God’s Buts - Martin Wiles

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much. Ephesians 2:4 NLT

Every time I see a but, I know something else is possible or about to happen.

In English grammar, there are five coordinating conjunctions. I help students remember them with the acronym FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. When I see for and and, I know things are connected. Or signifies the possibility of choice. So and yet are two of the weaker conjunctions and most likely give a result. So also functions as a subordinating conjunction that connects a dependent clause to an independent clause. But but gives me a contrast. When I want to show two different scenarios, I choose this conjunction. Selecting the right conjunction is essential; otherwise, the sentence's meaning is skewed.

Paul chose this very conjunction for an important reason. He has just reminded believers of their spiritual state before Christ. They were dead in their sins and doomed to an eternity separated from God. They obeyed Satan, the one who lives in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. Born with an evil nature, humans were destined to encounter God’s righteous wrath. Then Paul inserts that most important conjunction: but. Thankfully, God intervened.

I was one of those Paul spoke about. I was a sinner, but God offered me forgiveness for all my sins and gave it when I asked. I was once a prodigal who walked away from all I knew to be right, but God ran to me with open arms of forgiveness when I decided to come home. I’ve found myself in some pretty severe circumstances, but when I prayed and asked, God delivered me each and every time. I’ve said some gossipy, mean things to people and behind their backs, but God has shown me a better way to talk. I’ve allowed anger to rule my days and nights, but God has shown me how to forgive. 

God loves the conjunction "but." He loves to take what is and offer a better way. He enjoys intervening in the messes we make of our lives through unhealthy attitudes, choices, words, and thoughts. Instead, he offers a but and follows it with a better choice. Buts can signal a worse choice, yet with God, they usually offer a better way.

Let God’s buts take you in a better direction than you are presently traveling.

Father, I thank you for the buts you send my way. 

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Trusting God with the Future - Solace from the Psalms - Martin Wiles

For thousands of years, people have found comfort in the Psalms. No matter what emotion you are experiencing or fight you're facing, the psalms have something important to say. For the next little while, Love Lines from God will feature, "Solace from the Psalms." We hope you enjoy. And please share them with a friend. 

The LORD will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Psalm 138:8 NLT

I knew she was there; I simply couldn't see her.

My daughter and I enjoyed several years of hiking when she was a preteen. She was young and fast. I was approaching 40 at the time and slower. She normally led, but remained close—except when my middle brother and son joined us. My brother was fast as my daughter, but my son was slow like me. They enjoyed outwalking us. We knew they were ahead but couldn't see them until they stopped for us to catch up. It was always comforting when we did.

My future is similar. I know it's ahead even though I haven't visited it. I call it tomorrow, but tomorrow never truly arrives. When I think it has, it's today all over. I also can't see into it. It's the unknown even though I assume it's there.

The psalmist was equally sure he had a future and that God controlled it.

From my viewpoint the future is uncertain, but I try controlling it anyway. Through savings, retirement funds, educational funds, Social Security contributions, or possession accumulation.

God's viewpoint is different. He sees my future, lives in it, and guarantees its certainty. Regardless of how many years it contains, He controls each one.

Our challenge and responsibility are trusting God with the unknown. When we do, it is no longer uncertain or frightening. Rather it’s exciting. He promises to perfect His plans for our life. And since He knows and engineers our future, that's a simple thing for Him to accomplish.

Trust God to complete His plans in you.

Tweetable: Are you trusting God with your future?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, enable us to trust You with our future.

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Throwback Tuesday - Don't Drive When I Am - Martin Wiles

Don’t Drive When I Am

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. Read more...

Tweetable: Are you trying to drive for God? 

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Ignoring God - Martin Wiles

I warned you when you were prosperous, but you replied, “Don’t bother me.” You have been that way since childhood—you simply will not obey me! Jeremiah 22:21 NLT

Our challenge seemed simple but proved more difficult than we imagined. 

The final day of school is always a half day. Following our breakfast feast, it’s off to the gym where eligible students receive various awards. What follows is two hours of dead time. This particular year we teachers decided to show a movie. Since we are a Christian school, we cannot show anything but G-rated movies unless we have parental approval. 

Our lead teacher picked Star Wars, thinking that none of the students would have seen the original and that it would interest them. She was correct on the first count but miserably wrong on the second. What we teachers hoped would be a relaxing time turned into a scene more challenging than the classroom.

Jeremiah, known as the “weeping prophet,” was also given a daunting challenge: deliver a message to God’s people warning them of coming destruction by a foreign force—destruction they had brought on themselves by ignoring God. 

Our students ignored the movie because they had no interest in it. Since it was space related and showed examples of techy stuff, we assumed they’d love it. The trouble was, our world has advanced so far since the movie was produced that they could tell the production was dated. 

Without God’s intervention, I’ll respond to God the same way the students did to the movie. While I’m born with spiritual interest, I’ll ignore God because of my sinful nature unless I listen to the Spirit of God pulling me in the right direction.

As a believer, I’ve ignored God a number of times because I had my mind on other things. Had we shown the movie earlier in the year, the students may have watched. This was the last day of school, and they were moments away from the final bell and summer vacation. Unless I allow God to keep my mind on spiritual things—His business, I’ll ignore Him.

A few students were interested in the movie initially but were eventually distracted by classmates who weren’t. I, too, have been led away from God by others. Going was my choice, but letting them influence me was my choice as well. 

Don’t let things or people lead you to ignore God. Doing so always has devastating effects. 

Prayer: Father, may we always give You our full attention so we can accomplish Your perfect plan for us. 

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Wrong Place at the Right Time - Martin Wiles

A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. Mark 15:21 NLT

Thousands of people are at the wrong place at the wrong time every day.

As I listen to the latest news’ headlines while eating breakfast, I hear about people who were at the wrong place at the wrong time. Some are seriously injured while others are killed. A police officer is shot. A motorist is involved in a life-altering accident. Some board a plane only to have it crash or be blown up by terrorists. Others are the victims of robberies or murders. 

Apparently, Simon of Cyrene was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Minding his own business as he hobbles in from the countryside, he is accosted by Roman soldiers leading Jesus to Calvary to crucify Him. By this time, Jesus is struggling because of the persecution He has endured. Rather than fool with His inability to move faster, the soldiers enlist someone to carry the cross for Him.

But perhaps Simon wasn’t at the wrong place at the wrong time. Just maybe he was at the wrong place at the right time. Cyrene is located in modern day Libya, so it’s possible Simon was an African man coming to worship during the Passover celebration. 

Though Simon worshiped the God of the Jews, this experience likely led him to faith in Jesus Christ. By carrying the cross, he would have touched the blood of Jesus and probably Jesus Himself. Though his experience wasn’t pleasant, Simon was where he needed to be—though it may not have looked so.

God has the habit of placing me in what appears to be wrong places at the most inconvenient times.

Later, I discover these times and places are just where I need to be to learn important lessons that propel me forward in my spiritual growth. From God’s perspective, there is never a wrong place or a wrong time. He guides my steps and forms my image after His, just as the potter does the clay vessel. As with Simon, if I’m perceptive, He’ll put me exactly where I need to be. 

Don’t fear the events of the day. 

Instead, trust God to put you exactly where He needs you to experience all He has in store for you.

Prayer: Father, give us faith that You will place us exactly where we need to be during the course of our lifetimes. 

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Dependable God - Martin Wiles

I am the Lord, and I do not change. Malachi 3:6 NLT

I was as dependable as the newspaper I delivered. 

Among the several jobs I had as a teenager, delivering newspapers was one. Since I delivered the state paper, my customers were widely separated, requiring me to get up early to complete my route. 

Fortunately, I was a responsible teenager. I set my alarm clock for 2 am, dressed, and headed for an abandoned gas station where I picked up and assembled my papers. From here, I drove several miles to my first stop. Though I didn’t have hundreds of customers, my route required around two hours to complete, giving me about an hour to sleep before I had to get back up for school. 

Many mornings I would ask Mom, “Did I run my paper route?” Regardless of how I felt or of how the weather was, I delivered my papers. 

Pagan gods were often fickle. Undependable. Maybe they would grant a bountiful crop—or perhaps sit back and watch the humans sweat and then send a terrible storm or dry spell that would completely wipe out any potential crop. Or so those who worshiped them thought. In contrast, the one true God the nation of Israel worshiped was different. He was consistent…dependable.  

God is dependable in delivering salvation. Not only does He tell what is wrong with humanity but He also promises a solution. I am sinful, and if not delivered from my sins, I’ll pay eternally for them. On the other hand, I can simply accept what God has done on my behalf by believing in Jesus Christ. When I do, God promises to deliver salvation—and He does every time and to every person who seeks it. 

Love is another of God’s dependable traits. He loves unconditionally. Regardless of how I treat Him, He will love me. His love won’t overlook my transgressions should I choose not to repent, but He will continue to love even when He expresses it through His holy wrath. 

God’s guidance is also dependable. I can rely on Him to provide direction no matter what my circumstances are. God enjoys helping those He has created and loves. He has my best interests at heart and will willingly guide me into a bright future when I chose to follow His plan. 

Are you leaning on a God who is dependable or trusting in other things that will disappoint you?

Prayer: Father, when all else fails us, we are confident that You never will.

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The Uncomfortableness of Change - Martin Wiles

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster; to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

The fish landed on the ground and flopped around. I waited to see what would happen.

From the time my grandmother taught me until I was a young adult, I loved to fish. If I went with her, I would find myself in a small boat. If I went with my brother or by myself, I stood on the bank. More than once I’ve had a fish fall to the bottom of the boat or on the bank because the hook was barely engaged or because the fish slipped from my hands as I was removing the hook. 

As soon as the fish hit the ground, it began flopping because it was out of its normal environment. Instinct told it if it didn’t return to water it would die. Sometimes the flopping was so intense that the fish actually flopped back into the water. Most of the time, it simply died. 

In a verse that had immediate application to Israel—but future meaning to any who chose to follow Him, God assured His people that He had good plans for them. Their future was bright. Unfortunately, they didn’t always share God’s vision. Like a fish out of water, they flopped around, desiring what wasn’t best for them.

Being out of water makes a fish uncomfortable. Change has taken place. Rather than succumb to what’s ahead—being eaten, the fish yearns to return to what it has always known. 

God’s plans often make me uncomfortable too. I call it change. Instead of giving in and following what I know is a good plan, I often flop around like a fish out of water until I fall back into my normal tradition or custom—where I feel comfortable again. 

My only choices are to move ahead with God’s plan—kicking and screaming…flopping around, or to forge ahead with excitement and belief that where God is leading is better than where I am—a journey I can only take by faith. 

When God’s plan puts me in an uncomfortable place—which it usually does, my job is to believe God’s plan is preferable to mine and will always lead me into a brighter future. And it will. His plan is for my good, not disaster. 

How are you responding to God’s plan for you?

Prayer: Father, give us vision to see the good plans You have for our future.  

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A Lifetime God - Martin Wiles

I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. Isaiah 46:4 NLT

For the last 14 years, I had driven pre-owned vehicles, but things were finally about to change. 

In 2002, I bought a new mini SUV. Shortly after purchasing it, my daughter left for college, and the SUV left with her. Life circumstances changed for me shortly before she left, and I couldn’t afford to purchase another new vehicle. For the next 14 years, my wife and I drove used vehicles. Fortunately, we had little trouble, but the hunger to have a new vehicle—that we didn’t have to worry about breaking down—lingered. 

Then suddenly, God put us in a different situation, one that would allow us to make a modest purchase. We looked for an economical crossover with a good safety record and a low price tag and found the car my wife had been dreaming about. The icing on the cake was the car’s warranty—ten years or 100,000 miles. And several more warranties that covered major parts hidden within that one broad spectrum. It was almost like having a lifetime warranty. 

Though the prophet Isaiah, God assured the nation of Israel that He would be their God throughout their lifetime if they so desired. I think they wanted it, though they often didn’t act as if they did. 

God has been a lifetime God for me. I attended church before I slurped my first breath of air and have been ever since. Even in my times of sinful rebellion, I still loved and worshiped God. 

As my lifetime God, He never left me. I walked away from Him for several years, but He remained ready to accept me back when I returned. Unconditional love He calls it. I discovered there is no force more powerful than God—including Satan. Jesus said no one could snatch me out of His hands. I can choose to walk away, but no force can remove me. 

Knowing God wants my company for a lifetime gives a sense of security—one of the basic life needs necessary to live fully and peacefully without emotional upsets. When I have the assurance that God is my lifetime God, I can live with confidence, serve Him with confidence, and die with confidence.

With Christ as our Savior, we have a lifetime warranty. He will never abandon us. 

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your love that lasts a lifetime and even into eternity.

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When God Calls - Martin Wiles

So he said to Samuel, “Go lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Yes, Lord, your servant is listening.’” 1 Samuel 3:9 NLT

With a clear, distinct whistle, my grandfather mimicked the female bobwhite until the male was almost within sight. 

Pappy, as I called my maternal grandfather, was an early riser. Why I’m not sure. He farmed…a little. He actually made his living doing it, but most of the manual labor was hired out. He was up by 5 every morning, made his cup of instant coffee, and retired to the porch where he smoked his Camel cigarettes and waited for the sun to top the nearby row of pines. 

As dawn began to break, the distant call of the male quail was common. Pappy puckered his lips, whistled a counter tune, and waited for the bobwhite to answer. When he did, Pappy would call again. Within a few minutes, the male would be perched in the large magnolia tree just a few feet away from the porch where Pappy sat. The male answered what he thought was a female’s call. What he found was a tall overweight farmer. 

After Samuel’s mother weaned him, she took him to the temple to assist Eli the priest. As Samuel lay on his bed, God called. Not being familiar with God’s voice, he assumed it was Eli. Eli thought the boy was hearing things, but after three times concluded it was God calling Samuel. 

Just as my grandfather did the quail, God calls people to trust Him as Savior, to enter a special area of service, or simply to have a closer walk with Him. When God calls, I have a few options. I can obey, disobey, or delay doing anything. The free will God has instilled in me gives me the ability to make these choices. 

Of course, obedience is the best choice. I should obey all of God’s calls out of love and appreciation for what He has allowed His Son to do on Calvary’s cross. No greater act of love has ever been demonstrated. But obedience isn’t always so simple.

Sinful patterns, fear of totally surrendering to God, or uncertainty over whether I’ve really heard God can all lead to ignoring God’s call—or at least to a delay in answering it. Obedience, on the other hand, builds experience in listening to His call, so that when He beckons in the future I’ll not mistake the voice as Samuel did. 

What’s your response when God calls?

Prayer: Father, may we always respond with obedience when You call us. 

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