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.

Each According to His Ability (Part 2)

God knows us intimately, so much so that the Bible says that the hairs on our head are numbered (Matthew 10:30).

So, when God gives "each according to [our] ability," why is it that we complain it's not enough?

Jeremiah 29:11 says that God "knows the plans [He] has for [us], plans to prosper [us] and not to harm [us], plans to give [us] a hope and a future." Yet somehow we don't trust Him.

Our lack of trust in God makes no sense. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says that God won't tempt you more than you can bear. So maybe God gives according to what He knows we can bear at the moment. We're asking for more, but God knows what we can handle.

So, be careful what you ask for. God knows what He's doing. He won't give us more than we can handle. He gives to us based on our ability.

God bless,
J.W.

Each According to His Ability (Part 1)

This culture we live in seems to be obsessed with two things - popularity and fame. Kids grow up wanting to be like celebrities. Adults idolize and admire the same.

But the Bible says that God has plans for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11) - specific, distinct, and individualized plans. Matthew 25:15 says that he gives us talents, "each according to his ability." Romans 12:6 says we're each given different gifts, "according to the grace given to each of us." Romans 12:4-5 says that although we are one body, we all have different functions.

Part of the problem with our culture nowadays is that we have too many "eyes" trying to be "ears." And too many "feet" trying to be "hands."

God has given you gifts, no matter how small, because you have a special function He wants you to play. Your gifts have been given to you for a reason. But that reason will never come to pass if you're trying to exercise someone else's gift.

Are you operating in your function today?

God bless,
J.W.

The Assignment Bureau (Part 7)

God is a God of predestination.

What does that mean? Jeremiah 1:5 and Jeremiah 29:11 explain.

Jeremiah 1:5: “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”

Jeremiah 29:11: "'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.'" - 

Put together, God had a plan for your life before you were born.

The key is to find out what that plan is. Some of us find it earlier than others. But it’s never too late to discover your assignment.

More to come tomorrow.

God bless,

J.W.

Trials and Tribulations

"'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

It may not seem like it at times, but God has great things in store for us. Our trials and tribulations are simply there to teach us how to appreciate the blessings. If we got everything we wanted when we wanted it without any hard work or sacrifice, we would simply take everything for granted and not share His goodness with other people.

So appreciate your trials today. They are engine that powers your progress.

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.

God's Plans

"'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

God knows the plans He has for you.

But do you?

When we make our own plans and walk in a direction contrary to that which God has designed specifically for us, we are only headed for frustration and failure.

God will reveal His plans to you. But you must seek them.

God bless,
J.W.

I Know The Plan

"'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

Think there's no plan for your life?

Think there's no purpose for your existence?

Think God has forgotten about you? That he doesn't care for you? That he no longer considers you in His overall plan for the world?

Well, think again.

God bless,

J.W.