Open Doors

"You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe —and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? ~ James 2:19-20

In the Christian community, there’s a cliché that's pretty popular – “God opens doors that no man can shut and shuts doors that no man can open.”

But what happens when God opens a door? Are we, as Christians, automatically guaranteed success? What lies on the other side is undoubtedly a blessing, but do we automatically receive that blessing simply because God opened the door? Is our success solely reliant on God’s work or do we have some responsibility?

As many doors as God might open for us, we won’t actually receive the blessing that awaits us if we’re not prepared and positioned to walk through the open door.

Perhaps it’s because we’re carrying so much spiritual baggage that we’re no longer able to fit through the door that God has opened for us. Or perhaps we’ve made our own plans and have decided to stand in front of the wrong door, expecting God to bless our mess. Or maybe we’re just so afraid of what lies beyond the door that we remain paralyzed by fear, and miss our opportunity to walk through the open door.

Whatever the reason and whatever the excuse, God does not expect us to be passive in our walk with Him. He’ll open the door, but we have to walk through it. God will make a way out of no way, but we have a responsibility to walk boldly in that way.

The Bible says that faith without works is dead - and that's true. You can have all the faith you want, but if your faith is not matched with some corresponding action, you’ll never achieve everything that God has in store for you.

Walk boldly in the path that God has laid out for you today!

God bless,
J.W.

The Holy Spirit

"And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever - the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you." ~ John 14:16-17

While many Christian denominations deny the existence and/or significance of the Holy Spirit, this scripture proves otherwise. When we get saved - that is, when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior - God gives us a Gift to help us face the everyday trials of life. It's up to us to either accept or reject that Gift. But either way, He's there and He's real. He lives inside of us. He is our direct connection to God. He's there to help us, to teach us, to guide us, to remind us, to counsel us, and to lead us.

If you find yourself failing to tap into this tremendous resource that God gives to His children, you are missing out on one of the most powerful benefits of being a Christian.

When we become believers, God gives us all the tools we need to be successful. The difference between our success and failure in life is the manner in which we use those tools.

God bless,
J.W.

Happy?

"...while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." ~ 2 Corinthians 4:18

As often as we use the word "happy" in today's society, surprisingly, it's very rarely used in the Bible.

Why?

Because God knows that happiness is based on our emotions, susceptible to one's plot in life or circumstance. As such, God never promises us happiness. Instead, He promises us such things as joy, peace, fulfillment, contentment - gifts expressed despite the circumstances in which one finds him- or herself.

God is eternal and, as such, wants to give us eternal things.

So, don't seek after those things which are fleeting and temporary. Instead, seek those things that can last forever.

God bless,
J.W.

Gifted

"For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." ~ Luke 12:48

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always had a grand sense of responsibility – responsibility to be somebody, to make something of my life, to be great. This has undoubtedly led some to wonder, “what makes you so special?”

The answer – Nothing. But I’ve been given so much in life – so many gifts, so many blessings, so much peace, joy, and love – I know there must be something big required of me.

God doesn’t give us gifts for us to keep them for ourselves. He gives us gifts so that we can share those gifts with others.

So, how much have you been given in your life? What kind of responsibility do you think that gives you?

According to the Bible, if you’ve been given much, then much is expected in return.

That’s a tremendous responsibility, but one worth having.

God bless,
J.W.