Love + Obedience

"Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.'" ~ John 14:23

Love isn't love if it isn't accompanied by submission. There's a lot of people who claim to love God. My question is, but are they submitted though? Are they obedient?

That is the difference between a saved life and a changed life. It's the difference between our current world and a completely transformed world.

What type of world do you want to live in? What type of life do you want to have?

Here's the secret formula: love + obedience.

God bless,

J.W.

Be Careful

“So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.” ~ Deuteronomy 5:32-33

Living a righteous life is not easy. In Romans 7:21, Paul says “although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.” It doesn’t take much for us to fall into the devil’s schemes or our own sinful nature.

That’s why Proverbs 4:23 calls us to “guard our hearts.” And Deuteronomy 5:32 tells us to “be careful” to keep God’s commands. Jesus, in fact, said that “whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Jesus warned us that it would not be easy.

Because of the original sin, doing what’s right doesn’t come naturally. So, we must be cautious and careful to keep God’s commandments. We must be on guard at all times. We are in a battle and if we are not careful, we can do exactly what Deuteronomy 5:32 warns us not to do – that is, turn aside to the right or to the left.

Jesus tells us to walk the narrow path that leads to life – the John 10:10 life. Walking the narrow path requires self-discipline and a carefulness found in Deuteronomy 5:32.

Be careful today!

God bless,
J.W.

Perspective (Part 2)

"But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: 'The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’ Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them.'" ~ Numbers 14:6-9

Last week, my Pastor talked about reframing- that is, taking the same old picture but transforming it by putting a different frame on it.

That's what Caleb and Joshua did in Numbers 13 and 14. They looked at the same circumstances that the other 10 spies did but looked at them differently. They reframed the situation. They didn't deny the circumstances they faced. They simply used faith to overcome them.

Jesus promised that in this life, we will face trouble (John 16:33). The key to overcoming is your perspective. Reframe life and you can have God's promises. Live in the same old frame and you'll get the same old results.

Reframe your life today!

God bless,
J.W.

Perspective (Part 1)

"not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors... But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it." ~ Numbers 14:22-24

"And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins."~ Mark 2:22

A large part of spiritual and emotional growth is about adopting a new perspective.

God wants us to put away old wineskins, i.e. old ways of thinking, and put on new wineskins, i.e. new mentalities, mindsets, and thought patterns.

Often times, however, we ask for new wine, i.e. new blessings, before we've put on new wineskins. We fall into slothfulness and don't want to put in the work to change. We then wonder why God hasn't elevated us.

But God says to see the promised land He, we need to take on a different spirit. Like Caleb and Joshua, God has called us to follow Him wholeheartedly if we are ever to inherit the promised land.

You can't put new wine in old wineskins. In other words, God can't place new blessings inside of an old life, mind set, or perspective.

That's why Paul tells us to renew our minds (Romans 12:2). New elevation comes with a new perspective.

Get your new perspective today!

God bless,
J.W.

Life Is Simple

"His mother said to the servants, 'Whatever He says to you, do it.'" ~ John 2:5

Humans are complicated beings. And as a result, we tend to complicate everything, often leading to confusion, stress, frustration, and ultimately stagnation.

But as complicated as we tend to make things, life really comes down to John 2:5: "whatever He says to you, do it."

That's why the Bible tells us that obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). God wants to know that He can speak and trust you to follow through.

It's also why the Bible tells us not to lean on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). He knows that sometimes you will have to disobey your own logic to walk in obedience with Him (Isaiah 55:8-9).

In all, life really is this simple: "do whatever He tells you."

God bless,
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.

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.

Be Great (Part 2)

"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." ~ Matthew 16:25

Life is good (Genesis 1:31, John 10:10).

So, why, in Matthew 16:25, does Jesus say that whoever desires to save his life will lose it?

Isn't it good to save something that is good? Wouldn't it be commendable?

So, why would you lose something for doing something good?

Simple.

God doesn't want you to settle for good. He wants you to go for greatness.

Be great today!

God bless,
J.W.

Train Up A Child (Part 8)

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." ~ 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Ultimately, God is not training us just to train us. He trains us to get results (1 Corinthians 9:24).

Just like a runner trains to win the grand prize, we ought to train ourselves in such a way as to win our prize (Philippians 3:14).

What is that prize? Very simply, it's the John 10:10 life. It's the Ephesians 3:20 experience. The Luke 6:38 principle.

God wants to give us His very best. But in order to get His best, we have to give ours (Mark 8:34-36).

What are you giving Him today?

God bless,
J.W.

Train Up A Child (Part 6)

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." - Proverbs 4:23

In Part 5 of the Train Up A Child series, we continued talking about why meditating on God's Word is important. Today, let's talk about why it works.

Proverbs 4:23 tells us that everything flows from what's in our hearts.

See, whatever is planted in your heart flows out in your life.

Our hearts are merely conduits to push out whatever is planted in it. So, if evil is planted in it, our hearts can't help but to push out evil. If lust is planted in it, it can't help but to push out lust. If sin is planted in it, it can't help but to bring sin in our life.

But Philippians 4:8 instructs us to think on good things - whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely. Then "the God of Peace will be with you" (Philippians 4:9).

Peace comes through what we think about. It's why Proverbs 23:7 says "whatever a man thinks, so is he." The results we get in life are simply a reflection of the conditions of our hearts.

What's the condition of your heart today?

God bless,
J.W.

Train Up A Child (Part 5)

In Part 4 of the Train Up A Child series, we talked about why meditating on the Word is important. Today, let's continue in that vein.

In both Luke 8:15 and James 1:25, the Bible speaks of keeping or continuing in the Word.

Keeping and continuing in the Word is all that meditation is. 

It is repeating the Word over and over again until it plants in the soil of your heart.

Joshua 1:8 instructs us to meditate on the Word of God day and night. To keep the Word always on our lips. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray continually. Psalm 1:1-2 tells us we will be blessed for doing so.

God commands us to meditate on His word, not out of His own selfishness or need to control us. Rather, God commands us to meditate on the Word because He knows it will bring blessings and good fruit in our life (Luke 8:15; James 1:25).

And who wouldn’t want those things in their life?

More to come next week!

God bless,
J.W.

Each According To His Ability (Part 7)

As we close out this series, I just want to encourage you to not live in isolation (Hebrews 10:25). You were not meant to do everything yourself. Find what you are good at and partner with others who have complementary gifts.

God gives each of us according to our ability (Matthew 25:15). But it's always His will for us to use what He's given us to its fullest potential (John 10:10). That can only happen in community. We were made to be one of a larger whole (Romans 12:4-5).

Find who complements you and live life to the fullest!

Have a great rest of your week!

God bless,
J.W.

Series Recap - Each According to His Ability

• Part 1: Operate In Your Function
• Part 2: Be Content With Where You Are
• Part 3: Manage The Small Stuff Well
• Part 4: The Power To Produce Wealth
• Part 5: Avoid Comparisons With Others
• Part 6: Do Not Live In Isolation

#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

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.

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.

Peace In The Midst

"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

If you continually face the same trials and tribulations, heartbreaks and failures, you may want to check your life for sin. The Bible says that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and while God is quick to forgive, many times we bring ill into our lives because of unchecked sin.

That is not to say that every time we go through hardship, it’s because we’ve done something wrong. But there’s a difference between temporary hardships and storms and continual heartache and depression. God never promised us that we wouldn’t face difficulties. But he did promise us that he’d give us peace in the midst of our storms. If you continually lack peace in your life, it may be because of unchecked sin.

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.

The Game of Life

"Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." ~ Matthew 7:14

Every day, I see people take life too lightly. They treat it as if it were a game, as if you could simply hit the restart button whenever you feel like it and start it all over again.

Unfortunately for them, life is not a game. What we do here on earth has serious repercussions - both now and in the next life.

It's time for the people of this generation to wake up and recognize what life is all about!

Get serious about life before it gets serious about you.

God bless,
J.W.

Changing Your Mind

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." ~ Romans 12:2

A few weeks ago, my pastor preached a sermon.

His main point: "You can change your life by changing your thinking."

And it's true!

This scripture tells us that you can transform your life by renewing (or changing) your mind.

What's more, I'd even suggest that you can change the lives of millions of others just by changing the way you think.

Just THINK about it. :)

God bless,
J.W.