Flashback Friday - Martin Wiles

Pressured To Share

Series: Perfected By Pressure
Sharing is now one of my favorite things to do. But this wasn’t always true.

Like most people, I had items I didn’t mind sharing, but there were some things reserved just for me. Special books. If I had more than one copy, I’d share, but if not I wouldn’t. Favorite pens. I’d loan them but would also make sure they were returned. 

Seems silly now that I think about it, but our selfish natures often require God’s pressure so we’ll open our hands. Read more...


Maggie is a teenager who chooses love over a dream. Nominate my book for a Kindle Scout contract. Click to preview & vote. http://ow.ly/Qc3UP 

Encouraging Tweet: Suffering for standing for right makes you a partner with the greatest Man who ever lived. 

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A broken family discovers their new home is no ordinary place. Use coupon code MWiles for a 20% discount on ebook. http://ow.ly/Q0dUK

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Longing for a Better Place - Martin Wiles

But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God. Hebrews 11:16 NLT

The color of his skin destined him to a life of misery. Mistrusted, hated, scorned, ribbed. Regardless of where John traveled, the response was the same. Life took a devastating turn when he was falsely accused of kidnapping and killing two young white girls. Instead of suspecting the newly hired white man, the father and his employer immediately accused him—he was a black man. 

The local sheriff quickly arrested him and hurried him through a mock trial. Evidence was skimpy, but the verdict had been decided before the trial began: death by electrocution. Yet John was a godly man. 

Even though he knew he was innocent, he accepted his lot with a pleasant smile. When the day came for him to walk the “mile” to the electric chair, he went willingly, showing nothing but love and appreciation toward the guards who had no choice but to carry out their duties. John knew his race was against him and that there was no hope, but he could smile. What he longed for—and would soon experience, was a better place. 

Chapter 11 is known as “Faith’s Hall of Fame”—and for good reason. The writer catalogues numerous people from the Bible’s pages who willingly endured hardships because they had faith there was a better place ahead. Sickness, doubt, persecution, death, fear, rejection. All faced through the lenses of faith.  

Though there are many things about this present world I enjoy—technological marvels, family, grandchildren, job, material possessions, and friends among them—I still long for a better place. Life’s pleasures are tainted by the destructive forces of sin which always places a bitter taste in my mouth and dampens my full enjoyment. 

John didn’t fear death because he longed for a better place. I try desperately to parrot his faith. I enjoy what God gives me, but I long for the better place he has prepared. 

As I await that day, I keep trudging along with a smile on my face as I accomplish what God gives me to do. 

Prayer: Father, we praise You for creating an eternal home for Your children. 

Maggie is a teenager who chooses love over a dream. Nominate my book for a Kindle Scout contract. Click to preview & vote. http://ow.ly/Qc3UP   

Encouraging Tweet: Life’s pleasures are tainted by the destructive forces of sin.

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God’s Provision in Tough Times – 25 True Stories of God’s Provision. Use coupon MWiles for 20% off on ebook. http://ow.ly/Q0hnX

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Pleasing God - Martin Wiles

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6 NLT

Children live to please; grandchildren do as well. 

My wife and I have the privilege of keeping our grandson every day while our daughter works. Though less than two years of age, he lives to please and is quite excited when he does. Putting away his toys brings a handclap of joy when the job is done. When we ask him to fold his hands for the blessing before dinner, he eagerly obeys. Handing us an item is done without fussing or arguing. Should we say, “Let’s go to Pop’s school,” he heads for the door. Regardless of what we ask, he obeys. 

However, we know the time is quickly approaching when he won’t be as eager to please. The desire to disobey will sneak in, and his sinful nature will rear its ugly head. 

Acceptance—a basic human need, explains children’s eagerness to please. By pleasing others and receiving their praise, approval, or thanks, this need is satisfied. Being accepted results in happiness and healthy living. Feeling unaccepted delivers the opposite. 

Parents aren’t the only ones I’m born with an innate desire to please. I also have this inborn need for God’s acceptance. My instincts drive me to worship and attempt to please him. If I neglect or ignore this need, I’ll find myself going down paths of rebellion—just as children do when they reach the “terrible twos.” But if I move toward this instinctive desire, I’ll gain his acceptance. 

Faith is the only way to please God. Faith in what his Son Jesus did on Calvary’s cross. Faith he has an eternal home awaiting me. Faith he’ll see me through every trial. Faith he can show me abundant living. Faith he’ll work all things for my good even when they aren’t good. Faith he’ll enable me to do what he’s given me gifts to do. Faith, plain and simple. 

Faith in God drives us to obey him, and this is the only way we can please God. Are you living to please God or someone else?

Prayer: Father, enable us to please You by living a life of faith in Your Word and promises. 

Maggie is a teenager who chooses love over a dream. Help me secure a Kindle Scout contract. Click to preview & vote. http://ow.ly/Qc3UP    

Encouraging Tweet: Faith in God drives us to obey him, and this is the only way we can please God.

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Come Empty – Pour Out Life’s Hurts and Receive God’s Healing Love. Use coupon MWiles for a 20% discount on ebook. http://ow.ly/Q0h3T

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Throwback Tuesday - Martin Wiles

Pressured To Shine

Series: Perfected By Pressure
Leashing up the dog and grabbing a flashlight is a nightly ritual before I go to bed. 

Our yard has no outside light, so a flashlight is essential during warm months. Its light prevents me from stepping on snakes and fire ant beds and also helps me see nocturnal creatures that often lurk in our backyard. While not a weapon, I’m more relaxed walking in the dark with a flashlight. Read more...

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Encouraging Tweet: Our pressures are designed to reflect God’s power, not our ingenuity to deal with or eliminate them. 

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Giving a Better Sacrifice - Martin Wiles

It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man. Hebrews 11:4 NLT

His outfit of choice for Sundays was typical for his generation. Dark pants, white shirt, black shoes. He sat in the same pew each Sunday. As I looked at him from my vantage point, I noticed the same thing every Sunday: a single dollar bill tucked neatly in his shirt pocket. As the offering plate was passed, he delivered his offering. 

Had he been like the widow Jesus told of who gave everything she had, I would have marveled at his generosity. But he wasn’t. His dollar didn’t represent a tithe, an offering, or even a sacrifice. I happened to know a little about his financial situation. His gift wasn’t really a sacrifice at all.

Cain’s wasn’t either. Since he was a farmer, it was natural that he would bring produce to God as an offering. Yet that was the trouble—he only brought some. Abel, on the other hand, brought several of his choice lambs to God. Blood wasn’t the issue; sacrifice was. Cain just gave some while Abel gave his best. God saw the motive and accepted Abel’s. Cain’s, he rejected. 

My sacrifices for God should be measured by his sacrifice for me. I have a son, but I wouldn’t sacrifice him for anyone, regardless of how much I might love them. God did, however, by placing his Son on a cross and then humanity’s sins on him. This was the only way he could restore the relationship. With proper motives, he made the ultimate sacrifice.

Why I give what I do is important. I give it out of appreciation. I can never repay God for what he’s done, but giving is one way I can demonstrate my love. How much I give is also crucial. Single dollars—unless they represent all I have, won’t result in God’s Kingdom work advancing at a very rapid pace. 

Proportionate giving is what God desires…a sacrifice joyfully given. God wants actions from me as well. Money won’t substitute for actions that involve love and sacrifice. 

Is there a better sacrifice you could give God? 

Prayer: Father, we give our best to You because You’ve given Your best to us. 

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Encouraging Tweet: Money won’tsubstitute for actions that involve love and sacrifice.

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When pastor's wives step out as ministry partners all hell breaks loose. Use coupon MWiles for 20% discount on ebook. Click here to order.  

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Using the Sixth Sense - Martin Wiles

By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. Hebrews 11:3 NLT

I knew the furry animal standing before me was a dog. With my eyes, I saw his characteristics. I heard a sound that someone had told me was a bark. Dogs bark, so this must be a dog. I touched him. He was real and not a figment of my imagination. I decided to smell him just to make sure. Sure enough, he smelled like a dog. A little raunchiness mixed in with the doggie deodorant my wife had sprayed him with. The only thing left to do was taste him. Since my other four senses convinced me, there was no need to lick him to find out. 

But how can I explain the feeling that I shouldn’t take the route the GPS suggested? Or get on my scheduled flight? Or help the lady whose car was broken down by the roadside? My five senses appraised the situation, but my sixth sense drove me in another direction. 

Where the beginning of the universe is concerned, my five senses serve no purpose. I can see it presently, but what I see is the finished product. Only with the sixth sense can I believe that a Supreme Designer created it out of nothing. 

Faith in God is my sixth sense. Some think it’s irrational, and from a logical standpoint it might be, but it’s the sense with which I choose to follow God and believe all he’s told me. 

Forgiveness can’t be experienced with my five senses, but I believe I have it. Nor can they prove the Spirit’s presence guiding me, but I believe that as well. I can’t use them to conclude I have an eternal home in heaven, but I’m banking on it. 

In fact, my entire Christian journey is traveled by using my sixth sense. That overwhelming feeling that the journey is actually real, not just a crutch I’m using to help me handle life. I walk by faith—the sixth sense, not by sight, hearing, touching, smelling, or tasting.

Are you using your sixth sense? 

Prayer: Father, enhance our sixth sense so we’ll see every opportunity You send us and believe everything You’ve told us. 

Encouraging Tweet: I walk by faith—the sixth sense, not by sight, hearing, touching, smelling, or tasting.
 

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Flashback Friday - Martin Wiles

Pressured To Lean

I didn’t have one on my first hiking adventure, but I bought one soon thereafter.

A hiking stick is a hiker’s best friend. Age has nothing to do with it nor do physical limitations. My hikes were in the mountains. Trails were steep and inundated with rocks and roots, making footing precarious. My hiking stick relieved knee pressure when going uphill, slowed me down when descending and kept me from falling when I twisted my ankle on roots and rocks. When it once slid down a mountain, I didn’t hesitate to slide down after it. Read more...

Encouraging Tweet: God’s not my crutch but I readily admit I can’t handle life’s pressures alone.

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Faith for the Future - Martin Wiles

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1 NLT

Fred wasn’t a business major in college, but something one of his professors said made perfect business sense: “If your outgo is greater than your income, your upkeep will be your downfall.” Fred and Jenny’s journey through four years of college with children in tow wasn’t easy. 

Though Fred was receiving federal grants that covered most of his tuition, dialing living expenses were expensive. He worked part-time on campus, and Jenny worked a full-time job at a local day care center. 

Fred quickly discovered he and Jenny would have to live by faith. And they did. They did their part and depended on God to do his. As they lived by faith and followed God’s plan, God saw that the bills were paid, the groceries bought, and their other daily needs met. The outgo was greater than the income, but faith supplied the difference. 

As he struggled with readers who were considering working for their salvation, the writer reminds them God’s acceptance is based solely on faith—and not simply an “I hope…,” but an “I know….” Confident assurance. 

Like Fred and Jenny, a number of my years have been lived with greater outgo than income. Not necessarily because of unwise decisions—although there’s been a few of those, but because of economic conditions and other’s decisions that have affected me. By faith, I’ve trusted God to keep his promise he’ll take care of me…and he hasn’t disappointed me. 

My greatest expression of faith, however, concerns the future not the present. It involves the hope that what he’s promised will come true. He has promised forgiveness of all my sins, and I believe him. No condemnation awaits me. He’s promised me an eternal home free of sin and its incorrigible effects, and I believe that too.  

God's also assured me of a new heaven and earth, restored to the condition of the original one. I’m anticipating that as well. 

Do you have faith in your future?  

Prayer: Father, thank You for the future hope we have through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Encouraging Tweet: Trust God's promise to take care of you, and you won't be disappointed.
 

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The Lord is My Shepherd…But - Martin Wiles

“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1

The Lord is my shepherd, I will not want…but I do. A new car would be nice. One that doesn’t register 225,000 miles. A vehicle I could trust driving on vacation without worry over a breakdown. One that has a shiny paint job instead of one covered in overspray. 

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…but I do. A home with more space would do just fine. Instead of 1100 square feet, I’ll take 2200. One that has an extra bedroom for visitors. One with an office area with floor to ceiling bookcases that will host my entire library. One that actually has a yard to enjoy instead of four square feet of fake grass. 

The Lord is my shepherd, I should not want…but I do. A nice cushy retirement nest egg would suffice. One that will allow me to retire early. Enough that my wife and I can live comfortably on and even have a little left over for recreation. Sufficient to keep me from having to work after I start drawing Social Security. 

The Lord is my shepherd, I will not want…but I do anyway. For once, I’d like to enjoy more money than month. After the bills, enough to splurge a little. Nothing big…just a few wants satisfied now and then. A few play toys. 

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…but I do. A stress-free year. Just one with no deaths, sicknesses, losses, or tragedies. Nothing that causes pain. 

David knew all about shepherding. He was one in his younger years. A large part of shepherding was ensuring the sheep had plenty of the right type of grass to munch on. Poisonous varieties could kill them. He knew what they needed, and they trusted him to lead.

I should follow suit. God has never given me all I want—he knows I wouldn’t handle it well. But he has consistently given me everything I need. I’ve never lacked for the necessities of life, and he has always given me strength for anything he’s asked me to do. He’s a trustworthy shepherd. 

I should not want—and I won’t when I trust him to direct my life. Who’s your shepherd?

Prayer: Father, we trust You to lead us safely and sufficiently through our life’s journey. 

Encouraging Tweet: God's a trustworthy shepherd. I should not want—and I won’t when I trust him to direct my life.
 

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Throwback Tuesday - Martin Wiles

Pressured To Expose

I hated it but couldn’t afford the monthly cost to eliminate it. 

Unless you’re subscribed to satellite radio, you’re familiar with static. Driving around town isn’t normally a problem, but road trips are different. Just when I’ve found the perfect station playing my favorite songs, static creeps in. At first, it’s not so noticeable, but the farther I travel the worse it gets. Before long, I can barely determine what song is playing and eventually I lose the station entirely. Read more...

Encouraging Tweet: God’s discipline comes because he loves us, has a plan for our life and wants us to enjoy his best.

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Clinging to Confidence - Martin Wiles

So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Hebrews 10:35 NLT

My confidence in people and things hangs in a precarious balance. Sometimes it is well-placed, but at others it isn’t. 

I have a good friend who I can place complete confidence in. I’ve shared many private matters with him, and he has held them in strict confidence. When I asked his wife, “Did ______ tell you about _____?” the answer was always, “No.” 

But then there were those times when my confidence was crushed. Vehicles that for years had cranked each time I turned the switch suddenly didn’t. The battery died or the starter wore out. Chairs I’ve sat in for months on end suddenly cracked and crashed. 
Children I thought would never hurt me did. The job I thought would never end did. The parent I thought would live forever dies. And so does my beloved animal. Retirement savings that seemed secure weren’t. Stocks that appeared stable became unstable. 

I’ve learned to be careful about what I place my confidence in and how tightly I cling to it. Many early Christians came from a Jewish background. Thousands of years of observing ceremonies, making sacrifices, and obeying cumbersome customary laws. The temptation was to place their confidence in those things to gain God’s acceptance rather than believe in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. Banking on anything else only led them to disappointment.

Thankfully, there are some things I can cling to with confidence. One is forgiveness. When I confess my sins to Christ and ask for his forgiveness, forgiveness happens: instantly and permanently. Never again will those sins be charged to my account. Condemnation flies out the window and peace takes over. 

Another is Christ’s coming. Whether at death or in the skies, he will arrive and usher his people into a glorious eternal existence called heaven. 

Still another is strength for my life’s journey. Whatever I need to live and accomplish God’s will, he will provide in abundance. 

My confidence in God’s promises will never be misplaced. What are you placing your confidence in? 

Prayer: Father, we thank You that Your promises are sure and steadfast. 

Encouraging Tweet: Whatever I need to live and accomplish God’s will, he will provide in abundance.
 

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Intentional Rejection - Martin Wiles

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 knew. 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 that was immediately noticed. While a few of the students accepted her in spite of this, most in her class shunned her. 

Mattie 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 me 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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Are There Squirrels in Your House? - Norma Gail Thurston Holtman

Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers. Proverbs 22:28

It could have been a catastrophic mistake. I failed to close the screen door of our mountain home. When my husband came in several hours later, he saw the door open and a big squirrel sitting on the door step.

Of course I have been teased mercilessly. I’m constantly telling people to close the doors or we’ll have squirrels in the house. Fortunately the curious little fellow did not come in and neither did any of his friends.

I’ve heard stories of the terrible way squirrels wreak havoc in people’s homes. They’re very wily and difficult to catch. They chew things and steal things and make a mess of everything. 

Screen doors serve as boundaries to protect us from a lot of pests and varmints. Without them we couldn’t be free from the worry of unwanted visitors and enjoy the fresh breeze bringing in the wonderful scents of our mountain surroundings. 

In the same way, God’s word places boundaries in our lives, providing us with the protection we need from things that have the power to destroy our lives and rob us of the blessings of obedience.

Just as I warn my family of the dangers of squirrels in the house, God’s word reminds us of the dangers of allowing things like unclean thoughts, wrong attitudes, bad habits, and temptations of the enemy into our lives. 

The enemy sneaks in when we remove God’s boundaries and whispers things like, “Just this once won’t hurt,” and “If you’re careful no one will find out.” Those little lapses become habits and one day someone discovers the havoc in our private life. Everything we have worked for is in jeopardy.

It is necessary for me to hide the word of God in my heart on a daily basis so sins don’t creep in and destroy all I’ve been blessed with. I hear His voice warning me to keep the boundaries where He set them. I don’t want those bad habits creeping in any more than I want squirrels in my house.

I must close any doors in my life that allow bad habits to enter. Keep the boundaries where God sets them and see His blessings.

Norma Gail’s debut contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams—set in Scotland and New Mexico, released in April 2014. She has led weekly women’s Bible studies for 19 years. Her devotionals and poetry have appeared at Christian Devotions, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, FaithWriters, and the New Mexico Christian Novelists. She is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 38 years. They have two adult children.

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