Throwback Tuesday - Spiritual Workouts - Martin Wiles

Spiritual Workouts

What begins from good intentions is often lost in the shuffle of life.

The pastor said it, and I have no reason to doubt its validity. He’s been there and done that. Go to the local YMCA at the beginning of each New Year, and the exercise equipment will be brimming with eager participants seeking to work out New Year resolutions. Visit three months later, and you can have your pick of the machines. 

I’m one of the guilty ones. I’ve never visited the YMCA or any other fitness organization, but I’ve had a few of those exercise machines lounging around in my house. And true to form, I only used them for a few months before I tired of them. They became yard sale items or stations to lay clothes. Read more...

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Thankful for Fleas - Martin Wiles

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT

“Betsie, how can we live in such a place?” she wailed.

They were Hollanders caught in the German invasion of their country. Discovering they held Jewish sympathies, the Nazis arrested the family and carted them off to prison. Eventually, all found freedom—except Corrie and Betsie.

Traveling between prison camps, the sisters wondered where they were headed this time. They soon found out: Ravensbruck, the notorious death camp. In addition to the lice infesting their bedding, fleas infected their barracks. When Corrie complained, Betsie reminded her of the Bible’s command to give thanks in all circumstances. Corrie didn’t understand.

Guards crammed fourteen hundred women into Barracks 28—an area designed to house four hundred. The flea infestation was so severe the guards wouldn’t enter the barracks. Only then did Corrie understand how Betsie could thank God for these conditions. Since the guards didn’t monitor their activity, Betsie and Corrie led Bible studies where many women found comfort in the pages of Scripture and where many came to know Jesus as Savior. 

Betsie followed Paul’s admonition. He also knew about challenging surroundings, but chose to give thanks anyway.

Thankfulness in all situations requires changing our state of mind. I’m more prone to complain than to thank. Corrie was too. It took Betsie to show her an alternate way. God can show us the same. Such a state of mind comes easier when we remember God’s in control of our situations.

Although they often do, circumstances shouldn’t determine whether or not we have a thankful attitude. Paul doesn’t imply we should get happy about our circumstances, but we can give thanks in them. Being happy about a tragedy is ludicrous, but I can choose to thank God in that circumstance. Doing so helps change my state of mind.

When we’re thankful in all circumstances, it reminds us things could be worse—and often are for others. It doesn’t take looking very far to find someone facing shoddier situations than we face. Seeing several homeless men in our area keeps me continually reminded of this truth.

As ironic as it might appear, giving thanks in all circumstances actually brings peace of mind. Obedience does this. And so does believing in a God who controls all things and who works all things together for the good of His children.

Regardless of what God brings or allows into your life, be thankful.

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Prayer: Father, give us the faith to thank You daily, even in the direst circumstances.

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Give and Get - Martin Wiles

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:21 NLT

She and her sister rotted in a Nazi prison concentration camp, but they gave nevertheless.

Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsie were Hollanders caught in the German invasion of their country. Believing they held Jewish sympathies, the Nazis arrested her family and carted them off to prison. Eventually, all except Corrie and her sickly sister found freedom.

As Corrie and Betsie gravitated from one prison camp to another, Betsie’s health deteriorated. Vitamin drops were the only thing keeping her strength up so she could do the painstaking work the Nazis required. But when others needed the vitamins, she shared. Corrie worried the vitamin drops would give out and her sister would get worse, but God gave to Betsie and she gave in return.

Soon, more than twenty-five shared the small bottle of vitamins—but the drops never ran out. Day after day, the drops unexplainably multiplied. One day, a young Dutch woman assigned to work at the hospital delivered a treasured package: more vitamins. Corrie planned to finish the bottle first, but when she tried to deliver the drops the bottle didn’t deliver. 

Betsie ten Boom’s treasure came from giving. According to Jesus, her heart occupied the same place.

God wants His followers to give even when it appears impossible to do so—as it did with Betsie. He doesn’t expect us to give so much that we put ourselves or our family in poverty—or that we neglect our financial responsibilities—but He does want us to give proportionately and with faith. Betsie had faith God would care for her if the vitamins ran out.

We give because God has given to us—the greatest gift of all. Under no obligation, He gave His only Son to pay our sin debt. The sacrifice was the vitamin we needed to sustain our spiritual lives. Our giving to others demonstrates our appreciation for His gift.

Giving shows love. Betsie loved those she didn’t know. She loved to the point she was willing to sacrifice her own health. As she gave sacrificially, her giving drew others to Christ—which was one of her goals. Even in a nefarious prison camp surrounded by evil guards, her giving attracted others to the One who gave His all.

Give with the right motives and for the right reasons. You’ll never regret it.

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Prayer: Father, as You have given Your all for us, may we give our best for You. 

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Flashback Friday - The Power of Forgiveness - Martin Wiles

The Power of Forgiveness 

He possessed power beyond his imagination, but one thing kept him from realizing what lay within.

“I’m sorry that I didn’t…” I softly said.

“It’s a little late for that now,” he responded. 

And with that what began as a good friendship degenerated into a cold shoulder.

I was his pastor; I had disappointed him. He once visited with me…but not anymore. He supported my every decision and assisted in any way he could…but not now. He was my greatest fan…until one of his relatives died and I didn’t respond in the manner he thought I should have. He was right…I was wrong. I apologized, but he wouldn’t accept it. A few years later he died. I remained…unforgiven. Read more...

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Not the Boss - Martin Wiles

But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command. 1 Samuel 13:14 NLT

“You’re not the boss,” he announced proudly.

I watched as two of my grandboys played a made-up sleeping game. Each lay in their respective chair and pretended to sleep. At a certain moment, the oldest would get up and tell the other to wake up. Then they would switch chairs and repeat the process.

But on one occasion, the youngest awoke first, got up, and told the oldest to wake up. That’s when the oldest informed the youngest that he wasn’t the boss.

Without knowing it—because they’re too young—my grandsons hit on humanity’s bane: playing the boss instead of letting God be.

King Saul had the same issue. Kings didn’t make sacrifices. Prophets and priests performed this duty. The prophet Samuel had told Saul to wait for him to make a sacrifice. Yet, as Saul waited, his army of men became fearful. Their enemies the Philistines gathered for battle. Seeing some of his men running away, Saul decided to make the sacrifice. When Samuel showed up, he informed Saul he wasn’t the boss. God was. Saul’s actions forfeited his role as king.

As the boss, God has established rules and principles. Whether or not I agree with them is immaterial. God put them in place for our good, and obeying them leads to life at its best. God’s principles and commands have purpose. They keep us on the paths of righteousness and away from sinful decisions that ruin our lives. Saul learned this the hard way.

Letting God exercise His position as boss of our lives requires patience. Saul’s ran out, and disobedience crept in. Which is what happens when I don’t let God have His role. Being still and knowing He’s God means waiting. Patience is a virtue, but one it takes time to learn.

Trying to be my own boss demonstrates my foolishness, as it did when Adam and Eve chose to do the one thing God had told them not to do: eat the fruit. Wisdom adorns God’s rule. Learning—and believing that—makes life easier.

Refusing to let God be the boss also ushers in consequences. Saul lost the kingship. For us, the consequences vary as much as the sin we commit or the rebellion we exhibit. But they come as God’s teacher.

God is the boss. Let Him be in your life.

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Prayer: Father, we entrust our lives to You, knowing You know what’s best for us. 

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