Be Careful

“So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.” ~ Deuteronomy 5:32-33

Living a righteous life is not easy. In Romans 7:21, Paul says “although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.” It doesn’t take much for us to fall into the devil’s schemes or our own sinful nature.

That’s why Proverbs 4:23 calls us to “guard our hearts.” And Deuteronomy 5:32 tells us to “be careful” to keep God’s commands. Jesus, in fact, said that “whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Jesus warned us that it would not be easy.

Because of the original sin, doing what’s right doesn’t come naturally. So, we must be cautious and careful to keep God’s commandments. We must be on guard at all times. We are in a battle and if we are not careful, we can do exactly what Deuteronomy 5:32 warns us not to do – that is, turn aside to the right or to the left.

Jesus tells us to walk the narrow path that leads to life – the John 10:10 life. Walking the narrow path requires self-discipline and a carefulness found in Deuteronomy 5:32.

Be careful today!

God bless,
J.W.

Walking In Boldness

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." ~ 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

There will undoubtedly be times in life when you will feel pressure (internal or otherwise) to cower, comply, or avoid conflict. Most of us are conflict averse. Moreover, many of us have an underlying, hidden but often paralyzing fear of success, where we choose to play it safe rather than step out on faith and walk in the authority that God has given us.

None of that is God.

2 Timothy 1:7 says that God did not give us a spirit of FEAR, but of POWER. Romans 8:37 calls us more than conquerors. Philippians 4:13 confirms that we can do all things through Christ.

To walk with God, we will have to learn to walk in boldness.

God has things planned for you. He wants you to succeed. But accomplishing His purpose for you will require you to walk in a different spirit (Numbers 14:24).

Walk in boldness today.

God bless,
J.W.

Faith, Fear, and Love (Part 2)

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

Need more proof that the way to more faith and less fear is through love?

See 2 Timothy 1 above.

Notice: God did not give us a spirit of FAITH instead of fear, but a spirit of love.

Why is that?

Because He knows that while faith is the ultimate goal, LOVE is the pathway that will lead us there.

The question is, are we willing to grow in love in order to grow in our faith?

More to come in the days ahead.

God bless,

J.W.

Fear Not!

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

God did not create us to fear. How do we know? He specifically tells us that in His word.

So don’t let fear paralyze you. God wants us to walk in boldness knowing that our faith is way more powerful than our fear could ever be.

God bless,
J.W.

Never Scared

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

Fear paralyzes. Don’t let it paralyze you.

God bless,
J.W.