I Thought I Knew You - Martin Wiles

He’s just the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us. Mark 6:3 NLT

I’d known him thirteen years before. But then he was a baby; now he was a teenager.

I once took a high school teacher’s position at a local private school. As I called the roll in my ninth-grade class, I immediately recognized the name of one of my students. His parents were members of a small country church my father had once pastored.

Since this young man was a baby when I last saw him, I could only judge his character by his parents. They were hard-working, honest people who had been good friends to my family and me. They were dedicated to the church and faithfully supported it. Surely, this young man would mimic his parents. In this case, he did, but he could have misrepresented his family entirely. I judged him by what I knew about his parents and expected as much from him.

Jesus’ hometown was Nazareth. He had grown up as a carpenter, the son of Mary and Joseph. Years later—when he returned claiming to be God’s Son—the people scoffed. They knew him as the carpenter’s son but nothing more. Their preconceived ideas kept them from believing the truth about him. They missed the Savior. Prejudice blinded them to the truth.

There have been a number of occasions when I’ve been disappointed by those I thought I knew. They’ve let me down, gossiped about me, and betrayed me when I needed them the most. I knew the parents of some and expected better but was disillusioned. Stereotyping has also occasionally kept me from seeing the person behind the facade.

God creates everyone in his image. Prejudice, stereotyping, and erroneous first-time impressions can keep us from seeing others’ inner potential and helping them realize it. There’s nothing we can’t do or be with God’s assistance, and the same is true of all people. Many whom we think we know often surprise us by being more than we ever imagined. We see a cheater; God sees a business owner. We see a troubled teen; God sees a future preacher or missionary.

We are all masterpieces in the making. God wants us to see others as he does.

What blinders do you need to remove so you can know others as God does?

Father, help me see others as You do so I can love them as You do. 

Tweetable: Are you seeing others as God does?  

Don't forget to add your comments below.  

Thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Help us spread God's encouragement through His Love Lines.

Snickerdoodle Cookies

 

Ingredients

1 large bag of Betty Crocker sugar cookie Mix
1 container of cinnamon sugar

Instructions
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 add these little delights as your dessert? 

Thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Help us spread God's encouragement through His Love Lines.

When Life Shuffles You

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. Genesis 12:1 NLT

We shuffled, shuffled some more, and then shuffled some more—until everything was just right.

 

After nine years, our mattress and box springs had seen their better days, keeping my wife and me from enjoying our nights. Going to sleep became painful rather than restful. Hating to spend what I knew a good set would cost—but needing rest and the absence of pain—we went to one of our local furniture stores. Sure enough, they had a sale going on—a sale that still wasn’t enough of a sale for me.

 

Two days later, the company delivered our new mattress and box springs. But in the meantime, we did some more shuffling. Instead of carting off our old set, my wife put them in our spare bedroom. Even though the set was worn to a frazzle, they could still serve well if the grandboys spent the night or if we had company. That’s when the shuffle began.

 

Our spare bedroom had never served as a bedroom. Instead, it was an office area for my wall-to-wall bookcases filled with old and new books. My wife had noticed a picture on Instagram of how someone could turn books into a headboard for a bed—which we needed since we only had a metal base for the mattress and box springs to rest on. This little shuffling feat took us half of the day, stirred up a lot of dust, and caused us a lot of back pain, but we did it. And the result? Beauty and space for an extra bed.

 

God did a little shuffling with Abraham, too. He told him to leave the only home he’d ever known and travel to a place he’d never known. The Bible doesn’t record that Abraham debated or argued but gives the impression he simply did what God asked.

 

Life has a way of shuffling us around: with geography, with relationships, with jobs, and with schools. Since my dad was a preacher and changed churches often, I shuffled between numerous schools, never having time to make friends in the process. I didn’t always enjoy these shuffles. In fact, I can’t remember anticipating even one of the shuffles.

 

Following Christ entails believing He does the shuffling. We might never know why, but even when we do, the awareness typically follows the shuffle, not precedes it. Abraham trusted God for what he couldn’t see, and we must do the same, believing the shuffle provides something better ahead that God already knows about. Walking by faith means living with limited sight.

 

Sometimes, sweat, dust, and rearranging come with the shuffles. It did when we changed up our two bedrooms. But submission is the most critical trait we need when God shuffles us. He leads; we follow. When we do, we’ll discover a more rewarding experience on the other side of the shuffle. When God shuffles you, go willingly.

 

What have your learned from some of your shuffles?  

 

Prayer: Father, when You shuffle around my life, help me to go willingly. 

Tweetable: What have you learned from life's shuffles? 

Don't forget to join the conversation below. 

Thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Help us spread God's encouragement through His Love Lines.

Connived by Company - Martin Wiles

They will act as if they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. You must stay away from people like that. 2 Timothy 3:5 NLT

Two options were available to me. Unfortunately, I chose the worst one because I was connived by company.

When I was fifteen, Dad moved us to the town where he had grown up. I was tired of moving around, so I hoped he’d stay here long enough for me to graduate from high school. Then they could move as often as they liked.

The church had several young people my age, but I was pulled to two boys who had different lifestyles. I chose to be friends with both but decided to follow the mannerisms of the one whose actions appeared more enticing. Perhaps bad behavior could demonstrate how I felt about being a preacher’s kid. Before I knew it, I was violating at least a handful of my parents, and God’s, commands.

Although I went willingly, I was connived by the company I kept. Not until I chose godly friends did my behavior change.

Conniving company will increase in the last days, so I need to be ready. Some scholars believe the last days are just prior to Jesus’ return while others interpret them as the entire period between his ascension and return. Either way, I think I’m living in them.

The list of things that can entice us is frightening: difficult situations, selfishness, pride, ungratefulness, sacrilegiousness, unforgiveness, lack of self-control, betrayal, and recklessness. Additionally, to love money, scoff at God, disobey authority, hate what’s good, and love pleasure more than God. Quite a list, and I’ve been connived by each one.

We cannot escape the conniving pull of society. Secluding ourselves in a monastery or refusing to go outside won’t help. Satan still has access to our minds. Solitude doesn’t drive him away. We must dress in the spiritual armor God gives so the connivances will melt away like water running off a duck’s back. Commitment to the Savior is more important than the apparent comfort these types of behavior purport to bring.

How can you look to God to give you the strength to overcome the connivances of bad company?

Father, I depend on You to steer me away from company who would connive me away from Your plan for my life. 

Tweetable: Have you been connived by company? 

Don't forget to add your comments below. 

Thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Help us spread God's encouragement through His Love Lines.

A God My Size - Martin Wiles

Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” Psalm 14:1 NLT

She was never a hoarder—and isn’t now—but sometimes, I wish she had been. Perhaps, I would have learned more about a God my size. 

Mom was known for throwing things away. As I visit antique stores and auctions and see the value of things I once had, I think, “Why didn’t Mom keep this?” She only kept a few of my baby items: my baby book, musical phone, musical ball, musical piano, and a baby blanket.

Looking at the blanket reminds me it was just my size. Had it been full, queen, or even king-size, it would have swallowed me. But since it was just my size, it covered me exactly and allowed my body heat to keep me nice and warm.

According to the psalmist, those who say there’s no God—atheists—are fools. They have made God their size. In fact, they have reduced him to nothing but a mere concoction by their minds—which are weak, superstitious, and unable to handle life. Since they feel they can pull themselves up by their own bootstraps, without help from a higher power, they disregard him entirely.

Some people worship a small God. One who can handle the small details of their lives but not the major items. One who might intervene if it’s convenient or if he has the desire. One who is harsh and unfeeling. One who is just waiting for them to make a mistake so he can relish in punishing them.

I have chosen a larger size for my God. And not because I’m weak and afraid to face life but because God presents himself as a big God. He can tame the tornado and hush the hurricane. He can install leaders and bring them down. He can govern the world and nurture creation.

My God, however, is re-sizable. When I need him to be, he can be small. He can comfort me when I don’t get a promotion, drive away the fear of peer pressure, and help me decide my life course. God can give us the wisdom to rear our children, love our spouses, and care for aging parents. He can tell us which college to attend and where not to go on vacation. He can—and wants to—govern every detail of our lives.

How can you let God be the size you need for your life’s decisions?

Father, I thank You that You are always just the size I need. 

Tweetable: Is God your size? 

Be sure to add your comments below. 

Thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Help us spread God's encouragement through His Love Lines.

Veggie Salad

 

8-ounce box of Macaroni noodles

8 ounces of peas and carrots drained

8-ounce can of corn, drained

1 small jar pimento, drained

1small, sweet onion, chopped

1 small bell pepper, chopped

1 teaspoon sugar

10 sweet pickles, chopped

Salt and pepper

Add Miracle Whip and mix to taste.

Better served the next day.

Tweetable: Why not add this as a healthy meal to your hot summer day? 

Thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Help us spread God's encouragement through His Love Lines.

Beloved and Up Close - Munashe Nguruza

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased!” Matthew 17:5 NLT

I pleaded. I begged. I would not take no for an answer. I wanted to feel beloved and up close.

Then, I heard God say, “You are not my son.”

I was dumbstruck.

I said, “Lord, that is so unkind and cruel.”

He replied, “I am your loving Dad, and you are my beloved son. Don’t make yourself less than that.”

I had begged for days on end, yet no answer had come. The Lord, in his kindness, gave me fresh knowledge. He made me a son, not a beggar. He brought me close because he intends to hear from me.

God set my theology right. The way I saw myself would affect my prayers. How often had I prayed like a servant, leaving my identity entirely out of the equation? Who God says we are is who we are.

We are guaranteed an answer from God. Sometimes it comes as information and sometimes as a superb miracle, yet we will always have it.

I had begged until God reminded me I was his son. Then, I thanked him for his love and grace. Somehow, I knew he would come through, and he did in an amazing way.

God’s Word says his children will dwell in safety. Making ourselves less than we are takes away our advantage. No greater security exists than the love of the Lord, which he has poured greatly on us. We pray from a place where our identity is the key. God made us irresistible to him when we accepted Jesus.

Go bravely into the light with God’s peace. Say, “Loving Father, your beloved child is grateful, then boldly state your case.

How can you better understand your identity in Christ?

Tweetable: Do you know your identity? 

Munashe Nguruza is a child of God, soul winner, and blogger. His passion is to see lives transformed and healed by the Word of God 

Thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Help us spread God's encouragement through His Love Lines.

Holier Than the Rest

Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. Deuteronomy 5:12 NLT

Sunday was a tense day because it was holier than the rest.

As a child, the list of things I couldn’t do on Sunday outpaced the list of things I could do. For Dad, most of the rules of the Old Testament Sabbath (Saturday) had been transferred to Sunday.

Thankfully, Mom could cook and clean up the kitchen. But no cleaning the house, washing clothes, working in the yard, shopping, or going to the movies. Some of these don’ts didn’t pose an issue since the only stores open were the drug stores and a few gas stations. And I’m quite sure the theaters weren’t either.

I grew up believing Sunday was holier than all the others because of all the things I couldn’t do.

Observing the Sabbath was one of the Ten Commandments. Over time, religious authorities added their interpretations about how a person did this. By the time Jesus arrived, hundreds of “don’t” rules applied. Jesus had to remind people they weren’t created for the Sabbath, but rather the Sabbath was created for their benefit. 

Early Christians celebrated the first day of the week instead of the Sabbath because Jesus arose on that day. Their observances focused on celebration rather than what they couldn’t do. They fellowshipped, ate, observed the Lord’s Supper, and tended to each other’s needs. It was a day of dos.

Perhaps the original command—and the later celebration of the first day of the week—has less to do with worship than we might imagine. After all, we should worship and reverence God every day. This one day, however, benefits us in more ways than merely worship. God commanded rest on this day. No work. Not even for animals. Observing one day each week reminds us our bodies are not machines. They need rest and rejuvenation.   

Hallowing one day also reminds us we need other people. In the dark days of the early church, believers needed each other. Persecution and opposition were rife. We still need each other. We can watch preaching and singing on television or the internet. But there’s something special about worshiping God with other believers who we can share and empathize with.

God established one day as holier than all the rest. Whether it’s Saturday or Sunday is immaterial. What we do on that day is. Make your one day about the do’s rather than the don’ts.

How can you better observe the true meaning of the Lord’s Day?

Father, thank You for giving me one day when I can worship You collectively and share with each other bountifully. 

Tweetable: How can you make one day each week special? 

Thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Help us spread God's encouragement through His Love Lines.