Finish Well - Martin Wiles

He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. John 13:1 NLT

I knew I was leaving, but I had a job to do. 

Working in a textile mill wasn’t on my list of places to work when I moved to Greenwood, South Carolina. Greenwood was a textile city with mills scattered all over the town and in surrounding towns. But I ended up where I didn’t want to work and, for the next three years, endured the noise and dust of the weave room. 

Then a layoff and call-back placed me in another department. Within a few months, I was promoted to third shift overseer. I was also hearing God’s call into full-time ministry, which meant leaving for college. I was excited about the venture ahead—and about leaving the job I disliked. But my parents had instilled in me a strict work ethic, so I finished well by doing my best until the last minute I was on the clock. 

Jesus did too. The Father gave him a job: coming to a sin-cursed world, demonstrating how God wanted people to live, inviting people to trust him as Savior and receive his forgiveness, and finally dying on a cross for the world’s sins. 

Although he felt fear and anxiety over how his life would end—even asking the Father if they could do it some other way—he finished well by obeying the Father’s plan. As his followers, Jesus also wants us to finish his work well—loving, sharing, and serving others in his name until the end of our lives or until he returns. 

Finishing well involves doing the right thing. Doing the right thing isn’t always easy, but it’s the definition of integrity and manifests itself in a person of character. We can finish our task well when others are looking or if it’s a part of our job description, but integrity means finishing well when no one is looking. Just because it’s the right thing to do. 

Finishing well also entails perseverance. Persevering is sometimes complicated. It takes energy we don’t seem to have, wisdom we don’t appear to possess, courage we can’t seem to muster, and obedience we sometimes don’t want to give. God, however, can provide all of this and more so we can move ahead to the finish line. 

Don’t stop short of doing your best for God. Trust him to help you finish well.

Father, give me the grace, courage, faith, and stamina to finish well for you. 

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.

Sausage and Cheese Rolls

Ingredients

1 POUND HOT SAUSAGE

1 LARGE BLOCK VELVETTA CHEESE

2 PACKS OF DINNER ROLLS (YOUR CHOICE)

Directions

COOK AND DRAIN SAUSAGE.

MIX CHEESE UNTIL MELTED.

PLACE IN ROLLS AND SERVE.

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.

Before and After the Vote - Martin Wiles

Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 1 Timothy 2:2 NLT

The 2016 presidential election year in America was hotly contested. Most Americans were not satisfied with the two primary candidates. Some didn’t vote because they didn’t like the proposals of either candidate. Others chose the lesser of what they considered two evils. In the end, the candidate many thought would never win the White House did. 

Voting is a wonderful privilege. Some live in countries where they don’t enjoy the privilege. Even in America, the right to vote for women and other minority groups was hard-won through demonstrations, fights, misunderstandings, anger, and finally laws. 

While there is no Bible verse telling us to get out and vote—Christians in the first century were under Roman rule and weren’t given the opportunity to vote—God does give us principles that govern our relationship with the governing authorities. 

We should vote our conscience—if and only when it has been programmed by the principles of God’s Word. While God’s Word doesn’t tell us to vote or what political party to align with, it does give us God’s moral standards. When possible, we should choose candidates who follow God’s principles. Unless the candidate is a Christian—which is often not the case—no candidate will do this completely to our satisfaction. But we can choose the one who comes the closest. 

We should make an informed vote. Not liking either candidate, not knowing where they stand on the issues, or not having time aren’t valid excuses. We make time for anything that’s important, and voting, when we have the privilege, should be one of them. 

We should also pray before and after the election. When we pray, God will guide us to make the appropriate selection. If our candidate of choice doesn’t win, we’re still responsible for praying for them. Early Christians were given this mandate while having no voice in who ruled over them. Whether we have a choice or not, we’re still accountable for praying for the governing authorities which God has established for a particular time and moment. 

Voting is a privilege. If you have it, don’t shun it. And after you’ve done it, pray for those who are elected. 

Father, I thank you for giving me the privilege of choosing those who will rule over me. But if I can’t decide, guide me to pray for those who are elected. 

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.

Lessons from a Waiting Room - Martin Wiles

Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. Psalm 27:14 NLT

My wife and I were once frequent flyers at the local emergency room. On one occasion, my wife had unexpected fluid gain and abdominal pain. Her last visit led to a brief stay in the hospital. My visit involved a minor bleeding issue. 

Although we learned some lessons from waiting in the emergency room, both of us agreed we were sick of going there. But I don’t have to visit an emergency room or even a doctor’s office to experience the benefits of waiting. Life is filled with waiting rooms of various sorts. It was when the psalmist wrote the above words. 

In life’s waiting rooms, I’ve learned things don’t often happen as quickly as I wish. This predicament develops what the psalmist calls patience—a worthy virtue but not one that’s always enjoyable to develop. A typical emergency room stay in our small town is four hours. As much as one hour in the waiting room itself and then three more waiting on doctors and nurses to do what they are going to do. 

Waiting rooms have also taught me that life is unfair. When I see people who don’t have and can’t afford insurance. When I see people who’ve been abused by others or who’ve had crimes committed against them. And when I see people addicted to drugs who are making a visit to get a pain fix. Or when I see bodies mangled by wrecks. 

But waiting rooms should develop compassion in me. When I see and hear about the various conditions that bring people in for emergency care, my heart reaches out to them. I wish I could intervene. I thank God for his grace that has kept me from being in a similar situation.

Additionally, in the waiting room, I learned that unfortunate situations often get better. Yes, some die in the emergency room, but many more are assisted in a way that eventually leads to their healing. Trials have an end, and God determines it. 

Finally, waiting rooms remind me I affect only a few of my life events. God, however, controls them all, and I must trust him with the trial, the length of the trial, and the outcome. 

When life puts you in the waiting room, take time to learn important life lessons. 

Father, give me the faith to trust you when you allow me to spend time in the waiting room. 

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 Know, Don’t Understand - Martin Wiles

I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed. Job 23:9 NLT

Complex sentences. Aptly named because one independent clause and at least one dependent clause compose them. Just as I was dependent on my parents until I reached legal status, a dependent clause is dependent on the independent clause. An independent clause has all the elements that allow it to stand alone: subject, verb, and complete thought. Dependent clauses are missing one or more of the necessary elements. 

“When I was a young child” is an example of a dependent clause. The subject and verb are present, but important information is missing. If someone made that statement to me, I would expect more information. What happened when you were a young child? Since I don’t know what happened, the clause is senseless and fails to communicate.

Job lacked information as well. He had faithfully served God but now experienced the loss of practically everything he had—and with no explanation. God seemed far away. Job’s questions received no answers. God gave him a dependent clause only but had not finished the statement. 

Many things in life don’t make sense. A child killed in an accident because a parent was driving drunk. Natural disasters that steal the lives and property of innocent people. People living homeless because no one will offer them a job. Cancer. Other incurable diseases. Family members not caring for their elderly loved ones. Terrorist activity. A spouse lost to depression or Alzheimer’s. 

Sin is the simple answer, but that doesn’t always provide comfort. Knowing sin is behind the cancer that killed their small child doesn’t take away the grief the parents face. Believing God is love and is sovereign is a better path to follow. 

Many things in life are unexplainable. Some take comfort in thinking God will answer all our questions when we get to heaven—but he may not. Peace and abundant living come from accepting that God is in control and knows what he’s doing, that He acts consistently out of love, and that his plan is always best. 

Don’t let the unexplainable things of life throw you for a loop. God has them under his control. He will give you the strength to endure and overcome, even when you don’t understand. 

Father, when life happens in ways I can’t explain or understand, help me to believe that you are in control and that your plan is best. 

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.

Spoon Bread

 

Ingredients

1 ¼ OUNCES ACTIVE DRY YEAST 

2 CUPS WARM WATER

 ONE-FOURTH CUP SUGAR

              

SELF-RISING RISING FLOUR

THREE-FOURTHS CUPS BUTTER (MELTED)

1 EGG (SLIGHTLY BEATEN)

Directions

COMBINE YEAST IN WARM WATER. LET STAND FOR 5 MINUTES.

STIR IN REMAINING INGREDIENTS. MIX WELL.

BAKE IN GREASED MUFFIN PANS AT 400 DEGREES FOR 13 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.

Running by Faith - Martin Wiles

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

The steps came at him faster than I could get to him.

My wife and I and two of our grandboys were out for a visit to Star Fort in Ninety-Six, South Carolina—the site of an American Revolutionary War battle. As we walked onto the battlefield, we were met by a small overlook tower. Our oldest grandson—then three and excitable—wanted to climb the steps to take a look. Since the steps weren’t steep, I gave him the go-ahead.

When I finished giving him a rundown of the battle and answering his questions, he was ready to walk the trail across the battlefield. A little too ready. He forgot he couldn’t run down steps as he ran on level ground. Halfway down, he stumbled and fell face forward down several steps. I hollered for him to hold on as I tried to pick up my pace and rescue him.

Fortunately, he only received a wood burn. After a few minutes of crying, he was off to the next “clue”—as he called the informational signposts—which told him more about the battle.

The apostle Paul walked by faith and said all believers should as well. But I often have the same trouble my grandson did. I want to run by faith when I need to slow down and walk. When I do, I fall down the steps and have a number of things potentially happen.

When I run by faith, I get ahead of God—as Sarah and Abraham did when they tried to hurry up God’s plan to give them a promised son.

Running by faith can cause me to outpace my spiritual maturity level. I may think I’m ready for God’s next assignment when I’m actually not.

Running by faith leads to overdependence on self. I forget I need God in every detail of my life. There is nothing I can handle by myself without making a mess of it.

When I try to run by faith, I often fall into sin, disobedience, and manipulative behavior. All actions that will interfere with God’s guidance of my life.

Experiencing any of these hurts that come from trying to run by faith can make us bitter, angry, and frustrated—none of which will enhance our faith walk.

Don’t run by faith; just settle for walking.

Father, hold me closely as I walk with you by faith. 

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.