Free Will to Choose

 

"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” ~ Joshua 24:15

The concept of free will is all throughout the Bible. Here, God instructs us to choose who we will serve. 

Similarly, Revelation 3:20 says that Jesus stands at the door and knocks waiting to be let in. We then have to choose to let him in.

The key in serving God is not about feelings or emotion. It's about making daily choices to do so.

May God bless you today fam.

- J.W.

Why Bad Things Happen To Good People (Part 2)

If God truly cares about us, why does He allow bad things to happen to us?

Well, the answer lies in the premise.

God cares about us (John 3:16). He wants relationship with us (Revelation 3:20). In fact, we were created to fellowship with God. God seeks relationship. But any relationship worth its salt has to be one built on mutual consent. If one party is compelled, coerced, or threatened to be in relationship with another, it’s not a relationship at all. It’s slavery at worst, and an abusive, manipulative relationship at best.

But Jesus said He came to release us from bondage (Romans 8:21, John 10:10; Galatians 5:1). God wants us to be free (Exodus 6:6, Romans 8:2). And He wants us to choose to be in relationship with Him.

This is why free will exists. Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me" (Revelation 3:20). God doesn’t barge His way in. He knocks and waits for us to allow Him in. He doesn’t compel us to do anything.

This is why it’s so important that we invite Him in to work in our life. He won’t force it. That's not the kind of King he is.

More to come!

God bless,
J.W.

Why Bad Things Happen To Good People (Part 1)

When people challenge the existence of God, one of the first questions they posit is, “why would God allow bad things to happen to good people?”

It's a valid question, one for which Christians often either don't have an answer or have an incomplete answer. I think that's a mistake.

Underlying the very question is a belief system that’s flawed. That belief system is often based on the concept that God is unmoved and unaffected by the human existence – that is, that He doesn’t care about the things we go through or the circumstances in which we find ourselves; that He simply set the world in motion and now stands back and watches objectively as the events of the world occur.

The truth is the opposite. God created man out of a desire for relationship (Revelation 3:20). He was hurt when Adam and Eve disobeyed Him (Genesis 3:13-19). He was moved by the suffering of His people in Egypt (Exodus 3:7-8). He was angered when the world turned against Him in the days of Noah (Genesis 6:5-6). He so loved the world that He sent His Son to save it (John 3:16) at the birth of Jesus. Jesus wept at the death of his friend Lazarus (John 11). The earth shook at Jesus' crucifixion (Matthew 27:45-51).

God is affected by our circumstances. He cares about our well-being.

So, why do bad things happen to good people? Stay tuned for more on that. But in the meantime, know, at least, that God cares.

God bless,
J.W.

Faith Without Works (Part 2)

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." ~ Revelation 3:20

Even in salvation, God doesn't do it all Himself. He asks for our participation.

In Revelation 3:20, He says, "behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, then I'll come in and dine with him."

Here, God being God, He could have just opened the door Himself. But He asks us to respond to His call.

That is not to say that we must do something to earn God's love. Ephesians 2:8 says that salvation is a free gift. But we don't get the gift without action on our part.

So, if you want what God has for your life, don't just whine . . .  or complain . . . or feel entitled. Put yourself in position for God to move on your behalf and see if He won't do it.

He calls, but we must respond in action.

God bless,
J.W.

God is Sufficient (Part 3)

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." ~ Revelation 3:20

Yesterday, we looked at Colossians 2:9-10, and the importance of dwelling in God if we are to receive His best for our lives.

The question we were left with, however, was what does it mean to dwell in God?

Well, the good news is that dwelling in God doesn't require us to do much.

Revelation 3:20 says that if we would just respond to His call and let Him in, He'll come and dwell with us.

How crazy is that? 

To think that we don't have to change our environment to dwell in God. But He'll come to us.

That we don't even have to change the essence of who we are to serve God. But He'll come in and change us.

But first we've got to open the door and let Him in.

God bless,
J.W.

Friend of God (Part III)

Are you a friend of God?

Do you want to be?

He wants to be yours.

All He requires is that you open up and talk to Him.

So, who are you talking to today?

God bless,
J.W.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” ~ Revelation 3:20

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty0SO7IvtXM

The Perfect Date

Do you know that God courts you like he would a date?

Think about it.

He’s persistent – “I will not leave you nor forsake you.” ~ Joshua 1:5

He gives gifts – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” ~ John 3:16

He’s the perfect gentleman – “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” ~ Revelation 3:20

He wants to impress you – “And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” ~ John 11:42

Who wouldn’t fall in love with a man like that?

God bless,
J.W.