Even If i Walk Alone

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

mission

Goals and Resolutions

by

As I write this, it is mid-October. Most would think this a bit early to start thinking about goals for the next year, but I start the process every year around this time. If you’re kind, you may think me an over-achiever, but I’m guessing most will probably see me as somewhat neurotic and obsessive! Regardless, I’ll bet you’re wondering what any of this has to do with following Jesus.

Goals and Resolutions,Mark 8:36,Philippians 3:8,goals,resolutions,goal setting,God's Kingdom,building the Kingdom,humility,mission

image © Sondem via Fotolia

The truth is I had an epiphany as I began to think about my goals for the next year.  Every time I set goals, they are centered on what I want to accomplish. Yes, I do set spiritual goals, but traditionally those have been just one slice of the goals I set. It suddenly occurred to me the only goals that matter are the ones concerning Christ and not me.
[Read more…] about Goals and Resolutions

Your Plan for Spiritual Growth

by

What do you want for your relationship with God? If you are a disciple of Jesus, it means your every desire is to live a life that looks like Him. You want each day to be a little closer to the Father than the day before. You want to leave the world behind and bask in God’s presence. Obedience will be your default response.

plan for spiritual growth,draw closer to God,live for Jesus,Jim Rohn,your life must change,you must change,if you want your life to change you must change

image © Marek via Fotolia

I believe true followers of Christ would agree having a relationship like that with our Creator would lead to a more than satisfying and worthwhile life. The problem is if we don’t plan for that kind of relationship, it will never happen. So what’s your plan?
[Read more…] about Your Plan for Spiritual Growth

The Privilege of Serving Christ

by

“If we belong to Jesus Christ, we should never compromise our spiritual decisions on the basis of ‘What is this going to cost me?’ We ought only to ask, ‘What is my spiritual duty and my spiritual privilege before God?’” This quote from A.W. Tozer cuts to the core of our resistance to follow Christ no matter the cost. Jesus didn’t ask if the price was worth it when He went to the cross.

privilege,serving Christ,Matthew 8:21-22,Luke 9:61-62,Luke 9:57-58,A.W. Tozer,commitment

image © brainsil via Fotolia

He simply did what was required to live a life that looked like that of His Father. He didn’t turn away from the most excruciating pain and humiliation a man could ever know. He knew what His duty was before God, and it was His privilege to serve God in a way that at once pleased His Father and saved all of those selfish, wretched souls He loved so much.
[Read more…] about The Privilege of Serving Christ

Wasted

by

Most people have one or more irrational fears. These kinds of fear are far worse in our minds than they are in reality. As much as we want to think otherwise, irrational fears exist largely only in our minds. My greatest fear, however, is not of the irrational variety. It is only too real, based on hard cold facts and unyielding truth. My greatest fear is when I die my life will be labeled by God as “wasted”.

wasted,jonathan edwards,Mark 9:40,if you're not for me you're against me,don't waste your life,discipleship,mission,priorities

image © bruno135_406 via Fotolia

It will have been wasted because I spent most of the time and energy entrusted to me pursuing the pleasures and delights of this world rather than living a life dedicated wholly to Him. There is no recovery from a wasted life. It’s over, done, and labeled for eternity.
[Read more…] about Wasted

This Day and That Day

by

Every so often I run across a quote that resonates so deeply it feels as if it has rocked my very soul. The one I found most recently was from Martin Luther, who said, “There are two days in my calendar: This day and that Day.” The ‘that day” to which he referred was the day he would meet Jesus.

this day and that day,Martin Luther,focus,this present moment,being present,Matthew 6:25-34,Luke 12:16-21,worry,do not worry,planning for the future

image © rocketclips

Martin Luther thought only of what was going on right now in this present moment, and of things that would occur when he stood face to face with Jesus. What an amazing outlook on life, one that aligns perfectly with the teachings of Christ.

What a contrast to the way most of us go about our lives. We spend much of our time planning and dreaming about the future. Jesus had some strong language for those of us operating in that manner. In Luke 12:16-21, he said we who make plans for the future without first serving God are fools. We can make the most intricate plans for future vacations and our retirement, but our life could be demanded of us at any moment. For what then will all those plans count? Who will profit from all you have saved for the future? When we neglect the importance of this moment, sacrificing it for an unknown future, we are missing out on the real treasures of life. That makes us foolish indeed.

We fret about having food, shelter, and clothing, but Jesus instructed us not to give such things a second thought (Matthew 6:25-34). He pointed out how He takes care of the birds of the air and how He tends to the garden of our world without any help on our behalf. He is aware of every situation and will not abandon us. Yet at the first sign of trouble we turn away from Him and run towards the things of this world. We flee the warm embrace of Jesus and plunge head first into the razor sharp talons of the adversary. We abandon the only true safety for the empty promises of an illusory and temporary comfort.

What if we focused our lives only on this day and that day? How might our lives be different? Forget about the future. You can’t predict it and have no guarantee it will even come. First dedicate your entire existence to Jesus. Concentrate only on what you can do to serve Him on this day, in this hour, at this very moment.

When you think about the future, think only of the moment your hands will grasp the feet of Jesus. Play out the scene in your mind. What might that day look like to you? What will you say? What will you do? How will Jesus react to seeing you? The way ‘that day’ plays out is dependent on how you live ‘this day’. Nothing else matters beyond how you serve Jesus right now.  With every breath we are either building up or tearing down the Kingdom of God. Think only of this day. Dream only of that day. The rest will take care of itself.