Even If i Walk Alone

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

priorities

Deny Yourself

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Jesus said if anyone wants to follow Him, they must first deny themselves (Luke 9:23). What does it mean to deny yourself? It means you must deny your ego. You have been bought for a price, and your life no longer belongs to you (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). You are a slave of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:22). How could you, a slave, think more highly of yourself than anyone else (Philippians 2:3-5)?

Young man contemplating what it means to deny yourself as he seeks the discipline to surrender his priorities and live with a commitment to discipleship without fear

You don’t have the right to make your own decisions, as every choice must now align with God’s will and His Word. As slaves of Christ, we are the lowest of the low, deserving of nothing, and any good that comes our way is only by the incredible grace of our Lord and King (Ephesians 2:8-9). We are nothing, but that’s okay, because He is everything!

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Who Are You Living for Today?

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The Apostle Paul instructs us to do everything in life to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Popular music and society tell you to live for yourself. Jesus was clear in teaching we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24), so we can’t adhere to both worldviews. Each of us will live for Jesus or we will live for ourselves, which means we will live for Satan and the things of this world.

young woman mulling the question of who are you living for today as she seeks to focus her priorities on her commitment to discipleship

There are stark differences between these choices, and there are dramatic differences in the end reality as well. You can either live for now and spend eternity in Hell, or live for eternity and spend it with Jesus. Who are you living for today — yourself or Christ?

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Without Exception

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In a recent sermon, my pastor stated, “If you have any exceptions in your obedience, you are not a Christian.” It’s a bold statement that might cause you to form an immediate objection. After all, who are we to say who is or isn’t a true Christian? Once you get past the initial shock of the bluntness of the statement, you will see that it is in line with God’s Word.

Man pondering what it means to obey Christ without exception, and to order his priorities to reflect his commitment and desire to live in discipleship to Christ.

The problem is we skim over the parts of the Bible that are too convicting or too hard to follow. My pastor’s words are not a new teaching or even controversial when held up to the light of scripture. What we are reacting to is the fact that obeying God’s Word without exception is not something most are willing to do.

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He Knows You Know

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If you are going to start your day without Jesus, then why bother starting it at all? If Jesus isn’t everything to you, then He is nothing to you, and there is no point in pretending otherwise. Your half-hearted devotion does not fool God, nor does your lip-service faith impress Him. He knows the truth about your commitment to Him, and deep down, so do you.

Man walking along considering his commitment to Christ and whether he will surrender his heart to th Lordship of Jesus resulting in his salvation, because he knows you.

Jesus says, “On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?’ Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!’” (Matthew 7:22-23). He knows you know how deep your commitment to Him is. What’s the use of keeping up this charade?

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It All Starts with Prayer

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When you examine the beginning of Jesus’s ministry, you find a very important principle. Before He set out to preach, He went off by Himself and prayed (Mark 1:35). It all starts with prayer. Whatever it is you desire to do, don’t do it unless you have first spent time on your knees with your Creator. If it was necessary for Jesus, how much more necessary is it for us?

Woman in bed praying as she knows it all starts with prayer and by God's love,mercy, and grace she can rightly set her priorities for the day as she practices discipleship.

Jesus, being God Himself, knew He needed to spend time with the Father before embarking on His mission. Do you think you are better equipped to deal with what is before you than the Son of God was? Our feet should not hit the floor, a word should not leave our lips, and our hands should find nothing to do until we have first bathed our souls in prayer.

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