Lighting Up the Darkness - Martin Wiles

You light a lamp for me. The LORD, my God, lights up my darkness. Psalm 18:28 NLT

As soon as the time changed, the darkness crept in.

Although I love the fall and winter months, changing from Daylight Saving Time to normal time brings a little gloom. For some, it leads to SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). I’m not sure I’ve ever contracted SAD, but I tend to get sad during the cold months when there is less daylight. Ironically, I also want to watch holiday movies that exacerbate my gloomy mood. Movies that make me long for a past that will never return. 

Not only is the outside darker, but the inside is also. This means more light—which those in the know say heightens SAD. When I made all the clocks in the house fall back, I also turned on more lights. Instead of just a lamp, I used several lamps and the overhead light. More light lifts my mood, even though they raise the utility bill. 

But some darkness has nothing to do with seasonal changes. The psalmist knew all about it. It was the darkness he felt when pursued by enemies. Those who wanted to make his life miserable … dark … or who wanted to destroy it altogether. Those who wanted him sad instead of happy. Those who wanted to harm his family. 

Just as we can’t change the daytime-nighttime cycle, we can’t change periods of darkness that assault us throughout our lifetime either. They will come—disguised as depression, hurt, anger, frustration, broken relationships, rebellious children, lost jobs, failed classes, addictions, and disappointments. 

What we can do is turn to the one who can light up dark periods. Regardless of what dark period he faced, the psalmist turned to God to light up his life. God will do the same for anyone who asks—but particularly his children. Jesus said he was the light of the world and then told his followers to be light too. 

Letting God shine light into our dark moments turns on the light, lifts our spirits, gives us hope, and changes our perspective. When God turns on the light, it enables us to turn on the light in others’ lives. Everyone faces moments of darkness and needs a little light in their life. 

God can enable you to be a light bearer. All you must do is ask.

Father, may I bear your light of love and compassion to a dark and hurting world. 

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Living with the End in Mind - Martin Wiles

And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment. Hebrews 9:27 NLT

I walked to the casket and peered in sheepishly. 

Nothing was out of the ordinary about this funeral visitation. In the South, it’s the way we do it—most of the time. A death occurs. The family makes arrangements for their loved one. Visitation happens the night before the funeral or just prior to. Following the funeral, the body—or ashes—is taken to the cemetery for burial. At least, that was typical before COVID-19 changed the way we do many things, including funerals. 

I was in the visitation line, a line that snaked around corners and through several rooms. As I got closer to the casket, I could see family members greeting friends and acquaintances. I supposed this person must have been special … must have influenced countless people … must have touched numerous lives. Perhaps he was famous. Some family members struggled to compose themselves. Others smiled as they hugged and shook hands. 

As the line shortened, I heard bits and pieces of conversations. “He sure does look good.” (How can a person who is dead look good?) “I’m so sorry for your loss.” Normal things people utter when they try to comfort someone—when they really have no idea what to say. 

Then my turn came to step forward. But something was strange about the family members—something was strange about the person in the casket. As things came into focus, I noticed they were my children and grandchildren. My spouse stood beside them, and I was in the casket.

It had happened, just as the biblical writer said. I had done what every human being must do: die. But I must have done many good things along my life’s journey, because so many people were here to comfort my family, share stories, and tell how I had touched their lives. I wondered what I had done. I wished I could have stood by them as those in line passed by so I could have heard their remarks. 

Life is short, and death is certain. Two of the points in the first funeral sermon I delivered many years ago. Points that are still true and will remain valid when I deliver my final funeral sermon. And since death is certain—and since every funeral reminds me of this—I stop often to consider my life’s goals, aspirations, and priorities. And also what type of influence I’m having on others. 

Consider the certainty of death in your life.

Father, remind me that I must die and give an account of my life to you. May I live with that in mind each day. 

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PUMPKIN SPICE CAKE (LOW FAT) - Martin Wiles

 

Ingredients

1 BOX SPICE CAKE MIX (DRY MIX)

      

1 1/3 CUP WATER

1 15-OUNCE CAN PUMPKIN PIE FILLING

CREAM CHEESE ICING

CINNAMON SUGAR

Directions

MIX FIRST THREE INGREDIENTS TOGETHER.

POUR INTO A GREASED 9 X 13 DISH.

BAKE AT 350 DEGREES FOR 35 TO 45 MINUTES.

SPREAD ½ CAN OF CREAM CHEESE ICING OVER HOT CAKE.

TOP WITH CINNAMON SUGAR.

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How to Build a Good Foundation - Martin Wiles

To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd. Psalm 18:26 NLT

Two men, two houses, two foundations. Disaster was inevitable, and it came quickly. One man was in a hurry. Didn’t attend to important details. He threw up a few pieces of cardboard, nailed some boards together, and set it all on a sandy lot. Bad storms were known to inhabit his geographical area—and one showed up soon enough. Within minutes, his home was reduced to rubble, and he was lucky to be alive.

But the second man was more careful when he built his house. He chose materials that would withstand strong winds. He hired a contractor he could trust and who had experience building stable homes. Before the builders assembled any part of the home, they spent weeks building a strong foundation. The man was proud of his house, didn’t mind the money he’d spent to build it, and lived in it for many years—weathering many storms.

According to the psalmist, God shows himself pure to those who are pure. He’s dependable when we build our lives on the proper foundation. We can’t make ourselves pure, but God can make us that way when Christ is our foundation. When He is, we stand on certain foundational things … convictions we're not willing to break. Non-negotiables that will weather storms.

God is real. 

He exists. I’m staking my life and eternity on it. “In the beginning, God created…”

God is love. 

Unconditional love. He loves when we don’t, loves more than we can, and can teach us to love those we ordinarily wouldn’t.

God is in control. 

On any given day, the news could cause us to doubt it, but the Bible says he is. We, however, must choose to believe it. Otherwise, we must believe in fate or chance. Poor alternatives.

God deserves our obedience and love. 

Jesus said it was the greatest command—to love and obey God. Obedience demonstrates our love and appreciation for what he’s done.

God wants us to live with integrity. 

When we obey his commands, we'll do the right thing—at least most of the time—whether anyone is looking or not. Character must be our core.

We can live without many things, but the above are essential for a good foundation. They should be our foundation … our convictions … our essence.

List the foundational beliefs you can’t live without.

Father, enable me to build my life on foundations that won’t crumble when the storms of life press in. 

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Seeing Life Clearly - Martin Wiles

For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

We stood gazing across the river at what our eyes couldn’t see clearly but couldn’t believe.

My daughter and I were backpacking. On our third day out, we came to a swinging bridge that crossed Horsepasture River. But as we looked at the other side, we noticed that a large pine had fallen across the stairway ascending the neighboring mountain—the mountain we had to climb. Without binoculars to view the situation up close, we had two choices: turn back or move on. We moved on.

What we couldn’t see from the other side was that the mess was passable—with a little ingenuity. Since my daughter was only twelve and skinny, she easily passed beneath the tree. I wasn’t so fortunate. I removed my pack, hugged the tree tightly, and shinnied over. Had I slid down the tree, I would have also slid down the mountain.

Just as my daughter and I couldn’t see the full picture from where we stood on the other side of the river, we typically can’t see all aspects of life’s journey either. Nor could the greatest missionary who ever lived. He said he walked by faith and included all believers in the journey. Faith helps us see that the real picture isn’t as frightening up close as it may appear from a distance.

With faith eyes, we can see God’s plan. His plans for us are good. He wants to bless, not harm. His plans have a purpose, and if we pursue his plan, we’ll live a more abundant life than we could possibly find through power, possessions, or pleasure.

With faith eyes, we’re reminded that spiritual warfare is taking place. God wants us to enjoy his best while Satan wants us to pursue his plan. The first brings lasting joy and peace, while the second brings only temporary satisfaction—along with eternal torment.

With eyes of faith, we can see that the victory is won. Christ assured the final victory on Calvary’s cross. By relying on his Spirit’s power, we can win every spiritual battle we encounter.

And with the eyes of faith, we can believe there’s a way through every one of life’s trials. God has the path mapped out and will point us in the right direction when we ask.

When your way appears blocked by life’s obstacles, God can help you see the real picture.

Father, help me see life as it really is—not as it often appears. 

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Clean Hands, Clean Heart - Martin Wiles

Therefore the Lord has recompensed me according to my righteousness, According to the cleanness of my hands in His sight. Psalm 18:24 NKJV

“Wash up for dinner” was a directive I rarely, if ever, heard while growing up. My family wasn’t nasty. Far from it. Both of my parents were “clean freaks.” At least my mom. But for some reason, I wasn’t told to wash my hands before eating. Perhaps because they were never dirty in the first place. I had inherited my parents’ cleanliness gene. I didn’t like dirt or anything sticky on my hands. I guess my parents imagined my hands were always clean. No reason to tell me to wash them before eating. In their mind, I had already washed them for some other reason.

But my parents also believed a few germs would never hurt anyone. Germs would help build my immune system—which, in fact, was a correct philosophy. If I wanted to play in the dirt or handle dirty things and then eat, that was perfectly acceptable. Or if I dropped food on the floor or on the ground and then put it in my mouth, that was okay too—within limits. My parents weren’t neglectful. Nor would they ever put me in a dangerous situation.

Overall, I was a clean child, so there was no need to worry too much about cleaning me up. The psalmist considered himself clean—even righteous. But he wasn’t self-righteous. God had taken care of his sin, declared him clean, and was now going to deliver him from his enemies’ tactics. The coming deliverance wasn’t based on anything the psalmist had done—or deserved. It was based solely on who God was.

Our righteousness comes the same way as the psalmists did. We shouldn’t brag about it because we didn’t do anything to deserve it. Nor is it based on anything we did or could do. Rather, our righteousness issues from what Christ did on Calvary’s cross and our request that the benefits be applied to our lives. God declared us righteous because of what his sinless Son did.

God will deliver us in life and death because we’re righteous, but all the credit goes to him. We can’t wash up; only he can clean us up.

If he hasn’t already, let God wash you and make you clean. 

Father, thank you for making me clean through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

 

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Reese’s Cup Éclair

 

Ingredients

8 ounces Cool Whip

1 small Vanilla Instant Pudding

2 cups of milk

2 Tablespoons of sour cream

2 Tablespoons of peanut butter

½ box of chocolate graham crackers

5 Reese’s cups

Directions

In a large bowl, mix the milk, pudding, peanut butter, and sour cream.

Fold in Cool Whip.

In an 8 x 8 dish, place a layer of graham crackers on the bottom, then add some pudding mixture.

Continue to layer crackers and pudding, ending with pudding.

Top with chopped Reese’s cups and chocolate syrup.

Refrigerate for two hours before serving.

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