Author: Jesse Walker

Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus

Posted on by Jesse Walker

Are you in the middle of a storm? The winds are blowing, and the waves are rising, and it feels like your life is taking on water. You find yourself spending all day bailing to stay afloat. Can I encourage you to hand the bucket over to God and to rest in his arms. Listen to these words from Hebrews 12:2, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Do like Jesus did in the middle of his greatest battle. He looked at the joy as being greater than the present situation.

Yes, he knew he was going to suffer and die. But he also knew that the grave could not hold him. And it cannot hold those who believe in God. 1 Corinthians 15:55, ““Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” So, you’re in the fight for your life. What do you do? First, and most importantly, fix your eyes on Jesus. Spend more time on your knees and less time bailing water. Less time finding an immediate fix. How do you do that. By remembering the reward far exceeds our current suffering.

Friend, you can bail and bail until you drop dead. But without Jesus it will all be for nothing. If your burdens are heavy, give them to Jesus. Matthew 11:28, “28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Trust in Jesus and he will navigate the storms of this life with you. And you cannot lose. On Friday it appeared as Jesus had lost. By Sunday there was a new King. The battle can seem to be winning. But in the end, nothing will defeat your victory in Jesus.

Jesus said in John 14:18, “No, I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans in the storm—I will come to you. 19 In just a little while I will be gone from the world, but I will still be present with you. For I will live again—and you will too.” Nothing in this world can rob me of my salvation. Nothing can defeat the work of Jesus. And nothing can stop me from loving Him and from Jesus loving me. And because of that, I lay my head on my pillow in the mix of storms knowing who is rowing the boat. Knowing that the storms can be calmed by the voice of God. Be still. And the waters were still. Maybe the word to you today is, simply be still. Plasms 46:10, says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” But I’m in over my head? Be still. But I’m losing the battle, be still. But I may lose everything. Be still and keep your eyes fixed on Jesus the pioneer and perfector of your faith.

Love Is Not Extra Credit Work

Posted on by Jesse Walker

Love is not extra credit work for the child of God. Jesus said in John 13:34-35, “a new commandment I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” On another occasion John recorded in 1 John 4:20, “If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.”

That doesn’t give us much wiggle room does it. How we treat others reveals if we really love God or not. The foundation of love has to be the starting place of how we interact with others. With our friends, with our families, with strangers and with our loved ones. Including all those who disagree with our biblical beliefs. Even those who are struggling with gender dysphoria or have embraced a transgender lifestyle.

To do this, we must view people as God views them. While some have done all they can to scar their image, we can never forget that they were created in God’s image. No amount of sin removes the fact that they were created in God’s image. The playing field is level when it comes to how God views his creation. They are exactly the same in God’s eyes.

To see the value of a transgender person, means you must stop any behavior that demeans them. Or even go the extra mile and stand up for them when they are being made fun of. Have you tried to listen to their burdens without being judgmental? Galatians 6:2 says, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you fulfill the law of Christ.” In order to carry someone’s burdens you must love them as God loves them.

So, what do we do with 1 Corinthians 13:6 that says, “Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.” Well, first we must understand that loving someone and not telling them the truth is not what the bible teaches. But again, when you tell someone the truth you must do it in love. You must know them. You must convince them that you really care about them. You must treat them with respect. Not because you agree with their sin, but because they were created in the image of God. We help no one when we deny God’s word. Sometimes we do this because we want to fit in. Or we don’t want to face the strife we know it will cause. Or we don’t want to appear as a religious zealot.

Communicating truth and love requires relationships. You must invest time and energy into someone if you ever hope to help them. I can only speak for myself. I know my first approach to transgenderism was to shout it down. To prove it unbiblical at all costs. No matter who it hurt. If I’m honest, I spent little time trying to assure them that I loved them. And that God loved them. For that I repent. I pray God will give me the ability to love everyone more patiently. Let us not forget that love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant. (1 Corinthians 13:4).

God saves the most unlikely of people. Of which I am one. Why should I not give them a chance? Lord, please forgive me for being so short. So quick to judge. Help me learn to speak the truth in love. Help me to love like your love. Help me to trust more in you and your ability to change lives.

Self-Control

Posted on by Jesse Walker

Proverbs 25:28 says, “A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.”  As a parent it is important that you provide your children with structure, so they can build self-control. They need self-control to succeed at school, and at work, and in relationships. Allowing them to do anything and everything they want is only ensuring they will live a life filled with trouble.

In our internet driven world, many lack self-control when it comes to the hours they spend online. Studies estimate that the average person spends 6.5 hours per day on the internet. Or about a quarter of their life on the world wide web. When you factor in school, work and sleep, the average person spends most of their time awake online.

As a parent, we need to help our children learn to limit their time online. Why? Because without self-control they are like a city with no walls. The enemy can easily walk into their lives and destroy them. The problem is everywhere today. Even churches aren’t immune to the technology bug. We’ve become accustomed to slide shows and videos being a part of our classes and sermons. We are even setting up rooms with electronic devices for children to use while attending services.

Please listen to me, as a parent, you have to know that no one will care more about your child succeeding in life more than you will. What if you were to give your child every tennis lesson, drive them to every practice, make sure they never miss a school event, but in the end, they lose their soul. I don’t have to tell you that is going to be a very sad day for some parents.

Arlene Pellicane in her book, Parents Rising says, “you would never dream of handing your child drugs or alcohol. Yet most parents hand over a tablet or phone to a child without much thought.”

Can I encourage you to limit your child’s use of the internet? Of course, that may mean you will have to put your phone down as well. Instead of eating supper watching your favorite show, or playing your favorite game, or watching tic toc videos, you must put your phone away. Mom and Dad’s, take the lead and put the phone away. You will be glad you did in the end.

Mercy and Grace Awaits

Posted on by Jesse Walker

In Hebrews 4:16 we read, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Hebrews 4:14-15 explain the reason why we can rush the throne of God boldly expecting to receive grace and mercy. Simply put it’s because of Jesus. Jesus has faced every temptation we have faced. Our prayers rise up to a God who completely gets it. He knows of our struggles. He’s faced our temptations and understands. He gets it. For he himself suffered so that we can come to him in complete confidence.

We can come boldly before him, expecting to receive mercy and grace. Matthew 7:9-11 says, 9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! We can approach God knowing that he knows what we need. For in Jesus’ death on the cross, is our victory. If we’re honest, most times what we need isn’t more stuff. Some of us are buried alive in our stuff. What we need is Jesus. We need a Savior who offers mercy when we deserve punishment and grace, God’s unconditional love.

I pray you will be encouraged to approach God with boldness. Knowing that Jesus has looked our struggles straight in the face and beat the enemy. He fully understands what you need. All you have to do is ask and believe that he is able.

Grace Flows for All

Posted on by Jesse Walker

How would you feel if you worked all day for your employer, and at the end of the day, he paid everyone the same wage? Even those who came to work a little late that morning. Or even those who only came to work for a couple of hours. All received the same amount of pay.

Did you know, there is a story like this in the bible. In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus tells of a farmer who hired workers at various times of the day. All of the workers who were hired early in the morning agreed to work for one day’s wage. While the others agreed to accept whatever the farmer thought was fair. In other words, they trusted the farmer to pay fairly.

At the end of the day, the farmer calls all of the workers together, and pays them all the same wage. You can imagine how this made the early workers terribly unhappy. By their calculations, they were do more. They had worked longer and harder than those who only worked a very few hours. They believed because they had worked longer, they deserved more money. Which I’m sure is what you and I would have done if we were in that same situation. But Jesus replies in Matthew 19:13-16, “I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?” “So, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

There are numerous messages we can take from this story. One is that we are not to be people who are jealous when others are blessed, and we aren’t. Are you mad that Jesus offers grace to those that you think are worse sinners than yourself? Are you angered that he accepts a thief’s request upon his death bed and promises him he will be with him in paradise? Are you mad when another church is growing faster than your own?

This story contradicts our thinking. It makes no earthly sense. But that’s the point. It’s not supposed to make earthly sense. Jesus isn’t telling a story about working and getting paid. He’s telling a story about grace. And how wonderful it is. And how it’s offered to everyone. Salvation is a gift. You don’t earn your salvation.

Jesus is still addressing the rich young rulers’ question in Matthew 19:16, “What must I do to be saved” and with Peter’s question in Matthew 19:27, “we have left everything to follow you, what will be left for us.” The answer is found in Matthew 19:29-30 where Jesus says, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

What the rich young ruler needed to know, is putting Jesus first, not the perfect keeping of the law, is what made the difference. What Peter needed to know, is no one who has sacrificed for God, will go unrewarded. What the early morning workers needed to know, the midday workers and the late day workers, is salvation is a gift. You can’t earn it. No amount of work will ever pay our debt. That debt was paid in full by God when he accepted the sinless life of his Son.

I don’t know where you are today, in your walk with God. But the good news is, it’s not too late. If you’re listening to this message, then you can receive grace. Your age, your wealth, your efforts don’t matter. What matters, is do you know Jesus. If you need help, please leave me a message. And I will do all I can to share the wonderful message of salvation with you.

Well Formed Love – Banishes Fear

Posted on by Jesse Walker

I love the way the Message bible in 1 John 4:17-18 explains how we live in God and God lives in us. It says, “God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day – our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life-fear of death, fear of judgment-is one not yet fully formed in love.”

In verse 18, were told that, “Well-formed love banishes fear.” What are you fearful of? Are you fearful of death. Are you fearful of judgment day? Many are fearful of not being loved. So, they seek love in all the wrong places. Others fear not being recognized so they dress differently than everyone else. Some believe they have to do the same in order for God to love them. They think if they pray more, cuss less, drink less, that God will be impressed with them. Do you understand that you don’t have to woo God to love you. God has chosen to love you. According to Romans 5:8, God proved his love for us by having Christ die for us, while we were still sinners.

Nothing you do will ever surprise God. God isn’t going to say one day, “man I never knew they would do that.” Or “did you see that, I’m so ashamed of them.” What you do may surprise you, but not God.

Judgment day is a date on all our calendars. And what will matter on judgment day is if you are friends with the Son. Why? Because as we read earlier in 1 John 4:17, those who are in Christ, have complete confidence and joy because he loves us and we love him too.

One evening when I was in the Navy, I was returning to the base in Guam. The gate I was at was locked. But when I leaned on it, it swung open enough for me to squeeze through. Because I was lost, it seemed like a good idea at the time to wiggle through the gate. That good idea didn’t last long. When I stepped through the gate a Marine stood up with his M16 from behind a concrete barrier and shouted for me to stop. He wanted to know what I was doing there. After some time, a friend of mine arrived, and explained who I was. And because we were friends, the Marine let me go. I was never so scared in all my life. But because I knew the friend, I was free of judgment. This is how it is for all of us who are friends with Jesus. He shouts to the Father, “they are my friends.” And because of that we are free of judgment. We are loved.

When God Has Spoken

Posted on by Jesse Walker

Have you ever been lied to by someone you trusted? By even someone in a leadership position in the church. In 1 Kings 13 there is a young prophet who was lied to by an old prophet. The young prophet is told to go to Bethel and proclaim that Josiah, the son of David, will one day sacrifice their false prophets on this altar.  And the young prophet did this very bravely. In fact, when King Jeroboam stretched out his hand to have him seized, his arm became shriveled up. When asked by the king, the young prophet prayed to God, and his hand was restored. Thus, the King invited him to his house to eat and drink and to give him a gift. But the young prophet refuses to go. In 1 Kings 13:9, he reveals why he would not go. “For I was commanded by the word of the Lord,” You mut not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.”

As the events of this day roll on, there is an old prophet who lies or misleads the young prophet. He tells him he was told by an angel to invite him to his house to eat bread and drink water with him. Weather the old prophet lied or heard from an angel we do not know. He may have heard from a deceiving angle. For in 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 were told that Satan and his messengers can appear as angels of light.

There are several reasons I suppose that the younger prophet believed the older prophet. He may have respected the old prophet because he said he heard from an angel. He may have just respected him because he was older. He may have been physically tiered and hungry. So, what are we to learn from this story?

First, we must always remember to never turn back from the work of God. When God has told you to do something. We are to carry that out without letting others sidetrack us. This young prophet received a word from God directly. He should have listened to God and not a man. Today, we get our word primarily from the bible. And we are to be faithful to it. And not to let others lead us astray. Obedience is key in the life of a believer. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments.”

Secondly, we are to test every spirit. Just because someone says they are a preacher, a teacher, or a prophet, check out what they say. Make sure it aligns with God’s word. Not everyone who claims to be a Christian is a Christian. Not everyone who is in a leadership role is faithful. Matthew 7:15-23 warns all believers to “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.” This young prophet may not have been a good fruit inspector.

Thirdly, no one is above the law. The evil, disobedient King Jeroboam will be judged, and the prophet of God will be judged. Disobedience has its own reward. According to Romans 14:12, “Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” Your position, or title will not save you. In fact, those who are trusted with greater responsibility will be held to a higher standard. Luke 12:48 says, “To whom much is given, much will be required.”

Fourthly, when you are facing a tough decision. Always consult with God. No where do we see the young prophet asking God what he should do. Matthew 24:4-5, “take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many”. We need to be people who always drop to our knees before we make a decision that can cost us our salvation. God will always provide a way for those who are truly seeking his advice.

Let us all learn to be a people that trust more in the word of God than we do in the many words of men.

Stand Still – Let God Move

Posted on by Jesse Walker

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Can I ask you a question, are you good at doing nothing? I don’t mind telling you, this is not one of my strongest traits. I have to practice it. There is always the next project to complete. The next meeting to attend. The next ball game, practice, or school event to get to.

We get on the merry-go-round and around and around it goes. We get on, we get off, we get on and we get off. Never seeming to complete what we intended to complete. And the cycle repeats itself over and over. Sometimes, it’s as if we are sleepwalking through life. Always chasing the next promotion, the next career, the next season of our lives. We can’t wait for the kids to go to school. We can’t wait for school to be out. We chase after the bigger house, the nicer car, the better job. When do we just stop and stand still and enjoy the blessings God has given us.? To truly hear God’s voice, we must retreat from the chaos of life and enter a place of quietness. An example of this was recorded for us in Mark 1:35 where it says, “very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

If you’re truly seeking a deeper relationship with God, or seeking solace, or seeking guidance, you must stand still. In Exodus 14:13-14, Moses told the Israelites to standstill and watch what God will do for them. This would be good advice for all of us today as well. We should all learn to standstill and watch the hand of God at work in our lives. If we’re truthful, there are many times when the hustle and grind of our daily lives, stop us from seeing the workings of God.

In Mark 10:49 we read, “And Jesus Stood Still.” This was on the occasion when Jesus being followed by a large crowd, heard a blind man named Bartimaeus, crying out “Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stood still and healed Bartimaeus. If Jesus hadn’t stood still, Bartimaeus would not have been healed. Jesus was on a tight schedule. He had multiple events to attend before ascending up to heaven. Before his date with the cross. But Jesus in that moment of the day, found time to stand still.

My prayer is that we become people that are never too busy to hear the cry for help. That we are never too busy to stop and stand still. Isiaih 40:29-31 says, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tiered and weary, and young, men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” The truth is, we have all been tired. We have all needed our strength renewed. This is only possible when we take the time to do nothing.

John C. Maxwell said in his book “Think on These Things,” when pressures are pressing, schedules are screaming, and the world is whirling, don’t just do something -stand still.” May I encourage you today to stop and standstill. God knows exactly what you need, and He will renew your strength so you can soar on eagle wings.

Moving Mountains

Posted on by Jesse Walker

In Matthew 17:20, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” I have wondered for years just exactly how little is this kind of faith? I know the mustard seed is a tiny seed. But can a small amount of faith really move mountains? Can it be enough in the darkest moments of our lives? Can it keep us strong when we’re feeling so weak and vulnerable. When it seems we can’t even stand, can this tiny faith move mountains.

But I think I may have gained a little insight into this verse over the years. You see, it has little to do with us, and everything to with God. It’s God who is able to do more than we can ask or imagine according to Ephesians 3:20-21. It’s in our moments of crushing, that God turns our weakness into power. When we can no longer rely upon ourselves, or our strength, we must turn to God. And in that moment of mustard seed faith, He acts. He moves our mountains.

Yes, I believe that’s it. What we need is enough faith to trust in God. To turn it over to him even when our faith is as tiny as a mustard seed. When we have been crushed, we cry out to Abba Father. And our daddy hears our voice. And like our earthly father, He comes along side us to comfort us. There is a beautiful picture of this faith in the garden of Gethsemane, when Jesus cried out Abba Father in Mark 13:36.  While sweating drops of blood, Jesus took what faith he had, and cried out to his Father. Daddy, help me, take this cup from me. But if not, your will be done. In a sense, Jesus says to his Father, give me the strength to finish what I have begun. And He did. You talk about moving mountains. That night mountains were moved. And when the deed was done the Sky darkened, and the earth stood still. The faith of a mustard seed conquered death.

It is God, that can move mountains with the spoken word. It is God that parted the sea so his people could walk across on dry ground. It is God that gave his only begotten Son so we wouldn’t have to face the sting of death. How do we move mountains with tiny faith? Like John the Baptist said in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” We with our little faith, decrease, so God with his unlimited power can increase.

Do you have mountains in your life today that you need help with moving? Can I encourage you to take your crushing and allow God to turn it into power. Putting whatever little faith you have, into the hands of an Almighty God is the beginning of something big, like a mountain.

You Make This World a Better Place

Posted on by Jesse Walker

Have you ever wondered what you can do to make this world a better place? Rachel Platten in the song “Better Place” says “it’s a better place sense you came along.” What a beautiful song. Filled with so much truth. In 1 Corinthians 13:5 it says, “love keeps no record of wrongs.” Maybe God had an even better hit song called “Love Keeps No Record of Wrong”. Now that should become a golden label. It’s a better place sense you came along, singing “Love Keeps No Records of Wrong.”

Yet, I’m afraid many have become what I’m calling certified counting professionals (CCP). They keep track of every single mistake someone makes. You probably know someone like this. It might even be us. This isn’t to say that we should become door mats or to never confront them with their sins. The bible is clear, in Romans 15:1 those that are strong should help those that are weak. And in the  book of Jude, it says we are to “save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” We have an obligation to rescue those that need rescuing.

But this task will become impossible if you go around keeping a record of wrongs. Pretty soon you will refuse to help because you’ve been hurt. It becomes about you and your pain, not how you can help others. I wonder where we would be if Jesus had that attitude with us. Can you imagine Jesus saying to Peter. Peter, if you deny me one more time, I’m going to vaporize you. Or maybe when he was speaking to Thomas, he would have said, Thomas this is the last time I’m going to answer your silly questions. You better get it right this time or I’m done with you. Aren’t you glad Jesus isn’t that way with us.

Be honest, we preach grace, while keeping track of the wrongs that others do. We question if they are being sincere when they ask for forgiveness. Especially if they come forward multiple times for the same sin. Peter was good at keeping count. He even asked Jesus in Matthew 18:21 , is seven times enough to forgive someone? Jesus replied in Matthew 18:22 ,“I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” Jesus was not giving Peter a number. He was telling Peter to quit counting. The number doesn’t matter. Forgive them as much as they need forgiving.

Do you want to make this world a better place? Keep singing “Love Keeps No Record of Wrong” at the top of your lungs. And this world will become a better place sense you came along.