#PassionWeek - #Monday - Rebel

This week, in honor of Jesus' last days on earth 2014 years ago, I've decided to study Jesus' walk and share my thoughts on what He said, did, and felt during what we call #PassionWeek. Below is the first installment.

Despite what conservative Christians might insinuate, Jesus was a rebel. Jesus didn't advocate maintaining the status quo, but rather He was about challenging the system and pointing out its hypocrisy, much like a Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, or a "community organizer" in modern-day times.

2014 years ago today, Jesus entered the temple in Jerusalem and drove folks out, referring to them as "thieves" (Matthew 21:12-13). My question: if Jesus came back today, how many people would He drive out of today's church for the same reason. Would you be one of them? #Monday #EasterIsComing

God bless,
J.W.

Hypocrite

"How can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye;' and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Matthew 7:4-5

Jesus is very specific in describing judgmental people who focus more on other people’s flaws rather than their own. He calls them hypocrites.

That’s a tough word that some of us wouldn’t like to hear about ourselves. But is it fitting?

What would Jesus call you?

God bless,

J.W.

Walk The Plank

"Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?" ~ Matthew 7:3

It’s funny how people spend so much time criticizing others rather than focusing on how they can become better people themselves. The very people who have the most work to do on themselves are most often the first people to judge. In fact, their judgment often acts as a mask, a distraction to elevate themselves over others to avoid dealing with their own insecurities and flaws.

But if each of us would spend time asking God how we could be better people rather than focusing on how we can tear each other down, our lives and relationships would flourish. We wouldn’t have time to critique others because we’d be so busy critiquing ourselves; and we would become better people as a result. And becoming a better person would automatically make us better mothers, better fathers, better sisters and brothers, better friends.

So, are you focusing on your plank or somebody else's speck?

God bless,

J.W.

Heart Surgeon

“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

As Christians, we often focus on making sure that our actions comport with God’s Word. But God looks at our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7). As such, He not only seeks obedience in what we do, but also in what we think and feel. Not that we must be perfect, but we should strive to have purity of heart in addition to purity in deed.

God bless,

J.W.

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.

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.

#Justice4Trayvon

“Though I cry, ‘Violence!’ I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice." ~ Job 19:7

Over the last few weeks, the tragedy of the Trayvon Martin case has struck me deeply. No matter how hard I try, I cannot reconcile the case in my mind. As an African American, I hurt for the family's loss. As a man, I am angered by the wholesale lack of justice that Trayvon and his family has received. As a young black man, I am frustrated that despite being 50 years after Dr. King’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech, I am still not judged based on the content of my character, but merely by the color of my skin. Lastly, as a father, I fear for my 5-month old son.

See, Trayvon could be Jeremiah in 18 years. As a Christian, I have faith that God will keep my son safe. But it's tough when society places so little value on people who look like we do. I know that my son will, one day, grow up to look like his daddy, to look like Trayvon, to look like Troy Davis, Sean Bell, and Amadou Diallo. I just pray that by the time he does, society has changed.

Peace and love to the Martin family. And to all those who continue to harbor hatred, jealousy, and prejudice in your heart, I pray that God enlightens your path and allows you to see the world the way He does. All life is precious. Including yours. It’s sad that you can’t see that.

God bless,
J.W.

P.S. Please check out this PSA my friend put together for Trayvon and share with your friends and family: http://youtu.be/nN_H9Gs5QO8.