Training Season

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." ~ 2 Timothy 3:16‭-‬17 NIV

Today, we want to focus on the word "training" in today's scripture. 

While we typically think of training in terms of an athlete training for the Olympics or someone training for a marathon - that is, developing a particular skill or type of behavior through practice and instruction over a period of time - there is another definition of training.

Oxford's dictionary defines "to train" as "to point or aim something, typically a gun or camera, at."

What would happen if we thought of scripture in this way? That is, what if we used it to equip as to pierce like a gun? Or to give us more focus like a camera?

How much more powerful would the church be?

How are you using/seeing scripture today?

God bless,

J.W.

Read It In Context

"The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself." ~ Proverbs 11:25 NKJV

It's important we don't take scriptures out of context - either out of the context of the scriptures around it or the context of the entire Bible.

Generosity is one key to God's blessings over our life. But it's just one key. It's also important to be obedient, to be diligent, to be temperate, and to be a good steward. That's why it's important for us to read the whole Bible and not just pieces. 

One could read today's scripture and think that the being generous is to key to becoming rich. But you can give all of your money away and violate the principle of being a good steward. Just like you could focus on saving and miss the generosity principle found in today's scripture. 

The Bible is designed to put up guardrails on our life. One scripture might reveal one principle that God wants you to follow. But there's a wealth of other wisdom found in the Bible that will ultimately give you a full picture of what God wants for your life.

Let's read the whole Bible in context today fam.

God bless,

J.W.

 

Temples of God

 

In 1 Corinthians 6:19, the Bible tells us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. In other words, God himself lives inside of us. When we pray, we don't need to pray to some distant God. He lives inside of us and is right there with us, even in the midst of our pain, discomfort, trials, and tribulations.

God bless fam!

- J.W.

God's Love Letter

 

The Bible is God's love letter to His people. It tells us who we are, who's we are, and the promises he's made and ultimately will keep. The question is, are we reading it? And how would you feel if you wrote a love letter to someone and they just didn't bother to read it?

Dig into your love letter today fam. 

God bless,

J.W.

#Bible #ScriptureOfTheDay #dailydevotional #bibleapp #BibleGateway

Ball is Life

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to share a message I originally wrote for my wife's blog "Through The Eyes." You can check it the rest of her posts here. I promise you won't be disappointed.

To check out my message for today, see below.

God bless,
J.W.


Yesterday, Jeremiah was in the middle of our living room attempting to dribble his soccer ball to no avail. The ball wouldn't bounce for 2 reasons: 1) he wasn't in the right environment (outside on concrete) and 2) he wasn't using the right kind of ball (a basketball) that would allow him to bounce it. Noticing his struggles,  I said "Buds, why don't you get your BASKETBALL and try to dribble that instead?"

Undeterred, thinking he had all the answers, Jeremiah looked at me but kept trying to dribble the soccer ball. My response: "Or continue to do what you're doing and struggle."

How many times has this happened with our life? God notices that we are struggling because we're either in the wrong environment or we're using our life for the wrong purpose. So He gives us direction that will help us live our lives more effectively. But because of our pride and stubbornness, we continue to struggle because we're determined to do things our way.

Here's the deal: purpose is defined as the reason for the creation or existence of a thing. When people create products, they also create manuals and instructions that indicate the product's function. Only the creator of the product can tell you how the product is supposed to function.

Same with us. We all have purpose - the reason we were created (Jeremiah 29:11). But the only person that can tell us how to function correctly is our creator. The only way we can know we're in the right environment or using our life for the right purpose is to listen to the instructions of our creator.

If you feel like you've been struggling to bounce the ball of life, maybe it's because you're trying to do things your own way and aren't listening to the One who knows how your life is supposed to function.

If that's you, I challenge you to stop what you're doing and listen to your Father (Proverbs 3:5-6). You just might find that your struggle/burden becomes lighter (Matthew 11:30).

God bless,
J.W.

Train Up A Child (Part 2)

"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." - Joshua 1:8

We are not the only ones who train our children. God does too.

One of the ways He instructs us to train is found in Joshua 1:8.

God tells Joshua to "meditate on [the Word] day and night." Psalm 1:1-2 says “blessed is the one… who meditates on His law day and night.” Psalm 119 has at least eight references to meditating on the word, the promises, and the works of God.

So, no, meditation is not just some yoga, new age term for Hipsters. It’s a Biblical command. And it’s part of the way God trains us.

So, what does meditation look like for the believer? The answer may surprise you.

More to come!

God bless,

J.W. 

Stop and Go(d)

Republished February 11, 2012

So many times, as Christians, we hear the phrase "let go and let God." But what does that phrase really mean?

It means trusting God enough to rely on His plan and not our own. It means doing what He tells us to do even when it doesn't make sense. It means getting out of the way so that God can step in on our behalf.

As you live your life, remember: God can't move in your life until you stop moving on your own behalf.

God bless,

J.W.

Friendship

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you." ~ John 15:13-15

It’s amazing to me that God - Ruler of all creation, all-mighty, all-powerful, all-knowing God - wants to be our friend. 

God doesn’t just want your worship or your praise. He’s not just looking for your obedience or your sacrifice. He’s not after your money or your possessions. 

He wants your friendship. 

The question is, how deep does your relationship run? And what can you do to improve your friendship with God?

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.

Stop and Go(d)

So many times, as Christians, we hear the phrase "let go and let God." But what does that phrase really mean?

It means trusting God enough to rely on His plan and not our own. It means doing what He tells us to do even when it doesn't make sense. It means getting out of the way so that God can step in on our behalf.

As you live your life, remember: God can't move in your life until you stop moving on your own behalf.

God bless,
J.W.

True Success (Part II)

"And Jesus answered and said to her, 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.'” Luke 10:41-42

In a society that's so focused on accumulating money, fame, and material things, it’s hard to measure success by any other means. However, my newborn son has convinced me.

When I die, I don’t want to be judged by how many houses I own, how many cars I purchased, or how many yachts I've rode on. I want to be judged by whether I led my household effectively, by how I raised my son, and by whether I made an impression on the generation to come.

That’s the measure of true success. That's the one, good part that will never be taken away.

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.

Live!

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself." ~ Matthew 6:34

A few days ago, a friend of Michele and mine lost a loved one. It hit close to home because her loved one was also a friend. He had just been in our home about a month prior.

Reflecting on his untimely death, as well as that of Troy Davis last night, I was reminded, once again, how short my time is here on earth. It sounds cliché, but we truly aren’t promised tomorrow. That’s why God told us not to worry about tomorrow, but to live for today (Matthew 6:25-31).

So, if you ever feel down or depressed, or just feeling like life isn’t worth living, just think about all those people who didn’t get the opportunity to see another day or spend another 24 hours with their loved ones. Think about how truly are blessed you are to have the opportunity to live, love, and learn.

Appreciate your opportunity today!

God bless,
J.W.

Peace In The Midst

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." ~ John 14:27

If you continually face the same trials and tribulations, heartbreaks and failures, you may want to check your life for sin. The Bible says that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and while God is quick to forgive, many times we bring ill into our lives because of unchecked sin.

That is not to say that every time we go through hardship, it’s because we’ve done something wrong. But there’s a difference between temporary hardships and storms and continual heartache and depression. God never promised us that we wouldn’t face difficulties. But he did promise us that he’d give us peace in the midst of our storms. If you continually lack peace in your life, it may be because of unchecked sin.

God bless,
J.W.

So Emotional

"Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me." ~ Psalm 51:5

Often times, as humans, we think that because something feels natural to us, that it’s the right thing to do. We say things like, “follow your first instinct,” “whatever feels right to you,” or “if it feels right, do it,” as a way to facilitate this philosophy.

But the Bible says that we were born in sin and shaped in iniquity. Our natural state is sinful.

Emotions can be fleeting and feelings can change, but the Word is always consistent. That’s why we need to look to the Bible and God’s Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in the right direction we ought to go.

Wouldn’t you rather base life’s decision on something solid and stable rather than something that changes with the wind? I know I would.

God bless,
J.W.

What do you think? Was this helpful? Is there something to be said about a woman’s intuition or a gut feeling? Am I totally wrong? Let me know what you think – I love to hear from my readers. And please share this message with others if you think it will help them. Thanks so much and God bless!

What Doesn't Kill You...

For some reason, people often have this misconception that once you commit your life to God, everything will be perfect.

Well, let me be perfectly clear… This Christian walk is not easy. There’s hardship and struggle. Pain and persecution.

But, just like iron sharpens iron, and fire perfects gold, so too are we perfected through persecution.

That is why the Bible says that every thing works together for good to those who love God (Romans 8:28). Pain and persecution is good for you.

God bless,
J.W.

“But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” ~ 2 Timothy 3:10-12

Jesus Loves Me

"Jesus loves me, this I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me.
For the Bible tells me so."

Remember when you used to sing that as a little child.

It was so simple, but oh so powerful.

But that’s how the Gospel is. We make it complicated but it really is a simple message:

Jesus loves you for the Bible tells you so.

Remember that as you go throughout your day… your week… your month… your year.

Jesus loves you. The Bible tells you so.

God bless,
J.W.

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.” ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

The Last Days

So I’ve had this information for a while, but was reluctant to share it because of its serious and somewhat frightening nature. However, after seeing this video clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuBo4E77ZXo) on another website, I decided the time is right.

For those who haven’t studied or don’t believe Biblical prophecies about the end times, this information will be tough to understand. However, for those who know about the end time and understand that we are living in the last days, this information will make perfect sense to you.

In the Bible, we are told about a beast (the Antichrist), who will come to the earth, unify the nations, perform miracles, and mimic the spirit and essence of Jesus, the true Messiah. His agenda is to unite all people of the world under one government, one religion, and one currency. To accomplish this goal, Satan uses people in high places to carry out his agenda. That is why in Ephesians 6:12-13, it says, "for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in high places."

What you are about to see is proof that Satan’s agenda is beginning to take shape and that the end is truly near. I bring this information to your attention, not to scare you. I am not some strange conspiracy theorist who hears voices and believes that Elvis and Tupac are still alive. I am, however, a realist, and thanks to my pastor in Baltimore, fairly knowledgeable about the end times.

So, in conclusion, I say to you, be careful who you trust, and be careful who you choose to vote for in this next Presidential election, because there is a force trying to manipulate world events to bring about the birth and culmination of the Antichrist. Some of the people who you think you can trust, i.e. President Bush, Bill and Hilary Clinton, Al Gore, and others), may not be so trustworthy after all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuBo4E77ZXo

P.S. Please don't let this be the end of your research on this topic. Look further into this. Watch the related video clips that come up at the bottom of the screen at the end of this clip. Research things like the Bohemian Club, the Illuminati, The Skull & Bones Society of Yale University, the Council on Foreign Affairs, the Federal Reserve, the New World Order, Word de-Population, Lord Maitreya, and the AntiChrist, and you will see some frightening connections between the people in power in this country and around the world.