Walk-on Wednesday - Down but Not Out - Martin Wiles

Welcome to Walk-on Wednesday. By Hump Day, we are struggling, but we believe a good devotion can strengthen us to finish the week strong. 

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. John 21:15 NLT

When Charles Allen, author of God’s Psychiatry, started in the ministry, he didn’t have a car.

He often walked to the churches where he preached—sometimes borrowing the horse and buggy of an old physician acquaintance. One cold and rainy Sunday morning, he told the doctor he wasn’t going to the little church out in the country. He doubted anyone would show up anyway. The doctor said with a stern voice, “It is your duty to be there. Get the horse and go.”

Peter’s duty was to serve the Christ he had followed for three years. Fishing was no longer in God’s plan—at least not to make a living. With so many failures under his belt, Peter must have questioned his usability. Jesus reminded him he was still in the game by telling him to get busy feeding his sheep. Peter may have been down on himself, but he wasn’t out.

Failure can be a dark cloud that arches continually over our heads. God has work for his people to accomplish. Bad decisions may result in consequences that make it impossible to do God’s work the way I may have, but these poor decisions don’t eliminate me from God’s work. My failure is never permanent unless I choose to let it be by refusing to confess my sin or by wallowing in self-pity.

Satan enjoys convincing believers that God can’t use them any longer because of their past sins or current missteps. If he can keep us on the sidelines with depression and discouragement, we’ll not do anything for God—or at least very little. Since he can’t steal our salvation, he’ll work on our effectiveness.

Jesus re-commissioned Peter. Though he had failed miserably, God still had work for him to complete. Jesus told him to get busy doing it. His previous lifestyle wasn’t the present one, and his failures were immaterial.

Don’t allow failures and sins you’ve confessed to dictate your future service to Christ.

Prayer: Thank You merciful and eternal God for giving us numerous second chances when we fail You. 

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Flashback Friday - Fall Back Not Under - Martin Wiles

Fall Back, Not Under

Germany and its World War I Allies began the practice on April 30, 1916, as a way to conserve coal. America soon followed suit.

When I was a child, I relished the extra daylight hours Daylight Savings Time provided. There was more time to play outside with my friends. But in the fall, I loathed the long hours of darkness.

As an adult, the “falling back one hour”—along with the decreased amount of light, often leads me and hundreds of others into a gloomy and sometimes depressed mood physicians have labeled the “winter blues”—and in its more severe form SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). I find myself out of energy and struggling to make it through the day. My body craves more light…more vigor. Read more...

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Light in the Darkness - Martin Wiles

You light a lamp for me. The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness. Psalm 18:28 NLT

As soon as the time changed, the darkness began creeping in.

Although I love the fall and winter months, changing from Daylight Savings Time to normal time brings a little gloom. For some, it leads to SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). I’m not sure I’ve ever contracted SAD, but I tend to get sad during the cold months when there is less daylight. Ironically, I also want to watch holiday movies that exasperate my gloomy mood. Movies that make me long for a past that will never return.

Not only is the outside darker, but the inside is also. This means more light—which those who are in the know say helps with SAD. When I made all the clocks in the house fall back, I also turned on more lights. Instead of just a lamp, I use several lamps as well as the overhead light. More light lifts my mood—even though they raise the utility bill.

But there is some darkness that has nothing to do with seasonal changes. The psalmist knew all about it. It was the darkness he felt when pursued by enemies. Those who wanted to make his life miserable…dark…or who wanted to destroy it all together. Those who wanted him sad instead of happy. Those who wanted to harm his family.

Just as I can’t change the daytime nighttime cycle, I can’t change periods of darkness that assault me throughout my lifetime either. They will come—disguised as depression, hurt, anger, frustration, broken relationships, rebellious children, lost jobs, failed classes, addictions, and disappointments.

What I can do is turn to the One who has the ability to light up my dark periods. Regardless of what dark period he faced, the psalmist turned to God to light up his life. God will do the same for anyone who asks—but particularly His children. Jesus said He was the light of the world, and then told His followers to be light too.

Letting God shine light into my dark moments will turn on the light, lift my spirits, give me hope, and change my perspective. When God turns on the light for me, it enables me to turn on the light in others’ lives. Everyone faced moments of darkness and needs a little light in their life.

God can enable you to be a light bearer. All you have to do is ask.

Prayer: Father, may we bear Your light of love and compassion to a dark and hurting world. 

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