Cheating Death - Martin Wiles

You boast that you have struck a bargain to avoid death and have made a deal to dodge the grave. Isaiah 29:15 NLT

During my teenage years, I often cheated death--or so I thought.

Growing up as a teenager in the 1970s made it easy to rebel. Everyone seemed to be against something. Add to this that I was growing up in the home of a conservative preacher, and it should be easy to understand why I chose to join the rebellious. 

My rebellion took me down the path to bad addictions: tobacco, drugs, alcohol. Like most teens, I thought I was invincible. Although the thought of death frightened me, it didn’t scare me enough to make me change my ways. Driving drunk or drug-intoxicated was the norm on the weekend. How I got home safely without killing myself or someone else is nothing short of a miracle. I cheated death, but only because God had other plans for me. 

Isaiah spoke about death for his listeners who thought they could cheat death. God would send their enemies, and when they came, death would follow. 

I may have cheated death numerous times as a teenager, but I won’t cheat it in the end. If Jesus tarries with his Second Coming, I will walk the way all others have walked. Sickness will overtake me. My organs will finally shut down. A tragedy will strike. Whatever the form, death will strike. 

Death is the great leveler. We may differ from others in social standing, religious beliefs, and other ways, but the ground is level where the end of life is concerned. Science may discover many medical marvels, some of which can extend life, but it will never make a discovery that will prevent death. 

As a teen, I feared death, even while thinking I was unconquerable. Although I don’t enjoy thinking about it now, I no longer fear it. My life is now in God’s hands. He has forgiven my trespasses against him, cleaned the slate, and assured me of a heavenly home. I can now face death with the calm assurance of an eternity with my heavenly Father.

I knew Christ as a teen, but from a distance. Now I know him up close. I cannot cheat death, but I can face it through faith, with the knowledge that I’ll be victorious over it through the resurrection of my body and spirit. 

Don’t think you can cheat death. No one can.

Father, even though I must walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I know you are with me and will protect me.

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How to Avoid Technology Overload - Martin Wiles

For God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:20 NLT

Too much of a good thing can be harmful.

Exercise is good, but too much can damage the body. More importantly, it might damage relationships with others.

One Krispy Kreme doughnut won’t harm me, but eating a dozen a day most likely will. Where what I eat is concerned, most doctors will say, “Everything in moderation.” Eating a little along and along is better than binge eating.

Our day is not much different in the moderation area than was Paul’s. Idolatry, sporting events, drugs, alcohol, sexual immorality, gluttony. They were all available. So, Paul took the opportunity to remind first-century believers that their bodies were temples of God’s Spirit. He had bought them with the death of his Son. The least they could do was honor him with their bodies.

The current greatest “too much of a good thing” temptation is technology. An entire generation of digital natives is alive and well. Defined, they are the young people who have never known a time when the internet didn’t exist. Just as doctors once thought tobacco was good for us—and freely smoked in and out of the presence of their patients—but then discovered it was dangerous, so the same is now happening with technology.

Researchers have unveiled how much digital interaction, especially gaming, can damage our brains. The younger the brain, the higher the addiction rate and the more harmful technology is to the brain. Staring at and interacting with “screens” not only builds an addictive wall in our brain but also damages our eyes, leading to dry eye disease.

I use technology profusely and am certainly not an advocate against it. Through it, I can spread the gospel with one press of a button or touch of a screen. But I can get too much of a good thing like everything else. Moderation is necessary lest overload occurs.

Some suggestions to avoid technology overload: take a break from it every fifteen minutes, don’t give it to young children (It’s not a good babysitter), use it wisely, take it out of your bedroom at night (Analog clocks are still available), enjoy an analog activity (Board games are still sold), and go outside.

What’s one thing you can do to avoid technology’s overload?

Father, help me enjoy the good things you’ve created but not to be mastered by anything that steals my attention from you. 

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When Life Falls Apart - Martin Wiles

I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. Romans 7:19 NLT

 

Everything was going well, until . . . it didn’t.

 

Carlton appeared to have it all: a good job, a loving wife, great kids. Everything seemed to work in his favor, until they moved to a different city close to his brother-in-law—who was a drug addict. One day, in a moment of temptation, Carlton’s brother-in-law offered him a little cocaine, and Carlton took it. He was hooked.

 

After that, things went downhill quickly. Carlton couldn’t get enough of his new friend. He loved him so much that he spent his entire paycheck to get more time with him, leaving his family with no money for bills or groceries. His wife worked part-time, but her income only made a dent in the household expenses.

 

Even Carlton’s paycheck couldn’t cover his desire for more. So when he needed more but didn’t have the money, he robbed two stores, each in a different county. The police quickly apprehended him and incarcerated him. But, after all, he wasn’t a career criminal, just a good guy traveling a druggie trail.  

 

Through Carlton’s up and downs, his wife and kids loved him. He eventually reformed . . . somewhat . . . but now and then, he found himself returning to his old friend. Unfortunately, Carlton’s life ended tragically one night when he ran off the road and wrecked. I performed his funeral and watched his wife and family grieve over his death. Years ago, life had fallen apart for them and Carlton, and it never came back together. 

 

I had known Carlton for many years before his addiction. He was a good guy who allowed an addictive substance to ruin his life and the life of his family. But I’m no different. Nor was Paul. Paul was a believer and a great missionary, but he struggled to do the right thing. According to his own confession, he often failed to do the good things he intended to do.

 

Because of our sinful nature, we can do unimaginable things. God understands our sinful nature—but doesn’t excuse our actions. The first step toward healing entails confessing our sins and turning away from them. Then, we must forgive ourselves so that we can get on with life and God’s plan. One slip-up doesn’t make us failures or mean God can’t use us anymore. But if our sin becomes an addiction, we may need professional help.

 

We also need to forgive others who find themselves in untenable situations. Except for God’s grace, we could be where they are. I could be Carlton. We can pray for them and support their recovery from failure—without enabling them. Love doesn’t always mean agreement or approval.

 

When someone’s life falls apart, ratherthan gossip about them or turn your back on them, help them put it backtogether. After all, that someone could be you.

 

Prayer: Father, lead us to those we can help reassemble their lives. 

Tweetable: Where do you turn when life falls apart? 

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Walk-on Wednesday - Bringing Down the Walls - 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. 

It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down. Hebrews 11:30 NLT

Jerry and his wife Ashton built a wall.

When they married, Ashton brought to the marriage an unfortunate habit: meth. Jerry had never delved into the drug world before, but having a wife who used made it easy. Before long, he was using as heavily as she was. Over the years, two children were born—both with mild disorders due to their mother’s drug use. Neither Jerry nor Ashton could hold a job yet always needed money for the next fix. Local child management authorities were notified, and their children were removed from the home and placed with a grandmother. This seemed to be their wake-up call. They cleaned up, found steady jobs, and for a while did well. But the old calling haunted them, and they eventually gave in. Their children were taken again. Jerry found himself in jail, accused of assault and battery, kidnapping, and possession of meth. The wall in their life was steep and solid.

Jericho was the first city the Israelites needed to conquer when they entered the Promised Land. The city’s walls were high and solid and prevented the Israelites from experiencing victory. God told them the method they were to use to see them fall. His technique seemed senseless, but they followed it by faith and enjoyed a great triumph.

Walls come in a host of varieties: drugs, fear, worry and anxiety, rebellion, addictions, unhealthy relationships, procrastination, unbelief, financial bondage, and illegal activities. Most, if not all, of my walls, have been built by me and not imposed by someone else. Either way, walls prevent me from moving forward in my personal life and can also stymie my spiritual walk.

Faith is required to destroy walls—faith to do what God instructs us to do so we can experience victory. Others may see the symptoms of our walls, but only we can accurately diagnose the root cause. Whatever it is, God will help us bring it down if we only ask and trust.

What walls need to come down in your life?

Prayer: Father, give us the power to bring down the walls that prevent us from being all You desire. 

Tweetable: Are you bringing down your walls? 

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Starting and Stopping - Martin Wiles

So the next morning Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and started off with the Moabite officials. Numbers 22:21 NLT

One planned to start; the other intended to stop.

As we went around the Sunday school room taking prayer requests, one gentleman told of a health condition that would require him to see a new doctor, whom he named. Another gentleman piped up and said he was going to turn that same doctor loose.

“He told me to stop smoking and cursing and to give up my liquor.”

Another said, “He might as well have told you to find a wife.”

The class erupted in laughter. We knew both were kidding, but the conversation was humorous just the same—especially in a Sunday school class filled with senior adults.

Starts and stops fill our lives. They did Balaam’s. He was a false prophet hired by the king of Moab to curse the Israelites whom he had witnessed defeat his neighbors. He feared he and his people were next on the list. Initially, Balaam refused the king of Moab’s request, but later God told him to go. The problem wasn’t with the starting, but with the mindset he started with.

An angel from the Lord blocked his way. Balaam’s donkey stopped. Balaam beat the donkey. As he approached a narrow place, the angel appeared again and the donkey stopped. Balaam beat the donkey again. At a third place, the angel appeared at a narrower place. This time, the donkey lay down. Balaam beat it again. This time God allowed the donkey to speak to Balaam. When God opened Balaam’s eyes, he saw the angel and realized the danger the donkey had kept him from.

What Balaam needed was to stop disobeying and start obeying. God allowed him to go, but he wanted him to go with God’s message, not the one the king of Moab wanted him to deliver. God never indulges our disobedience, and it always brings His discipline. Like a good parent, God disciplines because He loves us and wants us to get back on track.

Balaam also needed to listen to God’s plan, not the king of Moab’s. The king wanted Balaam to curse Israel, thinking this would help him defeat them in battle. God wanted Balaam to bless Israel—because God had plans to bring them into the Promised Land.

God’s plan is always best, and the only way we can enjoy life to the fullest is to love God and obey His plan for our life. Starting with anything less will eventually stop us in our tracks.

Start with obedience, and you will stop with God’s blessings.

Prayer: Father, we humbly ask You to stop us when we are going in the wrong direction.

Tweetable: Do you feel as if you are stopping more than starting? 

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Flashback Friday - What’s Killing You? - Martin Wiles

What’s Killing You?

I often wonder if I’m dying and don’t know it. Doubtlessly there are known situations and substances that will kill me physically. If I choose to use tobacco products regularly and heavily, my chances of contracting cancer increase dramatically. Cancer often kills. Overuse of alcohol increases the chance I’ll develop an addiction and possibly become an alcoholic. This puts me at a higher risk of developing liver damage. Using illegal drugs—or even misusing prescription drugs, can produce lethal effects as well. And of course, unhealthy relationships and misdiagnosed views of myself can devastate me emotionally. In some instances, I can diagnose what’s killing me, but at other times it may be occurring without my direct knowledge. Read more...

Tweetable: What aren't you willing to give up? 

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Flashback Friday - Choose Your Friends Wisely - Martin Wiles

Choose Your Friends Wisely

Some friends should carry the label, “Dangerous for Your Health.”

My parents always cautioned me to choose friends wisely. Biblical examples were offered of what happens when one doesn’t. Such as the prodigal son. Warnings reminded me that choosing bad company would corrupt my character. Stand your ground on moral principles and don’t let anyone persuade you otherwise. Imagine my surprise when one such distraction appeared in the form of a deacon’s son at the church my father pastored. We became fast friends. I had just entered adolescence, and rebellion was on my mind. And this new friend provided the fertilizer for my stubborn seeds to grow. Within a short period of time, I had acquired several addictions and was traveling down the wrong spiritual road. Read more...

Tweetable: Have you chosen the wrong friends?

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Flashback Friday - Breaking the Chain - Martin Wiles

Breaking the Chain

My father didn’t smoke, but his father did…at least for a short period. My grandfather’s smoking consisted of rabbit tobacco (a poor man’s smoke) and Chesterfield cigarettes. But when he reached the age of being able to legally smoke, he quit. It wasn’t fun anymore. My father broke the chain by never starting.

My mother also broke a chain. Her father was a heavy drinker and smoker. Every glass of Pepsi Cola was prefaced by a shot of whiskey. Empty liquor bottles hugged the seams of every barn on his farm. Each shirt pocket housed a pack of Camel or Salem cigarettes. But as far as I know, my mother never tasted a drop of alcohol or puffed on a cigarette. Read more...

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Flashback Friday - Martin Wiles

Convictions Count

Philosopher Edmund Burke said; “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”

Of all the parental and church instructions I hurled out my youth window, it might seem strange that a rebellious teenager would cling to the “abstaining from sex before marriage” one. But I did.

I suppose it was an anomaly to my girlfriends--who were normally sexually active or wanted to be, and to my male friends who enjoyed bragging about their conquests. And after all, if I was committing all the other sin habits, why not this one too? I can’t explain the inconsistency; I can only admit it was a firm conviction. Read more...

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STRESSed - Martin Wiles

I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed with fear. Psalm 143:4 NLT 

Amazing how one lump of putty can mimic life? 

Though I can’t imagine many kids being satisfied with it now, Silly Putty provided hours of entertainment when I was a child. Unlike Play-Doh, which would turn hard and crumble if left uncovered, Silly Putty maintained its elasticity. 

Sunday was the most exciting day for using Silly Putty. Comics had their very own section and were printed in color. Pulling the Silly Putty until it was stretched thin and then pressing it on a comic strip resulted in a color picture on the wad of putty. 

More than 40 years later, I’ve discovered Silly Putty mimics life. Life episodes have caused me to say or think what the psalmist said: “I am losing all hope.” I’ve been pulled and contorted into all types of shapes and sizes by stressful circumstances. 

STRESS means Struggle, Tension, Restlessness, Expectations, Stretching, and Satisfaction. When I’m stressed, I Struggle—perhaps with which decision to make. Sometimes wrong and right are clear cut but at other times they aren’t. 

Stressful situations have a way of unloading Tension. I find myself wound up like a top that needs someone to let it unwind. 

Stress almost always has an inherent Restlessness about it. Restlessness because I need to make a decision, change my mind, or because I’m thrown into uncontrollable circumstances. 

Expectations can allow stress in. Unrealistic expectations of myself but often those of others I have to endure. 

Stretching is a normal part of stress. If I wasn’t being stretched—willingly or unwillingly, I wouldn’t feel the stress. 

If I respond to all of the previous characteristics positively, I’ll experience Satisfaction. Stress isn’t inherently negative. The way I respond determines the outcome. Stress can teach me new ways to handle circumstances and it can prepare me to handle life—but only if I approach stressful situations from a godly viewpoint. 

The psalmist took his stress to God. Letting God take control and teach us the proper way to respond are the only ways to come out ahead in stressful circumstances. Otherwise, we’ll find ourselves trying to handle stress in sinful ways which will only intensify our stress level and set us up for further complications. 

Are you handling stress like Play-Doh or Silly Putty?

Prayer: Father, when times of stress stretch us, stretch us toward You. 

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Throwback Tuesday - Martin Wiles

Bondage Breakers

Except for a few who were owned by compassionate masters, it was a wretched existence. 

Around 12 million Africans were shipped to the Americas between the 16th and 19th centuries-the majority going to sugar plantations in the West Indies or Brazil and the remainder to what is presently the United States. The 1860 United States Census shows the slave population at four million with roughly one in four families in the slave states owning slaves. Read more...

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Mastered - Martin Wiles

Even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. I Corinthians 6:12 NLT

Could it be possible that technological devices drain the brain?

I, along with other teachers and administrators, sat through a two day conference. One of the key note speakers was an international speaker who had written two books on the subject of addiction to smart phones and other connected devices. The statistics pummeled us to the edge of our seats and were, to say the least, disturbing. 

Gaming, notifications, likes, views. All terms I was familiar with. What I wasn’t familiar with was what happens when any of those things happen. A chemical called dopamine that stimulates the pleasure part of my brain is released. When my brain is flooded with large doses—which happens when overuse of tech devices takes place, addiction occurs. The same type a cocaine addict experiences. 

Cutting was another term I was vaguely familiar with. When the tolerance wall has risen so high that the dopamine can no longer provide the pleasure it once did, addicts often resort to cutting. This releases a different type of chemicals—endorphins, but ones that provide a pleasurable feeling nevertheless.

The percentage of young children and teens—along with adults, who are addicted to smart phones and other connected devices is alarming. In Paul’s day it wasn’t tech devices but a way of thinking. Some were legalists and consumed with the “can’t do’s.” Others were libertines and thought they could do anything now that God’s grace had liberated them. Paul didn’t disagree with the freedom thinkers but proposed that he’d not be mastered by anything. 

Being mastered is dangerous. The only thing that should master believers is the desire and firm commitment to allow God to mold us into the image of His Son—a process that is often painful and lengthy, but one that is essential for successful Christian living. 

Obedience to what Jesus considered the two greatest commands allows this to happen. Loving God with our total being should become the pursuit that masters us daily. Doing so changes our actions, attitudes, and outlook on life. Combined with this is loving our neighbor as ourselves. This, too, will change how we act toward and react to others. 

Spend more time demonstrating your love for God and others than you do on tech devices.

Prayer: Father, prick our hearts and minds so we have a desire to serve You and others with our entire spirits, souls, and mind. 

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