Work’s Goodness

Coins jingling in my pocket and bills resting in my wallet. My money. It felt good.

My parents taught me about the goodness of work and tested their opinion with chores. But I loved work. My grandmother was an Avon lady and took me along when ringing doorbells and saying; “Avon calling.”

I spent summers with my grandparents and worked with my grandfather on the ice cream truck. A sumptuous job with fringe benefits. I progressed to bagging groceries at Piggly Wiggly. From plants to mills to offices to churches, I worked.

There is honor in work as Paul relates; For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat. (II Thessalonians 3:10)

Mental and physical limitations prevent large numbers from working. Others seek employment but can’t find any. But some take no initiative.

An old saying purports; “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” Obviously it’s true for Paul quickly warns the idle about meddling. (v.11) When there’s nothing productive to produce, we tend to manufacture gossip, crime, meddling, immoral activities and untamed imaginations. None of which generate worthwhile goods.

Honorable work provides exercise, focus, appreciation for possessions, enhances leisure time, improves society, keeps us from trouble and most importantly honors God. It’s his plan and remembering we work for him can make any job pleasant. Charitable work and God’s work are more enjoyable and always available even when unemployment lines are long. 

Prayer: Spirit, show us the work You desire we do and guide us to complete it with joy.

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Confidence Never Loses

“Quitters never win.” “If you fall off, get up and try again.”

I heard those statements when learning to ride a bike. I wanted a bike but not just any bike. It had to have high handlebars and a banana seat. But such a bike was useless if I couldn’t ride it. So I started on a smaller version with training wheels. At a certain age though, this makes one a sissy. The day arrived when Dad took the wrench and removed them. As he steadied the bike, I hopped on. Then he gave the dreaded push. I wobbled, twisted, fell and heard, “Get up and try again.” I did and eventually learned to ride and got the bike I wanted.

Quitters don’t win and repeated efforts normally yield success, yet everyone experiences failure. I’ve failed classes and on occasion as a parent and husband. I’ve missed other’s expectations and more importantly God’s. Fortunately someone was there to temper my failure with encouragement as Paul did for the Corinthian believers: Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (I Corinthians 15:58)

Continually encouraging those who fail and disappoint us or themselves is difficult but essential for our growth and theirs. Expressing confidence rather than demeaning remarks reminds us we’re not beyond failure either. It also gives hope failures don’t have to be repeated, but even if they are God forgives. Who needs to hear you express confidence in them?

Prayer: Father, enable us to communicate confidence to the disappointed and the quitters with encouragement from Your Word.
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Accepted Not Rejected

Rejection for any reason hurts.

Tech devices hadn’t made the scene, so we played Hide n Seek, cops and robbers, cowboys and Indians, dodge ball, football and baseball (in our yards), and put sheets over chairs for tents. Innocent activities keeping us active.

Even innocent games carry seeds of rejection. I wasn’t the fastest runner, best hitter or most popular student. I was overlooked when choosing captains for dodge ball. And when teams were picked, I was the last selected. But I didn’t grow up with an inferior complex; I just wished for more talents and popularity.

Nobody enjoys rejection. At some point I simply concluded God’s acceptance was enough. Other’s was a bonus. God rejects no one who comes in faith and delights in all who do: The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

I may never sit in a CEO’s chair, speak to thousands of eager listeners, make a million dollars, have perfect children, or own luxurious cars and a mansion, but I have everything when God receives me. His acceptance is based on forgiveness which results in purity. And he gladly forgives when asked. We become his children and friends. He enjoys our company and gets excited about the relationship.

Others may reject us over appearance, talents, race or social standing, but God loves his affiliation with us. Let God soothe any feelings of rejection with his acceptance.

Prayer: Merciful Lord, thank You for accepting us as we are. Period.
copyright 2012, Martin Wiles
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Christ’s Shirt

I’m not wearing this shirt anymore when we go out, I huffed. 

Smile when I can’t find what I’m looking for when the associate is unaccommodating. Be kind when someone jumps in front of me because they assume their time is more important. And say “Have a nice day” to the person taking my food order when they act as if they could care less if I patronize their restaurant. All because I’m donning a cheap cotton t-shirt with a church logo.

But I suppose my actions and reactions are crucial. After all, my church’s reputation is at risk. Someone could stay away if I report their poor customer service skills to the manager or threaten never to shop there again. Or worse yet, if I act like a jerk, utter an explicative, or lose my cool and stomp away in a rage. 

Disgracing my church is really the lesser issue; shaming Christ is at stake. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (Galatians 3:27)

I’m not only clothed in the church’s shirt; I’m dressed with Christ. And since I’m baptized in him, I represent him everywhere I go. I can’t shed him when I tire of trying to be good. I may imagine aggravating people can’t read my mind so not to worry, but they do through every action, thought and attitude.

We are Christ’s shirts, and only he can give wisdom and power to wear him well. To be kind when we’d rather be unkind, share when we feel stingy, and love when revenge is more enticing. Paul says it best; Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:6).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, may our clothing be sprayed with the starch of kindness.

Rekindled Love

I had all the symptoms: sweaty palms, nervous stomach, and rapid heartbeat. But I wasn’t sick, just in love-or so I thought.

Puppy love, kitten love, a crush. The warm feeling children or adolescents have for a person of the opposite sex. So named because it resembles love for warm, cuddly puppies. But puppy love doesn’t survive unless it matures into real love which sticks around regardless.

The church in Ephesus had a difficult time with their love for Christ. The city boasted of idolatry, immorality and witchcraft, and the church was nestled right in the middle. Many believers spent more time with these strange bedfellows than Jesus. So John says; Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. (Revelation 2:4)

Time and over familiarity can dampen real love. I trusted Christ as Savior at nine years of age. Forty one years later-if I’m not careful, I think I’ve got God figured out so I don’t need as much time with him anymore. Spiritual disciplines become insignificant. Or I forget the warm feeling and excitement I had when I first believed. No more rapid heartbeat or sweaty palms. The same sun that melts chocolate hardens clay.

Growing and lasting love requires stoking just like embers in a fireplace. Left alone, they cool and the fire dies. Embers need romancing and so does our love for God and other true loves. If you’ve forsaken your first love, it’s never too late for a little rekindling. Pick up a Bible, spend time in prayer, buy a bouquet of flowers, cook a meal, go to the grocery store…You get the idea.

Prayer: Help us treasure You dear Lord and those You’ve given us to love.

Three Strikes…Not Out

I met him on a cool November morning at an office building in Burlington, Vermont. It was just above freezing outside, but he sat snuggly in his chair with the window half open. He didn’t look like the average preacher-long hair, t-shirt, jeans.

Dave Russell is the founder of Burlington Street Ministries and works with the homeless, runaways, college agnostics and prostitutes. He has a few strikes against him but God uses him to pass out Bibles, feed and clothe the homeless and tell everyone about Jesus’ love. After 37 years, the ministry remains strong.

Jesus has a habit of choosing people with strikes. While in Samaria, he rests at a well and meets a woman whose strikes include her gender, race, and living situation-she’s living with a man and has a five time losing streak on the marriage field.

What could a woman of reputation possibly contribute to Jesus’ ministry? Seemingly not much, but when she tells everyone in town about him Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, He told me everything I ever did. (John 4:39)

The story is encouraging. My past and present strikes are numerous but they don’t count me out unless I let them. Jesus’ blood is sufficient to cover all past mistakes and his Spirit strengthens me to serve him presently. Others may reject me; he never will. Failures don’t disqualify us unless we choose to maintain a course of disobedience. Repentance and obedience make hits every time.

Prayer: Merciful God, when we’re depressed over the past, remind us our present and future are as bright as we let You make them.
copyright 2012, Martin Wiles

Ready, Set…??

I felt the first drop splatter against my face and knew we were in trouble.

My son, daughter and I were tenting in the mountains and shouldn’t have felt anything, but that’s what happens when your tent is water repellant instead of water resistant. Our ponchos failed too. They were the cheap type and soon leaked then ripped. We also discovered waterproof boots aren’t necessarily so. Wet clothes and sixty degrees Fahrenheit are poor bedfellows. Misery followed us two miles the next morning before we found help. I was an inexperienced backpacker and unprepared for inclimate weather.

I sometimes face the prospect of Jesus’ return in a similar manner. Though the Bible speaks of its certainty and the need to be ready, the event often migrates to the furthest recesses of my mind.  

Jesus knew my predicament before I was a thought in my parent’s mind. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.(Matthew 24:12-13)

If I don’t stoke the fire and make an effort at faithfulness, my love and preparation for Jesus’ return burns cold. I get careless with my lifestyle imagining I’ll die before he comes so it won’t matter anyway. Then I read the but he who stands firm to the end will be saved section and I get a little nervous. Maybe the now part does have a bearing on the after he comes part after all.

Preparing for Jesus’ return is wise for the present and future.

Handling Rejection

“I want this to be the most encouraging rejection you have ever received,” the letter from the editor read. Excuse me, but is rejection ever encouraging?

It wasn’t my first rejection letter. Writers are accustomed to them regardless of their experience. And I’ve received my share, but I keep writing and submitting. I know what picky breeds editors are; I’m one myself. We seek certain criteria and dump what fails to meet our persnickety conditions.

Occasionally I encounter editors who don’t indiscriminately reject. Instead they offer suggestions. If a writer is willing to make changes, his work is accepted and he becomes a better writer. Those who reject critiques often give up.

The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. (Genesis 4:4-5)

Cain rejected God’s rebuff. He and Abel heard God’s instructions for sacrifices and worship. Abel chose God’s way; Cain chose his own. Instead of learning from God’s corrective marks, he got angry and killed Abel. 

Life hands out multitudes of rejections. From teachers who fail us, to spouses who abuse us and employers who fire us. Add friends who stab us and tragedies that strike us and life gets depressing. We can’t always avoid rejection but we do determine our response. Rather than anger, unforgiveness, revenge and unkindness, we can love unconditionally and learn continually. Rejection hurts and our response either soothes or shatters.

Prayer: Father, when we’re rejected, guide us to love in return as You do.

Power To Forgive

He sat across from his friend-the one having an affair with his wife. He didn’t know he knew, but he was about to.

John raged when his wife confessed. He suspected something was awry but had no proof. That was before his friend’s wife caught them, exposing the whole sordid affair. Now John faced a tough decision: forgive or hate. 

John prayed before confronting his friend. It was the only way. I could kill you, he seethed through gritted teeth, but I’m going to forgive you instead. Then he hugged his friend. 

Joseph did one better. Jealous brothers who hated him sold him into slavery. He languished in prison for years until finally being released after interpreting the king’s dream. Now he governed a region ravished by famine and his brothers were kneeling before him begging for food. They trembled when he revealed his identity and feared his revenge after their father died. 

Joseph could have killed his brothers but chose to forgive: Don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children. And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. (Genesis 50:21)

Forgiveness is difficult but is always the right course when others abuse and hurt us. We can instantly release them from the debt they owe for the wrong they committed. But only by God’s power. No personal infraction will ever exceed our sin against God. 

God's forgiveness is unlimited and unrestricted. Ours should be too. Who needs your forgiveness?

Wounded Warriors

A HUMVEE ON steroids. At least that’s what he called it, and he manned one searching for road side bombs in Iraq.

He found one in short order. It mortally injured a friend who died in his arms. The next injured him. He survived, pulled a comrade to safety and received a bronze medal. But the stint took its toll. Wounded and haunted by post traumatic stress syndrome, he continues serving until his enlistment is up or he is medically discharged.

Israel was wounded by God’s discipline because of disobedience, but God gave them hope: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

Some wounds only scratch the surface while others tear gaping holes. Bankruptcy, divorce, rebellious children, crime, jail, ethical lapses, doubt, hate, anger toward God, misunderstandings, unkind remarks, gossip. I’ve inflicted a few wounds, and I too am a wounded warrior carrying the scars of bad decisions and other’s explosions. I’ve rescued some but let others die out of unconcern.

Occasionally, I too feel symptoms similar to PTSD: difficulty concentrating, bad memories, anxiety, stress, sleepless nights and dwelling on wrong turns. It’s then I remember God’s promises. I have no reason to fear; he’s always with me, giving me strength to face any trial and holding me up when I can’t stand on my own.

God’s salve heals the deepest wounds and gives strength for one more step.
copyright 2012, Martin Wiles

Optimism's Hope

LAY OFF. THE pattern of my life.
I swore when moving to Greenwood, South Carolina, I would never work at Greenwood Mills. But I did.
Foreign imports were hurting business. Shortly, weekend shifts were discontinued and layoffs arrived regularly. Since I was the new kid, they chose me repeatedly. I was usually called back to the same job, but the last time around sweeping was the only position available.
I was pessimistic about the job and the wages. Sweeping eight hours didn’t excite me and pay barely above minimum wage didn’t help. But I hoped for better things and was eventually rewarded the overseer’s position. 
Things don’t always work out so well. King David looked when he should have turned his head, acted when he should have walked away and followed both with deception and murder. The sordid sin produced a child but cost David the infant’s life. Yet he remained optimistic until the end, hoping God would heal the baby. While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live. (II Samuel 12:22)
God: I never promised you a pain free path. Me: But why not? God: I want you to trust my love and decisions whether they make sense to you or not.
Being confident of God’s control and unconditional love makes optimism in the darkest times possible. Unconfessed sin darkens the tunnel but confession reveals the light of optimism’s hope.  
Prayer: Father, enable us to look for the bright side even when there appears to be none.

Little Me Big God

Matthew 13:32 It (mustard) is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches. (NLT)

I’ve never planted mustard seed but I have planted seed so small I wondered if the manufacture remembered to put them in the pack-or at least remembered to put in the required amount. Seed so tiny I couldn’t tell if they dropped in the hole. But in a few days they sprouted, and in a month or so grew several feet high. I shouldn’t be surprised. After all, hundred foot oaks begin as small acorns. Jesus chooses the mustard seed to illustrate how his Kingdom will grow: small but with a Big Bang finish.

When I hear the world’s population-almost 7 billion, I feel pretty unimportant too. Just one among many, insignificant, limited influence, known only by a few and forgotten soon after I’m gone. Feelings, however, don’t always mirror reality. I may feel little, but I’m big in God’s sight. If his plans for me were unimportant, if I was only an insignificant blob, if I had no purpose, he would have prevented my birth. That I made it through the birth canal, took a breath of fresh air and survived means there’s reason for my existence.

• Through connection with my Maker, I discover it.
• By faith I seize it and
• With courage I live it.

And when I’m done, he’ll say “Well done.” God is capable of more than we can ever imagine. He’s a tremendous God who specializes in making little people big.

Weed Management

Matthew 13:25 But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. (NLT)

Weeds are a nuisance. I suppose God has some purpose for them but I’ve not discovered it yet. Clover slowly covers the beautiful grass in our front yard. I spray it with chemicals only to see small patches I miss spread with vengeance. My garden is similar. Regardless of the tilling and spraying, weeds appear and spread if I don’t control them. The farmer in Jesus’ story experienced the same. While he slept, his enemy sowed weeds among his wheat. He couldn’t pull the weeds without uprooting his crop, so they both grew together until harvest. He had to be satisfied with a weedy field, but I don’t. The most challenging weeds appear in relationships. It’s inevitable others will sow weeds of discouragement, gossip, unkindness, and negativity in our fields of optimism-usually while we sleep. But we don’t have to let them take over. No one can steal our joy without our permission.

Pray that God will transform other’s weedy seeds into kindness, optimism, and encouragement and help you maintain a positive focus.

God’s L. O. V. E

L-udicrous Romans 5:8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. (NLT) Had we been good it would make more sense, but God did it while we were bad.

O-utward John 3:16 For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (NLT) He could have satisfied himself with the angel’s company but he wants ours-now and throughout eternity. He also wants our love to pattern itself after his.

V-ictorious Romans 8:37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. (NLT) Trials, temptations, discouragement, and disappointments will come but victory belongs to those who follow Christ through the free and total forgiveness of their sins.

E-verlasting Romans 8:39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NLT) God doesn’t love us less when we’re bad or more when we’re good. His love is constant and everlasting. He demands our holiness, but no mistake will ever remove God’s love.

Joy Not Misery

Philippians 4:4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! (NLT)

It’s true. Misery does love company. In some of my miserable episodes, making others miserable made them more bearable. Every truly unhappy person I’ve known wanted me to be miserable with them. And life does deliver some pretty wretched curves: divorce, job loss, peer pressure, back stabs, unfaithfulness, death, and unwanted decisions. But more often than not when I’m miserable I don’t covet someone else’s misery on top of mine. I need rays of hope, words of encouragement, hugs, an arm around my shoulder or someone to just sit silently beside me. It’s what others need too. I tend to magnify the negative, so I need someone to accentuate the positive-to assure me there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Miserable circumstances don’t mean God has lost control, just that I’ve lost perspective and need an encourager to help me regain it.
 
Life is always more enjoyable if lived with joy, and when we’re connected to a powerful loving God happiness is possible even in miserable circumstances.

Bare Essentials

Matthew 13:5-6 Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. (NLT)

I could never bring myself to do it, but I knew quite a few college classmates who did. Their philosophy: “Do just enough to get by.” Though capable of better, they were satisfied with C’s. Less work but still eligible for grants and scholarships. They relished in bare essentials: the art of doing just enough to pass, keep my job, get re-elected or please my spouse. I’ve tried it with flowers by purchasing a large pot and skimping on the soil. I fill the bottom half with pot shards, bricks and other paraphernalia, but as the roots outgrow the shallow soil problems develop. Stunted growth, wilting, and unsightly foliage appear. Life is similar. When I root myself in shallow soil it shows up. Unhealthy relationships grow heartache. Unsightly actions bloom tainted testimonies. Shallow spiritual disciplines produce dissatisfaction. But rooting in the rich soil of loving God supremely and others as myself emits an inviting fragrance satisfying me and attracting others to root in the same soil.

Don’t let the bare essentials be the most essential things you do.

Cluttered Up; Choked Out

Matthew 13:7 Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. (NLT)

Uncontrolled weeds and grass clutter and choke. Growing flowers and gardens require continual pulling of both or spraying with chemicals. And there’s never an end; they keep reappearing. Our house gets a little cluttered occasionally too-or so my wife says. I suppose that’s because we collect antiques (classified junk by some). Since we adore them so much, we repeatedly “find” places to stick just one more piece of something that’s valuable now or may be in the future. Cluttered homes and gardens have disadvantages; so do cluttered minds. Some of the farmer’s seed fell on ground infested with thorns. Both sprouted, but the thorns choked the plants, killing them. Minds cluttered with unnecessary, ungodly and untimely matters, cannot grow important, spiritual and timely thoughts. And growing proper thoughts is critical because they translate into healthy emotions and ultimately appropriate actions.

Are you sowing proper mind seeds? Give up those thorny thoughts.

Prove It

Matthew 12:38 One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority.” (NLT)

The idiom “the proof is in the pudding” is actually a corruption of the adage, “the proof of the pudding is in the eating” and basically means something’s quality is known only through direct testing. “Scientific proof” is a more familiar phrase. Scientists conduct experiments and obtain a particular result. The process is repeated-perhaps several times, and if they attain the same result a conclusion is reached. Those who doubted Jesus’ claim he was the Messiah and God wanted the same. Scientific proof. He could have given it but chose not to. What he wanted from them-and wants from us, is belief in what can’t be logically concluded. This entails faith, and it is only by this we relate to God. I can’t see, taste, touch, smell or hear him, but I know he exists and loves me unconditionally. I prove this to myself and others through a lifestyle of consistent obedience to his standards and a walk of integrity.

God’s not a figment of imagination but of faith.