Restless Wanderer - Martin Wiles

From now on you will be a homeless fugitive on the earth, constantly wandering from place to place. Genesis 4:12 NLT

I’ve returned several times, but it was never the same. 

Home may be the place they have to take you when you return, but no one said it would be the same when you got there. I left home immediately after high school graduation. I couldn’t wait to put my feet under my own table and make my own rules. 

Though I didn’t care for my home of origin while there, I look back with fond memories now.  Several times since then, I’ve had to return. Once simply because I was lonesome. A relationship had ended. Another time because I was following God’s direction which would take me to college. I had a family and needed to square away some bills before we left. And a further time because I had finished college. We had nowhere to go until a church called me as pastor. 

Each time I returned home, it was different than when I originally lived there. I was restless…ready to get out again. I wasn’t a child anymore. I didn’t need parents to tend to my needs—although they continued to try. Like initially, I wanted my own place with my own rules. 

God informed the first sibling that he’d be a restless wanderer. In a moment of rage and jealousy, he had killed his brother. As a consequence for his action, he would have to wander…to be a fugitive on the earth. 

Just as going home always disappointed me, so living on earth will also. As God’s child, it’s not my home…at least not in its present form. Sin infected Cain’s life and it has the world as well. Sin has destroyed the original pristine beauty and harmony. Weeds grow, natural disasters brew, and animals and people clash. Rust eats, plastics crack, and thieves steal. 

The only peace I can find during this restless journey is in my relationship with Christ. Here, I can see beyond what’s wrong and focus on what’s right. I’m forgiven. A better place awaits…both in heaven and on a freshly re-created earth where life will function as God originally designed. 

When you’re prone to wander, remember where your true home is. 

Prayer: Father, we thank You that no matter how far or long we roam You still welcome us home. 

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Flashback Friday - Martin Wiles

Comfort Through Praise

The changing seasons sickened my wife-literally. Her journey started with the normal symptoms-sneezing, coughing and a scratchy throat, but had quickly developed into swollen glands, a severe sore throat, fever, and coughing. She needed to see a doctor, but we had no health insurance and couldn’t afford the visit.

Three days earlier…“Will you preach for me Sunday night,” the preacher piped as we ate dinner. I quickly answered “Yes,” never imagining I would need the exact compensation for my wife’s medicine and lost time at work. God orchestrated a set of circumstances ahead of time to help us carry our financial burden. Our pastor was oblivious that he was being used as God’s instrument. When I glanced at the finished puzzle, I praised God for his comfort through our financial knot. Read more...

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The Word That Lasts Part 3 - Martin Wiles

For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12 NLT

Like my parents before me, I attempted to instill in my children a love for God’s Word. Our nightly devotions weren’t as regular as when I was growing up. Life was hectic and busy at the time. Fitting in a nightly devotion was a challenge, but we read Bible stories often. I’m carrying on the same tradition with my firstborn grandson. Obviously, the need to digest God’s Word stuck in spite of my less-than-best efforts. Like me, my daughter and son both had their periods of rebellion. Both stopped attending church, and both involved themselves in questionable activities. In spite of their wanderings, they still know God’s Word and the right path—whether or not they choose it.  

Some aren’t of the same opinion. They question the validity of God’s Word. They discount the traditionally agreed upon authors, the miracles, the scientific and historical accounts, and perhaps even Jesus’ divinity. Rather than avoiding discussions with those who doubt, I can use the occasion to share my faith and why I believe God’s Word is profitable and accurate.

Others will use God’s Word to teach legalism. In addition to moral laws, the Old Testament contains ceremonial and civil laws. Both related to the nation of Israel and God’s interaction with the Jewish people. Some attempt to bind me by what Christ has freed me from. Grace brings liberty. Legalism majors on the things I can’t do rather than on the things I can do because of my newfound liberty in Christ. It repeats the mistakes Jesus rebuked the religious leaders for. I’m bound only by the moral laws the New Testament reiterates. I don’t have to keep bringing the old sacrifices. 

God’s Word has the power to change my life. Believing it changed me from a condemned sinner to a forgiven sinner. By reading it, I learn doctrine—the “whats” I need to believe as a Christ follower. I’m encouraged with the promises and corrected by the commandments. Like a knife, God’s Word slices into my conscious. God’s Spirit then gives me the power to make the necessary changes. 

Is God’s Word having a lasting effect in your life?

Prayer: Father, turn us toward Your Word so we can follow Your path with joy and confidence. 

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The Word That Lasts Part 2 - Martin Wiles

Anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be great in the Kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:19 NLT

Doing it is a lifetime habit I don’t intend to break.

I’ve been reading the Bible daily since I was a small tike. I suppose my family instilled in me the importance of doing so. With rare exception, we had daily Bible readings. I can remember as an elementary age child, sitting on the top bunk with my Bible in hand. I didn’t always understand it—in part because of the translation I was using, but Dad was glad to explain the words I couldn’t define. 

Memorizing it was also a part of my young life. The church my father pastored encouraged children to participate in sword drills and Bible memorization exercises. Even during my periods of rebellion, I still read God’s Word daily. I still do. 

Jesus said obeying God’s Word was important. I’ve found that to be true. 

I’ve learned disregarding God’s Word will lead to me leaving God out of my daily affairs. God wants to be involved in every detail of my life—the small and the large, the important and the not so important. He wants to give me wisdom for the decisions I have to make and guidance that will see me successfully through life. When I don’t meditate on His Word, it’s easy for me to forget He’s right beside me during my life’s journey.

God’s Word is more than the Bible itself. I don’t worship the book—even though all parts of it are true and crucial to believe. Nor do I worship a particular translation. I worship the One the Book points to, and I use various translations to help me better understand what God is saying. Loving Him is the greatest commandment. When I do, I’ll obey His commands by fleshing them out in my actions. 

Spiritual maturity is built on a lifetime of studying God’s Word. Surveys continue to demonstrate the lack of discipleship among believers. At one time, I was there myself. Though I’ve grown, I still have a long ways to travel. God’s Word gives me the beliefs I need to know, and His Spirit gives me the power to put them into practice.

Commit to spending more time in God’s Word and see the difference it will make.

Prayer: Father, may we always see the importance of Your Word for our lives. 

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Throwback Tuesday - Martin Wiles

Praising God for All Things

The LORD…frustrates the plans of the wicked (Psalm 146:9 NLT).Hundreds of years later, Paul parroted basically the identical thing but added that God takes evil plans and manufactures good. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God (Romans 8:28 NLT).

Time for a little philosophizing, which brings me to a few questions. How exactly will God fabricate good from a failed marriage and a broken family? Or from a wreck wherein my daughter totals my favorite truck? Or from my father’s premature death because he contracted Mercer while in the hospital? How exactly will missing work due to illnesses benefit me when I need the money to pay bills? And what about the financial roller coaster it seems I’ve been riding since I was 18? Is there a purpose for these and a hundred other foibles I could reveal from my own personal life-not to mention those I’ve witnessed in other’s lives? Am I really supposed to believe God will birth benefits from such episodes? Read more...

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The Word That Lasts Part 1 - Martin Wiles

I assure you, until heaven and earth disappear, even the smallest detail of God’s law will remain. Matthew 5:18 NLT

“Do we have to read the genealogical records too?”

Daily devotional readings were common in my childhood home. And not from a Bible story book. Our readings came straight from the Bible. I hated it when I knew the next night’s reading would be nothing but the descendants of so and so. Evidently, my mother didn’t enjoy them either. When she would huff and say, “Buddy, do we have to read that,” he would say, “Yes.” Every part of God’s Word was important, whether it was boring or not. 

Jesus was of the same mindset as my father. Though in His time only the Old Testament had been written, every portion was important. I’ve learned a few things about the Bible. 

My opinion of God’s Word doesn’t matter. My father didn’t care whether or not I wanted to hear genealogical lists. I would listen because he made the rules, and sitting through nightly Bible readings was one. God didn’t consult me when He made His rules and gave the commands. They are for my spiritual, physical, and emotional good—whether I think so or not. And I’m still accountable for obeying them even if I don’t agree with them.

My opinion of God’s Word affects my lifestyle. If I believe it’s God’s Word for me, I’ll obey and teach others to obey. If I disregard it as nothing more than myths, fables, folktales, and great literature, I’ll adhere to its teachings if it suits me but neglect them if it doesn’t. 

A low opinion of God’s Word leads to a low opinion of sin and a reckless lifestyle. What I think about sin affects how I live. If I re-define sin as a mistake, slip up, or human error, I won’t beat myself up too much when I commit one. I also won’t worry too much about whether my lifestyle matches what God says it should be. 

On the other hand, a high opinion of God’s Word changes my opinion of sin and leads to a spiritually healthy lifestyle. Jesus said if I loved Him I would obey His commands. His commands involve what I shouldn’t do or think. Sin. When I choose not to practice sin, I’ll live the abundant life He offers. 

What effect is God’s Word having on your life?

Prayer: Father, may we view the Bible as Your Word to us. 

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Passed Over - Martin Wiles

In honor of the LORD your God, always celebrate the Passover at the proper time in early spring. Deuteronomy 16:1 NLT

Having a team captain choose team members can be a frightening occurrence. 

Sports were never my thing. I suppose my build fought against my involvement. While I loved to attend games and watch sporting events on television, I never played a single one from first grade through graduation. Neighborhood games and PE classes were my only connection—and I hated both. Neighborhood friends never picked me first. Neither did team captains. I was too skinny…too shy. So I settled for being passed over until the very last. 

Being passed over can damage a young person’s emotions. Feelings of inadequacy surface quickly and often. These feelings affected more than my involvement in sports. They transferred over into academic life and also into my relationship. As a teen, they affected my dating habits. Not until I became a young adult did my view of myself change. 

For the Israelites living in Egyptian slavery, being passed over was a good thing. It meant the death angel—traveling through the land killing the Egyptians’ oldest children along with the firstborn of all their animals, would pass over their homes. He would see the blood they had splattered on the door frame and keep going. 

I didn’t enjoy being passed over by the popular girls or the team captains, but I am glad God was willing to pass over me when it came time to deal with my sins. Focusing on God’s love is easy; realizing there is a holy wrath side of His nature is more difficult—yet biblical. 

Like everyone, I was born with a sinful nature and also born responsible to God. Since God is holy, He can’t be associated with sin. Sin made me unworthy to serve on His team. Yet He was willing to pass over that if I’d do my part. For the Israelites in Egypt, it meant sacrificing an animal and spreading its blood on their door frames. For me, it entails accepting what God allowed His Son to do on Calvary’s cross—pay my sin debt. 

Knowing what Christ did isn’t enough. I have to incorporate Him into my life. Being on the team doesn’t automatically happen. 

Is God passing over your sin because you are in Christ? 

Prayer: Father, we thank You that in Christ You will pass over our sins. We are no longer under condemnation. 

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Flashback Friday - Martin Wiles

Praising God for Salvation

Engulfed by three feet of water, there was absolutely nothing I could do except wait for my final breath.

Coming from a family of nonswimmers, I suppose it’s natural to fear water. So when my friends decided to take the intertube we were floating on to the deep end of the swimming pool, I panicked. My fingers clasped the cement sides as my lifeboat slowly moved toward the outer banks. As I clutched and the intertube released, I slithered slowly into the water and headed for the bottom. Final thoughts went through my young mind: “I’m a Christian, so I know I’ll go to heaven.” “It’ll be okay. I’ll just stop breathing, and it’ll be over.” Read more...

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What’s in a Word? Part 5 - Martin Wiles

Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble. Proverbs 21:23 NLT

“I am not a crook” meant nothing—and something.

Politicians are known for their words. President Richard Nixon is famous for the above statement, spoken while defending himself against charges associated with the Watergate scandal. 

But speaking words doesn’t necessarily make them true. People discover this when they vote for individuals to hold certain offices. Promises made are often broken once in office. Or at least not fulfilled due to opposition from another ruling body the candidate can’t control. 

One thing is for certain: if I keep my mouth shut, I won’t say something I shouldn’t. 

Words have the power to destroy relationships. Millions of relationships have been destroyed by words—words spoken with the intent to kill or words spoken in the heat of the moment that couldn’t be retrieved when sorrow for speaking them took over. 

Words can inflict a degree of emotional harm that holds the power to last longer than an act of physical violence. With my words, I can build or tear down relationships. 

Words reflect the Spirit’s control. As a believer with the indwelling Spirit of God, my words reflect the degree I’m allowing God to control my mouth. My words will mirror the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. When they don’t, it proves I’ve installed other things or people ahead of God. My priorities need examining. 

Words reflect intelligence. “I’d rather keep my mouth shut and let others think I’m a fool than open it and remove all doubt” is a comical saying with a lot of truth. My words demonstrate my knowledge about a particular subject or life in general. If I’m not an authority, it benefits me more to listen and learn than it does to speak out of ignorance. Godly wisdom should adorn my speech. 

Words are potent and powerful. Martin Luther King, Jr. moved a world with his “I Have a Dream” speech. Words can do that when spoken with intelligence, passion, and wisdom. They can kill or resurrect. In the 1960’s, they raised up several rights movements. Laws were passed and societies changed—for good and bad, by the power of words. 

Let God help you choose carefully the words you speak.

Prayer: Father, let the words we speak build our relationships and benefit our world.

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What’s in a Word? Part 4 - Martin Wiles

Blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! James 3:10 NLT

And to think, we were glad when he learned to talk. 

Our first grandchild was slow beginning to talk. He seemed beyond the normal age when his first words rolled off his tongue. Though we didn’t say anything to our daughter, my wife and I couldn’t help but wonder if he was autistic or challenged in other ways. 

Then things changed. Almost overnight, new words began pouring out. Before long, he was speaking in broken sentences. Now we find ourselves having to be cautious about what we say. He parrots everything we speak. Much of it, he doesn’t understand. He merely repeats. 

According to James, random words and sentences come from our mouths, words that lift others up and words that tear others down. 

Words reflect our thoughts. Jesus said what was in our heart would come out in our speech. A common sense conclusion. When my heart is pure, words that have the same quality will seep from my mouth. An impure heart produces the opposite. If someone wants to know what I think about most of the time, all they have to do is spend a little time with me. 

Words determine direction. Psychologists call this self-fulfilling prophecy. What I tell myself on a regular basis—what counselors called self-talk, normally plays itself out in my actions. If I constantly tell myself how incapable I am and how I’ll never amount to anything—while at the same time wondering why God even created me—my direction in life will follow a disappointing vein. I’ll avoid new pursuits and probably miss God’s plan for my life. 

Words are examined by God. God knows the words that make up my thoughts regardless of whether or not I ever speak or write them. My prayer should be that the words of my heart would be acceptable in God’s sight. 

Words can reflect hypocrisy. I can build someone up to their face and tear them down behind their back. I can pretend to love them while in their presence and attempt to destroy them when I’m not. Contradictory practices such as those reveal a divided—hypocritical, heart. 

Examine the thoughts of your heart so the words that follow will please God.

Prayer: Father, give us wisdom and courage to speak words that reflect our love for You and our concern for others. 

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Throwback Tuesday - Martin Wiles

The Need Meeter

Times were strenuous. My wife and I were in an unpleasant financial situation we didn’t create or have any control over. Our only choice was to walk away.

We were grateful for a relative who agreed to let us stay with them temporarily. Thankfully, our stint was brief. When we finally located employment and a home, we were overly anxious to move. Unfortunately, we had no money to re-stock our kitchen. Condiments and staples are often taken for granted and are quite expensive. But God sent a couple our way who said, “We want to help you stock your pantry.” Read more...

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What’s in a Word? Part 3 - Martin Wiles

No one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:8 NLT

With less than 30 letters, I can communicate anything. 

The English alphabet contains only 26 letters, but a combination of them is responsible for every paragraph, letter, poem, short story, essay, research paper, and book that’s ever been penned. Words can change their function. Verbs show action. Adjectives describe which one, what kind, how many, how much, and whose. Adverbs tell when, where, how, how often, and to what extent. Conjunctions join independent and dependent clauses. Put an exclamation point behind a word and you’ll know I’m excited. A question mark and you’ll know I desire information.   

If the tongue—with which I speak these words—is untamable, what hope do I have of using my words for good? God can tame my tongue. 

Words reflect self-image. Hang around me long enough and you’ll discover what I think about myself. I may think the way I do because of messages my parents gave me when I was younger. Or a teacher. Perhaps because of things my spouse said. My words reflect humility, pride, or distortions of both. God says I’m created in His image and a masterpiece in the making. My words should reflect my belief of His words.

Words demonstrate priorities. By looking at my checkbook or debit card register, I can uncover my priorities. The words I speak also give them away. What I talk about the most reveals my goals and passions. Jesus said the two greatest commands were to love Him with my total being and then others as myself. Whatever words I speak or write should communicate that. 

Words initiate consequences. Walking up to the wrong person and telling them what a sorry something or other they are might get me a black eye, broken nose, or missing tooth. It might even get me shot or cut. Words stir feelings in others. Those feelings lead to actions. My words will cause others to react in healthy or unhealthy ways. 

Words hurt or heal. My combination of 26 letters will make others feel better about themselves and their situations or inflict emotional pain. I have the power to choose which I want to happen. I can cut them to the quick with my tongue or administer a soothing touch. 

What will you do with your combination of 26 letters?

Prayer: Father, may we use the words we speak to honor You and build others up. 

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What’s in a Word? Part 2 - Martin Wiles

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NKJV

The entry for the day stated, “I hate you.”

Brian’s mother loved him, but like many mothers she also loved to snoop in his room. He was a teenager, and she could remember the things she experienced when she was one. Her motherly instinct told her he was keeping a journal, but she had no evidence. An expert at snooping, she soon discovered his treasure. It told of his teenage passions, plans, and daily affairs. 

Then she discovered a single day’s only entry, “I hate you.” Only after Brian was an adult did his mother confess her snooping. But the words had burned in her chest for twenty years. Brian assured her he meant nothing by them. “Every teenager says that about their parents,” he said. 

The psalmist’s desire was for his words—which proceeded from his mind and heart, to be acceptable to God. 

Words reflect character. Character is who I am whether or not this is who I portray to others. Character is forged in the heart. Talk with me long enough and you will discover my true self, my priorities, and my dreams. When my character is built on a relationship with Christ, you will know. 

Words can be pleasant or ugly. When mine are pleasant, you’ll enjoy being around me. When they’re ugly, you and others won’t. Ugly words destroy—reputations and character. My words can distribute compassion, kindness, and love or unconcern, neglect, and hate. 

Words can encourage or discourage. I can build you up or tear you down by what I say. I’ve never received too much encouragement, and I doubt anyone else has either. The world is a discouraging place, but I can ensure my words circulate encouragement. 

Words can’t be taken back. On the “Ellie for Council” episode of the Andy Griffith Show, Andy concluded Ellie’s decision to run for council—since she was a woman, was silly. Her reaction made him quickly take back his statement. “And it had a bad taste,” was his assessment of his words. Trouble was, he couldn’t actually take them back. Neither can I. Once spoken, words can be apologized for, but their memory can linger for years in a person’s mind. 

Make sure the words you speak are pleasing in the Lord’s sight.

Prayer: Father, remind us our words mirror our hearts and minds. Make them pure in Your sight.

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