Posted on by jwlozano

Be the One

In Luke 17, Jesus healed ten men who were suffering from leprosy. What stands out to me is that the healing did not happen immediately. Jesus told them to go, and the Bible says that as they went, they were healed. It took faith for them to start walking before they saw the miracle.

Can you imagine being one of those men? After years of isolation, pain, and rejection, suddenly your skin is restored. Your life is given back to you. Your family, your future, and your freedom are all restored.

Yet out of the ten who were healed, only one came back.

When he realized what Jesus had done, he turned around, ran back, fell at Jesus’ feet, and thanked Him. Jesus noticed. “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?” (Luke 17:17).

As I read this passage, I found myself asking a simple question. Which one am I?

I want to be the one.

I want to be the one who notices God’s blessings and takes time to thank Him for them. I want to be the one who chooses gratitude instead of complaining. I want to be the one who sees the good in people instead of focusing on their faults. I want to be the one who speaks life, encourages others, and looks for reasons to be thankful.

Our world is full of criticism, negativity, and complaints. It is easy to join the crowd. It is easy to become one of the nine who simply move on to the next thing. But gratitude sets us apart. It changes our perspective and reminds us that every good thing we have is a gift from God.

Today, let’s be the one.

The one who says thank you.

The one who chooses kindness.

The one who sees the good.

The one who gives God the glory.

Because while ten received the miracle, only one returned to worship the Miracle Giver.

Posted on by jwlozano

Learning to Rest

This week’s blog is coming out a little later than usual because I just returned from a family vacation in Hawaii. Between the travel and the five hour time difference, my body is still adjusting back to Wisconsin time.

Our trip was incredible. Everywhere I looked, I was reminded of God’s creativity. The variety of plants, the beauty of the ocean, the mountains, the wildlife, it all pointed back to the Creator. God didn’t have to make the world so beautiful. He could have created one type of tree, one type of flower, and called it done. Instead, He filled the earth with incredible variety for us to enjoy. As I reflected on that throughout the week, I was reminded of how good and generous He is.

But this post isn’t really about Hawaii. It’s about something the vacation reminded me of, the importance of rest. I want to spend some time talking about a subject that is very important to me, the Sabbath.

My family and I have always tried to be intentional about setting aside a day for worship, family, and rest. We attend church on Sundays, spend time together, and are careful not to fill the day with endless errands and activities. It’s a habit I’ve let slip in some ways recently, especially when it comes to putting my phone aside, but it remains one of the healthiest rhythms in my life.

What I love about the Sabbath is that God Himself established the pattern. After creating the heavens and the earth, He worked for six days and rested on the seventh. Later, when He provided manna for the Israelites in the wilderness, they gathered it for six days, but on the seventh day there was none. God was teaching His people to trust Him enough to rest.

I’ve seen that principle at work in my own life.

During the pandemic, I began selling handmade masks through my Etsy shop. Orders poured in, and I found myself working 14 to 16 hour days just to keep up. I was constantly tempted to work on Sundays so I could get ahead. But I made the decision to continue honoring the Sabbath.

Looking back, I truly believe that weekly day of rest is what sustained me through that season. By stopping, worshiping, and trusting God instead of striving, I found the strength I needed for the days ahead.

I think one reason so many people feel exhausted today is because we never stop. For many of us, Monday through Friday is spent working. Saturday becomes the day to catch up on chores and responsibilities. Then Sunday becomes the day we spend preparing to do it all over again. We keep moving, but we never truly rest.

Yet I believe God offers us a better pattern.

There is an old saying, “The devil never takes a day off.” But I’ve heard someone respond, “God rested one day a week, so who are you trying to imitate?”

I’ve always found that thought provoking because Scripture calls us to be imitators of God. God modeled rest for us. He knows we are not designed to run endlessly without stopping. It was never His intention for us to live overwhelmed, anxious, and exhausted every day of the week.

Jesus said in Matthew 11 that those who are weary and burdened can come to Him and find rest. I believe that honoring the Sabbath is one practical way we do exactly that. We come to God and say, “Lord, I know there is still work to be done, but I’m trusting You enough to stop. I’m trusting You to provide what I need.”

We often quote Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Usually we think about material provision when we read that verse, but I believe rest is part of God’s provision too. When we seek His ways first, He gives us what we need, including peace, strength, joy, and rest.

So if you’ve never practiced a Sabbath before, I’d like to challenge you this week to give it a try. Set aside a day to truly rest. Spend time with God. Put aside the endless to do list. Trust Him with the things that will still be waiting tomorrow.

For me, that day is Sunday. For you, it may be another day depending on your schedule. The specific day matters less than the intentional choice to stop, rest, and trust God.

You might be surprised by how much you need it.

Posted on by jwlozano

Lord, Save Me

Listen to the full message with presentation HERE!

There’s a moment in Scripture that feels almost too honest to gloss over.

Peter is walking on the water. He’s doing the impossible. And then suddenly, the wind catches his attention. Fear takes over. His feet begin to sink beneath the surface, and he cries out one simple prayer:

“Lord, save me.” (Matthew 14:30)

That’s it. No long explanation. No fancy wording. Just desperation and trust wrapped together in a few words.

It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

This story has always reminded me of something that happened with my son years ago. He was running up the stairs at full speed like kids do, and suddenly we heard a loud boom. I called out, “Are you okay?” and he meekly answered, “I’m okay.” But I knew better. I asked again, and after a pause, he burst into tears and said, “I’m not okay. Somebody call 911.”

We still laugh about it now, but the truth is, we do the same thing as adults. We walk into church, into work, into conversations carrying stress, fear, grief, and overwhelm—and when someone asks how we’re doing, we say, “I’m fine.” Sometimes it feels like it’s not okay to admit that we’re struggling. We think that real faith means pretending we’re always winning, always strong, always unshaken.

But Scripture tells a different story. It’s not a sin to be overwhelmed. It’s not a failure to need help.

Peter Needed Saving and So Do We

In Matthew 14:22–33, the disciples find themselves in a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee. This wasn’t a small inconvenience. These were experienced fishermen, and they were terrified. What makes this even more striking is when the storm happens.

It comes right after one of the greatest miracles they had ever witnessed—the feeding of the five thousand. They had just seen Jesus provide supernaturally, and yet now they were fighting for their lives. Sometimes the greatest storms come right after great spiritual victories.

Storms don’t mean God is absent. They don’t mean you missed something. They don’t mean you failed. Jesus already knew exactly where they were—and He was already on His way.

Look for Jesus in the Storm

When Jesus approached the boat, walking on the water, the disciples didn’t recognize Him at first. They thought He was a ghost. How often does Jesus show up in ways we don’t immediately recognize? Sometimes He looks like a friend checking in.
Sometimes He sounds like a Scripture that won’t leave your heart. Sometimes He’s the conviction that stops you mid-sentence.

Jesus said, “Take courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Look for Him in the storm. You’re not in it alone.

How Do We Survive the Storm?

Peter shows us exactly how to respond. The answer actually reaches back nearly 900 years earlier, when God gave King Solomon a clear prescription for times of crisis.

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
(2 Chronicles 7:14)

Peter did all four.

He humbled himself.
Admitting you need help is hard. Pride tells us we should be able to handle it. But Scripture says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6) Peter later wrote those words—after living them.

He prayed.
“Lord, save me.” That was his entire prayer. Prayer doesn’t have to be long to be powerful. It just has to be honest.

He sought Jesus.
Peter didn’t turn back to the boat or to the other disciples. He turned to Jesus. “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” (1 Chronicles 16:11)

He turned from doubt.
Jesus caught him and asked, “Why did you doubt?” Doubt doesn’t disqualify us—but we can’t stay there.

What Keeps Us Sinking

Some things will keep us stuck in the storm longer than necessary:

  • Pride — thinking we can handle it ourselves
  • Silence — refusing to cry out for help
  • Comparison — measuring our lives against others
  • Sin — carrying weight Jesus already paid for

Scripture reminds us: “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

But you have to call.

Exchange the Weight

Jesus invites us into something better: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28–30) When things are too heavy, we sink. When we release them to Jesus, we float. And notice how the story ends—Jesus gets into the boat with them. It’s not enough to cry out once and then push Him away. He wants to be part of every part of your life: the storms, the victories, the confusion, the healing.

He is close to the brokenhearted. If you’re sinking today, you don’t need perfect words. Just this one prayer will do:

“Lord, save me.”

COMING SOON!!

If you’re in a storm—or coming out of one—I don’t want you to walk through this alone. Over the next four weeks, I’ll be releasing a weekly study based on this message, breaking it down piece by piece so we can walk through it together. My prayer is that each week gives you space to reflect, be honest with God, and experience His rescue in a fresh way. Come back each week and let’s do this together.

Posted on by jwlozano

Right Place, Wrong Time: Lessons from the Life of Joseph

Listen to the full message with presentation HERE!

Have you ever felt like you were in the wrong place at the wrong time? Like no matter how much you were trying to do the right thing, life just wasn’t lining up the way you expected?

That question came to mind when I was studying a familiar story in the Bible—Joseph, starting in Genesis 37. Joseph’s story covers 14 chapters, which is a lot compared to other people in Scripture. Some figures we meet for a verse or two, some get a chapter, but Joseph’s life unfolds in detail.

I can’t cover every verse here (though it’s worth reading Genesis 37–50 straight through—it’s one of the most gripping narratives in the Old Testament). Instead, let’s pull out a few lessons from Joseph’s journey.

⸻

1. Not Everyone Will Be Excited About Your Dreams

Joseph was already on thin ice with his brothers. He had a special coat, he was his father’s favorite, and yes—he was a tattletale. (The Bible literally says he brought a “bad report” about his brothers back to their father.)

Then Joseph shared his dream about his brothers’ bundles of grain bowing down to his. Unsurprisingly, that didn’t go over well.

Here’s the lesson: not everyone is going to celebrate your dreams. Sometimes the people closest to you—family, friends—may not understand or support what God is doing in your life.

And that’s okay. Their lack of excitement doesn’t cancel God’s plan.

⸻

2. Obedience Doesn’t Mean Easy

Joseph obeyed his father when he went to check on his brothers. He was doing the right thing, but obedience didn’t keep him out of trouble. His brothers saw him coming and immediately plotted to kill him.

Being in God’s will doesn’t mean smooth sailing. Paul obeyed God and still ended up shipwrecked (Acts 27). Sometimes obedience comes with setbacks. But setbacks don’t mean failure—God is still at work.

⸻

3. God’s Blessing Isn’t Limited by Circumstances

Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt. From the outside, it looked like he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But Genesis 39 tells us, “The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did.”

Potiphar noticed. Joseph rose to the top in his household.

This shows us that God’s favor isn’t confined by our situation. You may be in a job you dislike, surrounded by people who don’t share your values, or in a season that feels heavy—but God’s blessing is not limited by your circumstances.

⸻

4. God Is with You, Even in the “Wrong Place”

After refusing Potiphar’s wife, Joseph ended up in prison. From slavery to prison—it seems like a downward spiral. Yet the Bible says, “The Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love.” (Genesis 39:21)

Even there, Joseph prospered.

This is a powerful reminder: no matter how “wrong” your situation feels, God has not abandoned you. Isaiah 43:2 says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you… when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned.”

⸻

5. Your Success Comes from God, Not People

Joseph helped interpret dreams for Pharaoh’s cupbearer, who promised to remember him—but forgot for two whole years.

Two. Full. Years.

Joseph wasn’t overlooked because God forgot about him. He was waiting on God’s timing.

Psalm 75:6–7 says, “For exaltation comes neither from the east nor the west… but God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.”

Your promotion, your breakthrough, your open door—ultimately, it doesn’t come from people. It comes from God.

⸻

6. Our Gifts Are for God’s Glory

Finally, when Joseph stood before Pharaoh, he could have boasted. After all, he correctly interpreted dreams before. But instead, he said, “I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” (Genesis 41:16)

That’s humility. That’s perspective.

Our gifts aren’t for self-promotion—they’re for God’s glory. 1 Peter 4:10–11 reminds us that every gift we have is meant to serve others and point back to Him.

⸻

Final Thought

Joseph’s story is full of ups and downs—family betrayal, slavery, false accusations, prison, and eventually, leadership in Egypt. Through it all, we see a God who is faithful, present, and sovereign over timing.

So if you feel like you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time, remember Joseph. Obedience doesn’t guarantee comfort. People won’t always celebrate your dreams. But God’s presence, blessing, and timing are never off.

He’s with you. He has good things for you. And He will make everything beautiful in His time.

Reflections

As we move into a new week, let’s remember that every small act of faithfulness adds up. Sometimes progress feels slow, but God is always working behind the scenes. Our role is simply to stay faithful, to show up, and to trust Him with the results.

Closing Prayer

Father, thank You for the gift of a new week. Help us to walk in Your strength and not our own. Remind us that even in the small things, You are present and working for our good. Give us endurance when we feel weary, peace when we feel overwhelmed, and joy in every moment. May our words and actions bring You glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.