Finding God (Part II)

Despite popular belief, people aren't typically saved by going to church.

As controversial as that might sound, if you search the scriptures, you'll find that most people don't have their first real encounter with God in a place of worship.

See Moses (Exodus 3), Jacob (Genesis 32), and Paul (Acts 9).  They all are devout Jews who probably went to synagogue routinely.  However, they all have their first real encounters with God outside of the church during their daily routines. 

That tells us three things:

1. You can be in church all your life and never develop a personal relationship with God.

2. God is not restricted to the four walls of the church.

3. God meets people where they are.

That's why God instructs to "set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity" in 1 Timothy 4:12. He wants us to let our lights shine in all that we do, so that people might have a personal encounter with God wherever we go.

See, He knows that people aren't saved by going church. Rather, people get saved by watching real Christians live their lives for God.

So, don't restrict God to the four walls of the church. He can do ANYTHING with ANYBODY ANYWHERE.

God bless,
J.W.

Rejoice!

"This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." ~ Nehemiah 8:10b

Often times as Christians, we focus on the negative things that happen in our lives vs. the positive. We focus on our circumstances so much that we forget how good God has been to us.

So, today, let's focus on how much God loves us and how He continues to bless us! Lamentations 3:23 tells us that God's mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness!

So, today, let's not wallow in our own self-pity. Hold your head high, child of God! Let's give God "in spite of" praise. In spite of my problems, I thank Him for what He's done for me. In spite of my worries, I put all of my trust in Him!

God deserves the glory, so let's bless His name! Surely He will make a way as He always does. Remember - He has never failed us yet!

Janis Barnes

Finding God (Part I)

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" ~ John 14:6

Despite our many differences, as human beings, we all essentially desire the same things – that is, love, peace, companionship, happiness.

The problem is, however, that most of all look for those things in the wrong places.

Some of us search for it in drugs and alcohol. Others try to find it in the acquisition of material possessions. Some of us try to find it in yoga, or in religion. Some of us even search for it in other people.

At best, however, these sources can only provide artificial, temporary satisfaction.

The fact is that true love, peace, companionship, and happiness can only be found in Jesus Christ. He is the only way and those that seek to find true happiness must come through Him.

To be continued...

God bless,
J.W.

Outside The Box

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" ~ Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Throughout life, the world will undoubtedly try to put you in a box. They’ll tell you what you can and cannot do. They’ll tell you what you can and cannot accomplish. More deceptively, they’ll tell you to follow somebody else’s path; to do things the way everyone else does it.

But don’t fall for that trap!

The Bible tells us that God has a specific plan for each of our lives. So, just because something did or didn’t work for someone else doesn’t mean that it will or won’t work for you.

To achieve success in YOUR life, you must follow the plan that God has for you and no one else.

See, God made us different for a reason. He uniquely made each of us for a purpose.

So, don’t listen to what they say you can and cannot do! They don’t know the God you serve and the vision that He's given you!

God bless,
J.W.

Waiting IN The Lord

Waiting IN The Lord
by Rev. Janis Barnes

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope" ~ Psalm 130:5 NIV

Along this Christian journey, God will tell us one of three things: yes, no, or wait.

For many of us, waiting is the hardest thing to do.  We can deal with yes or no, but waiting is beyond our comprehension.  For many of us, we've been praying and praying for years and yet God still says wait. Sometimes, we might get to get discouraged and want to quit.

But don't give up hope!

See, during those times of waiting, God is preparing you for what you have prayed for. Often times, there's a reason behind the waiting.  We either may not be ready for it or it just may not be time yet.

In those times, we must learn how to wait IN the Lord.

Waiting IN the Lord requires being active in serving the Lord! Study His word, work in various ministries, help someone who is less fortunate. You will be so busy in the Lord that the waiting begins to be a blessing! Before you know it, the Lord will reveal and answer your prayer!

Wait IN the Lord!

Meet Janis Barnes!

In an effort to continue to grow the Journal Your Journey family, I am very proud to introduce to you a new contributor. 

Meet Janis Barnes!

Janis is an ordained minister in the AME Church and a very good friend of mine. She holds a B.S. Degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Business and Education from Coppin State University and is a certified business consultant with 7-Eleven, Inc. 

In her off time, Janis enjoys being a mother to her four wonderful children and spreading the word of God through her morning devotional, which she sends out everyday via text message.  Janis is also in the process of writing her first devotional book. 

Most of all, Janis describes herself as a "born-again believer in Jesus Christ" and I can tell you from personal experience that she is a mighty woman of God with a powerful message to share with the world.  I am proud that she has agreed to share her experiences with us through the Journal Your Journey series, and I hope you all enjoy her writings as much as I do.

God bless,
J.W.

Spiritual Lenses

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." ~ Ephesians 6:12

Often times, as Christians, we forget about the spiritual nature of the world we live in.

We fall into the trap of thinking that every struggle that we have, every tribulation we encounter, every emotion that we feel, and every enemy we face is because either someone doesn’t like us, we don’t have enough money, or things just aren’t working out our way. We often blame some natural cause.

But the fact is that the things that happen to us in the physical realm often have a spiritual cause. At the end of the day, we are soldiers in a spiritual war between God and Satan. If we are truly children of God, the enemy will constantly seek to attack us. So, we must be prepared to look at things that happen to us through a larger, spiritual lens. Everything negative that happens to us is not just because of bad luck or happenstance. It’s because we have an enemy who hates us and doesn’t want to see us succeed. Likewise, every person who stands in your way isn’t necessarily acting on his or her own accord.

There’s always something larger at work. So, if you claim God and represent Christ, expect attack. Put on your spiritual lenses and see things for what they really are.

God bless,
J.W.

Don't Say It

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-4)

Do you know what the enemy's two favorite words are? "I quit". He would love nothing more than to hear you say, "You know what God, I quit. Every promise you made, the purpose and calling you have for my life, I'm done with it all. I quit."

Every trial and test, every obstacle we face the enemy hopes will cause us to say just that. Thank goodness we serve a God of purpose and "all things work together for the good of those who love the God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

God tells us here in James 1 that we can rejoice in the midst of our trials because trials teach us patience, and that patience is at work to help complete the perfect work that God begins in us when we become saved. We have to remember that when we accept Jesus as our savior, we become a project of His. A project that He says He will work on until it is complete. (Philippians 1:6)

When times get hard, when the money is low, when things seem like they can't get any worse you can still have joy. Rest in God's promises and be patient, knowing that even in times of trouble, not only is God working out the situation, but He is working on you. Remember, we walk by faith not by sight.

Love is Life,

Daniel Lee Robertson