Even If i Walk Alone

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

Proverbs

Only Jesus

by

There is much pain and loneliness in the world. Every day people disappoint us. It’s difficult to keep your head up and keep going. It seems so easy to forget how much God loves us; we forget this is the only thing that matters. We love Jesus because He first loved us.

only Jesus,grace,peace,love,favor,rejection,criticism,loneliness,mercy,righteousness,Genesis 1:27,created in God's image,Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5,never leave us or fasake,Proverbs 18:24,closer than a brother,Jesus

image © Farknot Architect via Fotolia

When we come to understand who He is and what He has done for us, we cannot help but love Him more than we love anyone or anything else. None compare to Jesus. When we live in this truth, the disappointments and discouragements of this world begin to matter less. Only Jesus is worthy of our affection.

[Read more…] about Only Jesus

Our Excess

by

I was recently intrigued by a thought passing through my brain: “The excess I have belongs to those in need.” It’s not the most comfortable thought to consider. I like a little excess. I appreciate the peace and comfort it affords. Yet how can I hold onto more than I need when there are those in the world suffering in abject poverty? One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Proverbs 30:8 which says, “Give me just enough for today.”

our excess,comfort,security,faith,commitment,priorities,retirement,Proverbs 30:8,give me just enough for today,Matthew 6:9-12,our daily bread,Luke 12:16-21,store up treasures in barns,Acts 2:44-45,shared with anyone in need,had all things in common,Leviticus 23:22,don't glean to edges,Luke 18:18-23,rich young ruler

image © martinprague via Fotolia

The author states if he has too much, he will take it all for granted and forget God’s provision in his life. If he has too little, he may be tempted to steal to acquire what he needs. The sweet spot is having just enough for today. Any excess should be shared with others.

[Read more…] about Our Excess

Dyed By the Thoughts

by

I have long been fascinated with Stoicism and am often intrigued by quotes from thought leaders of the movement. I often find an interesting application of Stoic principles in my own discipleship quest. One quote I read recently, from Marcus Aurelius, said, “Such as are your habitual thoughts, such also will be the character of your mind; for the soul is dyed by the thoughts.” This mimics – and is no doubt inspired by – Proverbs 23:7, which says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.”

dyed by the thoughts,stoicism,stoic,Marcus Aurelius,Proverbs 23:7,as a man thinketh,James Allen,2 Corinthians 10:4-5,take every thought captive,Philippians 4:8,think on these things,whatever is lovely,Hebrews 3:1,fixyour thoughts on Jesus,mission,Kingdom of God,thought patterns,thoughts,neural pathways,God's Kingdom,dcipleship

image © Feodora via Fotolia

What we think about defines who we are. You can’t think selfish thoughts and be an unselfish person. The brain doesn’t work in such a manner. Every thought burns a new neural pathway. The more we think the same thought or way, the deeper the pathway gets grooved into our psyche. We do indeed become dyed by the thoughts we entertain.

[Read more…] about Dyed By the Thoughts

Overwhelmed

by

There are days, when I take the time to notice the blessings bestowed upon me, I cannot help but be overwhelmed. Looking around the world, it’s ridiculous how incredibly blessed I am. Chances are, if you are reading this blog, your circumstances are similar. We have much for which to be thankful. To our detriment, it seems we spend far more time complaining about what we don’t have than allowing ourselves to be overwhelmed with what we do.

overwhelmed,humility,blessings,generosity,unselfishness,I Kings 17:1-7,fed by ravens,Exodus 16:14-20,manna from Heaven,Proverbs 30:8,9,give me just enough for today,Matthew 6:26,God feeds birds,Matthew 25:31-46,seep and goats

image © Gajus via Fotolia

For starters, if we have Jesus, what else could we possibly need? Anything other than Christ is just a temporary salve for a temporary wound. We are made complete in Jesus. Yet, God didn’t stop with the most incredible blessing ever. He continues to pour out His goodness into our lives.

[Read more…] about Overwhelmed

Measure Your Words

by

Proverbs 10:19 says, “When there are many words, sin is unavoidable, but the one who controls his lips is wise.” As someone who writes thousands of words each week, this is especially relevant and convicting to me. However, you don’t have to be a writer to need to learn this lesson. If we don’t measure our words, odds are we’re going to say things dishonoring to God, hurtful to others, and regretful to ourselves. Usually, it will be all the above.

measure your words,kingdom of God,God's Kingdom,glorify God,words,tame the tongue,encourage others,James 3:5-9,no one can tame the tongue,Ephesians 4:29-32,only what is good for building up others,Proverbs 10:19,let your words be few,James 3:2,words cause you to stumble,James 1:19,be slow to speak

image © tugolukof via Fotolia

Jesus’s brother James warned our tongues could not be tamed and could start great, destructive fires (James 3:5-9). Paul instructed us to only speak words of encouragement, never saying derogatory or inflammatory things (Ephesians 4:29-32). In a world enamored with social media, it has never been more important to measure your words.

[Read more…] about Measure Your Words