J.T.'s WoodShack

10/27/2026

Quote of the Day:
Where God guides you, He provides.

Read Psalm 145:17, 20: Verse 17: The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. 20: The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy...

Verse 17 tells us that everything God does is right, pure, and holy. God never acts out of selfishness, dishonesty, or evil. His character is perfect, and His decisions are always aligned with His righteousness. Sometimes, we may not understand why God allows certain things to happen in our lives. We might pray for something and wonder why the answer hasn't come. However, this verse reminds us that God's character never changes, even when we don't understand His ways. We can apply this belief to our lives by trusting God's character, especially when we struggle to comprehend our circumstances. Remember that God's wisdom is far greater than our own.

We should ask the Holy Spirit to help us live righteously and treat others with holiness, kindness, and love. It is important to trust God because He is always righteous, even when life doesn’t make sense to us. Verse 20 teaches us that God watches over and cares for those who love Him. He knows their hearts, sees their faithfulness, and is committed to them. The second part of this verse reminds us that God takes evil seriously. He is a God of love, but He is also a God of justice and will ultimately hold wickedness accountable.

God’s protection does not mean that Christians will never experience trouble, sickness, or hardship. Rather, we can trust in His care through life's trials and His ultimate victory over evil. We need to love God with our whole hearts and remain faithful to Him when life becomes difficult. We must not let the evil we see in the world cause us to lose faith in God's justice. Keep your heart clean before the Lord and trust Him to deal rightly with every person. When we love the Lord, we can rest in His care and trust in His perfect justice.

We must remember that we don’t need to understand everything God is doing to trust Him. His character is always righteous, His care is always faithful, and His justice will never fail.

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 is every Tuesday at 7:00 PM
Wednesday Night Service is every Wednesday 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

10/26/2026

Quote of the Day:
God chooses what we go through; we choose how we go through it!

Read James 1:2: My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations...

James teaches us that when we face trials, hardships, and difficult seasons, we can still find joy—not because we enjoy suffering, but because we know that God can use those experiences to strengthen our faith. We can examine this concept in three parts.

1. "My brethren": James addresses fellow believers in Christ, reminding us that following Jesus does not mean we will be exempt from trouble. Even faithful children of God experience difficult times.

2. "Count it all joy": This phrase does not suggest we should pretend to be happy while we are hurting. Instead, it encourages us to choose to trust God even when life is difficult. Our joy comes from knowing that God is with us; He has not abandoned us, and He can bring good out of our trials.

3. "When ye fall into divers temptations": The term "temptation" in this passage refers broadly to trials and tests of faith. The word "divers" means various or many different kinds of trials. Not everyone faces the same struggles. These trials may include sickness, financial difficulties, family issues, disappointment, or tests of faith. James reminds us that trials are not necessarily signs of God's abandonment; rather, they can provide opportunities for our faith to grow stronger. Consider this: A faith that has never been tested has never had the chance to demonstrate its endurance. When everything is going well, trusting God may seem easy. However, when challenges arise, and we continue to pray, obey His Word, and hold on to His promises, our faith deepens. We have two choices: we can become bitter and believe that God has forgotten us, or we can persist in trusting Him, knowing that He is with us even when we do not understand His plans.

The main lesson in this passage is that while we may not always rejoice over our circumstances, we can find joy in knowing who is with us during those times. God can use our trials to strengthen our faith, deepen our prayer life, and draw our hearts closer to Jesus Christ.

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

10/25/2026

Quote of the Day:
Faith sees things that are out of sight.

Read James 4:7-8, verse 7: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you...

This passage powerfully emphasizes the importance of surrendering your life to God, resisting temptation, and drawing closer to the Lord. It teaches us how to live in a way that pleases God and strengthens our relationship with Jesus Christ. There are two key instructions in this verse:

1. Submit Yourself to God: This means surrendering your will to God's will. Instead of insisting on doing things your own way, trust Him, obey His Word, and invite Him to guide your path.

2. Resist the Devil: This involves standing firm against temptation, sinful thoughts, pride, anger, bitterness, and anything that pulls your heart away from God. You accomplish this by relying on God's strength and following His Word.

What does it mean when the devil flees? It means you don’t have to give in to temptation. When you stand firm in faith and depend on God, you can resist the enemy’s efforts to lead you into sin. Temptation may return, but you can keep standing firm in Christ. Remember, resisting the devil begins with submitting to God. We cannot expect to overcome spiritual battles by our own strength alone.

Surrender Your Day to God: Before starting your day, pray: "Lord, let Your will be done in my life today. Help me honor You in everything I do."

Guard Your Mind and Heart: When tempting or ungodly thoughts arise, turn your attention to Scripture and ask the Holy Spirit to help you respond in a way that honors Christ.

Spend Time in God's Word: Keep coming back to Him. Even when you stumble, don’t run away from God. You don’t have to wait until you feel spiritually strong to draw near to Him. Approach Him as you are, with an honest heart, and allow Him to help you grow.

Submit to Him. Resist what pulls you away from Him. Draw near to Him. Trust Him to continue working in your heart.

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 is every Tuesday at 7:00 PM
Wednesday Night Service is every Wednesday 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

10/24/2026

Quote of the Day:
No one is beyond the reach of Jesus' love.

Read 1 Peter 2:24: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness by whose stripes ye were healed.

Jesus took our sins upon Himself when He died on the cross. He was sinless, yet He willingly suffered and died so that we could be forgiven and reconciled to God. Due to Jesus' sacrifice, we are no longer controlled by sin. This doesn't mean we will never struggle or make mistakes; it means that sin no longer has to rule our lives.

Jesus didn't save us merely to escape the punishment for sin. He saved us so we could live differently—with hearts that desire to please Him. This means loving others, forgiving those who hurt us, speaking truthfully, turning away from sin, and seeking to follow God's Word. Jesus suffered wounds on our behalf, and through His sacrifice, we can be healed from sin's spiritual damage and restored to God.

Christians also pray for physical healing and believe in it, trusting God with their sicknesses and suffering. However, this does not promise that every physical illness will be automatically healed in this life. Jesus did not simply die to change our eternal destination; He died to change the way we live today. When we reflect on what Jesus endured for us, it should deepen our love for Him and our desire to follow His ways.

When we sin, we should turn to Him in repentance. When we struggle, we can ask Him for strength. When someone hurts us, we should strive to respond with Christlike love. When we feel weak, we must remember that we belong to Him. Jesus took the punishment for our sins so we could be forgiven, restored to God, and live a life that honors Him. Jesus bore our sins so that we could be made right with God and live for Him.

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 is every Tuesday at 7:00 PM
Wednesday Night Service is every Wednesday 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

10/23/2026

Quote of the Day.
If Jesus came back five minutes ago, where would you be?

Read Acts 2:38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Several years ago, I heard a song that posed a profound question. At that time, I was not living the life I was raised to live in Jesus Christ. Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." I thank God daily for my mother, who stood firm on this verse. She raised my brother and me based on these words. After being widowed at age 25, she made it a priority to raise us in church, fulfilling Proverbs 22:6.

I was 8 years old when I gave my heart to Jesus, and I was baptized in His name at the age of 31. However, I drifted away from the Church and focused on worldly pursuits. Five years ago, my mother took a bad fall, and we decided to move her in with us to care for her.

Just before this, I heard a song by Brian Free titled "Where Would You Be If Jesus Came Back Five Minutes Ago?" I could not honestly answer that question: would I be in Heaven or burning in Hell? One day, I stopped by my mother's home for a visit. As she always did before I left, she wanted to pray for me. On that day, she prayed specifically that I would get my life right with Jesus and return to church.

When I left her that day, God reached out to me in a way I couldn't ignore. I thank God for that prayer because Jesus left the 99 to bring me back to Him. I rededicated my heart to Jesus, and now I know where I will be if He returns—my name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life. I’m going to church now to serve my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. My prayer for everyone reading this: if you don’t know what would happen if Jesus returned five minutes ago, I encourage you to read Peter’s sermon in Acts 2. Repent of your sins, be baptized in Jesus’ name for the remission of your sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

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 is every Tuesday at 7:00 PM
Wednesday Night Service is every Wednesday at 7:00 PM
Sunday School and First Word start at 10:00 AM, followed by the Main Service at 11:00 AM

I hope to see you there!

Send a message to learn more

10/22/2026

Quote of the Day:
Before you turn out the light, turn to the light of God's Word.

Read James 1:21-22: 21. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word which is able to save your souls. 22. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves...

James teaches in 1:21-22 that we must not only hear the Word of God, but also allow it to change our hearts and guide the way we live our lives. James is telling us to put away the sinful attitudes, habits, and behaviors that stand between us and God. We cannot sincerely grow closer to Christ while deliberately holding on to things that He wants us to surrender.

If we break these verses down:
"Lay apart all filthiness": Turn away from sin and anything that contaminates our hearts and minds.
"Superfluity of naughtiness": Put away the abundance of evil or wickedness in our lives.
"The engrafted word": God's Word is to be planted deeply within us, taking root in our hearts and transforming our lives.

Notice that James says the Word can save our souls. We do not earn salvation by cleaning ourselves up; we respond to God's grace through faith, repentance, and a willingness to let His Word work within us. Don't just open your Bible to read God's words. Open your heart so these words can change you. God's Word is not merely information to know; it is truth to live by.

We must humble ourselves before God, turn away from sin, and let His Word take root within us. We must let what we learn from Scripture influence our decisions, our relationships, our thoughts, and our daily conduct. James reminds us that the goal is not simply to know more about God, but to know Him more intimately and allow His Word to transform our lives.

We need to ask ourselves these three questions:
1. Lord, what are you showing me?
2. Lord, is there anything in my heart or life that I need to change? 3. Lord, how can I put this truth into practice today?
Remember, spiritual growth is not justa bout how much Scripture you read. It is about how deeply Scripture is changing the person we are becoming.

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

Send a message to learn more

10/21/2026

Quote of the Day.
God's plan, His promises, and our hope in Him.

Read Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end...

This is one of the Bible's most encouraging promises. It reminds us that even when life is difficult and we cannot understand what God is doing, He has not forgotten His people. While we may not grasp everything happening in our lives, we can trust in God's wisdom even when we cannot see the whole picture.

Proverbs 3:5-6 teaches us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and acknowledge Him in all our ways. Following God does not mean we will never face sorrow, sickness, disappointment, or hardship; it means we can trust in His character and seek Him in every season of our lives. The promise of an "expected end" means we can face tomorrow with hope because God is faithful. While we may not know what tomorrow holds, we can know the One who holds our future.

Romans 8:28 reminds us that God works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. This does not mean that every event is good, but that God can work even through painful circumstances to accomplish His purpose. This verse encourages us to do more than simply believe that God has a plan. The surrounding verses call God's people to seek Him.

Read Jeremiah 29:12-13, where God invites His people to pray, seek Him, and search for Him with all their hearts. When you worry, remember that God sees beyond what you can see. When you feel discouraged, remember that a difficult season does not have to define your future. When you want to grow spiritually, seek the Lord with your whole heart, not just when you need something from Him.

Jeremiah 29:11 is not just about having a better tomorrow. When you read verses 11-13 together, you uncover a deeper message: God gives His people hope and invites them to seek Him wholeheartedly. Sometimes, the greatest blessing in the journey is not simply what God does for us, but how much closer we come to Him along the way.

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 is every Tuesday at 7:00 PM
Wednesday Night Service is every Wednesday at 7:00 PM
Sunday School and First Word start at 10:00 AM, followed by the Main Service at 11:00 AM

10/20/2026

Quote of the Day:
The more we're attracted to Jesus Christ, the less we'll be distracted by the world.

Read 1 Corinthians 1:30: But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption...

This beautiful verse reminds us that everything we need for salvation and a right relationship with God is found in Jesus Christ. We cannot earn our way to heaven through our own goodness, wisdom, or works. Through Christ, God provides everything we need.

Jesus is our wisdom. While the world tells us to rely on our own understanding, God calls us to look to Jesus and His Word for truth and direction. By following Christ, He teaches us how to live, love others, make godly decisions, and walk in God's will. We don't have to navigate life on our own; we can seek the wisdom of Jesus.

Jesus is also our righteousness. Righteousness means being right with God. God does not accept us because we are perfect; rather, because of what Jesus accomplished on the Cross, we can be made right with Him.

Jesus is our sanctification as well. Sanctification means being set apart for God and growing in holiness. Jesus not only saves us from the penalty of sin, but He also works in us to change how we live.

Another aspect of Jesus is our redemption. Redemption means being bought back or set free at a price. Because of sin, we were separated from God, but Jesus paid the price for our freedom through His death on the Cross. He paid a debt we could never pay ourselves so that we could belong to Him.

Jesus is not merely someone who helps us become better people; He is the One through whom God saves us, makes us right with Himself, transforms our lives, and sets us free.

How can we apply this verse to our daily lives?

- When we need direction: Ask Jesus for wisdom.
- When we feel guilty about our past: Remember that forgiveness and righteousness come through Jesus Christ.
- When we struggle with sin: Ask the Holy Spirit to help us grow in holiness.
- When we feel unworthy: Remember the price Jesus paid to redeem us.

And when you pray, thank God that our hope does not rest on our own strength but on the finished work of Jesus Christ. In Christ, we find everything we need to be reconciled to Him and to grow in our relationship with Him.

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

Send a message to learn more

10/19/2026

Quote of the Day:
When life is filled with shadows, face the sunshine of God's love!

Read Luke 17:20-21: Verse 20: And when he was demanded of the Pharisees when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation. 21: Neither shall they say, Lo here!, or Lo there! For behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

The Pharisees wondered when God's Kingdom would come. They were expecting something visible and dramatic, something they could point to and say, "There it is." However, Jesus taught them that God's Kingdom would not arrive as they expected. He was already among them, bringing God's truth, demonstrating His power, and calling people to repentance. While they looked for outward signs, they failed to recognize the King standing right in front of them.

We can become so focused on expecting God to do something extraordinary that we overlook what He is doing in our hearts every day. Jesus explained that God's Kingdom cannot be identified by pointing to a particular place. His rule is not limited to a building, a church, or a specific group. God's Kingdom is about His authority, His righteousness, and His work in people's lives.

When we surrender our hearts to Jesus, we begin to learn how to live under His authority rather than merely following our own desires. Being part of God's Kingdom goes beyond attending church; it means allowing Jesus to be Lord over our thoughts, decisions, words, and actions. For believers, this truth highlights how God works within us as we follow Christ. He changes our hearts, renews our minds, and teaches us to love what pleases Him.

The main point I want to convey is that the Kingdom of God is not just something we look forward to seeing someday. It represents God's rule and reign, revealed through Jesus Christ and lived out in the hearts and lives of those who follow Him. When we allow Jesus to lead us, our priorities begin to change. We become less concerned with merely appearing religious and more focused on having a heart that pleases God.

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

Send a message to learn more

10/18/2026

Quote of the Day:
God invites us to burden Him with what burdens us.

Read Psalm 55:16: As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me...

In this passage, David expresses his confidence in God amid trouble. Surrounded by pain, betrayal, and distress, he chooses to turn to the Lord instead of succumbing to fear or despair. David resolves that no matter what happens around him, he will seek God. He doesn’t say he will only pray when life is good; he actively seeks God even when his heart is hurting, and his circumstances are difficult.

This serves as a reminder that prayer should be our first response, not our last resort. David believes that God hears him and can deliver him from his troubles. This doesn’t mean that God will remove every problem immediately or answer every prayer in the way we expect. Rather, it means we can trust Him, knowing He is our refuge, strength, and help in times of trouble.

God may change our circumstances, give us the strength to endure them, or guide us through them according to His wisdom. Psalm 55:16 teaches us that we don’t have to carry our burdens alone; we can call upon the Lord and trust Him with what we cannot control. Importantly, David states, "But I will call upon God." He consciously chooses to turn toward God despite the chaos surrounding him.

When trouble arises, let your first reaction not be fear, but prayer. When you don’t know what to do, call upon the Lord. When your heart is troubled, bring it to Him. You may not know how things will turn out, but you can trust Him while He works on your behalf.

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 is every Tuesday at 7:00 PM
Wednesday Night Service is every Wednesday at 7:00 PM
Sunday School and First Word start at 10:00 AM, followed by the Main Service at 11:00 AM