Peace vs. Fear

"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

There's a difference between feeling the emotion of fear and letting it live in our hearts. Feelings can be fleeting. They change based on circumstances. But our hearts are the very core of our being.

God promises to give us peace, even in the midst of having feelings of fear. We can rest in the fact that we know the one who knows the end. But only if we don't allow fear to grip our hearts. 

Is your heart gripped with peace or fear today?

God bless,

J.W.

Casting Out Fear

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love." ~ 1 John 4:18 NKJV

Culture will teach you that it is courage that casts out fear. That we should just push past our fear and do it afraid.

But this scripture tells us that the true antidote to fear is love. That if we love through our feelings of fear, love will always prevail.

What are you using to cast out fear today?

God bless,

J.W.

Our Help

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth." ~ Psalm 121:1-2

The maker of Heaven and earth is our helper. That's why Psalm 27:1 asks, in whom shall I be afraid? We don't have to fear anything, knowing that the maker of Heaven and earth has our back.

Walk in that assurance today fam.

God bless,

J.W.

Walking In Boldness

"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 NKJV

There will undoubtedly be times in life when you will feel pressure (internal or otherwise) to cower, comply, or avoid conflict. Most of us are conflict averse. Moreover, many of us have an underlying, hidden but often paralyzing fear of success, where we choose to play it safe rather than step out on faith and walk in the authority that God has given us.

None of that is God.

2 Timothy 1:7 says that God did not give us a spirit of FEAR, but of POWER. Romans 8:37 calls us more than conquerors. Philippians 4:13 confirms that we can do all things through Christ.

To walk with God, we will have to learn to walk in boldness.

God has things planned for you. He wants you to succeed. But accomplishing His purpose for you will require you to walk in a different spirit (Numbers 14:24).

Walk in boldness today.

God bless,
J.W.

Follow The Leader (Part 7)

"But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you." ~ Proverbs 1:24-26

Proverbs 1:24-26 details the consequences of not heeding God's call on your life. 

Oftentimes, we let fear of stepping out on faith stand in our way. 

But... truth be told, the fear of not doing what God says should scare us even more.

God bless,
J.W.

Love, Faith, and Fear (Part 7) (Finale)

"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." ~ 1 Corinthians 13:13

Let's end the debate! God favors love over faith.

1 Corinthians 13:13 instructs us to live in faith, hope, and love. Yet, it specifically says that the greatest of these three is love.

Love is the epitome of who God is. And it's what He's most interested in developing in us.

May you increase in faith and hope.

But most of all, may you increase in love.

God bless,
J.W.

Love, Faith, and Fear (Part 6)

"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory..." ~ 2 Corinthians 3:18

Yesterday, we identified those areas that one needs to address in order to increase in love.

Identifying those areas is the easy part. The hard part is actually doing it.

But like anything, taking the first step is the key.

God doesn't expect us to be perfect, but he does want us to be better.

Take the first step today.

God bless,
J.W.

Love, Faith, and Fear (Part 5)

Now that we've (hopefully) established that increasing in love is more important than increasing in faith, the question is, how does one increase in love?

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 gives us the blueprint (see above).

Increasing in love requires us to increase in all these areas.

Stay tuned for more.

God bless,
J.W.

Love, Faith, and Fear (Part 4)

"Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us." ~ 1 John 4:11-12

One reason that God is concerned about us increasing in love is because our demonstrated love is one way He is made manifest to others.

As 1 John 4:11-12 indicates, people can't see God. But when we show love, others get a glimpse of Him.

The more people see God, the more they'll have faith in Him. 

It all comes full circle.

Love > Faith.

God bless,
J.W.

Faith, Fear, and Love (Part 3)

"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" ~ Galatians 5:14

Still unconvinced that increasing in love is more important than increasing in faith?

Galatians 5:14 says it all. 

The scriptures are ultimately fulfilled, not by having more faith; not by saying more prayers; and not by following the law to a T.

No, the scriptures are fulfilled by us showing more love. 

That's the thrust of the Scriptures - to move us to increase in love! 

God knows that when we increase in love, we will automatically increase in faith. 

Stay tuned. 

God bless,
J.W. 

Faith, Fear, and Love (Part 2)

"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

Need more proof that the way to more faith and less fear is through love?

See 2 Timothy 1 above.

Notice: God did not give us a spirit of FAITH instead of fear, but a spirit of love.

Why is that?

Because He knows that while faith is the ultimate goal, LOVE is the pathway that will lead us there.

The question is, are we willing to grow in love in order to grow in our faith?

More to come in the days ahead.

God bless,

J.W.

Faith, Fear, and Love (Part 1)

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love." ~ 1 John 4:18

How can you increase your faith?

By increasing in love.

Why does increasing in love increase your faith?

Because according to 1 John 4:18, love casts out fear, which is the opposite of faith.

So, increasing your faith involves increasing your love.

In the days to come, we'll continue to explore the relationship between love, faith, and fear.

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.

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.

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.

Primetime Player

"Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." ~ 1 Timothy 1:6-7

In sports, the best players step up when the game is on the line.

Growing up, I remember watching football on Sundays with my dad. One of our favorite players was Deion Sanders. His nickname was "Primetime" because he would always make big plays when his team needed him.

On the other hand, there was Vince Carter. His nickname was "Vinsanity" because he had amazing jumping abilities that allowed him to perform spectacular dunks. But Vinsanity would often disappear in big games.

So, which one are you? Are you like Primetime, willing to step up when God calls on you? Or are you like Vinsanity, someone with all the potential in the world, but too scared to step out on faith.

God is looking for primetime players to be on his team.

God bless,
J.W.

Walk On Water (Part II)

“During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It's a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.’ Then Peter replied, ‘Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water.” ~ Matthew 14:25-28

Like the disciples, many people are afraid to step out of the boat. They like to play it safe, keep on an even keel. In short, they are afraid of change and thrive in the status quo.

But just like the disciples learned, often times, the storms of life get the best of us when we are disobedient to the voice of God. The waves crash and the winds roll and keep us from accomplishing all God has in store for us.

So, I say to you, don’t be afraid to step out of the boat! God’s best is waiting for you.

God bless,
J.W.