Posted on by jwlozano

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.

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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.

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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.

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Week 1: When the Storm Hits

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 14:22–26

Storms have a way of catching us off guard, especially when they arrive right after something good. In Matthew 14, the disciples had just witnessed one of the most incredible miracles of Jesus’ ministry. Thousands were fed with a few loaves and fish. God’s power was undeniable. Spirits were high. Faith felt strong.

And then they got into the boat.

“Shortly before dawn, Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.” (Matthew 14:25)

By the time Jesus reached them, they were already battling a violent storm. They were exhausted, afraid, and feeling alone. That detail matters.

Storms don’t always come because we did something wrong. Sometimes they come right after moments of obedience, faith, and victory. A storm is not proof that God has abandoned you. It’s not evidence that you missed His will.

Jesus already knew where they were. And He was already on His way.

If you’re in a storm right now—emotionally, spiritually, or physically—know this: You are not forgotten. You are not overlooked. And you are not navigating this alone. Storms may shake us, but they do not remove us from God’s care.

Discussion Questions

• Have you ever experienced a storm right after a season of growth?

• What storms are hardest for you, external or internal?

Application

This week, identify one storm you’re currently facing. Write it down and acknowledge it honestly before God.

Prayer

Our most gracious God and Father, we thank You that You care deeply about us. We thank You that Your Word reminds us in John 16:33 that we can take heart, because You have already overcome the world. We know that in this life there will be trouble and trials, but You came so that we could have peace. So today, God, we speak peace over the hearts and minds of Your children. If anyone reading this is walking through a storm, we speak to that storm now, and we command it to be still in the name of Jesus. We thank You, Lord, that You are with us in the storm, that we are not alone, and that we will not be overtaken. We trust that You will carry us through, and that we will come out victorious, because of who You are and what You have already done. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

Stop Pacifying the Pain; Fix the Problem

Check out this blog on my podcast: Seeking God, Loving Others https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jasmine-lozano-seeking-god-loving-others/id1562418663?i=1000534243735

At about 9 weeks from my first marathon, I am knee deep in training. How appropriate that I’ve begun to have some discomfort in my right knee. I was having a great training cycle and even though the miles were increasing, I was looking forward to the challenge. Then after running about 20 miles in a 4 day period, my knee signaled to me that something was wrong. I put ice on, massaged it, elevated it, did all of the things I could think to do to treat an injury until after some research, I found that I wasn’t actually treating my injury. I was treating the symptoms.

I will spare you the scientific, medical terminology and explanations and give you a run down. There is a connective tissue in the leg that runs from the hip to the knee called the Iliotibial Band, or IT Band for us common folk. Basically, this tissue is what we use to make our leg do the motions for running or cycling. So it’s kind of important. 

I found that pain on the outside of the knee (exactly where I was having it) was a symptom of IT Band Syndrome, or ITBS for short. I know, it sounds super scary! ITBS happens when the muscles surrounding the IT Band are not strong enough to support the activity you are trying to do. Basically, it happens when you do too much too fast and your body isn’t prepared. 

The only way to truly recover from this injury is to strengthen the muscles that support the IT Band. You can ice, medicate, stretch, even rest, but you will only be treating the symptoms and never addressing the real issue.

This “healing” approach is not unique to just this running injury. Year after year, many people do everything they can to pacify pain, rather than fix the problem. 

  • We think we don’t make enough money (symptom) when really, we never learned how to manage money (problem).
  • We think losing weight is just too hard (symptom) when we haven’t addressed our unhealthy relationship with food (problem).
  • We think we’re too busy to put time into spiritual growth (symptom) when truthfully, God is not a priority for us (problem).

When we go through life just trying to stay on top of the symptoms, we never experience the true healing that God offers. In the 11th chapter of 2nd Samuel, King David encountered some major issues when he attempted to only treat the symptoms of the affair he had with Bathsheba.

This is an abridged summary (Please refer to an actual Bible with an officially recognized translation)

David was supposed to be at war with the troops but stayed home and saw a lady taking a bath on her roof. He asks who she is and is told she is the wife of one of his soldiers, Uriah. He has her come over and gets her pregnant. Then he starts freaking out (treating the symptoms). 

But he has a plan! He can ice it; he can find something to cover up what’s really going on. He has Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, brought home from battle so he will sleep with his wife and think the baby is his. 

But when Uriah comes home, he refuses to rest in comfort while his fellow countrymen are on the battlefield, and sleeps at the city gate. But David has more home remedies for this setback.

He gets Uriah drunk and tries again to have him go home to sleep with his wife, but when this fails, he moves to more extreme measures. He arranges to have Uriah put at the front of the battle so he is more likely to be killed.

Once his plan is “successful”, he thinks he’s remedied his problem. He thinks he’s taken care of the problem that is plaguing him. But he has only treated the symptoms. 

The prophet Nathan comes to David and pretty much checks him. He lets David know that God is not pleased and because of his sin, the sword will never leave his household (constant drama) and his unborn child will die. 

When David hears this, he finally takes the ice off, locks up the ibuprofen, and finds the root of his problems.

“Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”” (2 Samuel 13:13) 

David’s problem wasn’t Bathsheba, the affair, the unplanned pregnancy or even the murder. David’s problem was that he sinned against God. He had drifted away from what he was known for his whole life: allowing God to be his strength. He spent so much time trying to treat the symptoms of his sin, rather than going to the only cure for it.

Like recovering from an injury, it’s important to assess what is really going on in our lives when we experience discomfort or pain. Have we strengthened our faith muscle to be able to rely on the power of God when things get tough? Have we paused to be sure we’re not overextending ourselves?

My husband taught a message this week and one of the points was to “Pay Attention to the Tension”. Tension or pain isn’t meant to take us out. They are signals that something is not right. They are an opportunity for us to course correct and get back on track. 

While I recover from this small injury, I’m being mindful to not just treat the symptoms but to strengthen the area that needs to be built up. Otherwise, this will be an unnecessary, ongoing problem. Decide today to stop treating your symptoms and fix the problem.

Posted on by jwlozano

Who’s In Your Boat? Part 2 of 2

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST @ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jasmine-lozano-seeking-god-loving-others/id1562418663?i=1000528345473

Last week, I talked about what happens when the wrong people are in your boat or your life, using the story of Jonah. Jonah never belonged on the boat to Tarshish and his very presence put others’ lives in danger.

If you have a specific destination or goal for your life, it’s imperative that you only take along the right people. The wrong people will only cause you unnecessary problems, setbacks, and cause your route to be filled with disorder, devastation, and delays. 

“You are only going to be as good as the people you surround yourself with, so be brave enough to let go those who keep weighing you down.” -Ziad K. Abdelnour

This week, we’ll discuss what kind of people you should not allow in your boat and also, what kind of people make good sailing companions. If you know me, you know I love some good alliteration, so for your reading and podcast listening pleasure, they all start with “C” (You are welcome). And they’re Biblical, too! 

WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE ON YOUR BOAT:

COMPLAINING PEOPLE

Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. (Numbers 11:1)

It is easier to complain than to do something. It’s true. Complaining about something only takes your opinion. Changing something takes action. There is a time to speak up when something needs to be corrected, but I’m talking about complaining just for the sake of it. 

I live in Wisconsin where we really have just two seasons. We have about 3 months of people complaining how hot it is and 9 months of people complaining how cold it is. We have entire websites and apps dedicated as places to complain. Have you ever noticed how many 1 star reviews places get? People often spread bad news faster than good news. 

When the Israelites were in the desert after leaving Egypt, they were set to take over the promised land but the Bible tells us that a group of complainers spread a bad report through the camp that caused the people to become fearful. As a result, they wandered the desert for 40 years.

Complaining is contagious. Why? Because misery loves company. Instead of figuring out a solution to a problem, complainers only talk about why something is the way it is. These type of people will not add value to your goals, they will only place unnecessary obstacles in your path.

COMPLACENT PEOPLE

The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” (Exodus 16:3)

Let me start by saying I am not talking about contentment. Contentment is defined as a state of happiness and satisfaction. It’s being grateful for what you have. I recently watched a documentary featuring a man living independently with Down Syndrome. When asked if he wished his life was different, he responded, “I’m happy with my life right now until something better happens.” That is my definition of contentment.

But complacency is something entirely different. “A complacent person is very pleased with themselves or feels that they do not need to do anything about a situation, even though the situation may be uncertain or dangerous” (collinsdictionary.com). 

The Israelites were reminiscing about the food they had in Egypt but they forgot one thing. THEY WERE SLAVES THERE!! They were longing for the complacency they had in Egypt. They were promised a land flowing with milk and honey, but they were longing for meat with a side of bondage. 

We’ve been promised an abundant life (John 10:10) but many believers have become complacent with a life far below the abundance we can receive. Complacent people often won’t challenge you to do and be better, just good enough.

CARELESS PEOPLE

“Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.” (Proverbs 4:26)

I am a planner. I like to have an idea of what to expect for the day, week, month and year. As an aspiring writer, podcaster, ministry leader, business owner, and homeschooling parent, planning helps me to see my endeavors grow. 

One of my favorite quotes says that if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. Careless people will definitely keep your boat from arriving at your destination. Careless people very rarely have a vision or plan for their life. 

I was talking to someone who has a dream that to some looks insurmountable. It is a big, bold, “only God can do it” dream, and they’ve encountered some push back from people they’d hoped would encourage them. I shared this with them: People who don’t have a goal or vision for their own life often won’t add much value to yours.

CONTROVERSIAL PEOPLE

“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.” (2 Timothy 2:23)

“What do you think about Christians drinking?” This is a trick question. When someone asks you this, they don’t really care what you think. They want to open the door to lay out their seven point presentation about the Troubles of Tonics. 

Some Christians love arguing about the Bible. Not defending it to unbelievers or debating it with an atheist; arguing with other Christians who despite their different beliefs on baptism will still be with them in heaven.

I steer clear of people who are intent on being argumentative because I know that it doesn’t get us anywhere. Controversial people often look for faults in others rather than seeing them through the loving eyes of God. They see the world as us and them. People who think like they do and everyone else is stupid or wrong.

WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE SHOULD BE ON YOUR BOAT:

CONSECRATED

“‘Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 20:7)

Holiness is not a bad word. I say this a lot because it is true. I am holy. And if you are saved, you are too. My kids don’t have to do anything to prove they are my kids. They are my kids because they lived in my womb for nine months and share my DNA. But because they are my kids, I do have expectations of them. 

And yes, God has expectations for his children. The Bible calls us a peculiar people. That doesn’t mean we are supposed to be weirdos who freak people out as we chase them down with a track entitled, “Be Right or GET LEFT!!!”. But there should be something distinguishable about our lives. 

I have friends from all walks of life, but have to be very mindful of who I trust with my vision and goals. Like-minded, consecrated people will give you the encouragement you need and you can trust it because you know they’ve been with God.

CONSISTENT

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain”. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Consistency is key to reaching your goals. You need faithful, hard working people around you that will help encourage you and keep you accountable. 

COMPETENT

“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.” (2 Timothy 3:16,17)

God wants his people to be well equipped and prepared to serve. I think some people never reach their full potential not because they can’t but because they don’t prepare. 

My kids are still young but I’m teaching them how to prepare for a productive life. I want them to know how to organize their life and their thoughts. I want to show them how to build their relationship with God and the importance of serving him well. 

COMPASSIONATE

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

In my opinion, compassion is one of the characteristics of Christ I’d love to see implemented more in the church. Jesus was a compassionate leader. He looked at the people around him that were hurting and he didn’t blame them or shame them; he had compassion for them. 

I’ve been very fortunate to know many kind, compassionate followers of Christ that have given me grace when I needed it. You need people in your life that will pick you up when you fall. 

My pastor used to say, “We’re a fellowship. All fellows in the same ship.” When we take inventory of who is in our boat, we can see why we’re making headway towards our destination or experiencing delay.

Posted on by jwlozano

Who’s In Your Boat? Part 1 of 2

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST @ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jasmine-lozano-seeking-god-loving-others/id1562418663?i=1000528345473

There’s a familiar story in the book of Mark where Jesus and his disciples are crossing the sea of Galilee and encounter a storm. I’ve heard amazing messages about how having Jesus in your boat will help you weather any storm. I’ve heard about how having Jesus in your boat will give you a peace that will surpass your understanding.

This story definitely shows us the benefits of having the right person in your boat. But what happens when you have the wrong person or people in your boat? This is what happens to a group of sailors in the Old Testament.

The story of Jonah is probably one of the more well known Bible stories even among non-Christians. You could go into Dollar Tree today and probably find a childrens copy of it. If you aren’t familiar with it, here’s a brief summary:

  • God tells the prophet Jonah to go to Nineveh and tell them to repent of their wickedness or be destroyed. (Jonah 1:1-2)
  • Jonah throws a fit (my words) and does the opposite by sailing to Tarshish (Jonah 1:3)
  • The Lord sends a storm strong enough that well trained sailors are terrified and Jonah is below deck, taking a nap. (Jonah 1:4-5)
  • The sailors start throwing cargo off the ship and wake Jonah up to tell him to pray but find out his disobedience is the reason for the storm.(Jonah 1:6-10)

And this is where we will pick up the story. When I read the Bible, I like to not only look at the narrative, but consider the point of view from other characters. As I began to read this story, I wondered what it was like for these sailors. They are just sailing to Tarshish with goods and cargo, just going about business as usual. But because of who they’ve allowed to sail with them, they encounter a major setback.

They weren’t the ones who disobeyed God (well, directly. We are told that they are pagans or people who do not follow God). They weren’t the ones who rebelled against God’s instructions. Jonah was. But because of their proximity to him, they get caught up in his consequences for his disobedience..

Have you seen this happen to anyone? Has it happened to you? Is it happening right now? Sometimes, we make choices that will cause a negative outcome in our lives. We spend more than we can afford. We waste time scrolling on social media for hours watching others live out their dreams. We overindulge in unhealthy food that causes our health to suffer. But what happens when we endanger others because of our decisions? 

At first, the sailors have no idea why this is happening to them. They try to lighten the load of the ship by throwing things off. They are praying to their gods to save them. But once they find out Jonah is the cause of their problems, they have to make a choice. Jonah tells them that the storm will stop if they throw him overboard. 

This is where I put myself in the story. 

Jonah: “I’m a Hebrew and I disobeyed the God who made the sea and the land and the entire universe.”

Me as a sailor: “That’s cool, I heard about you guys and Egypt and sticking it to the Pharaoh. But you did what!?”

Jonah: “Yeah, God told me to share his message of salvation with the people of Nineveh, but I don’t like them, so I’m doing my own thing. Sorry you got caught up in it, though. Just throw me overboard, and everything will calm down for you.”:

Me as a sailor: **Picks Jonah up, tosses him over the side of the ship and heads to Tarshish to sell my lavender bath bombs**

END SCENE 

But this is not what happened. At least not initially. The sailors do what so many people do when they’re given advice on how to turn a situation around. 

“Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before.” (Jonah 1:13 emphasis added)

They were told exactly what to do to cause their lives to be at ease, and they ignored it. I’ve seen people in bad relationships (both platonic and romantic) that are not benefiting them or leading to anything positive. When told it’s time to cut ties with that person, they INSTEAD try other things. They hope that bringing that person to church will help or planning a weekend getaway will help improve things when the only thing to do is politely remove them from their life.

As the sailors notice that their efforts are not improving their situation, they eventually do what they should have done in the beginning and finally get rid of the person in the boat causing the problem. Side benefit: The sailors begin to acknowledge God, offer a sacrifice to him and make vows to him, which is the Old Testament version of a “come to Jesus” moment.

Jonah never belonged on that boat and his very presence put others’ lives in danger. Next week, I’ll talk about the kind of people you should not allow in your boat and also, what kind of people make good sailing companions. 

If you have a specific destination or goal for your life, it’s imperative that you only take along the right people. The wrong people will only cause you unnecessary problems, setbacks, and cause your route to be filled with disorder, devastation, and delays.

“You are only going to be as good as the people you surround yourself with, so be brave enough to let go those who keep weighing you down.” -Ziad K. Abdelnour