Even If i Walk Alone

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

peace

Times Like These

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In times like these, it’s easy to lose our way. The needle on our internal compass seems a bit jumpy. The culture of a 24/7 news cycle can overwhelm with information and confuse us about what to believe. Stress and anxiety threaten to overcome our best intentions and defenses. Times like these bring out the best, and too often, the worst in humanity.

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For followers of Jesus, we can have peace. Our Lord is the Prince of Peace, and His grace and mercy are not in short supply. And yet, we seem to forget these truths when we need them most. Instead of relying on the peace and power of our Creator, we give in to the siren song of the crowd. There is no comfort there. We find comfort only in the arms of Jesus.

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It is Well

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Growing up as a preacher’s kid, I think I learned every hymn forward, backward, and upside down (except for the third verses, of course, which are inexplicably always skipped!). As I grew older, my taste in music transformed and I left the old hymns in the past. Now and again, someone releases a modern remake of an old hymn, and it provides a sweet sense of nostalgia. Updated music has helped me rediscover a few old songs. There is one, however, that over the past couple of years has resonated with me in its original form.

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I love the haunting and solemn melody of “It Is Well with My Soul”. I have an entire playlist of different instrumental versions of the hymn that I often play during my morning prayer time. It stops me in my tracks every time to ponder how, with Jesus, it is well with my soul regardless of what’s swirling around me.

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Live Differently

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Our lives should set an example every day of how loving Jesus causes us to live differently. In a world filled with hate, division, violence, and outright evil, we should shine as examples of love, peace, humility, and integrity. It makes no sense to be a Christian if we will spend the rest of our lives behaving as the world does.

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Jesus didn’t call us to conformity, but to be a people who are set apart and look unique to the world (1 Peter 2:9-10). If you aren’t willing to live differently, then you aren’t ready for Jesus to be Lord of your life. When you surrender everything to Him, everything will change for you.

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Suicide Mission

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There are places in the world today where following Jesus is basically a suicide mission. To follow Christ may mean losing your job, your home, and your children. It is not uncommon for families to react violently when one of their own gives their life to Jesus. Every day I read stories of new believers who are beaten and thrown out of their homes because of their decision to give their lives to Jesus.

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In many cultures, the family is the center of all things, and to leave the family religion brings great disgrace not only on the one leaving but on the ones they leave behind. It takes great faith and courage to follow Jesus in many countries. As their brothers and sisters in Christ, it is essential we lift these people in prayer every day.

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Eliminate Hurry

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Dallas Willard once wrote, “You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.” This is difficult for me to hear. I struggle slowing down. I have a need to always be accomplishing something. I admit to having difficulty enjoying vacations because I’m always focusing on what’s next instead of taking time to enjoy the moment. Perhaps you can relate. The issue is if we never slow down, we will miss what God has intended for us to notice along the way.

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Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Did you notice Jesus was never in a hurry? He seemed to always have time to stop and have a conversation or to touch someone in need. While others were busy trying to fill His agenda, Jesus went off by Himself to pray (Mark 1:35–37). He understood the value of eliminating hurry from His life.

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