Engraved by God - Martin Wiles

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. Isaiah 49:16 NIV

The pages revealed to whom it belonged and under what circumstances. 

Mom received a call from her niece. They had cleaned out my aunt’s house and discovered some things that might interest Mom. Although never a lover of old or sentimental things, Mom took them. 

The items included four funeral home books for deceased relatives, newspaper clippings, family pictures, and two Bibles—both of which had my aunt’s name handwritten inside, along with the names of those who gave them to her and when. One of the two had her name engraved on the outside.  

After checking the giver’s name, I wasn’t surprised by the engraving. When I was eight years old, Mom and Dad—and I—had given my aunt the Bible for her birthday. Dad followed this pattern of engraving a name on the outside of a Bible for his entire lifetime. Every Bible he ever owned—and that was a multitude—he had his name engraved on the outside. The inside page with the handwritten name might be lost, scratched out beyond recognition, or torn out, but the name on the outside would remain. The Bible belonged to him. 

The nation of Israel needed reassurance. They had a habit of disobeying God, and God had a habit of punishing them. But better days were in store because they had repented. They would once again return to their homeland. 

Life is tough and filled with bitter disappointments. To us—just as he said to Israel—God says, “I’m engraved on his hand.” No one can steal us from His grip or erase the fact that we belong to him. Unwise decisions and sinful actions will bring his discipline, but the engraving stands. Willful, occasional sin may slightly obscure our name, but we’re still God’s children, and confession will once again bring out the brilliance of the engraving. 

And when it appears God has forsaken us, God has his ways of showing us the engraving and reminding us that we still belong to him. Our name’s engraved on his hand.  

Don’t fear life or the things it brings. Your name is engraved on the Father’s hand. He is loving, kind, gentle, and more powerful than anything the world can throw your way. 

Father, show me the engraving often so I’ll never forget to whom I belong. 

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An Inheritance from God - Martin Wiles

How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ. Ephesians 1:3 NLT

Inheritances aren’t always what we envision.

My aunt had inherited most of the belongings from my maternal grandmother’s house when she died. When my aunt died, Mom hoped to get some of the family heirlooms back. But it didn’t happen as she wished. My aunt had three children. What she had was rightfully theirs. If they chose to share, we would appreciate it.

Several pieces of furniture that had belonged to my grandmother were especially dear to Mom. Mom voiced her love for them, but my aunt held on. All Mom received was a China cabinet she had purchased before she and Dad married—one she asked my aunt to keep while she and Dad were overseas—a picture my aunt had painted of the old homeplace, and two end tables and a coffee table that matched my grandmother’s living room suit that Mom had inherited earlier.

I come from a middle-class family and have no monetary or other inheritance in the waiting. But I do have another type of inheritance that surpasses anything I could get from a deceased family member.

Paul praised God for his spiritual inheritance—one available to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ. This inheritance is eternal. When I placed my faith in Jesus Christ and asked him to forgive my sins, he immediately began preparing a heavenly home for me. Nothing can change that.

Earthly inheritances, we can spend. Even if we invest them, we must leave them behind at some point for someone else to enjoy. But our eternal inheritance is secure. God won’t change his mind and take it from us—even when we misbehave.

Our inheritance is also a present reality. We don’t have to wait until we die or Jesus returns to get it. Presently, God adopts us into his family. While some adopted children aren’t treated equally with biological children, God treats all his children the same. He grants forgiveness for every sin and never takes this back. Nor does he show favoritism. Instead, he loves all his children equally and gives us the same things he gives to his Son.

Abundant living—existing with peace and joy—also accompanies our inheritance. Because of what Jesus has done for us presently and promises to do for us in the future, we can enjoy life for the very first time.

Make sure you enjoy God’s present inheritance.

Father, thank you for the eternal inheritance I have in Jesus Christ. 

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.

Leaving an Inheritance - Martin Wiles

Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren. Proverbs 13:22 NLT

Leaving an inheritance has meant very little in my family—at least where it concerns money.

My maternal grandparents were the only ones in my family who accumulated a tidy sum of money. But even what they had wouldn’t be considered much by today’s standards. Yet, in the eyes of a fifteen-year-old, it was. When my grandfather died, we discovered he had a nice chunk in savings and his checking account. However, I doubt my grandmother ever knew. He didn’t allow her to touch the money, pay the bills, or make financial decisions.

Though quite thrifty in life, my grandfather was a little more generous in death. In his will, he delegated a nice little sum to each of his grandchildren. It wouldn’t seem like much now, but it was a gold mine to this teenager. I forget what I did with mine, but I do remember my spendthrift parents made sure I used it wisely.

But money wasn't all my grandfather left me. He also left me many good memories of a simple life around the farm. I don't remember him showing me affection or telling me he loved me. Nor do I remember him speaking words of encouragement or sharing wisdom for the future. But I did have his unspoken example. 

On the other hand, my paternal grandparents left me something different—although it did not come as a monetary inheritance. From them, I received bunches of hugs, hundreds of I-love-you’s, time together, financial help when I struggled, and many words of wisdom for the future. What they left served me better than a sum of money.

At the moment—and as far as I know, no change is in the cards—I won’t leave my grandchildren money either. As my paternal grandparents did for me, I will leave my grandboys the example of a meager financial lifestyle.

But that’s okay. My grandparents taught me money can’t buy everything and that some things are more important than money. Such as spending time with my grandchildren around the table eating a meal, sitting in my recliner reading Bible stories to them, sitting at a table doing handiwork that teaches how God created the world, or taking them to church.

I’m not “spending my grandchildren’s inheritance.” Instead, I’m leaving my spiritual heritage intact for them. Hopefully, they’ll pass it on to theirs.

What are you leaving for your posterity?

Father, may I leave for posterity what can never be spent. 

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Inheritance in the Waiting - Martin Wiles

Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. Ephesians 1:11 NLT

Mine wasn’t sizable, but it seemed enormous at the time, especially when I had no idea I even had an inheritance in the waiting.

When I was fifteen, my family received a call that my maternal grandfather had died. Strokes had pummeled him frequently, each one leaving him more disabled than the previous one—until he was finally bedridden. My grandmother tended to him faithfully, to her own exhaustion. After his death, his six grandchildren received an inheritance of $1,000 each. To some, that amount wouldn’t be considered much—and it wouldn’t go far now—but in 1975, for a teenager, it was enormous. I eventually used it as a down payment on a new car.

My wife and I currently have three of our four parents still living—none from which we anticipate receiving a sizable inheritance. Nor do we have any wealthy aunts or uncles to bequeath money to us. So, unless something changes, we will live as we do now until we die: modestly.

When I die, however, I expect a sizable inheritance. As God’s adopted child, I own everything his Son does—and that’s everything. But I don’t possess it yet. After death, I’ll get to enjoy what I can only read about presently in his Word. The joys of heaven are indescribable, but God’s Word gives me a hint about what I can expect.

Occasionally, a will—and the stated inheritance therein—is challenged by a disgruntled family member. The inheritance the deceased wished to leave to a relative might be diminished or even taken away. Not so with my future inheritance. It is as sure as the Word of God, which cannot be changed or overruled.

Along with heaven will come the completion of salvation. Though salvation initiates when we choose to surrender to Christ, it will not be finalized until we reach heaven. We’ve been saved from the penalty of our sins, but we will one day be delivered from the very presence of sin.

Do you have a spiritual inheritance in the waiting?

Prayer: Father, we praise You for the rich inheritance we have through faith in Jesus Christ.

Tweetable: Do you have an inheritance in the waiting? 

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Meandering Monday - An Eternal Inheritance - Martin Wiles

Welcome to Meandering Monday, where we take a trip back to an earlier post and enjoy it again.

God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. Hebrews 1:2 NLT

Many have the good fortune of having relatives who’ve accumulated large sums of money or possessions. Upon their relative’s death, these items come to them by way of inheritance.

My largest inheritance was from my maternal grandfather. He was a dirt-poor farmer but had nevertheless managed to accumulate a healthy nest egg. After his demise, we grandchildren were elated to discover we would receive $1,000 each. Presently, my immediate family members are dwindling quickly, and those who remain have no inheritance to leave me.

As far as I know, what I have now is all I’ll ever have, but when I die, I’ll have it all. As a follower of Christ, God assures me I’m a joint heir of his. Since the Father has given all things to the Son, I’m in line to receive everything that belongs to the Son.

True inheritances can’t be handled or even experienced with the senses. My inheritance involves an eternal future. I’m not simply composed of matter; I have a soul. When my heart stops beating, my spirit will immediately inhabit the presence of God for eternity.

I quickly spent my grandfather’s inheritance, but my eternal inheritance can’t be disposed of. I will enjoy a perfect environment where all the effects of sin are removed. What I receive there will be free from decay and safe from theft. No imperfections are allowed. What sin distorts on earth will be holy in heaven.

This eternal inheritance will also be shared with all who have accepted Jesus as their Savior. Friendships will be perfect and not tainted as earthly ones often are by jealousy, selfishness, and neglect.

The Bible further states that God will make a new heaven and earth. I believe he’ll restore it to its original condition. Since I’ll be like the angels in heaven, I hope to have the freedom to enjoy all the earthly beauty I didn’t get to experience during my earthly lifetime.

My future inheritance is bright. How about yours?

Prayer: We honor You merciful Lord for promising us a blessed inheritance. 

Tweetable: Do you have an eternal inheritance? 

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An Inheritance from God - Martin Wiles

How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ. Ephesians 1:3 NLT

Inheritances aren’t always what we envision. 

Recently, Mom’s sister died. Since my aunt had inherited most of the belongings from my grandmother’s house when she died, Mom was now hoping to get some of the family heirlooms back. But it didn’t happen as she hoped. 

My aunt had three children. What she had was rightfully theirs. If they chose to share, it would be appreciated. Several pieces of furniture that had belonged to my grandmother were especially dear to Mom. She voiced her love for them, but to no avail. 

All Mom received was a china cabinet that once belonged to her, a picture my aunt had painted of the old homeplace, and two end tables and a coffee table that matched my grandmother’s living room suit that Mom had inherited earlier. 

I come from a lower middle-class family and have no inheritance in the waiting. But I do have another type of inheritance that surpasses anything I could get from a deceased family member.

Paul praised God for the spiritual inheritance he had—one that’s available to every person who believes in Jesus Christ. This inheritance is eternal. When I placed my faith in Jesus Christ and asked Him to forgive my sins, he immediately began preparing a heavenly home for me. Nothing can change that. 

Earthly inheritances I can spend. Even if I invest them, at some point I’ll have to leave them behind for someone else to enjoy. My eternal inheritance is mine. God won’t change His mind and take it from me—even when I misbehave. 

My inheritance is also a present reality. I don’t have to wait until I die or Jesus returns to get it. Presently, I’m adopted into the family of God. While some adopted children aren’t treated equally with biological children, God treats all His children the same. 

Forgiveness of every sin is granted, and He never takes this back. Nor does He show favoritism. Rather, He loves all His children equally and gives us the same things He gives to His Son. 

Abundant living—existing with peace and joy, is also a part of my inheritance. Because of what Jesus has done for me presently and promises to do for me in the future, I can enjoy life for the very first time. 

Are you enjoying God’s inheritance?

Prayer: Father, thank You for the eternal inheritance we can have in Jesus Christ. 

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Leaving an Inheritance - Martin Wiles

Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren. Proverbs 13:22 NLT

Inheritance has meant very little in my family—at least where it concerns money.

My maternal grandparents were the only ones in my family who had money. Even what they had wouldn’t be considered much by today’s standards, but in the eyes of a 15-year-old, it was. When my grandfather died, we discovered he had more than 100K in savings and more than 20K in his checking account. I doubt my grandmother ever knew. She wasn’t allowed to touch the money, pay the bills, or make financial decisions. 

Though stingy in life, my grandfather was a little more generous in death. In his will, he delegated $1,000 for each of his grandchildren. That doesn’t sound like much now, but to a teenager it was a gold mine. I forget what I did with it, but I do remember my spendthrift parents made sure I used it wisely. 

Other than a few good memories of helping around the farm, money was all my maternal grandfather left me. I never remember him showing affection or telling me he loved me. No encouragement or wisdom for the future either. 

My paternal grandparents, on the other hand, left me much more—though it did not come in the form of a monetary inheritance. From them, I received bunches of hugs, hundreds of  I-love-you’s, hours spent doing various things together, financial help when I was struggling, and many words of wisdom for the future. What they left was far more than a thousand dollars. 

At the moment—and as far as I know no change is in the cards, I won’t leave my grandchildren money either. Like with my paternal grandparents, I will leave them a meager financial lifestyle. 

But that’s okay. Their example taught me money can’t buy everything—and that there are more important things than money. Such as spending time together around the table eating a meal, sitting in my recliner reading Bible stories, perching at a table doing handiwork that teaches how God created the world, and taking them to church. 

I’m not “spending my grandchildren’s inheritance”; I’m leaving my spiritual heritage intact for them. Hopefully, they’ll pass it on to theirs. 

What are you leaving your posterity?

Prayer: Father, may we leave behind for posterity what can never be spent. 

Looking for a wide selection of genres in Christian books at discount prices? Use coupon MWiles for 20% off. Click here to see selections.  

Thanks to all our faithful followers who are "sharing" our posts--please keep it up! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Help us spread God's encouragement through his love lines.