Thinking Thoughts about God - Martin Wiles

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. Psalm23:1 NLT

I turn God into whatever I think of Him.

Dad was a tough disciplinarian—at least when I was young. I’m not sure where his ideas about discipline came from, because he didn’t follow the pattern of his parents or grandparents. Dad went by the book. Severe consequences followed broken rules. His parents were more understanding and lenient.

Dad was also a little strict in his view of God. God had rules and regulations that must be adhered to. When they weren’t, discipline followed. God was also a God of love, but he was quick to punish when someone broke his laws—not lenient or understanding.

While growing up, I noticed Dad’s view of God bled into how he conducted his household. Perhaps his idea of God explains why I had a framed set of rules hung on my bedroom wall—a list of dos and don’ts, accompanied by a set of consequences for breaking each don’t.

Dad was right in one sense. God does have rules he expects us to abide by, and when we choose to break them, consequences follow. I suppose it was the way Dad carried out the process that colored my view of God as a harsh deity instead of a loving Savior—although I’m sure Dad didn’t intend for it to happen that way.

David knew God had rules, too, but he also pictured him as his shepherd, which paints a different portrait. God disciplined him when he went astray—and he did quite a few times, but he also lovingly guided his life journey.

If I think of God as a harsh disciplinarian, sitting in heaven waiting for me to make a mistake, I might still love him, but my relationship with him will be somewhat distant, not close up and personal. On the other hand, if I see him as a grandfatherly type, I might assume he’ll let me get away with anything without consequence, which he won’t.

Jesus showed us the loving characteristics of God that the religious leaders’ rules had almost covered. But he also reminded us that God has standards he expects us to obey. When our view of God is balanced, we’ll obey him because we love him and because of what he’s done for us, not simply because we’re afraid he’ll punish us if we don’t.

Think correct thoughts about God so you will love him deeply and serve him intently.

Father, may the thoughts I think of you cause me to have an accurate picture of who you are. 

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Taking the Chastisement - Martin Wiles

For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child. Hebrews 12:6 NLT

She knew what she'd done—and took her punishment willingly.

Our little Chihuahua-terrier mix has a sweet tooth. After many episodes of her getting into candy, suckers, and chocolate of various types, we learned to put away the trash can, shut doors, and remove any other candy within her reach while we were away. 

But one Valentine's Day, we forgot. One of our grandson's teachers had given a Valentine's party for the students in her class. Our grandson had come home with a large bag full of candy, which he placed on the floor by my wife's recliner. When the phone rang, telling us my wife's car was ready at the repair shop, we all piled into my old car and headed off to get it. 

When we returned and walked into the house, Rita lay crouched by my wife's recliner. Since she sometimes greets us that way, I thought nothing of it—until I walked into the den. There on the floor lay an empty box of conversational hearts, or what remained. She had torn the box top off, and a few hearts lay scattered about. The rest were in Rita's stomach. 

"Ritaaaaa," I said in my most chiding voice. (I'm not too good at scolding her since she's my little lap dog and spoiled to boot.) She laid her ears back and cowered a little lower, but remained where she was. 

"Ritaaaa." My wife's booming voice brought a different reaction. Rita scurried to the bedroom and scooted into her kennel—and stayed without the gate latched. "She knows what to do when she's in trouble," my wife said. 

After a few minutes—when I thought she had learned her lesson, even though I knew better—I said, "Rita, you can come out now." And she did, tail wagging and tongue going. 

I've never enjoyed punishing any animal I've ever owned, but I know they must learn what they should and should not do. I consider it more training than discipline, although that's what discipline is. 

God disciplines because we are His children, and He loves us—just as my parents disciplined me because I belonged to them and they were responsible for my behavior.  

I'll be the first to admit I don't much like God's chiding—and sometimes, like my dog, I crouch down when I know it's coming. But occasionally, I'll do what Rita did: take it like a man because I know God has my best interests at heart. I'll crouch a little lower because I know I've done wrong and then willingly go to my kennel—or wherever God sends me—until He sets me free, which is when He knows I've learned my lesson . . . at least for the moment. 

Rita doesn't get into trouble nearly as much as she once did. She has tired of the kennel and the gentle spankings on her rear end. She also knows she's less likely to get treats when she breaks the rules. As she has gotten older, the lessons have stuck—not entirely, but more than they once did. Wisdom comes with age. And not only for dogs. 

When you get off track—or eat what you're not supposed to—take God's chastening with a good spirit. After all, He does it with love and for your own good. 

Prayer: Father, thank You for caring for me through disciplinary measures.

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Daring to Discipline - Martin Wiles

I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair; you disciplined me because I needed it. Psalm 119:75 NLT

I didn’t enjoy getting it as a child, giving it as a parent, or administering it as a teacher . . . but daring to discipline had to be done.

My parents were strict disciplinarians. My father thought about what disciplinary methods would work best. My mother often disciplined out of anger. As a parent, I didn’t enjoy disciplining my children, but it was necessary if I expected them to stay on track. Like me, they had a sinful bent. I tried various techniques, some identical to the ones my parents had used on me. Some worked; others didn’t. I’ve also found discipline necessary as a teacher of middle school students. Many of them have that same tendency to buck the rules.

The writer knew God’s regulations were fair, but he tended to stray from them. When God sent discipline, he knew it was because he needed it.

I was born with sinful tendencies. Everyone else is too. These tendencies make me want to test the limits. I tried them as a child and as a teenager. And there have been times I’ve done the same as an adult. Discipline always followed when I was caught.

I’ve also tested God’s limitations. Had I written the rules, I may have added or subtracted a few. But I didn’t. God did. I know his laws are fair, and he gives them so I can truly enjoy life. As my parents continually reminded me that they knew what was best for me—though I doubted it at the time, so God reminds me of the same.

God knows what it will take for us to experience a full and fruitful life and established the rules accordingly. When we break them, he disciplines. We may not like it, but deep down inside, we know his discipline is for our good, as are his boundaries. If we respond by learning the lesson, life will be more pleasurable.

When God sends discipline into your life, remember that He loves You and desires what’s best for you.

Prayer: Father, though we don’t enjoy it now, we thank You for the love You demonstrate through discipline. 

Tweetable: How do you respond to God's discipline? 

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Because I Said So - Martin Wiles

If you love me, obey my commandments. John 14:15 NLT

“Because I said so.”

Of everything I used to detest hearing my parents say, this phrase tops the list. I typically heard it if I continually questioned something they told me to do. Whatever the thing was—usually a rule—didn’t make sense to me, so I wanted to know the reasoning behind the rule or request. Sometimes, they would give me a reason, which I would question again. Finally, after a couple of rounds of me asking why, the saying would slip from their mouths. 

In my mind, this statement meant I had won the argument. My parents couldn’t come up with a logical reason because there wasn’t one. They just wanted me to do something because they wanted me to do it.

As usual with children when they grow up and become parents, I later found myself using this statement with my kids. I now admit the thing I wanted them to do that they protested was occasionally illogical. At other times, I refused to debate with them because they were too young to understand the reasoning behind what I requested. I suppose that was the case with my dad as well.

Later, I found myself using the statement with the middle schoolers I taught. Having kids question certain school, class, or assignment rules in middle school is expected. I may answer their first “why”—and perhaps the second—but after that, I find myself saying, “Because I said so.”

Honestly, I have also questioned some of God’s commands and principles. In my mind, I’ve asked the why behind some commands. But, of course, I get no verbal answer from Him. I can, however, consult commentaries, spiritual books on the topic, or mature Christian friends. Yet in the end—whether I understand or not—God wants my obedience because this proves my love.

As children become adults, they learn some things they must accept whether they understand them. The same holds with God’s commands. Of course, we won’t understand all of them on this side of heaven. But we can be sure God issued them out of love. He had a reason, whether we understood or not. 

God will always do right by us. After all, He loved us enough to send His only Son to pay our sin debt and release us from condemnation.

My parents were worthy of my trust—so were my teachers. I am also worthy of my children's and students’ trust. Because of that, I obeyed even when I didn’t understand. My children did the same, and so did my students. I can do no less with God. He is the most trustworthy person in existence.

Let “Just because I said so” be enough when you don't understand God.

Prayer: Father, help us obey whether we understand or not. 

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On a Leash - Martin Wiles

I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word. Psalm119:67 NLT

One was large and the other small, but they both needed to be on a leash.

I once owned an Eskimo Spitz. My family owned a much larger dog I inherited when they moved away. Since I lived in the country, I didn’t have to abide by leash laws, so both dogs scampered through the woods and open fields, played in the swamps, and chased wild animals.

Then it happened. They took up with a pack of wild dogs. Initially, they returned home every night, but soon, they only came home periodically. I decided to leash my Eskimo Spitz the next time he showed up. Unfortunately, I never caught the larger dog, and he soon became wild like the ones he followed. One dog came with me when I moved away, but the other continued running wildly.

I’m not much different than my two dogs were. I tend to wander. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with a little innocent wandering, the wandering I’ve done wasn’t innocent and wasn’t in God’s plan. Sometimes, the wandering didn’t start sinful but quickly became that. I knew who provided for me just as my dogs knew, yet I wandered anyway.

For my Eskimo Spitz, the discipline came with a leash—the only way to keep him at the house and away from unsuitable company. Had I unleashed him, he would have run again. Wandering was in his nature.

God deals with our wandering natures through the leash of discipline. The forms He uses vary, but He designed each one perfectly to accomplish His purpose of keeping us home and away from unsuitable company—whether people or things. 

Closely following the teachings of His Word will go a long way in keeping us focused on spiritual rather than fleshly escapades.

The leash I used was literal. God’s comes in other forms, but he designs it to accomplish the same purpose.

Thank God that He loves you enough to discipline you when you stray. Then stay close to His Word so your tendency to wander will be tamed.

Prayer: Father, we ask You to leash our sinful wanderings and keep us on the path of godliness. 

Tweetable: Does God have you on a leash? 

 

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Held Accountable - Martin Wiles

Stand in silence in the presence of the Sovereign Lord, for the awesome day of the Lord’s judgment is near. Zephaniah 1:7 NLT

I had to take the initiative, or the consequences would come quickly. I would be held accountable.

Middle school was a frightening experience. Cliques formed, peer pressure increased, and girls stopped being icky. But the most significant change was acquiring responsibility. If I were absent, the teacher would no longer remind me about make-up work. Instead, if I didn’t schedule make-up work, she would record a zero for the assignment. The rule was plain: “When students miss school, it is their responsibility to decide with their teachers to make up assignments. Failure to do so in a reasonable amount of time will result in a zero.” The late penalty or the “I forgot to turn it in” excuse didn’t work either. The teacher subtracted thirty points if the assignment was one day late. After that, it was a zero. Some middle school rules seemed harsh, but the teachers were trying to teach me a more important lesson: accountability for my actions.

The people Zephaniah preached to were adults who hadn’t learned accountability. Because they disobeyed God and wouldn’t repent, God sent a foreign power to exile them. Unfortunately, Zephaniah’s audience repeated their actions, so he warned them about their responsibility to God.

As a teacher of middle school students, I attempt to instill in my students the same thing my teachers tried to instill in me: accountability. My actions affect me and usually others. If I make bad eating choices, my health suffers. If my kids make lousy homework choices, their grades flounder. And poor relationship choices may lead to losing a spouse, job, or position at church.

While there are many earthly sources to whom I’m accountable, my ultimate accountability is to God.

Whether I like his rules matters not. He’s the Creator and gives the orders. I can obey and hear him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” or disobey and hear him say, “Depart from me.” The choice is mine. Personally, I’d rather hear the “Well done.”

How is recognizing your accountability to God impacting your life?

Prayer: Father, remind us we are accountable to You for our actions, words, and attitudes. 

Tweetable: How are you holding yourself accountable? 

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Mouse Play - Martin Wiles

Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Matthew 24:46 NKJV

“When the cat’s away, the mice will play.” I was . . . and they did—mouse play, that is.

I suppose students haven’t changed much over the years when it comes to substitute teachers. The practice has always been to see how much they can get away with and to do things they wouldn’t think of doing if the teacher were present.

At one school where I taught, we didn’t overlook such behavior, nor did we tolerate it without consequence. One day, I missed the first three periods of the day because I had an eye appointment. When I arrived at school, the sub met me with news I didn’t want to hear—but news that didn’t surprise me. The first period class refused to listen to her when she told them to remain quiet and do their work. In fact, their noise level rose so much that a teacher in an adjoining room had to step in to reprimand them.

The students later regretted their actions. I checked with the lead teacher, and we agreed on a plan of action. The class served a class-wide lunch detention and wrote “I will listen to the substitute when the teacher is absent” repeatedly.  

Jesus told a story about servants who also acted up while their master was away. The master rewarded the faithful ones who did their jobs while he was away, but he punished those who misbehaved. Unfortunately, the innocent often must pay for the bad behavior of the few, as with students.

In Jesus’ story, He was the master, and the servants were believers. What He expects of us while we await His second coming—or our death—is faithfulness to His commands and the work He has left for us to do.

When we waste our lives on vain pursuits that benefit only us, we miss God’s blessings and invite His discipline. But it’s more than an obedience/discipline thing. We should obey God out of love and appreciation, not just fear. Life at its best comes when we obey because we love God and want to show His love to others in practical ways.

Messing around while the master is away sets a bad example and fosters an attitude of laziness that can become a lifestyle. Ingenuity and diligence let us enjoy life as God intends.

Don’t get involved in mouse play. Live each day as if Jesus is returning. After all, He just might.

Prayer: Father, may we be faithful to Your work as we await Your Son’s return. 

Tweetable: Are you engaging in mouse play? 

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The D’s of Discipline - Martin Wiles

For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. Hebrews 12:10 NLT

Knowing the D’s of discipline is important.

My great-grandparents did it unto my grandparents. My grandparents did it unto my parents. My parents did it unto me, and I did it unto my children. Now, my children do it unto my grandchildren.

Discipline. A tricky word. And not everyone agrees on the adverb questions surrounding it: when, where, how, how often, why, under what conditions, and to what extent.

My father had a clear and consistent plan. He knew everyone didn’t agree with it, but neither did he care. He was responsible for my brothers and me, and he disciplined us as he saw fit. His methods weren’t up for debate, and he didn’t care what we thought about them. Nor do I ever remember him asking my opinion.

For obstinate rebellious behavior, my father had a buckleless black belt—one he no longer wore. He applied a certain number of licks for certain behavior, which he had thought about ahead of time. This way, he didn’t go beyond what he should have. He applied the licks to my dairy air, and nowhere else. Abuse never entered the picture, nor did his methods damage my self-esteem.

But he used other methods more often than he did the belt. He loved to take things away from me—things I enjoyed. Otherwise, the discipline wouldn’t do its trick. And the thing he loved to do most was to make me get a haircut. I was a hippie teenager living in the ‘70s and loved my long hair. Nothing galled me more than having it cut when I didn’t want to. After all, this discipline affected me for some time. Hair grows slowly, so the lesson continued to have its effect long after the initial shock.

Although I hated the discipline when it came, I knew my parents did it out of love—something hard for an underage dependent to admit. The writer of Hebrews compares a parent’s discipline to God’s—only God’s is perfect, whereas no parents’ is. God uses the D’s of discipline, and they also provide an excellent example for parents.

Doer. Discipline has a doer—someone to carry it out. Dad did it most of the time, Mom only occasionally. But God did it all the time. When we are His children, He wants to ensure we obey His commands and directives. He knows we might not like all of them, or enjoy obeying them all of the time. Still, He disciplines because He loves.

Destination. God’s destination for us involves a harvest of righteousness. Hopefully, parents want the same thing. Although Christ clothes us in His righteousness from the moment we trust Him as our Savior, we do not behave ideally. God works in our life through various disciplinary measures, attempting to make our practice match our position.

Desire. God’s desire for His discipline is that we submit and learn. Discipline, by its definition, should involve learning. Rebelling against God’s discipline only makes Him turn up the heat. Submitting and learning keep us from repeating the behavior that led to discipline in the first place.

Don’t buck against discipline when it comes from God. Let it accomplish the goal for which He gives it.

Prayer: Father, help us learn from Your discipline, knowing it originates out of love. 

Tweetable: Are you letting God's discipline accomplish its purpose? 

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Walk-on Wednesday - Loving God’s Discipline - 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. 

As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? Hebrews 12:7 NLT

No child loves it, and I sure didn’t either.

My parents believed the adage “Spare the rod and spoil the child.” I was never abused, but I was introduced to various measures of discipline. Dad’s black belt was reserved for those times when I was hatefully rebellious—not for little minor mistakes. Often, however, the discipline was taking something away: television privileges, going outside, a favorite toy, my bicycle, my skateboard. My take-aways may seem unimportant, but they worked just the same. What Mom and Dad took away for a certain period depended on what age I was. And the discipline worked. It got my attention and headed me in a different direction—at least for a time.

First-century Christians had many things to draw them away from God. They faced persecution from foreigners and from relatives who didn’t believe in Jesus and who wanted them to return to the Jewish customs. Idol worship was also rife. When they gave in to any of these things, God sent discipline.

God disciplines me for the same reason my parents did. I’ve gotten off track in some area. The discipline will re-orient me if I don’t ignore it, which God cautions me against doing. God’s discipline has a purpose. It’s not a random act of cruelty. His discipline is not designed to discourage me but to encourage me.

As painful as it might be, God’s discipline reminds me I’m his child. My parents didn’t discipline other parents’ children—unless they had permission. They were only concerned about me because I belonged to them, because my behavior reflected on them, and because they had a mandate from God to do so.

God wants holiness from me. And while I’m that in position through Jesus Christ, I’m not in practice. I often need a little stern yet loving guidance.

How do you respond when God disciplines you?

Prayer: Father, may we endure Your discipline joyfully, knowing You have our best interests at heart. 

Tweetable: How do you respond to God's discipline? 

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