mission

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted (IDOP)

November 5, 2020 by Tim Sherfy

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted (IDOP)

This past Sunday, many churches across the world took part in the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted, or IDOP for short. Some American churches postponed for a week because of the election (I do not understand such reasoning, but the fact remains), and some churches across the globe are marking the day on November 15^th. This means for the first three Sundays of the month in which this post is first published, there will be focused and corporate prayer for our persecuted brothers and sisters. I urge you to join in.

International Day of Prayer,IDOP,persecuted Chrsistians,persecuted Church,persecution,commitment,faith,mission,prayer,the Church

If you, like me, enjoy the freedom to express your beliefs where you live, it’s difficult to understand what our fellow Christians endure daily. We cannot make too much of this issue. While we worship in freedom, millions of Christians are enduring unimaginable persecution because they are steadfast in affirming Jesus as their Lord.

Election Day

November 2, 2020 by Tim Sherfy

The day after this post publishes, it will be election day in the United States. Each election cycle in recent memory has grown more vicious, more distasteful, and more divisive. It’s not a good trend. I don’t care if you are an Independent, Libertarian, Republican, or Democrat, if you are reading this blog I hope you are finding your identity in Jesus Christ and nowhere else.

Election Day,election,polls,vote,voting,Trump,Biden,President,love,mission,priorities,Luke 6:22-23,rejoice in persecution,Deuteronomy 31:6,Lord goes with you,John 15:19-21,they will persecute you,James 4:14,life is a vapor

The day after election day, half the country will rejoice, and half will be on the verge of despair. If you can believe the media (a dicey proposition these days), civil unrest will follow the election regardless of results. As followers of Jesus, this is our opportunity to show the love of Christ to those around us and around the world.

Please recognize no matter how dire the apocalyptic warnings preceding the election, no matter how violent the social media-fueled response to the results, our hope is in the Lord. Neither candidate will usher in the Kingdom of God. Only Jesus will do that. The President of the United States will never be the savior of the world. History shows our lives won’t change dramatically over the next four years. Some experts are saying this election is different, and the effect of the results will dramatically alter the trajectory of our country. I don’t know who is right. I do know Jesus is the same today as He will be the day after the election and for an eternity to come.

We do a disservice to the glory of Jesus when we as His followers put politics before the mission of Christ. Our mission will always be to further God’s Kingdom here on earth. This won’t change, no matter the extent of our freedom. We must keep our eye on the ball. Jesus must remain our focus. If our freedoms increase after the election, we must not squander the opportunity to be the light to a broken world. If our freedoms retract, we must shine brightly through persecution just as our brothers and sisters around the world do every day.

Voting is an enormous privilege and responsibility. As an American, please exercise this right and go to the polls to cast your vote after praying for wisdom and guidance. Be thankful we have this wonderful opportunity. After voting, I encourage you to pray for peace, soberness of mind, and civility. As a nation, we are desperate for an intervention of God’s grace and mercy. Pray this election will lead many more to come to Him. That is all that matters.

On election day, do not fear. Love God and love others. Do not be afraid to go to the polls. It is the Lord your God who goes with you into battle (Deuteronomy 31:6). Rejoice in insults and persecution (Luke 6:22-23; John 15:19-21). Understand Jesus endured the same, and by going through this, you are identifying with Him. The most important thing I want to impress upon you is to keep your eyes on Jesus and your identity firmly grounded in Him. We cannot control the outcome of an election, but we can rejoice in being part of God’s elect. Our time on this earth is brief (James 4:14) and we should spend our days reflecting Jesus and telling others of His amazing love. We will spend eternity in His presence. Focus there. This world will pass away. Jesus remains. Jesus rules in power. He loves you, and that will not change based on who is in the White House.

Motivated for Mission

October 15, 2020 by Tim Sherfy

Lesslie Newbigin once said, “The deepest motive for mission is simply the desire to be with Jesus where he is, on the frontier between the reign of God and the usurped dominion of the devil.” What drives you to live for Jesus? In a world growing ever more hostile to His name, what keeps you going? Many who profess to be Christians approach life in a laissez-faire manner. They believe in God, maybe Jesus too, but their lives do not reflect their so-called beliefs.

motivated for mission,mission,motivated,motivation,discipleship,purpose,Romans 10:14,how will they hear,Proverbs 24:11,rescue the perishing

I know it’s taboo to question the sincerity of one’s claim to be a Christian, and I readily admit only God knows the heart of anyone. It just seems to me if the mission of Christ does not consume you, and if the thought of billions of people going to hell does not devastate you, then you have to wonder what was the point of your conversion? Jesus is your Lord, or He is not; there is no other option or middle ground in this.

When Discouragement Strikes

October 8, 2020 by Tim Sherfy

Discouragement hits us all. In our fallen world, no one gets a free pass through life without encountering discouragement from time to time. We feel overwhelmed and aren’t certain how we can get it all done. Too often, the support system around us lets us down, which only adds to our discouragement and despair. During these seasons, it’s difficult to even pray. While we know it is the quickest way out of discouragement, our prayers have trouble escaping from our lips, and even when they do, they seem to hit the ceiling and bounce back down.

when discouragement strikes,discouraged,focus,mission,service,love,Deuteronomy 31:6,never leave or forsake you,Romans 8:38-39,nothing can separate us from God's love,discouragement

In our discouragement, we can feel helpless, and at the brink of despair. In these moments, it is helpful to remember and recount how God has been with you in the past and take encouragement from knowing He will continue to be with you on the other side of this temporary bout of discouragement.

Choosing Sides

October 5, 2020 by Tim Sherfy

Choosing sides is something we do from cradle to grave. Whether it’s picking teams on a playground or deciding for whom we will vote in a Presidential election, our culture is always pushing us toward choosing sides. Choosing sides reveals something about us. On the playground, it may speak of your popularity. The side you choose in an election shows your political philosophy. As disciples of Jesus, we also choose sides.

choosing sides,unity,mission,love,discipleship,priorities,purpose,John 17:20-21,be unified,church unity,the Church

We reject the lies of Satan and align ourselves with the truth and love of Christ. We believe Jesus is the Son of God, died on a cross, and rose to life again. His death provides the way to life for us. No matter what other sides in life we might choose, choosing Jesus is the only side that matters and is the decision that should direct the way we live each day of our lives.

[Read more…] about Choosing Sides