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The Great Shepherd

Posted on by Jesse Walker

In the gospel of John (John 10:1-18), Jesus said, “I am the great shepherd.”  He also says that his sheep hear his voice and that He knows them by name. There is a close relationship between the Great Shepherd and His sheep. How well do you listen to Jesus? We live in a world that praises the spectacular. The superior athlete. The elite of teams. The biggest and the best.

Yet Jesus heals the sick. He restores sight to the blind and heals the lame. He calms storms and feeds the hungry. He touches the diseased leprosy person who others avoid. He eats with sinners and offers life to the outcasts of His day.  How clearly do we hear the voice of our Great Shepherd?

When was the last time you talked to someone who others see as a failure or a misfit? When was the last time you fed someone who was hungry? When was the last time you visited the sick? Matthew 25:40 says, “Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’”

Lord, please open our eyes to see the overlooked and ignored. Help us to find joy in the ordinary.

The Great Light Has Come!

Posted on by Jesse Walker

George Jones sang a song called “Where Did the Sunshine Go.” He asked where is the love I used to know? Where did the Sunshine go? Where is the one I needed so.

Where has the light gone? Our world is engulfed in darkness. According to Isaiah 9:2, “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.” The Apostle John tells us that, Jesus came into the world to bring light and life. Unfortunately, as we read in John 3:19-21, the people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you are a child of the light and the day. 1 Thessalonians 5:5. You do not belong to the night or to the darkness. Aren’t you glad as a believer your eyes have been open. You don’t have to stumble around in the dark. God has revealed himself and His great love for you.

Are you confused, stumbling through life, bumping into objects in the dark? John says, “walk in the light” so you will know where you are going. John 12:35. Friend, you don’t’ have to be in the dark. The light (Jesus Christ) has come, and His word is a lamp to our feet. Psalm 119:105. But the clock is ticking, come before it is too late.

The more we spend time in the darkness, the more comfortable it becomes. Your eyes will adjust, and you will begin to accept things you never would have before. In Matthew 5:16 we are told to let our light shine before men. Darkness and light have nothing in common.

Will you join me in offering them light? Let’s not hide our lights under the basket but hold them up high so that they will shine brightly in our communities. Bringing light to the entire city.

God of Second Chances

Posted on by Jesse Walker

Have you ever needed a second, third or fourth chance? The prophet Jonah did. When he was told to go to Nineveh he ran from God (Jonah 1:1-3). And when his running away from God almost cost him his life, he cries out to God and his prayers are answered. While I don’t suggest you wait until your life smells like rotten fish, if that is where you are, it’s never too late to repent and to seek God’s help.

While God is the God of second chances. I’m not suggesting you live your life in a sloppy fashion as if it doesn’t matter. That is just as unbiblical as thinking you don’t need God. The Apostle James addresses this when he compares those who have no work with those who have no faith. Believers will have evidence of their new life. They will possess the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

In 2 Corinthians 5:17 it says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”  Believers in Christ are not just put back together. Or patched up. They are completely new. In Titus 3:5-6, God saved us by his mercy, when we were reborn and we were generously given the Holy Spriit through Jesus our Savior. And according to Romans 6:3-6 this is done through baptism where believers are buried into Christ’s death and risen unto His resurrection. Paul goes on to show how the believer’s mind is to change and to no longer serve the flesh. But is to be controlled by the Spirit (Romans 8:6).

Are you tired of chasing after the fruitless things of life? The things that leave you empty. Jesus stands ready to offer you living water where you will never thirst again (John 4:10-14). Have you been running from God like Jonah and come to know that you need help. Cry out to God, and the God of second changes will answer your prayers. Come celebrate the NEW BIRTH!

Plenty or Little

Posted on by Jesse Walker

On a scale from 1 to 5, how would you rate your contentment? Contentment can become a challenge when things seem to be going terribly wrong. When others talk about us, office politics, financial loss, sickness, worry, relationships, the list is endless.

The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:11-13 that he “…had learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Paul had learned to trust in God. Before you say, Paul doesn’t know what you are facing, listen to his words in II Corinthians 11:25-33 where He says he was beaten with rods 3 times, stoned once, and shipwrecked 3 times. Paul knew what it was to have nothing and to be left for dead. Yet Paul found how to be content in any situation he found himself.

When we struggle to live in peace, and to find contentment, it’s often times because we aren’t trusting enough in God. Scripture can help us to find contentment. 1 Timothy 6:6-7 reads, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”  There is much gain to be found for those that live a godly life filled with contentment. The truth is, we will leave this world with nothing. It doesn’t matter how much stuff you accumulate. In the end, it will all be left behind.

Hebrews 13:5 says, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; and never will I forsake you.” When you are feeling overwhelmed, over stressed, at your wits limit, remember God has said he is always with you.

Contentment is found in God and in his word. When the world is pushing in on you, learn to be like Jesus. Find a quiet place to pray. Slip away to your secret mountain top and spend time with your creator. Jesus always found time to talk to His Father. And if we learn to do the same, we will find peace and joy.  And this is Jesse Walker with the Glenwood Church of Christ.

Attitude Helps Determine Altitude

Posted on by Jesse Walker

Do you remember when you received your first love letter? I’ll never forget mine. It went something like this, I like you, do you like me, check yes or no. I was young, and had no idea what love really was. All I knew was my belly was full of butterflies.

Did you know the Apostle Paul had a love for the Philippian brethren? In Philippians 1:7 he writes, “I have you in my heart…” In the next verse he again writes, “I long after you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 1:8).

It’s in this very city that Paul so loved that Silas and himself were beaten for preaching Christ and put in prison and around midnight they were praying and singing hymns unto God and the prisoners were listening to them. (Acts 16:25). Oh, the power of love is stronger than any physical wound. No amount of ill-treatment could lessen the love that Paul and Silas have for their God. Beaten and in chains, they sing. It’s in this same love letter that Paul penned the words, “Rejoice in the Lord always…” You might say, Paul lived what he preached.

The message is true for you and me today. We are commanded to rejoice in the Lord always. But do we? We have become a nation that spends our time complaining. We complain about politics. About school boards. How it rains too much, or it’s too hot, or it’s too cold. How no one spoke to me. They didn’t ask me to do this or that.

Do you know what the results were that day when Paul and Silas were praying and singing in prison? The “prisoners were listening to them” (Acts 16:25). And because of that, the jailer cries out, “what must I do to be saved.” And that very night all that was in his house believed and was baptized. Do you realize the power of your attitude? By Paul and Silas giving praise to God, souls were saved that night.

It also teaches, we should be careful because there is always someone listening. In the darkest of places. In the places where we think God isn’t wanted. Around people that we think would never accept Jesus. A jailer cries out. “What must I do to be saved.” (Acts 16:25-34). Do you realize, this night could have turned out very differently? Paul and Silas and the prisoners could have run when the jail doors were swung open miraculously. But even before that. Paul and Silas could have chosen to be mad about their unfair treatment. They could have been ugly to the guards. And if they had, the jailer would never have seen a difference in them than any other prisoner. But because they choose to “rejoice” souls were saved.

The next time you find yourself complaining about life, remember someone is listening. Even in places you think they’re not. How you respond to struggles in life may be the difference between someone being saved or remaining lost. Lord, I pray you forgive me for the times I have been negative. For the times I failed to “rejoice.” May others see my joy and may it be infectious. Let me be a part of the cure not part of the problem. And this is Jesse Walker with the Glenwood Church of Christ.

The Power of Love

Posted on by Jesse Walker

Love can drive us to do what seems impossible. For example, my wife has selfishly loved me for years, and this isn’t always easy to do. Wait a minute. Why are you laughing? I’ll bet your spouses could say the same thing about you.

I recently read an incredibly sad and heart wrenching story about a mother who died while rescuing her children from their burning home. Her love for her children cannot be denied. It reminds me of Jesus’ love for us. Jesus surrendered Himself to face death on a cross, in order that we could live. But how did mere mortal man pull off such a sinful deed? I mean, how did humanity capture deity?

There is one remarkably simple answer. They didn’t. Jesus laid down his life freely. In John 19:10-11, Pilate ask Jesus, “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” And Jesus replied, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.”

Man does not manipulate God. God does not come running when man snaps his fingers. In an act of pure unselfish love, Jesus chooses to lay down his life so you and me could have life. Do you need more proof? In Matthew 26:53, Jesus says, “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?

Humankind did not trick Jesus, He wasn’t overpowered, and He didn’t miscalculate, or make a wrong turn on the road to Jerusalem. He wasn’t like Sampson who lost his power when his secret was revealed. Jesus purposely died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6-8). In other words, Jesus saw us with all our ugliness, and willingly died for us.

Are you feeling all alone? Like no one cares about you. Can I tell you about someone who loves you more than you can comprehend? If you want to know more about this kind of love, leave me a comment. Or send me an email at jvwalker@otg-llc.com. I’d love to hear from you.

Seeing With Our Spiritual Eyes

Posted on by Jesse Walker

In Matthew 28:17 we read that there were those in his day that saw Jesus perform miracles and yet they didn’t believe. I guess for some, “seeing isn’t believing.” But what about you and me? We haven’t touched Jesus like Thomas in John 20:27, nor did we eat with Him when he fed the multitudes in Matthew 14:18-19.

It would seem that we are at a terrible disadvantage. But is that really true? Listen to what Jesus said in John 16:7 – “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”  Jesus clearly states, that when he leaves, He is going to send someone he calls the “Helper.” To use we know this as the Holy Spirit. How can his leaving be to our advantage? If he leaves, we won’t be able to physically talk to Him. We won’t be able to see him with our physical eyes. How can that be to our benefit?

In Ephesians 1:17-18 the Apostle Paul prays that God would open the eyes of the hearts of the Ephesian’s so they will know God. and comprehend the greatness of His power. The same is true for all believers today. We haven’t physically seen Jesus, we haven’t touched Him, but the eyes of our hearts (our spiritual eyes) have been open to see the greatness of God’s power. 1 Peter 1:8 says, “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.”  

No, I haven’t heard an audible voice, or seen the face of God. But He’s as real as if I had. He is ever present in my life. John 14:23 says, “Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.” Lord, I pray you will open the eyes of all who are caught in the struggles of life, which can’t see beyond the pain, and suffering. Let them see you, Father. Let them come to know you. So, they may experience the glory that comes from loving you. And this is Jesse Walker with the Glenwood Church of Christ.

Don’t Give Up

Posted on by Jesse Walker

Are you a patient person? For many of us, the answer is somewhere between very patient and no patience. For too many Christians I’m afraid their prayers to God go something like this, “Lord please give me patience and I want it NOW!”

I love the example we can clearly see in the story of Nehemiah when he heard about his homeland being in ruins. It shows his compassion, his love for his people. And how he immediately turned to God for answers. He drops to his knees in prayer and ask God for help. In Nehemiah 1:1 in the month of Chislev (December) he goes to God in prayer. And what happens? A big fat nothing. We read a little further and we see in Nehemiah 2:1 in the month of Nisan (April) by the providence of God he had an appointment with King Artaxerxes his boss, who would ask him what was wrong. And in the end his prayers would be put in motion. He would be given permission to return home and to begin rebuilding his city. But Nehemiah had to wait four months before anything began to fall into place.

Can you imagine? Day one went by, and Nehemiah had no answer. Day two, and day three went by and no answer. Then month one, and month two, and month 3 went by and no answer. It had to seem to Nehemiah that no answer was going to ever be received. Ninety days had gone by, and he saw no relief. Then in month four, his prayers begin to be answered. Are you that patient? Be honest, for many of us, we have given up or moved on to find our own answers by now. We assume if God hasn’t responded by now, he never will.

Romans 12:12 says, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” For the child of God, we have to learn to never give up hope. To be patient in our struggles, and to never give up on prayer. Remember faith is having confidence in what we hope for, and the assurance of what we have not seen (Hebrews 11:1).

Have you been praying for a family member? Don’t give up. Have you been praying for a lost soul, don’t give up. Have you been praying for a better relationship? Don’t give up. These might just be the most powerful words ever uttered by humankind; Don’t give up.

What Do You Think About Most?

Posted on by Jesse Walker

Has anyone ever asked you, what are you thinking about? Or what’s on your mind? Can I ask you that question today? What do you concentrate on the most? Is it money, or family, or sports or something else? This time of year, many are thinking about warmer weather.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “A man is what he thinks about all day long.” Did you know the bible says the same thing in Proverbs 23:7, when it says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…” The bible is also clear, that the mind and the heart cannot be separated. For in Genesis 6:5 we read, “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Whether good or bad thoughts, the more we think about something the more they become who we are. That is why we are told to think about things that are true, honorable, and right. To think about things that are worthy of praise in Philippians 4:8.

So, let me ask you, are you unhappy? Are you struggling to find peace in your life? Do you seem over stressed and worried about tomorrow? Are you unable to sleep at night? If this is you, can I offer you some help? Read the word of God and think of things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Take a few minutes a day and read something positive from God’s word. For example, “The Lord is my Shepperd I shall not want” Psalms 23. The more you read this the more you will understand that God is your Shepperd, and he will take care of you. He knows what you need. You aren’t all alone. Or read John 10:11 where Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” By reading and thinking about this text you will be changed. Read it in the morning when you wake up. Read it after breakfast. Read it at lunch time, read it at supper time. Read it before you go to bed. Sadly, some tell me they don’t have time, or that they memorized the verse, so they stopped reading. If your doctor told you to take your medicine 3 times a day or you’re going to die, would you follow his instructions? Would you take it all at once? Would you stop taking it after you felt a little better? Absolutely not because you want to live. Jesus said man does not live by bread alone but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). For most of us, our next meal is not our problem. For us, our challenge is the lack of spiritual food. If you want to live, you must think of good things. You must read it over and over. Meditate on it. And if you do, your life will be changed.

Turning Water Into WIne

Posted on by Jesse Walker

Why is the first recorded miracle of Jesus’ public ministry turning water into wine? Wouldn’t it be more impressive to record that Jesus raised someone from the dead? Yea, that’s what I would have done. Make it something really flashy. Something no one could doubt. This is even more interesting when we consider that Jesus did many other signs that are not recorded in the bible. John 20:30. Out of all of the signs and wonders that Jesus performs in his ministry, John decides to go with turning water into wine. Why? There has to be something of great significance in order for John to do this.

There are many observations we could make.  One of them being, how God cares about the seemingly unimportant people of our society. In this story there is an unknown man and woman. Being married in a small, relatively unimportant city. The miracle took place where only the disciples and the servants witnessed it. There was no abracadabra, hocus pocus.  No large crowds, just his disciples and the servants. And all Jesus says, is fill the six water pots with water. That doesn’t even seem to fit the problem.  Didn’t Jesus understand we don’t need water. We need wine.

So why this miracle John? I believe because this miracle shows the transformative power of God. God takes the ordinary element of odorless and tasteless water and transforms it into something with an aroma and taste. And he does it with the spoken word. “Fill the pots to the brim with water.”  Now take it to the head servant and let him taste it. And what does the master of the ceremony say, “but you have saved the best till now.” John 2:10.

God takes something that seems ordinary (water) and transforms it into life. Just as he did in the garden when he took dirt and formed man and then breathed life into his nostrils. Genesis 2:7. God’s transforming power, can take sinners and turn them into saints. For all those who are in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Friends, I hope you can see that this miracle is much more than changing water into wine. It is about God giving life to all those who believe in the Son and his transforming power. And the best news is, you haven’t seen anything yet. The best is yet to come when the groom (Jesus) returns to gather his bride.