Tools of the Shed - Martin Wiles

But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. Acts 9:15 NLT

Dad’s first woodworking project began in a small storage shed.

Dad pastored churches full-time, but his hobby was working with wood. He took up the hobby while pastoring a country church in the lower regions of South Carolina. Since the congregation was small, he had more time on his hands than normal. A small storage shed out back where yard implements and the lawnmower were kept became his first wood shop. And his first projects were wooden picture frames on which he glued outdoor scenes. 

By the time Dad retired, he had purchased a large shed and filled it with all sorts of woodworking tools. Table saws, band saws, planes, routers, sanders, and drill presses. Anything he needed for a project. Also hammers, screwdrivers, pencils, screws, nails, and dowels. And when he finished for the day, he returned everything he had used to its place. Eventually, his small projects evolved into larger ones, such as bedroom suites, tables, and China cabinets.

As Dad had special tools, so did God: Paul. But Ananias wasn’t excited when God told him about this special tool. Ananias knew him as a persecutor and killer of Christians, not someone friendly to religious folks. What he didn’t know was that God had changed Saul’s heart and would use him as a tool to spread the gospel across the known world. 

Similarly, as believers, we’re all special tools in God’s shed, each with a particular purpose. Dad didn’t use a saw to hammer a nail, nor did he use a hammer to drive in a screw (although Mom might). And he used the drill press to drill holes, not to cut wood. 

God gives us tools that match our personality and his plan for us. Many of Dad’s tools outlasted him and were passed down to my middle brother. God also used Paul until he died and wants to do the same for us. 

In the latter years of his woodworking hobby, Dad began stamping his name on what he made. Tool companies do the same. Older tools manufactured by popular companies are valuable because of their name. God has also stamped his brand name on believers, giving us value and use for a lifetime. 

Let God help you discover the tool you are so you can get busy with the work he wants you to do.

Father, thank you for using me as a tool in your Kingdom work. Help me to be faithful in the work you assign. 

If you seek hope and healing because of hurts you have faced, then Hurt, Hope, and Healing is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

The Pen - Lynne Phipps

So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. 1 Samuel 16:13 NIV

During the summer months, I keep my miniature horse, Frank, and his companion Minnie, the donkey, in a pen attached to the barn throughout the day. Once evening arrives, I release them into the corral where they can graze all night until the sun rises. Why, you might ask? 

Dr. Noman Tariq explains: 

Grass is most risky for horses at certain peak times. In the spring, new growth means high levels of sugar and starch. After a frost, stressed plants build up even more sugar. These changes can lead to laminitis, obesity, and other health issues. Horses at risk should have limited turnout during these periods. The weather has a significant impact on the amount of sugar in grass. Sunny days raise sugar levels, and cold nights stop plants from using it, so it builds up by morning. 

Miniature horses and donkeys are especially prone to laminitis and diabetes, so keeping them penned up when grass sugar levels are highest is important for maintaining their good health. Although Frank and Minnie are not pleased and don’t understand their situation, I know why keeping them penned is important, and that’s what really counts.

Sometimes, we feel penned in too, just as I’m sure David did after being anointed as King and then having to wait approximately twenty years to finally take the throne. God, however, knew that David needed not only to be anointed king but also to mature spiritually, emotionally, and mentally before he could be the kind of King who could rule wisely. The throne did not come to David until God knew that he was ready for the task at hand.

Likewise, because God’s timing is always perfect, He often makes us wait a time before the way opens, allowing us to move forward in a certain direction. Understanding that this is not a punishment but a time for the Holy Spirit to mature and grow as God deems fit allows us to wait more patiently and spend time praising Him for the good work He is doing within us. In the end, we will be well equipped for the good work He has prepared for us.

Enjoy the pens in which God places you, knowing they have a purpose. 

Father God, thank You that Your timing is always perfect. Remind us through the power of Your Holy Spirit that waiting on You is not wasted time, but a time to grow, mature, and praise You for the good work You are doing in us, so that in turn, we might accomplish the good work You have prepared for us to do. In Christ’s name, amen.

Lynne Phipps and her family live on a small hobby farm in the heart of Alberta, Canada’s farming country. She has been writing devotions for forty years and never tires of the spiritual correlation the Holy Spirit blesses her with. He uses normal everyday events and the behaviors of the multitude of glorious creatures He has brought across her path to point her to the truths of God. Lynne is a devotion writer for VineWords: Devotions and More, Christian Devotions, and Love Lines from God. 

If you seek hope and healing because of hurts you have faced, then Hurt, Hope, and Healing is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

When God Hides - Martin Wiles

He shrouded himself in darkness, veiling his approach with dark rain clouds. Psalm 18:11 NLT

I knew it was there, but I couldn’t see it. 

When a New or Full Moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to the Earth, meteorologists call it a Supermoon. I wanted to see this one—it was the first occurrence since January 26, 1948—but I couldn’t. Several wildfires raged nearby, and each morning and evening, a thick coat of smoke veiled the sky, shutting out my view of the stars and now the Supermoon. Add to that the geography of our neighborhood—tall trees and other nearby townhouses—and my wish to witness this marvel of nature went ungranted. 

The psalmist was hounded by enemies, one in particular—a jealous king. But he wasn’t worried. Using picturesque words to describe the indescribable, he recounted how God came down to save him. Mounted on an angelic being, God soared on the wings of the wind with storm clouds beneath his feet. But he also shrouded himself in darkness so his enemy couldn’t see his approach. 

God has been known to hide Himself. For thirteen years, Joseph must have wondered about God’s whereabouts. Joseph’s jealous brothers hated him and sold him to a band of traders who took him to Egypt and sold him again. Falsely accused of trying to rape the king’s wife, Joseph was cast into prison where he was promptly forgotten. For two more years, he languished in squalid conditions until God suddenly turned his situation around and promoted him to prime minister of Egypt. 

Just because we don’t see the hand of God in our situations doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Jesus promised never to leave or forsake us—and he doesn’t. He works behind the scenes, orchestrating the events of our lives, thwarting the enemy's schemes, and manufacturing good. Our duty is simply to trust in his sovereignty, unconditional love, and power. 

When God hides, we must wait for him to show himself. Biblical waiting is not inactivity. We continue doing the last thing he told us to do until he opens another door and provides clear guidance on a change of direction. 

God may appear to be hidden, but he is never absent from the details of your life. Trust in that promise daily. 

Father, I thank You for always being near, whether I perceive you or not. 

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Roast and Gravy

 

Ingredients

1 CAN CREAM OF MUSHROOM WITH ROASTED GARLIC SOUP

1 CAN BEEF BROTH             

1 ENVELOPE ONION SOUP MIX

3 ½ POUND ROUND ROAST

2 TABLESPOONS PLAIN FLOUR

1 TEASPOON SALT

½ TEASPOON PEPPER

2 TABLESPOONS OIL

Directions

STIR FIRST 3 INGREDIENTS TOGETHER IN A 5 ½ QUART SLOW COOKER.

SPRINKLE ROAST EVENLY WITH FLOUR, SALT, AND PEPPER.

IN A LARGE DUTCH OVEN, BROWN ROAST EVENLY.

TRANSFER ROAST TO SLOW COOKER.

COVER AND COOK ON LOW FOR 8 HOURS.

REMOVE ROAST AND SLICE.

SKIM FAT FROM GRAVY AND WHISK.

SERVE OVER ROAST.

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Cry Out to God - Martin Wiles

But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears. Psalm 18:6 NLT

She raised up on the bed, writhing in pain. 

I’d watched my wife suffer with kidney stones before. Once, over the course of a week, her abdominal pain worsened to the point that it merited a trip to the local emergency room. After a shot of morphine and a CT, the doctors sent her home. No explanation—but no emergency either. 

Four days later, the pain intensified, so we made another trip. As pains shot through her abdomen, causing her to almost come off the bed, nurses shot her with morphine—again. Nothing helped. After changing the pain medication, she finally found some relief. Seeing her pain—and hearing my frustration—the doctor finally consented to perform another CT scan. This time, the culprit raised its ugly head: diverticulitis. 

I’ve watched others struggle with more pain than my wife experienced. Some cry out to God, and some cry out against God. Others curse and cry. Some bite their tongues and close their eyes. The psalmist chose to cry out to God. A jealous king and other enemies pursued him. He needed deliverance. And David believed God heard him.

Jesus was God’s representative on earth. He said to see him was to see the Father. He also proclaimed that he always did the Father’s will. One trait he demonstrated consistently was concern for others. He continually went about doing good. As people heard of his love and miracles, they either hounded him when he visited their region or left their homes to find him. 

Jesus still cares when we face distressing circumstances. And there is no end to the things that can cause us pain, sorrow, frustration, and confusion. Regardless of what it is, Jesus wants us to cry out to him as David did. Time is of no concern. God is awake continuously. He doesn’t require rest or sleep. Nor is he confined by time or place. 

How God hears the thousands who pray at the same time is unexplainable and takes a leap of faith to believe. But he does, and he demonstrates it by answering our prayers according to His will. 

When you’re in distress, call on the one who always cares and who will always answer. 

Father, thank you for coming to me and delivering me in my moments of distress. 

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Death Pangs - Martin Wiles

The ropes of death entangled me; floods of destruction swept over me. The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path. Psalm 18:4-5 NLT

The thought of experiencing it unnerved me—even though I claimed to be prepared.

While a pre-teen, the fear of dying haunted me. As a nine-year-old, I had accepted Jesus and knew He had a place for me in heaven, but I feared what I had to experience to get there: death. 

A few years later, relatives began dying. First, my paternal grandfather’s unhealthy living habits finally caught up with him. A couple of years later, he was followed by both of my great-grandparents. Soon after, the remainder of my grandparents died. Now at retirement age, I have only one parent remaining and no in-laws. 

David didn’t fear old age because he wasn’t old. Instead, a jealous king dogged his trail. David was running for his life, hiding in caves and in the wilderness. Death always seemed near, but God preserved his life. King Saul didn’t kill him—but was killed himself—and David was made the next ruler.

Only a very few welcome the thought of death. Regardless of how tough circumstances might be or how intense the pain of disease or other body ailments, most don’t wish for death. Rather, we pray for healing or for God to soothe the debilitating situation. But the healings of diseases and the removing of stressful situations won’t stop death. Barring the return of Jesus Christ, we will all experience it. 

We can live peacefully while at the same time knowing the pang of death is just around the corner. Doing what I did as a nine-year-old is the first step in facing the death pang: asking Jesus to forgive our sins and committing ourselves to be his follower. This act removes the condemnation we’re under and takes care of the sins for which we’re responsible—all of which keep us out of heaven.

Knowing we’ll immediately enter heaven upon death is also comforting. We won’t have to lie unconsciously in the ground until Christ returns. The apostle Paul said to be absent from the body was to be at home with the Lord. Jesus told the thief on the cross who begged for his forgiveness that he would be with him in Paradise that day. 

When you make things right between you and God, you no longer must fear death’s pangs. 

Father, thank you for taking away the fear of death when I trust in you as my God. 

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Like a Rock - Martin Wiles

The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. Psalm 18:2 NLT

Rocks were either my best friends or my worst enemies. Encountering them was a common experience when hiking in the mountains. During the years that I hiked, rocks became a common feature on the trails I traveled. Sometimes they slowed me down significantly. 

Getting to one of my favorite destinations required passing over a mountain appropriately named Rocky Mountain. Especially in the winter months, I had to choose my steps carefully. Rocks were wet, and water turned to ice during the cold months. These same wet rocks attract algae in the summer months, making them as slippery as when they are coated with ice. 

But rocks are also advantageous. When on a steep incline of a particularly high mountain, rocks provide firm footing that soil itself doesn’t give, making the climb easier. 

Using a metaphor, David said his God was a rock. Certain characteristics of God reminded David of rocks, which he was no doubt familiar with. He had been a shepherd who allowed sheep to graze in fields dotted by rocks. 

I’ve discovered the same truth as David did. Like a rock, God remains when others walk out. Large boulders are immovable without heavy equipment or geographical upheavals. Likewise, we can depend on God to be there when others aren’t. He will never disappoint. Rockslides are common in the mountains, but God is not like any of those rocks that were dislodged by water, construction, or tremors. He remains steadfast.

Like a solid rock, God also provides better footing for life. When we stand on a relationship with him and the principles of his Word, our life footing is solid. Even when troubles and trials come, he gives the footing of grace, wisdom, and faith to press on without bitterness, anger, and frustration. 

Like many rocks, there is more of God than we ever see. The bulk of many rocks is underground. The evidence of God’s work is never as apparent as what is happening. He is forever behind the scenes, molding us into the image of Christ and working for our good. In tragedies, crises, and tough times, he may seem hidden, but never is. 

Let God be the rock in your life. He will never disappoint you but will provide the stability you need for every life event. 

Father, be the rock of refuge I run to and upon which I stand. 

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.