately does not affect my purpose in life or my mission on earth.

[Read more…] about Vote Jesus