Be You

When God gives you a vision whether through his Holy Spirit or through his word, walk in it. If you have a tough time following through with this, you might find yourself leaning towards others points of view and alinating yourself from his. Don't ever look to somone else and say-Well if he can have those views and prosper, why can't I? You have to walk in the light of your vision that has been given to you. Dont try to immaulate or dublicate somone else or their ideas, be you. You are unquely you.

Acts 2:17

In his grip
Wes

Isnt it amazing

Isnt it amazing? Isnt it amazing to think that the God who made nitrogen and pine needles and gave us the key of E-minor, is the same God that loves us? It's a love that is unconditional and a self-sacrificing love. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss. - Francis Chan.

He loves you and me more than we could ever no, until we reach heaven. Think about him more and more often because you are definately on his mind.

Matthew 22:37-40

In His Grip
Wes

Greatful

God has been good to all of us. Lets take the time over the next few days to thank the lord for his many blessings and for just being who he is.

John 3:3

In his Grip
Wes

Emotions

It's true that we were created as emotional creatures, the first thing that most of us did after we were born was cry. The God that we serve, himself is an emotional God. Old testament speaks of Gods anger and emotion towards his people. Don't forget that Jesus wept. We were given the emotions that we have so that we can use them. It is totally o.k. to show emotion, but what is not o.k. is to let our emotions run our lives. When we let our emotions take over, then that means that we have taken the reigns from God and handed them over to our emotions. Remember only one can be in control. When you feel happy and joyous, thats great. When you feel angry and hurt, thats o.k. to. Just dont let these emotions dictate how you are going to spend the rest of your life, because only God can lead us down the right track.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-14

In His Grip
Wes

Wisdom from the Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:12 "We have not received the spirit of the world but the spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us."

This is a time or a season of giving, and as followers of Jesus we have been given a very special gift, the gift of the Holy Spirit. This gift is mentioned here in this verse to remind us of the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Here are a couple of things that the Lord has spoken to my heart about this verse.
1.) We have not recieved the spirit of the world- The spirit of the world brings doubt, fear, worry, regret, and other feelings that keep us from being the best that we can be. This Holy Spirit replaces those feelings with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and a slough of other positive life changing ideas.
2.) understand what God has freely given us- To understand means to take the time to recognize what is going on. If you want to understand something, you have to study it and know it. To not understand or know is simply ignorance. Its not Gods plan for us to be ignorant to his ways. Be intimate with the God you serve and know him.

In his grip
Wes

What defines you?

What defines you? Is what you do, the thing that defines you? Is what you put your faith in, the thing that defines you? Are the relationships with people that surround you what defines you?

I dont know that these things can be answered direclty and especially without much debate, but I do know this, that without Jesus I can do nothing (Phillipians 4:13), whithout faith in Jesus I have not real faith (Romans 10:17), and without a right relationship with Jesus I have no relationship at all (Matthew 22:37).

In his Grip
Wes

Rest

Take some time to rest this holiday season. That almost sounds ridiculous I know. Rest is something that we all need, if it was good enough for God to do, dont you think we should consider it? I know that it flies against what we are told in our culture, but it really is O.K. to take some time and just kick back.

Matthew 11:28

In his grip
Wes

Detours

Detours, man are they frustrating. No one likes to be inconvenienced, especially when you are in a hurry to get somewhere. Believe it or not, there can actually be some advantages to detours.

1.) It forces you to take a new direction. (Jeremiah 29:11)

2.) With new direction comes new scenery. (Jeremiah 10:23)

3.) Sometimes it forces you to slow down. (Psalms 139:1-3)

Remember perspective is everything.

In his grip
Wes

What about today

Lets take the time to consider the people and things that are around us right now. Lets not be so concerned about yesterday or even tomorrow, I think there is a scripture that refers to that, (Matt. 6:34). I borrowed this quote from a friend,"I'm not worried about the people in my past, there is a reason why they didnt make it to my future." Thanks Terrell. Just something to think about today.

In his grip
Wes Jones.

Stress

Matthew 11:28&29
"Come to me all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Unfortunately, stress in our lives is unavoidable. The weight of worries, fears, doubts, and other things that keep us stressed out is part of life. The important thing to do is learn how to manage it. Here are a few keys that we can take from this scripture.

1.) Come to me- The first thing that we have to do is the most important, and that is to go to Jesus. He doesnt need to be our second or third option behind a friend or a book, but he needs to be first.

2.) Take my yoke, learn from me- The idea of the "yoke" is found in old farming ways. Farmers would yoke togehter working animals so that they would stay on the same track. Lets get on track with his plans for our lives and allow him to work for and with us.

3.) Find rest for your souls- Once you have turned those things over to him, let him have them for good and rest in the fact that your life is in good hands.

The things seem simple I know, but I can promise you they are effective. Take from me I know.

Prayer for the day: Lord help me to take care of those things that I can, and to leave the rest up to you without worry. Amen.

Denial

Luke 9:23
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me".

Accepting Jesus as Lord of our lives demands not only believing the truth of the gospel but also committing to it fully. We must chose between denying ourselves or living for those own selfish desires, and we got to do this everyday. I have to tell you though the benefits of denial are outstanding. Who knew that denial could be such a glorious thing.

In his grip
Wes

The three "P"s

As I was heading into the church this morning I was listening to the radio. A commercial came on for the Better Life Foundation. In this commercial the speaker talked about what your kids see in you. He asked, What is your passion, purpose, and priority? That is my question to you today.
1.) Passion- Titus 2: 11-13
2.) Purpose- Proverbs 19:21
3.) Priority- Matthew 6:33

Just a few things to think about. I pray that you have a great day and that you pursue him with all you got.

In his grip
Wes

People matter:

1.) People are illlogical and self -centered. (Love them anyway.)

2.) People favor underdogs and follow top dogs. (Fight for the underdog anyway.)

3.) People really need help but may attack you if you really do help them. (Help people anyway.)

Doug Clay.

John 13:34@35

In his grip.
Wes

So they say

Everybody seems to have an opinion on everything and they have as many solutions as you might have problems. We are such an opinionated people. As much as we would like to think that we have it together, the fact is we dont. Scripture reminds us to lean not on our own understanding but to find our accord in him. Lets not rely so much on others or even ourselves, but just count on Jesus.

In his grip
Wes

Determination

Jeremiah 29:11

Lets face it, it would be real easy to become discouraged. These arent the greatest of times in alot of ways, but the fact of the matter is, this is were we are at. We have to make the best of what we have and not concentrate so much on what we dont have. Be determined stay the course and fight with everything you got inside of you. Remember he's got your back.

In his grip.
Wes

The first

This is my very first post ever. I am very excited in starting this new area of ministry. My hope is that if just one might be encouraged or challenged to live a happy, healthier, God centered life it is worth the time and effort to post a few words. Thanks to you for your time to read these as well.

In Him
Wes