Grace Ticks - Martin Wiles

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NLT

She sits graciously on our mantel and does what her maker created her to do.

For nine years, an old Gingerbread clock has inhabited our antique collection. She’s accompanied us through several moves and kept running—except for once. During the three years we lived in the lower part of our state, she didn’t run a lick. I oiled her, cleaned her, and checked to see that all her parts worked correctly. But she wouldn’t tick a lick.

Then we moved back to the area where we had purchased her. I sat her on the mantel in our new residence, moved the pendulum to the left, released it, and listened as her beautiful rhythm once again came to life. She’s been ticking steadily for the last five years. Unlike most spring-wound clocks, she has defied needing maintenance to keep ticking. I know one day her parts will wear out, but for now we enjoy her steady ticks. The clock’s ticks remind me of God’s grace.

Paul knew a lot about grace. He experienced grace on the Damascus Road when he met the risen Christ, but he also enjoyed it every day—even in painful circumstances. An unidentified thorn pestered him. Although he begged God on three occasions to remove the thorn, it remained. God informed him His grace was sufficient for him to endure.

Sometimes God’s grace appears to stop ticking, as my clock did. I chalked it up to worn out bearings or a broken part, but it wasn’t. At a new home and on a new mantel, she purred perfectly. God’s grace never ceases, even when we can’t see it. His grace runs regularly just like our clock. Always in the measure we need, always at the right moment, and always sufficient for our circumstances.

Unlike spring-wound clocks, God’s grace never needs maintenance. It is forever healthy and well-oiled, making it adequate to move us through all life situations.

Other than broken or worn out parts, one thing will cause our clock to stop: failure to wind it. Every seven days, I insert a key into both of its sockets and turn. If I forget, she will stop. Although God’s grace won’t cease to flow, regular spiritual disciplines—prayer, Bible study, meditation, and fellowship with other believers—helps me enjoy it more.

Don’t miss out on God’s grace ticks in your life. 

Tweetable: Are you missing God's grace ticks?

Prayer: Father, we praise You for the regular ticking of Your grace in our lives. May we channel it to others. 

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Known by God - Martin Wiles

The Lord replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.” Exodus 33:17 NLT

Three times I’ve visited it, and each time I’ve been overwhelmed.

The Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington National Cemetery houses the bodies of three unknown soldiers. Initially, the remains of a soldier from World War I were placed there. Later, officials added an unknown soldier from World War II. Soldiers from the Korean and Vietnam Wars came later. Officials later removed the one from Vietnam because he was identified.

Watching the changing of the guard moves one’s emotions. No one talks. The only sounds are the guards’ heels clicking, rifles snapping, birds chirping, and perhaps a distant bugle playing Taps at a burial.

The inscription on the tomb comforts the mind: “HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD.”

God assigned Moses the monumental task of leading more than one million people out of slavery, across a wilderness, and into their Promised Land. Moses wanted to know who God planned to send as his assistant in this huge task. God assured Moses He would go with him and that He knew him by name.

I’m known by a lot of people, but not by all. And many who know me I don’t know in return. Perhaps they’ve seen my picture by a poem, devotion, or article I’ve written. Having others know me is comforting, but, more than anyone else, I want God to know me.

God creates every person and knows us all by name. No birth escapes His notice because He manufactures each one. Regardless of whether a person comes to know God, God knows them. God desires for all to know Him, not just know about Him. Through faith in Christ as our Savior and by His forgiveness of our sins, we know God. We can know His mind—His will for our life.

Not only does God know our names, but He also knows our hearts . . . our thoughts . . . our emotions. He sees every detail of our lives and wants us to involve Him in it. We can’t hide anything from Him—nor should we want to.

When I know God as He knows me, I can accomplish His will and plan for my life—which is why He placed me on earth. Doing God’s will enables us to live life to the fullest. 

Don’t miss out on knowing God. Be who He created you to be.

Tweetable: Are you missing out on knowing the most important person?

Prayer: Father, we believe You know us intimately. Draw us into that same type of relationship with You so we can do Your will on earth. 

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Throwback Tuesday - The Art of Listening - Martin Wiles

The Art of Listening

John* couldn’t believe his ears. Sure enough, the same question was pummeling towards him. 

John was a teacher and loved his job. The kids kept him on his toes and young at heart. But they had one tendency that ruffled his feathers and baffled his wits. 

“Students, today I want you to write a 100-word paragraph on your favorite subject. It should be double spaced, 12 font, and Times New Roman style.”

One minute later: “Mr. Stevens, what if my paragraph is only 85 words?”

Mr. Stevens, “Your paragraph must be at least 95 words and no more than 115.”

One second later: “Mr. Stevens, what if my paragraph is only 85 words?”

Mr. Stevens, “Where were you when I just answered that question?” Read more...

Tweetable: What interferes with your listening? 

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Not Just Desserts - Martin Wiles

There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 NLT

They named it Just Desserts, but it was much more.

My wife and I once lived in the small town of Harleyville, South Carolina. Finding a traditional restaurant to eat at required a fifteen- to twenty-minute drive. Until, that it is, Just Desserts opened in one of the shotgun buildings downtown.

The café was small, and desserts were their specialty. But they also served salads, soups, and sandwiches on any type of bread you could imagine—bread they made in house. We patronized the restaurant at least once a week and took church groups there on occasion. Before long, Just Desserts became more than the name applied. We became good friends with the owner and the employees.

About a year after we moved away, we made a trip back to that area of the state and visited the café, just for old times’ sake. Nothing had changed, and the same friendly faces greeted us as they did when we regularly patronized their establishment.

Using scare quotes, the writer reminds his readers that some friends are not true friends at all. But real friends stick closer than a brother or sister.

When selecting friends, choosing good company is important. Bad company can—and often does—corrupt good morals (1 Corinthians 15:33). Over the course of my lifetime, I’ve chosen a few friends I would have been better off to leave alone. The relationship brought me down morally. Instead of changing them, they changed me.

Good friends provide a resource for good advice. Several of Job’s friends came to comfort him after he experienced episodes of tragedy (Job 2:11). Unfortunately, they gave him bad advice. His troubles, they said, came because he had sinned. But that wasn’t the case. Good friends will give spiritual advice that matches the teachings of God’s Word.

To have friends, I must be a friend. A logical conclusion. Jesus said we should do unto others as we would have them do unto us (Luke 6:31). Otherwise known as the Golden Rule.

But of all friends can do, none can accomplish what God can. He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. The only one who remains consistent for us through thick and thin. The only one who will never disappoint and who will always give good advice.

Let others see you’re more than a casual acquaintance. Be a true friend.

Tweetable: What kind of friend are you?

Prayer: Father, enable us to be true friends to others as You are to us. 

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