J.T.'s WoodShack

06/18/2026

Quote of the Day:
God's love is completely selfless and never-ending. "God is love!"

Read 1 Corinthians 13:8-13, verse 13, And now abides faith, hope, charity, these three, but the greatest of these is charity (love).

The Apostle Paul explains that while spiritual gifts, such as prophecy and knowledge, are temporary, divine love is eternal. He uses metaphors about childhood and looking in a mirror to suggest that our worldly knowledge is limited. Paul asserts that love is the greatest virtue in Christianity, stating that "love never ends." He explains that spiritual gifts, such as prophecies, speaking in tongues, and knowledge, are only "partial" and will ultimately fade away when the "perfect" arrives. Scholars debate whether "the perfect" refers to the return of Christ or the spiritual maturity of the church, but they agree it signifies the arrival of complete, heavenly perfection.

To illustrate this point, Paul compares spiritual growth to human maturation. Just as individuals naturally leave behind childish speech and reasoning when they become adults, the church will eventually outgrow its need for temporary spiritual gifts when ultimate perfection is reached. He contrasts our current, flawed understanding with the absolute clarity of eternity. In the ancient world, mirrors were made of polished bronze, which produced a dark, blurry, and distorted reflection. Today, we perceive God's truth "dimly," much like looking into a clouded mirror. In heaven, we will see things "face to face" and understand fully, just as completely as God has always known us.

Paul summarizes by listing three enduring Christian virtues: faith, hope, and love. While faith and hope will eventually be fulfilled (when we finally see what we have believed in and receive what we have waited for), love is eternal. It is the greatest virtue because it embodies the very nature of God and will continue into eternity.

I pray you all have a Blessed day.
Remember, Jesus loves you, and so do I.

06/17/2026

Quote of the Day:
Don't wait-get going!

Read 1 Timothy 6:11-12, verse 12, Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses...

Paul uses active and forceful verbs to describe the Christian life: flee, pursue, fight, and take hold. Some people believe that Christianity is a passive religion that encourages waiting for God to act. However, we are called to have an active faith, obeying God with courage and doing what we know is right. Paul encourages Timothy to live a courageous and faithful life in the face of temptation and false teachings.

Paul encourages Timothy and all believers to actively flee from worldly temptations, the love of money, and spiritual pitfalls. The original Greek suggests that we should run as fast as we can to escape danger. Instead of merely avoiding sin, believers are commanded to chase after six godly virtues: righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. The phrase "fight the good fight of the faith" acknowledges that living for Christ involves a daily spiritual battle against cultural pressures and doubts, requiring endurance and strength.

Believers are instructed to actively grasp the eternal life to which they were called. The good confession refers to the public declaration of faith made when someone commits their life to Christ. For early Christians, "the faith" encompassed not just personal beliefs, but a core set of truths that should be guarded and lived out.

This passage serves as a reminder that Christians should not be passive; they must make intentional daily choices about what they avoid and what they actively strive to incorporate into their character. Is it time for you to take action? Don’t wait—get going!

I pray you all have a Blessed day.
Remember, Jesus loves you, and so do I.

If you need prayer, healing, or a miracle, join us as we worship the only living God.
If you don't have a church family or are looking for a Bible-believing, Bible-preaching Church full of loving people.
Come visit and be blessed! You will be welcomed with open arms.
Abundant Life Church, Gladewater, is located at 409 Money Street, Gladewater, TX.
Church Prayer every Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM
Wednesday Night Service every Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM
Sunday School and First Word start at 10:00 AM, followed by the Main Service at 11:00 AM

06/16/2026

With Steven Ferguson – I just made it onto their weekly engagement list by being one of their top engagers 🎉

06/16/2026

Quote of the Day:
Love your friends to death.

Read John 15:13,15, verse 13, Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend...

We are called to love one another as Jesus loved us, and He loved us enough to give His life for us. While we may not have to die for someone, there are many ways to practice sacrificial love: by listening, helping, encouraging, and giving. Think of someone in particular who needs this kind of love today. Give as much love as you can, and then try to give a little more.

Although Jesus is our Lord and Master, He calls us friends, which is both comforting and reassuring. We owe Him our unqualified obedience, but most importantly, Jesus asks us to obey Him out of love. If I am a friend of Jesus, I must consciously and purposefully lay down my life for Him. This is a challenging task, and it is good that it is so. Salvation is easy for us because it cost God so much. However, living out that salvation in our lives is difficult.

God saves a person, fills them with the Holy Ghost, and then essentially says, "Now you work this out in your life, and remain faithful to Me, even when everything around you encourages unfaithfulness." Jesus tells us, "I have called you friends." So, remain faithful to your Friend, and remember that His honor is at stake in your life.

I pray you all have a Blessed day.
Remember, Jesus loves you, and so do I.

Send a message to learn more

06/15/2026

Quote of the Day:
Life is not always fair, but God is always faithful.

Read Psalms 19:7-14; verse 7, The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making the wise simple...

When we think of the law, we often see it as something that restricts our enjoyment. However, there is a different perspective on the law that reveals it as something that revives us, imparts wisdom, brings joy to our hearts, provides light to our eyes, offers warnings, and extends rewards. This is because God's laws serve as guidelines and beacons for our paths, rather than as chains holding us down. They alert us to danger and guide us toward success.

Many Christians struggle with feelings of guilt. They worry that they may have unknowingly committed a sin, acted with selfish intentions even while doing good, not put their full effort into a task, or neglected their responsibilities. While guilt can play a vital role in bringing us to Christ and encouraging proper behavior, it should not paralyze us or instill fear. God fully and completely forgives us, even for sins we commit without knowing.

Would you change how you live if you knew that every word and thought would be scrutinized by God? David asks God to approve of his words and thoughts as though they were offerings brought to the altar. As you begin each day, resolve that God's love will guide your speech and thoughts. Remember verse 14: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer."

I pray you all have a Blessed day.
Remember, Jesus loves you, and so do I.

Send a message to learn more

06/14/2026

Quote of the Day:
Be faithful and leave the results to God.
"Give your best to the Master,
Give Him first place in your heart;
Give him first place in your service,
Consecrate every part! (Grose)

Read John 13:3-5, verse 5; After that He poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was grided...

Jesus washing His disciples' feet is a profound act of humility where He, as Lord and Master, voluntarily performed the duty of the lowest servant. By removing His outer garment, wrapping a towel around His waist, and washing their feet, Jesus demonstrated servanthood and love, and provided a model for Christian leadership.

During the Last Supper, likely before the meal, Jesus rose to perform this task. He removed His outer robe, becoming vulnerable and dressed as a servant, tied a towel around Himself, poured water into a basin, and began washing the disciples' dirty feet. Despite possessing all authority, Jesus chose to do the messiest, lowest job—a duty typically performed by slaves or by the disciples themselves, none of whom had volunteered for it. He showed that true greatness in His kingdom is defined by service, rather than rank.

This act physically represents His impending spiritual cleansing of them through His sacrifice. The disciples had been arguing about who among them was the greatest, making Jesus' actions a direct rebuke of their pride. He explicitly stated that He was setting an example for them to follow, promoting a culture of service and love.

Even knowing that Judas would betray Him and others would abandon Him, He served them all equally, demonstrating unconditional love. In summary, these teachings illustrate that followers of Jesus are called to serve one another with the same humility He displayed, setting aside pride and status for the sake of love.

I must recognize that my obedience, even in the smallest details of life, is supported by the all-powerful grace of God. If I fulfill my duties, not just for the sake of duty, but because I believe God is guiding my circumstances, then in that moment of obedience, I receive all of God’s magnificent grace through the glorious atonement of the Cross of Christ.

I pray you all have a Blessed day.
Remember, Jesus loves you, and so do I.

If you need prayer, healing, or a miracle, join us as we worship the only living God.
If you don't have a church family or are looking for a Bible-believing, Bible-preaching Church full of loving people.
Come visit and be blessed! You will be welcomed with open arms.
Abundant Life Church, Gladewater, is located at 409 Money Street, Gladewater, TX.
Church Prayer every Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM
Wednesday Night Service every Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM
Sunday School and First Word start at 10:00 AM, followed by the Main Service at 11:00 AM

Send a message to learn more

06/13/2026

Quote of the Day: When we put our problems in God's hands, He puts His peace in our hearts.

Read Ephesians 5:20-21, verse 20; Give thanks always for all things unto god and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ...

When you’re feeling down, expressing gratitude may become challenging. However, take comfort in the truth that God works everything for our good if we love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Thank God not for your problems, but for the strength He is developing in you through the difficult experiences in your life. You can trust that God’s perfect love will carry you through.

Submitting to another person is often misunderstood; it does not mean becoming a doormat. Jesus Christ, whose name “every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Philippians 2:10), submitted His will to the Father, and we honor Christ by following His example. When we submit to Christ, we become more willing to obey His command to submit to others, which means subordinating our rights to theirs.

The scriptures urge believers to consistently express gratitude to God and to practice mutual submission to one another out of respect for Christ. These teachings describe the practical daily outcomes of being filled with the Holy Spirit.

I pray you all have a Blessed day.
Remember, Jesus loves you, and so do I.

If you need prayer, healing, or a miracle, join us as we worship the only living God.
If you don't have a church family or are looking for a Bible-believing, Bible-preaching Church full of loving people.
Come visit and be blessed! You will be welcomed with open arms.
Abundant Life Church, Gladewater, is located at 409 Money Street, Gladewater, TX.
Church Prayer every Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM
Wednesday Night Service every Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM
Sunday School and First Word start at 10:00 AM, followed by the Main Service at 11:00 AM

Send a message to learn more