Wise In Your Own Eyes

This morning, on the Steve Harvey Morning Show, the “Strawberry Letter” was from a woman who had been living with a man for 26 years unmarried, and wanted to know if she should leave. In response to the woman’s letter, guest host, sports columnist Stephen A. Smith, claimed that the woman was lying to herself by saying she wants to leave. He said that, apparently, the man was doing something right for her to stay with him for 26 years, and insinuated that the woman stop focusing on getting married and worry about just being happy.
While, to the untrained ear, the advice might sound good, there are two problems with this response.

First of all, it’s not biblical. No matter what our society tells us, men and women should not have sexual relations with each other outside the context of marriage. It’s called FORNICATION and it’s expressly called out in the Bible for being against God’s will.

The second problem with this response is that it doesn’t address the woman’s main problem, which is that this woman has a serious lack of respect and esteem for herself. She clearly wants to be married to this man. That is why she is now contemplating whether she should leave. But, if marriage was really her original goal, she went about it all the wrong way.

Ladies, please know that guys will likely NOT MARRY YOU unless there’s some sort of incentive to. The old expression “why would he buy the cow when he can get the milk for free” holds true. Guys are hunters. We are goal oriented. And if we really like or want you, we will do whatever we must do to get you.

So, if you want to be married, please hold out until you are. If a man can’t wait for you and won’t make a commitment to you, then he wasn’t really right for you anyway.

But more importantly, Stephen A. Smith’s advice/opinion on the situation concerns me. As Christians, we must remember that we are called not to live according to our own wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and opinions, but rather that of God.

I don’t know whether Mr. Smith is a Christian or not, but what I do know is that he clearly didn’t consult with God or His word before giving his response. God gives us the Holy Spirit for exactly that purpose – so that we can decipher His will for our lives. So, when you’re giving advice to someone, please make sure it’s Godly advice and NOT just your own opinion.

God bless,
J.W.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.” ~ Proverbs 3:5-7

Seek Ye First

“Seek ye FIRST the Kingdom of God and His righteouness and all these other things will be added unto you.” ~ Matthew 6:33

Lately, I’ve caught myself putting other things before God.

You know when you try to do things on your own before running to God?

When you try things your way before trying them God’s way?

Well, the Bible tells us to do the exact opposite.

“Seek ye FIRST the Kingdom of God and His righteouness and all these other things will be added unto you.”

So, what are you seeking today?

What (or whom) do you put before God?

Who do you run to before you run to God?

Whatever, or whomever, it is should always come second to God.

He should be first. Otherwise, you’ll never truly experience what God has in store for you.

God bless,
J.W.

Walk On Water (Part II)

“During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It's a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.’ Then Peter replied, ‘Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water.” ~ Matthew 14:25-28

Like the disciples, many people are afraid to step out of the boat. They like to play it safe, keep on an even keel. In short, they are afraid of change and thrive in the status quo.

But just like the disciples learned, often times, the storms of life get the best of us when we are disobedient to the voice of God. The waves crash and the winds roll and keep us from accomplishing all God has in store for us.

So, I say to you, don’t be afraid to step out of the boat! God’s best is waiting for you.

God bless,
J.W.

Walk On Water (Part I)

“’Lord, if it's you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ ‘Come,’ he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’ ~ Matthew 14:28-31

When Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on water, it didn’t require any skill, talent, or ability.

Rather, all it required was faith – faith in the one who created Him.

Likewise, we, too, can accomplish amazing, death-defying feats.

But first we must believe.

God bless,
J.W.

Beautiful Day

“This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” ~ Psalm 118:24

Each day, God gives you a gift.

The gift of a new day.

Each day is a new opportunity to get it right, to become a better person, to change directions, to accomplish your destiny.

Don’t miss out on that opportunity. Don’t take that gift for granted.

God bless,

J.W.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww1dIgXhHKY

When God Speaks The Loudest

When Michele and I got married, my mom gave us a picture frame that read “Make time for the quiet moments as God whispers and the world is loud.”

It now hangs above our bed.

In today’s fast-paced, activity-filled society, we often fear silence, the absence of noise.

So… our TVs stay on all day, our radios play while we drive in our cars, we watch YouTube while we’re on our computers. I know some of you were even concerned that I hadn’t written in my Journal in a while.

But, sometimes it’s good to be silent, for in those times, God speaks the loudest.

God bless,
J.W.

“And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” ~ 1 Kings 19:11-12