The Go Bag - Lynne Phipps

Help me welcome my good friend, Lynne Phipps, as a new writer for Love Lines from God. 

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 2 Peter 3:10 NIV

When a friend of mine was evacuated from his home and then town because of a wildfire, I asked him if he had taken all his important legal papers, identification, and medical files with him. He told me he had not. He had simply left quickly. My friend did not have what has come to be known as “a go bag.”

One keeps a go bag ready in case of an emergency evacuation notice, something that is happening frequently due to the shift in weather patterns our world is experiencing. Fires, floods, landslides, hurricanes, tornados, and the like can come on us with little or sometimes no warning. Having a go bag ready and waiting can make a huge difference when dealing with long-term evacuations or the possible loss of our home and property.

Similarly, the Scriptures remind us that the day of the Lord’s return will also come upon us when we least expect it. When that day comes, we will not have time to prepare to meet our heavenly Father. The time will have passed to ready our spiritual go bag. We will be evacuated to an eternity spent with or without God.

John writes, “And this is the testimony (statement or proof): God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:11,12 NIV).

Jesus, the Son of God, offers us our spiritual go bag for free. It is known as salvation. Knowing him as our personal Lord and Saviour and trusting him for the forgiveness of our sins, which makes us holy and acceptable to God, assures us that our name is written in God’s Book of Life. Not knowing Christ, however, condemns us to judgment and eternal death in the lake of fire known as Hades. 

Each one of us is going to be evacuated from this earth, whether by death or through the return of Jesus. This is a fact, a given. The question is whether we are ready. 

Is the Spirit of Jesus residing within your heart through accepting the gift of salvation? Make sure your go bag is ready.

Lord God, may my eyes be opened to see the need of the peoples of the world for salvation so that I can help them prepare their spiritual go bag. In Christ’s name, amen.

Tweetable: Do you have your go bag ready? 

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.

I invite you to try my newest book, Grits, Grace, and Grands, in eBook or paperback. If you are an editor who wants to hone your grammar skills or someone who just wants to improve your writing or speaking, this is the book 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.

Chicken and Rice

 

Ingredients

1 CAN MUSHROOM SOUP

1 CUP WATER

¾ CUP UNCOOKED RICE

¼ TEASPOON PAPRIKA

¼ TEASPOON PEPPER

¼ TEASPOON SALT

4 BONELESS CHICKEN BREAST

Directions

MIX SOUP, WATER, RICE, PAPRIKA, SALT/PEPPER.

PLACE CHICKEN ON RICE.

COVER AND BAKE AT 375 DEGREES FOR 45 MINUTES.

Tweetable: Why not try this all-time year-round favorite? 

I invite you to try my newest book, Mastering English Grammar Basics, in eBook or paperback. If you are an editor who wants to hone your grammar skills or someone who just wants to improve your writing or speaking, this is the book 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.

Bit-by-Bit Living - Martin Wiles

One day the Lord said to Moses, “Climb one of the mountains east of the river, and look out over the land I have given the people of Israel. Numbers 27:12 NLT

As a preacher’s kid, I moved more times than I care to count. Dad didn’t stay at any one church long. Every two or three years—sometimes after only one year—I’d get the news we planned to move. This made making friends difficult. Eventually, I didn’t care much about making friends. After all, I’d be leaving soon. But I made it through all the moves. 

A few years after graduating high school, I became a preacher and started the moving process all over again. Although I didn’t move as often as Dad, I did move every five or six years—and occasionally sooner than that.

n my younger years, moving proved easy—at least from a physical standpoint. As I got older, things changed. Aches and pains crept in. Backaches mainly, which made lifting difficult. And who can move without doing a lot of lifting?

By the time I neared retirement age, I hoped my wife and I had put moving behind us. Not so. A better deal came up. We feared our landlord might sell our patio townhome because it needed so many repairs. Another couple who was our age owned a unit three doors down. I didn’t want to move, but they were searching for long-term tenants, and we were their choice. After listening to their offer, I gave in to my wife’s pleadings.

Then came the fun. Fortunately, our new landlords gave us an entire month to move. We had already paid our rent at our old home, no one lived in the one we planned to move into, and our new landlords didn’t care if we moved in bit by bit. For two people with backaches, foot aches, shoulder aches, and about every other ache one can imagine, we were glad we didn’t have to move in one day or even a weekend.

Moses was a bit-by-bit kind of guy, too, when carrying out God’s plan. God wanted him to lead the children of Israel out of Egyptian slavery, but he didn’t make Moses do it in a weekend—or even in a week or year. God’s plan started with Pharaoh’s daughter saving Moses from certain death when he was just a baby. Then, the plan entailed Moses spending forty years on the back side of a desert tending his father-in-law’s sheep. From there, the plan entailed many plagues on the Egyptians, crossing the Red Sea, disobedience, and forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Bit by bit, Moses obeyed God’s plan, which helped him from becoming overwhelmed and giving up. In the end, he died before leading the Israelites into the Promised Land—the price he had to pay for disobeying along the way.

God’s plans for us can often seem overwhelming—or even something we don’t want to do. Moses wasn’t excited about God’s plan in the beginning. But just as my wife and I didn’t have to move in short order, God often gives us years to accomplish his plan. His timetable is quite different from ours. He knows our human nature to fear, feel overwhelmed, manipulate, and control. Fortunately, he’s patient as we move along with his plan, giving us time to come around to his way of thinking, doing things, and working through our fears and doubts.

In the final account, what makes us successful involves faith. We walk by faith. We live by faith. Any other way leads to failure, as it did with Moses when he chose to strike a rock to attain water for the people when God told him to speak to it. Through mounds of prayer and tons of trust, we let God guide us to carry out his work—in his way and according to his timetable. He drives fear away, teaches us to let him take the lead, and does more through us than we could ever imagine. This way, he gets the credit, and we keep pride out of our lives.

Rather than trying to run ahead of God—or do too much at one time—let God help you accomplish his plan bit by bit.

 

Father, thank you for your patience as I carry out your plan. 

Tweetable: Are you trusting God for bit-by-bit living? 

I invite you to try my newest book, Mastering English Grammar Basics, in eBook or paperback. If you are an editor who wants to hone your grammar skills or someone who just wants to improve your writing or speaking, this is the book 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.

Jesus’ Reverse Psychology on Dependence - Martin Wiles

Then he said, “Anyone who wants to be the first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” Then he put a little child among them. Mark 9:35-36

As a middle school teacher, one of my tasks is to instill responsibility in the students. At their age, most of them buck my efforts. Although I give them due dates for their papers and projects, most want me to remind them. And even though the school handbook states a student must consult their teacher about make-up work, many don’t and receive a reduced grade or even a zero. Some parents think we’re overly harsh on their young children, but we know teaching children responsibility—even when it stings--will benefit them later in life.

Jesus, however, used reverse psychology. While on the way to Capernaum, his disciples argued about which of them was the greatest. Ironically, Jesus didn’t say it was the one who was the most responsible but rather the most dependent one. And he put a child in their midst to demonstrate it.

Jesus’ intention was a little different. Total dependence on someone else is risky and unhealthy. But total reliance on him is essential and spiritually healthy. Children, at least initially, have total trust in their parents. Jesus wants the same from us. Total trust leads to a spiritually fulfilled life. Jesus will never disappoint us and will always guide us in the right direction.

As with their teachers, children often think their parents know everything. Later, they discover they don’t. Jesus, on the other hand, does know all things. He is omniscient, and since he is, we can place our total trust in Him.

Children also think their parents can do everything. Getting, “I thought you knew how to do everything,” when a child discovers their parents aren’t all-knowing isn’t unusual. Jesus, however, can do all things. He’s all-powerful—omnipotent.

And perhaps most basic of all, children believe their parents will care for them—now and forever. Many do; unfortunately, many don’t. Jesus always will. He never abandons his children.

Learn to trust Christ like a child.

Father, help me trust you as children do their parents. 

Tweetable: Who are you depending upon? 

I invite you to try my newest book, Mastering English Grammar Basics, in eBook or paperback. If you are an editor who wants to hone your grammar skills or someone who just wants to improve your writing or speaking, this is the book 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.

A Family Tradition - Martin Wiles

Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? But your ancestors did, and so do you! Acts 7:51 NLT

My family had many traditions. One was at Christmas. Mom either cooked a meal or prepared finger foods. When we all finished eating, we circled chairs among the furniture in the living room, and everyone sat. The younger members of the family busied themselves, passing out gifts. After the last gift was distributed, we selected someone to begin. They retrieved a gift, told whom it was from, opened it, and showed everyone what it was. Then, this same action was repeated in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

Our family has grown and changed. Some members are no longer with us because of divorce or death. Though the gathering is smaller, we continue the tradition, although in a modified form. For me, this tradition builds up our family. Since it is a slow process, it gives us time to tell stories and reflect on memories—especially when Mom takes ten minutes to open a present.

But not all traditions are healthy. Steven was a servant leader in the early church. When arrested for preaching about a resurrected Jesus, whom he claimed was God’s Messiah, he addressed the high council and gave them a history lesson. What brought down their wrath and resulted in his death was his accusation that they were repeating the traditional unbelief of their ancestors. Both had and were resisting God’s Spirit, who was pressing them to believe.

We had other traditions in my immediate home, along with the above Christmas tradition. Dad thought reading the Bible was important. We had family devotions, and I saw him and Mom read their Bibles daily as well, even down to the boring genealogical tables. My parents also thought praying was a good tradition. We boys were taught to pray before meals and before we went to bed. Talking to God was imperative. And even if Dad had not been a pastor, he and Mom would have made us attend church regularly and often. Any time the doors were open, we had to be there.

We should pass traditions that draw us closer to God down to our families but discard the ones that hinder the process.

Consider what family traditions you are establishing and passing along.

Father, guide me to godly traditions I can pass down through the generations. 

Tweetable: What family traditions are you establishing? 

I invite you to try my newest book, Mastering English Grammar Basics, in eBook or paperback. If you are an editor who wants to hone your grammar skills or someone who just wants to improve your writing or speaking, this is the book 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.

Cheesy Bacon Grits Casserole

 

Ingredients

7 packs of Instant Grits

4 eggs

2 cups of water

1 cup of milk

1/2 stick of butter

1 cup of shredded sharp cheese

1 cup of Velveeta cheese

1 pound of cooked and crumbled bacon

Directions

Mix all ingredients.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Place in casserole dish.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

Tweetable: In the mood for some comfort food? 

If you enjoyed this recipe, try one of our devotions and then share them both with your friends. 

I invite you to try my newest book, Life's Many Moods: A Collection of Poetry, in eBook or paperback. Throughout the years, poets have expressed emotions in various ways through the picturesque method of poetry. Click on the title above to order your copy today. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

In the Grip of Fear - Martin Wiles

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 NLT

America had been invaded.

 

On the evening of October 30, 1938, a news flash interrupted the musical program, “Ramon Raquello”: “Ladies and gentlemen, we interrupt our program of dance music to bring you a special bulletin from the Intercontinental Radio News.”

 

The announcer told listeners that scientists at the Mount Jennings Observatory in Chicago had observed mysterious explosions of incandescent gas on Mars.

 

A few minutes later, other bulletins told listeners that aerial vehicles had landed in various parts of the country and that strange creatures had been seen emerging from them. Soon, reports came in from New Jersey, New York, Washington, D.C., and elsewhere. It appeared Martians were taking over the planet.

 

Panic ensued. The New York Times received 875 calls in minutes. One woman—not wanting to be taken captive by Martians—attempted to take poison, but was prevented just in the nick of time.

 

One caller asked police in San Francisco, “My God, where can I volunteer my services? We’ve got to stop this awful thing.”

 

In Newark, New Jersey, families in one neighborhood ran into the streets with handkerchiefs covering their mouths. Electricity suddenly went out in one town in Washington, causing the residents to assume the Martians had blown up the power complex. Authorities called sailors back to their ships.

 

One teenager remembered, “I was really hysterical. My two girlfriends and I were crying and holding each other, and everything seemed so unimportant in the face of death. We felt it was terrible we should die so young.”

 

But no one died that night because the Martians hadn’t invaded America. Millions had simply heard a radio dramatization of H. G. Welles’s The War of the Worlds on the CBS drama series. Amazing what fear can do.

 

Our world gives us many reasons to fear, some imagined and others not. Danger lurks in many places and has many faces. God obviously knew this would be the case, so he created the fight or flight part of our nature. We put up our fists or high-tail it when dangerous situations arise.

 

Yet, God doesn’t plan for us to live in a constant state of fear—especially when we have nothing specific about which to be afraid. This fear doesn’t come from him but from the enemy of our souls—and the enemy of our peace. Living this way robs us of peace.

 

Humility helps us conquer fear. With humility, we recognize we can’t control everything—especially many things causing us to fear. COVID-19 taught us that. But God can … and does. Nothing lies beyond his reach, and he has promised to care for his children.

 

Rebuking unreasonable fears comes along with humility. Unreasonable worries come from the enemy and usually relate to promises God has made—but promises the enemy wants us to doubt, as Eve did in the garden.

 

Fear prompts us to act—appropriately and inappropriately. Fear makes us run or avoid certain areas or circumstances in certain situations. The flight reactions intermingle with our trust and faith in God because he gave us the good sense to act accordingly. In other situations, fear causes us to cringe and retreat for no good reason. The saying holds truth: most of what we fear never comes to pass.

 

The cure for living in the grip of fear simply involves giving our cares and worries to God. He cares for us and has promised to provide for us. When we do, fear will run from us, rather than us running from it. God will give us the good sense to avoid dangerous situations, the faith not to live with unreasonable fears, and the ability to trust him when we encounter circumstances beyond our control.

 

God is bigger than anything causing you to fear.

 

Father, help me to trust in you so that fear doesn’t overcome me. 

Tweetable: Are you living in the grip of fear? 

If you enjoyed this devotion, please share it with your friends. 

I invite you to try my newest book, Life's Many Moods: A Collection of Poetry, in eBook or paperback. Throughout the years, poets have expressed emotions in various ways through the picturesque method of poetry. Click on the title above to order your copy today. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.