Decisions Decisions - Martin Wiles

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. 

~Philippians 2:13 NLT

My job was taxing but fulfilling. Deciding whether to leave challenged me like an unstudied-for test.

Five years had passed since I’d been employed by a local county. I began as a teller and worked my way up to supervisor. Although some days found me wishing for something different, most of the time I was satisfied.

Then, just as I settled into that routine, my pastor presented an opportunity. Due to difficult circumstances, I had been out of the ministry for a few years. Now he offered me the chance to be his associate and work with the youth and children. I turned down his first request, almost without thinking. Age had crept up on me. I was too old to act like youth ministers are sometimes required to.

A few months later, he approached me again. This time I told him I’d pray about it. Soon thereafter, I accepted the part-time position. My decision was only the beginning of more decisions to come.

Gas prices were rising, and my position at the county required a two-hour drive. As I stopped in at the old country store across the road from my house, one of the new owners approached me about a part-time day manager’s position. I prayed again. Before I knew it, I was putting in my resignation at the county and working two part-time jobs.

According to Paul, God works in us, giving us the desire and power to do what pleases Him. But how?

When we trust Christ as our Savior, he sends his Spirit to indwell us. Listening to him helps us make good decisions. God’s Spirit lives in us and works through us. He is not just a presence or force; He is living and moving. He nudges us in the right direction, but also nudges us when we make wrong decisions.

Knowing God’s Word also helps with decision-making. Here we find God’s principles, wishes, and commands. Having them ingrained in our minds helps us hear God’s Spirit when he reminds us of them.

Further help with decisions comes through prayer. Knowing the Word and having the Spirit make prayer more productive. As we pray, God will speak by his Spirit about things that align with his Word.

Don’t leave your decisions to chance. Listen to God’s Spirit, pray, and consult his Word.

Father, thank you for the resources you give that enable me to make good decisions. 

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.

One Big Reunion - Martin Wiles

And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world. 

~John 11:52 NLT

As we turned out of the parking lot, I knew it would be the last time.

Both of my paternal grandparents’ sides of the family had annual family reunions, but my family rarely attended. I barely knew many of those who did—people who were my cousins once removed. Dad was a preacher, and the reunions took place on Sunday. To top it off, they ate at noon, just as church was finishing up for us, making it impossible for us to attend unless Dad missed a Sunday, which he wasn’t about to do. At least, not for a family reunion.  

Only on rare occasions did we attend our family reunions. And because it was so long between times when we did, it was difficult to talk even to the people I knew. Reunions were awkward experiences. Then one year, they told us it would be the last reunion. I suppose as the older generation died out, the younger ones decided they didn’t care to continue the tradition.

Jesus had a habit of stirring up the religious leaders and was at it again. Caiaphas, the high priest, suggested that one man die for the nation. That would be better than allowing the Romans to destroy the entire Jewish nation. Little did he know that he prophesied God’s plan that one person would do just that: die to unite all people together into one big family.

The heavenly reunion that awaits all who trust Christ as their Savior is, in some ways, like a family reunion. I was sometimes surprised by who showed up at reunions. Some we wondered about. No one knew them. Had they just wandered in? Some we don’t think will make it to heaven just might. We don’t know their heart, and God can do amazing things in the twinkling of an eye.

Heaven’s reunion will be joyous—as earthly reunions are. It was always fun to see and talk to aunts, uncles, and cousins I hadn’t seen in a year … or usually longer. Heaven will contain no sorrow. People were invited to my family reunions, and God charges us with inviting others to the heavenly reunion. How else will they know where it is or how to get there?

And this big heavenly reunion will take place daily in a comforting atmosphere—not just annually, as most family reunions do. No sin, sinful practices, or sinful people are invited. Just the saints of God enjoying each other and serving God forever.

Make plans now to attend the greatest family reunion that’s ever taken place.

Father, thank you for the invitation to attend your family reunion. 

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.

How to See Clearly - Martin Wiles

There he came to a cave, where he spent the night. But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 

~1 Kings 19:9 NLT

None of us had ever experienced what we were about to do.

Eight couples from our church traveled to a cabin in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, for a marriage retreat. My wife and I had stayed in several cabins over the years—some we enjoyed, while others were misrepresented by the rental agency. Not this one.

Our little convoy turned off the main road and ascended a narrow road until we reached Summit View Lodge—a four-story cabin nestled on the side of a mountain. Everyone wanted to visit the top level to see the view. Surrounding us were mountain ranges folded upon mountain ranges. Sadly, trees, smog, and low-hanging clouds kept us from seeing clearly what we might have otherwise observed.

Elijah had a sight problem as well, but trees, pollution, and clouds had nothing to do with it. He had defeated hundreds of pagan prophets in a mountaintop contest, but the wicked queen wasn’t pleased with his efforts. A twenty-four-hour death sentence sent him running. His first stop was a broom tree where he asked God to take his life. Then he traveled to a cave where once again depression overshadowed him like a lurking animal. But amidst his despair, God helped him see clearly.

Fear, anxiety, and depression kept Elijah from seeing what God wanted to do in his life—just as clouds and smog kept us from seeing the totality of our mountain view. Adopting Elijah’s solution, running, is an easy escape point when things aren’t going our way or when we can’t see which way they are going at all.

Taking advantage of the abundant life Jesus offers requires a clear view—even when circumstances are against us. And this requires several steps, which Elijah eventually took.

First, we must believe God is with us and is concerned. Elijah’s running was unnecessary. God could handle a wicked queen. 

Second, we must ask God to help us understand the situation fogging our sight. God gave Elijah understanding in the cave. 

Third, we must accept our circumstances by faith. We won’t always understand what God is doing or why.

Finally, we must release despondency to God. Discouragement and depression will only further cloud our vision. Releasing it by faith clears things up.

Regardless of what clouds your view, God can help you see clearly.

Father, when the situations of life keep me from seeing clearly, help me to trust you to clear things up.

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.

Bacon-Wrapped Lil' Smokies

Ingredients

1 pack Lil’ Smokies

1 pound of bacon, cut in half

1 bottle barbecue sauce (any kind)

Directions

Line a cookie sheet with non-stick aluminum foil.

Wrap each smokie with bacon and secure with a toothpick.

Place on the cookie sheet.

Top with barbecue sauce.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.

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.

Don’t Worry; Be Happy - Martin Wiles

 

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down. 

~Proverbs 12:25 AMP

Worry and anxiety are bedfellows that often show up together.

Kelita sat in her car, gunning the engine but going nowhere. And there was a good reason. The gearshift was in neutral. She burned fuel and fogged up the garage where the car rested, but it remained in place.

Hearing the noise, her father finally came out of the door and asked, “What are you doing, honey?”

“Trying to get to work,” she huffed.

“But you have to put the gearshift in drive to make the car move,” he said.

Seems like a silly scenario—and it is—but often, we repeat Kelita’s mistake by worrying. Worry and anxiety will keep us in the garage—or mental prison—burning fuel but going nowhere. And in the process, we’ll pollute the world around us and accomplish nothing beneficial.

Jesus instructed us not to worry (Matthew 6:34), and the wisest man who ever lived said anxiety would weigh our hearts down. But situations in our lives and the world make both easy to do. And since they are first cousins, the first is typically followed closely by the second.

Worry and anxiety in small doses are good, not detrimental. If we had such an attitude that we never worried or felt the least anxious, we’d sit around and fail to respond properly to situations. If we didn’t worry a little about crime, homelessness, abuse, and corruption, we wouldn’t respond to opportunities to affect these circumstances as Jesus instructs us to do.

On the other hand, too much worry and anxiety will disturb us physically, spiritually, and emotionally. The human body is connected, not compartmentalized. What touches one part of us distresses the other parts. When we’re emotionally unbalanced, we’ll experience physical consequences.

Remembering that God is in control and a loving God helps us manage worry and anxiety so they don’t afflict us. As the sovereign ruler, God controls world events and the details of our lives. As a loving God, he won’t allow anything into our lives that he won’t give us the strength to face, conquer, and learn from.

Don’t let worry and anxiety keep you in the garage. God’s shoulders are strong enough to carry you wherever he wants you to go.

Father, I trust you to help me endure whatever you allow or bring into my life. 

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.

Open, Cook, Taste, Repeat - Anita van der Elst

How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. 

~Psalm 119:103 NLT

The text message came from a thoughtful and generous family member. I needed to be on the lookout for a box that would be delivered to our doorstep. Because it contained perishable food, it would need immediate attention.

This was a new experience for my husband and me. Inside the box were the ingredients for five separate meals for two. Each meal was bagged separately, and the meats were in individual bags as well. Included were colorful 8 x 10 charts with pictures and instructions for assembling and cooking the meals. Everything looked delicious. An exciting and nutritious culinary week for the two of us ensued.

But what if we had stashed the food packages in the fridge and never took them back out? And then tossed aside the charts, never giving them a second glance? What a waste of good food. We would have suffered physically as well without proper nutrition.

So why do we often put our Bibles on the shelf or table, knowing they contain great content, yet ignore them? The psalmist understood that God’s Word provided all the spiritual nourishment we would ever need and that it was also flavorful. In another place, he said, “Taste and see that the LORD is good. O, the joys of those who take refuge in him” (Psalm 34:8). 

Just as those meals delivered to our door didn’t do us any good until we prepared and cooked them, so too when we neglect to study and apply God’s Word, our souls won’t benefit from that goodness.

Jesus delivers wonderful refreshment in His Word. How do we expect to taste it if we don’t partake of it? 

Take time to open your Bible regularly and enjoy the feast.

Anita van der Elst finds joy in creating with words, believing God gifted her with the desire to do so. Married to her best friend, Edward, since 1976, she is a proud mom of four adult children and Oma to three of the most delightful grandchildren ever. Other joys in her life include bringing beauty to Facebook through photos she takes on her iPhone, exploring the state parks in the PNW, facilitating a small group of women, and participating in a Bible study.

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.

Accepting God’s Will - Martin Wiles

Kings’ daughters are among your noble women. At your right side stands the queen, wearing jewelry of finest gold from Ophir! 

~Psalm 45:9 NLT

Being told to submit wasn’t as easy as the process itself.

Like most children, I chafed at times under my parents’ authority. I accepted that they were always right, but as I got older, I questioned some of their rules and regulations. Dad was a preacher, but how did that relate to my being forced to go to church? And there were occasions when I was convinced my parents were wrong, yet they never apologized when I brought it up. During my period of rebellion and questioning, I tired of hearing, “As long as your feet are under my table, you’ll do as I say.” Though the hippie within me often rose up, I accepted their will until I moved out.

The Bible is filled with stories of individuals who willingly and unwillingly accepted God’s will. God told Noah to build a large boat, and he did. He told Abraham to leave his hometown, and he did. He commanded Jonah to preach to the Ninevites, but he ran. He instructed Samuel to anoint David as the next king of Israel, and he did. Now David was that king because he accepted God’s will.

That some choose to rebel against God’s will enforces what the Bible teaches. God has given us free will. He is sovereign and has decreed certain things will happen, but in some unexplainable way, we still have the freedom to make choices that take us away from his plan.

Though God allows us to refuse His will, he encourages us to accept it. His will is best. Choosing him over Satan is wise, as is choosing heaven over hell. Choosing the abundant life he offers is better than choosing the temporary pleasures of sinful activities. As his child, when we choose to depart from his will, he sends conviction along with discipline. For Jonah, it was three days inside a large fish’s stomach.

Accepting God’s will takes intentionality. Our sinful, fleshly nature prompts us to go the other way. And God’s will often takes us away from the comfortable and familiar, as it did Abraham and Moses. Yet, it’s better to be uncomfortable and anxious and be in God’s will than to remain where we are and miss his blessings.

When you discover God’s will for your life, accept it and leave the consequences to God.

Father, make your will known to me, and then give me the courage to accept it. 

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.