Restless Wanderer - Martin Wiles

From now on, you will be a homeless fugitive on the earth, constantly wandering from place to place. Genesis 4:12 NLT

I was a restless wanderer. And although I’ve returned several times, it was never the same.

Home may be the place they have to take us when we return, but no one said it would be the same when we got there. I left home immediately after high school graduation. I couldn’t wait to put my feet under my own table and make my rules. Although I didn’t particularly care for my home of origin while there, I look back with fond memories now.

Several times since leaving, I’ve had to return. Once simply because I was lonesome. A relationship had ended. Another time because I was following God’s direction which would take me to college. I had a family and needed to square away some bills before we left for parts unknown. And a further time because I had finished college. We had nowhere to go until a church called me as pastor.

Each time I returned home, it was different than when I originally lived there. I was restless . . . ready to get out again. I wasn’t a child anymore. I didn’t need parents to tend to my needs—although they continued to try. As initially, I wanted a place of my own with my rules.

God informed the first sibling that he’d be a restless wanderer. In a moment of rage and jealousy, Cain killed his brother. Because of this action, he would have to wander . . . be a fugitive on the earth.

Just as going home always disappointed me, so living on earth will also. This world is not our home—at least not in its present form. Sin infected Cain’s life and it has the world as well. Sin has destroyed the original pristine beauty and harmony. Weeds grow, natural disasters brew, and animals and people clash. Rust eats, plastics crack, and thieves steal.

The only peace we can find during this restless journey is in our relationship with Christ. Here, we can see beyond what’s wrong and focus on what’s right. We’re forgiven. A better place awaits, both in heaven and on a freshly re-created earth where life will function as God originally designed.

How can you remember where your true home is when you’re tempted to wander?

Father, I thank You that no matter how far or long I roam, You still welcome me home. 

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Corn Bread Dressing

 

Ingredients

1 PAN CORNBREAD (DAY OLD)

     

1 ONION (CHOPPED)

3 EGGS (BEATEN)

2 CANS CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP

   

1 CAN CREAM OF CELERY SOUP

         

½ CUP CANNED MILK

2 TABLESPOONS SAGE

                        

1 CAN CHICKEN BROTH

     

1 STICK BUTTER (MELTED)

Directions

CRUMBLE CORNBREAD AND MIX WITH ALL OTHER INGREDIENTS.

POUR INTO A GREASED CASSEROLE DISH.

BAKE AT 350 FOR 1 HOUR.

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Get Ready - Martin Wiles

You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. Matthew 24:44 NLT

I heard the alarm . . . and looked at my smartphone. 

In seven years, we had only had drills—no real alarm. But not this time. Warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico infiltrated our area, bringing monsoon rains. From the West, a cold front approached, boasting fierce winds. The colliding fronts raised the risk of tornadoes. 

As I perched on my stool early in the afternoon, teaching my middle schoolers, the weather alert on my smartphone sounded. A tornado warning for our county greeted me when I looked down. No sooner had I read the warning than the headmaster came over the loudspeaker telling everyone we had a severe weather alert. This meant lining up against the walls in a protected covey, kneeling, and placing books over our heads. The students had practiced this many times but never in a for-real situation. 

As I sat against the wall, I checked the radar on my phone to see exactly where the danger lay. Our school was smack dab in the middle of dangerous storms. Periodically, the headmaster told us we could relax, meaning remove the books from our heads. Then, minutes later, he would announce we needed to return to our protected positions. For an hour, we kept up this relax-get-ready position until the strong line of thunderstorms had passed.

Some students thought this was only a drill, although we had told them differently. A few removed the books when they should not have, and a few more talked even though teachers had instructed them to remain silent so we could hear forthcoming announcements—a breach that led to consequences the next day. 

Most of the students maintained their protected position and followed directions. One high school class even sang “Jesus Loves Me.” At this age, students think they’re invincible, but I reminded them the next day that what we had experienced was the real deal—and that none of them was beyond severe injury or even death. 

Using the example of Noah and a thief at night, Jesus warned His listeners to be ready for His return. In Noah’s day, people had a good time, reveling in their sinful actions. They didn’t believe Noah when he told them a flood was coming. They perished. And if someone knew a thief planned to rob their home at night, wouldn’t they prepare to stop him? 

Speculation over when Jesus might return has been going on for years, but Jesus said no one knows when the event will occur. Even He, in His limited capacity as a human, didn’t know. Some have written books, and others have made elaborate charts, but the dates have come and gone—and Jesus hasn’t come. 

Perhaps the more significant lesson in Jesus’ caution to be ready is just that—be prepared . . . for life . . . and for His return. We never know what life will throw our way—and we can’t actually prepare for all the scenarios and the changes they might bring—but we can prepare generally and spiritually by reminding ourselves that God has our best interests at heart and loves us superlatively. 

And we can ready ourselves for Christ’s coming, whether in the sky or at our death. Either way, we’re going somewhere because life doesn’t end with death or Jesus’ Second Coming. Christ has paid for our sins. Accepting His gift readies us to meet Him when He comes and how He comes. 

Sometimes, I get a little impatient while waiting—as my students did. Living in this ever-changing world, where things get worse rather than better, makes me long for something better. A place called heaven. But like my kids, I stay in the ready position and keep doing God’s work, so I’ll be prepared when the Coming happens. 

Think of a few ways to prepare yourself for life and Christ’s coming.

Prayer: Father, may we live prepared to meet You when You come. 

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The Word That Lasts Part 3 - Martin Wiles

For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12 NLT

Like my parents before me, I attempted to instill in my children a love for God’s Word. Our nightly devotions weren’t as regular as when I was growing up. Life was hectic and busy at the time. Fitting in a nightly devotion was a challenge, but we read Bible stories often.

I carried on the same tradition with my firstborn grandson. Obviously, the need to digest God’s Word stuck despite my less-than-best efforts. Like me, my daughter and son both had their periods of rebellion. Both stopped attending church and involved themselves in questionable activities. Despite their wanderings, they still knew God’s Word and the right path—whether or not they chose it. 

Some question the validity of God’s Word.

They discount the traditionally agreed-upon authors, the miracles, the scientific and historical accounts, and even Jesus’ divinity. Rather than avoiding discussions with those who doubt, we can use the occasion to share our faith and why we believe God’s Word is profitable and accurate.

Some use God’s Word to teach legalism.

In addition to moral laws, the Old Testament contains ceremonial and civil laws. Both related to the nation of Israel and God’s interaction with the Jewish people. Some attempt to bind us by what Christ has freed us from. Grace brings liberty. Legalism majors on the things we can’t do rather than on the things we can do because of our newfound liberty in Christ. It repeats the mistakes Jesus rebuked the religious leaders for. We’re bound only by the moral laws the New Testament reiterates. We don’t have to keep bringing the old sacrifices.

God’s Word has the power to change lives.

Believing it changed me from a condemned sinner to a forgiven sinner. By reading it, we learn doctrine—the “whats” we need to believe as Christ's followers. We’re encouraged by the promises and corrected by the commandments. Like a knife, God’s Word slices into our consciousness. God’s Spirit then gives us the power to make the necessary changes.

Is God’s Word having a lasting effect on your life?

Father, turn me toward Your Word so I can follow Your path with joy and confidence. 

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The Word That Lasts Part 2 - Martin Wiles

Anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be great in the Kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:19 NLT

Doing it is a lifetime habit I don’t intend to break.

I’ve been reading the Bible daily since I was a small tike. I suppose my family instilled in me the importance of doing so. With rare exceptions, we had daily Bible readings. I can remember as an elementary-age child, sitting on the top bunk with my Bible in hand. I didn’t always understand it—in part because of the translation I was using—but Dad was glad to explain the words I couldn’t define. Memorizing it was also a part of my young life. The church my father pastored encouraged children to participate in sword drills and other Bible memorization exercises. Even during my periods of rebellion, I still read God’s Word daily. I still do.

Jesus said obeying God’s Word was important. I’ve found that to be true.

Disregarding God’s Word will lead to leaving God out of daily affairs.

God wants to be involved in every detail of our lives—the small and the large, the important and the not-so important. He wants to give wisdom for the decisions we make and guidance that will see us successfully through life. When we don’t meditate on His Word, we’ll easily forget that God is right beside us during our life’s journey.

God’s Word is more than the Bible itself.

We don’t worship the book—even though all parts of it are true and crucial to believe. Nor do we worship a particular translation. We worship the one the Book points to, and we can use various translations to help us better understand what God says. Loving Him is the greatest commandment. When we do, we’ll obey His commands by fleshing them out in our actions.

Spiritual maturity is built on a lifetime of studying God’s Word.

Surveys continue to demonstrate the lack of discipleship among believers. At one time, I was there myself. Though I’ve grown, I still have a long way to travel. God’s Word gives us the beliefs we need, and His Spirit gives us the power to put them into practice.

How can you spend more time in God’s Word and see the difference it will make.

Father, may I always see the importance of Your Word in my life. 

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Sweet Potato Souffle

 

Ingredients

3 LARGE SWEET POTATOES

½ STICK BUTTER

1 CUP BROWN SUGAR

1 CUP WHITE SUGAR

2 EGGS

1 CUP MILK

1 TEASPOON VANILLA

2 CUP CHOPPED PECANS

2 TABLESPOON PLAIN FLOUR

Directions

WASH, PEEL, AND CUT POTATOES INTO CHUNKS.COOK UNTIL TENDER.

IN A BOWL, MASH  THE POTATOES. 

ADD WHITE SUGAR, 1/2 CUP BROWN SUGAR, EGGS, MILK, VANILLA, AND 1/4 STICK OF BUTTER.

MIX WELL. POUR INTO A GREASED CASSEROLE DISH.

IN A SEPARATE BOWL MIX THE REST OF BUTTER, BROWN SUGAR, FLOUR, AND PECANS. 

PLACE ON TOP OF POTATO MIXTURE.

BAKE AT 350 FOR 35-40 MINUTES

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Continual Feast - Karen Huffaker

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Psalm 34:8 ESV

We always look forward to Thanksgiving Day, one of my favorite days of the year. Aside from the family gathering and sweet fellowship, we enjoy a grand buffet set out before us. Plans may call for one big sit-down-at-the-table meal, but inevitably it becomes a continual feast throughout the day.

For an appetizer, we start snacking on pumpkin bread early on. Anticipation grows throughout the day as we taste and nibble when each new dish enters. The excitement builds to a crescendo until we sit together for dinner, followed by sumptuous desserts. At the day’s end, we’re still savoring the last dessert crumbs over fresh-brewed coffee.

But is our study of God’s Word a continual feast? Do we begin tasting Scripture at first light and think about God’s truths as morning progresses? Do we go deeper and study as the day goes on? Do we meditate, reflect, and feed on more of what God has to tell us? Do we apply His teachings? Are we filled by evening? Did we savor all of what He laid before us?

Examine what you read, study, and experience. Reflect on all that God has done. Open your mouth and taste. See how good God is. Those who hope and trust in God’s truths will be filled, comforted, and blessed.

How can you better experience and savor the Bible?

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Karen Huffaker is a freelance Christian writer. She has taught children’s Sunday school and single mom’s Bible studies and written poetry. She is from the Deep South and loves reading Christian books, devotionals, genealogy adventures, fishing, and all things family. She is also passionate about her grandchildren’s sporting events. 

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