Philippians

Vertical Prayers

March 30, 2026 by Tim Sherfy

While we should be praying vertical prayers, too often we are stuck praying in a horizontal manner. I’m not speaking of the posture we assume when we pray, but the direction of the content of our prayers. There’s a stark difference between the prayers of Jesus and the way we pray. So many of our prayers focus on the people and the world around us but give little attention to the One we are speaking to.

Part of the problem is that we lack the proper realization of what prayer is. It’s not a vehicle to get all the things we desire or even need. After all, God already knows what we need before we ask. (Matthew 6:7-8) We’re not bringing Him new information, but it often seems as if we think we are.

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Why Does It Have to Be So Hard?

March 23, 2026 by Tim Sherfy

Why does it have to be so hard to follow Jesus? Do you ever ask yourself that? We want to obey and serve Him, but it always seems to be a battle. Why does the road to Heaven have to be so narrow? (Matthew 7:13–14) A better question might be why God provides a road at all! One sin makes us fall short of God’s requirement to live in eternity with Him. (James 2:10; Romans 3:23)

Every day we prove over and over how unworthy we are to be in His presence. (Isaiah 64:6) The gate isn’t just narrow, it’s impossible to pass through. (Matthew 19:26) Instead of focusing on how difficult it is for us to live for Christ, we should focus on the amazing mercy and grace that allows us to live at all. (Ephesians 2:4–5; Titus 3:5)

Don’t Love This World

March 12, 2026 by Tim Sherfy

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is 1 John 2:15–17. It’s not an easy or feel-good passage. I love it because of how convicting it is and how clear it is. People love to inject their own opinions and rationalizations into the Bible and, in doing so, neuter its message and strip it of its power. This passage leaves no room for any such nonsense.

It says if we love the things of this world, we don’t love God. There are no qualifiers, no exceptions, and no loopholes. The converse shows us how to navigate this life: if we love God, we will not love the things of this world. If you want to show your love for God, don’t love this world.

Does It Break Your Heart?

March 2, 2026 by Tim Sherfy

Does it break your heart to sin, or are you able to move on with little thought or remorse every time you stumble? Sin is no small thing, and to treat it as such is to treat the word and character of God with contempt. (Numbers 15:30–31; Romans 2:4) God is holy, and when He created us in His image, He created us as holy. (Genesis 1:27; Ecclesiastes 7:29) For a brief moment in time, humanity knew what it was to be sinless. In that state, God called us very good. (Genesis 1:31)

We were perfection in His eyes, and every day man and woman would walk in the garden with God. (Genesis 3:8) Our minds cannot even fathom such wonder, such beauty, and such glory. (1 Corinthians 2:9) Sin changed everything. (Romans 5:12) One sin was so egregious to God that He could not overlook it. (Genesis 2:17; Habakkuk 1:13) It is the same every time we indulge in our rebellion against our Creator. (Isaiah 53:6)

Made for This

February 23, 2026 by Tim Sherfy

Brothers and sisters, we were made for this: to live every moment of our lives for the glory of Christ and no one else. (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17) We do not live for the praise of men or for any self-satisfaction. (Galatians 1:10; John 5:44) God created us in His image (Genesis 1:27) and it is our duty to spend every ounce of life in this world learning to look like Him. (Romans 8:29; Ephesians 5:1)

You will never live the life God intends for you until you stop pursuing your desires and ambitions. (Luke 9:23) You will never understand God’s will for you until you stop making it about yourself. (Proverbs 3:5–6) God made you to love Him, serve Him, and share His gospel with everyone you meet. (Matthew 22:37–39; Matthew 28:19–20) That should be the sum of any life surrendered to Christ.

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