Looking for Evidence - Martin Wiles

I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side. John 20:25 NLT

The evidence was overwhelming. We followed something we feared.

Panthertown Valley is just outside of Cashiers, North Carolina. If you’re looking for a directional sign, you’ll be disappointed. But my brother and I had directions. Numerous trails run through more than 10,000 acres of protected land, and we planned to hike one of them.

As we made our way along the trail, we noticed scat. Since it was filled with berries, we knew what kind of animal left it. Though we enjoyed the scenery, our eyes roamed our surroundings. Every noise caused our hearts to race and our eyes to dance. When we reached the end of the trail, a tree with claw marks greeted us. A bear scratching post. We never saw Smokey, but the evidence convinced us he was near.

Thomas wasn’t convinced by the evidence. Jesus had been resurrected from the grave. Women saw him—as did some of the other disciples, but eyewitness reports weren’t enough for Thomas. He wanted to see the marks. So Jesus showed him. Then Thomas felt ashamed that he’d asked.

The evidence for God’s existence seems overwhelming to me—but not all agree. When I look at nature and how natural laws operate according to an unseen plan, I wonder how anyone could doubt—or even deny, the existence of a Higher Being. Theologians disagree over the methods God used to create. Did He initiate a Big Bang or perhaps use evolution as His process? Or was everything a fiat act of creation out of nothing?

Jesus showed Thomas the evidence he asked for and listened as Thomas shamefully confessed Him as Lord and Savior. He should have believed without the evidence. God won’t appear to me and say, “Yes, I exist and created,” but He has given me enough evidence to know He does and did.

The evidence at Panthertown Valley convinced me and my brother a bear was in the area—whether we physically saw him with our eyes or not. The universe—along with a still small voice that speaks to my spirit, convinces me God exists, loves me, and wants to be included in my life. What I do with the evidence is up to me.

Evidence for God’s existence is overwhelming. Believe He exists and invite Him into your life.

Prayer: Father, we acknowledge You as the Creator and Governor of our universe and our lives. 

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Flashback Friday - Prone to Wander - Martin Wiles

Prone to Wander

In 1757, at the age of 22, pastor and hymnist Robert Robinson penned the words to the song “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” Verse four’s conclusion mimics Jesus’ story of the prodigal son: Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love.

Happily for the prodigal, he came to his senses and said to himself …“I will go home to my father and say, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you…Please take me on as a hired servant (Luke 15:17-19 NLT)’” Read more...

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Conquering Stress - Martin Wiles

In that day he will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord will be your treasure. Isaiah 33:6 NLT

Living a stress-free life is impossible.

Women report they experience stress because of the following reasons: contradictory feelings, changing expectations, new freedoms but fewer options, guilt over working outside the home, too much to do with too little time, fatigue, boredom, unrealistic expectations, role conflicts, and pressures from the workplace. The top five stressors reported by women were death of a spouse, divorce, marriage, death of a family member, and being fired from their job.

For men, the four major stressors concern their bodies, careers, families, and personal issues. Though men and women face similar stressors, men seem to handle them in an unhealthier manner. Symptoms that show up as men age are high blood pressure, body aches, ulcers, heartburn, and headache. Statistically, they also die earlier than women. (Wright, H Norman. Winning over Your Emotions)

The nation of Israel faced her own set of stressors—many brought on by their repeated disobedience to God. God often used pagan nations to correct their wayward behavior, but He also assured Israel of His love and protection when they obeyed.

Small doses of stress are good. They get my adrenaline flowing and propel me into actions that can benefit me, my church, my community, and even the world. A life completely free of stressors would be boring and uneventful. Too many stressors—or the wrong type, can inflict emotional, physical, and spiritual pain—leading to my detriment.

A correct view of God helps control stress. God is not a distant deity who has no concerns for the events in my life. He walks beside me, lives within me, and wants to direct my paths to an abundant life. But I must give Him control and believe He is in control.

Building time to relax into my schedule is also important. Opportunities to serve God and others abound, but I can’t take advantage of them all. Asking God which ones He wants me to snatch is important. As Jesus took time to relax, I must also have time left over for my family and myself.

Re-evaluating the view I have of myself is essential. The why of what I’m doing that’s leading to stress is more important than what I’m doing. If there are ulterior motives involved, stress is sure to accumulate.

Don’t let stress conquer you; let God help you conquer it.

Prayer: Father, give us life guidance so our bodies will not be conquered by the ill effects of stress. 

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Peeled like a Potato - Martin Wiles

When the Lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, “Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. Hosea 1:2 NLT

I stood with a bag of potatoes beside me, a knife in my hand, and what appeared like eternity in front of me.

Corporal tunnel surgery had not slowed my wife down much—and I was glad since she was our cook at church for Wednesday night meals. Though I was prepared to fix the meal under her supervision, I got off with a lighter duty.

“How good are you at peeling potatoes?” she asked.

“Okay I suppose,” I answered and took the knife she handed me.

“Peel half of this bag.”

When I finished peeling, she said, “Now slice them and then dice them into small pieces so they’ll cook quickly.”

The dish was simple. She was merely browning the potatoes and adding a little butter and other seasoning. Yet almost an hour was spent getting ready to make the dish. Peeling and preparing a potato can be a lengthy process.

Hosea was peeled like a potato. God’s call to him involved marrying a prostitute—or a woman with promiscuous leanings, and having her bear him children through adulterous relationships. Seems like a strange plan, but his life episode was to be an illustration of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God.

God’s plan often comes in layers like a sliced potato. He doesn’t show us the entire schemata, just bits and pieces. Hosea’s wife didn’t stop with one promiscuous affair but continued until Hosea finally brought her home and confined her. My obedience to each stage of God’s unfolding plan demonstrates my determination to do what He wants me to do—even if I can’t see the end.

God’s plan can be painful as it was for Hosea and as it was for my back while I stood for an hour peeling. No spouse enjoys being the recipient of unfaithfulness. God often allowed His prophets to demonstrate their messages in graphic ways, and Hosea’s aligned with the norm. Hosea hurt. Through pain, we grow spiritually and are drawn closer to our Creator.   

And God’s plan will always entail change. Never can I stay where I am and go with God. The potato won’t become a hash brown casserole, French fries, or browned potatoes as long as it stays in its original state.

Regardless of the pain or the change required, determine to follow God’s plan for your life.

Prayer: Father, give us the courage and faith we need to say “Yes” to Your plan. 

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Throwback Tuesday - Wandering Jew - Martin Wiles

Wandering Jew

The name is appropriate because that’s exactly what it does.

Wandering Jew is a plant that lives up to its name. Since it’s vine-like in nature, it has a tendency to wander and will easily fill a hanging basket, making a beautiful addition to any living room, patio, or porch. Every notch from which new growth appears is a potential new flower. The plant can be severed at any juncture and placed directly in soil. Read more...

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Promise Keeper - Martin Wiles

And Jonathan made David reaffirm his vow of friendship again, for Jonathan loved David as he loved himself. 1 Samuel 20:17 NLT

He made a promise to his best friend, but now his friend lay dead on a mountaintop.

Davey and Johnny were best buds and had been since they were young. Davey’s family farmed while Johnny’s came from the upper class. In spite of their cultural differences, Davey and Johnny managed to maintain their friendship.

Johnny’s dad, however, was leery of Davey. Though Davey came from the lower class, he saw potential in him—potential that might carry him far in life. So he gave him a job at his company—but with ulterior motives. He thought Davey’s sharp mind might help his company move forward.

As Johnny’s dad aged, he made arrangements for Johnny to take over the company after his retirement or death. Johnny had no interest in the company and secretly wanted Davey to run the business. He even made Davey promise to care for his family if something happened to him. (He seemed to have eerie premonitions.)

Johnny’s premonition materialized. He and his father were tragically killed while on the way to negotiate with a firm that was their staunchest competitor. Davey kept his promise, though, ran the business, and even cared for Johnny’s disabled son. He could have forgotten his promise and pursued his own interest in life, but he chose to honor his friend by keeping his word.

Being as good as my word is a high goal to reach for—but a worthy one. A person’s word was once enough…with perhaps a handshake to follow. Not anymore. Even though we live in an age of paperwork that protects me and the one I’m making a promise to, my word should be just as good as if there were no paperwork. My promises should not be made lightly.

Breaking a promise should never enter my mind. Only under extenuating circumstances and unusual conditions should I renege on my word. Carrying out my word is important even if inconveniences me. Taking care of Johnny’s disabled son certainly did Davey.

Perhaps more than anything else, keeping my promises provides an example of my faithfulness to God. When I’m serious about keeping my promises to God—as He is about keeping His to me, I’ll find it easier to keep my word to others.

When you give your word, keep your word.

Prayer: Father, help us understand how important it is to keep our word to others. 

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Angels of Mercy - Martin Wiles

And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. Hebrews 13:16 NLT

We sat on the porch and watched the angels of mercy come, one after the other.

My wife and I were visiting a shut-in couple from our church when the angels of mercy arrived. As we enjoyed the cool Fall weather, I watched the front door of the house across the road open. A lady with a covered tray walked out and made her way across the street. She strolled up the couples’ front steps and told them she had made them supper. As she named off the southern meats and vegetables under the foil, the husband’s mouth watered. She took the meal inside, placed it on their table, made a few minutes of small talk, and then left.

A few more minutes of conversation passed when a neighbor on the left walked over with a plastic bag and said, “Thank you Papa for watching my kids.”

“You’re welcome, honey,” he said.

I wondered how he had watched her kids since he can hardly care for himself or his wife. His eyes lit up as he looked inside and discovered six packs of bologna—one of his favorite meats to fry and make a sandwich from.

“Thank you, Lord,” he whispered as tears dotted his eyes while his neighbor walked away.

Both of the angels were from different races and cultures—one an African American and the other Hispanic. But it mattered not to this couple living in a neighborhood that had changed drastically since they purchased their home 50 years before. God has sent His angels, and they were thankful.

Like most people, I sometimes focus more on my needs than the needs of others. I want God to send His angels in the form of others to help me, but I forget He wants to send me as an angel of mercy as well. Putting my eyes and hands on others relieves the emotional intensity of the hardships I might be facing and reminds me I don’t have to look far to find people who are in more dire straits than I am.

Opportunities to be used as God’s angel of mercy abound. Being one requires living with intentionality, desire, love, and openness to the opportunities God places all around us.

Ask God to send angelic opportunities your way.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the privilege of serving as Your hands and feet in this world. 

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Flashback Friday - Love's Not an Emotion - Martin Wiles

Love’s Not an Emotion

“I don’t love you anymore.” Words spoken harshly followed by a slammed door. Or softly with a tinge of remorse and a gentle walking away. Perhaps relayed on a handwritten note stained with a damp spot from a tear of regret.

Regardless of how the message arrives, the sting of hearing love has dissipated is tragic. It can come after a few months of puppy love, a year of dating your first love, or even after 38 years of marriage. Read more...

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