The Free Gift

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." ~ Romans 6:23

The imagery here is so powerful. We get paid in death for our sin but God gives eternal life as a free gift.

So often we work to try to obtain the results we want, but this verse reminds us that God is the ultimate gift giver. Why do we strive to attain so much when the gift has already been given?

We just need to accept and say thank you.

Just a reminder today that we don't need to earn what God has already given us for free.

God bless,

J.W.

Speak Life

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." ~ Proverbs 18:21

Words can kill. But words can also bring healing.

My question is, if we were to take account of all the words you say to both yourself and other people, which type of words would outweigh the other?

Would we see that your words mostly speak life (Proverbs 10:11)? Or would you words mostly speak death and destruction for yourself and others?

God commands us to build people up through our words and to speak grace (Ephesians 4:29).

So what words are you speaking today?

God bless,
J.W.

#PassionWeek - #Saturday - #YOLO is a Myth

While it's unclear what happened between Jesus' death and resurrection, we know His life didn't end on Friday.

Some theologians argue that Jesus descended into Hades on Saturday to proclaim the good news to those imprisoned there (1 Peter 3:18-20). Others argue that He descended into Hades to take back the keys to death (Revelation 1:18). We know He rose on the third day and was seen by over 500 people (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).

Why is this important?

Because it serves as an example for us. Contrary to what Drake would have you believe, you don't only live once. #YOLO is a myth. The Bible is very clear that it is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgment (Hebrews 9:27-28).

The question is, what will happen to you after the judgment?

The reason Jesus DIED was so that you could LIVE with Him in eternity. Don't let His death be in vain.

God bless,
J.W.

#PassionWeek #Saturday #EasterIsComing

Red Pill or Blue Pill?

“My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.” ~ Proverbs 3:1-2 

Sin leads to death (Romans 6:23) , but obedience to God’s Word brings length of days, long life, and peace.  

So, which would you choose? 

Choose wisely. 

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.

"In Spite Of" God

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over." ~ Psalm 23:4-5

Over the years, I've come to realize that God is an "in spite of" God.

In spite of my circumstances, I have victory in Him. In spite of the evil surrounding me, no weapon formed against me shall prosper. In spite of what I've done, God still loves me unconditionally.

What about you? Have you experienced his "in spite of" love today?

God bless,
J.W.

I'm Back

"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

Just when they counted Him out, Jesus rose stronger than ever. As a child of God, you have His DNA, which means that you can too. Remember that the next time someone underestimates you.

Happy Easter!

God bless,
J.W.

What Next?

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." ~ Matthew 25:46

Are you scared of dying? 

Scared of what will happen to you when you die? 

Afraid of what you'll encounter? 

Unsure of what to expect?

If so, you don't have to be.  God has promised to grant us eternal life if we would just give our lives over to Him. 

There's no fear for those who know where they're going.

Do you?

God bless,
J.W.

Forever Young

Many times when we think about God, we picture Him as the old, white-haired dude with the cane and the rocking chair.

I like to think of God differently.

1 Corinthians 15:45 says that God is a quickening spirit. John 6:63 says that He has the ability to give life to things that are dead. Matthew 18:20 says He has the ability to be in multiple places at one time.

I don't know about you, but that does not sound like an old, gray-haired guy who's on the verge of death. That sounds like a young, sprite guy who has the power of life in His hands.

Because of that, I believe in a God whose forever young!

Which image of God do you choose to believe today?

God bless,

J.W.

What Prize Are You After?

"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown." ~ 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

What prize are you after?

Are you after the things of this world - things that are temporal, tangible, and fleeting? Or are you after the things of God - things that are invisible, intangible, and eternal?

There's a prize for everyone. But one leads to death, while the other leads to eternal life.

Which one will you choose today?

God bless,
J.W.

The Power of the Tongue

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” ~ Proverbs 18:21

I’ve never understood why people curse. It makes no sense to me.

If life and death truly lie in the power of the tongue, why would someone want to “curse”? It’s literally like putting a “curse” or a “spell” on someone else. Too creepy for me.

The Bible says that out of the same mouth we both bless and curse (James 3:10). The choice is yours. Why not try blessing those with whom you converse today?

God bless,
J.W.

To Live Is To Suffer

How ironic is it that in order to live in Christ, we must die to self?

How more ironic is it that by Christ dying for us, we must now live for Him?

Most ironic, however, is that by Christ dying for us, we must now die and suffer for Him.

It’s not a message that is very popular in today’s society (in fact, most preachers won’t even preach on the subject), but it’s true nonetheless.

To follow Christ is to suffer with Him, to bear the cross, to walk the narrow path.

It requires sacrifice, obedience, and doing things you may not want to do sometimes.

But the thing about it is that the rewards you receive for your obedience makes it worth every minute of your suffering.

God bless,
J.W.

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” ~ Matthew 16:24-25


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J0Pcy2GLMg

...More Abundantly

Jesus came to die so that we might live.

He suffered severely that we might live abundantly.

He gave his life so that we might have it eternal.

What a great paradox!

God bless,
J.W.

“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” ~ John 10:10

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 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 III)

As we approach Good Friday, the day of Jesus’ death, I want you to place yourself in His position.

What if you knew you had just a few days to live?

What if you knew that just two days from now, you would be beaten, bruised, and hung on a cross for crimes you didn’t even commit?

Would you begin to live your life differently?

Would you beg for more time?

Would you murmur and complain about how unfair it is?

Jesus was able to face the prospect of death confidently, knowing He had finished the race.

He had crossed the finished line knowing there was nothing left to do.

There were no regrets, no excuses, and no second guesses.

Just boldness in the face of death.

Can you say the same?

God bless,
J.W.

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” ~ 2 Timothy 4:6-8

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.

If I Should Die...

Meet Dr. Randy Pausch. He is a professor of Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, and Design at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA.

In September 2006, Randy Pausch was diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer, a terminal disease if left untreated. After a year of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, Randy was told in August 2007 that he would only have three to six months left of good health. With the prospect of imminent death looming in his thoughts, Pausch was inspired to create “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams,” a lecture which he deemed his “Last Lecture” as a college professor. Little did he know at the time that this “last lecture” would touch the lives of many around the nation and throughout the world.

The clip below is Randy giving his “Last Lecture” on the Oprah Show. As you watch, ask yourself: “What would I say if I knew I only had 6 months to live?”

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_tIyt8oSLVs