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.

The Ultimate Good

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." ~ Romans 8:28

God is the ultimate good!

Even when we think certain situations aren't working in our favor...

Even when things look grim...

Even when we don't FEEL like He is...

God is God no matter what. We just have to trust and believe that, in the end, God is working things out for our benefit.

Things may not always go your way, but there's always a plan behind every circumstance. Psalm 37:25 says "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."

So, if you're in a state of lost hope, hold on! Keep the faith a little while longer. God WILL show and prove.

He always shines through.

He always has the last word.

God bless,
J.W.

Love Series - Part 3

“[Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails… And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” ~ 1 Corinthians 13:7-8, 13

Faith and hope are pretty powerful forces.

They were two of the driving forces behind elected the most powerful person in the world last November.

According to the bible, faith the size of a mustard seed has the power to move mountains.

But the greatest force in the world, according to the Bible, is love.

It can drive out demons.

It can save souls.

It can restore lives.

God bless,
J.W.

Waiting to Exhale

Just wanted to share a brief message I received yesterday. It reminded me of the importance of slowing down, letting go, and letting God. I hope it's a blessing to you as well.

God bless,
J.W.


He is a young man in search of God's plan for his life. Presently, he is living in Australia involved in a ministry that brings him into contact with a wide variety of people. He touches lives that many of us would ignore or avoid. He genuinely loves people and does his best to live like Jesus in their presence. In a recent letter he shared a few stories, described some of the people he has met, shared some of what he is learning about himself and the Lord, and asked for specific prayers.

In one paragraph he talked about the continuing search for his place in the world. He spent a couple of days in meditation and prayer and asked a man of wisdom and experience "...for any advice in terms of spiritual discernment, direction, vocation; he said something really interesting: he said 'first of all, relax. Enjoy your life and try not to worry, that God will place you where you need to be, and to trust that.'" He admits he is trying to do that. I admit that I am trying to do that. "First of all, relax." We get in such a hurry to see God's plan for our life to be revealed that we wonder what is He waiting for? Why doesn't He show us what He wants us to do? Has he forgotten how desperate we are to know what we are supposed to do? What are we supposed to do?

"First of all, relax."

Just relax. In spiritual terms that means we acknowledge that God is in control, God is aware, God is concerned, and God is working. If you find that you are feeling a bit panicky about where you are headed, or when it seems you are not headed anywhere, "First of all, relax."

"Enjoy your life."

It is difficult to enjoy life when we hurry through it at neck-break speed. It is almost impossible to enjoy life when we are constantly reaching for more, living with the regret of what could have been, and seldom allow ourselves to be content. "Enjoy your life."

"Try not to worry, that God will place you where you need to be."

God knows what we need to be doing and where we need to be to accomplish His purposes. He is working His plan for us and through us. He knows us. He understands our gifts and talents. He did create us. So, "Try not to worry, that God will place you where you need to be."

"Trust that."

If the other things were not difficult enough, the wise man concludes his advice with "trust that." Simply "trust" that God knows what He is doing and will do what He needs to do when He is ready to do it. There is no need to rush it, there is no need to panic, and there is no need to spend sleepless nights worrying about whether or not we are doing what God wants us to do. "Just trust that God will place you where you need to be."