Walking Together

 

“I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.”

—2 Timothy 1:3

We all need someone to mentor us in our walk with Christ. Yes, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us. We also have God’s written Word to instruct us in right living. But, there is something very special and very useful to have someone be willing to share his or her faith experience with us to offer us guidance in our own Christian walk.

We can learn from the example of the Apostle Paul who mentored his son in the faith, Timothy. Two of Paul’s letters—his epistles—bear Timothy’s name. Paul wrote words of admonition and encouragement to Timothy, as Timothy went out to serve as a spiritual leader. Notice the inherent power and also the inherent humility and inherent openness we find in these words of Paul to Timothy from 2 Timothy 1:3-14:

I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.

Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner.

Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

How fortunate we are that God has preserved Paul’s words of counsel. We are all “Timothys” in need of this instruction. Thus, Paul can mentor us. His words can give us a reality check against which we can measure the words of any other current mentor.

When God choses to give us a mentor, let’s gratefully and eagerly seek the instruction our mentor might choose to share with us. And, we should be quick to express our appreciation to anyone who obediently offers us godly counsel.

Let us go out into this day with the same surety of Paul and Timothy, knowing that God has chosen us to be objects of His unfailing love. And, let us boldly—but humbly and gently—share what God has done for us with those who cross our path this day.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Tuesday, April 21, 2015

_{Copyright © 2024 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Poor Little Me

 

“Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth”

—Isaiah 49:13a

I confess that I don’t always feel joyful. In fact, most of the time people around me observe that I’m a “Gloomy Gus.” They would suggest that I walk around feeling sorry for myself, angry at the world, grumpy, miserable, and depressed. At least to them, that seems to be my most natural disposition. In fact, that’s the way my disposition appears to me when I try to examine myself: “Poor Little Me!” Yet, I can’t help having to stifle a chuckle when I hear a particular children’s rhyme in my head:

Nobody loves me!
Everybody hates me!
Guess I’ll go eat worms!

Of course the rhyme is not true. While many people don’t seem to like me very much, others seem blissfully unaware of what a wretch I am and a very few people even seem to enjoy my company. These ones appear to feel that time spent with me is worthwhile, even pleasurable. The best news of all is that God loves me! And, do you know what? God loves you, too. As the Prophet Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 49:13, 16:

Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.

Imagine that! God has engraved our names on the palms of His hands! He obviously loves us!

So, I will strive more, work harder, and concentrate more to put away my gloom. I will stop being such a grump. I will lift my eyes to the Lord. And, I will even be so bold as to invite you to join me. This day, and every day, let’s rejoice in Him!

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Monday, April 20, 2015

_{Copyright © 2024 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Full Steam Ahead in the Right Direction

 

“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you…”

—Isaiah 48:17b

Many people wander through life being pulled this way or that way by the ever-changing wind of the current cultural trends. It’s a full-time job keeping up with all of the changing trends. Even staying up-to-date with the latest “insider language” can take a significant amount of time.

With our current ever-widening political divide here in the United States, it has become even more difficult to try to discern which of the cultural trends are worth our time and which are mere momentary hyperbole. I suspect this may become even more difficult before it begins to swing back to a more neutral and more appropriate direction.

As Christians, we have a distinct advantage. God is the One who lovingly opens up the pathway He has for us each day. The Prophet Isaiah reminds us of this fact in Isaiah 48:17:

This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”

As followers of Jesus and believers in God’s overwhelming love and grace, let us gratefully follow God’s leading in our lives today. Let us be aware of those moments when the Holy Spirit nudges us to change direction. Let’s rejoice that the God who loves us gladly and continually points us toward the right path. Then, let’s move full steam ahead in the right direction.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Friday, April 17, 2015

_{Copyright © 2024 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

A Generous Seed

 

“These women were helping to support them out of their own means.”

—Luke 8:3

Please allow me to begin this blog post by relating this long-ago event:

“Come with me, Dean.”

Paul Colburn was an amazing man. Quiet, humble, extremely careful and precise, Paul had pulled himself up from humble beginnings. He used the GI Bill after World War II to put himself through a jewelers’ school and opened a very tiny watch repair business in a remodeled front porch of his house.

By the late 1950s, Paul had done well enough that he could build a modern two-story building in a shopping district a few blocks from his original location. Paul and his wife lived on the second floor and operated an expanded full-service jewelry store on the first floor.

In early 1960, Paul asked me if I wanted a job. I had been working two doors down the block at a boat store, wiring boats. But, the end of summer put an end to boating season and an end to my job.

So, I began to work for Paul: engraving trophies, bracelets, and watches; doing some simple repairs on Westclock Big Ben and Little Ben clocks; shoveling snow; washing windows; sweeping floors; and doing inventory.

On this day, a few days before Thanksgiving, Paul led me into the garage behind the store. Twelve big boxes of groceries were lined up along one wall. We loaded the groceries into Paul’s car and pulled into the alley, and then onto East Main Street.

The first house we stopped at was barely more than a shack. The minute we stepped through the door, the stench of poverty assailed my nostrils. We carefully set two boxes of groceries down on the dirty linoleum flooring. Paul said a few words to the woman who stood there surrounded by four small children.

We repeated this at several houses until we had delivered all the boxes of groceries. At each stop we encountered families very much in need of help. It was an eye-opening experience for me.

I sat beside Paul in stunned silence as we drove back to the store. While I personally lived in very modest circumstances, compared to the families we visited that day, I lived in unimaginable luxury.

“Thanks!” Paul said simply. “To whom much has been given, much is required …” he concluded, quoting Luke 12:48.

I have never forgotten that day. It motivated me to hold all that I have in an open hand. (It also got me in trouble when my generosity exceeded my means—but that’s a story I’ve narrated in another blog post.)

God wants those whom He has called to Himself to be His dearly loved children to be quick to help others who are truly in need. Notice what Dr. Luke wrote in Luke 8:1-3:

After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary called Magdalene from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

Here we see that these women, who became devoted followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, graciously provided financial support from their own resources. Their generosity helped Jesus and His disciples minister without having to worry about their financial needs.

Scripture teaches us “Christ’s-ones” (Christians) many lessons. Among those lessons is to quickly move to help those who genuinely need help.

What a blessing it is for us to cheerfully and joyfully comply with these wishes of our Great King. Let’s not hesistate to move swiftly when we encounter someone who genuinely needs our help.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Thursday, April 16, 2015

_{Copyright © 2024 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Before We Sleep

 

“By day the Lord directs his love”

—Psalm 42:8a

To begin this blog post, please allow me to ask you these questions:

• After you pray, how do you end your day?
  
  
• You’ve spent some time talking to God and reviewing your day. You’ve settled in, adjusted your pillow, snuggled into the covers, now what’s next?
  
  

In offering an answer to these questions, I have a suggestion for you and me. But first, let’s consider these words from Psalm 42:8:

By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life.

I strongly believe that God wants our nighttime sleep to be peaceful, restful, and restorative. So, here’s my suggestion:

One of the best things we can do as we prepare to drift off to sleep is to use our SmartPhone, or tablet, or laptop computer to listen to the late Bill Pearce and his wonderful program “Nightsounds.”

“Nightsounds” is surely one of the very best nighttime radio programs ever produced. It features an amazing musician and Christian radio personality. From the opening strains of Claude Debussy’s Beau Soir to the closing musical notes 30 minutes later, you will find this program relaxing, peaceful, and enjoyable.

Let’s try it for just one night. If you join me in this experience, I think you will find it just the perfect way to drift off to a peaceful and restful night’s sleep. To begin this nightime journey with me, just click the link below.

http://www.nightsoundsradio.org/

I feel certain that you will find this 30-minute program very helpful in preparing for a restful night’s sleep.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Wednesday, April 15, 2015

_{Copyright © 2024 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Rules We Can Trust

 

“Do good to your servant according to your word, Lord.”

—Psalm 119:65

A popular commentary of our culture was spray-painted in an elaborate font on the building’s wall by a talented graffiti artist. Like the sign at the beginning of this blog post, the graffiti read: “No Rules!”

We live at a time when lawlessness is celebrated by Millennials, Gen-Zs, and others, probably because our democratic society has become overrun with oppressive regulations. At every turn, the government imposes boundaries intended to shape us into compliant, non-thinking sheep. And frankly, most of us comply, even though we don’t like it!

In the Kingdom of God, His rules are viewed as just, fair, and righteous. God has given us direction in His written Word that will result in our lives lived well. The Psalmist spends a good deal of his poetry in Psalm 119—the longest Psalm in the Bible—praising God for His guidance. Notice these words from Psalm 119:65-66:

Do good to your servant according to your word, Lord. Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands.

Let us join the Psalmist in celebrating God’s instruction this new day. Let us express gratitude for the Holy Spirit, who comes along side us to guide us along the pathway that God has laid out before us. Let us rejoice that, while we sinners are simply not capable of perfect obedience, our Savior lived a life of total obedience, even when it led to His death in our place on the cross. Let us rise up this day, with great joy, to obediently follow the pathway God has laid out before us. And, as a result, may we experience a freedom that no absence of rules could ever provide.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Tuesday, April 14, 2015

_{Copyright © 2024 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Generously Sharing

 

“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.”

—Proverbs 22:7

One day, more than 20 years ago, I arrived home with a heavy heart. My desk was littered with bills that I could not pay. With God’s help, I had spent the previous decade digging myself out of an enormous credit card debt—well over $100,000. Most of that horrible debt came from time after time when I stepped forward to help someone in need: offering money I did not really have. Using my eleven credit cards, I bankrolled numerous projects at my church. I helped other organizations I was a part of purchase needed supplies. Soon, my debt had mounted so that I struggled to even pay the interest each month.

• A dear friend wanted to start a radio ministry? I bought all of the equipment he needed with one of my credit cards.
  
  
• Another friend had a death in her family and needed to fly to California to attend the funeral? I quickly bought her an airline ticket.
  
  
• The church I attended at the time needed to remodel the sound system? Of course, I bought and donated the equipment.
  
  
• A friend’s son could not afford to purchase his college textbooks? I called the college bookstore and give them one of my credit cards.
  
  
• Another friend had needed car repairs. Without a car, he could not find transportation to his work and he would lose his job. I stepped forward and paid well over a thousand dollars in repair costs.
  
  
• Medical expenses plagued another friend. She couldn’t afford the co-pay on her hospital stay. I offered one of my credit cards to settle the hospital bill.
  
  
• Over and over again, for what seemed at the time as the most honorable of reasons, I dug myself ever deeper in debt.
  
  

When my credit card debt finally overwhelmed me, I cut them up and determined that, with God’s help, I would crawl out of debt and never become indebted again. After ten long years of fighting my way out from under the weight of that debt, I had finally reached the point where I had one last card to pay off.

But, my health had begun to fail. I had more bills than I had money. I did not want to go backwards into debt. I arrived home that night feeling so discouraged.

As I looked through the mail, fearing that it might contain yet another bill, I came across a letter with an unfamiliar return address. I opened it to find a handwritten note and a check for $5,000.

Dear Dean,

My wife is writing this note for me, as I now suffer from Parkinson’s disease. I was thinking just the other day of that wonderful seminar you gave my employees several years ago. I feel as if I never had the chance to express the depth of my gratitude for the excellent and professional way you covered such complex subjects and made them so understandable for my valuable employees. I hope you will accept this small check as my “Thank You.”

To say the least, I was stunned. I stared at that check and my eyes flooded with tears. That gracious gift enabled me to pay my bills and stay on track reducing my credit card debt until it was fully and finally totally eliminated. The sender knew nothing of my circumstances. The seminar he spoke of had taken place more than five years before. Since that time, I’d had no contact with this individual. Nevertheless, God knew my genuine need and used this generous man as an instrument of His grace.

King Solomon has offered these relevant words in Proverbs 22:7-9:

The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken. The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.

As a new day begins and we start our day in prayer, let’s ask God if He will open ways for us to share generously with those who genuinely need help. Even if our current circumstances limit our ability to give generously of our material possessions, let’s give those in genuine need a friendly smile, a warm embrace, a kind word, a loving encouragement, and our sincere and fervent prayers. Let us remember the God who, in our deep need, sought us and bought us with the redeeming blood of His precious Son, Jesus. And, let us determine to show that same God-breathed love to others.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Monday, April 13, 2015

_{Copyright © 2024 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}