Throwback Tuesday - Bible Thumper - Martin Wiles

Bible Thumper

Bible-thumper is a term derived from preachers thumping the Bible as they made a point while preaching. The catchphrase wasn’t one of endearment but ridicule of those attempting to impose their beliefs on others. But the slur was not solely directed at preachers. Anyone displaying their religion—whether of a fundamentalist nature or not, could be labeled.

While growing up, I’m sure some of my acquaintances considered me a Bible thumper. After all, I was a preacher’s kid and often labeled the same thing as my father. And he was quite the fundamentalist. I knew the Bible backward and forward. My parents and teachers at church ingrained the facts and stories into my young brain. I learned the songs, memorized the verses, and discovered the books through Bible drills. But these truths by themselves didn’t set me free. Read more...

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Here We Go … Again - Martin Wiles

Series: The Truth about Trials

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James 1:2 NLT

“There has been an accident but he’s awake.”

My sister-in-law received the early-morning call. My niece received it next. My brother had been in an accident.

From early childhood asthma to accidents to depression to Parkinson’s and now to this, one trial after another has plagued my brother. But he’s stubborn … and driven. He refuses to give up. Recently, he had deep brain stimulator surgery to relieve some of the effects of Parkinson’s disease. He progressed nicely—until now.

Though disabled, he worked part-time as a security officer on third shift. While on his way to work on a deserted secondary highway, he suffered a seizure which caused him to run off the side of the road. He overcorrected, flipped his small truck, and hit a tree.

No one saw him … until the next morning. For seven hours, he lay trapped in the small cab. Daylight brought a few cars by, and one called 911. The hospital called to relay the message.

By the time we got to the hospital, they had placed him in ICU. Though he had no major lacerations, which could have led to his death, he had multiple internal injuries: several broken ribs, a deep bruise on his lung, three broken vertebrae in his neck, and spinal contusions.

For now, all the ex’s and presents, along with nieces and nephews, gathered around my brother’s side. We put aside the pain of the past; his health and recovery were more important. And we all had a common denominator: our faith.

Trials have a way of refining our faith (1 Peter 1:7). All of us were at various stages. Some had had stronger faith in the past, but had let it wane. Some were skeptics. Others let this trial intensify our faith. The stage wasn’t important; the refining was.

When we respond correctly to life’s trials, God refines our faith … making it stronger … taking us deeper … changing our perspective of Him. My brother, in whatever shape he comes out of this … won’t let it affect his view of God. He will still believe God’s in control and loves him and will somehow use this trial to increase his faith. And God will do the same for you.

Let God use your trials to refine your faith.

Prayer: Father, in and through the trials of life, we depend on You to sharpen the faith You’ve placed inside of us. 

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When the Air Goes Out - Martin Wiles

Series: The Truth about Trials

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James 1:2 NLT

Psssss. The sound concerned us … and we investigated.

My wife and I were out for a day’s ride with a couple who were looking for a campsite. The husband had been in a wreck and had received a settlement for his injuries and lost time at work. With the money, they bought a small camper and a new truck to pull it with—a nice truck with all the bells and whistles.

As he turned into a campsite, he neared a jagged stump beside the entrance. I thought nothing of him hitting it. After all, we rode in a tough Dodge Ram with large tires. Sure enough, the back tire brushed the stump. The next sound we heard was air escaping.

The husband stopped, we all got out, and we watched as the tire deflated within thirty seconds. A piece of wood from the stump had punctured the side of the tire. We were flabbergasted—that a small piece of anything could tackle a tire such as this—and the husband was dejected.

 

Next came the task of figuring out how to lower the spare tire from beneath the truck … on a hot summer day. With all of us working together, we managed to get the tire changed. Within an hour, we were back on the road again. And we didn’t let the episode ruin our view of the campsite. We all eventually camped there.

I don’t remember this trial bringing joy to any of us, but there was a bright side. “At least, we had a spare,” the husband remarked. I carried his trying-to-look-on-the-bright side attitude one step farther: “At least, the spare had air in it.”

Trials promote fellowship (Acts 14:22). The four of us were already together, but we were together to a greater degree when we had to change the tire. All of us have ailments of one sort or another, so changing the monster tire took team effort.

When tough times hit, it’s comforting to have fellow believers to share with. People who will come alongside and give their presence, share their experiences, and help in various ways. The fellowship decreases the intensity of the trial, giving assurance that if others made it through then we can too.

Don’t isolate yourself when the tough times hit. This isn’t the time to show your toughness, but rather your dependence.

Prayer: Father, as You are there for us during life’s trials, so help us to be there for others.

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Flashback Friday - From Hardship to Healing - Martin Wiles

From Hardship to Healing

“Life is difficult.” A simple but profound statement from M. Scott Peck’s national best-seller, The Road Less Traveled. He continues, “Once we know that life is difficult—once we truly understand and accept it—then life is no longer difficult.”

Recently I heard a similar statement: “You don’t get to the top of the mountain by climbing the smooth side.” I concur. One of my favorite mountains to climb is Tray Mountain, located in the northeastern mountains of Georgia. But getting there requires scaling Rocky Mountain. Read more...

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God Shows Off - Martin Wiles

Series: The Truth about Trials

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James 1:2 NLT

Her greatest trial was her husband.

Joy Davidman was a wife and a mother of two boys who slowly let go of her atheism through the far-away influence of a former atheist, C. S. Lewis. Through a series of events, Davidman met Lewis and shared her struggles. Lewis grieved for her, especially when she had to return to the States and to her miserable situation.

Unable to reconcile things with her alcoholic and adulterous husband, Davidman decided to return to England with her boys and sue for divorce. Two years later, England refused to renew her visa. Not wanting her to return to her miserable situation, Lewis married her in a civil ceremony.

One year later, Davidman fell and broke her leg. X-rays showed not only a break but also cancer … throughout her body. Lewis finally located an Anglican priest to marry them properly. Davidman expected to die, but miraculously her cancer went into remission. Three years later, it returned with a vengeance. She died in the spring.

In his book, A Greif Observed, Lewis, in speaking of his wife’s death, wrote, “Not that I am in much danger of ceasing to believe in God. The real danger is of coming to believe such dreadful things about Him. The conclusion I dread is not ‘So there’s no God after all,’ but ‘So that is what God’s really like. Deceive yourself no longer.’”

Though James says to count it all joy when troubles come, getting discouraged, depressed, and disappointed is more common … and easier. Even more difficult, as Lewis discovered, is resisting the temptation to see God as something other than what He presents Himself as. Fortunately, Lewis, and many others, have overcome the temptation.

Trials, when responded to correctly, grow our understanding of God’s grace (2 Corinthians 12:9). Grace doesn’t always remove the trail, but it moves us through it. By God’s grace, salvation comes, and by God’s grace, strength to endure and overcome whatever Satan brings or God allows also arrives.

We may not understand why, but God’s grace can put us into situations, such as Lewis’, that completely confound us. We tend to put God in a box, but trials have a way of showing us that our narrow interpretations or ideas of Him can’t contain Him.

God’s grace is more magnificent than you can ever imagine. Let it carry you through whatever trial you face.

Prayer: Father, we worship You because You are a God of grace—grace that will see us through each and every trouble in life.

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Christmas’ Unexpected Changes - Martin Wiles

But God kept them from recognizing him. Luke 24:16 NLT

The news stung like a hornet against bare skin.

For thirteen years, my wife and I had celebrated Christmas with our two children on Christmas day. We considered it a sacred tradition—and thought they did, too. We loved watching them—and later their children—open gifts we had purchased. Then, we got the news.

Around the middle of November, our daughter texted to let us know she was rearranging the Christmas calendar. She would not celebrate Christmas with us on Christmas day. Going from house to house was just too hectic. She wanted Christmas day to be just her and her boys. The news crushed us, but we understood how hard it was on her. We would have to face unexpected Christmas changes. 

That’s when I suggested a change of my own. Since neither of our children would visit on Christmas day, we would head to our favorite place: the Great Smokey Mountains. Pigeon Forge to be exact.

Jewish believers also encountered an unexpected change in the first century. The birth of the Messiah didn’t happen the way many expected. He didn’t arrive on a white horse to run off their Roman oppressors. Rather, He was birthed to a young unmarried teenager and in a cave manger. Many didn’t recognize Him because of this unexpected change. A change for them, but not for God.  

The holiday season often brings changes we don’t expect—or want. A loved one passes away during the year, and we have to celebrate without them. An empty place resides at the table. An accident causes debilitating injuries and changes the way we celebrate the holidays. A child moves away to college or takes a job in a state far away. Perhaps even overseas. Arguments occur. Tempers flare. Anger and misunderstandings erupt. Unforgiveness sneaks in. The doctor says the “C” word.

The only constant about change is that change is always constant, whether we enjoy it or not. We often can’t prevent it, but we can adapt and move on. Which is what my wife and I did.

Whether or not you enjoy the changes Christmas may throw your way, remember the real reason for the celebration: Jesus’ birth and our salvation. Let the joy of that event overshadow any other pain you may face. And have a Merry Christmas!

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Throwback Tuesday - What Pushes Your Buttons? - Martin Wiles

What Pushes Your Buttons?

Friday night. Bi-Lo grocery store. My wife and I stopped in for a few groceries. Three open registers awaited us when we were ready to check out. One was express. We had too many items. We knew the reaction we’d get from others and the cashier if we tried to sneak by the warning sign. The line we chose had two shoppers ahead of us. “This will be a quick exit,” we thought. Not so. 

The first shopper had insufficient funds. I had already placed our items on the belt when the cashier looked at me and whispered, “This might take a while.” I scooped up our items, placed them in our buggy, and directed my wife to the only other open lane. Only one shopper. It appeared a good decision. But we were now behind Cathy the coupon shopper. Nothing wrong with saving money, but my impatience was bleeding through…until God reminded me what I’d recently taught my Sunday School class. Events in and of themselves don’t produce unpleasant emotional reactions. Rather, it’s what I think about the events. Read more...

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Don’t Fear the Trials - Martin Wiles

Series: The Truth about Trials

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James 1:2 NLT

In May of 2001, Erik Weihenmayer accomplished something that less than 200 people per year do: summited Mount Everest. But the thing that made his achievement greater than the others who summit the mountain was that he was the first blind person to scale the tallest mountain in the world.

Erik was born with a disease called retinoschisis. By the time he was thirteen, his sight had vanished. Rather than focus on what he could not do, he chose to focus on what he could do and accomplished more than almost anyone expected. Then he wrote about it in his autobiography, Touch the Top of the World: A Blind Man’s Journey to Climb Farther Than the Eye Can See.

Trials make us long for heaven (Romans 8:18). The apostle Paul wanted to live, but he knew he’d gain if he died. He’d get to see the Savior who died for him.

For as long as I can remember, my dad longed for heaven—even before his heart malfunctioned. Something about living on earth disturbed him when he compared it to what the Bible said about heaven. In a manner of speaking, he was almost so heavenly minded that he was no earthly good.

When his heart trouble began, he became even more heavenly minded. He had reached his promised seventy years. He didn’t care about living any longer, though his family wanted him to. He told us he’d never come home after the surgery—and he didn’t. He was ready for heaven and tired of earth.

Trials also make fear evaporate from our lives (Psalm 23:4). The psalmist was a shepherd and knew the dangers associated with taking the sheep to the mountaintops for green grass. He had to pass through the valleys of the shadow of death where robbers and wild animals lurked. But he feared not. His sheep had no reason to fear either; he’d protect them. God would do the same for him.

Trials helps us remember God controls our situations. He may not remove the trial, but He can remove the fear if we’ll let Him. Even if the trial takes our life, we’ll be safe in His arms in heaven.

Regardless of what you’re going through, God has it under control. Don’t fear it. Rather, look at it from a heavenly perspective.

Prayer: Father, we give our fears to You because You are our great Shepherd who will lead us safely through any trial we face.

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Trials and Trust - Martin Wiles

Series: The Truth About Trials

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James 1:2 NLT

On her grave marker were the following simple words: “For her to live was Christ, and to die was gain.”

Maria Dyer was born in 1837 on the mission field in China. Her parents were pioneer missionaries, both of whom died when she was a little girl. After their deaths, Maria was sent back to England for an uncle to raise. The horrible trial of losing her parents, however, didn’t deter Maria’s young heart from wanting to share the gospel. She knew how important doing so was. At age sixteen, she returned to China to work in a girl’s school as a missionary. Five years later, she married Hudson Taylor, a man well-known today for his life of ministry, faith, and sacrifice and for being the founder of the China Inland Mission.

Others—even Christians—often criticized Maria and her husband’s work. At one point Maria wrote, “As to the harsh judgings of the world, or the more painful misunderstandings of Christian brethren, I generally feel that the best plan is to go on with our work and leave God to vindicate our cause.”

Of Maria and Hudson’s nine children, only four survived to adulthood. Maria herself died of cholera at the age of forty-three. But she believed the cause merited the sacrifice.

The only way joy can come from our trials is for us to trust God in and through them. Otherwise, they will destroy us or lead us into the depths of depression and discouragement.

Wise King Solomon encouraged God followers to trust God with all of their heart, soul, and mind and not to lean on their own understanding. Further, we should acknowledge Him in all of our ways and let Him direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). Developing trust takes experience, just as it does in a relationship. Trust of others is built over time, as it is with God. The difference being, that God will never break our trust as others often do.

Nor should the trials of life surprise us (1 Peter 4:12). Early believers faced them—many were even put to death. Jesus faced them—and was put to death. Living a righteous life and standing for moral values that represent God’s principles will bring persecution from others. Darkness doesn’t appreciate the light.

Don’t let the trials of life get you down. Expect them, and learn to trust God through them. He’ll never let you down.

Prayer: Father, we trust You to guide us through life’s trials and to bring us out stronger on the others side.

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Flashback Friday - Idols, Idols, Idols - Martin Wiles

Idols, Idols, Idols

Idols come in various shapes, forms, and sizes, but they have one thing in common: they always remove God from his rightful place. 

Out of the world’s population, God chose Abraham for a special purpose. God promised to bless him and to give him a son through whom the whole world would be blessed. After a few missteps by him and his wife, Abraham finally realized that special son. Thousands of progeny followed. God eventually delivered his descendants from 400 years of Egyptian slavery and gave them commandments to follow so they wouldn’t fall into the lifestyle of their pagan neighbors. One of the commands forbade them to make an image representing God. Read more...

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When Trials Turn Deadly - Martin Wiles

Series: The Truth About Trials

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James 1:2 NLT

He lost almost all a man could lose.

Horatio Spafford was a successful businessman and lawyer from Chicago. He had a wife and five beautiful children. Things went well until 1871 when their young son died from pneumonia. Then they lost much of their business in the Chicago fire.

In 1873, the French ocean liner, Ville du Havre, was due to cross the Atlantic from the United States to Europe with 313 passengers on board—among them, Horatio’s family. Unexpected business problems forced him to stay behind.

Four days into the voyage, the liner collided with a Scottish ship. Horatio’s wife, Anna, brought her children to the deck, knelt, and prayed for God to save them or help them endure what was ahead. Within twelve minutes, the liner passed beneath the dark waters of the Atlantic, carrying with it 226 passengers—among them Horatio’s four children.

A sailor discovered Anna floating on a piece of wreckage and rescued her. Later, a larger vessel picked them up and took them to Wales. From here, she wired her husband.

Horatio booked passage on the next available ship to join his wife. When the ship was four days out, the captain called the mourning husband and father to his cabin and told him they were over the place where his children had died. According to a daughter born after the tragedy, Horatio penned the words that later became the song, “It is Well with My Soul.”

According to Paul, trials produce the rare virtue of patience (Romans 5:3). But only if we respond in the correct way, as Horatio did. His wife gave birth to three more children, but even one of them died at age four from pneumonia.

Patience is a jewel that serves us well in life. With it, we love to a greater degree, serve to a higher level, become better citizens, and are molded into better employees.

Trials also teach us how important prayer is (Philippians 4:6-7). As the ship sank, Anna prayed with her children and prayed for God’s will—whether that meant life or death. Trials drag us—sometimes kicking and screaming—into the presence of God where we find help in our time of need. Our prayers don’t change God, but they change our perspective on the trial, making us willing to accept God’s will.

Instead of fighting the trial, let God develop patience in you and teach you the importance of prayer.

Prayer: Father, in the trials, we give ourselves to Your will—even if it leads to death.

Tweetable: Have your trials turned deadly?

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