God of Second Chances - Abigail Skelton

And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20 NRSVUE

When I was in high school, I loved God and wanted everyone to know Him. Yet after a few weeks at a secular university, I became intimidated by the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20). I still loved God, but how could I “make disciples of all nations” when I found it hard just to share my faith with my peers? Over the next few years, I prayed for coworkers and attempted to bring some spiritual depth to my conversations—when I felt like it—but ultimately, I graduated feeling like I hadn’t made the most of every opportunity. Fortunately, God is a God of second chances. 

A few years later, I found myself back in the same college town, alongside a group of young adults who visited the campus and held fun events for the students. This group of young adults invited the students to dinners or coffees and listened to the students’ spiritual journeys, which were often nonexistent. Yet, much to my surprise, I learned that most students liked discussing their beliefs. From these chats, over ten chose to turn their lives over to Jesus. I was floored.

In retrospect, I wish I’d put more effort into sharing my faith when I was a student. I could’ve easily asked other students questions about their moral upbringings. And even if I’d been mocked for my beliefs, this life is short-term in the grand scheme of eternity. Being teased by someone is nothing compared to the real persecution that Christians suffer around the world.

Students across the country are surprisingly open-minded, ready to discover themselves and live their own lives. And frankly, a lot of students are severely lonely. Knowing Jesus is the absolute best antidote. 

Perhaps you have any college kids in your life. Or you may live in a university town and are looking for ways to encourage students during this busy back-to-school season. You might be surprised to find that college ministries love older staff on the teams as well. And ultimately, no matter where you go or what you do, God goes before you and is with you always. 

Never forget God is a God of second chances.

Father, thank you for giving me more than second chances. 

Abigail Skelton is from beautiful Southern Oregon, where she grew up with an avid love for Jesus, chocolate, and writing. She has lived in three countries while involved in missionary work and frequently travels and studies foreign languages. You can connect with Abigail on her website: https://abigailskelton.com.

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Unashamed - Martin Wiles

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes. Romans 1:16 NLT

Some things that I was ashamed of growing up, I’m now ashamed I was ashamed of.

Until my middle school years, I was proud of my parents. While they didn’t give me everything I wanted, they gave me all I needed. I never had to wear raggedy clothes or holey shoes. Mom prepared home-cooked meals, and our cabinets were never bare. Although my parents were not lovey-dovey, they always acted in ways that let me know I was loved. Abusive or negative words never flowed from their mouths. They wanted the best for their three sons.

When I reached the teenage years, my attitude changed. Suddenly, feelings of shame over who my parents were arose. I didn’t enjoy telling people my father was a preacher because then they labeled me a “PK.” They expected me to be good all the time. And the rules I had previously willingly obeyed now seemed foolish. Being made to go to church every time the doors were opened didn’t help either. Many of my friends never darkened a church’s doors.

Reflecting now, I’m ashamed that I ever was ashamed of my parents. Unfortunately, I was sometimes ashamed of what Paul proclaims loudly that he isn’t ashamed of: the gospel of Jesus Christ. I didn’t like others to know I was a preacher’s kid. I certainly didn’t flaunt my faith and rarely shared it.

Things changed when I was in my mid-twenties. I adopted Paul’s attitude—and for good reason. The gospel is good news, and people need to hear some good news. After all, bad news is almost all we hear from media sources. Telling people they are loved unconditionally and can be forgiven of their sins is encouraging news worth spreading.

I’m not ashamed to share something that includes an invitation for everyone. God excludes none except those who refuse on their own volition to come. Nor am I ashamed to share something that has eternal consequences. Refusing to accept God’s gospel means an eternity in a less-than-pleasant place.

Sharing news that has the power to change lives is something to be proud of, not ashamed of. When we receive the good news of the gospel, everything changes: our outlook on life, our priorities, our relationships, and our eternity.

Don't be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Father, give me the fortitude to boldly proclaim the best news I could ever share.

 

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Accepting Rejection - Martin Wiles

He did not retaliate when was insulted. When he suffered, he did not threaten to get even. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 1 Peter 2:23 NLT

Accepting rejection is never fun.

Peer pressure is a part of growing up. As a middle school teacher, I’ve watched the lengths students will travel to be accepted—especially new students who want to fit in. Parents spend extra money so kids can have name brand clothes or the most popular tech games. New students sometimes completely change their personalities, trying to become the person they feel their peers want them to be. I watched one student overdose on an over-the-counter drug just to get attention. Some who have no interest in sports play anyway. Others make poor grades just so they won’t be made fun of for being smart.

The only perfect person who ever lived also faced rejection. But Jesus didn’t retaliate, change his personality, or try to become someone else to fit in. He accepted rejection as a part of God’s plan.

Rejection is worth the cost when the cause is admirable. Jesus’ cause was worth everything he had to undergo. He was going to die for our sins. His death would usher in a new existence for those who accepted him as God’s perfect sacrifice.

As a believer and Jesus’ representative, we should expect rejection. And I’ve received it. During middle school, in fact, I was rejected and laughed at by some because of my moral values. I wouldn’t let anyone copy my homework—which I actually viewed as important. I figured if I suffered through the agony of doing it, the lazy students could as well. Nor would I cheat simply to make a good grade.

With God’s wisdom, however, we can process our rejection. If we're rejected because we follow Christ, we can depend on God’s strength to help us accept the rejection—regardless of how much it hurts.

When rejection comes, we can also be assured that God will never reject us. In the scheme of life, the reasons others reject us are often trivial. Our ultimate acceptance must come from God—even if it means being rejected by everyone else. When we're accepted by God, our purpose in life will become clear and our joy will be complete.

Think about whom you seek acceptance from, and at what cost?

Father, remind me that following you is worth any price I might have to pay.

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Models of Christ - Martin Wiles

And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Titus 2:7 NLT

Every male friend I had seemed to enjoy it, but somehow, I didn’t share their enthusiasm.

When I was a pre-teen, putting together model cars was the in thing. Most of my male friends did it and seemed to love it. I looked at the shelves lined with model cars of various styles, shapes, models, and prices and wondered how someone could get so excited about them. I suppose most young men wanted to know how to work on cars. Assembling a model car would give them a chance to learn the various parts of the motor.

Not wanting to be the odd boy out, I bought one and quickly discovered this wasn’t for me. While the finished product was stylish, getting to that point was difficult. Model car glue and super glue were surely related. Parts had to be placed in the correct spot quickly and with no glue on your fingers. After one shabby attempt, I decided I’d get the snap-together type from then on.

Model cars were impressive when assembled correctly, but mine were a poor representation of the real thing. Paul reminds Titus he was a model to those God had called him to teach. He may have been young, but his good works, teaching, and integrity were to model Christ well.

We, too, model Christ. I’m not sure my one cemented together model car was a good representation of the real thing. My life, however, should display a more accurate depiction. Jesus modeled the Father. He said looking at Him was the same as gazing upon the heavenly Father. He was kind, compassionate, empathetic, service-minded, conscientious of others’ needs, and firmly grounded in the Word. When tempted, He was armored to resist the fiery darts of Satan. In times of persecution—even death—for His beliefs, He stood firm.

Constant attention to what kind of models we are is essential. An unfocused mind is a wandering mind—into places, actions, and words that don’t represent Christ well. Distractions will take us where we don’t need to go and, in the process, distort the model others see.

Remember how the Christ who put you together appears. Don’t let someone or something glue pieces where they don’t belong.

Father, give us strength to model Your attributes well before others. 

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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. 

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Pronounced Good - Martin Wiles

Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! Genesis 1:31 NLT

 

I wanted to be pronounced good, but many didn’t.

 

Near the end of my elementary school journey, the unthinkable happened. I knew I couldn’t see well, but I didn’t think anyone else knew. However, my teacher did. I suppose my getting up from the back—where I always sat because my last name began with W—and slithering down the aisle to see what the teacher had written on the blackboard gave it away. My eyes were terrible. She notified my parents, they gave me a home test, and then they took me to the eye doctor—who made the fatal pronouncement: “You need glasses.”

 

I’ve known children and teens who wore fake glasses because they thought they looked good. In the 1960s, no one did this. Young folks didn’t want glasses because their friends would call them “four-eyes.” Contacts weren’t an option, so I had to get the dreaded glasses to see things clearly. Sure enough, many of my friends called me “four-eyes.” That and other labels I received because I was skinny and non-athletic hurt. Some of the sayings I remembered years later.

 

Margaret knew pain like mine. She was a little on the overweight side. I suppose her classmates thought she ate too much—and perhaps she did—but they showed their insensitivity by calling her fat, a stigma that stayed with her until she became an older adult and finally chose to change her eating habits and undergo weight-loss surgery. Even at retirement age, she still remembered the names. And I remember the little jingle, too, that students called those who were overweight: “Fatty fatty two by four, can’t get through the kitchen door.”

 

Thankfully, God doesn’t give labels such as fat or four-eyes. When He finished His work of creation, He pronounced it good. This included the humans He had made. He even went a step further and created us in His image. This makes us different than animals.

 

Low self-esteem doesn’t have to haunt us—nor do the names or labels others give us. God says we are good because He made us. He is our Creator. And on a more personal note, He is the heavenly Father of all who acknowledge His Son as their Savior. 

God doesn’t make junk. We may wonder why God created us as we are, but a reason exists—even if we never know it.

 

Eventually, I learned to see myself as God sees me. Margaret did, too. And so can everyone else who has been labeled with a self-esteem-lowering tag. We’ll look at others through different lenses when we view ourselves as God does. We won’t see faults and flaws, but someone loved by God—and someone whom we should love.

 

Learn to pronounce others as good—and then treat them accordingly.

 

Father, we thank You for making all things good, including us. 

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Shunned - Martin Wiles

When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! Acts 9:26 NLT

Growing up, I was shunned for all the wrong reasons.

Prior to high school, I did my best to live with integrity. I knew God had a plan for me. One would think a good clean-cut kid would have been readily accepted. It didn’t happen. My physique was nothing to brag about. When teams were picked for dodgeball or basketball, the team captains only picked me because they had run out of choices. Neither did my lazy classmates who didn’t like to do their homework or study for their tests enjoy my refusing to let them copy my work. Sometimes I was bullied. At other times, they just shunned me.

Saul planned to destroy this new movement called the Way. After meeting the risen Christ, however, he wanted to share this change with Jesus’ disciples. His anticipation was met with shunning. They didn’t trust him. What if his attempts were merely a ploy to expose believers so he could kill them? 

It is quite common for unbelievers to shun believers. Though Christ mandates us to love unbelievers and offer them an invitation to trust Christ, they often shun us in return—or at least the message we share. Jesus said many would walk the broad road to destruction. He also said believers would be persecuted just as he was.

Shunning can also come from other believers. Perhaps, like these early Christians were with Paul, they’re familiar with our past. They wonder whether we’ve really changed. Can they trust us to teach a class, work with the youth, or date their daughter? Though forgiven by God, our past can hang over our heads like an angry thundercloud.

The good news is that God never shuns those who come to him for forgiveness. When we fail, he continues to give us second chances. Regardless of how others might treat us, we can know we’re always loved and accepted by God.

When others shun you, remember God never will.

Prayer: Father, we thank You for Your forgiveness and for never turning us away when we come to You. 

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Meandering Monday - Intentional Rejection - Martin Wiles

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

If we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. Hebrews 10:26 NLT

Kids can be cruel.

Mattie was new to the school. She and her mom had recently moved to the area. They searched for a school where hopefully Mattie would be accepted and not face the bullying and rejection she had encountered at her previous school.

Mattie looked the same as any other student her age, but her speech gave away the fact she wasn’t. A minor lisp caused her to talk a little differently—a difference immediately noticed. While a few of the students accepted her despite this, most in her class shunned her. She walked alone in the hallways and sat solo in the lunchroom—a book often her only friend. Few took the time to know her. They were too worried about what their friends would say if they hung around with the new girl . . . the different girl. Unfortunately, Mattie faced the same intentional rejection she had felt at her previous school.

First-century Christians were warned against intentionally rejecting the gospel message of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Early missionaries spread the word across the known world. Turning to Christ was the only available opportunity to be rescued from sin’s fatal consequences.

As the product of a Christian home, I heard the same truth long before I could ever understand it. But the time arrived when it began to sink in. Since I understood and had heard, I had a choice: accept it or turn my back on it. Had I chosen to turn away, there would have been no other choice. Like Mattie’s classmates, I would have intentionally rejected another person. By not choosing God’s path, I would automatically choose the broad way leading to destruction.

God only provides one path to him: Jesus. Hearing this but shunning it leaves us with no other options. No further sacrifice is on the horizon; Jesus was it. Rejecting what God has done leaves us in a very precarious situation.

What have you done with God’s sacrifice?

Prayer: Father, we praise You for making the ultimate and final sacrifice for our sins. 

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Integrity over Popularity - Martin Wiles

If I have done something worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die. But if I am innocent, no one has a right to turn me over to these men to kill me. Acts 25:11 NLT

Of the many students who didn’t, he chose integrity over popularity.

Jason appeared to be a loner when he came to our school. On field day, he rarely attended. When I asked his older brother why, he said he just didn’t enjoy such activities. Nor did Jason ever attend our end-of-the-year party at the local bowling alley. During lunch, we often watched him sit by himself. We felt sorry for him, but he enjoyed being alone. 

A part of why Jason stayed to himself was that he enjoyed it that way. Give him a book to read, and he was set for the day. But integrity also drove him to be alone. Some of his classmates involved themselves in actions and spoke words that Jason didn’t agree with. He belonged to a Christian family, and his parents had taught him Christian principles. He wanted to follow them, so he merely chose to stay away from temptation to maintain his integrity.

Paul chose integrity as well. He was in prison and experiencing false accusations. It appeared he had no choice but to appeal to Caesar in Rome, the highest authority. And he did.

Integrity does the right thing when everyone looks and when no one looks. Peer pressure is real. Jason experienced it. So did Paul. I have, too. And it doesn’t stop when we finish school. It lingers into college…work…life. Some will always tempt us to do the wrong thing. We can follow the crowd, which chooses wrong regularly, or we can choose God’s principles.

When we choose integrity, some will disown us, as many did Jason … and me when I was in middle school. Jesus didn’t compromise His integrity for popularity with people. When He confronted the crowds with God’s principles, some believed, but most rejected Him. Some hated Him so much for His stand that they took Him to a cross.

Only God can give us the strength to say “No” when we need to—or to look the other way when we should. Making up our mind to do right ahead of time is also important. Waiting until we’re in the heat of the temptation to decide usually leads to failure.

Make up your mind to choose integrity over popularity.

Prayer: Father, give us the strength to stand for Your principles even when many others don’t.

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Pressured - Martin Wiles

"Now’s your opportunity!” David’s men whispered to him. “Today the Lord is telling you, ‘I will certainly put your enemy into your power, to do with as you wish.’” 1 Samuel 24:4 NLT

Pressure surrounded him, but he never gave in.

Jeff and I began working together in a metal fabrication plant not long after we both had graduated from high school. He worked in the quality control department while I worked in the warehouse. But Jeff’s office was smack in the middle of the warehouse I worked in.

Jeff’s job involved inspecting each part that came into the plant … parts that workers would use to assemble various engineering projects … parts that engineers would then ship to other plants where they would be used for other purposes. Jeff felt the pressure of making sure the parts were up to par and matched manufacturing specs.

But Jeff faced other pressures, too. Almost everyone he interacted with was chained by some addictive substance. We were living through two decades where such substances were almost the norm. Jeff never gave in to the pressure to conform. Many of these same folks cheated on wives, had sex before marriage, cursed, told dirty jokes. You name it, someone whom Jeff and I worked with probably did it. Not Jeff.

In spite of the work pressure and the other pressures that surrounded Jeff, he never caved in. I can’t say the same.

Jeff imitated David. Having been secretly anointed as the next king, David ran from the current king who was jealous of David’s military conquests. As David and his men hid in a cave, King Saul entered to relieve himself. David’s men pressured him to kill the king. God had served the king up on a silver platter for David. But David refused to give in to their pressure.

What pressures us may be neutral—neither good nor bad. This makes situations even more complicated. When such circumstances occur, timing comes into play. David knew God willed for him to take the kingship, but this wasn’t the right time. So, he refrained from killing the king and waited on God to take care of the rebellious ruler. Eventually, God did.

Through prayer and the study of God’s Word, we can not only determine God’s will but we can also figure the timing of God’s plan. Others, although unintentionally, may not give us good advice.

If the pressure involves actions or attitudes that violate God’s principles, we don’t have to pray about our response or look to God’s Word for guidance. Our answer should be the same as my friend’s when he was pressured by those who invited him into their ungodly ways: “No.” God can also give us the strength to say that.

When pressure comes—from whatever source—look to God for direction and courage.

Prayer: Father, help us to stand firm when we are pressured to disobey You.

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Flashback Friday - Rejection Hurts - Martin Wiles

Rejection Hurts

But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate. Mark 6:11 NLT

They were told not to move, but what if moving would quell another’s loneliness and feelings of rejection?

Lunchroom rules state a student must remain in the same seat. No getting up or changing places. New students often feel uncomfortable regardless of where they sit, especially if they don’t know anyone—and *Scarlet didn’t. One student, however, took the initiative to break the rule. I assumed she was coming to ask permission to go to the bathroom or her locker. Imagine my surprise when instead she asked, “Dr. Wiles, can me and ____ go and sit by the new girl. She’s sitting by herself?” Last year, she had been the new girl. I suppose she knew how rejection felt and didn’t want someone else to experience what she had tasted. An honorable act of intervention. Read more...

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