Judgment vs. Fruit Inspection

"If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom." ~ James 3:13 

In today's culture, there's a certain sensitivity around judgment and "being judged." So much so that any critique, criticism, or words of wisdom is characterized as one person judging another. 

But be clear, there's a difference between judgment and fruit inspection. God cautions us against judgment - that is, making a final determination about someone or something based on a limited set of facts. The key word there is final. We should not be saying a person is going to hell, for instance, if we don't really know what's in the person heart. And even if we do know what's in their heart, we don't know how God might change that heart.

We can, however, inspect fruit. In James 13:3, the Word challenges us to live out what we claim through our conduct. So if someone asks you to trust them, but their conduct isn't trustworthy, it's perfectly ok to say so. Sometimes we can act as mirrors to others to show them where they really are in life. God calls us to live in truth. Knowing the difference between living in truth and living in judgment will be key to us living out our purpose.

May what you claim in word show in your conduct. And if it doesn't, may God send people and revelation into your life to show you the discrepancy. 

God bless,

J.W.

God's Workmanship

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." ~ Ephesians 2:10

The term workmanship is defined as the degree of skill with which a product is made or a job done.

How amazing it is that we are the workmanship of the Creator of all things, the Almighty God.

The question is, why would He spend so much time and use so much skill to create us?

The answer is found in the rest of the text. We were created to do good works and walk in the path that God prepared before we were even created. In other words, we were created for a specific purpose, or more accurately, purposes.

Let's do the things that God created for us and walk in our purposes today.

God bless fam!

- J.W.

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.

Feed My Lambs

"So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?' He said to Him, 'Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.' He said to him, 'Feed My lambs.'" ~ John 21:15

My Pastor always says, when you prioritize the things God cares about, God will prioritize the things you care about.

My question is, what are you prioritizing?

Is your calling and purpose focused on you and what you want to do? Or is it focused on what God cares about, i.e. His people?

Jesus told Peter, if you love me, feed and tend My sheep (John 21:15-17).

What are you prioritizing today?

God bless,
J.W.

Follow The Leader (Part 6)

"As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. 'Follow me,' he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him." ~ Matthew 9:9

Recently, I relocated, along with my family, across the country, to the west coast.

In the process, I'm sure there were some who might have wondered, why? Why move all the way across the country? Why uproot your entire life to move to a new foreign place?

Well, it's simple.

Like Matthew, when God calls, there should be no hesitation. When He tells you to do something, you should respond.

It's just that simple.

More to come.

God bless,
J.W.

A Study of Romans 8:28 (Part 2)

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28

God will always give us what we need to accomplish His purpose (Phillipians 4:19).

So, as my Pastor says, if something doesn't work out the way you thought or you don't gain favor with a specific person the way you planned, that doesn't mean that God isn't working in your life.

It simply means that that person or thing was not necessary for your destiny.

Shake the dust off your feet (Matthew 10:14) and move on to what God has in store for you.

God bless,
J.W.

Blessed To Be A Blessing

"I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing." ~ Genesis 12:1:2

As blessed as we are, often times, as Christians, we forget what our true purpose is. Our true purpose isn't to attain money, wealth, or success. It's not to be famous, influential, or powerful. It's not even to fall in love, get married, and have children.

Ultimately, we are put here on this earth and blessed by God to be a blessing to others. As Maya Angelou says, "I've had rainbows in my clouds and the thing to do, it seems to me, is to be a rainbow in somebody else's cloud (link)."

God bless,
J.W.

The Master Archer

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it." ~ Proverbs 22:6

"You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth." ~ Khalil Gibran

The quotes above are typically used to describe the role that parents play in the lives of their children. Parents are supposed to be like archers. They are there to lead and guide their children, to point them in the direction they are supposed to go and give them the force they need to get there.

Well, much like earthly parents, God has the same relationship with His children. He points, aims, and shoots us in the right direction and gives us the push we need to succeed. However, once we leave the bow, it's up to us to use the tools and gifts He's given us to hit our target.

Make no mistake - it takes tremendous focus and determination for one to accomplish great things in life. But with a master archer guiding our path, we can't fail.

God bless,
J.W.

Do What You Love, Love What You Do

A friend of mine has a saying - "Do What You Love, Love What You Do!"

Each one of us has an obligation to pursue that to which God has called us. Even if you're stuck in a career or job you don't like or don't think you should be in, all it takes is small baby steps to bring you from where you are to where you want to be.

God has called each of us to do something special. We owe it to the people who will be positively affected by what we do to pursue our calling. Those things that you love to do are key to finding your purpose.

Do what you love and love what you do!

God bless,
J.W.

One Of A Kind

"Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.'” ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5

Do you know that God has a plan for your life?

He has a specific and unique purpose for each of us.

So while you may look at yourself as just an ordinary plain Jane, God sees so much more in you.

He has created you to be one of a kind.

God bless,
J.W.

A Plan For Every Circumstance

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." ~ Romans 8:28

No matter what happens, we can walk in confidence knowing that God is working behind the scenes to ensure that all things work together for our good.

That doesn't mean that all things will go our way. But it does mean that there is a purpose behind every trial, a reason for every tribulation, and a plan for every circumstance.

God's got it all under control.

God bless,
J.W.

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

What Would You Do?

"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" ~ Acts 20:35

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to work for a week as a temp at Sony BMG. For those of you who know anything about the music business, you know that Sony BMG is a pretty big deal. One of the largest, most successful record companies in the world today, Sony BMG is home to such artists as Alicia Keys, Beyonce, and Usher.

But I turned the offer down. Why? Because the week before, I promised my aunt and uncle that I would watch my little cousins while they were on spring break. Now, of course, I would have loved to pursue the opportunity, but I had given my word, and family was more important to me.

Likewise, today, surrounded by widespread job loss, unemployment, and foreclosures, when I could be either looking for a job or looking for a home for us to live in, I’m playing in a charity basketball game this evening in Frederick, MD. Why? Because I understand that it’s much better to give than to receive, because I gave my word, and because family is more important to me.

You see, I tell you these things not to brag on myself. I know there are some out there who might even question my decision to give up such big opportunities. But they don’t see what I see. They don’t understand what I know.

In a faith where we are taught that His ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts, and that we are not of this world, we sure do adhere to the standards of the world an awful lot. When I die, I don’t want to hear God say, “James, you sure lived a comfortable life. You worked all your life, you never took risks, you retired, and now you’ve come home. Good job!” No! I want Him to say, “James, you were a risk taker. You followed your heart, even when it wasn’t popular to. When everybody else challenged you to adhere to the world’s standards, you stuck to your guns and you lived your life for Me.” When I die, I want God to say “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You were faithful over a few things. Now, I will make you ruler over many.”

I know we’re all trying to pay bills, put food on the table, and save for retirement. But, when faced with the choice between doing for yourself and doing for others, which would you choose? Would you give up fame and fortune to help somebody else? Or is life all about getting yours and dying happy?

It’s up to you to decide.

God bless,
J.W.

I Have A Dream

This is a powerful story that proves, no matter who or where you are, no matter what has happened in your past, no matter what people think or say, God has a special plan for you.

Enjoy,

J.W.

The Story of the Three Trees

Author Unknown

Mar 24, 2008

(As posted in "The Daily Encourager" by David Langerfeld)

THE STORY OF THE THREE TREES

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty.

"Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."

Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me."

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter" and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.

At the second tree a woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true.

One of the woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree so I'll take this one", and he cut it down."

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for.

The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark. The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.

Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree.

The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it.When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined.

We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.

Speak To Me

Not to say this in a bragging way at all, but I’ve always felt like I had a purpose for my life. Even when I didn’t know who God was or what He was, I always knew that I was destined for greatness; and looking back, I can see how God has always had a profound effect upon my life.

As I grew up and entered my teenage years, however, I struggled with my faith. Not that I didn’t believe in God, because I did. In fact, to this day, I still believe that it is impossible to look at all that is around us (the trees, the birds, every living and non-living thing on this earth) and not see that there is, at the very least, some sort of intelligent designer behind it all. However, it was because of this fact, because this all-knowing, omnipresent, all-powerful being had created the entire world, that I struggled to believe that God actually cared about what was going on in my life. “Why would He care about me,” I would ask myself. Why would the creator of everything – the earth, the moon, the stars, the human species as a whole – care whether I lived or died, ate or starved, succeeded or failed? Why would he care one way or the other? There were more important things to worry about than whether a little black boy from Baltimore became something or not.

And it was with this mindset, that I headed off to college, where my life would change forever. For it was here that I had my first, real personal encounter with God. It began through daily prayer, and ended when I began to talk differently, think differently, and view the world from an entirely different perspective. For the first time, I truly understood the song “Amazing Grace” where it says “I once was blind but now I see.”

Over the next four years, God gave me all types of visions, granting me the ability to see into my future and the impact that I would have on this world. I finally understood why I was different than those around me. I finally understood why my life was the way it was. God had a plan for my life, and I could finally see it clearly. In God, I found peace, shelter – in short, I found a home; and my life finally made sense.

It was this newfound feeling that I had that drove me to finish college and go on to start and run my own company, developing the careers of aspiring performers in the entertainment industry and working to make their dreams come true. But somehow, along the way, that newfound feeling got lost. Things didn’t go the way I planned. The business didn’t take off like I thought it should. A young lady entered my life and made me change my plans. Thoughts of an entirely different life than the one I envisioned began to creep in my head, and the fear of not accomplishing my goals began to take hold.

But, ever determined and committed, I continued to push forward, even to the point of uprooting my entire life to move to New York, not to pursue my own selfish goals, but all to fulfill the purpose that I believed was given to me. But somehow, I find myself right back where I started, wondering how a God with so much power and wisdom would care about me and whether I succeed or fail. Maybe I had moved to New York with the misconception that God was behind me, when, the whole time, it was my own excitement that pushed me forward. Maybe God really just didn’t have time to worry about a guy like me. I found myself lacking purpose, motivation, and a sense of personal connection with God. Again, not that I didn’t believe in Him, but I just didn’t think that I was worthy of His time, attention, and care. Like Celie in The Color Purple, I felt like God didn’t care about me.

So, what do you do in that situation? What do you do when you feel like God isn’t speaking anymore? When I first came to know God, He spoke to me everyday, leading and guiding me step-by-step to the man I was supposed to become. He gave me visions and allowed me to dream dreams beyond my imagination. But what if all that stops and all you’ve got left are memories of what once was?

If you find yourself in that situation, first of all, know that you are not alone. Plenty of people throughout the Bible have come to points in their lives when they felt like God had abandoned them. Job, for instance suffered through years of pain and misery. Jonah stayed three days and three nights in the belly of a whale, with no escape in sight. Even Jesus, upon the cross, exclaimed “my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Mark 15:34)”

But in all these instances, know that God always had a purpose in the pain. Job not only glorified God by maintaining his faith through all that he went through, but he got back double what was taken from him (Job 42:10). Jonah, after openly disobeying God’s instruction, was given a second chance to travel to Nineveh and save an entire city from destruction. And lastly, Jesus, after being hung on the cross, got up on the third day with all power in His hands.

So, when you feel like God has abandoned you and just doesn’t care anymore, first know that there’s a purpose for your pain. Second, stay faithful to God for He will bring you through. And third, as Joyce Meyer says, just continue to do whatever He told you to do last, for the Bible says that the race is not given to the swift but to he that endures to the end,” which tells us that while we are running a long, difficult race, while there will be trials and there will be hardships, in the end, there is a reward. So keep your eyes on the prize (Philippians 3:12-16) and your heart to God and He will see you through.

God bless,
J.W.