The Wilkes Team

The wild nature of the untamed creature attracted the attention of our entire group. Detained within the confines of a simple live trap, a native bobcat from the mountains of North Carolina lie crouched with eyes darting this way and that. Upon approaching, not a few were surprised by its vicious behavior. Her powerful claws and jaw had already torn a rod of the metal cage. With eyes glaring and teeth showing, the bobcat growled and hissed at the approaching audience. An attempted but futile lunge, let us know this was no pussy cat ready to curl up on your lap but rather a ferocious fighter.

The battle is raging. The lines have been drawn. Neutrality is not an option. Our enemy is no novice. He walks about as a ferocious & roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. We must stand. The battle will be intense. But if we faint in the day of adversity, our strength is small.

Men, there is a temptation to seek the vanities of riches, comfort, and fame and so rest content with mediocrity and half-hearted warfare. But may we remember that Godliness with contentment is great gain. Paul exhorted Timothy to, “endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2Tim. 2:3).” How often have we, in the face of fear and discomfort, chosen the ’soft choice?’

It is time to push through the hardness. To, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. (1Co 16:13).”

Brethren, let us, “Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight (1Ch 19:13).”

1 Comment » | posted in Proclaiming the Truth

Discouragement can easily come yet may we remember where our joy comes from and how easy it is to grasp and live in…

 Psalms 51: 8-12

“Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”

Christ, our Redeemer is the giver of joy. Trial and problems will always come but what is even more sure then those trying circumstances is the beauty and sublimity of everlasting joy. May we live in this joy! Let it envelope our thoughts, our actions, our words. Ask God for joy – he is abundantly able to provide.

Ps 30:5 ” …weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. “

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The precious hand of Providence never allows but what is within His Sovereign will. Furthermore, as one Pastor puts it, “He is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” Satisfied in all that He brings our way!

  The long awaited date for departure had come. Bags were packed and confirmation made with our dear hosts. Anticipation was building and all was coming together well until word arrived that our van needed some unexpected major repairs which would deter departure until the following day. The situation was beyond our control – He is trustworthy. It took a choice to rejoice.

Joyfulness: the spontaneous enthusiasm of my spirit when my soul is in fellowship with the Lord.

While sitting around the family table later that evening, we received news that our usual means of care for our dog would not be available due to an unprecedented 12-40 inch snow forecast. Plan after plan was proven futile until a complete change of decision arose, through the gracious offers of our dear hosts, to bring the dog.

Flexibility: Not setting my affections on ideas or plans which could be changed by God or others.

Early next morning, the van was packed with great  enthusiasm as we anticipated a quick departure. But upon inspecting the van, we were alarmed by an unexplainable flat tire. A motivated team was set to work on inflating the tire followed up by a trip to the gas station to finish the inflation. Seeing obvious roadblocks for a trip that we knew the Lord desired us to make, we were encouraged to press on. That tire remained inflated for the rest of the trip.

Determination: Purposing to accomplish god’s goals in God’s time – regardless of the opposition.

Rainy weather in North Carolina made for potentially adverse driving conditions. While many were taking a much needed nap and a couple others engaged in conversation, all eyes suddenly became alerted to danger. The pickup truck immediately in front of us hydroplaned and so began spinning uncontrollably from one side of the road to the other. Through the direct hand of almighty God our van narrowly missed the spinning truck by but a few inches. His guiding hand moved our van safely to the side and out of the way of danger. Immediately following, each member from the youngest to eldest praised the Lord for His watchful care. Later on, we discovered that two different people were praying for the safety of our trip.

Reverence: Awareness of how God is working through the people and events in my life to produce the character of Christ in me.

As subsequent posts will relate, the Lord blessed the visits with our friends exceedingly more than we could of asked for. Much was accomplished unto the furtherance of the Kingdom of God!

The trials were not over, however. On our return trip home, we were somewhat concerned when the power windows, windshield wipers, turn signals, and radio ceased working. Knowing it could be one of several causes, we pulled off the interstate and stopped by an auto store. The Lord allowed us to get in touch with a friend who is a car mechanic. We discerned the issue not to be a serious one. And after shutting off the car and restarting, all mechanisms were restored.

Cautiousness: Knowing how important right timing is in accomplishing right actions.

A final tribute to the divine hand of God upon our trip was seen as we drove into our snow covered court Monday night.  24+ inches of snow covered the back half of our court all the way across our  driveway and up to the front door. Realizing we had an amazing amount of snow to shovel, preparations were made to begin removal. Suddenly, the lights of our neighbor’s truck came shining down upon us. He asked us to move our van over and then proceeded to clear all the snow from in front of our driveway leaving us with a greatly reduced amount of work.

Love: Giving to others basic needs without having as my motive personal reward – thank you Mr. Vilareal!

For our family, the trials proved to be a strengthening of character as we came to recognize once again our need to fully submit to God’s Sovereign will. For from God’s perspective, it matters not so much our circumstances but rather our response. For, “He is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”

5 Comments » | posted in Family News, Proclaiming the Truth

Part 3 Have you heard His voice?

In order to be one of His you must hear His voice. Jesus said in John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. Therefore in order to be one of His you must hear His voice and follow Him. Those who do not hear his voice cannot follow Him and are not one of His. Let’s look at the fuller context of this passage in John 10 by going to verse 24-30

24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand30 I and my Father are one.

Jesus makes it very clear, to those that are questioning who He is, that they are not one of His. They have not heard His voice. In verse 25 Jesus says I told you who I was but you believed not because you are not one of mine. My sheep hear me and follow me. Jesus goes on to say that He gives eternal life to His sheep and they shall never perish.

How then do we know if we have heard His voice and follow Him thereby never perishing? We must know and can know. How?  

When we receive the Word of God as the truth and agree with it.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 ¶ For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

After we receive His Word it begins its work in us verifying that we are His.

Not agreeing with what the Word of God says means you are not one of His which means you have not been given eternal life which means you will perish for eternity.

God says it is so.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

What does the Word say we must agree with in order to know we are His children?

Stay tuned for Part 4 – We must agree with God that…..?????

2 Comments » | posted in On the Issues, Proclaiming the Truth

Jesus will save His people from their sins. This is a great promise. God will keep it. Yet is it possible to know for sure you are one of His?

Part 2 –Can you know for sure you are one of His?

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

There are three conditions that must be true in order for someone to be His. First He tells us that His people will hear His voice then He states that He knows them and finally they follow Him. In Matthew 7 Jesus tells a group of people who have believed on Him and done wonderful works to depart from because He knew them not. You must be known by Him and if you are, then you will hear His voice and follow Him. Therefore there are two sure ways we can know if we are His! By hearing His voice and following Him. He knows those that are His and He has never lost one of them.

How will we know that we have heard His voice and become followers of Him? Stay tune for part 3.

Part 3 Have you heard His voice?

2 Comments » | posted in On the Issues, Proclaiming the Truth