Bible Thumper by Martin Wiles

Bible thumper is a term that derived from preachers thumping the Bible as they made a point while preaching. The catch phrase wasn’t one of endearment but ridicule of those attempting to impose their beliefs on others. But the slur was not solely directed at preachers. Anyone displaying their religion—whether of a fundamentalist nature or not, could be labeled.

While growing up, I’m sure some of my acquaintances considered me a Bible thumper. After all, I was a preacher’s kid and often labeled the same thing as my father. And he was quite the fundamentalist. I knew the Bible backward and forward. My parents and teachers at church ingrained the facts and stories into my young brain. I learned the songs, memorized the verses, and discovered the books through Bible drills. But these truths by themselves didn’t set me free. 

The religious leaders were first century Bible thumpers. Jesus warned them: You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life. (John 5:39-40 NLT)

Religion can be detrimental if it doesn’t lead to a relationship. And with most of these early Bible thumpers Jesus encountered, it didn’t. They knew the Scriptures backward and forward, but they didn’t know the One they witnessed of. Knowledge of the truth and experiencing the truth isn’t identical. What I know must be followed by action—and in this case the action of belief. 

God never instructs me to worship the Bible but rather the One it points to. And redemption through Jesus Christ and him alone is the scarlet thread woven throughout the entirety of his Word. It is possible to be religious and lost. Just as knowing the ingredients that produce a cake don’t actually make the cake unless I combine and bake them, so merely knowing the Bible can make me a Bible thumper and not a full-fledged follower of Jesus Christ. 

Have you turned your life over to the One the Bible points toward? 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe You are God’s Son sent to pay for my sins. I accept Your resurrection power into my life. Amen. 


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Flashback Friday by Martin Wiles

WELCOME TO FLASHBACK FRIDAY...BECAUSE WE THINK EVERY DEVOTION NEEDS A SECOND CHANCE. 

Thanking God Properly

November—and Thanksgiving particularly, is the month Americans choose to show their thankfulness. But honestly, there have been days, months, and years when expressing thankfulness was difficult. Read more...

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From Hardship to Healing by Martin Wiles

“Life is difficult.” A simple but profound statement from M. Scott Peck’s national best-seller, The Road Less Traveled. He continues, “Once we know that life is difficult—once we truly understand and accept it—then life is no longer difficult.” 

Recently I heard a similar statement: “You don’t get to the top of the mountain by climbing the smooth side.” I concur. One of my favorite mountains to climb is Tray Mountain, located in the northeastern mountains of Georgia. But getting there requires scaling Rocky Mountain.

The biblical epitome of hardship was Job. A man from whom all was taken by Satan with God’s permission. And for what purpose? To prove to Satan that Job’s righteousness wasn’t because he had treated him favorably. In spite of hardships, Job praised God. I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the LORD! (Job 1:21 NLT)

Lies that Satan would have us believe include: life should be fair, life should be easy, and life should afford me anything I desire. Nowhere does God promise any of the previous. Society may infer them, and teachers and parents may even perpetuate them, but the truth comes barreling through when hardships strike. 

God, however, doesn’t want the hardship to make me bitter or angry. He desires that I experience healing. This comes by believing the truth. The truth is that I must learn to be content with what he provides, even if that’s only my needs. Initiative is good, but I must learn to trust his wisdom when life’s hardships arrive. Truth sets me free and helps me face life with confidence and peace. And the truth is that God loves me, will provide for me, and will guide me through any hardship that comes my way.

Have life’s hardships made you bitter, angry, or caused you to distrust God? If so, confess that to him and let him heal your emotions and give you a new vision for life.

Prayer: Thank You merciful God for promising to bring us through every hardship we face in life.


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What Pushes Your Buttons? by Martin Wiles

Friday night. Bi-Lo grocery store. My wife and I stopped in for a few groceries. Three open registers awaited us when we were ready to check out. One was express. We had too many items. We knew the reaction we’d get from others and the cashier if we tried to sneak by the warning sign. The line we chose had two shoppers ahead of us. “This will be a quick exit,” we thought. Not so. The first shopper had insufficient funds. I had already placed our items on the belt when the cashier looked at me and whispered, “This might take a while.” I scooped up our items, placed them in our buggy, and directed my wife to the only other open lane. Only one shopper. It appeared a good decision. But we were now behind Cathy the coupon shopper. Nothing wrong with saving money, but my impatience was bleeding through…until God reminded me what I’d recently taught my Sunday School class. Events in and of themselves don’t produce unpleasant emotional reactions. Rather, it’s what I think about the events. 

What pushed Jesus’ buttons were dishonest actions. Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers. (Matthew 21:12 NLT)

Injustice and all types of evil should push my buttons. My reaction should mirror Jesus’. I should attempt to rectify the wrongs. But I can’t execute a wrong in the process. Two wrongs have never made a right. Events that don’t fall into these categories shouldn’t push my buttons. Coupon shoppers, insufficient fund shoppers, slow drivers, rude drivers, etc. Events don’t cause unhealthy emotional reactions such as anger and frustration. How I interpret the event does. 

Rather than letting potentially aggravating events push your buttons, let them be opportunities for God to increase your faith and teach you a little more about what it means to mirror his Son’s image. 

Prayer: God in heaven, help us view every event through Your eyes so our faith will grow and our reactions will honor You.

Begin each day with a dose of encouraging thoughts. Order your print or Kindle copy today from Amazon.

Throwback Tuesday by Martin Wiles

WELCOME TO THROWBACK TUESDAYS...BECAUSE WE THINK EVERY DEVOTION DESERVES MORE THAN ONE CHANCE.

Glorifying God

Peck, peck, peck. I always hear them before I see them.
Several varieties of woodpeckers inhabit our region. Their hammering on trees, light poles, church steeples and gutters is unmistakable. Clinging to the side of trees with arthritic shaped claws, they do what would give the average person a migraine. Read more...

Begin each day with a dose of encouraging thoughts. Order your print or Kindle copy today from Amazon.

Bugle Treats by Michelle Wiles

Ingredients

6 OUNCES SEMISWEET CHOCOLATE CHIPS

2 CUPS BUGLES

½ CUP PEANUT BUTTER

½ CUP POWDERED SUGAR

Directions

MICROWAVE PEANUT BUTTER FOR 30 SECONDS.

ADD POWDERED SUGAR TO PEANUT BUTTER.

PUT MIXTURE INTO ZIP-LOCK BAG. CLIP ONE CORNER OF THE BAG TO MAKE A SMALL HOLE.

FILL BUGLES WITH MIXTURE. 

MELT CHOCOLATE IN THE MICROWAVE. DIP THE FILLED END OF BUGLE WITH CHOCOLATE.

COOL ON WAX PAPER BEFORE STORING IN AN AIR TIGHT CONTAINER.

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Idols, Idols, Idols by Martin Wiles

Idols come in various shapes, forms, and sizes, but they have one thing in common: they always remove God from his rightful place. 

Out of the world’s population, God chose Abraham for a special purpose. God promised to bless him and to give him a son through whom the whole world would be blessed. After a few missteps by him and his wife, Abraham finally realized that special son. Thousands of progeny followed. God eventually delivered his descendants from 400 years of Egyptian slavery and gave them commandments to follow so they wouldn’t fall into the lifestyle of their pagan neighbors. One of the commands forbade them to make an image representing God. 

Hundreds of years later, Jeremiah the prophet was forced to rebuke Abraham’s offspring for doing that very thing. To an image carved from a piece of wood they say, “You are my father.” To an idol chiseled from a block of stone they say, “You are my mother.” (Jeremiah 2:27 NLT)

By definition, an idol is anything that displaces God from his rightful place. As the one who allowed his Son to give his life for my sins, God deserves the supreme position in my life. Anything that removes him becomes an idol—whether this particular thing or person is inherently evil or not. Things that aren’t sins in and of themselves can become sin for me.

Idols have several things in common. They will always disappoint. Idols never deliver—at least not permanently, what they claim they can. Their satisfaction is only temporary. Letting idols pilfer my attention entails them also embezzling my focus from the areas God wants me to concentrate on. Manufacturing of idols occurs because I’ve believed Satan’s lies and allowed him to plant his influence in my life. 

What idols have you carved that are displacing God and his plans and purposes for your life?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, give us wisdom and strength to cast away whatever is displacing You in our life. 

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Trouble’s Goals by Martin Wiles

The email sat in my inbox, longing to be opened. 

I had emailed our friends in Nova Scotia for an update on their church plant. The last wasn’t very encouraging, so I prayed for a more uplifting report. It wasn’t.

Things were moving at a snail’s pace. A few were responding but not what they hoped for. They will soon begin small groups and are anxious about anyone showing up. In March they begin one preview service each month and continue through the summer with regular weekly meetings slated for September. 

Personal finances are challenging. The pastor is looking for secular work to supplement. January’s budget is behind fifty percent and February will be 75%. He desires to grow relationships but realizes it takes time, sacrifice, love, patience and wisdom.

Yet my co laborer in Halifax expects God’s intervention. The psalmist did too: In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me. (Psalm 86:7)

Both my friend and the psalmist appear to travel dead end roads. I’ve been on a few myself, and I’m always tempted to ask; “Where’s this going?” Or “God does this have some purpose?” I don’t like trouble and try not to invite it, but it has a habit of appearing nevertheless. 

Sometimes I trip up trying to determine trouble’s source when my response is more important. There’s nothing like a little correction fluid when I make decisions harming myself or others. Or when I choose actions damaging my testimony. Trouble is God’s discipline designed to make me sit up, take notice and change directions. 

But trouble’s not always bad. It also shapes and molds. It teaches me valuable lessons about myself, others, God and the world. Trouble prunes me, increases my wisdom and strengthens my trust in God to care for me. Without it, I would depend on myself. With it, I remember he’s in control. And after all, it’s God’s road, not mine. 

When trouble comes, cry out to God. Asking why is permissible, but pondering a wise course of action and learning is more productive.

Prayer: God of mercy, when You allow trouble in our life, give us grace to endure and wisdom to learn what You’re teaching us.  

Ever feel like you just can't get the Christian life right? Read Jesus' solution for success. Download your copy today.  

Flashback Friday by Martin Wiles

WELCOME TO FLASHBACK FRIDAY...BECAUSE WE THINK EVERY DEVOTION NEEDS A SECOND CHANCE. 

Celebrating God

There was a time when retirement years weren’t celebrated and with good reason-there wasn’t any. People worked until they died or became physically incapacitated, at which time they depended on family and savings. Then a reason for celebration happened. While the United States of America was in the grips of economic depression, Congress passed a law creating the Social Security system. Income now flows in a person’s senior years. Read more...

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Integrity’s Quest by Martin Wiles

He was only a young man when bands of foreign invaders pummeled through the walls of his city, destroyed his homeland, and carted him and thousands of others to a foreign land. Suddenly, he was introduced to food he’d never tasted. None of the foods he was accustomed to eating were available. He couldn’t understand the language either. He saw their lips moving…and he saw the whips stripe across the backs of those who didn’t understand anything their captors said. No one here worshipped his God, yet they replaced him with many others. Immoral activities raged. One thing he resolved to do, however. He wouldn’t defile himself by accepting his captor’s customs.
  
When Daniel made up his mind to be different, he lived out the meaning of integrity. The psalmist declared he would also. But I am not like that; I live with integrity. So redeem me and show me mercy. (Psalm 26:11 NLT)

According to the Miriam Webster dictionary, integrity is a “firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values.” Integrity, however, isn’t flawlessness. If it was, neither I nor anyone else could have it. Integrity has more to do with the direction of my heart. Is it pulling me toward God and a righteous lifestyle or in the opposite direction?  David was guilty of immorality, murder, and lying, but his gut level desire was to please God. Integrity is measured by the average of our lifestyle.

Why I attempt to live with integrity is also important. Like Daniel of old who refused the food of his foreign captors because it was forbidden by God, my actions must flow from this same desire. My integrity is not for show but for obedience, fulfillment, and peace. 

Living with integrity will always create the possibility of being misunderstood and criticized. The Bible and Christian history are full of personal examples. This may lead to periods of feeling alone…like I’m out of sync with the majority. And I will be…but so was Jesus. 

Make your commitment to live with integrity today.

Prayer: Give us Your Holy Spirit’s power, O God, to adhere daily to Your standards and principles. 


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What’s Killing You? by Martin Wiles

I often wonder if I’m dying and don’t know it. Doubtlessly there are known situations and substances that will kill me physically. If I choose to use tobacco products regularly and heavily, my chances of contracting cancer increase dramatically. Cancer often kills. Overuse of alcohol increases the chance I’ll develop an addiction and possibly become an alcoholic. This puts me at a higher risk of developing liver damage. Using illegal drugs—or even misusing prescription drugs, can produce lethal effects as well. And of course, unhealthy relationships and misdiagnosed views of myself can devastate me emotionally. In some instances, I can diagnose what’s killing me, but at other times it may be occurring without my direct knowledge.

Jesus also referred to an instrument of death, but in a healthy way. Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. (Mark 8:34 NLT)

In Jesus’ day, the cross was a cruel and inhuman method of death used by the Roman authorities. Victims were forced to carry their crosses to their final place of execution. In typical fashion, Jesus carried his. 

What kills me may be different from what’s killing someone else. Struggles vary. My major instrument of destruction would be failure to accept what Christ has done in my behalf. To live life ignoring God and shunning his forgiveness. 

Things that can kill me don’t stop with the spiritual. My spiritual, emotional, and physical areas are all bound together like three course twine. Ignoring my spiritual need affects my emotional state. And when my emotions are in a state of unrest, physical problems often erupt. 

But when I take up the cross of self-denial by following Christ, what begins to die are my selfish ambitions. Obedience to him becomes my sole desire. And though I die…I live. Will you die for the one who did for you?

Prayer: Merciful God who sent Your Son to be killed in our place, give us courage to die for You daily so we might live in the fullest sense of the word. 


Thanks to all our faithful followers who are "sharing" our posts--please keep it up! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Help us spread God's encouragement through his love lines. 

Throwback Tuesday by Martin Wiles

WELCOME TO THROWBACK TUESDAY...BECAUSE WE BELIEVE EVERY DEVOTION DESERVES MORE THAN ONE CHANCE.

God Calls

According to the Population Reference Bureau, world population has exceeded seven billion people. Of those about 33% classify themselves Christian meaning more than two billion claim a relationship with God. Read more...

Ever feel like you just can't get the Christian life right? Read Jesus' solution for success. Download your copy today.  

Key Lime Cheesecake by Michelle Wiles

Ingredients

1 ¼ CUPS FINELY CHOPPED COCONUT BAR COOKIES

¼ CUP BUTTER (MELTED)

3 TABLESPOONS SUGAR

2-8 OUNCE CREAM CHEESE(SOFTENED)

1 CAN EAGLE BRAND MILK

½ TEASPOON LIME ZEST

1/3 CUP LIME JUICE

Directions

MIX COOKIE CRUMBS, SUGAR AND BUTTER.

PRESS ONTO THE BOTTOM AND SIDES OF PIE PLATE.

BAKE ON 350 DEGREES FOR 10 MINUTES.

BEAT CREAM CHEESE AND MILK UNTIL SMOOTH.

ADD ZEST AND LIME JUICE AND BEAT WELL.

POUR INTO PIE CRUST AND REFRIGERATE FOR 8 HOURS.

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Defined…But Not by What I Do by Martin Wiles

Though I had heard God’s call as a young boy, it wasn’t until I reached my mid-20s that I finally listened. After four years of college preparation, I took the position of full time pastor at a rural church in Low country South Carolina. Six years later, I moved to Upstate South Carolina and spent another six years pastoring a larger church. Then things changed suddenly. Due to an unfortunate divorce, I could no longer effectively pastor in my denomination. I reluctantly wore the dreaded “D.”. Had my identity been completely tied up in my profession, this could have been an even more devastating experience. Fortunately, I realized it didn’t change who I was from God’s perspective.

The psalmist defines himself from God’s viewpoint. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. (Psalm 139:14 NLT)

What I do is not who I am. During my lifetime, I’ve been a bag boy, termite inspector, weave room operator, floor sweeper, third shift overseer, warehouse worker, tax office supervisor, country store manager, youth minister, and pastor. Had someone asked me who I was, I probably would have included whichever of those titles happened to be true at the moment. But truthfully, none of those positions encapsulated my identity. Had they, losing any one of them would have meant a loss of my identity and purpose. 

Who I am is unique. I’m wonderfully complex and special due to who created me. God wove me together in my mother’s womb. There has never been anyone like me before, isn’t now, and won’t be in the future. No one has my exact personality type, body features, unique opportunities, or identical gifts and talents. Because of the grace of God, I’m forgiven and never have to worry about condemnation any longer. If this wasn’t enough, God also assures me of a bright future in heaven with him. 

If you know Christ, you can say all of the above as well. How do you answer when someone asks who you are?

Prayer: Father, enable us to discover our identity in You rather than in our present employment and relationships.

Begin each day with a dose of encouraging thoughts. Order your print or Kindle copy today from Amazon.

Passing the Pop Tests by Martin Wiles

Pop tests. A test students aren’t informed of. I had them in most of my college classes, and occasionally I give them to my middle school students. Unlike my college professors, I normally warn my students one is coming. Doing so makes my pop tests deviate from the literal definition. I’ll never forget the student— who after hearing me say “Take out one sheet of paper,” said, “But Dr. Wiles, it wasn’t on Renweb.” (The system we use to record grades, lesson plans, and homework assignments.) I quickly informed her that listing a pop quiz as a homework assignment destroys the purpose of the quiz.

Joseph had a series of pop quizzes in Egypt, among them confronting the overtures of the boss’s wife. She came and grabbed him by his cloak, demanding, “Come on, sleep with me!” Joseph tore himself away, but he left his cloak in her hand as he ran from the house. (Genesis 39:12 NLT)

If I’m to pass life’s pop tests, I must remember there’s a sudden aspect to their nature. I can prepare for the pop tests—in fact, that’s the only way I can pass them, but I can’t determine when they’ll arrive. My professors told me how many I’d have in a semester, but they didn’t share the dates they’d be administered. They were pop. I prepared by reading my homework assignments and studying the main points. Paying attention to spiritual disciplines such as bible study, prayer, meditation, and accountability to other believers prepares me to pass life’s pop tests. 

Life’s pop tests may also be numerous. I’ve experienced hundreds during my lifetime. Joseph also faced quite a few while in Egypt: sold by his brothers and slave traders, working as a slave laborer, falsely accused of rape by his boss’s wife, forgotten in prison. God may directly send pop quizzes or allow Satan to. Either way, he controls their arrival, intensity, and duration. My responsibility is to trust his wisdom and depend on his strength to pass them. 

With God’s assistance, all of life’s pop tests can be passed.

Prayer: God of mercy and grace, equip us with Your strength and guidance so we might pass the tests life throws our way. 


Thanks to all our faithful followers who are "sharing" our posts--please keep it up! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Help us spread God's encouragement through his love lines. 

Flashback Friday by Martin Wiles

WELCOME TO FLASHBACK FRIDAY...BECAUSE WE THINK EVERY DEVOTION NEEDS A SECOND CHANCE. 

God Longing

Imagine trudging through the desert, depleted of water and food. Suddenly an oasis of palm trees encircling a pool of fresh cold water appears. Your pace quickens. You finally reach the pool and lunge in only to be welcomed by a bed of hot sand.Most thirst is not what a genuinely thirsty person experiences. 

Their mouth is parched and their lips cracked. Anxiety is heightened. Prolonged water deprivation is deadly.  Read more...

Begin each day with a dose of encouraging thoughts. Order your print or Kindle copy today from Amazon.