Enduring Love by Martin Wiles

For forty two years, I watched them hold on through thick and thin.

Prior to my leaving for college, we celebrated my paternal grandparent’s fiftieth wedding anniversary. Fifteen years later, I stood in the nursing home—where they both had been placed, and watched as my grandfather eagerly anticipated his final journey. Not many people celebrate 65 years of marriage. They marry later in life and give up on each other for frivolous reasons. But my grandparents held on through lean and abundant times.

As God’s love is faithful and enduring, so ours should be toward our mates. Praise the LORD! Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever (Psalm 106:1 NLT).

Enduring love accepts and is unconditional. My grandparents were quite different. My grandfather was an outdoorsman and in his younger years had farmed. Most of his time was spent delivering ice cream, working in the yard, and tending his garden. My grandmother, however, was content to stay indoors.

Boyce Wiles, Sr., was also a meek man. It took a lot to rile him. Very few times did I ever witness him angry. But my grandmother had a “Rast” temper (her maiden name) and would fly off the handle at a moment’s notice if something didn’t suit her. Only unconditional love and acceptance saw them through 65 years of marriage.

I take comfort in knowing that God’s love is even more unconditional and accepting than my grandparents ever was. While God has expectations for me, he’ll never divorce me regardless of how many times I stumble or fail to reciprocate his unconditional love. My behavior and attitudes may disappoint him, but I never will for I’m made complete in Christ Jesus. And so are you.

Celebrate God’s enduring love, and show your spouse the same.

Prayer: Omnipotent Father, we celebrate Your enduring love for us. Thank You that no matter how many times we fail You continue to love and accept us. Enable us to show our life mates the same.

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Living with Parkinson’s by Jeff Wiles

In the beginning, there was only a slight tremor. I assumed I’d messed up a nerve…until I visited the doctor.

After a few unsuccessful treatments, my family doctor recommended a neurologist, and in 2009 I was officially diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. My vision for the future immediately changed. I couldn’t believe what the doctor was telling me…prepare to live on one income…add long-term disability and assisted living to your insurance policy. Despite my inhibitions, he was right. I had Parkinson’s.

Within the space of four years, I was on disability. We sold our dream house, and the medicines and doctor visits presently tax our finances. While I don’t understand why God allowed this to happen, I’ve learned some lessons.

Everything I have is temporary. Immaculate houses and yards will pass away. Clothes will wear out, cars will break down, hair will turn gray or fall out, and muscles will weaken. None of these are eternal.

Another lesson I’ve learned is humility. My outward display of modesty is a disguise for an inner arrogance God revealed to me…arrogance birthed in the many obstacles I’ve overcome. Among them being a weak, lanky kid who was teased a lot as well as enduring the limitations of asthma.

I thought Parkinson’s was just another obstacle to overcome. It wasn’t. And I couldn’t fight the disease’s progression. I eventually realized I was going to have to rely on God’s courage and strength to conquer this obstacle because mine wasn’t enough. I have to remember to trust in the LORD with all my heart and not depend on my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). And like Paul, I believe the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:18 NKJV). 

And knowing that–knowing where I’m going–makes it easier to deal with where I am.

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Smelling Good for God by Martin Wiles

We were deep in the mountains of northern Georgia, and it was the middle of the night when I heard my brother whisper, “I’ve got to go.”

Books have been written on the difficulty of answering the call of nature while in the woods. With several years of backpacking in the mountains under my belt, I concur. And when the darkness is stifling and unfriendly nocturnal creatures lurk about, it’s even more challenging. But my brother had to go. So he went. But where he went—combined with the wind’s direction, left an unpleasant aroma wafting through our tents.

Not the kind of story I normally relate—or that you might enjoy reading, but the point is pertinent. Sometimes I don’t smell good to God. But I should. And occasionally I try to cover up my repulsive aroma with various perfumes. But I shouldn’t. Rather our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently (II Corinthians 2:15 NLT).

Willful disobedience causes me to stink to God and others. I’ve made quite a few forays into the woods of disobedience, and every time I do my testimony suffers. If following Jesus isn’t making me act, think, and look differently, why should anyone else want what I claim to have?

There have also been periods when my obedience was tainted by ulterior motives. God says this stinks too. Others may applaud me, present me awards or trophies, pay me, or record my name in history books, but God examines my heart.

I’ve decided to smell good for God and others. So the next time I get the urge to do what will produce a foul aroma, I’ll chose instead to dab myself with God’s perfume of obedience and right thinking. How bout you?

Prayer: Father, may the aroma we exude draw others to the love of Jesus Christ.

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Pennies for God by Martin Wiles

Canada stopped producing the cent in March 2013. They claimed the cost to produce it was more than it was worth.

My in-laws—who live in the United States of America, beg to differ. As we were walking into one of my mother-in-law’s favorite stores recently, she bent over and picked up a coin. When I looked to see what it was, I saw only one small copper cent. Had I noticed it first, it would have continued lying on the hot asphalt.

Then I was reminded why she and my father-in-law make the effort. They donate all their loose change to their church for a feed the hungry program. One penny doesn’t seem like much, but many of them make a difference…especially when God’s in it.

Jesus taught the same thing and included one’s attitude in the mix. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them (Luke 21:3 NLT).” As he witnessed the wealthy—with their pompous attitudes, toss in the Temple treasury what had no bearing on their finances, he also noticed a widow put in two small pennies—all she had to live on.

Giving to God is an act of faith whether it comes from my excess or represents all I have. The latter takes more trust. My wife and I know. When we give, we toss in God’s treasury what we need for bills and groceries. But we do it because God commands it and because we enjoy showing our appreciation for his physical and spiritual provision. The saying is trite but nevertheless true: “You can’t out give God.”

Whenever you think you can’t give to God because other obligations are zapping your income, give anyway—with the right attitude, and watch him multiply your goods and your faith.

Prayer: Thank You merciful Lord Jesus for supplying our every need. Encourage us to give to You even when it doesn’t make sense or fit into our budget.

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Heart Rebellion by Martin Wiles

I awoke with my heart racing at an abnormal speed. Had I been startled from a bad dream, I would have expected this. But I hadn’t.

After a few moments of waiting, I woke my wife and told her what was happening. A call to 911 ensued, followed by a trip to the hospital, and later a visit to a cardiologist who diagnosed me with tachycardia. Nothing really to worry about, but he did share some tactics I could use to regulate my heart pace if this happened again. He also prescribed medicine to slow my heart rate.

With tachycardia, the heart rebels and must be brought under control lest a more serious matter occur—namely a heart attack. With spiritual heart rebellion, it’s more serious. God’s Old Testament people often suffered from this condition. But you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God and refused to go in (Deuteronomy 1:26 NLT).

Heart rebellion begins in the mind. In typical Biblical usage, the heart is the seat of emotions. I begin thinking thoughts such as, “It’s just no fun obeying God.” Or “His rules are too stringent.” Perhaps, “There are just too much enjoyable things going on in my life right now. I don’t want to give them up for God.” When I fail to take these thoughts captive, I act and inevitably contract heart rebellion.

As my tachycardia is tamable, so is this disease. But I must take action. Renewing my mind daily—by infusing it with principles from God’s Word, and making an effort to conform to godly ways—while avoiding worldly wanderings, will enable me to make healthy choices that carry me into God’s bright future where he blesses my obedience.

If you’re suffering from heart rebellion, take heart. God can reorient your rhythm.

Prayer: When our hearts beat in rebellion dear Father, guide them back to the steady rhythm of obedience.

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Grace And Life In The Spirit by Martin Wiles

Romans 8:1-8
Introduction:
A. History affords many lessons of America’s struggle to maintain her freedom. Thousands of lives have been lost in this battle.

B. While we have freedom in Christ-and are therefore no longer under condemnation, we often struggle with feelings of defeat, disappointment and depression. We are forgiven yet we feel chained.

C. Our freedom in Christ does not remove our struggle for freedom to live above sinful practices or to avoid giving in to temptations.

I. Our Position In Christ (vv. 1-4)
A. Believers are no longer under condemnation (v. 1)
1. Have you ever considered the importance and impact of that statement?
2. Suppose you were on death row. Day after day you thought about the needle that would be inserted into your arm-the needle that would cause your heart to stop beating. Or you imagined how it was going to feel when the electricity started flowing. You were without hope. All your appeals had been exhausted. It was just a matter of time.
3. But then suppose you were on death row with your sentence under appeal. It was decided that you would be tried again, and this time when the jury read your verdict it was “Not guilty.”
4. Whereas you were once destined to be put to death, now you are free to leave the bars behind and resume a normal life.
5. Only the person who had experienced the above could really appreciate and understand the meaning of this new lease on life.
6. Perhaps we should contemplate the implications of what Paul says in this one verse more often.
7. Prior to Christ, we were on death row-a spiritual death row. We were in a holding cell waiting for the day when our execution would be carried out.
8. We had no appeals to make, but suddenly we were set free. After questioning how such a thing could happen, we were told that someone else was going to serve our time and take our punishment of death.
9. Such a set of circumstances was beyond our understanding, but we were overwhelmed and overjoyed by our new freedom.

B. Under no condemnation means God has declared us not guilty.
1. We have already examined in great detail sin and its consequences.
2. For Paul to declare we are no longer under condemnation should fill us with praise for what God has done in our behalf and motivate us to serve him with our best abilities.
3. Instead of hell, it means we get to enjoy heaven. Instead of a life of misery ruled by sin, we get to experience abundant living along with God’s power to help us live obediently.
4. Instead of continually missing God’s ideal, we get to experience realizing his plan and purpose for our life.

C. Where do feelings of condemnation come from in the believer’s life or why do we feel them?
1. Paul says we are no longer under condemnation, but all of us struggle with feelings of condemnation at some point.
2. Satan is the primary source of messages that pertain to past failures and sins that bring guilt feelings. He brings messages that lead us to question whether or not God has really forgiven us or whether we are truly a Christian. All messages that do not agree with Scripture’s teachings can be attributed to him.
3. Feelings of condemnation can also be a product of our upbringing. Messages given in childhood by our parents or other significant figures. Messages that informed us we would never amount to anything or that our destiny was such and such.
4. We may feel guilt because of past failures. Perhaps we have some significantly bad things in our past life and we simply cannot believe God can use us under those circumstances. At that point, it is Satan working in our consciences, but these messages are not coming from God.
5. We may have unbelieving friends or even spouses who are good at pointing out our inconsistencies.
6. If we have low self esteem-which can result from childhood messages, this too can make it easy for us to condemn ourselves.
7. Feelings of condemnation can even result when comparing ourselves with other believers. We are not at the point they are, so we condemn ourselves for not doing better.
8. One unfortunate result of feelings of condemnation is that we learn to enjoy it there.
9. For an example, we can return to the example of the prisoner. No prisoner wants to remain in prison but at the same time many learn to find contentment as they become familiar with their surroundings as well as the order or hierarchy that accompanies prison life.
10.  Leaving this instills fear in them, and many cannot cope with civilian life when released. Therefore, they repeat crimes so they can return to life as they knew it.
11.  Christians can grow comfortable with feelings of condemnation and in turn use them as excuses not to step out on faith and believe God can and wants to use them.
12.  At points along the way, believers have these strange yet fleeting desires to return to life as we once knew it. This is part of the daily battle we fight, but we must never return to what Christ has delivered us from.
13.  We have been justified by faith and forgiven by the grace of God, and we will never be what we once were. We can never be under condemnation again.
14.  In the original manuscript, there may have been no break between the last verse of chapter seven and this verse. Paul describes his and our battle with sin but then says we are not condemned for this battle. Rather, it proves we belong to Christ.
15.  We may falter in our faith walk from time to time, but God will remain faithful to his promise of forgiveness. (II Timothy 2:13)

D. Our power to live free from condemnation comes through the life giving Spirit. (v. 2)
1. The spirit is a reference to the Holy Spirit.
2. The Spirit was present at the creation of the world (Genesis 1:2) and is the person involved in the salvation of every person as he convicts and convinces them of their sin and need for repentance.
3. The Spirit is also that person of the godhead who enables us to live in obedience to God.
4. The Spirit gives guidance so we can know and follow God’s plan for our life.
5. The Spirit enables us to follow the example of Christ in living.
6. It is the Spirit that produces spiritual fruit in us.
7. Living in freedom, knowing that we are not nor will ever be under condemnation again, energizes us in our Christian walk.
8. Believers can have a richness and fullness about life that is indescribable.
9. Even when we fail, we know sin will never separate us from God’s love for it has been forgiven.

E. Our salvation was in Christ, not through obedience to God’s law or anything else. (vv. 3-4)
1. The law demonstrated God’s standard but gave no power to obey it.
2. The law could make us feel guilty for disobedience but could not deliver us from those feelings.
3. Only Christ completely obeyed the law, and our status is tied up in his through faith. We are obedient because he was obedient.
4. God’s instructions for sacrifices showed the Israelites the seriousness of sin, but the blood of imperfect sacrifices could not remove their sin. (Hebrews 10:4)
5. Even though the animals were to be without known blemishes, they were not perfect. They brought a stay of execution but not a pardon.
6. A perfect sacrifice was needed to satisfy God’s demands, and this came in his Son who was sinless and who came for the express purpose of dying for our sins.
7. We meet the requirements of God’s law by living in the Spirit and letting Christ live through us. God sees Christ’s obedience as our obedience.
8. The power of the Spirit in Christ that enabled his perfect obedience to the Father is available and resides in us.
9. Note that the righteousness we have is accomplished for us but not by us. (v. 4) It is God’s gift to those who repent and believe.

II. We Live Life Under One Of Two Categories (vv. 5-11)
A. We can walk by the flesh or by the Spirit. (v. 5)
1. Paul is referencing two mind sets. When we have a mindset we have our mind set on various things. Paul says it can be on the sinful nature or the Spirit.
2. Our mind sets will determine how we act, it will motivate us, it will influence what we choose as our source of authority and knowledge, it will affect our view of circumstances, it will determine our values, and it will dominate our public and private life.
3. Unbelievers live by the dictates of their sinful nature. This results in a dearth of existence as well as a horrible eternity.
4. Believers can also walk by the flesh, but if we walk by the Spirit we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh although we will do battle.
5. Walking by the flesh for the believer causes us to miss out on the abundant life Jesus said we could have.
6.  When controlled by the Spirit, we think on those things that please God, things that are pure, lovely, true, honorable, right and of good report. (Philippians 4:8)
7. When we think on these things and let God’s Spirit control our life, we will have peace-peace that is not determined nor controlled by circumstances, but peace in our heart that can only be placed there by God himself.
8. Life according to the flesh is opposite. There is no peace but only condemnation that one is missing God’s best.
9. All our choices and moral decisions should result from direction by God’s Spirit.
10.  Paul’s conclusions match that of Christ when he said we could not serve two masters. We must choose. (Matthew 6:24)
11.  A mind controlled by God’s Spirit is a mind aware of God’s presence through the Spirit, a mind that wants to please God, a mind that meditates on God’s Word, a mind sensitive to sin, and a mind that desires to follow God’s will.
12.  Paul’s statements match the sage of old who reminded us that as we think in our mind, so are we. (Proverbs 23:7)

B. Carnal Mind versus Spiritual Mind
1. The carnal mind can be focused on base, immoral, violent, material and physical things.
2. The carnal mind may focus on the moral, upright and cultured things of life (this does not mean God is included, however).
3. The carnal mind can even focus on the religious.
4. The spiritual mind is focused on carrying out God’s ministry and mission.
5. The spiritual mind recognizes all the above without Christ is useless.
6. The spiritual mind is concerned with developing spiritual fruit and character.
7. Those with spiritual minds want to grow into a deeper knowledge of Christ and what it means to follow him.
8. Those with spiritual minds are interested in anything that promotes their conformation to the image of Christ.
9. The spiritual mind takes any thought captive that does not promote spiritual growth.

Conclusion:
A. How wonderful to live with the assurance we are no longer under condemnation.

B. We must feed our spiritual mind so we can live with the mindset of obeying God and living our life for him.

Called to Freedom by Martin Wiles

GALATIANS 5:13-15
INTRODUCTION
Our has been and is still a time of bondage. We can think of the slavery days as practiced in our country and in other countries. Africans themselves even practiced slavery. It was under the administration of Abraham Lincoln that the slaves of America found freedom, but it would take other amendments to the Constitution and Voting Rights Acts to truly give them freedom from those who continued to oppress them. Women also faced bondage for many years in our country and in other places. It was not until 1920 with the 19th Amendment to the Constitution that women received the right to vote in Presidential elections. Many other minority groups have also suffered bondage of one type or another.

Some find themselves in financial bondage. It seems it takes all they earn to make ends meet. Then there are those who are in bondage to alcohol and drugs. Others are bound by addictions to sexual passions and violence. We can imagine the bondage found in our prisons. All around us there are forms and extremities of bondage. 

But there are also cries for liberation from such real and imagined bondage. People demand freedom to do as they please. It is a day of individualization where the rights of the individual become more important than the rights of humanity. Authority is flouted and restrictions are resisted in the name of liberty. Many want to do as the Israelites of old: whatever was right in their own eyes.

As real as the above mentioned forms of bondage are, they in no way compare to a greater bondage the Bible speaks of. It is not a bondage placed upon us by some other form or person but our very selves. It is a bondage that eats at our very souls. We are enslaved by it from the earliest years of life. Jesus said; “Truly, truly, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.” (John 8:34) James writes; “Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted by God; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he himself tempt anyone. But each is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” (1:13)

This is a bondage we cannot free ourselves from in our own strength. It takes someone far more powerful than us to help us. Jesus gives the prescription for this freedom; “If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36) How does he free us? He does so through his grace and our appeal for his forgiveness. When we trust him in faith, he unlocks the chains of sin that enslave us and sets us free.

This call to freedom is universal. It is not restricted to a particular group or culture or country. It is available to all who will receive. The primary freedom Paul speaks of in Galatians is freedom from the law as a system of government that regulated one's daily life. This included the Old Testament ceremonies and rabbinical traditions. The Judaizers attempted to drag the Galatians back into such a system from which the grace of Christ had freed them. It was a system that was impossible to keep and one that could never provide true freedom for them. Living by such a system could never free their consciences. Only the grace of Jesus Christ could do that.

Paul had a difficult task in trying to convince the Galatians of how to find true freedom. The tradition of revering Old Testament ceremonies and traditions ran deep in their minds. Such a proclamation was scandalous to the Judaizers and a stumbling block to many sincere Jews. Some considered Paul a lawless libertine. Paul was simply teaching that we did not need such a system anymore because of the work of Christ. We do not need an outward system to restrain us and keep us from doing what is wrong. When we accept Christ, he gives us an inward guide in the person of his Spirit. His internal guidance and restraint keeps us on the right path.

The governmental law of the Old Testament was designed to set the Jews apart as God's distinctive chosen people and to picture the sacrifice in the coming Messiah, but all this was fulfilled in the work of Christ. This does not mean that we throw away God's moral law, for this is still in effect. The Spirit gives us the ability to live according to the internal and external law of God.

How wonderful to have this spiritual freedom. It is available to all, but it places certain responsibilities on us. What does it mean to be called to freedom?

I. WE MUST OPPOSE FLESHLY DESIRES
A call to freedom does not mean we can abuse our Christian liberty by involving ourselves in sin. We are not against the moral law of God. We simply heed it because of God's internal guidance through his Spirit. This call to freedom is not a call to self-indulgence. It does not mean we can satisfy the desires of the flesh.

Flesh does not refer to the skin on our body. As it is used in many places in the Bible, it is a reference to sinful desires. It refers to our old patterns of living and thinking that characterized us before Christ. Thus we are not called to fulfill our sinful desires but to live for God. Freedom in Christ does not give us the liberty to carry out a campaign of sin without consequence. Christ gives us freedom not to do what we want but what he desires. Through the faith in him we can for the first time do what he wants.

Peter writes; “Act as free people, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondservants of God.” (I Peter 2:16) Though we are free to do anything we want, we are not free to fulfill sinful desires. It is contradictory for a professing Christian to pursue sins that once enslaved us. When we involve ourselves in those activities or attitudes that Christ delivered us from, we prove that we are not really Christians at all or that we do not have an adequate understanding of how a believer should live. It is not to say that Christians do not fall into sin, but we will not stay there for Christ has freed us from desires that would cause us to want to stay there. The new nature he gives leads us to hate sin and love the righteousness of God.

Paul wrote; “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.” (Romans 13:14) To claim to follow Christ and our fleshly desires is mutually exclusive. We cannot do both. When we receive Christ, we receive his selfless nature.

II. WE ARE CALLED TO SERVE OTHERS
This service is through love. Our freedom takes us to a higher level than just opposing our selfish desires. He frees us to love and serve others rather than our own selfish desires. We cannot love Christ and not love others. A part of loving others is serving them. We show our love in this way. The Bible says if we claim to love God and hate others we are liars and the love of God is not in us.

Jesus is again the great example of serving others. Jesus admonished his disciples to serve others when they argued over which of them was the greatest. He said we do not measure greatness by how many serve us but in how many we serve. Paul wrote; “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a bond-servant.” (Philippians 2:5)

When we accept Christ as our Savior, he endows us with this same servant attitude. Not having the desire to serve others is a serious matter that needs examination.

III. WE ARE FREE TO FULFILL GOD'S MORAL LAW
Paul says we fulfill the whole law of God by loving our neighbor as we do ourselves. Christian freedom gives us the freedom to live holy lives for the first time. When sin enslaved us, it was impossible for us to live up to God's demands. Now that he has given us a new nature, we can through the strength of his Spirit living in us. God's standards of right and wrong have never changed. We are still responsible for obeying them. The ethical truths of the Old Testament Law have not changed.

Jesus echoed the greatest commandment of the Old Testament when he taught that we were to love God with all our being and our neighbor as ourselves. If we will do these two things, then we will fulfill God's moral law. Loving God and others fulfills God's moral law. We must do this out of love for God and others. It is the only acceptable motivation for doing it.

In the Old Testament, a Hebrew slave had to be freed after six years of service. If the slave said that he loved his master and did not want to leave, the master would pierce his ear with an awl and he would be his slave forever. Just as the Hebrew slave surrendered his freedom to the master he loved, so we must also to the God we serve. That will fulfill his moral law.

IV. WE ARE FREE TO AVOID HARMING OTHERS
Paul warns them that if they bite and devour one another, they will consume one another. Such a situation comes about when love and service are not present. When we do not love and serve, we tear each other down. When we are busy loving and serving, we do not have time to do this. Bite and devour speak of wild animals engaged in the fury of a deadly struggle.

Such activity can severely damage the reputation of a church, association and convention. I am firmly convinced that the reputation of our convention has been somewhat damaged by the controversies that have engulfed us. We cannot survive if we run roughshod over others to gratify our own whims and selfish ambitions. Our rights must be restricted by the rights of others. Severe individualization leads to anarchy.

The ruling principle of Christian freedom must be love. We must lovingly accept and serve one another despite the fact that we may have different opinions and attitudes about certain matters. Some Christians have a strict conscience and others a more open minded conscience. This leads to different interpretations and attitudes. It should not, however, keep us from loving and serving one another.

CONCLUSION
The freedom of our great country inspired a young theology student named Samuel Francis Smith. In February of 1832, he was sorting through some music that had been brought over from Europe. He came across a German melody that struck his fancy. He glanced at the words at the bottom of the page and noticed it was a patriotic song. But it was a song about another country. He tapped out the rhythm of the song and wrote his own words to the song. They were: “My Country 'tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing: Land where my fathers died, Land of the pilgrims' pride, From every mountainside, Let freedom ring.”

As great as the freedom of our country is, it cannot compare with the freedom found in Jesus Christ. Through this freedom, we can successfully oppose the desires of our flesh, serve others, fulfill God's moral law and avoid harming others.

Oreo Ice Cream by Michelle Wiles

Ingredients
2 CANS SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK

                    
2 CUPS OF SUGAR

                 
2 CANS EVAPORATED MILK

                                          
4 TABLESPOONS VANILLA

                          
1 SMALL TUB OF COOL WHIP 

                                                               
MILK

                                              
ONE PACK OF OREOS

Directions
IN A 6 QUART ICE CREAM CHURN, MIX CONDENSED MILK, EVAPORATED MILK, SUGAR, COOL WHIP, AND VANILLA.

STIR UNTIL SMOOTH.

ADD WHOLE MILK TO THE FILL LINE.

WHEN FROZEN, STIR IN CRUSHED OREOS.

 

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Overcoming Fear by Martin Wiles

“Mr. Wiles?”

“Yes.”

“Please come with me?”

The question and request made me nervous. I was minding the waiting room while my wife was having a MRI on her back. I couldn’t imagine why I’d be summoned. She was claustrophobic, but this was an open MRI.

An open MRI is really a misnomer. The only thing open is the entrance and exit, and this wasn’t enough for my wife. She cried, and they comforted, but she needed more to overcome her fear. She needed me beside her. When I was, her fears subsided.

Before and after becoming king of Israel, David encountered many circumstances that could have evoked fear, but his confidence came from believing that The LORD is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid (Psalm 27:1 NLT)?

I’ve felt my share of fear like anyone else. Fear I’ll be misunderstood or rejected. Fear I’ll contract a fatal disease or life-altering medical ailment. Uncertainty about tomorrow. And the greatest fear—death.

When fear weighs me down, I remind myself this spirit doesn’t originate with God (II Timothy 1:7). He gives me the good sense to avoid dangerous situations, but he never intends for me to be so encumbered by fear that I can’t live a healthy and abundant life. Satan authors these life-altering emotions.

I conquer fear by remembering God is my light, salvation, and fortress against people, thoughts, and circumstances that portend to destroy me or my effectiveness. Nothing or no one can stand against me when God is on my side. So drown your fears in the promises of God’s Word, take them to the closet of prayer, and then move forward with faith and fortitude. God will hold your hand, whisper comforting words, and stroke your head with his all-powerful hand.

Prayer: Father above, when we’re overcome by fears—real and imagined, comfort us with the calming presence of Your Spirit.

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Barns of Plenty by Martin Wiles

He was a self-made man…a man who took life by the plow handles and made a living for himself when making one wasn’t easy.

Pappy—the affectionate name for my paternal grandfather, was a small farmer whose family farm consisted of little more than one hundred acres. But on that small plot of land, he raised hogs, cows, dogs, chickens, corn, cotton, soy beans…and a family.

Several sheds dotted the acreage surrounding the old farmhouse, but only one barn idled on the fallow ground. And here—on lazy summer South Carolina days, my cousin and I often whiled away our time. The barn stored the yields of whatever crops my grandfather planted that particular year, but it also housed other tantalizing elements for young country boys. Things like spiders, snakes, rats, and the occasional make-belief giant. And we satisfied ourselves by reveling in Pappy’s barn of plenty.

Jesus told a story of a farmer with a similar situation. With a harvest well beyond his imagination and his present barns filled to overflowing, he built larger ones to house his wealth. Then said, My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry! (Luke 12:19 NLT) But he forgot this life’s barns of plenty have no bearing on eternity nor can they prevent death.

There have been times when I’ve filled my barns with selfish plans, rebellious campaigns, harmful addictions, and unhealthy lifestyles. But mid-life has brought me face-to-face with reality. What matters most is not filling them with just any plenty—as my grandfather did, but with an honorable type of bounty. Filling my barns with Christ-honoring crops and attitudes is my most important field to plant.

We all have barns of some type. What are you storing in yours?   

Prayer: Merciful Lord, guide us to fill our life’s barns with works of love that honor You and assist others.

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The Almost Perfect Game by Jeff Wiles

Armando Galarrago was one out away from pitching a perfect game...one out away from doing what only twenty other pitchers had accomplished in the history of baseball. But an errant call from first base umpire Jim Joyce cost him his place in history.

As video of the blown call was broadcast, fans became outraged. Jim Joyce suddenly became the most hated man in sports. But what happened the next day changed everything. Before the game started, Galarrago walked onto the field, wrapped his arms around Joyce, and forgave him. It was one of the greatest acts of mercy I’ve ever witnessed.

A similar event happened more than two thousand years ago when God allowed His Son to perish on a cross for the sins of all humanity. Like Jim Joyce, we were doomed, but our doom was much worse than a fine or suspension. Our fate was eternal separation from God. Yet God—because of his infinite mercy, provided a way for us to avoid eternal loss.

I wonder if that same abundance of mercy is evident in my life and my church. Or have I allowed condemnation and judgment to fill my place of worship? Without mercy there will be no transparency in my church. Instead, the pews will be filled with members afraid to shed the façade that all is well in their lives...that they have no struggles with sin, no fears, no doubts.

According to Paul, none of us are righteous. As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one (Romans 3:10 NLT). We’re all in need of mercy. And judgment and condemnation can’t accomplish what mercy can.

Reflection: If you need proof of God’s love and mercy, just look at the cross. Then go give a hug to someone who needs a dose.
(Editor’s Note: Opinions expressed by guest writers are not necessarily those held by the owners of this website.)


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Walking Out on God by Martin Wiles

We needed money, but the drama was more than I could stand. So I did what I’d never done before.

Due to distance and fuel cost, I quit my job in a neighboring county to work two part-time positions closer to home. One was as a manager at a country store across from our house. For some unknown reason, the boss’s wife didn’t like my wife who did a lot of freebie work for the store.

Over the ensuing months, the tension grew and so did my frustration. Talking sarcastic to my wife in my presence just doesn’t set well with me. One particular morning, her remarks were the last straw. I untied my apron, informed her that her husband just lost a manager, handed her the keys, and walked out. Perhaps not the wisest thing I’ve ever done, but it sure felt good.

Paul’s experience was worse. After giving his testimony—and after extending an invitation to his audience to believe in this same Jesus, an entire entourage walked out on him. Then the king, the governor, Bernice, and all the others stood and left (Acts 26:30 NLT).

Walking out on God occurs through unbelief, rebellion, and selfishness. God allowed his Son to die for my sins, but failure to accept his invitation for forgiveness causes me to walk out on him. Rebellious believers walk out also…nor forever but at least temporarily. Rebellion—like a child going through the “terrible two’s” or a teenager questioning his parent’s standards, leads me away from God. And of course selfishness escorts me in the same direction. Life about me always leaves God out.

Are certain attitudes piloting you in the wrong direction? God promises he’ll never leave you, and he gives you power to remain close to him as well.

Prayer: All powerful God, keep us close to Your side so that we never walk out on the One who did so much for us.

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When God Sends Tragedy by Martin Wiles

Franklin Roosevelt said of December 7, 1941, that it was “a date which will live in infamy.” 

September 11, 2001, is also a day that will forever be etched in the annals of American history. On this day, 19 al-Qaeda militants hijacked four airliners and instigated terrorist attacks on American soil. Two planes plowed into the World Trade Center’s twin towers, one dove into the Pentagon, and a fourth lunged into a Pennsylvania field. Over 3,000 people died.

America changed in radical ways following these attacks, but positive images emerged also. Americans re-discovered their sense of unity and for a brief moment returned to their Creator for comfort and help.

God called Jonah to a task he didn’t like, so he bebopped in the opposite direction. It took God sending a large fish tragedy—and Jonah spending a few days in its belly, to get him re-oriented. Now the LORD had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights (Jonah 1:17 NLT).

Tragedies—personal and otherwise, have a way of re-focusing my attention as they did Jonah’s. I’m easily distracted by life’s attractions and often find myself making major and minor decisions without a thought of where they fit into God’s plan.

As long as tragedies don’t conflict with God’s nature or have sinful traits, he can send them. He even seizes Satan’s tragedies and evokes good from them. And he does it every day. When couples adopt unwanted children. When counselors help re-mold lives broken by abuse and drugs. When chaplains help soothe the mental torments of war ravaged minds. When someone walks behind barred doors to visit a prisoner.

When tragedy slips through your door, ask God to help you redeem it not detest it.

Prayer: Merciful Father, when tragedies strike, enable us to trust You for guidance and beneficial results.

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When Life Gets Crowded by Martin Wiles

What happens when one man reluctantly agrees to thrift store shop with two ladies?

With only a week before school resumes—and wanting to spend as much time with my wife as possible, I consented to accompany her and a friend on a thrift store shopping spree. Soon, multiple boxes, a wheelbarrow, an antique radio cabinet, six couch cushions, and a green chair struggled for room in the back of our SUV. And the couch? The only place left: the roof. But at least it was secure. A young lad who happened to be an Eagle Scout tied it down with electrical cord and neckties—the only “rope” the employees could muster.

But “treasures” from thrift stores are the least of my worries when it comes to a crowded life. David must have felt the same way when he cried out for God’s guidance. Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow (Psalm 25:4 NLT).

Loss of perspective usually follows a crowded life. I’ve found myself running from one event to another, juggling meetings, trying to usher the kids to their respective functions, saying yes too many times, and endeavoring to juggle work and school. Inevitably, mental, emotional, and physical issues crop up. Before long, the crowdedness zaps my energy, and I’m almost useless to anyone.

The cure is unpacking and unloading—which is what we did as soon as we returned to our respective homes. Life holds a great number of good things for me to contribute my time and talents to, but I can’t execute them all. Only God can direct me down the path to the ones he wants me to fulfill.

Are you running in too many directions and getting crowded out in the process? Let God help you unpack what doesn’t fit his plan.

Prayer: All knowing God, we trust You to help us uncrowd our lives when they become too cluttered for comfort.

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Sausage and Cheese Rolls by Michelle Wiles

 

Ingredients

1 LB. 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.

 

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Life’s Like a Clock (not a box of chocolates) by Martin Wiles

Their sound charmed me from the other side of the antique store we were in. Tick, tock, tick, tock. And their tags were even more tantalizing.

Ever since I was a young lad, I’ve been intrigued by time. So the site of ten square feet of wind-up, electric, spring-wound, and cuckoo clocks seized my attention. The owner’s tags also caught my eye. Tags with “NR” meant the clock needed repair and might run periodically or not at all. Tags with “Runs” meant the clock was in working order, had been oiled and set, and was probably under warranty.

Paul might have tagged himself with one of those two insignias. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it (Romans 7:17 NLT). I can identify.

Most days I run fine. Everything is going my way. No duns in the mail, no work drama, no fighting amongst the kids, no spats with the spouse, no sickness, no car repairs, and no deadlines. I’m living the good life.

But then the NR days arrive. The oil dries up, the hands stop, the bearings wear out, and I stop dead at one o’clock. No tick. No tock. Just tears, emotional mood swings, fussing, worry, anxiety, and blaming God for the messes.

Fortunately, God understands. He’s been there too…in the person of his Son. Sin in the world and sin in me can ruin what otherwise ticks perfectly. Feeding on God’s Word, fellowshipping with his people, and praying regularly keeps me oiled so I can control what’s controllable. The rest I leave up to God, remembering he knows best and will guide me through whatever pricks my pendulum.

When life runs erratically or seemingly not at all, remember who winds and oils your clock.

Prayer: Father, may we entrust You with every detail of our life, so the tick tock will please the One who governs and guards our steps.

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Don’t Drive When I Am by Martin Wiles

With a smirky smile and a cutting glance, she said, “RUTD” (an invented acronym meaning Resist the Urge to Drive).

My wife and I were on a one-day excursion to the mountains. She was driving, and the acronym was to remind me I wasn’t. By her own admission, she has a heavy foot; I was simply trying to keep her from getting a speeding ticket we didn’t have funds to fund. She didn’t see it that way. I was attempting to usurp her authority behind the wheel.

God probably interpreted Abraham and Sarai’s actions similarly. His promise of a son in their old age wasn’t materializing quickly enough so they took the wheel from God. So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian servant and gave her to Abram as a wife (Genesis 16:3 NLT). A son was born—but not the one God promised.

I’ve been known to maneuver the steering wheel from God a time or two myself. He wasn’t acting quickly enough…I thought I knew a better avenue. After all, discerning his activity in my life isn’t always easy. Neither is being certain that I’m following correctly what I perceive as his leading.

But this I know. When I get ahead or behind God, attempt to manipulate his plan, or come up with my own plan, life crashes rapidly. God’s plans are always better. My duty is to discover them and follow them to the letter. They may be different than mine—and I may have to bite my tongue to keep from saying something that would evoke a response of, “Don’t drive when I am,” but following his plan will propel me into a bright future I could never manufacture on my own.

Who’s behind the wheel of your life? God or you?

Prayer: All powerful God, give us faith and courage to relinquish our lives completely to Your plan and purpose.

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Standing My Ground by Jeff Wiles

In Smoky Mountain folklore, Robert “Boogerman” Palmer is legendary. He even has a trail named after him—“The Boogerman Trail.” What distinguishes the trail from others in the park are the trees—particularly their size.

Boogerman never allowed his trees to be harvested. While his neighbors surrendered to the lucrative offers of the forest companies, Boogerman resisted. And because of his convictions, a remote trail now exists that leads through forests with ancient and massive trees.

I sometimes wonder if I defend my convictions as vigorously as Robert Palmer did, or do I give in too often and allow others to cut down my trees—not actual trees, of course, but the morals and beliefs that are the foundation of Christianity.
In Psalms, we’re commanded to preserve the commandments of God and teach them to the next generation. We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation (78:4 NLT).

Surrendering to the pressures of society is so easy. So what if I work on Sunday? Or live together without getting married? And what does it matter if I have an enormous load of debt? Little by little, the trees come down. 

I’ve determined I won’t allow society to define what’s right or wrong. God already has. For me, adultery, homosexuality, greed, lust, deceit, and slander are examples of immoral behaviors according to God’s Word. Whether society accepts them or not is immaterial. God doesn’t—even though he loves the person. But if I fail to teach my children what the Bible says about these and other sinful behaviors, they’ll grow up never understanding the dangers and enter into a society void of morality.

Reflection: Maybe it’s about time for believers to start telling society what the Boogerman told the forest companies: “You ain’t cutting down my trees.”
(Editor’s Note: Opinions expressed by guest writers are not necessarily those held by the owners of this website.)

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Success Ensured by Martin Wiles

My two brothers and I grew up in a normal home (if there is such a thing). I suppose we also had normal expectations, but things didn’t materialize as we anticipated.

Our parents tended to our every need. Dad was a pastor, so he also cared for an extended family. We watched him and mom stick together through thick and thin. I suppose when we were young we imagined we’d have a storybook marriage like our parents with healthy kids and overall good health ourselves.

But life threw us curves our parents never experienced. Two of us have wallowed through broken marriages along with the accompanying depression and financial meltdown. One of us has watched our children walk away from their spiritual foundations. Another was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at age 40 and yet another with diabetes and neuropathy around the same age.

Though we’ve all walked down thorny paths, our faith has remained intact. I—the oldest, continue to stand by claiming God’s promise to Joshua: No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you (Joshua 1:5 NLT).

Moses led the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery and through the wilderness to the borders of the Promised Land, but Joshua would take them into victory. God assured him he’d enjoy the identical accompaniment his predecessor had.

God usually defines success differently than I do. He chooses the weak vessels—or makes the strong ones weak through trials, so that the resulting success can only be explained by testifying of his power and grace. All that’s required is that I yield consistently and follow faithfully.

If you’ve accepted God’s love and forgiveness, you will be successful. He guarantees it.

Prayer: Father above, remind us our success in life is only attained because of Your power in us. Thank You that no one or thing can stand against us when we’re in Your care.

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Neither Condoned nor Condemned by Martin Wiles

They dragged her before the judge and with snarling smiles chimed, “She deserves to die.”

Unfaithfulness was the charge. Perhaps her first time. In the heat of the moment, she gave into a temptation she would otherwise have never considered. Perhaps it was her lifestyle, and now she had been caught. The penalty was death by stoning. After the conviction, her accusers—followed by anyone else who wanted to join the massacre, would gather stones and pummel her body until it lay motionless in the dust.

Knowing the possibilities, she cowered before the judge as her tears massaged the dust at his naked feet. Her accusers badgered him for an answer, so he gave one: He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first (John 8:7 NKJV). “What,” they smirked, “a judge who won’t enforce the law?” But before they could challenge his decision, their consciences overruled and they disappeared one by one.

Jesus had the unique ability to do what I struggle with—separating the sin from the sinner and judging one without condemning the other. I tend to get them mixed up, and so do many other good Christian folks I’ve met. My stares, condescending attitude, unforgiveness, avoidance, and supper table conversation all betray I’ve not mastered his attitude.

Jesus didn’t condone sin, but neither did he condemn the person. He knew his Father had created them in his image and that they had the potential to be a masterpiece in the making. Sin is sin and must be labeled as such, but the one doing it is worthy of my love and respect.

Instead of judging those who’ve fallen into sin, tell them how God’s love and forgiveness can rescue them from a life of dead ends.

Prayer: When we’re tempted to judge first and love later, move us merciful Father to reverse the order.

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God Isn’t Mad by Martin Wiles

A list of do’s and don’ts. Don’t lie. Don’t cheat. Don’t steal. Don’t lust after what others have or people of the opposite sex. Don’t swear. Or drink. Or smoke. 

I grew up with the don’ts hung neatly on my bedroom wall. Don’t sass Mom or Dad. Don’t curse. Don’t lie. I can’t remember all the don’ts, but each one had consequences. A spanking or stint in my room. Something given or something taken away but all with the intent I not repeat the don’t. 

My picture of God was negative and punitive in those former years. He was even stricter than my parents. Not only did Mom and Dad have their rules, but God did too—and more of them. Mom and Dad’s hung in an 8 ½ by 11 picture frame, but God’s took 66 books to record. I had my doubts I’d ever please him or find any joy trying.

Later in life, I discovered a different picture of God. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! (John 15:11 NLT)

While sin angers God and brings his wrath against those who choose to ignore him and wallow in it, he’s not really angry with me. He proved it by sending his Son to pay for my sins—not the type of positive action negative anger produces. God’s base trait is love…unconditional love…the kind that wants to redeem and prosper rather than punish for every little mistake made.

Living with a legalistic cloud above you—all the while believing God is continually mad at you because you fall short of his standards, will never produce the joy he desires to implant in your heart. So cheer up! God isn’t mad at you after all.

Prayer: Thank You precious Father for the joy that comes in knowing all our sins have been forgiven and we’ve been restored to a right relationship with You through Christ.

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