Walk-on Wednesday - A Personal Guide - Martin Wiles

Welcome to Walk-on Wednesday. By Hump Day, we are struggling, but we believe a good devotion can strengthen us to finish the week strong. 

When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. John 14:3 NLT

Life would have been much easier—and still would be—if I had my own personal guide.

I’ve never been deep sea fishing or on a big game hunt, but many who take such excursions usually hire personal guides. Personal guides know the area and where they will likely find the game.

Having one to guide me through life would also be nice. They could have explained how much nicer it would be to use the toilet instead of soiling my diaper. How much better table food would taste than baby food. Or whole milk than baby formula. A personal guide could have steered me away from childhood rebellion by reminding me how important it was to honor and obey my parents. Later, he could have maneuvered me away from unhealthy relationships and stressful situations. And a personal guide could have warned me of the danger of rejecting Jesus Christ.

Jesus claims to be a tour guide—or whatever other type of guide we might need. He’s not here personally at the moment, but he plans to return. A final moment is coming when we’re going to need his help.

Death isn’t something I enjoy thinking about. In fact, I enjoy it less now than I ever have because I know I’m closer than I’ve ever been. When going somewhere I’ve never been, having a guide—whether a person or a technological gadget—is  essential. In this case, I’d prefer the real thing, not a voice speaking to me through a device of some sort.

Jesus promises he will personally get us when it’s our time. He won’t send angels. And our final journey won’t be alone. Instead, he’ll take our hand and lead us to the Promised Land. And since he knows where it is, we can trust he’ll get us there safely.

Trust Jesus to be your personal guide through life and death.

Prayer: Father, we trust You to guide us through our life’s journey and also through our final journey. 

Tweetable: Who is your personal guide? 

   

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Meandering Monday - Following the Leader - Martin Wiles

Welcome to Meandering Monday, where we take a trip back to an earlier post and enjoy it again.

Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:20 NLT

Following high school graduation, I avoided college like a plague and looked for work to support myself.

Attempting to escape plant work, I chose a local exterminating company. Things went well initially, but then a shuffling around of employees occurred, and I found myself working under houses. One can find many things under houses: snakes, busted septic lines, spiders, discarded toys. One of my trainers was an older gentleman who hated flashlights. I, on the other hand, preferred looking around before I lunged under a house. While in training, I followed his lead—frightened and in the dark. Surprisingly, he always took me to the area where we needed to go and without incident.

Jesus is a better leader. Prior to his arrival, people were forced to approach a priest, confess their sins, and allow him to go before God in their behalf. God, however, wanted unhindered access as had originally been the case with Adam and Eve. In his perfect timing, he sent his Son to blaze the path back to him. Now all who follow his lead can come boldly into God’s presence without fear of rejection or condemnation.

As followers of Christ, we’ve been charged with leading. In what direction we lead others and with what qualities are important considerations. By our actions, words, and attitudes, we should direct those in our circles of influence in a particular direction.

We’re leaders whether we desire the position or not, but where will others end up if they follow us? When our lifestyle reflects Jesus’, we’ll lead them to understand who Jesus was and is and what he was sent to earth to accomplish. By watching us, they’ll comprehend the exchanged life—living for Christ instead of ourselves. Those who choose to follow our lead will stroll successfully through the mountains and valleys of life on their way to an eternal Promise Land.

Who’s following your lead, and where are you taking them?

Prayer: Father, help us lead others to an abundant relationship with You. 

Tweetable: Where are you leading others? 

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The Power of One - Martin Wiles

God replied to Moses, “I am who i am. Say this to the people of Israel: I am has sent me to you.” Exodus 3:14 NLT

Who knew one CD could change the entire service.

Our music leader was off for the day. My wife had spent hours putting music together, meeting with the sound technicians, and practicing with the praise team. Sunday morning arrived, and we were excited about the service—until the CD with all the music they were going to sing by wasn’t in the case.

Since it was three minutes before services were to begin, my wife’s mind went into shock. She had obviously left the CD in her laptop—which was at home 10 miles away. Getting it wasn’t an option. In a three minutes span, she and the sound techs dug up a few praise songs, and the pianist suggested a couple of hymns.

Although the service got off to a rocky start—the praise team hadn’t practiced the songs and my wife’s voice cracked because of seasonal crud—the Spirit of God soon took over and fixed what appeared to be broken. The power of one CD had been trumped by the power of Someone more powerful.

Moses experienced the power of One when God instructed him to go before a foreign king and tell him I AM has sent him to deliver his people from 400 years of slavery.

The power of one can be devastating, disturbing, and mind-boggling. One statement from a doctor, “You have cancer.” One call from the boss, “I need to see you in the office immediately.” One text from a girlfriend or boyfriend, “I don’t think we should see each other anymore.” One call from the police, “Your son has been in a bad accident.” One visit from the military chaplain and an officer, “We’re sorry to inform you that your daughter has been killed in action.” The list of ones is endless…and so is the pain they can bring.

Just as God took over the failed service my wife had planned and soundly defeated the Enemy’s effort to quench the moving of God’s Spirit, so He can do the same with any life situation we tackle. He is sovereign. Nothing happens outside of His control. His plans are always better than mine and can never be thwarted by the tactics of Satan.

Whatever God brings out of the one apparently bad thing will always be better. Trust Him to control your one thing.

Prayer: Father, we believe You have power over the one thing that seems to have power over us. 

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