Even If i Walk Alone

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

the church

The Joy of the Lord

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Since the beginning days of the coronavirus and the drama that unfolded in the response to it, the racial tensions that began exploding soon after, and a crazed political environment, the world has seemed to have just gone mad. Every issue seems to polarize us, dividing friends, family, and most disturbingly the church. In a matter of months, what we considered the normalcy of life has been discarded. I’ve seen a lot of dramatic changes in my lifetime, but never ones that occurred so suddenly and were so divisive.

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I don’t know when or if this all ends, or what life looks like on the other side of this seemingly unending tunnel of darkness. But somehow, in the middle of all the chaos and uncertainty, I have found my joy of the Lord increasing. I am more aware of His presence than ever, and despite the anger and confusion swirling around me, I am at peace.

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A Scared World

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When the modern world seems overwhelming, it’s always good to look back on the giants from our past for a little wisdom and perspective. A. W. Tozer once said, “A scared world needs a fearless church.” I’m sure there have been periods in the last couple thousand years where this was truer than today, but it is timely and necessary wisdom we should heed. At least in my lifetime, I’ve never seen the world be more scared.

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Suicide rates are climbing rapidly. Turning on the news will only leave you frightened and depressed (I recommend you turn it off!). Fear is everywhere: fear of a global pandemic, fear of rioting, fear of job loss, fear of economic ruin, fear of government… the list goes on and on. We are living in a scared world in desperate need of hope.

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Be the Church

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In a time when “going to Church” has become challenging in many places, perhaps it’s the perfect opportunity to revisit why we “go” to church anyway.  The Church Jesus established was in the hearts of His followers. Jesus didn’t instruct us to go to church; He told us to be the Church. How are we doing with that?

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Looking around my Country I see levels of hate, distrust, and violence unprecedented in my lifetime. I can’t help but feel we are squandering a massive opportunity to reach a hurting world with the love of Jesus. Many of the churches in my area have gone strangely quiet. There have thankfully been a few exceptions, but mostly, it feels as if the church has gone underground.

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The Plan of Salvation

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If you grew up in the church or have ever taken a traditional discipleship course, you’re probably familiar with the so-called, “plan of salvation.” It’s interesting to note while the Bible shows us how to find salvation in Jesus, it has nothing to do with the 20th century man-made “plan of salvation”. There is a way to eternal life with Jesus, but it involves a lifelong commitment, not a two-minute prayer. The plan of salvation can be useful in helping someone understand their need for Jesus, but it does nothing to prepare them for the sacrifice and difficulties they will encounter because of their decision to follow Christ.

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We are doing a grave disservice to untold numbers of people who, upon being presented with the plan of salvation and praying the sinner’s prayer, think that’s all there is to it and it saves them for eternity. We’re creating people who think they know Jesus, but that same Jesus may cast them from His presence if that prayer is all they ever do for Him (Matthew 7:22-23).

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Persecuted

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I pray daily for our brothers and sisters around the world who are being persecuted for their faith. It is both devastating and humbling to read what they are going through because of their commitment to Jesus. In many countries, becoming a follower of Christ will lead to job loss, inability to rent or buy housing, harassment and beatings from friends and family, and often imprisonment or death. For many believers, this is the harsh reality of their lives.

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Some stories are unimaginable to those of us who sit safely ensconced in our comfortable homes, living in a freedom unmatched in history. The bravery and courage of our persecuted brothers and sisters should compel us all to lift their needs in prayer often. Those who are out of sight must never be out of mind.

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