It Is Really Quite Simple

"Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." ~ Romans 13:10

Often, we make things so complicated. But the Gospel is simple. Love God and love others. If we'd just follow these simple commands, how much better our families, communities, cities, country, and world would be. 

God bless,

J.W. 

Life Is Simple (Part 2)

"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." ~ Luke 22:42

Recently, my Pastor said something that stuck with me and it's this: if you take care of the things that God cares about, God will take care of the things you care about.

In Luke 22, we see Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, right before being apprehended and ultimately crucified, struggling between what he wants and what the Father wants. Ultimately, the Father's will wins out and as a reward, Jesus gets up with all power in His hands (Matthew 28:18). He fulfilled purpose and got to sit on the right hand of the Father (Ephesians 1:20-23).

So many times, we think the way to get what we want is to pursue what we want.

But in the Kingdom, the way to get what you want is to serve and be obedient to God, even if it's not in line with what you want (1 Samuel 15:22).

It really is as simple as this: do whatever it is He tells you to do.

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.

Find Where The Grace Is

Ever try to write something but the words just aren’t coming to you? Ever sit down to read a book or watch a movie and just not be in the mood? Ever struggle to complete what would normally be a simple task?

If you said yes to any of those questions, chances are you might have been operating outside of grace in those moments.

Grace is defined, at least in Christian contexts, as God’s unmerited favor.

Think about that. when someone does a favor for you, what happens?

Well, usually, their favor blesses you and adds to your life. But more importantly, it typically makes your life easier. It makes it more convenient for you to complete a task or takes something off of your plate which allows you to focus on other tasks.

The same is true with God's grace.

Over the past few weeks, God has burdened my heart more and more with operating in His grace. Many times, I can discern what He’s calling me to do according to the amount of grace He gives me for it. If something comes easy and it feels like I’m in the zone, chances are that God grace is at work in my life. If something is much more difficult and seems forced, chances are I may be operating outside of God’s grace in that moment.

Timing is everything in life. God has already accomplished everything that there is to accomplish (John 19:30). The Kingdom and victory is ours (1 John 5:4-5). But that doesn’t mean it’s manifest in our lives right away. We’ve got to wait on His timing and His grace (Psalm 27:14). One of the ways to discern His timing is by following His grace.

Is grace upon you in that task you’re doing right now? If not, maybe you're out of God’s timing. Find where the grace is, and you’ll find where God is (2 Corinthians 12:9).

God bless,
J.W.