I used to make the mistake of thinking that if I could just impart Godly principles to an unbeliever, I could bring him closer to Jesus. If I could just get him to think more positive. If I could just get him to stop cursing. If I could just teach him the principles of sowing and reaping. If I could just teach him that it’s more blessed to give than to receive. If I could just get him to do all these things, God would do the rest. There was no need to introduce him to Jesus, because when he started to change his life, he would naturally come to Jesus.
As I’ve grown older, however, I realize that I had it backwards. Teaching an unbeliever the principles of God does not bring closer to Him. Rather, giving people Jesus brings them to closer to his principles. Once people meet Jesus, he begins to transform their minds and their lives. But Jesus is the way to change. He’s the only way to real transformation. Any other type of change will be short-term and fleeting, but once a person meets Jesus, his/her life will be changed forever.
So, for those of you who don’t know Jesus yet, please understand that he is not some invisible force that is looking to control your life and stop you from having fun. Rather, Jesus is very real and he will grant you the peace, freedom, and happiness that you seek in other places (the club, drugs, sex, alcohol, friends). Once you meet Jesus, he will completely transform your life forever. Just try Him. Just for month, give your life completely over to Him. Just pray the simple prayer of salvation at the bottom of the screen, and make a commitment that for a month, you won’t make your own decisions, but that you’re going to put your faith in Him, that you’re going to allow Him to be the decision-maker in your life. Just for a month. I guarantee He will change your life, if you just try Him.
And lastly, for those of you who know Jesus already, stop trying to change the people around you. That’s God’s job. We are called to plant seeds. It’s Jesus’ job to water and nourish the plant that grows from the seed. But if a person doesn’t know Jesus first, then his growth, his change, will not last. It will be short-term and fleeting. So, instead of telling people how to live, let’s show them how to live. Let’s be a living example. Let’s show the love of Jesus through our lives. Let’s be a witness to the type of extraordinary life one can live if he places his faith in Jesus. The best witness you can give is not through words, lecturing, or nagging, but rather through a transformed life of your own. Only then will this world, this lost generation, truly see Jesus here on earth. We have to be their Jesus.
God bless,
J.W.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntrhFRlRDvc
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
What Would You Do?
"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" ~ Acts 20:35
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to work for a week as a temp at Sony BMG. For those of you who know anything about the music business, you know that Sony BMG is a pretty big deal. One of the largest, most successful record companies in the world today, Sony BMG is home to such artists as Alicia Keys, Beyonce, and Usher.
But I turned the offer down. Why? Because the week before, I promised my aunt and uncle that I would watch my little cousins while they were on spring break. Now, of course, I would have loved to pursue the opportunity, but I had given my word, and family was more important to me.
Likewise, today, surrounded by widespread job loss, unemployment, and foreclosures, when I could be either looking for a job or looking for a home for us to live in, I’m playing in a charity basketball game this evening in Frederick, MD. Why? Because I understand that it’s much better to give than to receive, because I gave my word, and because family is more important to me.
You see, I tell you these things not to brag on myself. I know there are some out there who might even question my decision to give up such big opportunities. But they don’t see what I see. They don’t understand what I know.
In a faith where we are taught that His ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts, and that we are not of this world, we sure do adhere to the standards of the world an awful lot. When I die, I don’t want to hear God say, “James, you sure lived a comfortable life. You worked all your life, you never took risks, you retired, and now you’ve come home. Good job!” No! I want Him to say, “James, you were a risk taker. You followed your heart, even when it wasn’t popular to. When everybody else challenged you to adhere to the world’s standards, you stuck to your guns and you lived your life for Me.” When I die, I want God to say “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You were faithful over a few things. Now, I will make you ruler over many.”
I know we’re all trying to pay bills, put food on the table, and save for retirement. But, when faced with the choice between doing for yourself and doing for others, which would you choose? Would you give up fame and fortune to help somebody else? Or is life all about getting yours and dying happy?
It’s up to you to decide.
God bless,
J.W.
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to work for a week as a temp at Sony BMG. For those of you who know anything about the music business, you know that Sony BMG is a pretty big deal. One of the largest, most successful record companies in the world today, Sony BMG is home to such artists as Alicia Keys, Beyonce, and Usher.
But I turned the offer down. Why? Because the week before, I promised my aunt and uncle that I would watch my little cousins while they were on spring break. Now, of course, I would have loved to pursue the opportunity, but I had given my word, and family was more important to me.
Likewise, today, surrounded by widespread job loss, unemployment, and foreclosures, when I could be either looking for a job or looking for a home for us to live in, I’m playing in a charity basketball game this evening in Frederick, MD. Why? Because I understand that it’s much better to give than to receive, because I gave my word, and because family is more important to me.
You see, I tell you these things not to brag on myself. I know there are some out there who might even question my decision to give up such big opportunities. But they don’t see what I see. They don’t understand what I know.
In a faith where we are taught that His ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts, and that we are not of this world, we sure do adhere to the standards of the world an awful lot. When I die, I don’t want to hear God say, “James, you sure lived a comfortable life. You worked all your life, you never took risks, you retired, and now you’ve come home. Good job!” No! I want Him to say, “James, you were a risk taker. You followed your heart, even when it wasn’t popular to. When everybody else challenged you to adhere to the world’s standards, you stuck to your guns and you lived your life for Me.” When I die, I want God to say “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You were faithful over a few things. Now, I will make you ruler over many.”
I know we’re all trying to pay bills, put food on the table, and save for retirement. But, when faced with the choice between doing for yourself and doing for others, which would you choose? Would you give up fame and fortune to help somebody else? Or is life all about getting yours and dying happy?
It’s up to you to decide.
God bless,
J.W.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Jesus Take The Wheel
Just thought I'd share this short story with you. Enjoy!
Going Home
Author Unknown
Apr 7, 2008
Years ago, I was enthralled as I listened to a pastor who for several years had faithfully served the church. His executive responsibilities had taken him all over this country. As he concluded his message, he told of one of the most frightening yet thought-provoking experiences of his life.
He had been on a long flight. The first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on: "Fasten your seat belts." Then, after a while, a calm voice said, "We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened."
As he looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive. Later, the voice of the announcer said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us."
And then the storm broke. The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightening lit up the darkening skies, and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash.
The pastor confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said, "As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying. The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm.
And then, I suddenly saw a girl to whom the storm meant nothing. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat and was reading a book. Everything within her small world was calm and orderly. Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world. When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm, when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous child was completely composed and unafraid."
The minister could hardly b elieve his eyes. It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, he lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time.
Having commented about the storm and behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid. The sweet child replied, "Sir, my Dad is the pilot, and he is taking me home."
Jesus said, "Fear not." Those who have given their hand to Jesus must trust that the Father is taking them Home.
Published in David Langerfeld's "Daily Encourager"
I Choose
"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." ~ Joshua 24:15
Today, I want to talk about choices. Not in terms of choosing to subscribe to any religion, or more importantly, choosing to gain a closer relationship with God (though I believe this is the most important choice you will ever make), but rather I want to talk about your everyday, real-life choices. The choice you make to either speak to someone you pass on the street or to simply walk on by without saying a word. The choice you make to either let someone pass in front of you on your way to work, or to cut them off.
We all make millions of choices throughout the course of our lives, but it’s the quality of our choices that determine whether we experience success or failure. And so, I challenge you today to examine your choices. Are you making the right ones? Do the choices you make help you reach your goals or are they hindering you? Do your choices benefit others or do they simply benefit yourself?
While the world would have believe that what you do only affects you, that you are the only one who suffers the consequences, good or bad, of your choices, I submit that every time you make a choice, someone else is affected, either positively or negatively. Every time you mess up, it’s a lost opportunity for you to be a positive example for someone. Every time you choose to get drunk on a Friday or Saturday night, it’s time lost that you could have used to make someone else’s life better. Every time you choose to pass someone on the street, it’s one less smile that could have brightened their day. Every time you choose to curse, it’s one less kind word that could have changed the course of someone’s life.
So, no, your choices don’t just affect you. They affect your neighbors, co-workers, friends, family members, acquaintances, anybody who you have the ability to influence. The difference between life success and failure lies in the choices we make. A succession of right choices leads down a path of happiness, righteousness, and success. A string of wrong choices leads to failure, unhappiness, and depression. So choose ye this day whom you will serve. Will you make the right choices, not only for you, but for those around you? Or will you continue to make the wrong choices in life and poison the lives of those around you. I’m praying it’s the former.
God bless,
J.W.
Today, I want to talk about choices. Not in terms of choosing to subscribe to any religion, or more importantly, choosing to gain a closer relationship with God (though I believe this is the most important choice you will ever make), but rather I want to talk about your everyday, real-life choices. The choice you make to either speak to someone you pass on the street or to simply walk on by without saying a word. The choice you make to either let someone pass in front of you on your way to work, or to cut them off.
We all make millions of choices throughout the course of our lives, but it’s the quality of our choices that determine whether we experience success or failure. And so, I challenge you today to examine your choices. Are you making the right ones? Do the choices you make help you reach your goals or are they hindering you? Do your choices benefit others or do they simply benefit yourself?
While the world would have believe that what you do only affects you, that you are the only one who suffers the consequences, good or bad, of your choices, I submit that every time you make a choice, someone else is affected, either positively or negatively. Every time you mess up, it’s a lost opportunity for you to be a positive example for someone. Every time you choose to get drunk on a Friday or Saturday night, it’s time lost that you could have used to make someone else’s life better. Every time you choose to pass someone on the street, it’s one less smile that could have brightened their day. Every time you choose to curse, it’s one less kind word that could have changed the course of someone’s life.
So, no, your choices don’t just affect you. They affect your neighbors, co-workers, friends, family members, acquaintances, anybody who you have the ability to influence. The difference between life success and failure lies in the choices we make. A succession of right choices leads down a path of happiness, righteousness, and success. A string of wrong choices leads to failure, unhappiness, and depression. So choose ye this day whom you will serve. Will you make the right choices, not only for you, but for those around you? Or will you continue to make the wrong choices in life and poison the lives of those around you. I’m praying it’s the former.
God bless,
J.W.
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