Contentment in Temperance

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." ~ Philippians 4:13

Philippians 4:13 is undoubtedly one of the most quoted scriptures in the Bible. But it also might be the most misunderstood and misinterpreted.

Most people read Philippians 4:13 wrong. Taken out of context, Philippians 4:13 might give you the impression that God will empower you to do ALL things.

That's simply a wrong interpretation of the scripture.

We are human. We have limits. We CANNOT do everything. Trying to do everything is a sin, inasmuch as we are attempting to play God's role. God would not allow us to do everything. He wants us to be dependent upon Him. Only He is omnipotent. The notion that we can do everything is simply a lie.

Read in context, Philippians 4:13 actually refers to contentment. Paul is saying "I can be content in all things through Christ who gives me the strength to do so." Whether things are going right, or there's complete chaos in our life, Philippians 4:13 encourages us that we can have contentment no matter what the circumstances are.

Two points we should learn from this:

1. We should always read scripture in proper context.
2. Instead of praying that God allows you to do everything, Paul tells us to strive for temperance (Galatians 5:22-24, 2 Peter 1:5-6, Titus 2:12, Philippians 4:5). You were not called to do EVERY thing. Only the things God has called you to do.

Strive for temperance today!

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.

Building Your Ark

A few weeks ago, my Pastor preached one of the best messages I've ever heard. It was all about preparation, told through the story of Noah. Noah built his ark in preparation for the rains and flood that were to come. You can (and should) listen to that entire message here.

Today's message is what I sent to members of my church family after that message. I pray it edifies you. Enjoy!

Building your ark isn't just about adopting a new strategy. For instance, if you want to start a new business, it's not just about writing your business plan. Or if you're trying to get financially free, it's not just about getting out of debt. It's about building your structure (your life) in a way that's sturdy enough to withstand the weight of what's to come but hollow enough to float under pressure.  

Building your ark requires you to add to your core. But it also requires you to carve - that is, to cut off dead weight that might be holding you down or causing you to sink.

Building your ark is comprehensive. It's not just making sure your rudders or your mast is built solidly. It's about making sure your entire structure is on point.  

Remember Pastor's analogy about being a talented baker. You can be the best cook in the world but if your timeliness suffers, you'll never fulfill your full potential and accomplish purpose.  

Make sure you're building those ancillary skills needed to become sturdy enough to hold both people and animals but light enough to float in water. As you build your ark, make sure your construction is comprehensive. It requires adding on and cutting away.

God bless,
J.W.

Perspective (Part 3)

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" ~ Philippians 2:5

When I speak of character development, people often become confused, or even indignant. When I tell people that God wants to develop their character, they immediately think or say, “I’m not a bad person” or “I don’t do anything wrong.”

But in the words of Dr. Dharius Daniels, character development is not just about moral modification. It’s not just about what you do or how you behave. Character is defined as the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.

So, when we talk about character development in Christian contexts, it should not just be about whether you have the moral qualities of Jesus - that is, do you adhere to the Ten Commandments or something of the sort. It should also be determined by whether you have the mental make-up of Jesus. Do you think like Jesus? Is your perspective aligned with God’s? Are your views, opinions, and thoughts a reflection of God's views, opinions, and thoughts?

In Philippians 2:5, Paul encourages us to have the “mind of Christ.” It’s not until you look at situations and circumstances in your life and think and react to them like Jesus that your character is fully developed.

Do you have the mind of Christ 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 (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.