Even If i Walk Alone

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

priorities

Serve the Lord

by

The single focus of our lives must be to serve the Lord. We know this is God’s will for everyone because the greatest commandment given by God is to love the Lord with all your heart, strength, mind, and soul (Mark 12:28-31; Deuteronomy 6:5). Everything we do for Him is an act of worship to Him. This is easy to understand but very hard for us to do on a consistent basis, every hour of every day of our lives.

serve the Lord,commitment,God's Kingdom,mission,priorities,perseverance,salvation,surrender,Kingdom of God

We get tired, frustrated, discouraged, and if we’re honest with ourselves, we get selfish. Our selfish desires are the greatest impediment to living a life that is wholly devoted to Christ. Paul encourages us in this way: “Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord” (Romans 12:11). This should be the mantra that drives us all.

[Read more…] about Serve the Lord

Make No Plans

by

Studying the second half of the book of Romans this month, one verse keeps poking me when I read it. Romans 13:14 says, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no plans to satisfy the fleshly desires.” It’s convicting because how often do we make plans to satisfy those very desires of the flesh the Lord admonishes us not to?

make no plans,discipleship,fear,God's will,priorities,purpose

We are always making plans to do something, go somewhere, or become someone. How many of those plans center on bringing or giving glory to God? If you’re like me, not many. We design almost all our plans to fulfill the desires of our flesh rather than to further the Kingdom of God. There are exceptions, of course, but that they are the exceptions should tell us we have a problem.

[Read more…] about Make No Plans

Whatever the Cost

by

How many times have you read that to follow Jesus, you must pick up your cross daily (Luke 9:23)? How many times have I written those words? Every Christian acknowledges their faith requires them to pick up that cross, but have you ever taken the time to understand the full ramifications of that commitment? We say we’ll follow Jesus whatever the cost, but did you ever stop to calculate that cost?

surrender,commitment,discipleship,priorities,whatever the cost

If you’re like me, you often think of Christians who face persecution for their faith. We swear we will never deny our Lord, no matter how much pressure or abuse we must suffer. That’s an important place to come to in your growth as a Christian, but how about when the cost is not so high or obvious? Will you still follow Him no matter what (Matthew 10:38-39)?

[Read more…] about Whatever the Cost

Be Transformed

by

There are many verses and phrases in the Bible that we read, but never take the time to consider what they mean. One example would be Romans 12:2, where Paul exhorts us to not be conformed to this age but to be transformed. I know we don’t understand this verse because simple observation reveals most Christians are living lives of conformity to the world rather than demonstrating any kind of transformation.

be transformed,discipleship,Hell,priorities,repentance,salvation,surrender

To be a follower of Jesus demands we abandon the way things used to be and embrace the superior way of the Father (Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:9-10). Transformation is not a one-time decision; it is a lifelong change of direction that requires a 180-degree turn in every area of our lives (Luke 9:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17). We turn from our desires and towards God’s holy plan.

[Read more…] about Be Transformed

Your Approval

by

As followers of Christ, we spend our lives pursuing obedience to His commands (John 14:15). Our love for Him compels us to live lives of obedience not because we must, but because it is the deep desire of our hearts. It’s easy to focus on the things you are doing do but ignore the things receiving your approval. We avoid the obvious sins but fail to recognize that approving of the sinful behavior of others is just as much a sin as if we were committing those acts ourselves (Romans 1:32).

your approval,commitment,discipleship,priorities

We are not to have any association with the darkness in our world (Ephesians 5:11; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17). It’s not enough to be separate in our behavior but also in our associations and to be mindful of that which receives our support and blessing.

[Read more…] about Your Approval