Even If i Walk Alone

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

works

Holiness Demands Action

by

Dag Hammarskjold, the Formal Secretary-General of the United Nations, once said, “In our era, the road to holiness necessarily passes through the world of action.” I believe holiness will always pass through the world of action. Holiness is proven both by what we do and what we choose not to do. But always, holiness demands action. Only God is Holy, but in our quest to be like Him, we must pursue holiness.

holiness demands action,secretary-genral,united nations,faith without works,holiness,pursuing holiness,Dag Hammarskjold,I Peter 1:15-16,be holy as I am holy,Philippians 2:12,work out your own salvation,discipleship,works,faith vs works,grace vs works,God's will

image © BillionPhotos.com via Fotolia

While it is not something we will obtain in this life, seeking after it provides great training for the next. Peter reminds us God said to be holy because He Himself is holy (I Peter 1:15-16). Since we know we are not holy, it seems obvious we must do something to become holy. In other words, holiness demands action.

[Read more…] about Holiness Demands Action

Take from the Day

by

Jim Rohn was and is one of the great mentors in my life. One of the things he taught was to never be content to just get through the day, but rather see what you can take from the day. I’d take it one step further and ask, once you’ve taken everything you can from the day, what is it you can pour back into the day? Another way to think about this would be to determine how you can take what you gained from today and use it to help others tomorrow.

take from the day,give back,Jim Rohn,commitment,mission,service,homeless,surrender,priorities,works,leave better

I believe this aligns very well with the way Jesus lived. He didn’t get cheated on any day. He took every opportunity to share His message and glorify His Father. I think it’s the perfect example of taking what the day offers and pouring it back out into the lives of others. How can we do the same in our own lives?

[Read more…] about Take from the Day

Equipped for the Job

by

Most are familiar with the story of Moses and the burning bush. If you grew up in church, it was one of those Sunday School lessons that tend to stick with you. Too often, the story is left in one of those Sunday School rooms, never to be examined again. Re-reading the story this week, it struck me how like Moses we all are. Before you feel too good about yourself, I’m not intending this as a compliment.

equipped for the job,Christ in you,holy spirit,spirit of God,mission,courage,fear,faith,workd,John 14:12-13,you will do greater things

image © whitestorm via Fotolia

Moses had many amazing qualities, but this was not his finest moment. God called, and Moses balked. He gave excuses why he wasn’t the right man for the assignment. He explained he wasn’t equipped for the job and asked God to send someone else. How many times have we done this when God gives us something to do?

[Read more…] about Equipped for the Job

Doing the Work

by

In Ephesians, chapter 2, verse 10, Paul tells us we have each been created to do the specific work God designed us to do. Have you ever paused to think how amazing this is? Each person in history, in every country, and in every time, has been born with a God-ordained purpose for their lives. When each of us fulfills our purpose, it becomes part of the greater whole. It’s another brick in the massive Kingdom of God.

doing the work,do the work,steven pressfield,myth of the blueprint,open theism,freewill,commitment,kingdom of God,God's kingdom,works,mission,Ephesians 2:10,created for work,Isaiah 5:3–7,Jeremiah 3:19–20,Jeremiah 3:6-7,God was surprised,is god ever surprised

image © UMB-O via Fotolia

When we fail to do the work He designed us to do, there is something missing. There’s a gap which must be filled. It’s an awesome responsibility. I can’t believe the privilege of doing work God designed me to do. How amazing is that? We must never forget the magnitude of the honor, or the obligation to fulfill it.

[Read more…] about Doing the Work

Practicing Obedience

by

Over the past couple of posts (see “In the Presence of God” and “Bible Study”), I’ve been looking at some foundational aspects of following Christ. We’ve discussed prayer and Bible study, which are the linchpins in getting to know God. Today I want to wrap it up by focusing on what I see as the third, and perhaps most important, tenet in living a life wholly devoted to God: practicing obedience.

practicing obedience,obedient to God,obey,Ephesians 2:8-10,created for good works,it is by grace you are saved,Titus 3:5,not by works of righteousness we had done,1 Corinthians 1:18,cross is foolishness,Romans 13:11,nearer than when we first believed,commitment,discipleship,works,grace vs. works,salvation,what does it mean to be a Christian,

image © stephm2506 via Fotolia

The reason I feel this might be the most important aspect of developing your relationship with Jesus is because the other two concern learning who He is and what He’d have you to do. Practicing obedience is all about taking what you’ve learned and putting it into action.

[Read more…] about Practicing Obedience