Hearing Voices - Martin Wiles

The Jebusites taunted David, saying, “You’ll never get in here! Even the blind and lame could keep you out!” 2 Samuel 5:6 NLT

When I was a teenager, I found myself hearing voices.

“Let’s get drunk,” said the first voice. The 1970s were in full force. Drinking seemed to be a way of life, so I agreed. And since this voice represented acceptance by my peers, I justified my listening.

Then the voice said, “Let’s do some dope.” I listened again—although I was a little frightened this time. I agreed to the Mary Jane, but nothing more.

“Do you want a smoke?” the voice continued. I did, and for the next decade I kept listening to that voice.

Listening to the wrong voices hindered my walk with the Lord and kept me in chains when I could have been free. David was anointed king and needed a central location for his capital. His sights were on Jerusalem. Trouble was, the Jebusites weren’t interested in giving it up. When he approached the walled city, they told him he’d never get in. But he did because he listened to a more powerful voice.

Training our ears to listen to the right voices is essential for good spiritual health. Many voices vie for our attention—most of them attempting to lead us down paths taking us farther from God.

God’s voice comes through the inner presence of his Spirit and will always agree with what is taught in the Bible. Being familiar with the teachings therein is vital if we’re to hear the right voice. Listening takes a power we don’t have. God, however, can provide the power so we don’t succumb to the wrong voice as Eve did when Satan tempted her, causing her to question God’s directive.

Voices of discouragement are rife—as they were in David’s day. Finding friends and acquaintances who encourage us is important if we’re to make respectable spiritual decisions. We can find them through social media outlets, at churches, in small groups, and through good authors. Voices reminding us about who we are in Christ: a new creation, a masterpiece in the making, a child of God who has worth and has been accepted into his family, and an overcomer of unhealthy habits, addictions, and social mores. Voices that will encourage us to seek God’s guidance in every decision we make.

Hearing voices is acceptable; just make sure you listen to the appropriate ones.

Father, give me wisdom and understanding so that I might hear and listen to the right voices. 

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.

Banana Nut Muffins

 

 

Ingredients

1 BOX SPICE CAKE MIX

2 EGGS

1 CUP MILK

1/3 CUP CHOPPED PECANS

1/3 CUP OIL

1 BANANA (MASHED)

Directions

MIX ALL INGREDIENTS TOGETHER.

POUR INTO GREASED MUFFIN PANS.

BAKE AT 350 DEGREES FOR 15-20 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.

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.