There are 153 million orphans in the world. Every single day, another 5,700 more children become orphans. Those numbers are staggering, and you may feel defeated because you can’t help all of them. But what if you could help one? It’s time to go the 2nd mile in helping the orphan crisis.
When the unexpected happens, we all have a choice to make. Two options lie before us. We will each choose to draw closer to God or further away from him. In your discouragements, distresses, and disappointments, which way are you headed? It’s time to go the 2nd mile in drawing close to Jesus.
The current state of the world has changed all of our plans. No graduation. No trip. Change in job. Expectations unmet. Disappointments abound. You wonder why a door that was supposed to be open has now been slammed shut. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in respecting closed doors.
Your schedule has probably simplified in recent weeks. In fact, you probably have more margin now than ever to be able to read the Bible, but have you taken advantage of it? If you are not careful, you can waste this present opportunity and let the time slip away. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in developing a reasonable …
As you develop your budget and try to live financially responsible, it can be overwhelming in all the areas you need to address. How do you know what should be your priority? How do you know what you should tackle next? Maybe you need some practical guidance to start. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in developing money milestones.
You know that budgeting is important, so what is keeping you from working on one? Maybe you don’t want to face reality, but if you don’t address your financial situation, reality will interrupt you at the most inconvenient time. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in developing a budget.
A financial crisis has a way of waking us up to reality. Whether it is a national recession on the horizon or a personal consequence based on a decision, we each know how money can affect us in numerous ways. The way we handle our money says a lot about us. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in financial …
As we each grasp with learning how to function during an international pandemic, we have to innovate among restrictions. We all have stuff we still have to do, and we want to be used in a purposeful way, but everything is different now. If you want to faithfully productive, we must go the 2nd mile while working at home.
Last Sunday, people all over the world had to rethink church gatherings due to the COVID-19. Whether you watched online, had a drive-in at your church parking lot, or some other option, worship felt a little bit different. As we adapt to our circumstances, it’s time to go the 2nd mile in being the scattered church.
Life as we know it as changed just a wee bit. With the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, our lives are being changed. If you aren’t quarantined, you are at least limited. So, what should you do when your schedule has changed and the world is in fear? It’s time to go the 2nd mile in quarantined discipleship.
If you are like me, you often feel overwhelmed. The standard answer to someone asking, “How are you doing?” Is apparently supposed to be “busy.” We all say we are busy, but are we effective? Are you satisfied with the progress you are making in life? It’s time to go the 2nd mile in evaluating your progress.
Sometimes, finding God’s will is easy. The righteous decision is always preferred over the sinful leaning. God never wants us to go against His design. But what about discerning among good options? How do you know what to do when either option seems OK? It’s time to go the 2nd mile in finding God’s will.
Each of us struggles with some level of anxiety. Certain triggers seem to exasperate it at times, and yet many of us don’t know what to do when the onslaught begins.
Following behind Jesus is a good path. Walking beside your spouse is a special journey as well. What happens if those two directions are opposing each other? It is possible to follow Jesus and walk beside your spouse. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in prioritizing a spiritually-enriching marriage.
If you are single, maybe you think about getting married one day. As friends progress through their wedding days, the pressure can mount for you to find someone. While eagerness for marriage is a good trait, you must be careful not to rush into something that’s not ideal. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in your dating preparation.
The lights are hung, the presents are wrapped, the food is prepared, and the sweaters are laid out. What could be missing? Jesus. Jesus might be missing. If you are worried about missing Christ this Christmas, it is time to go the 2nd mile in your Christmas celebration.
The Great Commission calls us to make disciples – not converts. As he ascended into the skies, Jesus clarified our purpose of discipleship when he delivered the Great Commission. The job is incomplete when someone comes to faith in Christ. Discipleship – and not conversion – is the goal. Evangelism is necessary, but it is not ultimate.
Most Christians can easily communicate the importance of making disciples, but few can articulate how they are personally engaging in the process. Proclaiming the need for discipleship in theory is not the same as prioritizing its implementation in life. Most churches and ministries are very busy with numerous activities, yet many regularly lament the lack of tangible success despite extensive …
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but it can also be the most frantic. As you prepare for Christmas, you may feel many expectations that can cause you to make some poor financial decisions. You don’t have to go broke during the holidays. It’s time to go the 2nd mile on Black Friday.
While we are much more than what we do, a significant portion of our lives will be spent in the 9-5 realm. That’s why how we approach work is so vital to our overall outlook in life. Have you ever considered your work as it relates to your walk? It’s time to go the 2nd mile as a kingdom-minded employee.
You know your marriage needs work, and you accept that your spouse isn’t 100% completely to blame for the condition of your marriage. You are ready and committed to doing the work, but what if your spouse isn’t putting forth the same type of effort? It’s time to go the 2nd mile in working on your marriage all by yourself.
You’ve already been tempted to sin today numerous times. While everyone is tempted, particular people are more prone to certain temptations than others. While you can’t avoid being tempted, you can fight against its pull. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in overcoming temptation. Listen to the podcast below or subscribe to your favorite podcast app here.
It almost seems necessary for young parents to speak as if their children are a hindrance. As parents bemoan their roles as pure drudgery, the culture and the kids get the message: children are unwanted. If you read Scripture, you realize that children aren’t a burden – they are a blessing. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in affirming …
If you grew up in church, you probably memorized the Lord’s prayer from Matthew 6. In many services, the entire congregation recites it out loud as a part of the worship. While this is a great implementation, did Jesus mean for us simply to quote it? It’s time to go the 2nd mile with the Lord’s prayer. Listen to the …
Each of us must count the cost to follow Jesus. We need more than motivation to begin; we need preparation to endure. If not careful, we will start with high aspirations yet fail to follow through due to a lack of planning. Listen to the podcast below or subscribe to your favorite podcast app here.
For all the progress you have made in your life, have you ever realized how desperately dependent on God you still are? Our cultural mantra wants to espouse independence as if we have it all together, but the longer we walk, the more it seems that we trip up. Do you feel like you don’t have it together? It’s time …
Have you considered the spiritual giants in your life and why they are that way? They just seem to be in a different category than everyone else. We often categorize them as those who must be more spiritual than the rest of us, but what if that’s not it? What if it is because they are more disciplined than the …
You’ve made some adjustments. You’ve seen some improvement, but you also admit that you’re not there yet. Each of us has many areas in our lives that could benefit from some further growth. In discipleship, you don’t have to be there yet, but you should be getting there. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in admitting your needed development. …
Are you confident in the fundamentals of your faith? Maybe the better question is, do you believe what you believe? As a follower of Jesus, you have a set of doctrinal beliefs that come along with the territory, but are they settled in your mind? It’s time to go the 2nd mile in reinforcing the most critical doctrine. Listen to the …
There is a sin or a few sins that easily entangle you. While we all can struggle with every possible sin imaginable, there are certain sins with which we regularly drift. In order for you to make progress in your discipleship, you need to narrow down the list to the sin which is critical for you to address right now. …
You don’t have to follow Jesus; you get to follow Jesus. The moment that you can see your walk as an opportunity rather than an obligation is the moment when your growth will progress exponentially. If you have felt like you are following Jesus out of duty, it’s time to go the 2nd mile in rediscovering delight in our discipleship. …
We talk about discipleship in churches a lot, but are we really doing it? Jesus’s words are straightforward – make disciples of all nations. Before we attempt to make a bunch of disciples, maybe we just need to learn how to make one. It’s time to go the second mile in developing a discipleship plan. Listen to the podcast below …
At some point in our lives, we have all desired to know God’s will in some area. We almost speak of finding God’s will as if it is something he is trying to hide from us. God wants you to do his will even more than you want to do his will. It’s time to go the second mile in …
For the last few decades, we have expected church programs to do what God has called parents to do. We have effectively dropped our children off at church and expected them to be Jesus-loving, Bible-obeying, manner-displaying kids by the time we pick them up. If we want children like that, we will need to be parents who prioritize family discipleship …
Where our worship wars used to be over what style of music a church should use, I believe the current worship war is the manner in which a worship team leads. While songs can still be divisive, subtle yet serious danger transpires when a worship team employs worldly practices instead of biblical principles. It’s time to go the second mile …
To honor your marriage, you must keep the marriage bed pure from anyone else invading it. That includes real experiences and virtual experiences. Sex isn’t the problem. Sexual desires are not the issue. The dilemma is when we attempt to meet a God-given desire in an ungodly way. You are supposed to have your sexual needs met with your spouse …
Oftentimes in ministry, I want to discover what is the secret ingredient in the life that continues to grow in Christ and what is lacking in those who experience downfall. Where I used to think it was diligence or dedication, I have learned that many people continue to grow simply because they surround themselves with solid friends who want to …
It is important to highlight the need for a personal relationship with Jesus. But somewhere along the way, we have made our faith so private that we neglect the benefit of walking alongside others. Have you ever wanted to continue your growth but find yourself falling time and time again? It’s time to go the 2nd mile in having an …
It happens at every summer church camp. It’s the final night of worship, and almost every person in attendance is ready to make a decision. If the person is confident in salvation, he or she might repent of sins or make a rededication of sorts. Since last year’s camp got them all excited about living for Jesus, they thought it …
I love sitting down with couples to lead pre-marital counseling. As we discuss all the opportunities and complexities that marriage brings, I will often ask, “So, tell me how you two handle conflict?” In some instances, they will look at each other in such a way that makes me think they were arguing on the drive over to meet me. …