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Traditions: When “We’ve Always Done It This Way” Becomes the Rule (Week 3)

Scripture references: Galatians 1:13–14; Matthew 15:3–9; Colossians 2:8; Acts 15:1–11

Tradition is not automatically bad.

Some traditions are beautiful. They keep us anchored. They create rhythm. They help families and churches remember what matters.

But traditions become dangerous when they start carrying the weight of God’s command, instead of staying in the place of human practice.

Paul admitted he once was zealous for the traditions of his ancestors (see Galatians 1:13–14). That’s the part many of us can relate to. Tradition can feel like faithfulness.

But tradition is not the same thing as truth.

Jesus’ warning about tradition

Jesus confronted religious leaders because they elevated tradition above the Word of God (see Matthew 15:3–9). His point was clear:

When tradition replaces obedience, the heart drifts, even while the mouth keeps singing.

That’s what makes tradition tricky. It can look holy while quietly pushing Jesus out of focus.

What traditions can look like today

Traditions can show up as:

  • how communion must be served
  • what “real worship” sounds like
  • what “proper church” looks like
  • what people should wear
  • what programs are “necessary”
  • what time Sunday services should be

None of those are automatically wrong.

But when we act like someone can’t belong, can’t be saved, or can’t be “right” unless they adopt our way, we’ve turned tradition into a gatekeeper.

And the gospel does not need gatekeepers.
The gospel needs witnesses.

Galatia’s issue was tradition as requirement

The Judaizers weren’t just offering cultural preferences. They were making traditions a condition of acceptance (see Acts 15:1–11 for the broader early-church conflict).

Paul’s response throughout Galatians is essentially:

Don’t put a yoke on people that Jesus didn’t put there.

The cross is enough.

A simple test for tradition

Here’s a helpful question:

Is this tradition helping people see Jesus or helping people see us?

If a tradition:

  • produces pride
  • produces exclusion
  • produces control
  • produces shame
  • produces distraction from Christ

…it’s time to hold it up to the light of Scripture.

Colossians warns about being taken captive by human tradition instead of Christ (see Colossians 2:8). That’s not just a warning for ancient believers. That’s for us too.

Next week we’ll talk about division, because when believers fight each other, the world stops listening to the message we’re called to carry.

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Opinions: When “I Think” Starts Sounding Like “Thus Says the Lord” (Week 2)

Scripture references: Galatians 1:11–12; Proverbs 18:2; Romans 14:1–4; 1 Corinthians 8:9; Colossians 2:20–23

Opinions aren’t automatically sinful.

We all have preferences, perspectives, convictions, and experiences. But one of the easiest ways to accidentally cover up the gospel is to elevate opinions to the level of truth and then present them with the weight of God’s authority.

Paul said the message he preached was not from “mere human origin” or “human reasoning” (see Galatians 1:11–12). In other words:

“This gospel isn’t my take. It’s God’s truth.”

That matters because the moment we confuse truth with take, we begin leading people to ourselves instead of leading them to Christ.

How opinions become gospel add-ons

This is what it can sound like:

  • “A real Christian would never…”
  • “If you truly loved God, you would…”
  • “Well, Christians should vote like…”
  • “That church isn’t a real church because…”
  • “If you were mature, you’d do it my way…”

And now the message becomes:

Jesus + my opinion

Even if we don’t intend it, it can turn discipleship into pressure, and freedom into fear.

Convictions are real, but convictions aren’t universal commands

I shared in this message with the ladies at my church that I personally don’t drink. For me, that’s a conviction God has spoken clearly into. And convictions can be a gift from God. They can be for our protection, direction, and clarity.

But the Bible also warns us not to turn personal convictions into a standard of righteousness for everyone else (see Romans 14:1–4).

Convictions are about obedience.
The gospel is about salvation.

When we blur those two, we end up measuring people by our personal lines instead of by Christ’s finished work.

The Bible’s warning about “airing opinions”

Proverbs says, “Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions” (see Proverbs 18:2).

That verse convicts me because it reminds me:

Not every thought needs a microphone.
Not every preference needs a platform.
Not every conviction needs to become a rule.

Sometimes maturity looks like this:

  • “I’m listening.”
  • “I’m learning.”
  • “I’m praying.”
  • “I’m not making my preference your burden.”

When opinions become obstacles

Paul warns elsewhere about using our freedom without love, because we can harm others and distract from Jesus (see 1 Corinthians 8:9).

That’s the key: love.

If my opinion is louder than love, I’m not representing Christ well.

If my preference is heavier than grace, I’m not presenting the gospel clearly.

If my “I think” becomes someone else’s shame, I’ve stepped out of my lane.

A gospel-centered way to speak

Here’s a question that helps me:

Is this a gospel issue, a discipleship issue, or a preference issue?

  • Gospel issue: salvation, the cross, Jesus as Lord
  • Discipleship issue: holiness, wisdom, spiritual growth
  • Preference issue: my style, my comfort, my background

When we put things in the right category, we stop demanding agreement where the Bible doesn’t demand it.

And we leave room for the Holy Spirit to do what only He can do: transform hearts from the inside out.

Next week we’ll talk about traditions. Because sometimes what we call “spiritual” is just what we’re used to.

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One Gospel: Don’t Trade Grace for “Jesus Plus” (Week 1)

Scripture references: Galatians 1:6–10; Acts 9; Acts 13–14; Galatians 2:16; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Timothy 4:2; John 1:1, 14

Paul opens Galatians with a sentence that should make every believer sit up straight:

He says he’s astonished that they are “so quickly deserting” the One who called them by grace and turning to a different gospel (see Galatians 1:6–7).

That word “deserting” matters. Paul isn’t talking to unbelievers. He’s talking to people who have heard the gospel, responded to the gospel, and are now drifting from the simplicity of the gospel.

And Paul doesn’t treat it like a small issue.

He says that what they’re turning to is “really no gospel at all” (see Galatians 1:7). Then he repeats himself about anyone preaching another message (see Galatians 1:8–9). Paul is not being dramatic. He’s being protective.

Because when you change the gospel, you don’t just tweak a belief, you wreck the foundation.

The moment “one gospel” becomes “a different gospel”

To understand why Paul is so intense, you have to know what was happening in the churches of Galatia.

These churches weren’t just one congregation in one city. They were a collection of churches throughout a region Paul visited in his missionary journeys (see Acts 13–14). The believers were a mix of:

  • Jewish Christians (raised under the Law of Moses)
  • Gentile Christians (not raised under Jewish law)

When Jesus came, He fulfilled the Law. Salvation was no longer about trying to prove righteousness through rules. It was about receiving righteousness through faith in Christ (see Galatians 2:16).

But here’s where the conflict came in:
Some Jewish believers struggled to let go of the old way of measuring “holiness.” They believed Jesus was the Messiah, yes. But they still felt that Gentiles should also adopt certain Jewish markers, like circumcision and dietary restrictions.

So after Paul preached and left, teachers often referred to as Judaizers came behind him and told the Gentiles:

“Yes, Jesus saves… but you also need to do this and that to be truly right with God.”

And the moment the message becomes Jesus plus anything, the gospel gets blurred.

What is the gospel?

If we can’t define it simply, we’ll struggle to defend it clearly.

The gospel is this:

  • Jesus came
  • Jesus lived
  • Jesus died
  • Jesus rose
  • Jesus will return

That’s the message that saves. That’s the message that transforms. That’s the message the enemy works overtime to distract us from.

Paul told Timothy, “Preach the word… in season and out of season” (see 2 Timothy 4:2). And we know the Word is not just a concept; it is Jesus Himself (see John 1:1, 14).

So when Paul says “one gospel,” he’s saying:
Preach Jesus. Stay with Jesus. Don’t mix Him with requirements He never asked for.

The “not the gospel” list

Let me say this plainly:

There are many important topics in the Christian life. There are many practices that matter. There are many discussions we can have.

But not everything is the gospel.

The gospel is not:

  • the exact wording of a baptism formula
  • spiritual gifts as a measurement of salvation
  • denominational preference
  • political alignment
  • secondary doctrinal debates
  • personal lifestyle convictions presented as universal law

Those things may be part of discipleship conversations. But if we make them the entry point, the focus point, or the “proof” of salvation, we’ve changed the message.

And Paul won’t allow it, because love won’t allow it.

Paul knows the danger:
When the gospel is altered, the cross becomes small. Grace becomes suspicious. Freedom becomes fragile. And people end up trying to earn what Jesus already purchased.

So Week 1 is our foundation:

  • Christ alone saves.
  • Grace alone calls.
  • Faith alone receives.

And if we can anchor ourselves here, we’ll be able to recognize the things that try to creep in and cover up the gospel.

Next week we’ll talk about the first one: OPINIONS, and how quickly “my perspective” can become “God’s requirement” if we aren’t careful.

Posted on by jwlozano

Things in the Bible

From Many Things to One Thing

There are a lot of “things” in the Bible.

Many things.
All things.
Every thing.
No thing.
One thing.

And if we’re honest, that’s how life feels sometimes. Let’s talk about all of the things!

Many Things

Many things pulling at our attention.
Many responsibilities.
Many expectations.
Many worries.

In Luke 10:38–42, we see Martha distracted with much serving while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet. Jesus gently tells her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed.”

Many things.

That phrase alone feels heavy. Because it is not always bad things that distract us. Sometimes it’s good things. Necessary things. Responsible things.

But many things can still pull our attention away from Jesus.

And often, the presenting problem is not the actual problem.

Martha thought the issue was that Mary wasn’t helping. But Jesus pointed to something deeper — worry and distraction. The external situation wasn’t the root issue. The internal condition was.

That is true for us too.

We have to decide what gets our attention.

Deuteronomy 30:19 says we are given a choice between life and death, blessing and curse — and then it says, “Now choose life.”

Choosing life means choosing where your focus goes. It means deciding what deserves your emotional energy. It means recognizing that not every “thing” deserves access to your heart.

Martha chose productivity.
Mary chose presence.

And presence will always outlast productivity.

All Things

When life feels like “many things,” we can be tempted to believe everything is random, chaotic, and disconnected.

But Romans 8:28 reminds us that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

That means the hard things.
The confusing things.
The delayed things.
The painful things.

God is not absent in any of it.

And Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

The strength to endure.
The strength to forgive.
The strength to keep going.
The strength to obey.

We do not overcome in our own power. We overcome because Christ strengthens us.

When we understand that God is working in all things, it changes how we respond to many things.

Instead of spiraling, we trust.
Instead of panicking, we pray.
Instead of giving up, we press in.

All things are under His authority.

Every Thing

James 1:17 says that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Every thing that is truly good comes from Him.

If it is from God, it will be good.

2 Peter 1:3 says His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him.

Everything.

Not some things.
Not most things.
Everything we need.

We may not have everything we want.
But we have everything we need.

He has given us what is necessary to live abundantly and to live righteously.

So when we feel inadequate or unprepared, we have to remind ourselves: He has already supplied what is required.

Every thing that comes from Him is good.
Every thing He gives has purpose.
Every thing we need for this season is already available through Him.

No Thing

Then Scripture shifts again.

Philippians 4:6 says to be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Anxious for no thing.

Nothing is too big for Him.
Nothing is too small for Him.

There is no burden you carry that He cannot handle.

Romans 8:39 reminds us that nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Nothing.

No mistake.
No failure.
No disappointment.
No attack.
No season.

Nothing can separate you from His love.

When we understand “no thing,” anxiety begins to lose its grip.

Because if nothing is too hard for Him…
And nothing can separate us from Him…
Then what exactly are we holding onto so tightly?

We were never meant to carry it alone.

One Thing

And then we arrive at the most important shift.

Psalm 27:4 says, “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.”

One thing.

Not many.
Not all.
Not every.
Not no.

One.

David reduces his entire desire down to one pursuit: God’s presence.

Paul echoes this in Philippians 3:13 when he says, “One thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.”

One thing requires focus.
One thing requires discipline.
One thing requires practice.

Going from many things to one thing does not happen accidentally.

It takes intentionality.

It takes daily decisions.
It takes redirecting your thoughts.
It takes choosing presence over pressure.

Hebrews 12:1–3 tells us to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and to run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.

Fixing our eyes.

That is how we move from many things to one thing.

When your eyes are fixed on Jesus, the many things begin to lose their volume.

They may still exist.
But they no longer control you.

Focusing on Jesus frees us from being ruled by the many things that worry us.

It realigns our priorities.
It steadies our emotions.
It simplifies our hearts.

The goal is not to eliminate responsibility.
The goal is to reorder it.

Jesus first.
Everything else after.

Martha wasn’t wrong for serving. She was distracted while serving.

The difference between chaos and clarity is often simply this: where are your eyes?

Many things will compete for your attention.
All things are under His authority.
Every thing good comes from Him.
No thing can separate you from Him.

But only one thing is needed.

His presence.

So today, choose life.
Choose focus.
Choose to sit before you strive.
Choose to gaze before you grind.

Let’s move from many things…
to one thing.

And let that one thing be Jesus.

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Firm Foundation

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
— Matthew 7:24

There is something about building that fascinates me.

You can have the most beautiful house design. The best materials. Skilled workers. A stunning vision.

But if the foundation is wrong, none of it will matter.

Jesus said the wise person is not just the one who hears His words — but the one who puts them into practice. That is the difference between a house that stands and a house that falls.

If we want lives that endure storms, we have to build intentionally.

We need the right plan.
We need the right pieces.
We need the right people.

Let’s talk about what that means.

The Right Plan

Before anything is built, there is a plan.

Blueprints. Measurements. Direction.

For us, the right plan is not self-help strategies or trending advice. It is the Word of God.

Psalm 119:105 says,
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

Notice it doesn’t say a spotlight for the next ten years. It says a lamp for my feet. Enough light for the next step.

Psalm 32:8 says,
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

He is not distant. He is not vague. He promises instruction. He promises counsel. And He does it with a loving eye.

Proverbs 4:13 says,
“Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.”

Not a suggestion. Not a bonus feature.
It is your life.

And 2 Timothy 3:16–17 reminds us why Scripture matters so deeply:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

If we want to be equipped, we cannot neglect the blueprint.

We cannot build a firm foundation while ignoring the plan.

The Right Pieces

Even with a perfect plan, you still need the right materials.

Jesus said in Luke 14:28,
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?”

There is intentionality in building. There is counting the cost.

And Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 3:12–14:

“If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.”

Not everything we build with lasts.

So what are the right pieces?

Prayer.
Fasting.
Giving.
Serving.
Reading the Word.
Fellowship.

These are not religious checklists. They are structural beams.

Prayer keeps us connected.
Fasting refines our dependence.
Giving loosens our grip on the temporary.
Serving shapes humility.
Reading renews the mind.
Fellowship strengthens endurance.

These are gold and silver pieces. These are materials that survive fire.

If we neglect them, we shouldn’t be surprised when cracks begin to show.

The Right People

No one builds alone.

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 says:

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

It is important that we surround ourselves with people who can encourage us. People who can give us godly counsel. People who can pray for us. People who are positive and life-giving.

Because here is the truth: when you begin to build your life intentionally, it will expose deficiencies in others. And sometimes, instead of being inspired, people respond with negativity. That negativity can actually cause you to regress if you are not careful.

So we have to be intentional about who we build with.

Psalm 1:1 says,

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers.”

There is movement in that verse. Walking. Standing. Sitting.

We are not walking with the wicked. We are not standing in compromise. We are not sitting and settling in environments where there is no growth.

We are not meant to be sedentary in places that stunt our progress.

And this is something I truly believe:

“Criticism is the language of people who are not creating, building, or moving toward anything.”

You do not want to sit in the company of people who are not building. People who are just floating through life. People who criticize everything but create nothing.

Scripture makes it even clearer.

“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’”
1 Corinthians 15:33

That is not dramatic. That is direct.

Who you surround yourself with matters.

“Walk with the wise and become wise,
for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
Proverbs 13:20

If we are building a firm foundation in Jesus Christ, then we need people around us who love God, who love His Word, who speak life, who challenge us, who sharpen us, who remind us of truth when we forget it.

The right people do not distract from your foundation. They strengthen it.

The True Foundation

And at the end of the day, even with the right plan, the right pieces, and the right people — none of it works without the Lord.

Psalm 127:1–2 says,

“Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves.”

This Scripture reminds us that if we are not building on the Lord — on His Word, His precepts, His commands — we are wasting our time.

We can strive.
We can grind.
We can exhaust ourselves trying to construct something meaningful.

But if Jesus is not the foundation, it will not withstand the storm.

Trials will come.
Pressure will come.
Testing will come.

The question is not if the storm comes.

The question is: what are you standing on?

So let’s build our house on the Lord.

Let’s make Him the priority.
Let’s make Him the blueprint.
Let’s make Him the foundation beneath every decision, every relationship, every discipline, every dream.

Because a life built on Jesus is a life that stands.

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Deep Roots

This post is from my message Deep Roots. Listen to the full message with presentation HERE

How to Stay Standing When Everything Around You Is Shaken

As we are making our way in this new year, my prayer is simple:

Lord, strengthen us.
Help us grow deeper than we ever have before.
Root us so firmly in You that nothing can destroy us.

Because the truth is — life does not stay calm.

There will be shaking.
There will be fire.
There will be seasons that test what we are made of.

The question is not if storms will come.

The question is: Will our roots be deep enough to survive them?

The Tree That Changed How I See Resilience

A few years ago, my family traveled to Maui for a wedding. It was one of those full-circle moments that make you emotional — a former flower girl from my own wedding getting married, my husband officiating, my children participating. It was beautiful.

While we were there, we visited Lahaina and saw something that left a lasting impression on me: the Lahaina banyan tree.

At first glance, it looks like an entire grove of trees. But it’s not. It’s one single tree.

Banyan trees send their roots down from their branches. Those roots grow into the ground, become trunks, and spread outward. What appears to be multiple trees is actually one deeply connected root system.

This particular tree was planted in 1873. It started as an eight-foot sapling. Over 150 years, it grew to cover nearly two acres.

Then in 2023, wildfires devastated Lahaina. Buildings were destroyed. Over 100 lives were lost. Entire blocks were reduced to ash.

The banyan tree looked like it had been burned to a shell.

But in 2024, something incredible happened.

Leaves began to grow again.

Why?

Because the roots were still alive.

The portions of the root system that survived underground began strengthening the damaged areas. Life returned, not because there wasn’t real destruction, but because what was hidden beneath the surface was strong.

And I felt the Holy Spirit whisper:

This is what My people need.

Not surface strength.
Not emotional hype.
Not temporary motivation.

We need roots.

What the Bible Says About Roots

Paul writes in Ephesians:

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”
— Ephesians 3:16–17 (NLT)

Your roots will grow.

Proverbs says it plainly:

“Wickedness never brings stability, but the godly have deep roots.”
— Proverbs 12:3 (NLT)

Stability comes from depth.

Not visibility.
Not popularity.
Not productivity.

Depth.

So how do we grow deep roots in 2026?

God showed me four things.

1. Discipline

Discipline is not restriction — it is preparation.

Hebrews tells us:

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
— Hebrews 12:11

Spiritual discipline is not about checking religious boxes.

It’s about building habits that steady your steps before life gets chaotic.

Going to church regularly.
Reading your Bible consistently.
Serving faithfully.
Practicing self-control.

These are not burdens. They are stabilizers.

Many people drop spiritual habits when life gets busy. But that’s when we need them most.

Discipline means making decisions before the crisis comes.

You don’t wait until you need strength to start building it.

2. Education (Biblical Literacy)

We live in a time where people consume snippets of Scripture but rarely read the whole story.

Imagine trying to play in a championship game without knowing the playbook.

You wouldn’t even make it onto the field.

The same is true spiritually.

If we don’t know the Word for ourselves, we cannot discern truth from something that merely sounds spiritual.

Proverbs says:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
— Proverbs 1:7

Messages are wonderful. Podcasts are helpful. Devotionals are encouraging.

But nothing replaces reading the Bible yourself.

Not just verses.
Not just highlights.
The whole counsel of God.

If we want deep roots, we must go deeper than surface inspiration.

3. Execution (Doing the Word)

It is not enough to hear Scripture. We must live it.

James writes:

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
— James 1:22–24

If we look in a mirror and immediately forget what we saw, nothing changes.

In the same way, if we hear truth and do nothing with it, our roots stay shallow.

We cannot claim to love God and refuse to love our neighbor.
We cannot speak faith and live in constant compromise.
We cannot claim integrity and behave differently when no one is watching.

Execution is obedience in action.

This is where depth forms.

4. Prayer

Without prayer, none of the other disciplines hold.

Prayer is not a last resort. It is a lifestyle.

Scripture says:

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

Prayer is ongoing connection.

It’s not just calling on God in crisis.

It’s thanking Him when things are good.
Asking for guidance in small decisions.
Letting Him interrupt your plans.

Sometimes we become so rigid in our schedules that we forget to ask God what He actually wants us to do that day.

Deep roots require conversation with the One who planted you.

What Keeps Roots Shallow?

If we want depth, we must remove what prevents it.

Distractions

We say we don’t have time, but often we are simply distracted.

If something consistently pulls you away from growth, it needs boundaries — or removal.

1 Corinthians 7:35 says:

“I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.”

Sin and Weight

Hebrews 12:1 reminds us:

“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us.”

Sin doesn’t just offend God — it corrodes us from the inside.

Excuses

Excuses build the house of failure.

When God invites us to grow, we cannot respond with “someday.”

Procrastination

Ecclesiastes says:

“Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.”
— Ecclesiastes 11:4

There is never a perfect time.

If you’re waiting for calm, for quiet, for ideal circumstances — you will wait forever.

Depth begins today.

The Promise for the Rooted

Jeremiah gives us this promise:

“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord… They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
— Jeremiah 17:7–8

Notice what it does not say.

It does not say heat won’t come.
It does not say drought won’t happen.

It says the rooted tree does not fear it.

Because depth removes fear.

The enemy will do what he does — steal, kill, destroy.

But when you are rooted in Christ, you know something deeper than circumstance:

You know you will survive the fire.

This Year

This year, let’s not just aim for productivity.

Let’s aim for depth.

Let’s grow roots through discipline.
Through biblical education.
Through obedience.
Through prayer.

Because when everything around us is shaken…

We will still be standing.

And we will still bear fruit.

Posted on by jwlozano

The Harvest Is Ripe

This post is from my message The Harvest. Listen to the full message with presentation HERE

Lately, God has been pressing something on my heart in a way I cannot ignore. You know those seasons where you feel like the Lord is highlighting one message, and then you keep hearing it everywhere. In songs. In sermons. In conversations. In your quiet time. It is as if He is underlining the same sentence until you finally say, “Okay, I hear You.” That is where I have been.

And the word that keeps showing up for me is this: the harvest.

Jesus saw the crowds and felt something deeper than pity

In Matthew 9, we are given a glimpse into the heart of Jesus.

Matthew 9:35–38 (NIV)
“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’”

That word compassion does not mean mild concern. It is not simply feeling sorry for someone. The compassion Jesus felt was deep, gut-level, and impossible to ignore.

And I had to ask myself a hard question.

Do I have the same compassion Jesus has for the lost?

If I am honest, the answer was not always yes.

I could feel sorry for people. I could say, “I will pray for you.” I could recognize that someone was struggling. But the kind of compassion that moves you and compels you to act was something God started convicting me about.

The world we live in is full of people who are confused, harassed, and helpless. Not just emotionally, but spiritually. People are confused about who they are, what truth is, whether Jesus is real, and what kind of life they are supposed to live.

As followers of Christ, we cannot afford to be casual about that.

The enemy has a strategy and it is real

Scripture reminds us that there is a very real spiritual battle happening.

2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV)
“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

Sometimes our lack of compassion is not because we do not care, but because we forget how real the battle is. There is an enemy whose goal is to keep people from seeing the truth.

I believe we are stepping into a season where God is emboldening His people again. A season where we stop shrinking back and start speaking with love, clarity, and courage. People are hurting. People are searching. People are breaking.

And we have hope in our hands.

What we must have to reach the lost

As I prayed over this, I felt the Lord show me three things believers must have if we are going to reach the harvest.

A heart for the lost
A hand for the lost
A home for the lost

A heart for the lost

We have to care, not in theory, but with eternity in mind.

We have to care that people are headed toward a forever without Jesus. We have to care that many are spiritually wandering like sheep without a shepherd.

Jesus made His mission clear.

John 3:16–17 (NIV)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

Jesus did not come to condemn the world. He came to save it. That means we cannot spend our lives offended by people’s sin while refusing to love them the way Jesus does. Scripture also reminds us to keep our priorities straight.

1 John 2:15–17 (NIV)
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
For everything in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

We are not called to love the system of this world, but we are absolutely called to love the people God created.

Love is not optional.

1 Corinthians 13:1–2 (NIV)
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith

2) A Hand for the Lost

There’s an old saying that stays true:

People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

Words alone don’t always reach a hurting soul.

Some people need the Gospel spoken.
Some people need a sandwich.
Some people need socks.
Some people need a letter in prison.
Some people need someone to sit with them when life collapses.

Jesus said when you do it for “the least of these,” you’re doing it for Him. And God doesn’t ask us to do anything He hasn’t done. Scripture says In Romans 5:8 that He demonstrated His love for us—while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Love that doesn’t move into action isn’t love that looks like Jesus.

3) A Home for the Lost

I read a quote that stuck with me:

“The church is the only society that exists for the benefit of those who are not its members.”

Yes, as believers, we gather to be built up. We need fellowship and discipleship. But the church is also meant to be a place where the lost can come in and breathe. Not be stared at. Not be whispered about. Not feel like a project.

A place that feels safe—where someone can say,
“I don’t know if I believe yet.”
“I’m struggling with sin.”
“I have questions.”
“I don’t know what I’m doing.”

…and still feel welcomed.

Because that’s what a home is.
A home is where you can come in messy, and still be loved.
A home is where you can learn.
A home is where you can grow.

Acts 2 shows us the early church—devoted to teaching, fellowship, prayer, and generosity. They ate together, met daily, cared for needs, and Scripture says the Lord added to their number daily.

That’s what happens when God’s people create a home.

A Costco moment that changed me

After God gave me this message, I started praying differently. I asked Him to help me be more attentive, more aware of the people around me. And then one day, I was in Costco (because of course I was), waiting on a sample like it was a full-course meal.

Two employees were talking, and suddenly the conversation turned spiritual. One said something like, “That person isn’t going to heaven because they’re not good enough.” I looked at the man and asked, “Are you going to heaven?”

He said, “No.”

I said, “Why not?”

He told me he didn’t believe in heaven. He talked about not remembering before birth and assuming death is the same. He believed being “good” would be enough. And right there—between a sample table and a warehouse of bulk groceries—God opened a door.

I told him Jesus made it simple.
Not “try harder.”
Not “be better.”
Not “earn your way.”
But believe.

We talked. We laughed a little. We didn’t argue. But the Word was coming out of me in a way that felt led and intentional. I introduced myself, we shook hands, and when I finally walked away, I started crying.

Not because the conversation was dramatic…
but because I cared.

I cared about his soul.
I cared that eternity is real.
I cared that if something happened to him, he was not ready.

And I realized: that’s the compassion Jesus had.

A Bible example: Nehemiah had all three

When I asked God for a biblical picture of heart, hand, and home, He brought me to Nehemiah. Nehemiah heard that Jerusalem’s walls were broken down—his people were in trouble and disgrace.

And what did he do?

He wept.
He mourned.
He fasted.
He prayed.

That’s a heart.

But he didn’t stop there.

He asked the king for permission, went back, and rebuilt.

That’s a hand.

And once the wall was rebuilt, the Word was read to the people, and they were taught again.

That’s a home.

Nehemiah didn’t just feel something—he let that burden move him into action.

Why this matters so much to me

In 2005, I moved to Houston and worked in a senior living community. There was a library upstairs full of donated books. I was not a believer then, but I loved to read. One day, I found a book from the Left Behind series, and I couldn’t stop reading. It’s about people who missed the rapture—people who were lost, scared, confused, and left behind. And as I read, something hit me:

If Jesus came back today… that would be me.

That weekend, I went to church and gave my life to the Lord.

And I can trace that moment back to something simple: someone else in that community had cared enough to plant truth in my life for months, and God used a book to wake me up.

So when I think about the harvest, this isn’t abstract to me. This is real.

What we must do now

So what do we do with all of this?

We keep the main thing the main thing.

Read the Word.
Not just verses—the Bible. From beginning to end. We can’t reflect God’s heart if we don’t know His Word.

Know the Word.
When Scripture lives in you, the Holy Spirit brings it up right when you need it.

Live the Word.
Our public and private lives should align. Not perfection—but integrity.

Share the Word.
Not aggressively. Not arrogantly. But boldly, with love.

Because there are people all around us who will be left behind if nobody tells them.

And hell was not made for humanity. God made it for the devil—who has been trying to drag people with him ever since.

God made heaven for us.

A prayer I’m praying daily

Titus 3:3-7 reminds us who we used to be:

3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

The only difference between me and the lost is grace.

So my prayer is this:

Lord, give me compassion again.
Help me see people the way You see them.
Make me a worker in the harvest.
Give me a heart, a hand, and a home.

Let’s pray for the lost

Jesus said, “Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send workers.”

And here’s the truth:

We can be the answer to our own prayers.

So this year, let’s make it a resolution that actually matters:

Not just goals.
Not just plans.
Not just self-improvement.

But souls.

Let’s pray for the lost . Let’s pray for our families, our friends, our neighbors, our coworkers, and let’s get to work.

Posted on by jwlozano

Week 4: Letting Jesus in the Boat

This post is part of a 4-week Bible study from my message Lord, Save Me. Listen to the full message with presentation HERE! To download a free printable PDF of today’s study, click HERE.

Reading: Matthew 11:28–30

The miracle doesn’t end when Peter is rescued. It ends when Jesus gets into the boat.

“And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.” (Matthew 14:32)

Peace didn’t come when Peter tried harder. Peace didn’t come when the storm explained itself. Peace came when Jesus was fully welcomed in.

So often we cry out to God for help, but once the crisis passes, we try to take control again. We invite Him to rescue us, but hesitate to let Him stay. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

When life feels heavy, we sink. When we exchange our burdens for His, we find rest. Letting Jesus into the boat means allowing Him access to every part of our lives:

the fear, the frustration, the confusion, and the healing. Not just the polished moments.

He is close to the brokenhearted. He stays when the storm ends. And He is still saving, not just from sin, but from every storm we face.

Discussion Questions

What does it look like to let Jesus stay in your “boat”?

Where do you still try to take control back?

Application

Ask Jesus to be Lord over one specific area you usually keep guarded.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this time today, and we invite You fully into our lives. We invite You into everything we do. We do not want to keep any part of our lives hidden from You, because we desire for You to remain at the center of all things.

Today, Lord, we choose to exchange our burdens for Yours. You have promised that Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light, and we thank You for the rest our souls find in this exchange. Teach us what it means to stop striving and to truly rest in You.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You are close to us. Thank You that You are not only with us in the storm, but that You remain with us in every season of life—the good and the difficult alike. You stay when the storm ends, and You continue to lead, guide, and carry us through all that we face. We give You all praise and glory.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thank you for taking part in this study! If you would like to review the complete 4-week study or complete it in a group, click HERE.

Posted on by jwlozano

Week 3: What Keeps Us Sinking

This post is part of a 4-week Bible study from my message Lord, Save Me. Listen to the full message with presentation HERE! To download a free printable PDF of today’s study, click HERE.

Reading: 2 Chronicles 7:14; 1 Peter 5:6; Romans 10:13

Peter didn’t start sinking because he stepped out in faith. He started sinking because he shifted his focus. The storm didn’t change—his attention did.

Scripture gives us a clear framework for how God rescues His people in moments like this:

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways…” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Peter lived this out in real time. He humbled himself—admitting he couldn’t save himself. He prayed—calling out to Jesus. He sought Jesus—not the boat, not the crowd. And he had to turn—from fear, doubt, and distraction.

But there are things that keep us sinking longer than necessary: pride, silence, comparison, and sin. God’s rescue is available—but we have to let go of what’s pulling us under..

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6)

Discussion Questions

• Which of these areas is hardest for you?

• How has silence kept you isolated in the past?

Application

Confess one area where you’ve been carrying unnecessary weight and release it to God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

If there is any area in our lives that is causing us to sink in the midst of the storm, whether pride, silence, comparison, or sin—we ask that You would reveal it to us. Give us the humility to see it clearly and the wisdom to know how to deal with it. We

choose to humble ourselves before You. We pray to You, we seek Your face, and we commit to turning away from the sins and the weights that are entangling us. We ask for Your help, Lord Jesus, because we cannot do this on our own. Thank You that we can cast our cares upon You, knowing that You care deeply for us. Help us to turn to You when we are struggling. Help us to turn to You when we feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do. We trust that You are our answer, our peace, and our comfort in every storm.

We love You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Posted on by jwlozano

Week 2: Lord, Save Me

This post is part of a 4-week Bible study from my message Lord, Save Me. Listen to the full message with presentation HERE! To download a free printable PDF of today’s study, click HERE.

Reading: Matthew 14:27–31

Peter does something remarkable in the middle of the storm. He steps out of the boat. For a moment, he does the impossible. He walks on water—until fear takes over. The wind becomes louder than the voice of Jesus. The waves feel stronger than his faith. And then he begins to sink. “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’” (Matthew 14:30)

That’s his prayer. No explanation. No justification. No long speech. Just honesty.

Sometimes we think prayer has to sound a certain way—calm, confident, put-together. But this prayer came from panic and desperation, and Jesus responded immediately. “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.” God is not waiting for polished words. He’s listening for honest ones. “Lord, save me” is enough when you don’t have the strength to say anything else.

Discussion Questions

• Why do we sometimes avoid asking for help?

• What keeps you from praying honestly?

Application

Practice praying simple, honest prayers this week. No polishing. Just truth.

Prayer

Father God, Today we come before You as Your children, carrying needs, requests, emotions, and burdens that feel heavy and overwhelming. In the middle of our storms, help us remember that we can come to You with confidence, knowing we don’t have to have the right words or perfectly formed prayers. You know our hearts. You know our desires. You know our needs even before we speak them. Your Word reminds us that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groans we cannot understand, and we are so grateful that nothing we carry is hidden from You. Lord, thank You that in the storm, we can cry out to You. Thank You that a simple, honest prayer—“Lord, save me”—is enough. Thank You for the relationship we have with You, for being near, and for responding with compassion when we reach out. We love You, and we trust You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.