Dear People

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Dear People Who Keep Company with God,

In the garden, the devil came to Eve and tempted her to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. You will be like God, he suggested (Genesis 3:5-6). In that moment of temptation, Eve didn’t remember or trust that she and Adam were already like God. He created them in His image (Genesis 1:27). To this day, the devil doesn’t deviate much from his original playbook. The root of our fall begins when we believe we must do something to be loved, accepted, and pleasing to God.

Genesis chapter 4 reveals two family lines on the earth: the family of Cain and the family of Seth. It says that ungodly Cain left the presence of the Lord and built a city (Genesis 4:16). Cain and his descendants developed a civilization apart from God. Their significance and identity were based on their accomplishments (Genesis 4:17-21). While the godly line of Seth called on the Lord, the Scriptures do not mention anything they accomplished (Genesis 4:25-26). Their significance and identity came from their relationship with God, not what they did.

The family of Cain finally reached such a depth of darkness that they were swept away by the flood. In contrast, the family of Seth gave the world Enoch, who walked with God (Genesis 5:24), and Noah, who was perfect in his generation (Genesis 6:9). This bloodline eventually led to Christ. Seth embodies grace. Cain exemplifies performance.

We are conditioned from birth to seek approval and acceptance from others by what we do and how we act. We consciously or unconsciously do this to overcome our fears, insecurity, guilt, and shame. In the world, our significance and identity are measured throughout our lives by what we accomplish. If we produce, we are considered successful and worthy, which can work in the world system if it doesn’t lead to pride. Some people foolishly flaunt their accomplishments, possessions, or qualities they deem admirable, seeking the praise of others, not knowing that pride goes before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).

We set ourselves up for disaster when we try the worldly approach of performing for acceptance in our relationship and life with God. It can lead to pride born from self-righteousness or conceit, which God will resist (James 4:6). Even if you do not become prideful, you will eventually burn out emotionally and spiritually, seeking acceptance by accomplishment. You will drift away from God because you can never live up to what you think He requires of you. Grace is the answer. Grace is at the foundation of Christianity. It is the power of God made available to meet all your needs. When you are too weak to do what needs to be done or be your true self, God’s power is perfected in your life.

The beautiful thing is that grace has appeared to all in the person of Jesus Christ (John 1:14). We have access to His grace through faith (Romans 5:1-2), but we must first humble ourselves. God gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Biblical humility is about surrendering and not depending on our human abilities, strengths, and thinking to please God or serve Him. That doesn’t mean we are to do nothing. On the contrary, the bride prepares herself (Revelation 19:7). By the Holy Spirit’s leading, we study, design, and prepare for what He asks us. But we are not to trust in our own preparation. We rely only on Him for the ability to do in and through us whatever He requires (Philippians 2:13).

Many Blessings, BW

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You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3

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Dear People Who Keep Company with God,

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Imagination is an inspirational word. It reminds us of children playing or adventure movies, yet it is not just for the young or cinematic entertainment. Albert Einstein said, “Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions.” He was right. God is the original Creator, and He has blessed us with minds made to create through the power of imagination. Our imagination is the Lord’s way of releasing creative thoughts into our life. It opens the door to possibilities where creativity, ingenuity, and thinking outside the box have their beginning. Everything created by humans – automobiles, airplanes, cellphones, computers, cigarettes, and pipe bombs – all began in the imagination of someone before they became a reality. We should never underestimate the power of imagination for good or evil.

The Hebrew word for mind in Isaiah 26:3 is ‘yetser,‘ which means a form, conception, or imagination. This verse tells us that imagination can be a mighty force when the storms of life crash upon our doorsteps. We can stay at peace and safely navigate instability, fear, and confusion by filling our imagination with the Lord. The Psalms reveal that King David masterfully used his imagination throughout his life experiences. For instance, in Psalm 16:8, David wrote, “I saw the Lord always in my presence for He is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken.” He was not speaking of an open vision or prophetic experience. Instead, David continually kept the Lord in his imagination; consequently, his faith in the Lord enabled him not to be moved or taken down by circumstances or opposition.

Our imagination can also work against us if we allow influences from the world, flesh, or the devil to gain a foothold. For example, scripture warns us that the flood in the days of Noah happened because of both the wickedness and imaginations of men (Genesis 6:5). Later, Moses cautioned Israel about giving in to the wrong inclinations and imagination of their hearts before they crossed over to their inheritance in the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 31:21).

Thankfully, the Bible gives us practical ways to protect our imagination. Peter tells us, “Gird up the loins of your mind” (1 Peter 1:13). By looking at the meaning of the words gird, loins, and mind, a more literal translation is, “Guard the reproductive part of your mind, which is your imagination.” Peter likens the imagination to a spiritual womb. If bad influences find a home in your imagination, you will bear fruit that leads to loss, regret, and sorrow.

Only by the grace and power of the Holy Spirit can we guard our imagination against evil. Like David, see that the Lord is with you and for you. Remember whose you are and who you are in Christ. Reject imagery, thoughts, words, philosophies, and teachings contrary to the heart of Christ. Pay attention and obey the peace of God within you and always be thankful (Colossians 3:15). By doing this, you will experience the peace of God that passes all understanding, and the power of the Holy Spirit will protect your heart and mind.

Many Blessings, BW

Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. Jude 1:3

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Dear People Who Keep Company with God,

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The Book of Jude is crucial for believers today. It’s not only written to us, as God’s holy people, but also entrusted to us to preserve, defend, and contend for the faith. Sometimes, we must stand up for what is righteous and merciful. And there are times to speak for love, truth, and against fear. How do we fight for the faith?

First, we need to know the difference between contending and being contentious. Being contentious means acting out of an argumentative or divisive spirit. We must always be kind and not quarrelsome towards people (2 Timothy 2:24-25). Our battle is not with humans alone but with the dark world’s rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers (Ephesians 6:12)

Thankfully, Jude gives us some keys on how to contend for the faith. He begins by telling us to remember the words spoken by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ (Jude 1:17). We are to be people grounded in the word of God. Jesus said, “Your word is truth” (John 17:17).

‍We are not fighting for our political, personal, or theological perspectives but for our faith in Christ. Then, he says to pray in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20). Our spiritual strength increases as we pray in the Holy Spirit, which gives us the energy and power to contend for our faith. The Apostle Paul told us, “Whoever speaks in a tongue edifies himself” (1 Corinthians 14:4). Edifies means building or establishing a house. Faith flows more freely as the result of praying in the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).

The next thing Jude tells us is to keep ourselves in the love of God (Jude 1:21). God’s love is essential as it is the foundation of our lives; our foundation determines our destiny. Therefore, we must remain “rooted and grounded in God’s love” (Ephesians 3:17). That means knowing, by revelation, that He loves and accepts us, not for what we do but simply for who we are—His beloved children. As we invest our hearts in our relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14), we will root ourselves in His love.

One of my favorite titles of God is “the Father of mercies” (2 Corinthians 1:3). This is who He is and what He is like. Jude tells us to look for the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ (Jude 1:21) because Jesus is the face of God’s mercy. I love how Psalm 119:132 captures the essence of His mercy toward us, “Look upon me and be merciful to me, as Your custom is toward those who love Your name.” Another way of saying this is, “God, I see you having mercy on everyone around me. I would like some too!”

‍Jude concludes by telling us to show love to others (Jude 1:22), even those who seem to be undermining the faith. True love always seeks expression (1 John 4:20-21) in voice or actions, as it is a compelling power (2 Corinthians 5:14). The Apostle Paul loved the Corinthian believers, and love compelled him to write them a letter that was challenging, one that caused sorrow in him and in the Corinthians. But it needed to be spoken, so love said the hard truths. There are unloving ways to talk about the truth—that kind of truth-speaking we should reject. But there are ways to speak the truth in love that we should always seek.

We must continually let His love shape how we talk about our faith.

Many Blessings, BW

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
‍Genesis 1:1

Dear People Who Keep Company with God,

The first four words of the Bible are significant as they reveal the existence of God. Genesis is about the origin of everything except God. He has no starting point. Even before there was a beginning, there was God. He always has been, always is, and always will be. That’s what it means to be from everlasting to everlasting. That is the very definition of eternity. God made everything in creation, and all that is created points to His glory.

The profound mystery is that our everlasting creator, God, wants to walk and talk with us. He has a commission for us, one He initially gave to Adam and Eve in the garden. Before the fall, they had a divine connection and communion with the Lord, and their lives were blessed and fulfilled (Genesis 1:28). And we were created for the same purpose. God never revoked the original commission. He is looking for people who will lay hold of all His plans and intentions by faith.‍

In the beginning, God.

He is who we need in all of our beginnings. Everything that begins with God has the best chance of success. The Bible starts with God and ends with the glory of the New Jerusalem. I love how the New Testament opens as the Old Testament does, with an introduction and revelation of God. But Matthew focuses on the Person of Jesus Christ. Matthew begins his gospel with “the book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ” (Matthew 1:1), whereas Mark states, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” (Mark 1:1). Luke tells us how God prepared a people to birth the Christ Child into the world (Luke 1-2). John writes, “in the beginning, the Word” (John 1:1) because the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Often in a new beginning, as in the act of physical creation, our hearts and life may seem “without form and void and in darkness” (Genesis 1:2). Do not let this throw you off. It is not a doorway to despair but to hope. New beginnings and fresh starts can be scary, as change is often inherently challenging.

Every day begins in the darkness of night, but light always arrives as the morning dawns. The Holy Spirit is constantly with us, brooding like a mother hen over all our questions, chaos, and darkness. And as the sun rises in the morning, the light of Christ will arise upon you. And as this happens, we can receive renewed meaning, identity, and purpose (Genesis 1:3).

In a time of unprecedented upheaval, change, and turmoil in the world, the Holy Spirit invites us to a renewal of our first love. Jesus Christ is “the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end” (Revelation 22:13). Jesus is the first stone, the “chief cornerstone” in every building that will withstand life’s storms.

Build your thought life upon Christ. Let Him be your first thought every morning, the last thought as you fall asleep at night, and the center of your big and small endeavors. His wisdom will arise in you (1 Corinthians 1:30). You can discern and judge what is fitting, trustworthy, and lasting. And like the sons of Issachar, you will understand the times and know what to do with decisions big and small (1 Chronicles 12:32).

Many Blessings, BW