All-Powerful

Many times in life, we doubt ourselves.

We think we’re not good enough…

smart enough…

articulate enough…

strong enough…

fast enough…

But the good thing is that, when you’re a Christian, it’s not about your abilities, i.e. what you think you can do.

No, it’s about the fact that you have an almighty, all-powerful Savior who has promised to always be there and never leave your side.

“Can’t” isn’t in His vocabulary and He can do everything but fail.

God bless,
J.W.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." ~ Philippians 4:13

I Hope You Dance

Just wanted to share this with you all.

It’s called Guidance and it’s real deep.

Check it out and enjoy!

God bless,
J.W.

Dancing With God

When I meditated on the word Guidance,

I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.

I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.

When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.

The movement doesn't flow with the music,

and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.

When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,

both bodies begin to flow with the music.

One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back

or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another.

It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.

The dance takes surrender, willingness,

and attentiveness from one person

and gentle guidance and skill from the other.

My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.

When I saw "G": I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i".

"God, "u" and "i" dance."

God, you, and I dance.

As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust

that I would get guidance about my life.

Once again, I became willing to let God lead.

The Perfect Date

Do you know that God courts you like he would a date?

Think about it.

He’s persistent – “I will not leave you nor forsake you.” ~ Joshua 1:5

He gives gifts – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” ~ John 3:16

He’s the perfect gentleman – “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” ~ Revelation 3:20

He wants to impress you – “And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” ~ John 11:42

Who wouldn’t fall in love with a man like that?

God bless,
J.W.

A Flash of Lightning

Monday night, New Jersey had a major thunderstorm and it got me to thinking.

See, the Bible says that when Christ returns, it’ll be like a flash of lightning.

There won’t be time for preparation.

There’ll be no time to brace yourself.

There’ll be no second chances.

The only thing that will matter will be whether you chose to accept Him or not.

So, what do you choose today?

God bless,
J.W.

“For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” ~ Matthew 24:27

What's Your Priority?

What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you wake up?

Do you think about the goodness of God?

The blessing that it is to simply wake up in the morning?

The hedge of protection that He places around you day by day?

Or, rather, is your mind on other things – like the meeting you have scheduled for later that day; the errand you have to run before you head to work; or even your favorite song.

Whatever it might be, if your mind is not on God in the morning, you have set yourself up for failure throughout the rest of the day, for the Bible says that if we would seek first His Kingdom and righteousness, all these other things would be added unto us (Matthew 6:33).

You see, whatever you think of first is a good indication of where your priority lies for that day.

So, make sure God is your priority and everything else will work itself out.

God bless,
J.W.

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” ~ Matthew 6:31-33

Who Do You Think You Are?

“Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or as His counselor has taught Him? With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge, and showed Him the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales; look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing.” ~ Isaiah 40:12-15

So many times in our lives, we think we have everything under control.

We say that we trust and believe in God, but instead, we often take matters into our own hands, believing that we have all the answers, that we know what’s right for our lives.

But this scripture tells us otherwise.

At the end of the day, we are but mere drops in a bucket compared to the all-knowing, everlasting God that we serve.

So, why are we so stubborn to trust Him?

Who do we think we are?

God bless,
J.W.

...More Abundantly

Jesus came to die so that we might live.

He suffered severely that we might live abundantly.

He gave his life so that we might have it eternal.

What a great paradox!

God bless,
J.W.

“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” ~ John 10:10

No Greater Love

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” ~ John 15:13

Today, there is no message other than to say there truly is no greater love.

God bless,
J.W.

Jesus Walks (Part VIII)

The last post in a week-long series on Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.

So, now that Jesus walks (He is alive and risen), what do we do?

The Bible said because He died for us, we ought to live for Him.

So, who do you live for today?

God bless,
J.W.

“…and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:15

Jesus Walks (Part VII)

Because Jesus rose on this day some 2000 years ago, we can have a second chance at life.

Happy Resurrection Day!

God bless,
J.W.

“But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” ~ Matthew 28:5-6

Jesus Walks (Part VI)

It is often said that between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, Jesus went to Hell and “snatched the keys of the bottomless pit” from Satan – meaning that sin no longer holds power over us.

No matter what you’ve done or how many times you’ve messed up, Jesus’ love for you can overcome it all.

All you have to do is accept the gift He has freely given you.

Will you accept it today?

God bless,
J.W.

“I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” ~ Revelation 1:18

Jesus Walks (Part V)

Today is the day.

The day that Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins.

In honor of this day, there is no message.

Rather, only a proverbial moment of silence in commemoration of Jesus’ death on the cross some 2000 years ago.

God bless,
J.W.

“…this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” ~ 1 Corinthians 11:24

Jesus Walks (Part IV)

Today, some 2009 years ago, Jesus sat with His disciples at what’s now called the Last Supper and asked them to remember Him.

Instead, what he got was betrayal, denial, and abandonment.

But still Jesus chose to forgive, and as a result, His disciples would become the foundation of what the Christian church is today. It is become of them that we celebrate this week of Passion.

It just goes to show that Jesus offers the gift of forgiveness to any and every one, no matter how big or small the sin.

Have you accepted His gift today?

God bless,
J.W.

“To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him.” ~ Daniel 9:9

Jesus Walks (Part III)

As we approach Good Friday, the day of Jesus’ death, I want you to place yourself in His position.

What if you knew you had just a few days to live?

What if you knew that just two days from now, you would be beaten, bruised, and hung on a cross for crimes you didn’t even commit?

Would you begin to live your life differently?

Would you beg for more time?

Would you murmur and complain about how unfair it is?

Jesus was able to face the prospect of death confidently, knowing He had finished the race.

He had crossed the finished line knowing there was nothing left to do.

There were no regrets, no excuses, and no second guesses.

Just boldness in the face of death.

Can you say the same?

God bless,
J.W.

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” ~ 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Jesus Walks (Part II)

The second in a week-long series on Jesus’ last days here on Earth.

Jesus was a man of purpose.

Nothing He did was by accident or chance, but everything was deliberate.

That’s why, in the face of persecution, false accusation, and undeserved punishment, He kept right on marching towards the cross.

See, He knew His purpose and nothing was going to stand in His way.

As such, we should be likewise – so focused on our goals that nothing is able to distract us from achieving our dreams.

We should be people of purpose, ready to go to the cross to make sure our mission is fulfilled.

God bless,
J.W.

“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.” ~ John 12:27

Jesus Walks (Part I)

The first in this week-long series on Jesus’ last days here on Earth.

The Sunday before Easter is the beginning of Passover, the Jewish holiday designed to commemorate the story in Exodus when God inflicted Egypt with ten plagues as punishment for Pharaoh’s refusal to free the Israelites, who were slaves in the Egyptian kingdom.

The Bible tells us that, on the first day of Passover, some 2009 years ago, as Jesus went into the city of Jerusalem, there was a multitude that “spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! Hosanna in the highest!’”

As we all know, just days later, many in this same multitude would cry out “crucify Him” as Jesus was being charged for blasphemy by the Pharisees and chief priests.

This just goes to show you that people will lift you up one day only to tear you down the next. That is why we must place our faith in God and God alone.

Man is weak, but God is strong.

Man changes, but God never changes.

As the old hymn says, “on Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

God bless,
J.W.

Jesus Walks

As most of you know, this week is Passion Week, the week in which we commemorate the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the Christian faith.

As such, in honor of this most sacred time in human history, I want to walk us through Jesus’ last days here on earth and glean any lessons learned that we might take away from His experience that our lives might be enriched because of His suffering.

After all, that is why He came – to die for our sins so that we wouldn’t have to.

Enjoy!

J.W.

Prayer Series (Part V) - What To Pray For

It doesn’t take a whole lot to pray.

There’s no right way. There’s no wrong way.

It’s all about what’s in your heart.

Jesus’ prayer was very simple.

There weren’t a whole lot of words.

There wasn’t a whole lot of hooping and hollering.

Jesus simply asked for God’s power, protection, and provision to reign over Him.

We should do likewise.

God bless,
J.W.

“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us for our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” ~ Matthew 6:9-13

Prayer Series (Part IV) – Who To Pray For

Jesus tells us that we ought not just pray for our family and friends, but that we ought to pray for our enemies as well.

“For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same.” (Matthew 5:46)

So, who are you praying for today?

(Are you praying for Osama's salvation?)

God bless,
J.W.

Prayer Series (Part III) - When To Pray

At the pinnacle of Jesus' ministry...

When He was going through his toughest time...

When He was just about to give up...

He prayed.

So, what does that tell us about our response to difficult situations?

Who do you run to when times get tough?

God bless,
J.W.

"Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, 'Sit here while I go and pray over there.' And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, 'My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.' He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, 'O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.'" ~ Matthew 26:36-39