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Psalm 37:3

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 6, 2021
 
Psalm 37:1 Of David. “Fret not yourself because of evildoers;” instead, “Trust in the Lord and do good” Psalm 37:3.
[In the face of evildoers and workers of iniquity mentioned in verses 1 & 2, we have these two commands.
 
First, trust in the Lord. That means we have to lay aside our natural desire to focus on these evil people and their negative actions. Instead we are to willfully look away to the Lord, our Rock, our Fortress, our Deliverer, our Shield and High Tower.
These evil people are nothing in contrast to Him. We must remember that He is our security and significance, that the difficult situation before us is not a problem–but an adventure with Him, if we choose to view it so.
 
When we move into this truth, a lot of negatives drop away and we can dwell in the Light and Truth He gives us.
Then, second, we are to do good in the face of evil. This is certainly a worldview shift away from what is natural. It is a supernatural worldview.
The first good we can do is to forgive those who have done evil. I think of the recent incident where an ex-police white woman came home to find an African-American man in her kitchen. She shot and killed him. Only it turned out that it wasn’t her kitchen, but his; she’d gone into the wrong apartment!
At the end of her trial where she was found guilty of murder, after her sentencing the 22 year old brother of the murdered man got up, went to her, told her he forgave her and gave her a hug. Then he begged her to open her heart to Jesus and be born again! And the judge gave her his own Bible!
How different from the world’s way! Compare that to the shootings of the last year where everything devolved into riots, destruction and bitterness. God’s way is much better, bringing healing rather than ever deepening hurt.
Beyond forgiving, each situation may offer a different opportunity to do good. It may be confronting the person in love and firmness. It may be letting go and moving on, which we can only do if we have forgiven the person. It may be praying consistently for that person’s salvation. It may be doing some good deed for him. We need to ask for wisdom in what good we can do.
 
And when we do such good to those who harm us, watch out ,for God is going to use this for some greater good!
May be an image of flower and nature
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Let Go, Hold On, Rise Above

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 5, 2021
As I watch our country going down the drain, I have a natural tendency to complain. Right before us there are surges in crime and refusal to prosecute criminals, strong support for abortion, immorality exalted, religious freedom being eroded, free speech attacked, the cancel culture shutting many down, a great shift to the left, the teaching of marxism in schools, the sexualizing of little children in school and the list goes on.
 
How should we as followers of Jesus respond to these situations? The author of Psalm 73, Asaph, struggled unsuccessfully to understand the evil of his day, the prosperity of the wicked, and the injustice to the poor and defenseless.
 
He said, “When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me” (v. 16). I can identify with this feeling. In our human understanding, all the evil, tragedy, terror, and problems that come from Satan’s work and men’s corrupt hearts are at times overwhelming and incomprehensible.
 
But Asaph then looked to God and found an answer: “. . . it was oppressive to me, till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.” When Asaph looked away to God in worship, then he got the big picture of what God was doing.
 
This is an important key: When we look away to God, spending time in worship, we get His perspective. We can better understand how God is using the outworking of sin and Satan’s evil works, all the tragedy, suffering, and turmoil in the world to work out His plan. He is working to:
• sweep millions into His kingdom
• bring believers to maturity
• make their testimonies more powerful
• bring judgment on evil
• bring history to a conclusion
• and, in the end, wipe out evil.
 
So now when I hear of all the terrible things happening in the world, when events threaten to overwhelm me, I do grieve for those suffering. I do pray for them (we should be using the news as part of our prayer matter).
 
But I no longer let this weigh on me because I now see it in the larger framework of how God is using these events to bring many into His kingdom and to bring history to His desired conclusion.
 
So I say this phrase to myself, “God is moving history to a conclusion and taking us with us him–so it’s ok!
 
I no longer carry the burden of the world on my shoulders; I do not get worked up about “the wrong person being elected” or “the wrong bill being passed.” I pray about it, perhaps write to my senator, and certainly vote when the opportunity comes, as well as give, help, and get involved in any other way the Lord may direct me to.
 
But I know that God has His plans in allowing and sometimes sending such things. I can trust Him to do what is right and good, even though I can’t understand it now.
 
I flee to the eternal perspective of Colossians 3:3-4, “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” God is moving things to an end and will appear! He has things in hand! He’s fitting everything into His plan!
 
He is moving history to a conclusion and taking us with Him! I can let go of what bothers me, hold on to this great truth and rise above the crumbling of culture around me.
 
Our part is to worship, pray, and trust our great God — and to be involved as He directs. (In no way do I believe we should try to avoid taking responsibility!). We need to find our joy in Jesus, not in having things go well in the world!
May be an image of text that says 'GODS MOVING HISTORY TO A CONCLUSION AND IS TAKING us WITH HIM COLOSSIANS3:4 PSALMS 1S 50.23 Ps'
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(Untitled)

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 4, 2021
Last installment of the add-on Eskimo
 
The young teacher got down on his knees in that dark arctic December night and prayed, “Lord, I give you my will and take yours in its place.” Nothing happened, so he to bed.
 
The next morning as he awoke, however, for the first time in weeks he had hope in his heart. It was like a luminescent pearl rising from his heart to his mind. He leaped up, threw on his clothes and ran over to the principal teacher’s house.
“Guess what!” he exclaimed, “I’ve become a Christian!”
 
“Great, how about some orange juice?” replied the principal. This great step in the young teacher’s life meant nothing to him.
However, the Eskimo kindergarten and first grade teacher (pictured below), who was a fine believer, was there and said, “Come and tell me about it!” And she encouraged the young teacher in his new faith.
 
Back home in the afternoon, after teaching that Monday, he said to himself, “OK, now I am a true follower of Jesus, what do I do?” It was not exactly a prayer, but God answered it the next day anyway.
 
Dave, the Wycliffe Bible translator working in the village of Sivukuk, came to visit Savoonga with an Eskimo friend. He stayed the night with the young teacher and answered all his questions! This was the first God sighting for the teacher after his surrendering to Christ—the first of many, many God-sightings in his life.
 
On Wednesday evening he went to the prayer meeting in the village church where they sang the same hymns that the young teacher’s church in Connecticut had used. The words then had been dry and dusty but now they were suddenly full of life and meaning. It was like there were flowers growing out of every line!
 
Things were light and lovely, empowered and encouraging.
It was literally a new life, one which over the next decades would continue to move upward and onward as the young teacher married and moved to the Middle East where he and his family shared about Jesus in a hostile context. And Jesus was always there, bringing transformation in many lives.
 
So, the story had come full circle. The prophesied outsider, Mr. Campbell, had brought the message of hope to the island of Sivukuk, which transformed Kalowi, Ayit, his family. As they added to their faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, brotherly kindness and God’s love, many others on the island and in Siberia came to accept Christ as their great Boat Captain, surrendering to Him as their Lord and Savior.
And now that message of salvation in Christ alone was passed on through the Eskimos to another outsider, the young teacher, bringing him to the same full surrender and transformation.
The teacher’s conversion was also the fulfillment of another prophecy. Psalm 139:9-10 says: “If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
As the island of Sivukuk was right next to the international date line, it was literally the uttermost part of the sea and there God’s faithful hand had guided the young teacher into His Kingdom! Now it was up to him to become an Add-on Believer.
 
Picture: Eskimo teacher who helped the young teacher in his new faith
 
May be an image of 1 person and standing
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Number Seven!

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 3, 2021
Seven Secrets of Happiness, final
 
Today many people are unhappy, worried about Covid 19, the riots, the unrest, the uncertain future. Everything is out of our control!
 
However, in the midst of this we can actually find a place of rest if we use the seven secrets of happiness, for utilizing these secrets are within our control. To review, they are:
 
1) Cultivate an attitude of gratitude; count your many blessings, of which we have many, including being able to see, hear, walk and talk.
 
2) Compare down; look at those in a worse situation than your and be glad for what you have.
 
3) Learn to distinguish between wants and needs. Advertizing tries to turn our wants into needs. But all we actually need is food, air, water, shelter, and relationships.
 
4) Be responsible: do what you should and you will avoid the emotional drain of irresponsibility—for example, take a shower, eat, sleep and exercise well.
 
5) Speak the truth. You never have to try and remember what you said; you will never be caught in a web of lies.
 
6) Forgive others. Holding a grudge is harmful on every level. Forgiving frees you to leave the past behind and move into the future with happiness.
 
7)And then, the most important, most powerful and longest lasting secret of happiness: Get to know God better. The more we know him, the happier we will be.
And getting to know God better can take us beyond happiness, which is dependent on circumstances, into a deep and broad joy which is dependent upon the character of the Lord Jesus Christ.
 
Taking dedicated time to get to know God better has certainly been the most significant thing I’ve done in life, for it is transforming.
 
As it says in 2Co 3:18 “And we all, who with unveiled faces CONTEMPLATE the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. “
 
Read your Bible daily, talk with God each morning and through the day. Memorize Scripture so you can think like him. This will lead to transformation: Rom 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. “
 
Be honest with Him about your failures and receive His forgiveness. Be a regular part of your church, committed to attending not just to get, but to give to others, to be God’s channel of love.
 
As you get to know Him, He will be at work transforming you with Truth! “Find rest my soul in God alone,
for my hope comes from Him.
He only is my rock, my salvation, my high tower
[as long as I remain in Him] I will never be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God,
my mighty Rock and my Refuge.” Psalm 62:5-6
 
Yes the greatest source of happiness and joy, is getting to know the Lord Jesus Christ better! Make it intentional, daily and deep.
 
May be an image of text
 
 
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The Seven Secrets of Happiness Part 3

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 2, 2021
 
Here are two more “secrets” to help you.
 
5. Speak the truth:
 
Lying leads to confusion for all involved; it destroys trust; it robs the liar and the “lied to” of the dignity we each are given by God.
 
To lie ensnares. The Germans have a saying, “Lies have short legs,” they can’t run far and will be caught. Being caught certainly decreases our happiness!
 
In contrast to speak the truth in love is freeing. We no longer have to fear we will be caught, nor do we have the stress of trying to remember what we told to whom. We can look at ourselves in the mirror without shame.
 
Being a truth-speaker will make you happier—and healthier–like this open and honest young man here in this picture.
 
May be an image of 1 person, child and outdoors
6. Forgive others:
 
Forgiveness is the highest form of obedience to God, as it a very unnatural thing to do.
 
To forgive is freeing, while holding a grudge, not forgiving does more damage to ourselves than to others. Unforgiveness unnecessarily destroys relationships and brings unhappiness to all.
 
To refuse to forgive is like taking rat poison and waiting for the other person to die. If I don’t forgive, I tie myself to the person who harmed me: every time I think of him or her my stomach gets into knots; when I see that person I try to avoid him. He actually controls me!
 
This can lead to many problems, like too much stress, illnesses, other broken relationships and, of course, much unhappiness.
 
I must also be willing to forgive myself, which is sometimes harder than forgiving others. If Jesus says his death is sufficient to purchase forgiveness for me, who am I to say it wasn’t enough?
 
To forgive is to please God and it is to set myself free to have good relationships like in this second picture. It allows us to better serve God, and in that freedom, God will give us happiness.
 
May be an image of 1 person, child, sitting and indoor
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The Seven Secrets of Happiness, Part 2.

Published by S.M. Wibberley on August 1, 2021
3. Distinguish between wants and needs:
 
Advertising seeks to make our wants appear to be needs. Our needs are actually few: food and water, air, shelter and meaningful relationships. Most things beyond that are wants which we can actually do without.
 
If we know that we have our actual needs met, and that our wants are actually optional, then we should be able to be more content with what we have–unlike the eager eaters in the picture below: they never have enough, always wanting more.
 
A sign that we have confused needs with wants is the often-used statement to justify an unwise decision, “I had no choice,” (for instance, “I had to buy a new car because it’s expected of me by my neighbors”). This is rarely true; this is the cry of the victim. It shows I tell myself that I had to do it but actually just wanted to.
 
This attitude makes us a slave to the opinions of those around us rather than looking at things objectively, biblically.
 
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Ps. 23:1 He will give us what we need.
 
So reject thinking your wants are needs. Make yourself happy: be thankful your needs are met and be grateful for whatever else you are able to have, rather than being greedy for more and more.
 
4. Do what you should:
 
When we avoid responsibility, we may gain temporary happiness, but get long-term unhappiness. The person who does what he should, even though he feels like doing the opposite, is much happier than the person who indulges himself in some momentary pleasure while avoiding a responsibility.
 
Avoidance of responsibility is often seen in the phrase, “I wasn’t able to get it done,” while actually the truth is, “I chose not to do it.” I remember one student telling me, “I was unable to do my homework.” When I asked why he replied, “I had to go to a football game!”
 
Do the basics in life: make your bed, clear the table, mow the lawn, wash the dishes and spend time with your children and grandchildren. Such things will make your happier than pursuing your own irresponsible desires.
 
 
May be an image of animal and food     May be an image of 2 people, people standing and grass
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(Untitled)

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 31, 2021
Working Through the Impossible
 
Two weeks later we were at IMI’s candidate school in New Jersey. However, with a newborn to care for and the tire business booming, we could not attend the whole candidate school program at this time. So we were invited to come for our initial interviews, which would provide us with a provisional acceptance so we could begin deputation.
 
Our theological interview included giving IMI an overview of our life, which provided a clear illustration of how God had us working as a team. I had no formal biblical training, while Barbara had been an excellent student at a Bible school in Germany. Every question I could not have answered was directed to Barbara, who knew what to say. She made us look really good. Any questions I was asked, I was able to answer from my own personal studies. The Lord worked it out well!
 
Normally a candidate for IMI had to have thirty hours of Bible teaching, but when we took the Bible knowledge test, both of us passed it with flying colors, so the requirement was waived for me.
 
At the end of our interview someone commented on how good Barbara’s Bible knowledge was. “Yes,” I said, “She is my walking concordance!”
 
“What a beautiful concordance,” commented one man.
 
“Let us pray,” said the president, drawing the interview to a close.
 
That summer of 1978 was very busy: the tire business continued to expand rapidly, we now had two little ones, and as we were officially accepted by IMI, we began seeking church support.
 
It was also a summer of tension, because I explained to Dad our plans to live and work abroad. This was a difficult piece of news for him, both to hear and to accept. Not only would this affect his financial future, but because I was his closest friend, he would be losing the companionship we shared in doing a lot of activities and projects together.
 
Then there was the loss of his two grand boys to consider. All of these changes would cause a major shift in his life, pulling the rug out from under what had been a secure, comfortable-looking future for him and Mom.
 
After his initial shock, he stated firmly that he would only allow us to go if one of my brothers stepped in to take my place running the business.
 
Of course, “allowing” was not the proper word, as I was thirty-two, a married man and no longer under Dad’s authority. But we knew biblically that honoring him by leaving with his blessing, was crucial to the process, so I acquiesced to his demand.
 
This would seem a pretty safe route for Dad to take, because the likelihood of one of my brothers taking my place was pretty slim. My brother Les was a computer scientist living in Ohio. My brother Sam had left His Mansion and was doing a church plant in a nearby town. To support himself, Sam was now working at a lumberyard and had no interest in the tire shop.
 
Another factor was that Sam and Dad had a history of conflict. Sam was a free spirit, more of an artist than a businessman and he and Dad had different views of how to handle finances.
 
Barbara and I decided just to back off, wait and pray; the Lord would bring a solution if He wanted us to go.
I was very glad that IMI had a policy of not asking for money. When we spoke in churches, we were to present the work, the spiritual need and ask for prayer, but not mention money unless it was brought up by others. This meant dependence on God, not twisting people’s arms. I liked that.
 
I later saw from others’ experience that when people agree to support because they felt under pressure, they often don’t follow through. It is much better to let God move people to come forward and pledge.
 
After a bit of experimenting, we developed a presentation ending with this statement to the congregation: “We need two things from you. First is prayer. Without prayer nothing of significance can happen. As you pray, God will work.
 
“The second is…” and I would pause here for effect: people were expecting me to say “money” or “support” but I continued with “…more prayer, because if you pray for us God will do the rest!” And so He did.

Picture 1: our little hippy famly ready to visit churches!

Picture 2: Dad with our older boy

May be a black-and-white image of 3 people, child and people standing     May be an image of 1 person, child, sitting and outdoors
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The Seven Secrets of Happiness part 1

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 30, 2021
When I was teaching English in the University in T, I developed a lesson on “the Seven Secrets of Happiness.” These are true for everyone. You will note that they are biblical principles and therefore profitable if we implement them.
 
Happiness is tied to our circumstances while joy is tied to our God. We can choose happiness by applying these seven secrets. And we can choose joy by trusting God: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace AS YOU TRUST IN HIM, so that your life may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13. Let us choose both.
 
I will give you a couple of the Seven Secrets of Happiness each day for a while. Try them and see what a difference it makes in your outlook.
 
1. Count your blessings:
 
Have an attitude of gratitude. It is so natural to think about what we don’t have. In contrast, each of us has many good things in our lives that we never think about: sight, hearing, hands that work marvelously and feet that support us, to name a few.
 
Each morning the sun comes up; each night it gets dark giving us time to rest. Most here have clothes to wear and food to eat along with a place to sleep. Most of us can read and write. Most of us have some friends, the ability to share with them.
 
Each of us have something that we are good at. And the list goes on. When you are tempted to complain, tell yourself ten things you are thankful for.
 
2. Compare down:
 
It is natural to compare ourselves with those better off than we are. If I have a bicycle, I compare myself to the person who has a car. If I have a Chevy, I look at the man who has a Mercedes, if I have middle range job, I look to the person who is an executive.
 
However, if we do the opposite, comparing down, comparing ourselves with those worse off, then we get a much better perspective. Look at those living in Afghanistan or Sudan or Syria who have lost everything.
 
Look at the person with no feet, or no sight, or no hearing.
 
When you are unhappy about the weather, think of the person living in India where the temperature in 130 degrees with much humidity, no air conditioning and often there is no electricity to run any fans. 90 doesn’t seem that bad a temperature!
 
Comparing down brings perspective and should stimulate us to be thankful for what we have, reinforcing an attitude of gratitude.
, which leads us to happiness. Give it a try.
 
Choose the happiness God has for you!
May be an image of flower and nature
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Collision with Faith

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 29, 2021
Written in the 1980s
 
“He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. Psalm 18:30b
 
This morning two believing ladies came to Barbara for a Bible study where she taught a lesson on the importance of thanking God in and for all things (Ps. 50:23). Barbara emphasized that only good things come from God, but at times He also allows Satan to bring along a seemingly bad thing so God can work some good from it in our lives.
 
I arrived home from teaching at the university at about 1 pm, just as they were finishing the lesson, so Barbara asked me to drive one of them, Nadia, down to the local share taxi stop because this was the first time she’d come by herself and she wasn’t quite sure of the way.
 
Since the main road was very busy, I drove to the other side so Nadia wouldn’t have to cross. I explained this to her and pointed out where she should wait for the share taxi. But, when she got out of the car, she began to cross the road; somehow she had it in her mind that she was on the wrong side. I was now waiting at the red light to cross and called her to come back and wait.
 
Instead of coming back, for some reason she hesitated and went first one way and then the other, not aware of a truck that was rapidly bearing down on her.
 
I could see the accident coming, but could do nothing to prevent it. The driver obviously expected Nadia to get out of the way because he just flashed his lights and kept coming, but she had her back to him, and then “wham,” he hit her. She flew into the air and landed in a crumpled heap on the pavement.
 
I shouted “Oh, no!” and leaped out of the car, running to her side. I was sure she was dead from that tremendous impact. However, she only had the wind knocked out of her and was conscious. With the help of others, I carried her to my car and took her to the hospital. She was spitting blood and moaning, while at the same time thanking me for helping her and apologizing for causing me trouble! It turned out that there were no broken bones, only bruises.
 
Such an incident is hard to thank God for, but he brought several good things out of this. The first, and somewhat comical, was that her crooked nose was straightened out by the impact!
 
More importantly, God used the accident to heal some broken relationships. Because Nadia and her family had become Christians, her brother-in-law and family had not been speaking to Nadia’s family for three years, which was a great grief to her.
 
But the brother-in-law sent his son to the hospital to see how Nadia was doing! Then two believing women who had been very condemning of Nadia showed sympathy for her in this situation.
 
Nadia herself was praising God for how He was using the accident even before she saw all the positive results. Not bad for a believer of only four months! How about us?
 
Prayer: “Lord, help me to also be a person who, in faith, gives thanks in all things so that you may be honored before men and angels. Amen.”
May be an image of tree, nature and sky
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Psalm 37:1

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 28, 2021
 
Psalm 37:1 Of David. “Fret not yourself because of evildoers;”
[Praise you, Lord, for your clear commands which steer us away from our natural, selfish reactions and towards your wonderful ways.
Because it is so easy to get worked up about evildoers: selfish, corrupt, immoral political leaders here and abroad, unjust actions, destructive organizations giving unjust decisions and anti-Christian groups making brutal attacks. But you in your great wisdom and knowledge of the future, have reasons for allowing them.
You will use them to open people’s eyes to truth and bring many into your Kingdom, while maturing your children through difficulties. Therefore, we can rest in you and pray for and about them, rather than wasting energy and time in fretting, knowing that you are the One who takes down and sets up rulers.]
“be not envious of wrongdoers!”
[It is so easy to envy their power, the effectiveness of their ways and to be tempted to imitate their tactics, desiring to use their fallen methods, of course, for good. But the good is then tainted and negated by the world’s wily ways.
Your command is, “Be not!” I praise you for this word that moves us towards a supernatural view of things, freeing us from what is of this fallen world. Then we can be like you and act out of your thoughts and ways: loving our enemies, praying for those who persecute us, forgiving those who harm us. Praise you for the possibility of letting go of temporary values, of holding on to what is eternal and rising above our difficult situations.]
Psalm 37:2 “For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.”
Here’s the freeing perspective you give us: these evil doers won’t be around for too long. You will cause them to fail and fade (think of Stalin, Hitler and Mao), while your children still stand–because you are the preserver and protector of the righteous. These evil doers will melt like snow in the Spring Sonshine, revealing the rich, dark ground of your plans that produces spiritual growth in our lives.
 
Praise you, Lord God, that you can see into the future, that you know all to come and that we can trust you to prepare us, knowing that you will work out what is best, guiding us in joining you in the process.
To follow worldly ways brings death; to obey your wonderful ways brings eternal life and eternal fruit. Help us to choose your ways throughout this day so we can honor you before all.
May be an image of plant and outdoors
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