The 2nd Mile Podcast: Recent Episodes
Travis Agnew
Jesus taught that if someone asks you to go one mile, go the 2nd mile as well. In the 2nd Mile Podcast, host Travis Agnew seeks to equip you to do more than the bare minimum in the areas of faith and family. Don't settle for an average life.
If you listen to the way many Christians talk today, we sound so different from the way Jesus expected us to live and serve others. Instead of making it about Him and others, we make it all about becoming as comfortable as possible.
There are traps of sin that all of us can fall into because we are humans with desires of the flesh, but there are traps of sin that are very effective on you personally. If you want to follow Jesus in obedience, you must beware those traps.
Money is a gift from God, but if it is not kept in the right position, it will take the place of God in our lives. In our society that treasures the riches of this world in an unhealthy way, disciples of Jesus must refocus their values.
Being a disciple of Jesus is more than adherence to a set of beliefs or acceptance to a momentary call; following Christ in this world changes everything. To say “yes” to Him might mean saying “no” to other things that we love.
Our phones give us constant access to anyone or anything at any time, and they often distract us from the people around us. We are so prone to checking our phones throughout the day, but what if we treated the opportunity of prayer like that?
We all know the cringeworthy moments that can happen when a selfish person, who lacks self-awareness, says and does things that cause pain to others. It is difficult to know how to help them get their attention off of themselves, but we must try.
At some point, we will all realize that we have never graduated from the childish way of thinking, that we ought to have what we want and ought to have it right now. This quest for immediate gratification is not from Christ and must be combatted in our lives.
We live in a world that encourages you to be you; the phrase implies that you should just live however you want. In all honesty, I can’t think of a more dangerous set of instructions to incorporate as you try to succeed at what God has called you to do.
When we often think about the task of global missions, we can easily be overwhelmed by the great scope of work required. This worldwide task must begin much smaller with individual disciples taking personal responsibility for the work.
It’s great to have a personal desire to follow Jesus on the second mile but to do so successfully, you need some people around you heading down the same path. We need friendships that encourage our discipleship. It’s time to go the second mile in keeping reliable connections and directions.
Each of us lives with regrets from previous mistakes, but we can become dangerously apathetic and immobile afterward. Even if you recently messed up and are suffering from its consequences, do what you can while you can. It’s time to go the second mile and do the next right thing.
Many employees believe in a cause but get discouraged in the process when working with a directionless leader and misaligned coworkers. With a few adjustments, you can experience significant changes by coordinated efforts.
It may not sound encouraging to anticipate failure as we follow Jesus, but none of us will always get it right. We should not wonder if we will fail, but we should consider how Jesus desires us to respond when the unavoidable happens.
Stuff can’t save us, but that doesn’t stop us from thinking that the more that we have, the more contented we can become. The reality is that we must prioritize a settled disposition in our lifetime if we are going to survive materialistic traps. It’s time to go the second mile in reclaiming contentment.
Even though prayer can be very challenging to stay consistent with focus and direction, we all know of its important for our lives. With some simple adjustments, you can create more effective times of prayer that will cause you to desire it more. It’s time to go the second mile in making better prayer times.
Nothing strikes fear into the heart of a disciple quite like the expectation to share Christ with another person. We must learn to embrace our commitment to Jesus so much that it becomes an easy thing for us to talk about Jesus to others. It’s time to go the second mile in getting over the fear of evangelism.
Our culture doesn’t expect much from teenagers, but that doesn’t mean that Jesus feels the same way. Throughout the pages of Scripture and over the course of history, God has repeatedly used young people in incredible ways. It’s time to go the second mile in rejecting teenage apathy.
We live in a society where we oftentimes revert to isolation rather than embracing community. Understanding that we are in need of deep relationships, we lack the prioritized time to see those connections thrive. It’s time to go the second mile in open homes and deep relationships.
Many singles feel like their lack of a romantic relationship reduces their status in life. While the desire to find someone and eventually be married isn’t a wrong thing, you must be careful not to settle. Wait for the right person and the right time. It’s time to go the second mile in wise singleness
Jesus is not a neutral relationship to have. If you really follow Him, He will demand you to express clear allegiance. Your relationship with Him will also cause others to determine their interaction with you based on how connected you are to Him. It’s time to go the second mile in picking sides.
Whoever is nearest to you will have the greatest influence upon you. There’s no way around it. Our relationships determine how well we can follow Jesus. Without proper consideration, we can find ourselves in friendships that hinder our personal discipleship. It’s time to go the second mile in healthy friendships.
Plenty of people struggle to keep a consistent Bible reading plan due to numerous distractions that consistently keep us from this necessary discipline. These four steps can help you stay faithful in a habit that can change your life for the better. It’s time to go the second mile in consistent Bible study.
When someone receives the gospel, that individual starts the journey of discipleship. We often classify such new believers as spiritual infants. But what happens if those young in their faith never grow past their initial faith commitment? It’s time to go the second mile in growing up through the Word of God.
Why can’t I do what I want to do? Mainly because I do stupid stuff. Each of us cannot be left to our personal wisdom to determine the decisions we ought to make. We require a truth that is more trustworthy than our fickle feelings and reactionary responses. It’s time to go the second mile in seeing our need for Scripture.
You’ve heard people say that you need to read the Bible, but what if you can’t stand reading? It’s not just that book – it’s any book. If reading isn’t your favorite and the Bible is a big book, what are you to do? You’ve got to retrain your mind regarding the Bible. It’s time to go the second mile in being devoted to Scripture.
We often encourage people to read God’s Word daily, but we rarely provide people with assistance so they can experience success. As you think about your personal time in the Word, do you have a plan that will help you grow in your personal discipleship? It’s time to go the second mile in rethinking Bible reading plans.
Women face unique challenges in our culture. The call of the Word contradicts the claims of the world. The Bible provides clear guidance for how to transform an individual life, a group of friends, or even a church’s ministry geared toward raising godly women. It’s time to go the second mile in rethinking women’s ministry.
The Word calls men to be bold leaders for the Kingdom of God, but the world calls men to be passive followers for the kingdom of self. Our churches cannot continue to allow the slide for men to progress. We must lead them according to God’s standards. It’s time to go the second mile in rethinking men’s ministry.
In the midst of many opportunities for spiritual growth, we can lack a needed sense of alignment. What if we are guilty of widespread efforts that only provide shallow understanding? Focus might be the component we’ve been missing. It’s time to go the second mile in pursuing alignment.
We are on the verge of one of my favorite times of year - it is the Thanksgiving long weekend. Regardless of your specific traditions, these days are often characterized by food, family, and football, but for many of us, it's also known for frustration. It's time to go the second mile in having a peaceful family gathering.
We are all in unique spiritual places. While we all need to be encouraged, we all don’t need to be encouraged in the same way. Depending upon how we are wired and what is happening, we need something different from those around us. It’s time to go the second mile in offering intentional encouragement.
Children in today’s culture have numerous forms of opposition against them. The challenges seem to increase by the year. But out of all the sources of stress, sometimes it is their parents who should provide support and actually create more issues. It’s time to go the second mile in helping our children.
You cannot avoid criticism in this life. Even if you seek to follow Jesus well, people will have issues with you and discuss it with others or confront you. How should we filter through these critics? We must decide to learn from some and ignore others. It’s time to go the second mile in filtering criticism.
If you are trying to make progress in your walk with Jesus, you will often find that the opposition increases. We tend to think that good intentions should remove any unnecessary obstacles, but we often experience the exact opposite. It’s time to go the second mile in addressing increasing opposition.
Humanity has been pointing fingers at others since the Garden of Eden. We rarely want to take responsibility for our actions but would rather blame someone else for our issues. At some point, each of us must decide how we will own up to our dilemmas. It’s time to go the second mile in taking ownership.
You don’t mean to let your temper take control. You never wanted to lash out the way you did, but you did it anyway. And you did it again. Maybe you feel like you are stuck in a cycle of regretting temperamental outbursts. It’s time to go the second mile in taming your temper.
Sometimes my mind is like a nonstop whirlwind of audacious ideas, nagging reminders, and unfortunate regrets. While my brain is on overdrive of varying thoughts, I lack clarity on what it is exactly that I need to do and am unsure of what to do next. It’s time to go the second mile in writing yourself clear.
If you undertake a massive project, you must create some reasonable steps along the way. If you don’t, you will get overwhelmed with the immensity and never make any progress. Don’t allow the project to keep you from the next task. It’s time to go the second mile in making a big project manageable.
Jesus taught that before you build a tower or wage a war, you better count the cost. When it comes to tackling a major project, like planning sermon series one year at a time, you have to put together a plan that is workable and scalable. It’s time to go the second mile in planning a year’s worth of sermons.
Each of us experiences temptation throughout our lives. We have an intentional enemy who knows where, when, and how to attack us in vulnerable areas of weakness. Ignoring his tactics will not make you impervious to personal setbacks.
Your past doesn’t have to define you. The mistakes you have made or those that others made and caused you to suffer consequences don’t have to determine your future. But to avoid that, you must consider how you must pivot as a result. It’s time to go the second mile in rerouting tragic legacies.
Your closest relationships will direct your most pivotal decisions. That’s why it is so important to consider the type of people you give the right to speak into your life. Have you ever considered how your relationships are encouraging you? It’s time to go the second mile in considering peer standards.
You can’t make it far in life without having wise guides pointing out good directions on uncertain paths. I pray you have had parents, pastors, coaches, teachers, and bosses who have guided you, but are you following their instructions? It’s time to go the second mile in adhering to wise counsel.
Good, bad, or indifferent, we all have learned lessons from our parents. Yours might have been intentional or even estranged, but you can’t deny that their life has made an impact. Have you ever considered what to do with what you’ve learned? It’s time to go the second mile in learning from parental examples.
We have all faced the looming decision that increased our anxiety. When we have to make the call, our values will come to the forefront without warning. So, before you make that next decision, have you ever considered what God desires you to do? It’s time to go the second mile in prioritizing God’s direction.
Any event that you make it to in your life is one you put on a calendar. We arrive where we plan to go. We meet with who we schedule to see. The same is true in your relationship with Jesus. If you want to know Him better, you must make the time. It’s time to go the second mile in putting Jesus on the calendar.
We often see friendships as a benefit but rarely a necessity. The reality is that we were not meant to live life alone. For many of us stalled out in our faith, the problem is not that we don’t love Jesus, we’re just not surrounded by others who do as well. It’s time to go the second mile in needed friendships.
It’s that time of year when camp is happening, and many students are praying that the change lasts this time. Don’t waste the momentum. If you or your student ministry is growing in Christ, it doesn’t have to stop once you go home. It’s time to go the second mile in camp commitments.
Most aspiring individuals attempt to exalt themselves into higher positions of leadership. Jesus breaks the common paradigm by teaching that the humble wait to be exalted. Servants allow God to do the placement and timing. It’s time to go the second mile in patient placement.
Many of us struggle with a poor image of ourselves because we live in a culture that constantly showcases everyone’s filtered, glamorous snapshots of what seems to be perfect lives. It’s dangerous for our souls. It’s time to go the second mile in controlling comparison.
Many of the teenagers in our churches aren’t pursuing Christ passionately because we have not expected them to do so. Instead of lowering expectations, we ought to expect sincere followers of Jesus. It’s time to go the second mile in raising student ministry bars.
We are often unable to enjoy God’s gift of relationships now due to disappointments from failed connections in the past. If we are not careful, past letdowns will rob us of present possibilities. We must deal with the pain and not continue to overlook it. It’s time to go the second mile in confronting bitterness.
In our age of pseudo-community provided by digital technology, we are missing out on the connection we were designed to meet and need. If you struggle to find your footing right now, it may be because you aren’t standing beside others. It’s time to go the second mile in seeking community.
If we want our lives to inspire others, we not only need to provide motivation but also clarification. We must learn to teach others simply so that they know what needs to be done next, among a host of options. Make it clear for others. It’s time to go the second mile in providing simple steps.
If we do something well, we ought to do it not to be flashy, but because we want to be faithful to whatever God has called us to do. We are working for Jesus on behalf of the people for whom He died, so we should give our absolute best. It’s time to go the second mile in living with earnest excellence.
To be a disciple of Jesus Christ implies that you ought to be thinking of how your life can impact others. We must have a next man and next woman up type of mentality. In all areas of life, how can we lead that extends beyond ourselves? It’s time to go the second mile in creating multiplication mindsets.
It’s hard to help others out in life if you give off an aura that you don’t want to be bothered by them. Christians ought to have the most open-hearted attitude toward others. Are you willing to be available for others as Jesus was? It’s time to go the second mile in developing approachable attitudes.
If you desire to live life according to Jesus, you can’t ignore His book. The Bible has to be more than an honorable mention in your life to be a disciple of Jesus. All of your beliefs and behaviors must originate from the instructions in the Bible. It’s time to go the second mile in keeping a scriptural standard.
If you have ever wanted to simplify your organization but are unsure of where to start, I want to help. It’s a biblical ambition to live your life wisely, but we all need practical help to know where to start. Maybe these considerations can encourage change. It’s time to go the second mile in intentional daily plans.
While we have plenty of examples of ambitious people eager to succeed for all the wrong reasons, that shouldn’t discourage you from being ambitious for godly motivations. Desiring to make your life count for God is as noble a motivator as possible. It’s time to go the second mile in developing godly ambition.
If you are like me, there are days when I feel like my life is spinning out of control. There are so many expectations, and I sometimes struggle to do the bare minimum, let alone what I desire to get to do. If you feel like me, decide to make some changes. It’s time to go the second mile in reorganizing your life.
As much of the world pauses this week to remember Jesus’ death on the cross and celebrate His resurrection from the tomb, have you ever considered how to best prepare? Following these simple steps can help you grow and reach others this week. It’s time to go the second mile in preparing for Easter.
You remember that situation you never thought you would survive? Well, you did. You are still standing today. And part of that reasoning is so you can help others who have fallen down in similar situations. Your example may be a lifesaver to another person. It’s time to go the second mile in offering personal stories.
The average Christian would admit to having little to no counseling training or experience, but that doesn’t mean that you couldn’t provide helpful counsel. Even if lacking in expertise, you can take some simple steps to help others continue through trials. It’s time to go the second mile in providing helpful counsel.
We often pray that God would use people to reach our family and friends, but what God wants to answer that prayer request by sending us? You have a relationship with people who need to have a relationship with Jesus. Starting is not as difficult as you think. It’s time to go the second mile in inviting someone to church.
Each of us sins, but we all struggle differently. While you might be prone to wander in certain ways, you are most likely more susceptible to temptation in particular places and at specific times. You’ve got to evaluate your habits to find victory against temptation. It’s time to go the second mile in avoiding sinful opportunities.
There’s nothing wrong with how God made you. This world will tell you that your insecurities reveal that you need a change, but what you actually require is sacred contentment as you acknowledge God’s blueprint. If you could use a renewed perspective, it’s time to go the second mile in praising God’s design.
Each of us has varying levels of fear of saying the wrong things, so much so that we can become mute, unwilling to speak at all. Instead of trying to find something clever to say, base your speech on God’s truth. If you desire to have a new way to communicate, it’s time to go the second mile in filling your speech.
No matter how much progress you make in life, there will always be those telling you how far you still have to go. Fear of others immobilizes us. We must learn to listen to God’s perspective on us over our critics. If you want to discover a new stride in life, it’s time to go the second mile in handling your critics.
When we focus on our perceived inabilities, we miss the opportunity to watch God work through us. To remedy our immobility, we must focus on what He can do rather than obsessing about what we cannot. If you want to experience God working, it’s time to go the second mile in addressing your insecurities.
We often contrive neat and tidy ways in which we expect the Lord to work, but He often surprises us. Instead of growing frustrated with these turns, have you considered that maybe He is bringing together a better plan than your own? It’s time to go the second mile in embracing God’s unexpected plans.
Were we designed intentionally, or did we appear accidentally? That debate has been going on for quite some time. Nowadays, the more intense disagreement arises from not if we were made but how we were made. What does the image of God mean? It’s time to go the second mile in embracing God’s design.
INTERVIEW WITH CHUCK LAWLESS – Disciples of Jesus have a real enemy who desires to hinder us as we seek to follow Jesus. While his tactics are time-tested and successful throughout many lives, we don’t have to surrender. We don’t have to live defeated. We must engage in the battle. It’s time to go the second mile in engaging spiritual warfare.
INTERVIEW WITH CHUCK LAWLESS – Spiritual warfare is one of those topics we mention in church, but we rarely unpack it to our detriment. A battle is going on; just because you fail to acknowledge it does not mean you are immune to it. We must pick up our spiritual armor and go to battle. It’s time to go the second mile in acknowledging spiritual warfare.
It’s a new year that guarantees exciting opportunities and unexpected challenges. To ensure your life is heading in the right direction, it’s appropriate to evaluate your headings right now. More than making resolutions, we need to make changes. It’s time to go the second mile in evaluating new adjustments.
The Bible is not a book to cram information into your mind. It is God’s Word for you to study as it studies you. As you prepare a plan with which to read the Bible, ensure that you know how you should be reading the Bible in the first place. Consider what God is saying. It’s time to go the second mile in reading the Bible.
Since God is the most forgiving relationship in our lives, it is easiest to neglect our obligations to Him over other people. But neglecting His Word affects our lives greatly. If you have a plan, you need to decide when you will make time to meditate on God’s Word daily. It’s time to go the second mile in reading the Bible.
The Bible is a big book full of complicated stories, challenging situations, and complex settings that often seem foreign to us. Most of us never finished reading the Bible because we never started in the wisest place. It is important to know how you ought to progress. It’s time to go the second mile in reading the Bible.
With the growing exposure to bite-sized social media updates and quick exposure to news, we are losing our ability to read long and read well. While there is a great danger to this for many facets of life, none is as dangerous as what it means for our ability to handle Scripture. It’s time to go the second mile in reading the Bible.
We often wonder how much we should pray to be considered a serious Christian. It’s not about reaching some type of goal. It’s about forming a type of relationship. We don’t want the bare minimum in the way that we prioritize talking with God. It’s time to go the second mile in prioritizing times of prayer.
Realize that you haven’t sinned when anxiety hits, but you could sin by how you address it. Jesus provides helpful clarity in how He took His anxieties to God in prayer. It’s time to go the second mile in praying through your anxiety.
If you pray about the same things in the same ways, day after day, you shouldn’t be surprised that your prayers are boring. To get out of a prayer rut, you have to change your strategy. What if one simple change could enliven your prayer life? It’s time to go the second mile in diversifying your prayers.
If your prayer life consistency is based on how you feel, you will only connect with God when you are desperate. But that’s not healthy. We need something more. We need to have an established connection with God that endures through all times. It’s time to go the second mile in having a devoted prayer life.
If you’ve ever tried to pray but gotten distracted during it, you are not alone. While we may have different reasons that we get sidetracked, there are some simple changes you can make to your rhythms to help you stay focused during prayer. It’s time to go the second mile in fighting distractions.
Most people claim that prayer is helpful, but our commitment to it says something different. Everyone is busy, but we always find time for what is most important. If you value prayer enough, you will prioritize time to talk with God regularly. It’s time to go the second mile in making the time to pray.
For every single person, our sin disrupts our relationship with God and others. Without intervention, there is no hope for us, but in the gospel of Jesus Christ, we can find mercy for our transgressions and meaning in our brokenness. It’s time to go the second mile in grace and guidance.
When Adam and Eve first sinned, it changed everything for them and us. God counseled them during the event and led them through the fallout. We can’t hide from the reality of what our sin costs nor can we overlook His grace through it. It’s time to go the second mile in truth and consequences.
You will sin. Your spouse will sin. What will you do when it happens? The first couple paved the way for us to repeat, unfortunately. They immediately hid from God and framed others in the awareness of their guilt. It’s time to go the second mile in fighting against the tendency for shame and blame.
Your marriage would be much easier if sin weren’t in the picture. Unfortunately for you and your spouse, it is unavoidable. Your marriage can survive if you work together to navigate temptation, sin, and restoration when it all happens. It’s time to go the second mile with commandments and compromises.
God’s original command to the first couple was to be fruitful and multiply. It was a call to take what He had given them in order to use it and multiply it to the best of their God-given abilities. God is up to something, and your marriage can be a part of it. It’s time to go the second mile to be fruitful and multiply.
To have a healthy marriage, you must consider numerous components. One area that is rarely discussed from a scriptural perspective is the role sexual intimacy is intended to play. We must reorient ourselves to God’s perspective. It’s time to go the second mile in learning the unashamed nature of intimacy.
Marriage cannot work if someone has a higher priority than the spouse. There must be a thorough yet healthy leaving of one’s initial family and a complete and eager cleaving of one’s unique spouse. It is essential. It’s time to go the second mile in learning what the Bible means to leave and to cleave.
God designed marriage to provide a helper because He knew that, even before sin, we needed someone to walk beside us in life. We aren’t wired to navigate life alone. In our need, He offers us a companion. It’s time to go the second mile in seeing God’s plan to address the fact we are helpless and alone.
You were created by God for a certain purpose. And every person in this world will either encourage you to fulfill that purpose or discourage you from that calling. Out of all your relationships, there is none more serious than your spouse. It’s time to go the second mile in seeing how you are formed and filled.
Next to your decision to follow Jesus, there is no more critical of a decision than if and who you will marry. While you may find yourself lovestruck at some point in your life, it is essential that you have considered God’s role in your potential marriage. It’s time to go the second mile in evaluating your relationship.
If you are at the place in your life where you have so much to do that you don’t know what to do next, it’s probably because you aren’t doing the important work of evaluation. You must ensure that you can step back to get a handle on your chaos. It’s time to go the second mile in evaluating margins.
So many Christians feel tremendous guilt for the level of anxiety they struggle with on a daily basis. You need to realize that you haven’t sinned when anxiety hits, but you could sin by the way you address it. Jesus provides helpful clarity. It’s time to go the second mile in redirecting anxiety.
People often talk about the unique challenges that teenagers bring. Whether you are a parent, mentor, or church leader trying to invest in the student generation, you must prioritize that which can inspire them to be all God has called them to be. It’s time to go the second mile in engaging teenagers.
Each of us experiences temptation throughout our lives. We have an intentional enemy who knows where, when, and how to attack us in vulnerable areas of weakness. Ignoring his tactics will not make you impervious to personal setbacks. It’s time to go the second mile in fighting temptation.
We often categorize people’s skills by those which can serve sacred situations and others which can work in secular environments. To our detriment, we wrongly characterize the majority of how God has equipped people to a point of no usability. It’s time to go the second mile in unleashing your unlikely contributions.
You might be going to the chapel, but are you prepared for the marriage? So many people spend an unthinkable amount of time planning a 30-minute ceremony and a 2-hour reception but fail to prepare for what should be a lifelong marriage. It’s time to go the second mile in premarital preparation.
The people we allow in our lives will have a major influence on the directions we take. If you surround yourself with godly people, you have a better chance of becoming godly. But beware of the negative influences that can entice you to change course. It’s time to go the second mile with negative influences.
In church, we often talk about the need to devote ourselves passionately to Jesus. While that is true, you rarely find someone doing that if they aren’t surrounded by other people with a similar pursuit. You need spiritual companions. It’s time to go the second mile in establishing godly, relational environments.
We all know those people in our lives who appear very godly. Their sincere spirituality is apparent in everything they do. For those legitimate disciples, you will not find one whose deep dedication is not fueled by a love for God’s Word. It’s time to go the second mile in eliminating our biblical deficiencies.
Whenever someone mentions the need to know God’s Word better, most of us feel overrun with guilt. We know we should be more diligent, but we have numerous reasons why we never find the time or the desire. It’s time to go the second mile in removing our excuses to treasuring God’s Word.
As you attempt to follow Jesus, your motives and intentions may be exactly what they need to be, but they will be challenged by common yet successful opposition. Many disciples find themselves struggling due to these recurring issues. It’s time to go the second mile in identifying the subtle restraints.
We often compartmentalize our lives. We have a section for faith. We have another area reserved for our family. We sort our hobbies over here and our entertainment over there. But what if our lives are not meant to be made up of isolated components? It’s time to go the second mile in unrestricted access.
If we are going to follow Jesus truly through the 2nd mile and beyond, we must ensure that we don’t wander off onto other paths. Making our pursuit of Jesus to be our singular ambition clarifies all other decisions during our lives. It’s time to go the second mile in reclaiming a singular ambition.
You’ve made attempts to read different sections of the Bible with varying levels of success, but if you are going to be a lifelong student of the Word, you must show perseverance. Each of us needs a longterm plan for spiritual growth. It’s time to go the second mile in studying the Word.
In the last few pages of the Bible, God delivers a dazzling picture of what is to come. Despite the coming or current conflict, we can look at what God has promised and trust that his plan will come to pass. The conclusion will be a good one. It’s time to go the second mile in studying the end.
As persecution increased among the early followers of Jesus, God sought to encourage them through the words of the apostles. In addition to encouraging epistles, God gave a revelation to the Apostle John that showed what was to come. It’s time to go the second mile in studying the Revelation.
As the first church movement multiplied greatly and quickly, certain letters were sent to be distributed among these new believers. Within them, doctrine and practice were clarified to ensure that growth did not allow for dilution. It’s time to go the second mile in learning about the gospel.
In the first few years of the church, the gospel spread like wildfire. The Apostle Paul and other leaders continued to take the message of Jesus everywhere they could no matter the cost. The gospel spread due to a bold commitment. It’s time to go the second mile in learning about the spread of the gospel.
After Jesus’ commissioned his disciples, he sent the Holy Spirit to empower them for the tasks assigned. On the day of Pentecost, the apostles were transformed from unsure disciples into bold missionaries. The world changed. It’s time to go the second mile in learning about the early church.
As Jesus’ ministry swelled to a climax, his opponents grew in hatred toward him, and yet Jesus seemed focused on one task and one task alone. He was going to the cross, but the story would not end at the cross or even at the tomb. It’s time to go the second mile in learning about Passion Week.
Jesus taught in a time when there was no shortage of religious rabbis and spiritual sermons, but what set him apart from all the rest was his ability to teach with authority. When Jesus taught, people listened and followed. It’s time to go the second mile in learning about Jesus the Teacher.
Within the concluding pages of the Old Testament, the people look for the long-awaited Messiah. As the New Testament opens, we are introduced to Jesus the Christ, and the world has yet to recover from his invasion for redemption. It’s time to go the second mile in learning about Jesus the Messiah.
After severe warnings from numerous prophets, God’s people refuse to repent and reap the unfortunate consequences. God’s people are sent into exile and have to learn how to live for God in a land that did not. Will we learn? It’s time to go the second mile in learning about the exile of God’s people.
At the height of Israel’s power, the people dramatically collapse. The grandeur of King Solomon’s kingdom is undone quickly as a result of idolatrous compromises. A nation splits, a people rebel, and prophets call for repentance. It’s time to go the second mile in learning about the rise and fall of the kingdom.
Once God’s people established themselves in the land, they desired to have a king like the other nations. The problem with their reasoning was that their qualifications for a king were insufficient. They received what they wanted but not what they needed. It’s time to go the second mile in learning about the king God provides.
As God’s people wandered in the wilderness, His faithfulness continued to them regardless of their unfaithfulness toward Him. As they entered and settled into the Promised Land, they had to yet again make a decision of who they would follow. It’s time go the second mile in learning from the excursion.
God created a world and covenanted with a people. As this family grew into a nation, they were sovereignly placed into the most powerful nation in the world. This nation now had the opportunity to tell all nations about the God above all other gods. It’s time to go the second mile in learning from the exodus.
As God works through a family to usher in redemption to the world, the opening pages of the Bible portray a grouping of fragile people prone to multiple failures. Despite their missteps, God proves His unwavering faithfulness time and time again. It’s time to go the second mile in learning from the biblical patriarchs.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. With that opening line, the Bible begins and God’s grand narrative for redemption never looks back. Beyond those opening lines, do you know what God is trying to communicate? It’s time to go the second mile in knowing God from the very beginning.
For all the failed attempts at reading God’s Word, you still have this nagging desire to know it better. Instead of wallowing in regret or focusing on failures, make a plan to go forward. You can read the Bible. You can know God better. It’s time to go the second mile in accepting a Bible reading challenge.
Download the Word 100-Day Bible Reading Plan
Get more resources at travisagnew.org.
We all know the discouragement that comes when we attempt to read the Bible with great eagerness only to quit once a personal streak is broken. If we are going to be committed to knowing the God of the Bible, we must maintain our time in it. It’s time to go the second mile in Bible reading basics.
Get more resources at travisagnew.org.
While much of the world is busy making resolutions that may not last the month, I want to encourage you instead to make a plan for the most life-changing habit you can have in this life – reading your Bible. It’s time to put down the excuses. It’s time to go the second mile in finally reading your Bible.
Get more resources at travisagnew.org.
It’s that glorious time of year as you are considering making new year resolutions that will most likely not last the week. We do it every year. I know you want to make some changes. I’m with you. But instead of making promises, what about making a plan. It’s time to go the second mile in reestablishing your plan.
I’m about to encourage you to do something that you may think is odd or reserved for a particular elite. I want to encourage you to gather your family together and sing. Make it a priority to declare God’s goodness alongside each other and do it outloud. It’s time to go the second mile in regathering your voices.
We all know the dangers of using social media too much, but a subtle yet significant threat is how the usage attacks our contentment as we are barraged with seeing the glamorous looks and expensive items of our friends and advertisements. It’s time to go the second mile in reclaiming your contentment.
Whether or not we realize it, we are addicted to affirmation. So much of what we do is attempting to draw the attention of others. Social media gives us an unhealthy opportunity to be fulfilled simply by the number of interactions we receive. It’s time to go the second mile in inspecting your approvals.
Our phones are often like a junk drawer in your house. You consistently put more in there and rarely take anything out. If you are serious about setting healthy limits regarding technology, you will have to make some intentional changes. It’s time to go the second mile in reorganizing your device.
In recent years, the rise of our social media interaction has caused us to communicate very differently than ever before. People who are reserved to share certain things in person become emboldened online to the detriment of us all. It’s time to go the second mile in reconsidering your comment.
Technology opens a door to helpful content and dangerous opportunities. While you may have the best of intentions, are you doing everything you can to protect yourself and your family against the dangers of online material? Do you have a plan to combat it? It’s time to go the second mile in reevaluating your filters.
I want to reintroduce a revolutionary idea that could change your most important relationships. I want to encourage you to set the table. Gather the people closest in your life, sit down, eat a great meal, turn off the tech, and engage one another. It’s time to go the second mile in setting your table.
Entertainment can inspire us to enjoy the wonder of the life God has given us, or it can entrap us into addictive and unhelpful patterns. We all have certain shows, movies, and media we love, but the danger comes when we lose our filter and limitations. It’s time to go the second mile in regulating your entertainment.
Sleep is one of those necessary parts of life that gets in the way of over-achievers, but it is essential to your ability to sustain what God has called you to do. When we neglect it, the effects can dramatically change our hours and our habits. It’s time to go the second mile in prioritizing your sleep.
With the rise of technology, we have learned that you never really have to leave work. You are a simple laptop away from robust apps or a phone away from your emails or a cloud away from all your files. But with the inability to clock out, our souls and families suffer. It’s time to go the second mile in leaving your work at work.
In your hectic schedule, do you ever feel like the most important relationships get the least amount of time? We only have so many hours in a day, and many of us are so burdened by tasks that we miss the relationships for which we are called to invest. It’s time to go the second mile in booking your relationships.
The more that our society progresses, our souls seem to regress all the more. Our technological dependence forces us to stare at screens and avoid personal interactions. Our environments are caged in keeping us away from evidence of God’s Creation. It’s time to go the second mile in exploring your outdoors.
Social media has given us a unique opportunity to know and to be known. As with any tool, it can be used for noble pursuits or nebulous purposes. We must determine if social media is using us or are we using it. And if we are using it, for what purpose? It’s time to go the second mile in limiting your social media.
We serve a God who commands us to rest. How could we ever doubt that he has our best interest in mind with such a directive? I grew up thinking the Sabbath was one thing but Scripture teaches something very different and life-changing. It’s time to go the second mile in preparing your Sabbath.
If you’ve been following Jesus for a while, someone has encouraged you to do a quiet time. Most likely, some of them made the unthinkable suggestion that the mornings are actually better, but you find yourself groggy and distracted as soon as you wake. It’s time to go the second mile in protecting your devotions.
Your phone is an incredible gift. It has more capabilities than the most expensive computers of the recent past. The opportunities to experience and produce are like never before, but if you don’t control it, it will be controlling you. Learn to establish limits. It’s time to go the second mile in silencing your phone.
We all say that we are busy, but are we really busy with the most important stuff? If you don’t schedule your week, someone will do it for you. To honor God with the time he has given us, we must start scheduling our priorities. Let’s make the days count. It’s time to go the second mile in scheduling your week.
I go to bed looking for recent updates. I wake up groggy wondering what I’ve missed on my phone the last few hours. I go throughout my day tethered to a device that constantly interrupts my concentration on what matters most. If you’re like me, it’s time to go the second mile in stilling your soul.
To be a growing Christian in this culture is challenged on numerous fronts. One of the most significant conflicts we experience is how to be in the culture but not of the culture. To win the battles, we must change the way we think and act. It’s time to go the second mile in renewing your mind.
We all have those words that we regret. That conversation we wish we could take back. But once our speech has left the dock, there is no return for them. While we can’t change the past, we can prepare for the future. It’s time to go the second mile in learning how to silence our speech.
Proverbs 17:27-28 - Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
- You don’t need to share everything you think.
- You don’t need to share everything you think to be wrong.
- You don’t need to share every detail.
- You don’t need to share every time you are upset.
- You don’t need to share unhelpful information.
- You don’t need to share gossip.
- You don’t need to share an incomplete picture.
Have you ever had that disagreement that lasted way longer than it should have? Probably most of your conflicts are that way in reality. Instead of letting something get out of hand, we must figure out how to reconcile peacefully. It’s time to go the second mile in quieting quarrels.
Proverbs 17:14 - Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out.
Proverbs 15:18 - A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.
- Do you want to be reconciled or do you want to be right?
- Do you want to hear or just be heard?
- Do you want to confess or just to confront?
We are all wired differently when it comes to emotions. We all interpret situations uniquely and respond differently when challenges arise. Do you receive the stress of this life with joy or anxiety? It’s time to go the second mile in having a delightful disposition.
Proverbs 17:22 - A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Gloom affects your relationship with God, yourself, your family, your church, and your mission field.
- Is your reaction God-glorifying or self-satisfying?
- Is your response more worship or worry?
- Does your response exalt God or diminish God?
- Are you focused on the temporal or the eternal?
- Does your demeanor invite help or distance companions?
- Is your response a good witness or a poor example?
Even if you don’t go looking for sensual content, it’s looking for you. And in every sphere of life, we are exposed to material intended to entice us to voyeurism and addiction. Apathy will not secure victory. It’s time to go the second mile in surmounting sensuality.
Proverbs 6:25 - Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes;
- Protect the Heart
- Protect the Eyes
We live in a culture of comparison. Everywhere we turn, we are reminded of people who have more chiseled bodies, more attractive features, luxurious homes, expensive vehicles, and exquisite toys. Jealousy can ruin us. It’s time to go the second mile in exchanging envy.
Proverbs 14:30 - A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.
Proverbs 27:4 - Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?
Envy
- Tells you that you don’t have enough
- Tells you that you deserve what others have
- Tells you that the material is important
- Tells you that you aren’t enough
- Tells you that you won’t be enough until you get one more thing
Gratitude
- Tells you that you do have enough
- Tells you that you don’t deserve what you do have
- Tells you that the eternal is important
- Tells you that you are enough
- Tells you that you are enough because Jesus says you are
You don’t mean to let your temper take control. You never wanted to lash out the way you did, but you did it anyway. And you did it again. Maybe you feel like you are stuck in a cycle of regretting temperamental outbursts. It’s time to go the second mile in taming your temper.
Proverbs 14:29 - Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
How to Tame Temper
- Anger isn’t evil.
- Anger shouldn’t be sudden.
- Anger should be reasonable.
- Anger shouldn’t be reactionary.
- Anger should be challenged.
- Anger shouldn’t multiply sin.
- Anger should respond wisely.
Two things that are guarantees in this life is that we will sin, and that we will be sinned against. While we typically want grace for our mistakes, we want payback for others. How can a Christian filter through these scenarios? It’s time to go the second mile in overlooking offenses.
Proverbs 19:11 - Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
- The Bible doesn’t forbid anger, it just warns rushing to it too quickly.
- What makes you angry says something about you.
- The people who have good sense process their hurts through their own imperfections.
- You don’t have to resolve every single discrepancy within a relationship.
- Some repeated issues must be addressed for a relationship to survive.
- Showing grace to others should be natural to those who have received so much of it.
- Don’t take everything so personally.
- Take a walk in their shoes to understand why their feet hurt so badly.
We typically believe that we can spot hatred when we see it. In our minds, it is reserved for those unreasonably angry people causing conflicts with no desire for subtlety. In reality, quiet hatred can damage just as much as when it is blunt and loud. It’s time to go the second mile in harnessing hatred.
When we were kids, we were scared of the unknown things that went bump in the night. The older we get, our fears just transition rather than disappear. We can easily find ourselves paralyzed to live the life God has called us to live due to uneasiness. It’s time to go the second mile in fighting our fears.
Each of us will either lead our emotions or be led by our emotions. When certain feelings creep in and begin to alter the way you think, speak, and act, how are you supposed to respond? Ignoring them will not make them go away. It’s time to go the second mile in engaging our emotions.
Proverbs 29:11 - A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.
- Distinguish the Danger - What is the most prevalent emotion?
- Identify the Triggers - Are there certain things that ignite my emotions?
- Evaluate the Environment - Are there certain shared scenarios?
- Consider the Recipient - Is someone getting the brunt of it?
- Rethink the Response - What would a healthy response look like?
- Establish the Solution - How will you quietly hold your emotions back?
One of the greatest blessings is when a small group begins to feel like a family, but that is also one of the greatest dangers as well if it prohibits others from experiencing the same thing. Are we willing to sacrifice for the sake of others? It's time to go the second mile in having a multiplying mindset.
Christians should know better than anybody that no one is too far gone. We serve a God who has done the impossible time and time again. So when people come to church in dire situations, do you still believe that there is hope? It's time to go the second mile in providing hopeful hospitality at church.
The church should be the most friendly, outgoing, warm, hospitable group of people in all the world, but that has not been all of our experiences. The longer we belong, the more difficult it is to remember what it was like before we did. It's time to go the second mile in addressing closed cliques at church.
We all want those people in our lives who will ensure we never walk through dark days alone, but are we that kind of friends to others? Do we provide what we actually expect? To grow deeper relationships takes time and effort. It's time to go the second mile in intentional availability.
You are committed to a church. That's great, but how do you navigate the complexities of life when most of the challenging moments happen outside of your church gatherings? We need each other more than once a week. It's time to go the second mile in persevering through presence.
As the people of God, we need relationships with one another, but we often settle for names on a role instead of relationships for life. Impactful relationships always start with intentionality. We have to commit to being together. It's time to go the second mile in rejecting shallow relationships.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to help one another follow Him ever more so closely. But how exactly are we supposed to do that? It starts by being intentional with one another regarding our personal commitments to Jesus. It's time to go the second mile in creating careful accountability.
As your small group gathers, your lesson plan can include robust theology, interactive questions, thought-provoking activities, and memorable illustrations, but if it doesn't translate to application, you are missing out. It's time go the second mile in experiencing intentional accountability.
You can listen to the greatest sermons, hear the greatest teachers, read the greatest books, and subscribe to all the greatest posts, but you aren't actually destined to grow in Christ. Studying the Bible isn't enough. It's time to go the second mile in working toward biblical application over information.
We need each other. As Christians, we know that life is difficult and that it is unwise to attempt it alone. But how do we develop authentic relationships that maintain needed trust? Having a safe place to share life is vital. It's time to go the second mile in having authentic and safe groups.
Getting a small group to talk is a challenge, but getting that overly excited conversationalist to talk less is even more challenging. We have all had that person who limits the opportunity for others to talk. How do you handle it? It's time to go the second mile in handling the conversation monopolizer.
You know people in your church, but do you really know them? Do they really know you? Our suspicion of people grows by the year, and we will only experience minimal growth if we limit ourselves to reserved relationships. It's time to go the second mile in letting down relational defenses.
Your church is as healthy as the groups assembled. Your groups are as healthy as the leaders available. Like it or not, the maturity of any group of people rises and falls on the pace that the leaders set. The leadership in your church is critical. It's time to go the second mile with game-changing group leaders.
We've all had heroes in our lives. They are the people who inspire us to do better, to do more, and to make our lives count for something valuable. Your church needs the type of leaders that set the bar for others to follow in their example. It's time to go the second mile with leaders worth imitating.
Within the church, we understand that we can't have perfect leaders, but somewhere along the way, we've grown to accept pathetic leaders. What happens when we water down the requirements for leaders? The whole church drowns. It's time to go the second mile with demanding for more than burdensome leaders.
We live in a time when the world is biblically illiterate. Why has this happened? It might be because the church has diminished its confidence in the knowledge and application of God's Word. We need more than spiritual intentions, we need biblical truth. It's time to go the second mile with your small group.
If you grow up going to church, you know that the most typical Bible study scenario is one where the teacher reads a verse and then asks the group, "What does that mean to you?" More than what it means to you, we need to know what it means to God. It's time to go the second mile in discerning subjective truth.
Christians need to ground themselves in relationships that foster consistent community. When it comes to the content guiding small groups, the possibilities are endless. What if the numerous options for curriculum are actually stifling us? It's time to go the second mile in discerning spiritual studies.
As the state of the world lengthens the timing of social distancing and normalizes our acceptance of it, we are in danger of becoming used to isolation. Loneliness is a standard emotion for many people and the consequences are devastating. It's time to go the second mile in addressing your loneliness.
For most of my life, I have resisted using the term persecution to describe what any Christian had to endure in the United States of America. Compared to what brothers and sisters experience around the world, we have it easy, but it is changing. It will get worse. It's time to go the 2nd mile in enduring persecution.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. These words of Jesus still ring like counter-cultural absurdities in chaotic times just as they did when he first said them. But in a time of unrest, where else will this peace come from? It's time to go the 2nd mile in pursuing peace.
We live in a culture that has forgotten how to blush. The prophet Jeremiah said that about his people during his time, but I am pretty confident we can say the same thing now. As our standards slip, we find ourselves in a world cherishing sin like a virtue. It's time to go the 2nd mile in prioritizing purity.
We have almost arrived at a new year. It's a chance for new beginnings, but if we aren't careful, we will carry 2020's issues into 2021's days. It's been quite the year for us all. In the midst of all the stress, you've probably been hurt as well. How can you find relational peace? It's time to go the 2nd mile in offering mercy.
Our cravings often direct our lives. Whatever we want most of all, whatever we think about most often, and whatever creates in us the deepest hunger will be the central directive in our lives. Have you ever considered how deep your hunger is for spiritual matters? It's time to go the second mile with helpful hungers.
I grew up in a culture that teaches young men that nice guys finish last. If you want to find your way in this world, you have to trail blaze yourself to that reality. What we now see is a society plagued by millions of people trying to get ahead of each other. It's time to go the second mile in developing strong meekness.
What causes you to be emotional? Is it sappy music or heart-stirring films? Do you get weepy at moving stories or happy reunions? Maybe you rarely feel emotions at all. What if I were to tell you that following Jesus should incorporate emotions? It's time to go the second mile by meaningful mourning.
We are taught to be strong. We are taught to have it all together. And if we are deficient, act like you are not. It's the way we've always been taught, and it's killing us. The strength we need is often in admitting our weakness. It's time to go the second mile in acknowledging your spiritual bankruptcy.
We are on the verge of one of my favorite times of year - it is the Thanksgiving long weekend. Regardless of your specific traditions, these days are often characterized by food, family, and football, but for many of us, it's also known for frustration. It's time to go the second mile in having a peaceful family gathering.
We often obsess over things of which are not within our control. The concerns that occupy our minds are normally situations we can't even influence. We can't make changes regarding political policy, pandemic protocols, or worldwide worries. What can we do? It's time to go the second mile focusing on what you can control.
Over a week after the election for President of the United States, much of the country still feels in limbo. With one side claiming victory and the other side refusing to concede, this process may continue for quite some time. Don't feel helpless or hopeless. It's time to go the second mile in praying for national leaders.
If you stayed up late last night hoping to learn the status of the presidential election, you woke up with two realizations: you're tired and we still don't know anything. With tensions high now and people on alert, how should Christians respond? It's time to go the second mile in how we wait for the election results.
The United States of America is less than one week away from the polls closing on the 2020 election. Depending upon who wins, the administration will go in one of two very polarized directions. To what level should a Christian expect or desire? It's time to go the second mile in identifying the government's role.
As the presidential race ramps up in the remaining days before the election, you have a choice to make. You may have already made your decision regarding your candidate of choice, but if you haven’t, have you considered the weight of your decision? It’s time to go the second mile in determining your presidential vote.
Every day we draw nearer to the most contentious election of our lifetimes, and every moment we come closer to living in the aftermath of half of a country who is infuriated by the results. How do we, as Christians, keep the main thing the main thing? It’s time to go the second mile in protecting commissioned objectives.
No matter how hard we try, we cannot escape from the increasing political tension. While we are one month from the presidential election, we are in the middle of numerous controversies. As a disciple of Jesus, don’t get caught into traps laid out for us. It’s time to go the second mile in avoiding political extremes.
People have always maintained different opinions on world issues, but, due to the rise of social media, everyone has an opportunity to broadcast and amplify their voices more than ever before. How can we endure the next few weeks in a tense election season? It’s time to go the 2nd mile in learning to be slow when speaking.
As disciples of Jesus, we have the good news that this world needs to hear, but are we sharing it? Instead of waiting for people to come to you in need, have you ever considered inviting them to walk with you as you follow Jesus? I promise that it’s not as difficult as you think it is. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in bringing friends along.
As our world continues to polarize its citizens into different camps, how should Christians respond? Instead of retreating from this world, we need to be blessing this world. Your city should be a blessed place because of your church’s involvement in it. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in seeking the city’s welfare.
When times are difficult, it makes it easier for us to justify sin. As the pressures of 2020 rise, do you find it easy to excuse yourself for wayward behavior? Now is not the time to give in to sin, but to push towards obedience.
For anyone who has committed to a local church but never felt connected, I want to help you. The reason some never experience deep relationships is because the interaction is never pursued outside the weekly gathering. You can’t connect through 1 hour a week. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in committing to intentional checkups.
When social distancing hit, most churches went to groups online. While we were all thankful for apps like Zoom, we also feel the fatigue from it all. As we navigate the upcoming months, you need to commit to yours and others’ spiritual growth. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in prioritizing your weekly group.
Now that we have made it through the first half of 2020, people are constantly asking - when will we get back to normal? I hate to break it to you, but I don’t think we are going to return to it, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing for your life, family, or church. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in the new church normal.
The 10th commandment warns against coveting. While this sin may be last on the list, it is one of the most prevalent in our hearts. In fact, our casual acceptance of it reveals that we don’t take it that seriously. Deep down, this is as serious of a sin as they come. It’s time to go the 2nd mile on controlling comparison.
The 9th commandment warns against lying. You can tell our culture doesn’t see lying as that big of a sin when we always categorize our deceit as just “a little white lie.” Bearing false witness speaks clearly about our character and teaches others that we are untrustworthy. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in highlighting honesty.
The 8th commandment warns against stealing. Most of us think of theft as something that only criminals and children struggle doing. We almost feel impervious to such temptation. But are we? How frequently do we justify our subtle possession of things that do not belong to us? It’s time to go the 2nd mile in redefining robbery.
The 7th commandment warns against adultery. The marital union is so unique, so precious, that nothing or no one should ever interfere. A marriage cannot work with three people in it. Whether you have been guilty, considered it, or believe yourself to be immune to the temptation, it’s time to go the 2nd mile in avoiding adultery.
The 6th commandment warns against murder. While we all agree about the serious nature of this sin, not many see it as a real temptation. When Jesus came, he explained that the real danger was in the heart before it was in the hands. You might be more guilty than you realize. It’s time go the 2nd mile in addressing anger.
The 5th commandment is to honor your father and mother. We often see this commandment for those 18 and under, but are adults supposed to obey this as well? Just realize that God gave this word first to an 80-year-old man who he expected to obey it. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in prizing parents.
The 4th of the commandments is about keeping the Sabbath day holy. In most circles, that just meant you better go to a church rather than the ball game when Sunday rolled around. While that is an accurate way to apply it, it is so much more than that. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in reclaiming rhythms.
The 3rd of the commandments is about not taking God’s name in vain. When I was a kid, it just meant by grandmother would correct me if I ever used the word, “gosh.” While that might be a concern, it is really about using God’s name in any empty way. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in fading flippancy.
The 2nd of the commandments is forbidding idolatry. Now, here is a commandment that doesn’t condemn you, right? Wrong. This command is more than just ignoring the worship of statues. In fact, we are guilty of it more than we realize. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in waiving worship.
The 1st of the 10 commandments is all about having no other gods. It seems pretty simple in theory, but we are not so apt to keeping it. If you have reduced this rule to associating with only one religion, it is much more than that. We need to evaluate. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in removing rivals.
The 10 Commandments. Should Christians see them as archaic and useless, fulfilled and pointless, or timely and necessary? The 10 rules that provided direction for the nation of Israel still maintain a worldwide impact. How should we respond? It’s time to go the 2nd mile in championing commandments.
As our world tries to discover the rhythms of the new normal, whatever that is, you have a summer ahead of you. Regardless of your stage in life, you will probably have more margin than you typically have. What do you want to do with it? It’s time to go the 2nd mile in making the most of your summer.
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 Bible study goal.
As you develop your budget and try to live financially responsible, it can be overwhelming at 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 budgeting.
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. The issue is not if you will be anxious but what to do when you become anxious. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in answering anxiety.
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 from 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 each of us is promised to encounter trials in this life, that guarantees that those who are married will experience double the amount. Life will throw certain challenges at each of you, but they don’t have to come in between you. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in having a marriage triumphant through trials.
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.
As you seek to become a better student of the Word, you quickly realize that this process takes work. It doesn’t come naturally, and the Bible is a very big book full of complex details. Good intentions can easily become sidelined. God wouldn’t set you up to fail. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in protecting your Bible reading plan.
Bible reading is one of those tricky habits for a disciple of Jesus Christ. We all know we should be doing it. We assume that everyone else is more consistent than we are, but yet we start numerous plans only to stop along the way. You are not alone. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in finishing a Bible reading plan.
Proverbs 22:1 reads that “a good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.” The reality is that each of us will be remembered for something, but will you be remembered for something good? It’s time to go the 2nd mile in your life’s ambition.
Plenty of people associate with Jesus, but very few keep their steps at a pace where they can truly follow him. He is not someone that you want to follow halfway with mediocre attempts. If you’ve been following Jesus at a distance, it’s time to go the 2nd mile in your spiritual journey.
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 of 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 efforts.
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 do 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.
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 your children.
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.
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.
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 to go the 2nd mile in your dependence on God.
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 rest of us? It’s time to go the 2nd mile in spiritual disciplines.
You’ve made some adjustments. You’ve seen some improvement, but you also admit that you’re not there yet. Each of us have 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.
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.
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 finding God’s will.
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 and not just rely on church programs. It’s time to go the second mile in prioritizing the family altar.
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 with the ministry of your worship team.
Things to Remember
- There is no room for celebrities in our churches.
- Ministering to people off the stage allows me to be a more effective minister when I am on the stage.
- Platform ministry can never replace relational ministry.
- While time on stage may provide ministry affirmation, the time off stage provides ministry validation.
This podcast episode comes from a chapter in my book called 5 Worship Team Killers.
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 and pornography is robbing you both.
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 grow as well. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in our friendships.
- The best way to follow God is walking beside others who are going in the same direction.
- Those who are closest to me must be closest to God.
- Every person in your life is either sharpening you or dulling you.
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 accountability partner.
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 would be different. Unfortunately, many go back to previous ways of life once they get home. At camp this year though, it is promised it is going to be different.
Whether it is a summer camp or a Christian retreat, we have all made those commitments and fallen short eventually. Are you tired of those empty promises? It’s time to go the second mile in maintaining camp commitments.
First-mile believers hope that the spiritual high will last. Second-mile disciples take what they learn on the mountains to prepare them for the valleys.
5 Steps to Ensure Camp Commitment 1. Establish the Credit – If your life truly changed, give Jesus the credit for that change – not camp. 2. Commit to Church – Decide that you will connect with the church that brought you to equip you for further growth after camp. 3. Identify the Dangers – Acknowledge the weak areas in your life and make preparations to combat them. 4. Create a Plan – Much of the change happened due to the exposure you had to God’s Word. I have great news – the Bible goes home with you! 5. Find a Partner – Who is someone who you will be around that pushes you closer to the image of Christ? Talk with that person and commit to running this race together (2 Tim. 2:22).
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. In other scenarios, the couple will look at me and explain, “We really don’t fight with each other.” That statement tells me two things: 1) they don’t know each other that well yet, and 2) they are going to be unprepared on how to fight well when the conflict finally comes.
Whether you are married or on the path to marriage, it’s time to go the second mile in establishing fight rules for your relationship.
First-mile believers fight unfairly and brush the recurring conflicts under the rug. Second-mile disciples learn how to work through conflict in a biblical manner.
Fight Rules 1. Never Go to Bed Angry 2. Don’t Use a “Sorry, But” 3. Don’t Retract Your Forgiveness 4. No Double-Teaming 5. Never Play Out of Bounds
Imagine a time in which you were surrounded by danger. Forces were against you that literally threatened your very life. Someone comes up to you at the scariest moment and seeks to encourage you. Instead of providing personal counsel, this individual actually quotes a Bible verse to you. Recited from a beloved psalm, this verse reminds you that God will watch over you.
Does that sound comforting to you? It should until you realize who this mysterious Bible-quoter is. The psalm-toting individual is none other than the devil himself. This scenario isn’t imagination but history. Jesus was being tempted, and Satan tried to get him to bite on that temptation by taking a Bible verse out of context to fit his agenda.
The scary thing is that many of us are guilty of the same tactic. It’s time to go the second mile in prioritizing biblical context.
First-mile believers find a verse out of context to fit their agenda. Second-mile disciples study the Bible in context to align with God’s agenda.
When it comes to reading Scripture, context is key. Too much of our current biblical study focuses on isolated verses and neglects the context of which the verses were originally written.
- Consider the Reader’s Context - Don’t seek to fit your expectations upon the biblical text.
- Consider the Author’s Context - Evaluate the complexities that went into writing this section of Scripture.
As a young Christian, people always told me about the importance of having a quiet time without anyone ever showing me how to have one. I tend to be a rather loud person anyway, so setting apart time to quiet myself seemed odd in the first place. What exactly am I supposed to do during that quiet time?
All the godly people that I esteemed all talked about what God taught them during that time. I would often feel guilty for not being consistent in my own practice. Maybe you feel the same way. Have you always known you need to have a quiet time but unsure what others actually do? It’s time to go the second mile in having a quiet time.
First mile believers will read the Bible and pray when times get difficult. Second mile disciples are those who are seeking the Lord through daily spiritual habits.
3 Daily Practices
- Pray a Psalm
- Study a Chapter
- Memorize a Verse
- BONUS - Pray Through Schedule
We all know reading is supposed to help us, but many of us also feel as if we could be more dedicated readers. The reason many of us struggle is that we don't have a reading plan that has specific goals. If you ever wanted to become a more avid reader, it's time to go the second mile with our books.
How to Discipline Yourself to Love Reading
- Commit to reading from 2 books every day.
- Create a deadline for book completion.
- Diversify the types of books you read.
- Create a reading order.
- Summarize and archive the most important points.
Our culture worships the Wiki God. We want ever so desperately to serve a deity whom we have the freedom and capability to edit. Many people are attempting to revise the Christian faith by cutting out what they don’t like, copying favorable ideas from other worldviews, and pasting them into some hopeless attempt at a hybrid faith. How do we reject our culture's desire to serve the Wiki God?
We all want change, but few of us were willing to do the work with one another to see that change happen. Discipleship happens within the context of intentional relationships. If you have gotten tired of spiritual stagnation, it’s time to go the 2nd mile with your small group.
6 Helpful Tips
- Biblical Authority
- Leadership Maturity
- Safe Authenticity
- Careful Accountability
- Intentional Availability
- Eager Reproducibility
Maybe you don’t consider yourself a theologian, but I would beg to differ. You have beliefs about God and you share them with others even if by default. You really are a theologian, the question is: are you a good one? It’s time to go the 2nd mile in our theology.
This episode explains the content of my new book, Wiki God, being released within a few days. I also read some sample content from it with the hope of inspiring you to develop your own theology from the Bible.
If you have ever desired to have meaningful Sunday worship experiences with your church, the process starts on Saturday. In fact, if you don't prepare well, your frantic pace on Sunday can rob you of meaningful interactions with God and with God's people.
In this episode of the 2nd mile podcast, I share 10 tips to ensure you have a great Sunday.
- Prepare your stuff on Saturday afternoon.
- Prepare your hearts on Saturday night.
- Beware of Saturday night’s content.
- Set an adequate alarm.
- Drive past the best parking.
- Get there 15 minutes early.
- Look out for new faces.
- Engage Jesus passionately.
- Encourage others intentionally.
- Hang out for 15 minutes afterward.
Biblical illiteracy is on the rise. Why are so many people without a thorough understanding of scriptural teaching? One of the main reasons is we are reading it in a different way from how it was written.
WARNINGS
- Don't attempt a marathon before you have completed a lap.
- Don't get stagnate with your time if you don't have an adequate amount of time.
- Don't read the Bible like a yearbook.
- Don't read the Bible like a fortune cookie.
ENCOURAGEMENTS
- The best way to read the Bible is book by book.
- Each book of the Bible has a beginning, middle, and end.
- Bible intake is essential to Christian discipleship.
- You can read 40 out of the 66 books of the Bible in less than 1 hour.
- You can read the Bible if you want to read the Bible. You just have to make time.
List of Average Reading Time for Each Book of the Bible
The reason we want to go the 2nd mile in our lives is because Jesus went the 2nd mile in his death. It’s time to consider how Jesus went the 2nd mile to secure our forgiveness.
7 Quotes from the Cross
- "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).
- "This day you will be with me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43).
- "Woman, behold your son" (John 19:26-27).
- "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34; Matt. 27:46).
- "I thirst" (John 19:28).
- "It is finished" (John 19:30).
- "Into your hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23:46).
Why are those who have been changed by the gospel so timid to bring Jesus up in conversations? How does fear paralyze us so when the opportunity comes to declare our allegiance? Why does it almost seem that when we ask someone to come with us to church, we peg it as a negative thing?
It's time to go the second mile in inviting someone to church (without scaring them off).
5 Steps for Evangelism
- Identify - Luke 19:10
- Intercede - Eph. 1:18; Col. 4:3
- Initiate - 1 Thess. 2:8
- Individualize - 1 Pet. 3:15; 1 Cor. 9:22
- Invite - Rom. 1:16; 2 Cor. 5:20
Have you wondered about the legacy you are going to leave? It’s time to go the second mile in your discipleship legacy.
WORK WITH THE PROVEN METHODS
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Chronologically Teach the Bible
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Teaching children isolated stories can teach moral lessons but possibly neglect God’s truth.
- Prioritize a method of teaching your children the big picture of the Bible.
2. Highlight Teachable Moments
- Embrace the scheduled and spontaneous moments of family discipleship.
- The most memorable lessons are often associated with a pivotal experience.
3. Initiate Open-Ended Questions
- Refrain from using leading or closed questions to ascertain a child’s real comprehension of spiritual matters.
- Always display motivation and excitement when a child shows interest in spiritual matters.
4. Live an Authentic Example
- Children are able to ascertain the difference between a parent’s desire and a parent’s obligation.
- If you wouldn’t be satisfied if your child imitated your example in a particular area, you need to make changes now.
5. Decipher a Child’s Readiness
- Beware of the danger of a child desiring spiritual growth due to peer or parental pressure.
- Parents should continue to monitor progress over the years to reaffirm decision and discipleship.
For all the role models I want my children to have, the role model whom they desperately need is me. Children need intentional parents if they are to develop in the most critical areas of life. Are you wanting to make an impact in your children? It’s time to go the second mile in your parenting.
The Problem
- Prioritize placing your children in the most spiritually-nurturing environments as are available.
- The most critical spiritual environment is the one in which you live.
- Parents are called to be the primary evangelists and disciple-makers of their children.
- “Do as I say and not as I do” will not work in discipleship.
- It’s difficult for a hour-long service to combat a week-long environment.
The Progression (Deut. 6:4-9)
- The unrivaled God deserves an unrivaled devotion (6:4-5).
- God’s Word must be the essential guide for every aspect of our lives (6:6).
- Parents must take diligent responsibility for the spiritual formation of their children (6:7).
- We must view discipleship as a process rather than a program (6:7).
- Allow God’s Word to permeate our lives, to fill our homes, and to invade our communities (6:8-9).
The Plan
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What if I don’t present the information correctly?
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Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know."
- Be committed enough to say “I’ll find out."
- Allow this to encourage your own growth (2 Tim. 2:15).
- Wouldn’t a trained professional be more trustworthy?
- A pastor might know the material better, but he will not know your child better.
- You should be the most constant figure in your child’s life.
- Your involvement will endure even when other role models change.
- What if I turn them off to Christianity?
- Children aren’t turned off to Christianity if their parents are devoted disciples but if they are fake followers.
- Let your love for Jesus be contagious.
- Your job is to point to a relationship of grace rather than a religion of works.
Are you working towards marriage? Don’t ruin the gift of marriage while you endure through the time of engagement. It’s time to go the second mile in your engagement.
- The 1st mile of engagement is working towards marriage while avoiding physical temptations.
- The 2nd mile of engagement is working towards marriage while addressing spiritual connections.
As I think through components that helped new marriages thrive, many of them worked on four key relationships during the engagement.
- Jesus
- Fiancé
- Friend
- Mentor
Romance, nurture, and communication takes time. Setting an appointment to spend together is going the first mile, but that isn’t enough to have a thriving marriage. Do you want your relationship to feel vibrant again? It’s time to go the second mile by making time for your marriage.
5 Reminders
- The tragedy of how we spend our time is that it is often our marriages that suffer the most.
- The one who deserves your best often gets your worst.
- If you allot your time wisely, you will make time for your marriage.
- Ignore the lie that once you get through a particular season of life, you will have time to spend together.
- If you don't schedule your priorities, someone or something will schedule them for you.
3 Important Time Commitments
- Daily Connection
- Weekly Date
- Yearly Getaway
Many marriages I know struggle greatly with the smallest of discrepancies. The issue seems rather small but if the couple fails to address it, it will create a great mess. It’s time to go the second mile in addressing the small issues that bring potential big impact.
1. IDENTIFY: Sometimes the smallest things in marriage can become the most dangerous.
- What are the obvious marriage separators endangering couples?
- What are the dangerous nuisances in your marriage?
2. CATCH: Relentlessly catch the small “foxes” that seek to ruin your marriage.
- Song of Solomon 2:15 – Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes, that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom.
- The most dangerous nuisances in your marriage may not be the ones that are so glaringly obvious.
3. RESIST: Resist the perspective that causes you to go to battle against your spouse when you should be going to battle with your spouse.
- Your marriage has an enemy, and it isn’t your spouse.
- Your marriage should be progressing towards greater intimacy and not drifting towards relational complacency.
EXTRA RESOURCES
- Our church is hosting a marriage conference, and I would love for you to attend as we seek God's help in strengthening our marriages. You can get more info here.
- I wrote a book on marriage. If you would like a small book with some practical help to help your marriage, you can check out What God Has Joined Together here.
Have you ever felt like you were wasting time because you simply didn't have the right tools in your hands? It's time to go the second mile in selecting the right productivity tools for the job.
Why Is This Important? 1. To whom much is given, much is required(Luke 12:41-48). Jesus taught a parable that highlighted the need to be faithful as stewards of the time God has given us. If you have been given much from God, are you being faithful with those opportunities? 2. To whom has invested much, more will be given(Matt. 25:14-30). Jesus taught another parable of a man who trusted stewards with different amounts of investments. For the one who failed to do anything with the little amount, the master took it away and gave it to the one who had more.
Productivity Tools If you want to be faithful with the time and opportunities you have been given, decide what will be your go-to tool in these 4 areas:
Calendar
- Coordinate your entire schedule through a calendar system that works with your pace and your personality.
- Current Tool: Google Calendar + YouCanBook.Me
Content
- Organize your needed content into a system that allows you to collect, archive, and access information easily.
- Current Tool: Evernote
Contact
- Ensure that your contacts are easily accessible and updateable.
- Current Tool: Google Contacts
Completion
- Commit to a trackable system of collecting and completing your tasks.
- Current Tool: Todoist
Great Resources 1. Do More Betterby Tim Challies 2. What's Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Doneby Matt Perman 3. Crazy Busy!by Kevin DeYoung 4. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivityby David Allen
For many of us in life trying to go all in and all out, we get frustrated because we lose time and effort in wasted pursuits. We might find ourselves going the 2nd mile, but we travel it in the wrong direction. If you have ever felt like you are wasting opportunities, it's time to go the 2nd mile in prioritizing your purposes.
How do we ensure that we go the 2nd mile in the right direction?
Identify Your Primary Purposes 1. The Spirit gifts every believer for the glory of God and for the good of others (1 Cor. 12:4-7, 11). 2. We are saved for good works that God has prepared for us (Eph. 2:10). 3. Identify what your primary purposes are and refuse to allow anything to get in your way of accomplishing them.
Address Your Secondary Issues 1. Don't miss out on the great opportunities for which you were primarily called because you neglect the secondary issues for which you are still responsible. 2. Being zealous for good works means caring for all different types of good works (Titus 2:14). 3. The early church leaders made sure they addressed the secondary issues so they could continue to prioritize the primary purposes (Acts 6:1-7).
Eliminate Your Tertiary Distractions 1. You only have enough time to do God's will (Acts 20:24). 2. Our lives are fleeting so don't waste them on meaningless pursuits (Ps. 39:4). 3. Acknowledge what your greatest time-wasters are and relentlessly combat them.
The iPhone recently celebrated its 10th birthday. Let's just imagine that your usage was on the lower end of what some of the reports are giving us. Let's say that you are on your phone "only" 90 minutes a day. You know what that would equal to over the last 10 years?
- 328,500 minutes
- 5,475 hours
- 228 days (62% of 1 year)
Over the last 10 years, you would have spent 228 days with your eyes on a smartphone. And those are days you can never get back.
Are you missing out on opportunities to travel the 2nd mile because your gaze is on your smartphone?
The Robbing Of what is your smartphone robbing you? Here is a list to consider:
- We lose time to spend with God.
- We miss opportunities to engage with our loved ones.
- We settle for pseudo-community.
- We are training ourselves for constant distractions.
- We become addicted to social media affirmation.
- We are bombarded with too much information.
- We reduce our chance of going deep in anything.
The Reversal 1. Set a goal for the time you will spend on your smartphone. 2. Plug up your phone once you get home. 3. Resist the urge to check your phone while in conversation with others. 4. Install apps for limiting your time on certain apps. 5. Reduce the notifications that clamor for your attention. 6. Resist the urge to engage in every social media platform. 7. Outsmart your smartphone by making it help you focus on worthwhile pursuits.
People often cannot start the second mile because they can barely finish the first. Are you missing opportunities to be used by God due to laziness?
STOP MAKING EXCUSES * If you are going to fight procrastination, you are going to have to address the procrastinator. * Stop disguising laziness by claiming that you aren’t the organized type. * Don’t blame God for your laziness. * You don’t need more hours in the day; you need more discipline in your day.
START MAKING SOLUTIONS
- Even if you are not naturally organized, you can train yourself to be disciplined.
- Acknowledge your weaknesses and find ways to bypass them.
- Stop prioritizing your schedule and start scheduling your priorities.
- Be relentlessly zealous with your time to create margin for worthwhile works.
If we truly desire godliness, Scripture memory must be prioritized in our lives. While the task can seem daunting, we have to start somewhere. In this episode, discover some practical steps to go the 2nd mile in Scripture memory.
The Purpose of Scripture Memory
- We must discipline our minds to have the words of the Bible accessible even when a copy of the Bible is not available.
- Something happens when the Word becomes portable with you. Your spiritual growth is exponential. The discipline of mediating and memorizing Scripture turns God’s Word Bible from a book on a shelf to words on a heart.
- Meditating on it day and night (Josh. 1:8; Ps. 1:2), we lay these words on our hearts (Deut. 11:18) and they become the joy and delight of our hearts (Jer. 15:16). We store it in our hearts so that can stop sinning (Ps. 119:11). We are to have it dwell so richly within us that it comes out in what we teach to others (Col. 3:16).
The Power of Scripture Memory
- Joshua 1:8 - From Joshua’s example, we see that Scripture memory:
- Calms – Memorizing Scripture stills our heart when we are fearful regarding our circumstances.
- Reminds – Memorizing Scripture is a tangible expression of the presence of God in our lives.
- Equips – Memorizing Scripture allows us to speak God’s Word rather than our opinions.
- Focuses – Memorizing Scripture gives us truth to meditate upon throughout the day and night.
- Directs – Memorizing Scripture gives us clear applications of obedience in our lives.
- Benefits – Memorizing Scripture provides beneficial success in our lives.
The Path of Scripture Memory
- RESEARCH which important verses you need to memorize first.
- REWRITE the verse into some type of collection tool.
- READ the verse out loud numerous times.
- RECITE out loud by sections until you can say the complete verse.
- REFER to the book, chapter, and verse before and after reciting it.
- REPEAT the verse until you have mastered it.
- REVIEW the verse through intentional accountability systems.
Many disciples of Jesus struggle with distracted, neglected, and boring prayer lives. The problem of prayer is not the content or the recipient – it's the method. In this episode, discover some tips to stop boring prayer times.
Prayer Distractions
- Lack of Faith - Relying on a God we cannot see with requests we cannot handle requires faith.
- Lack of Familiarity - We talk awkwardly if we don't know the person to whom we are talking.
- Lack of Focus - Conflicts, concerns, and chores fill our minds and hinder our prayers.
- Lack of Form - The problem of prayer is not the content or the recipient – it's the method.
Prayer Tips
- Pray Out Loud
- Pray on Your Knees
- Pray with a Guide
- Pray with Variations
Prayer Strategies
- Prayer List
- Prayer Basket
- Prayer Schedule
- Prayer Triggers
- Prayer Weekly Calendar
- Prayer Psalms
As believers, we should be in a state of spiritual growth, but too often, we seem to be stuck in the same place. If there is a true profession of faith, there should be a true progression of faith. In this episode, we discuss the importance of selecting that next spiritual discipline to make intentional progress in following Jesus.
Getting Honest (You're Not There Yet)
- If there is a true profession of faith, there should be a true progression of faith.
- Spiritual disciplines are not meant to make you more liked by Jesus but to make you more like Jesus.
- The Path of Holiness:
- Justification – the declaration of holiness
- Sanctification – the process of holiness
- Glorification – the completion of holiness
- The proof that we are neglecting sanctification is the lack of holiness present in our lives.
Making Progress (But You Should Be Getting There)
- If your goal is anything other than godliness, then your spiritual disciplines will be more like drudgery than delight.
- 1 Tim. 4:6-10
- No discipline is more important than regular Bible study because it encourages every other worthwhile spiritual pursuit.
Getting Specific (By Taking the Next Step)
- True disciples discipline themselves.
- Imagine the health of one’s soul if he or she spent as much time developing it as he or she spent on the body.
- Can you think of one spiritual hero that doesn’t prioritize at least one spiritual discipline?
If you have been reading the Bible lately, can you think of what you read? What has impacted you? Where did you find it? Here's my realization regarding many people's dilemma: If you find time to read, you rarely remember what you read.
Why is that? Because we settled for reading the pages of the Bible instead of meditating on the truths of the Bible. The difference has paramount implications.
If you always forget what you read in the Bible, maybe it is time for you to discover the lost art of scriptural meditation.
The definition of meditation is to think deeply or carefully about something.
How to Meditate on Scripture 1. Commit to a reading plan. 2. Create enough time for meditation margin. 3. Pray for God's insight into the text. 4. Remember that less may be more. 5. Summarize what you read. 6. Seek a way to apply the truth. 7. Share with someone regarding what you've learned.
The people who make the greatest impact are never those who do the bare minimum. So why is it that we are often inclined to do "just enough" and not give our absolute best? What would our lives be like if we tried to go the 2nd mile in every worthwhile endeavor? That's what this podcast is about.