Perspective (Part 3)

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" ~ Philippians 2:5

When I speak of character development, people often become confused, or even indignant. When I tell people that God wants to develop their character, they immediately think or say, “I’m not a bad person” or “I don’t do anything wrong.”

But in the words of Dr. Dharius Daniels, character development is not just about moral modification. It’s not just about what you do or how you behave. Character is defined as the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.

So, when we talk about character development in Christian contexts, it should not just be about whether you have the moral qualities of Jesus - that is, do you adhere to the Ten Commandments or something of the sort. It should also be determined by whether you have the mental make-up of Jesus. Do you think like Jesus? Is your perspective aligned with God’s? Are your views, opinions, and thoughts a reflection of God's views, opinions, and thoughts?

In Philippians 2:5, Paul encourages us to have the “mind of Christ.” It’s not until you look at situations and circumstances in your life and think and react to them like Jesus that your character is fully developed.

Do you have the mind of Christ today?

God bless,
J.W.

Ready.... Or Not?

"His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’" ~ Matthew 25:21

My Pastor always says that faith is not about how hard you believe something, it's about how long you believe it.

So, when God tests us in the small things in preparation for something bigger, we're often ready for the bigger thing before God gives it to us.

The question is, not whether you're willing to do the small things. The question is, how long are you willing to do them?

You might be ready but God is testing your patience and your willingness to endure (Galatians 6:9).

Endure to the end!

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. 

Each According To His Ability (Part 7)

As we close out this series, I just want to encourage you to not live in isolation (Hebrews 10:25). You were not meant to do everything yourself. Find what you are good at and partner with others who have complementary gifts.

God gives each of us according to our ability (Matthew 25:15). But it's always His will for us to use what He's given us to its fullest potential (John 10:10). That can only happen in community. We were made to be one of a larger whole (Romans 12:4-5).

Find who complements you and live life to the fullest!

Have a great rest of your week!

God bless,
J.W.

Series Recap - Each According to His Ability

• Part 1: Operate In Your Function
• Part 2: Be Content With Where You Are
• Part 3: Manage The Small Stuff Well
• Part 4: The Power To Produce Wealth
• Part 5: Avoid Comparisons With Others
• Part 6: Do Not Live In Isolation

Each According to His Ability (Part 6)

"For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them..." ~ Romans 12:4‭-‬6 NKJV

There's a reason we all have different gifts.

Because God doesn't intend for us to live in isolation.

Rather, man is designed to live interdependently. That is, that while each of us is responsible for managing our own individual gifts and talents, we also have a responsibility to use our gifts for the good of the whole.

Don't believe me? Check Romans 12!

In it, the Bible says that we are members of one body. While we all have different functions, the body is designed to work in concert with itself. In order words, each of us make up a part of a body that ultimately works together as one.

That is why I encourage folks to find what they're good at and partner with others in the areas they are not.

We weren't designed to do everything on our own. God gives us a function so that we might edify the body, not just ourselves. But when we function in isolation, we actually operate in dysfunction.

So, how are you functioning today?

God bless,
J.W. 

Why Bad Things Happen To Good People (Part 8)

As we close out this series on "Why Bad Things Happen To Good People," let's recap what we've discussed.

In short, we’ve seen that bad things happen to good people because:

1. God desires a relationship with us (Part 1), and therefore, He’s given us free will (Part 2). 
2. Free will necessarily limits God's power here on earth (Part 3).
3. He's transferred at least some of His power to us, as earthly images, or copies, of Him (Part 3). 
4. We are in a battle between good and evil (Part 5 and Part 7).
5. God has called us to be His eyes, ears, hands, feet, etc. in that battle (Part 4). 
6. People mismanage the power and influence that God has given us (Part 6)

Hopefully, this series has transformed your view of why evil exists in the world, and God’s role, or lack thereof, in it. Despite what you've heard, it's not that God allows bad things to happen. Rather, we live in a fallen world - one that's turned away from Him - and because of free will, God allows us to experience the natural consequence of our fallenness.

Moreover, I hope this series has opened your eyes to the great power you have to stop bad things from happening. God has called us to be change agents here on earth. We have power to stop bad things from happening - through our faith, through our prayers, and through our actions. God holds the Body of Christ responsible for what it does or does not do here on earth.

Are you doing your part? Are you upholding your end? If not, it’s time to step up and get to it!

God bless,
J.W.

Why Bad Things Happen To Good People (Part 4)

The question "why do bad things happen to good people" inherently implies that God is somehow responsible for everything that happens on the earth - that is, that God somehow owes people who are "good" protection from bad things. But again, that mentality is based on a faulty premise.

God is a God of principles. In the beginning, he set principles in motion by which the world would operate. One of those principles is that man would have free will. God allows us to make choices and experience the consequences. Why? Because God wants relationship, not servitude. He forces us to do nothing. He invites and encourages but then it’s up to us to accept.

Another principle that God set in motion at the foundation of the earth is that God needs us to perform His work and will on the earth. Think about it. In the beginning, God told man to name the animals and take care of the garden (Genesis 2:15, 19). He told us to have dominion over the birds of the air and the fish in the sea (Genesis 1:26). He told us that whatever we bind on earth would be bound in Heaven (Matthew 16:19). God places authority on earth with man.

That’s why we are called the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27) – that is, we are God’s hands, feet, eyes, nose, etc. to do His will here on earth (1 Corinthians 12:12-26). That is why He says faith without works is dead (James 2:26). God calls us to put our faith into action and move on our own behalf as He moves on our behalf.

So, the next time you hear someone ask why God would allow bad things to happen to good people, tell them. God needs your participation in order to help stop bad things from happening to good people.

God bless,
J.W.

A Drop in a Bucket

As Christians, we say we trust and believe in God. But we often act otherwise.

We say that God is in control, but we often take matters into our own hands. We act as if our plans are better than God's.

But Isaiah 40:12-15 tells us otherwise.

At the end of the day, we are but mere drops in a bucket compared to the all-knowing, everlasting God that we serve.

So, why are we so stubborn to trust Him? Who do we think we are?

God bless,
J.W.

“Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or as His counselor has taught Him? With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge, and showed Him the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales; look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing.” ~ Isaiah 40:12-15

Originally published: Friday, April 17, 2009

Follow The Leader (Part 4)

"But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one." ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Now that we've established the importance of allowing God to lead our lives (and not the other way around), the question becomes why.

Why should we choose to follow God and not our own plans, thoughts, emotions, feelings, etc.?

Simply because of 2 Thessalonians 3:3. 

The Lord is faithful. He can be trusted and depended on.

Simply put - He is reliable.

More to come.

God bless,
J.W.

Follow The Leader (Part 3)

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." ~ Matthew 16:24-25

Following God's direction has a prerequisite, and it's located in Matthew 16:24. 

Very simply, if we are to follow God, we are to take up our cross.

What does "take up your cross" mean?

Simply it means that we must die to our flesh, i.e. to our carnal nature, our foolish thinking, and our selfish desires. It means that life is no longer about you, but instead about Him.

Following the Leader is NOT easy. It's hard, because it requires certain things to die within us.

But the good news is that God promises that if we are willing to die in certain areas, He will give us life in other areas.

Will you take up your cross and follow Him today?

God bless,
J.W.

Follow The Leader (Part 2)

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

How do we follow the leader, i.e. how do we allow God to make the decisions in our lives, and not we ourselves?

Proverbs 3:5-6 has the answer.

To follow the leader, we must:

1. Trust Him - we must believe that He knows what's best for us (Jeremiah 29:13) and is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28);
2. Lean not on our own understanding - we must not rely on our own thoughts, feelings, emotions, experiences, etc. They are fleeting, ever-changing, and unreliable;
3. Acknowledge Him - we must ask God to lead our decision-making and acknowledge that He has a better way of doing things than we do;
4. In all of our ways - we must do these three things in everything, no matter how big or how small

If we follow this 4-step process, God has promised to direct our paths.

Seems easy, right?

More to come in the days ahead.

God bless,
J.W.

Love, Faith, and Fear (Part 6)

"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory..." ~ 2 Corinthians 3:18

Yesterday, we identified those areas that one needs to address in order to increase in love.

Identifying those areas is the easy part. The hard part is actually doing it.

But like anything, taking the first step is the key.

God doesn't expect us to be perfect, but he does want us to be better.

Take the first step today.

God bless,
J.W.

Love, Faith, and Fear (Part 5)

Now that we've (hopefully) established that increasing in love is more important than increasing in faith, the question is, how does one increase in love?

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 gives us the blueprint (see above).

Increasing in love requires us to increase in all these areas.

Stay tuned for more.

God bless,
J.W.

Faith, Fear, and Love (Part 1)

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love." ~ 1 John 4:18

How can you increase your faith?

By increasing in love.

Why does increasing in love increase your faith?

Because according to 1 John 4:18, love casts out fear, which is the opposite of faith.

So, increasing your faith involves increasing your love.

In the days to come, we'll continue to explore the relationship between love, faith, and fear.

God bless,
J.W.

Pure Truth

"For the Lord gives wisdom; out of His mouth comes knowledge and understanding." ~ Proverbs 2:6

The Bible, i.e. the Word of God, is a source of truth.

That doesn't mean that the Bible is the ONLY source of truth. 

Books by Christian authors, self-help books, and even other religion's "holy books" can have some semblance of truth within them. 

So why should we believe the Bible over other texts?

Because the Bible is the only source of pure truth. 

While other texts may require you to parse out that which is true from that which is not, the Bible is THE ONLY text in which truth is the only thing that could possibly emanate from it. 

Why? 

Because according to Proverbs 2:6, its Author gives wisdom. That's just what He does. According to Numbers 23:19, God does not lie. He is trustworthy. And because the Bible is His word, we can believe what it says.

So the question is, in your thirst for knowledge and understanding, would you rather drink from a pure well, or from a well that could be contaminated?

I don't know about you, but I'd rather drink from the purest water there is.

God bless,

J.W.

#PassionWeek - #Wednesday - Silence

"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." ~ Psalms 46:10

It's ironic that in depicting a period of Jesus' life that we call "PASSION" week, the Bible is silent on Jesus' activities on Wednesday.

In our society, we often associate "passion" with activity. Loudness, noise, energy, motion - these are all words typically associated with passionate behavior. We even have cliches like "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" describing the phenomenon.

But sometimes, passion isn't shown by what you do, but what you don't do. Sometimes God calls us to be silent, just before our greatest battles, and ultimately, our greatest triumph. Sometimes, silence and stillness are acts of passion.

Is God calling you to be silent today?

God bless,
J.W.

Follow Your Heart

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” ~ Psalm 37:4

A friend of mine has a saying – “Do what you love and love what you do.”

God never said we were meant to live mediocre lives, in a profession that we hate, living a life that we can’t stand. Many people just settle for that kind of life.

Rather, God wants us to live life to the fullest. So, ignore those voices in your head (or in your family) telling you to live the safe, boring life. Take a risk and go for the gold. It’s what God thinks you deserve.

God bless,
J.W.

No Fear

"Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." ~ Revelation 2:20

As Christians, fear is our biggest enemy. It’s Satan’s way of stopping us from achieving the great things God has called us to do. For some of us, that means touching millions of lives. For others, that means touching just one life.

Either way, don’t let fear stagnate you! People’s lives are dependent on it. There is a crown of life waiting for you on the other side. But you have to press through the fear and the test.

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.

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.