mission

Are You Sinking?

January 3, 2019 by Tim Sherfy

Are you sinking? Does it feel as if the waves of this life are on the verge of pulling you under? Perhaps the busyness and stresses of life are weighing you down so much you can’t seem to rise to the surface. I submit any time you feel as if you are sinking is because your focus is somewhere other than Jesus. It sounds so simple, just look at Jesus and life will be smooth sailing.

are you sinking,drowning in despair,busyness,busy,mission,focus,priorities,Matthew 14:22-31,walking on water,Colossians 3:23-24,do everything for Jesus

Well, not exactly, and keeping our focus on Christ is far easier said than done in a world where Satan never ceases to bombard us with distraction after distraction. If you said, ‘yes’ to the “Are you sinking?” question, it’s probably time to evaluate whether we’ve taken our eyes off Jesus and placed them somewhere else.

[Read more…] about Are You Sinking?

No More Financial Goals

December 31, 2018 by Tim Sherfy

I love goal-setting each year. It’s the way I’m wired. Beginning in November, I begin to get excited about the year ahead as I think and pray about what I want to accomplish. As I mature in my faith, more and more, I am beginning to ask the question, “What does God want me to accomplish in the next year?” I’d love to tell you I’ve always started there, but the truth is I haven’t been as prayerful in this area of my life as I should have been.

no more financial goals,finances,budgeting,net worth,debt,Dave Ramsey,total money makeover,mission,priorities,goals,new year,commitment,discipleship,Kingdom of God,God's Kingdom,faith,Matthew 6:24,can't serve two masters

Every year I have set a financial goal, either how much I want to earn, a financial goal I’d like to meet, or even what I would like my net worth to be. This year I felt God telling me quite strongly there should be no more financial goals in my plan. I’d like to explain why and perhaps you might join me in declaring, “No more financial goals!”

What Does Love Require?

December 24, 2018 by Tim Sherfy

In Andy Stanley’s excellent new book, “Irresistible”, he puts forth a question which sums up how we are expected to live as followers of Christ. The question is, “What does love require of me?” This simple question brilliantly sums up what Jesus declared to be the greatest commandment of the law and the prophets (“Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind”), and His command for the new covenant (“Love your neighbor as yourself”) (see Matthew 22:36-40).

what does love require,andy stanley,irresistible,kingdom of God,God's Kingdom, mission,compassion,love,discipleship,Christmas Eve,John3:16,God so loved

image © Elena Arkadova via Fotolia

You can apply this question in every situation as you go throughout your day. It will change your interactions with people. It will alter your mood and transform your life. Oh, and it will drive you crazy!

New Covenant People

December 17, 2018 by Tim Sherfy

Ezekiel 36:26 says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” While there are certainly many implications of this prophecy, one I think is often overlooked is Ezekiel prophesying of the transition from the old covenant to the new. The old covenant (or testament) was a series of laws given by God to the nation of Israel. Most of these laws were engraved on stone tablets, so the people’s hearts were committed to following what was engraved in stone.

new covenant people,new testament,mission,love,God's love,Andy Stanley,irresistable,John 15:12,love one another,Ezekiel 36:26,heart of stone,Matthew 22:34-40,greatest commandment,John 13:34,as I have love you

The new covenant was ushered in by Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. He fulfilled all the old covenant. This new covenant was for all people, not only for the people of Israel. Instead of adhering to a series of laws, we are now commanded to simply love one another so we might reflect the love of our Creator.

[Read more…] about New Covenant People

Choose Your Friends Wisely

December 13, 2018 by Tim Sherfy

Mark Sanborn is an author and speaker from whom I have gleaned much wisdom over the years. One of the things he has said is, “You acquire much of the thinking, mannerisms, and characteristics of the people you are around.” It happens without any conscious effort on our part. Look at your circle of friends. I’ll bet if you tried, you would identify habits, dialects, and preferences you did not have before you began hanging out with them.

choose friends wisely,commitment,discipleship,mission,friends,wisdom,discipleship,choose your friends wisely

Photo by Duy Pham on Unsplash

It’s what bonds people together in a unique way. Relationships thrive or die on whether this form of bonding occurs or not. Of course, not all the traits you graft on to yourself will be positive. There is as much opportunity to be worse for knowing your friends than there is to be better for it, so choose your friends wisely.