Uncategorized

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.

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.

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.

The Inner Man

Posted on by Jesse Walker

Do you struggle with remaining faithful to God? If we’re honest, we all have good and bad days. But for some it can be a struggle to even like themselves. For others they see themselves as a failure.  Still others have been deeply hurt and can’t find the strength to move on. This may be true if you had to go through this life alone. But you don’t.  These are all lies taught by the devil and his henchmen to keep you trapped from becoming what God wants you to be. Many believe in the strength of the physical body, but they fail to see the strength of the inner man.

One of the greatest gifts given to all believers by God is the indwelling of his Holy Spirit in our inner man. In Ephesians 3:16 the Apostle Paul is on his knees praying just such a prayer. He asks the Father to reveal to all believers the ability to comprehend the power living within their inner man, namely the Holy Spirit. So they can grasp how vast Christ loves them.

According to 1 Corinthians 2:9-10, it is the Spirit that searches the deep things of God. Revealing to all believers the things which our human eyes have not seen and our ears have not heard and our mind cannot even imagine. Can you begin to see how big that makes our God? Bigger than we can dream.

You are loved so much by Christ that your human knowledge cannot fathom the love of Christ. It makes no earthly sense. Try as you may, you will never be able to measure the fulness of Christ love for you with your human mind. But there is a way. You can drop to your knees right now and read and pray. Put away your earthly knowledge of God and ask His Spirit to reveal it to you and he will. Ask and you shall receive. Draw near to me, and I will draw near to you.  I pray you will. And this is Jesse Walker with the Glenwood Church of Christ.

Holy Spirit Filled Life

Posted on by Jesse Walker

The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 5:18 said, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”  Earlier in Ephesians 4:29-32 he told them to control their mouths. To make sure their words are useful for building others up and not for tearing them down. And in the very middle of this subject, he goes on to say, and “do not grieve the Holy Spirit.”

Did you know you can grieve the Holy Spirit? I’m afraid as Christians, many of us have all but erased him from our Christian lives. In a sense we’ve become like the TV movie, “Ghost Busters” and have all but removed him from our Christian faith. Many only associate him with charismatic worship services, speaking in tongues and healing of the sick. Yet, in these passages, Paul I believe is showing how we grieve the Spirit when we walk by the flesh and not by the Spirit. In other words, we need the Spirit to help us in our ordinary day to day living.

Many Christians’ struggle in this life because they try to do it all on their own. You cannot do it on your own. You will never defeat the ruler of this world without the help of the Holy Spirit. That is why it is so important not to downplay the importance of him. The Holy Spirit is a person. The Holy Spirit is God. No less than God the Father nor God the Son. He is God the Spirit. They are all equal. For there is only one God. Every time you place the Spirit beneath God the Father, or God the Son, you lessen his importance. The Holy Spirit has the same characteristics as God, he is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent.

My prayer for you is that you will trust enough in God to see the power of God in the person of the Holy Spirit. As he works in you making you the person God designed you to be all along. 

Is your heart fully engaged?

Posted on by Jesse Walker

Have you ever found yourself running through the routines of life without much thought put into it? You know you hustle into class with your attention a mile away? Or with a thousand different things on your mind. You hope the preacher hasn’t prepared one of those long sermons.  You have a softball game to get to, a picnic planned, a bike ride, or an afternoon at the lake.  All good family activities.

I suppose we have all done that at one time or another.  Life can be hard to leave at the door on Sunday mornings. Our minds are cluttered with distractions. But can I challenge you to take a moment and breath, and to slow down and ask God to help you prepare. Before you head out the door, or maybe in the car, ask God to help you get ready for worship. Simply say, Lord thank you for loving me. Thank you for carrying me when I couldn’t stand. Lord, thank you for saving my marriage, and thank you for giving me my job. Father, thank you for never giving up on me. Thank you for walking with me through the valley of death when my enemy was all around. Thank you for carrying the load when I couldn’t. These simple words will help you dump the things in life that aren’t really that important.  And when you arrive at the doors of the building, you will be ready to help others see what God has done for them.  If they need a shoulder to cry on, you’ll be ready. If they need someone to rejoice with, you got it.  And your Father in heaven will smile down from heaven and accept your worship as a sweet aroma. Not because of perfection or imperfections, but because of an honest heart.

No God is not seeking perfectionist. Or those who think they can do it on their own. He’s seeking an honest and pure heart.  In Matthew 15:8 we read of those whom Jesus said, “’These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me”.  Church let’s check ourselves this morning, and make sure we are not just giving God lip service but that our hearts are fully engaged. Then our sacrifices will be acceptable and rise before Him as a sweet aroma. And this is Jesse Walker with the Glenwood Church of Christ.

Growing Pains

Posted on by Jesse Walker

Doctor’s estimate that about 40 percent of children go through some kind of growth pains. Parents often don’t know what to do. They will often rub their child’s arms and legs to help sooth them the best they can.

There is no clear answer on what causes growing pains. Some say it’s caused by bone growth. Others believe it might be discomfort caused by climbing or running throughout the day.

For the child of God, they too may have to face growing pains. In Psalm 139:23-24 it says, “23Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.24 See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”

The Psalmist cries out to God and says, Lord please take a good hard look at me.  Look deeply into my heart and see where I am lacking. And Lord, if you find anything wrong within me, test me. Wait, did I read that right? Did he say, “test me”?

I don’t know about you, but I’m not into asking God to send me trials. Are you? Isn’t there another way? I’m afraid not, to become mature in Christ we must grow up. We must experience growing pains. Paul said when I was a child, I reasoned like a child, but when I became a man, I put away childish ways. How bad do you want to become like Christ? Enough to ask God to look deep inside your heart, and to adjust as needed?

I wish I could say this is my prayer for every day of my life. But it scares me. I want to surrender, but then I read the story about Job and it scares me even more. Yes, I know in the end Job wins. But it’s the getting to the end that scares me. So how do we do it, I think we must become like Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Lord, please remove this cup from me, but if there is no other way, then your will be done not mine.

Lord, hear my prayer. Please lead me in your everlasting way. Examine me and fix me so that I will grow up in Christ Jesus. Lord, I know you know what I need best, and I fully trust in you. And this is Jesse Walker with the Glenwood Church of Christ.