Is God Getting Your Crumbs? (Re-Post)

Good morning,

I ran across this message I posted on September 10, 2009, and had to re-post.

Enjoy!

- J.W.

Last week, I read a story about a Sunday School teacher that decided to hand out brownies to all her students. One by one, she passed out the goodies as each student approached her desk, until she came to Donald, who was the last student left.

The problem was when Donald's turn came, the teacher didn't have any brownies left. She had miscalculated and hadn't brought enough for all the students. Donald ended up with only the crumbs that were left in the pan.

This story reminds me of how we often treat God. We give our time, our attention, and our love to everything else, until we finally have nothing left to give to God.

He, however, should be first on our list.

Are you giving God your bread crumbs today?

God bless,
J.W.

Gifted (Republished)

"For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." ~ Luke 12:48

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always had a grand sense of responsibility – responsibility to be somebody, to make something of my life, to be great. This has undoubtedly led some to wonder, “what makes you so special?”

The answer – Nothing. But I’ve been given so much in life – so many gifts, so many blessings, so much peace, joy, and love – I know there must be something big required of me.

God doesn’t give us gifts for us to keep them for ourselves. He gives us gifts so that we can share those gifts with others.

So, how much have you been given in your life? What kind of responsibility do you think that gives you?

According to the Bible, if you’ve been given much, then much is expected in return.

That’s a tremendous responsibility, but one worth having.

God bless,
J.W.

Republished from Friday, May 7, 2010

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

The Extraordinary (Republished)

“...Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit." ~ 1 Corinthians 2:9-10.

If God has revealed something extraordinary to you, be faithful. Your time is coming!

God bless,
J.W.

Republished from March 29, 2011

Open Doors (Republished)

"I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name." ~ Revelation 3:8

Today, I just wanted to remind you that God can change your situation around, even when you think hope is lost. If you are faithful, He will be faithful to you and open doors.

God bless,
J.W.

Republished from March 25, 2011

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.

This Is The Way

Republished from February 22, 2010

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" ~ Isaiah 30:21

Often times, as Christians, we fail to fully realize the sovereignty that God has over our lives. We think that God is like us. That He lives in time. That He takes life as it comes. That He worries and complains about life like we do.

But God doesn't live like us. He doesn't live in time. He's eternal and He's sovereign.

So what does that mean for us?

It means that God has already worked things out for us. He's already determined what direction our lives will take. Our job is to do our part and walk in the path that's He's already laid out for us.

When we worry about the future, i.e. what's going to happen and how we're going to make it happen, we essentially say to God, "I don't trust you. I don't believe that you are sovereign, so I'm going to take things into my own hands, and make it happen on my own."

But that is not the way God wants us to live. Rather, He wants us to live freely, with power and purpose.

Walk in the path he's laid out for you today.

God bless,
J.W.

Who Is My Brother?

Republished from February 23, 2009

In 3 of the 4 Gospels of the Bible, the story of Jesus valuing His spiritual family over His biological one is depicted:

"While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. Then one said to Him, ‘Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.’ But He answered and said to the one who told Him, ‘Who is My mother and who are My brothers?’ And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, ‘Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.’” ~ Matthew 12:46-50

Clearly, this was an important message that God wanted to convey to us, His people.

No matter how close our blood bonds are, they are nothing compared with the bond we should have with God.

At the end of the day, there’s nobody who will love you better or stronger.

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.

#Justice4Trayvon

“Though I cry, ‘Violence!’ I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice." ~ Job 19:7

Over the last few weeks, the tragedy of the Trayvon Martin case has struck me deeply. No matter how hard I try, I cannot reconcile the case in my mind. As an African American, I hurt for the family's loss. As a man, I am angered by the wholesale lack of justice that Trayvon and his family has received. As a young black man, I am frustrated that despite being 50 years after Dr. King’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech, I am still not judged based on the content of my character, but merely by the color of my skin. Lastly, as a father, I fear for my 5-month old son.

See, Trayvon could be Jeremiah in 18 years. As a Christian, I have faith that God will keep my son safe. But it's tough when society places so little value on people who look like we do. I know that my son will, one day, grow up to look like his daddy, to look like Trayvon, to look like Troy Davis, Sean Bell, and Amadou Diallo. I just pray that by the time he does, society has changed.

Peace and love to the Martin family. And to all those who continue to harbor hatred, jealousy, and prejudice in your heart, I pray that God enlightens your path and allows you to see the world the way He does. All life is precious. Including yours. It’s sad that you can’t see that.

God bless,
J.W.

P.S. Please check out this PSA my friend put together for Trayvon and share with your friends and family: http://youtu.be/nN_H9Gs5QO8.

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.

If I Die Young

"They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed." ~ Acts 28:10

Today is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and, unfortunately, too many of us look at it as just another day off. I know I have in the past and I can't lie - having this day off from law school is quite satisfying.

But Dr. King was about service, about helping others, and about putting his words into action. That what's we should be doing in his honor. If we say we love God, then we should follow his commandments.

Too often, we complain about our lot in life as if we are the only ones who went through it. But remember this: Dr. King went through it too, but he still made it his duty to go out and help someone else. We should follow in his footsteps!

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.

Faith At Work

"So Jesus answered and said to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.'" ~ Matthew 21:21

Last weekend, I saw the power of faith at work first hand.

During the delivery of my son, my wife was in labor for just over 20 hours. Things were going well until the pain started getting too intense for her. Her contractions were coming rapidly, but weren’t strong enough to push our 8 pounds, 11 ounce baby down the birth canal. The doctors were sure that they would have to do a C-section.

Then, faith stepped in. I texted my family and they started praying. They sent the word out to other family and friends, and they started praying too. After just under an hour, we got word back from the doctor that despite her certainty that Michele would have to undergo a C-section, her contractions were now strong enough to deliver naturally. The doctor said she couldn’t even explain it.

If that’s not God at work, I don’t know what is.

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.

Crucify The Flesh

"And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." ~ Galatians 5:24-26

Our flesh can be deceiving. Often, we think our fleshly desires are what are natural to us. We say things like "follow your gut" and "listen to your body."

But the Bible tells us to crucify our flesh. That means to control it by not giving in to its wishes and desires.

God calls us to walk by faith, and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Thus, to live according to His will, we must learn to control our emotions and fleshly desires by crucifying them. Don't let them control you.

God bless,
J.W.