Searching for the Stray - Martin Wiles

If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? Matthew 18:12 NLT

Her name was Mou Mou, and she was a stray.

Where she strayed was the crumbling house, nestled next door to the house my wife and I rented. As we sat on our front porch eating lunch, we heard her meowing. I suppose the aroma of the fried chicken attracted her. My wife, a cat lover, threw her a few pieces of chicken. Although this little stray was skittish, a few pieces of chicken soon warmed her up to us.

Before long, she strayed over to our front porch. Since she meowed continuously, her name was easy to come by. Then one morning as I opened the front door, she didn’t greet me as she always had. There were signs of a scuffle. Perhaps a dog. Our little stray was nowhere to be found. We searched but with no luck.

Like the shepherd who leaves the rest of the flock to search for the one stray, God owns the business of searching. While the shepherd, like us, might not always locate the stray, God always finds the person He’s looking for.

I’ve been a stray on quite a few occasions. I was a stray before my father told me how much God loved me and wanted to have a relationship with me. God found me. I became a stray again during my teenage years when I strayed into territories believers shouldn’t tread.

God searched for me by pricking my conscience. He found me when I decided to listen and let Him take me back to the flock. And there have been times when it wasn’t sin that caused me to turn into a stray. Financial meltdowns, broken relationships, gossip, rebellious children, and death accomplished the same. But God was just as faithful to search for me when such times stole my time and focus.

Regardless of why you stray, God is faithful to search for you and bring you back to the safety of the flock.

What are some things that tempt you to stray?

Prayer: Father, thank You for searching for us and returning us to Your loving care when we stray. 

Tweetable: Have you strayed from God? 

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Worthy of the Calling - Martin Wiles

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling. Ephesians 4:1 NLT

Ralph Johnson was following God’s call but wasn’t sure he was worthy of the calling.

As a young adult, he had entered the ministry. With one son in tow and two more to come, he lived his life by the biblical mandate that if a man can’t control his family, he was not worthy to lead God’s church.

This wasn’t an issue until his firstborn began experimenting with teenage rebellion. Had it just been talking back, he could have handled it, but it went further. He cut school, drank, smoked, and experimented with drugs. To top it off, he didn’t care who knew. And many church folks did.

For the next four years, Ralph battled bouts of depression and threatened to resign. He breathed a sigh of relief when his oldest son graduated high school, but more challenges came when his two younger sons decided to follow in their older brother’s footsteps. For most of his ministry, Ralph didn’t feel worthy of his calling.

God often places special callings on our lives, but the foundational calling is his invitation to believe and serve. Obedience is the acid test that we’re walking worthy of our calling. Jesus said if we loved him, we would obey.

Obedience produces certain traits, demonstrating we’re worthy of the calling. One is humility. Not weakness. Not being someone’s doormat. Instead, not thinking more of ourselves than we should—but at the same time, not less. Another is gentleness. Not prone to revenge. A third is patience. Recognizing God is working to form us more into his likeness. A fourth is unity. We’re bound to other believers by the mutual belief that Jesus is the only way to the Father. And finally, peace. Searching for common ground that unifies rather than differences that divide.

Walking worthy of our calling takes work, diligence, and ingenuity. Most of all, it takes allowing God to guide our steps.

What traits are keeping you from walking worthy of your calling?

Prayer: Father, we thank You for the calling You have issued to be Your representatives in this world. Help us walk worthy of that calling. 

Tweetable: Are you living worthy of God's calling? 

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Snickerdoodle Cookies

 

Ingredients

1 large bag of Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix

1 container of cinnamon sugar

Directions
Mix cookies according to package.

Roll into small balls and dip in cinnamon sugar mixture.

Place on ungreased cookie sheet and mash slightly with a fork.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.

Tweetable: Why not mix up this simple but sweet treat?

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Loving the Boundaries - Martin Wiles

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Galatians 6:7 NLT

The letters lay in box—the folds showing evidence of students who had never written letters by hand, never inserted them in envelopes, and never used snail mail.

 

The day was a typical one. During my planning period, I walked to the teacher's workroom to check my mailbox, which is normally empty. This time, ruffled-looking sheets of paper lay in my cubby. I noticed some in other teachers’ cubbies also. I pulled them out and saw my name hand-scribbled on them. When I opened the top one, I saw a handwritten note from a student. I quickly fumbled through the remaining ones and saw they too were from students in the various grades of middle school. Not having time to read them, I refolded them and hurried back to my room.

 

Later in the day when I had free time, I reopened the letters. The elective teacher had asked her students to write letters to teachers, telling them something nice. As I read, some students expressed surprise that I had put up with them for three years, but they appreciated it. One student remarked how awestruck she was that I had taught three generations of her siblings. She showed me her appreciation of English by taking a red pen and marking out a noticeable mistake. Another said he looked forward to my class every day. Still another thanked me for being so laid back and for not giving him lunch detention every time he deserved it. A few said I was their favorite teacher. One commented on how much she had learned and grown in my class.

 

What I hated in school and at home—boundaries—these students seemed to appreciate. I’m sure they appreciate the boundaries their parents place on them as well—although they would never tell them. On most days, I think students hate me for being so hard and for pushing them to the limits, but they are intelligent enough to know I do so for their good.

 

Paul talked about the boundary law when he used the example of agriculture. Whatever a farmer sows, he will harvest. A farmer doesn’t plant corn and harvest soybeans. This is the law of the boundaries.

 

I didn’t always appreciate the boundaries my parents placed on me—most of which represented God’s boundaries found in the Bible. But like my students, I knew they were beneficial. Because of my sinful nature, I would have run wild had boundaries been absent. Even with them, I often tested their confinement.

 

Just as I give much grace to my students when they cross the boundaries, so God does with us. He’s not sitting in heaven waiting for us to mess up so He can crush us. He establishes the boundaries to keep us on paths that are for our good. When we cross them, He gently guides us back inside the lines.

 

Boundaries teach us to trust God, to determine right from wrong, to grow as an individual, to establish our identity, to show love, and to prepare us for the future.

 

Learn to love the boundaries God places around you, for we find true freedom within them.

 

Prayer: Father, thank You for the boundaries You place on our lives. 

Tweetable: Are you kicking against the boundaries? 

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Infinitely More - Martin Wiles

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 NLT

Dropout wasn’t a word with enough negative connotations to keep me from becoming one.

By the midpoint of my senior year of high school, I’d had enough. Education had disgusted me for quite some time. I could now legally decide whether I wanted to continue. I chose not to. But after several months in the work world, I saw how important a high school diploma was.

Reluctantly, I returned and graduated. A few years later, God confronted my “I hate education” attitude by calling me into the ministry, which required I attend four years of college. Several years later, he allowed me to earn my master’s degree. One year later, he put me in touch with a gentleman who offered to pay the tuition and book fees for me to earn my Doctor of Christian Ministry degree. By God’s strength, I was able to accomplish infinitely more than I ever could have by myself.

Sometimes I forget about the mighty God I serve and about the presence of His Spirit within me. Occasionally, I launch out into tasks with the plan mapped out, thinking I have all the answers. Periods of failure remind me I control nothing but myself and that even the best laid-out plans can go awry. God also has a habit of reminding me I can only do all things through Him and His power—not my own.

Underestimating God’s power and being satisfied with less than He wants to give or accomplish is tempting. This verse reminds me He can do infinitely more through me than I could ever imagine. God’s power over the world is limitless, and it is unlimited in believers as well. When our focus is where it should be, and when our faith is great and pure, God will take us to new heights and greater accomplishments for His Kingdom.

Don’t sell God short. Let Him achieve more through you than you could ever dream of.

Prayer: Father, prepare our hearts so that You might accomplish more through us than we could ever imagine. 

Tweetable: Are you experiencing God's infinitely more? 

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Living in Beggar Mode - Martin Wiles

May you experience the love of Christ . . . . Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:19 NLT

She was a princess who became the wife of a beggar who turned out to be a king.

The princess’ father was a king and intended to marry her off to another king. But she was a stubborn child and wouldn’t consent to his wishes. Although he paraded three kings before her, she rejected each one. In a rage, her father said, “Then I’ll marry you off to the first beggar who comes along.” And he did. Perhaps living as a beggar’s wife would teach her a lesson.

The beggar was kind and pledged to love her, but when she refused to perform her wifely duties, he sent her to a king’s home to work as a servant. Perhaps this would teach her appreciation. It did. She soon realized what she had turned down in the other kings’ marriage proposals.

But this king was about to be married. She couldn’t leave until she helped carry off the wedding. Her heart raced when she was introduced to the king. He was her beggar husband. And her? She was a queen. She would live a full life after all.

The princess could never live in queen mode as long as she was living in beggar mode. Not until she realized she was the wife of a king could she even begin to experience everything that belonged to her.

As believers, we too can live in beggar mode. But if we do, we’ll miss out on so much that’s ours because of our relationship with Christ. Since we’re the bride of Christ, everything he has is ours. We’ll only enjoy it, however, when we fully comprehend his love.

God’s love is wide, long, high, and deep. It reaches out to the entire world and expands enough to cover any life experience. He has loved us in the past, loves us now, and will love us throughout eternity. When we celebrate what God does through us, he celebrates with us. But when we’re in the depths of discouragement and despair, he is there as well.

Don’t live life on a lower level than God intends. Live it to the fullest.

Prayer: Father, help us realize all we have in You so we might experience the fullness of our relationship with You.

Tweetable: Are you living in beggar mode? 

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Sausage Balls

 

Ingredients

1 pound hot sausage
2 cups shredded cheese

2 cups Bisquick

Directions

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.

Roll into small balls and place on a cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.

Tweetable: Why not add this appetizer to your weekend meal? 

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Turned Away - Martin Wiles

Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Revelations 3:20 NLT

 

We made it to the entrance—but no farther.

 

John was a World War II veteran in his upper nineties who attended the church I pastored. When my wife and I arrived at church early one Sunday morning, we found a note left by his daughter telling us her dad was in ICU at the local army base. Following our service, my wife and I made the one-hour drive to see him.

 

As we approached the base entrance, a young military man asked to see my ID. I showed him my driver’s license, thinking this would suffice. Wrong. He asked if I had a pass. I told him I didn’t. He pointed me to the Welcome Center just to my right and told me they would help me.

 

I pulled a number when I entered the building and waited for my turn. “Number 79,” the Homeland Security officer called. I approached the window and told him I needed to visit someone in the hospital. “Let me see your ID,” he said. When I showed him my driver’s license, he told me he needed to see another form of ID as well. I had none he asked for. “I’m sorry,” he politely said. “I can’t let you in.” Three hours of driving, just to be turned away.

 

Jesus tells of another scenario. During every person’s life, He stands at the door of their heart, knocking to gain entrance. If they open, He comes in. If they don’t, He remains outside.

 

Jesus’ knock comes in the form of conviction by His Holy Spirit—that little voice we can’t actually hear aloud, but can in our heads. We know something . . . someone . . . is there asking us to do something. When we listen, we eventually determine it’s God’s voice telling us we need Him. He pursues us, like a hound does a deer, a coon, or a fox. If we turn away from the voice, He continues to hound us until we open the door or make it plain we want nothing to do with Him—a decision with eternal consequences.

 

Being turned away at the army base just meant I couldn’t see a church member. Being turned away by God has consequences now and in eternity. 

God doesn’t force Himself on us. We can be a rebel and shun Him if we want, but if we do, we’ll not enjoy life as He intends.

 

God doesn’t want robots in His unit. He wants willing followers who will love Him with all their hearts and serve Him obediently. Opening the door entails confessing our sins, repenting of them, and obeying Him. And He’ll never turn away any who open the door for Him to enter.

 

Don’t fear God turning you away. No matter what you’ve done, you can still open the door, and He’ll come in.

 

Prayer: Father, we thank You that we can always open the door and let You into our lives. 

Tweetable: Have you turned God away? 

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At Home with God - Martin Wiles

I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. Ephesians 3:17 NLT

“Just make yourselves at home,” they said.

My wife and I were on vacation, visiting my brother and sister-in-law in West Virginia. Since we would be there for a few days, they wanted us to establish our own routine. Knowing we got up earlier than they did, they wanted us to feel free to rummage in the kitchen. If we wanted to turn on the television and watch the morning news, that was also permissible. I needed to rearrange a bit in the bedroom to make room for my computer. No problem. I needed to use the internet. Not an issue. They gave us the password. Being made to feel at home meant we could do the same things at their house as ours.

When we’re at home with God, we won’t fear. We’re loved perfectly, completely, and unconditionally. Perfect love and fear should not coexist simultaneously. If it does, we have a flawed understanding of God’s love. Dangerous situations might evoke fear, but even that fear is controlled by trusting in our Protector.

At home with God, we’ll feel comfortable in his presence. He invites us to come boldly before his throne. We don’t have to fear rejection or that some past sin will disqualify us from interacting with him. In Christ, God forgives all our sins. We can dine with God as we do with a good friend.

Home is where we spend most of our time. When we’re at home with God, we’ll spend time with him. Since we can’t hear him audibly, we must listen to him through his Word, prayer, communion with other believers, and worship experiences. My wife and I couldn’t have made ourselves at home at our relatives’ house unless we were there. Nor can we be at home with God if we neglect his presence.

An old saying reads, “There is no place like home.” And there isn’t. Home is where the heart is. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be home.

How can you feel more at home with God?

Prayer: Father, move us to the place where we feel right at home in Your presence.

Tweetable: Are you at home with God? 

 

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God’s Helper - Martin Wiles

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” Genesis 2:18 NLT

Imagine our surprise when a woman accomplished in one second what six men hadn’t been able to do in ten minutes.

Our fifth Sunday night singspiration was over, and members enjoyed finger foods in our social hall. When everyone had finished eating, the call was made for able-bodied people to put up tables and chairs. Most of our tables were old-school lunchroom tables that fold from the middle by releasing a latch. One table resisted.

As I watched two men struggle to fold it, I walked over, thinking I could help. No such luck. Another youngster came over and tried. Nothing. Three more men walked up and looked under the table to see what was stuck. No luck. That’s when a young lady walked up and pressed down on one end of the table. We all marveled as the latch quickly released itself.

Poor Adam. Surrounded by animals of all contortions and sizes, none of which resembled him. He could talk to them, but none could respond. There was no other species like him. The Garden of Eden must have been a lonely place. God fixed Adam’s predicament by creating a woman as his helper. Though she was like him in many ways, she was also different—and not just in shape.

Men have five senses; God has given women six. My wife uses hers often. When she asks, “Have you noticed . . .” or says, “I have a feeling that . . .” I know she will share something I haven’t detected. And she’s usually right.

Men thrive on “Get er done” mentalities while women say, “Let’s talk about it.” I am glad God didn’t make Eve a carbon copy of Adam or any of his descendants. Adam needed a helper and for some of the same reasons men still need women today. I hate to think about plowing through life without my helper. So don’t attempt to do life without appealing to the helper God has given you.

How can you show more appreciation for the helper God has given you?

Prayer: Father, we thank You for the companions You give us to help us through life. 

Tweetable: Have you thanked God for your helper? 

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