Getting the Big Head - Martin Wiles

Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill. Numbers 20:11 NLT

Henry was a close friend of my father’s, but they were different. Dad was quiet and reserved; Henry was outgoing and comical. Dad held post-graduate degrees; Henry never made it out of college. Dad held no position in his state denomination, while Henry had moved up in the ranks. Dad was a relatively unknown pastor. Henry was known by most and had served for many years as the parliamentarian for his denomination on the state level. But Henry never got the big head. Regardless of how important the people were whom he hobnobbed with, he remained the same old Henry. He must have known that getting a big head can push us away from God and others.

Moses forgot how to be humble. God had chosen him to lead the Israelites from Egyptian slavery to the Promised Land. He also gave him the power to perform miracles. One was striking a rock with his staff. When he did, water gushed out for the thirsty people. But on this occasion, God told him to merely speak to the rock. Moses, full of himself and angry at stubborn people, hit the rock instead. God doesn’t appreciate orneriness and politely informed Moses he had forfeited his chance to lead the captives into the Promised Land.

The Bible doesn’t use the word big head, but it does use the word pride—and they’re identical. When pride infiltrates our lives, life becomes about us. Initially, Moses wanted nothing to do with the assignment of freeing the captives, but as time moved on, he thought more of himself than he should.

Pride leads us to distrust God, causing us to make poor decisions. No inherent power resided in Moses’ staff. Trust in God made the staff work—along with anything else God told him to use. Many of my poor decisions have been selfish and made in a moment when I failed to let God guide me.

God has a way of shrinking our heads when they get too big. He shrunk Moses’ by taking away the privilege of living in the Promised Land. He’s used various methods on me as well. But God isn’t in the head-shrinking business because He’s mean. He simply wants us to trust in him instead of in ourselves.

When your head gets too big, let God remind you about who you are without Him.

Father, remind me daily that I am nothing without you. 

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We Need Revival - Patricia Jordan

Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction. Proverbs 29:18 NIV

One summer, I attended one of those old-time camp meeting revivals in Western North Carolina, where my husband and I live. This was my second summer of attending the tent meetings. I have a friend who attends the host church, and she invited me to her church’s revival. I went and enjoyed it so much that I returned again the following summer.

The host church covered the tent floor with wood shavings. Nightly, a great lineup of spirit-filled praise singers started and ended the meeting by singing wonderful gospel songs. In between the music, men and women prayed at the altar. Then one of the preachers approached the podium and preached an inspiring message. 

The preachers came from nearby towns scattered across the Blue Ridge Mountains, as well as some from as far away as Mississippi. They each realized it was up to them to spark the revival flame. The preachers and singers knew we live in a dark world. The Spirit anointed each one to be a gospel messenger through their talents and calling. 

Our souls are in a dark place without the light of the gospel message being placed within them. Without Christ, we wander through life looking for meaning, even spiritual meaning. But because we know no restraint but God's law, we never find that peace that passes all understanding.

One night, I relaxed in our backyard, enjoying the stars that sparkled across the sky. After a few minutes, I felt in my spirit that God told me that the brightly lit stars represented believers. The dark sky represented the darkness of this world. That’s when I realized how much we need revival. As Christians, we have the responsibility to share God’s message with the world.

Think of ways you can help revive this dark world. 

Heavenly Father, cleanse me of all unrighteousness. Forgive me of my sins. Set my soul and heart on fire for revival. In Jesus' name, amen.

Patricia and her husband are both Christians who stay active in their faith. They are also Air Force veterans. They have three daughters, two granddaughters, and one great-grandbaby. They live in her hometown of Sylva, NC. Patricia went to college, intending to become a writer. After dabbling around at writing, she finally got serious about it and wrote a self-help book about her own journey of overcoming depression (Westbow Press). She enjoys gardening and staying in touch with her extended family. She believes in daily Bible reading as a means of spiritual growth and mental and emotional wellness.

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing. No one escapes life's hurts, but we can move beyond them to hope and healing. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

A Time to Be Silent - Martin Wiles

But the people were silent and did not answer because Hezekiah had told them not to speak. Isaiah 36:21 NLT

“You know what your problem is? You don’t know when to shut up and when to speak up.”

I heard the quote from an actor on television, but couldn’t help but think of a person I once knew. When their name appeared on my smartphone’s screen, I sometimes cringed—especially if I was in a hurry. They tended to ramble. Sometimes I never knew why they called. When my wife asked why they called, I often said, “I’m not really sure.” Telling them I was eating or had company meant nothing. 

Nor was my friend easy to have a conversation with. Sometimes I would call them with news or to ask a question. As soon as I shared what I called to tell them, they launched into a story about someone else who may have had a similar issue to mine. They simply had never learned the art of being silent.

King Hezekiah was ruling in the southern kingdom of a divided Israeli nation. When an Assyrian representative invited the people to surrender to his forces, they remained quiet. The king had told them it was a time for silence. 

I admit there have been many times when I’ve not done much better than my friend. I’ve rambled on, interrupted, or jumped into the middle of someone else’s story.

I have learned many words usually lead to trouble. The rest of the introductory quote went something like this: “That makes you a fool.” 

When we talk more than we should, we'll typically say something we shouldn’t. Perhaps we’ll share a tidbit of gossip. We may let an unkind remark slip. At the very least, talking when we should be listening means we’ll share something that doesn’t have to be shared. Much in any situation is better left unsaid.

When we're never silent, it also keeps us from listening. I continually remind myself that God gave me two ears for a reason. Unfortunately, my tongue seems to get in the way more than it should. 

The people on the wall listened to Hezekiah, but we don’t always do such a good job of listening to God and others. One thing’s for sure: talking and listening are mutually exclusive.

There are times when silence is truly golden. Ask God for wisdom to know when your times of silence are.

Father, give me the wisdom to know when to speak up and when to remain silent. 

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Live in Hope and Thankfulness - Abigail Skelton

Praise be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV

On a hot August day, my friend Julie and I wore heavy coats and bike helmets—not because we were biking, but because we decided to go spelunking in the lava tubes in Northern California’s Klamath Basin. More accurately, I had decided to go. 

Julie was visiting from Germany and was at the mercy of my adventurous tour. But when we found ourselves lost in an underground tunnel that involved crawling on our knees over lava rock, the fault was truly all mine.

Losing track of directions is one thing. I have plenty of experience with that. But being underground in pitch-black darkness with no sense of north or south is even more disconcerting. We talked aloud about what to do if our phone flashlights suddenly stopped working. Had that happened, we could’ve easily found ourselves on search and rescue lists. Fortunately, retracing one’s steps is wise, and we reemerged into the blindly bright high-desert landscape within no time.

On the surface, Julie and I marveled over how starkly different the two worlds were: above ground, where the air was warm and we could see for miles, and below ground, where our breath hung in the air and we couldn’t have seen our own noses in the darkness.

To God, I imagine our sinful lives look like overly ambitious explorers wandering in the cave and trying to find a way out. Personally, I seem to enjoy wandering in the darkness. It’s fun to see how far I can make it—before I trip and scuff my knees on volcanic rock or cherished sins, which will do far worse damage than any lava rock. 

Jesus, too, ventured down into the dark recesses of sin and showed us the way out—back to daylight, back to God.

Don't let stubbornness lead you to venture back underground. Instead, live in the hope and thankfulness of a life spent with Jesus.

Abigail Skelton is from beautiful Southern Oregon, where she grew up with an avid love for Jesus, chocolate, and writing. She has lived in three countries while involved in missionary work and frequently travels and studies foreign languages. You can connect with Abigail on her website: https://abigailskelton.com.

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

The Final Appointment - Martin Wiles

And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment. Hebrews 9:27 NLT

“Did you hear that Richey* died?”

The early morning text came from my cousin, a first responder in the town where Richey lived. She had seen Richey’s sister’s post on Facebook. He had experienced headaches for a few days with no relief. After Richey missed supper with his parents the night before, Richey’s dad walked over the next day to check on him and discovered him dead. 

Richey and I had been best friends during high school—and for a few years after that. We also worked at the same grocery store in our local town, where we both bagged groceries. After high school, Richey went to work for a small business, where he remained for the next twenty years.

But my life took a different turn. I worked locally, too, for a few years, but a layoff took me several towns over to find another job. Eventually, I went back to college. After graduation, I moved from one city to another—and even to another state, before finally coming back to my home state.

Throughout my transitions, I lost touch with Richey. I thought of him often—after all, he was my best friend. After Facebook was born, I searched for him. I found his sisters and brother, but never located him. I guess he wasn’t a Facebook fan. Now, he was gone.

I’ve heard it said that no parent should have to bury a child, but Richey’s mom and dad had buried two: Richey’s youngest sister and now Richey.

Even though it is appointed for us to die, very few want to. “And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27 NLT).

Depression drives some to an early death by suicide. Pain and disease plague others. And some get tired of living in a world that seems to have gone awry. Dad fell into the last category.

Dad’s first heart valve lasted one year. When doctors told him he needed another one, he didn’t want it. The family talked him into having the surgery, but he matter-of-factly informed us he would not be coming home from Atlanta, Georgia, after his surgery. He had lost the will to live. He had lived the seventy years God had promised and was ready to go to heaven. Dad was right. He never made it home.

Christians believe in heaven—a place where gold lines the streets, where pain flees, where everyone gets along, and where time is erased—but most people I’ve met are in no hurry to get there. Not if it means we must die. We want to enjoy earth as long as possible before passing through the unknown.

Death separates us from earthbound family and friends. But, of course, some of our friends and family—barring a change—won’t make it to heaven. They have no interest in God. In that case, death separates us forever. Not a pleasant thought.

We can’t do much about this death thing though. Unless Christ returns, we’ll all experience it. Exercising and eating right won’t prevent it. Nor will freezing our bodies after death, hoping scientists will one day find a way to bring them back to life. God has appointed death, and it will happen.

As I age, I find myself scanning the obituaries of local newspapers--the same thing my grandparents and great-grandparents did. They lived before the internet when the only sources of information were the local newspaper, the local television station, the local radio station, and the local busybody who knew everything about everybody. As I look over the names, I hope I won’t see anyone I know—but I will because dying is what we do.

Fortunately, we don’t have to live with dread over death. God has made a wonderful, eternal place for us. Jesus said when He left earth, He would return for His children—at His Second Coming or our death. And heaven will inhabit beauty and circumstances we’ve never experienced before.

Before we get there, our earthly sojourn allows us to invite others to travel to heaven with us. This journey also gives us time to accomplish God’s plan for us. To do all the good we possibly can to as many people as we can for as long as we can. Finally, when our time is over, God will usher us into heaven and say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

I don't know about Richey. As a teenager, he never had time for God. I hope somewhere along the way, he changed that. 

Enjoy your time on earth, but don’t forget to prepare for eternity.

Father, let me enjoy my time on earth, but prompt me not to forget to prepare for my death and eternity.

*Name changed to protect privacy.

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In God’s Presence - Martin Wiles

She had a sister named Mary. Mary sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he said. Luke 10:39 NLT

We vowed we’d remain the best of friends, but distance fought against us. We attended church together, worked with the youth together, and ate at each other’s house almost every Saturday night. Don and Tessa Lisa were our best friends.

Then, one day, we received shocking news. They were moving. Originally, Tessa hailed from Denver, Colorado—almost clear across the United States. She and Don had met when he settled there after helping a friend move. They had moved back to South Carolina for him, his brother, and a cousin to begin a construction business. Now, the Denver National Airport—where he once worked—offered him a job. We promised each other distance wouldn’t separate us.

Initially, we called each other frequently. They even flew us out two times for a week of visiting. But eventually, the calls became more infrequent. We each got busy with our lives, and voicemail messages became more common than actual conversations. Before long, once-a-month conversations became the norm. Even then, it wasn’t the same. Presence was missing. Tech conversations can’t replace actual body and time spent together.

Martha and Lazarus had a sister who had her priorities in order. Mary could hear stories about Jesus, busy herself serving him like Mary, or simply revel in Jesus’ presence. Mary chose the latter. This would nurture her relationship with him more than anything else.

What Mary knew, I’ve had to learn, too. I can busy myself serving God in many capacities. Opportunities to do good abound. But the doing can’t replace what happens when I choose to sit in his presence. As I do, I may pray, read his Word, meditate, or simply listen for him to speak to my Spirit. The key, however, is reveling in his presence.

Getting alone with God is essential for spiritual health, as presence is necessary for friendships to develop and grow. Having a plan, a time, and a place ensures we’ll not neglect the power found from remaining in God’s presence.

Father, may my goal be to stay in your presence, where I can be taught, loved, and nurtured. 

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Settling for Less

And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. James 4:3 NLT

We settled for less because we didn’t know we could have had more.

My wife and I sat across the table from a couple I’d soon help renew their wedding vows. Since we hadn’t seen them in quite some time, we enjoyed catching up on each other’s lives. Most of the conversation centered on grandchildren. Then we finalized the details of the renewal ceremony. They had been together for twenty-five years and wanted to celebrate. When the waitress stopped by, we placed our orders. My wife ordered her usual: chicken fingers.

When our meal was over, I heard the husband whisper to the waitress, “Bring me the check.” My wife and I both protested, but to no avail. Then being the comic she is, my wife quipped, “I should have ordered ribs.” Our host replied, “You should have.” We settled for less when we could have had more.

Obviously, we’re not the only ones who do that—and not just with a meal someone buys for us. James indicates that our entire lives experience paucity simply because we don’t ask God to make them any better or because our motives are tainted.

Lack of faith that God can actually deliver what we want or need will result in living without those things. God wants us to ask to demonstrate our dependence on him. He’s promised to give us those things we need to survive and do his will, but he wants us to request them, nevertheless. When we bring our prayers and supplications to him, we experience a growth spurt in our faith. He doesn’t need the info; we just need the practice. He will give us the courage to step out in faith to do whatever he instructs us to do.

Living with less also occurs when we ask for things outside God’s will. Learning the difference between wants and needs is essential if we want to receive the things we pray for. We have the ability to know God’s mind. What he wants to give us are life essentials—food, clothing, and drink—and the things we’ll need to accomplish his plan for our lives. All we have to do is ask.

Don’t settle for chicken when you can enjoy ribs.

Father, increase my faith so I won’t settle for less than you want to give me. 

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More Difficult Than It Has to Be - Martin Wiles

God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8 NLT

“I can’t believe I didn’t think of that earlier. I made it so difficult,” my wife said.

A friend and I lounged at our favorite fast-food restaurant, shooting the breeze while our wives walked to a nearby retail store. My friend had lost a lot of weight due to recent health problems and needed a pair of pants that fit him.

Our wives soon returned and plopped down beside us. Mine immediately took out a fingernail file and began working on a pocketbook that looked unfamiliar. It should have because it belonged to her friend, not her. The fabric had caught in the zipper and stuck fast.

After the nail file rendered unsuccessful, my wife asked for my pocketknife. She cut a few slices to no avail. After ten minutes of struggling with a stubborn zipper, she inserted the fingernail file between the zipper, and it immediately separated. With a sigh and laugh, she realized how difficult she had made something so simple.

On the other hand, my friend and I thought of God’s freeing grace. Paul had experienced it, taught it, and lived it. He was a legalist to the core before meeting Christ. His life had been about following all the rules, even those Christ hadn’t given. Now, it was about freedom.

Grace is freeing, just as the contents of the pocketbook were by the separated zipper. My wife attempted to approach the problem in the usual way—unzip the zipper—when all she had to do was open the pocketbook another way.

Grace is the other way . . . the only way. When we place our faith in Christ, his grace forgives our sins and frees us from their chains. Now, we can do what we couldn’t before: obey His commands.

Grace, however, isn’t a license to live recklessly. We misunderstand grace if we think we don’t have to worry about sin anymore because Christ has forgiven our sins. When we understand what grace cost God—the life of His Son—we’ll want to please Him by staying as far away from sinful and spiritually harmful situations as possible. Like soldiers in sync, we’ll march to the tune of holiness.

If you have experienced the freeing power of God’s grace, show your appreciation through obedience.

Father, thank you for making it easy to run into your loving arms. 

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Ruled by Fear - Martin Wiles

Wishing all our readers a Happy New Year. 

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT

Sleep in the backyard in a tent? And in the dark? At the time, Fred was ruled by fear of darkness.

Like many children, Fred feared the dark. His parents had talked to him, telling him nothing existed in the dark that didn’t in the light. Even as a youngster, he knew that wasn’t true. What about all those dangerous animals he never saw in the daylight? Try as he might, Fred couldn’t shake the fear.

Then, one day at school, Rad suggested a camping adventure in his backyard. The thought of sleeping in a tent at night terrified Fred—even if it was only in Rad’s backyard. Not wanting to admit his fear to my friend and risk him telling their friends, Fred agreed.

The experience was worse than Fred imagined. Without divulging his fear, Fred convinced Rad to leave a light on in the bathroom to see how to get to the facilities should they need to use them during the night. Rad agreed. However, Rad had an evil sister who somehow discerned Fred’s fear and ensured she extinguished the light before going to bed. Fred didn’t sleep a wink. His imagination inflated, and he heard every noise. By the time the first rays of daylight peeped over the horizon, he was a nervous wreck.

I’ve struggled with this and other fears myself. Darkness wasn’t my friend when I was younger, either. Dad tried to help me defeat it by sending me into the backyard alone. It didn’t work. Now a senior adult, I’m still a little nervous when confronting the darkness without some light.

Although God has instilled in us a healthy sense of fear, He doesn’t expect it to lead to unhealthy emotional reactions. Avoiding a dangerous neighborhood is just good sense. Stepping into the path of an oncoming semi and thinking God will stop it isn’t. God gives us the wisdom to avoid dangerous situations through the instilled emotion of fear. We depend on Him to protect us from those beyond our control. And He’s promised He would.

Conquering unreasonable fears starts when we admit to God that we have them. Once we’ve done that, we can lean on Him for strength to face and overcome them. 

Father, I ask you to deliver me from unreasonable fears.  

Tweetable: What fears rule your life? 

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Positioned for Security - Martin Wiles

You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get it all? Luke 12:20 NLT

Like everyone else, I’ve looked for it all my life. I long to be positioned for security.

Security, along with significance and self-worth, is one of life’s basic needs. I needed to know my parents would love me unconditionally despite my mistakes and less-than-perfect body. When I became an adult, I still sought it—burglar alarms, firearms, retirement savings, Social Security. I even married and had children, thinking that would carry on my family line. Searching for a job that provided enough to live on with a little to spare didn’t hurt either.

Along the way, I discovered some things wouldn’t provide the security I hoped for. The rich fool found out the same thing. He devoted his time to his livelihood. When his barns overflowed, he reared back and planned to enjoy life for many years. Until God reminded him his life was on loan, and God would soon call for full payment.

Wealth won’t position us for security. I’ve never been close to being wealthy, but I have experienced some times when I was comfortable. But I quickly discovered how uncertain that was when the situation that made me comfortable disintegrated overnight. Suddenly, I wasn’t taking it easy anymore. Neither did the rich fool. The life God loaned ended before he knew it.

Nor will health position us for security. I’ve always enjoyed good health, but that, too, can change quickly. And it did. A few months after pastoring my first church, I found myself in the hospital with a bleeding ulcer—a health condition that took me a year to overcome. The rich fool was obviously healthy since he thought he had many years to enjoy his wealth.

Even relationships can’t position us for security—although we often look there too. What appears stable and permanent can readily become unstable and changing. I’ve watched that happen, too, with family and friends—and myself.

The only thing that brings security is our faith connection with Jesus Christ. Nothing else will last, and nothing else will provide the peace and comfort He does. So, if you’re looking for security, look no further than a daily walk with Christ.

How can you position yourself for security?

Prayer: Father, thank You for providing the security I need through my relationship with You. 

Tweetable: Are you positioned for security, now and in the future? 

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