The Assignment Bureau (Part 6)

Peter's God-given assignment was to follow Jesus.

That included walking on water like Jesus (Matthew 14:22-33).

But instead of following his assignment, Peter got distracted by the wind and began to sink:

"So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. 'Save me, Lord!' he shouted." ~ Matthew 14:28-30

Peter's story, then, is a cautionary tale for us. When we take our attention away from our God-given assignment, we fail. But if we stay focused on our goal, we can accomplish God's will for our lives.

Don't be distracted by the winds in your life. Stay focused and walk on water.

God bless,
J.W.

Walk On Water (Part I)

“’Lord, if it's you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ ‘Come,’ he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’ ~ Matthew 14:28-31

When Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on water, it didn’t require any skill, talent, or ability.

Rather, all it required was faith – faith in the one who created Him.

Likewise, we, too, can accomplish amazing, death-defying feats.

But first we must believe.

God bless,
J.W.

Jesus Walks (Part VIII)

The last post in a week-long series on Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.

So, now that Jesus walks (He is alive and risen), what do we do?

The Bible said because He died for us, we ought to live for Him.

So, who do you live for today?

God bless,
J.W.

“…and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:15

Jesus Walks (Part VII)

Because Jesus rose on this day some 2000 years ago, we can have a second chance at life.

Happy Resurrection Day!

God bless,
J.W.

“But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” ~ Matthew 28:5-6

Jesus Walks (Part VI)

It is often said that between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, Jesus went to Hell and “snatched the keys of the bottomless pit” from Satan – meaning that sin no longer holds power over us.

No matter what you’ve done or how many times you’ve messed up, Jesus’ love for you can overcome it all.

All you have to do is accept the gift He has freely given you.

Will you accept it today?

God bless,
J.W.

“I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” ~ Revelation 1:18

Jesus Walks (Part V)

Today is the day.

The day that Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins.

In honor of this day, there is no message.

Rather, only a proverbial moment of silence in commemoration of Jesus’ death on the cross some 2000 years ago.

God bless,
J.W.

“…this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” ~ 1 Corinthians 11:24

Jesus Walks (Part IV)

Today, some 2009 years ago, Jesus sat with His disciples at what’s now called the Last Supper and asked them to remember Him.

Instead, what he got was betrayal, denial, and abandonment.

But still Jesus chose to forgive, and as a result, His disciples would become the foundation of what the Christian church is today. It is become of them that we celebrate this week of Passion.

It just goes to show that Jesus offers the gift of forgiveness to any and every one, no matter how big or small the sin.

Have you accepted His gift today?

God bless,
J.W.

“To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him.” ~ Daniel 9:9

Jesus Walks (Part II)

The second in a week-long series on Jesus’ last days here on Earth.

Jesus was a man of purpose.

Nothing He did was by accident or chance, but everything was deliberate.

That’s why, in the face of persecution, false accusation, and undeserved punishment, He kept right on marching towards the cross.

See, He knew His purpose and nothing was going to stand in His way.

As such, we should be likewise – so focused on our goals that nothing is able to distract us from achieving our dreams.

We should be people of purpose, ready to go to the cross to make sure our mission is fulfilled.

God bless,
J.W.

“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.” ~ John 12:27

Jesus Walks (Part I)

The first in this week-long series on Jesus’ last days here on Earth.

The Sunday before Easter is the beginning of Passover, the Jewish holiday designed to commemorate the story in Exodus when God inflicted Egypt with ten plagues as punishment for Pharaoh’s refusal to free the Israelites, who were slaves in the Egyptian kingdom.

The Bible tells us that, on the first day of Passover, some 2009 years ago, as Jesus went into the city of Jerusalem, there was a multitude that “spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! Hosanna in the highest!’”

As we all know, just days later, many in this same multitude would cry out “crucify Him” as Jesus was being charged for blasphemy by the Pharisees and chief priests.

This just goes to show you that people will lift you up one day only to tear you down the next. That is why we must place our faith in God and God alone.

Man is weak, but God is strong.

Man changes, but God never changes.

As the old hymn says, “on Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

God bless,
J.W.

Jesus Walks

As most of you know, this week is Passion Week, the week in which we commemorate the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the Christian faith.

As such, in honor of this most sacred time in human history, I want to walk us through Jesus’ last days here on earth and glean any lessons learned that we might take away from His experience that our lives might be enriched because of His suffering.

After all, that is why He came – to die for our sins so that we wouldn’t have to.

Enjoy!

J.W.