Planning to Succeed - Martin Wiles

Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house. Proverbs 24:27 NLT

My name was in the pot, and with God’s help, I was planning to succeed.

Type A’s are known for planning—sometimes to excess. I was cursed from birth. Both my parents were Type A’s, and I followed suit. Every church I had led, I did so with a plan, and this time would be no different. When the board recommending me to the church asked if I had a vision for their church, I removed a pad and read off my list. I didn’t know if I’d be their pastor, but I had a plan just in case. 

Solomon’s advice was pertinent. Building a house before preparing one’s fields was foolish. Suppose a dry spell hit or enemies swooped in and stole the crop. Saving from a bountiful harvest and then building the house made more sense than taking on debt with no assurance of how to pay for it. 

When planning, we should make a point to include God. Since God says he wants to be involved in the details of our lives, involving him only makes sense. Although he won’t sit around a table and talk audibly to us, we can listen as he speaks to our spirits with his Spirit. Ideas will come that we would have never thought of on our own. Insights will flow. And we’ll feel a sense of peace when we’ve received his directions.

We should also include others in our planning. Although I had a list of plans before leading the church, I immediately began to include others. Amazingly, most of their suggestions were the same as mine, which assured me they also included God in their planning. Two heads are better than one, and lone rangers often become just that—alone. 

We can plan with confidence when we include God and other spirit-led believers. We can then couple confidence with optimism. If God is before and in the middle of the plans, they won’t fail. In fact, God’s plans can’t fail—which means we won’t when he is the author of our plans. Good planning means having a backup plan. I’ve often appeared to mess up God’s plan for my life, but somehow, he always brings the plan back to his plan. 

Get your plans from God and confidently move forward into your bright future.

Father, I ask for your guidance as I plan to accomplish your will. 

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Pride Slices Deeply - Martin Wiles

Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 NLT

Perhaps I was judging when I shouldn't have been, but my first impression ushered in pride and arrogance.

Jansen was the head of a medium-sized organization. He and I were acquaintances, but little more. He needed someone to fill a position I was skilled in and invited me to join. From the beginning, I felt I had made a mistake. Jansen paraded around like the sole cock in the chicken yard. He made the rules and asked no one their opinion. He rebuked anyone who dared to buck his system.

Something about Jansen didn't seem right, but I assumed my first impression was wrong. He rarely spoke to anyone unless he was spoken to first. In spite of his mannerisms and prideful personality, his charismatic personality drew people.

Jansen's pride, however, eventually came home to roost. Thirteen years after joining the organization, those in charge discovered he had been having affairs with numerous women inside and outside the organization. The ruling board soundly rebuked him and requested his resignation. Pride sliced him deeply and brought him down.

Pride will do for anyone what it did for Jansen. When we're proud, we think more of ourselves than we should. While we shouldn't think less of ourselves than is healthy, we must remember that we are who we are solely because of what Jesus Christ has done. As Christ's followers, we've been given his righteousness, but we had nothing to do with being worthy of it.

Pride will repel others. Jansen may have had a winning personality, but just as many avoided his organization because of his arrogance as joined it. No one enjoys hanging around with someone who thinks they are better than others.

Pride also interferes with our dependence on God. When pride controls us, we'll think we can handle life ourselves, forgetting we can only do all things through Christ . . . not ourselves.

Pride will eventually lead to a downfall, as it did with Jansen. What the downfall might be or how severe the consequences are varies, but the bringing down by God will happen.

Don't let pride slice you. Stay humble, and remember you are who you are solely because of God's grace and mercy.

Father, remove pride from my life so I can humbly serve you as you did me. 

Tweetable: Is pride slicing you? 

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The Traits of Effective Leaders - Martin Wiles

The next day, Moses sat as usual to hear the people’s complaints against each other. Exodus 18:13 NLT

The stress of leadership can be overbearing.

I’ve never had people with problems lined up before me from morning until night, but other people’s situations have laden my shoulders. My day has begun by sitting for seven hours with a family whose loved one was undergoing a complicated heart surgery. Then it was off to the shut-in’s house, who needed someone to talk to. After gobbling down a bite of supper, it was off to a leadership team meeting. When I finally plopped down in my recliner at nine p.m., the phone rang. So and so had been in an accident. I was off again.  

Responsibility hounds leadership positions, and Moses had his share. He was responsible for leading more than a million people. Along with providing for their daily needs, he had to listen to their disagreements. Fortunately, his father-in-law gave him some sanity-saving advice.

Effective leaders aren’t afraid to take advice from people who are qualified to give it. Jethro told Moses he couldn’t care for all the people’s needs by himself and then offered him a solution, which Moses accepted.

Effective leaders recognize they can’t do everything and shouldn’t try to. Jethro helped Moses see his unrealistic attempts. Moses’ attempt—while well-intentioned—was impossible.

Effective leaders train and delegate because they know they have limits. Jethro suggested that Moses divide the people into smaller groups. Then he was to find qualified leaders who could listen to the complaints and handle them. Only significant situations would come before Moses.

Effective leaders genuinely care about those they lead. Although Moses had to reorganize his structure of handling disputes, the fact that he tried to handle them demonstrated his concern. Those he led could be aggravating, but he loved them.

Let God show you how to be a more effective leader. Then lead.

Prayer: Father, we acknowledge we cannot effectively lead without Your guidance. Direct us to be loving leaders who guide others as You do us. 

Tweetable: What steps can you take to become a more effective leader? 

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Lonely at the Top - Martin Wiles

They began to speak against God and Moses. “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die here in the wilderness?” they complained. Numbers 21:5 NLT

I was wrong. It was lonely at the top.

No one ever said leading was easy or popular. I had been chosen as the leader of a local organization. Assuming the position required moving almost three hours away. Since my wife and I felt the Lord calling us there, we went. Things went well initially, until . . .

With the help of a few key leaders, we made some changes that would take the entity to new heights by making it more competitive and attractive. And it worked. More people joined—people who would serve it well into the next generation.

Then it happened. Grumbling. Complaining. The majority enjoyed the new growth and opportunities. Others remained but continually grumbled and complained. A few left. It got lonely at the top.

Moses knew how lonely the top could be. The job God offered him seemed attractive, yet scary. Who wouldn’t want to lead millions of people? However, soon after he took the position, the grumbling and complaining began. They didn’t like the route he took them down. Or the food he fed them. Or what he gave them to drink. On at least one occasion, they plotted to kill him.

Despite his loneliness, Moses demonstrated the traits of a good leader. He was patient. The stubbornness of the people would have driven even the best man to drink, but not Moses. He focused on where he knew God wanted him to take the people, even when it entailed traveling in an unpleasant direction. He knew God’s way was always better. When they complained, he continued to lead.

Moses was also compassionate. He knew their rebellion would bring God’s discipline—and it did in the form of poisonous snakes—but he interceded on their behalf to God when they repented. Moses loved the people even when they were unlovable.

When God calls you to lead, do it with focus, compassion, obedience, and patience.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the privilege of leading.

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Walk-on Wednesday - Remember the Leaders - 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. 

Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith. Hebrews 13:7 NLT

At the time, he was my Sunday School teacher, and I was a teenager, experimenting with things I should have left alone.

I don’t remember the lesson, but I do recall what he said when referring to something I was involved in—acts he didn’t know I was a part of: “We need to pray for the person or persons who did this.” His words convicted me, and I eventually straightened up. I watched this same humble gentleman serve as chairman of the deacons, choir member, and committee member. He offered public prayers and always had encouraging words for others. He visited the sick at home and in the hospital and wasn’t paid for it. He lived a good long life and provided a superb example of leadership.

As the early missionaries traveled from region to region and town to town establishing churches, they installed elders in each one. They were to be people whose lives reflected obedience to God and an ongoing developing spiritual maturity. In addition, they were charged with the spiritual care of the congregation.

The saying, “It’s lonely at the top,” is often true for leaders—secular or spiritual. I’ve been there; I know. Friends can be few and far between because of our position. Employees or church members can reject us because of decisions that affect their lives. Backbiting can run rife. We may even have to ask for resignations.

Our responsibility is to pray for spiritual leaders and mentors. They need the type of direction and courage only God can give. They’ve been faithful to what God charged them, and we must faithfully make petitions for them. Rather than tearing them down, we need to build them up. We can hold them up as role models when they are the quality spiritual leaders they should be.

What can you do for those who are leading you?

Prayer: Father, thank You for those spiritual leaders You place in our paths. Prompt us to pray for them that they might find the spiritual strength and wisdom they need. 

Tweetable: Are you remembering your leaders? 

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Meandering Monday - Leaders Lead - Martin Wiles

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

And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation. Hebrews 2:10 NLT

As he pondered whether to go to Ecuador or India, his family and friends suggested youth ministry in the states.

But international missions was his call. On February 21, 1952, Jim Elliot and Pete Fleming arrived in Ecuador, began working with the Quechua Indians, and made plans to begin missionary work with the Huaorani. Elliot and four other missionaries had contacted them from an airplane and felt good about visiting them.

Before their arrival, however, another indigenous group of people lied to the Huaorani about the missionaries’ intentions. Huaorani warriors awaited them. When Jim and Pete arrived, they were murdered. An earlier journal entry by Elliot reveals the heart of a leader: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

Through the suffering, Christ experienced during his short ministry, and more so through what he endured on the cross, he was made a perfect leader. He identified with our experience and, by giving his sinless life on our behalf, he brought salvation.

When I’m expecting God to speak to my spirit, I’ll hear his voice and obey. Many thought Jim Elliot should have stayed in the states. He heard another voice telling him to serve internationally. Jesus heard Satan’s voice, which told him to take a shortcut to accomplish God’s will, but he listened to the higher voice who told him to go to the cross.

If we’re to lead effectively, we must be willing to sacrifice. Jim Elliott gave up a great deal—eventually his life. Jesus did the same, and he taught that we must serve to be great in his kingdom. If we lead with pride instead of humility, we won’t be the leader he desires.

Vision is also necessary when we lead. Jim Elliot’s was converting the Ecuadorian Indians to Christ. Jesus was saving humanity. Ours will be specific to us, our circumstances, and our time. When we ask, God will reveal it and give us the wisdom to lead others to see it as well.

What steps can you take to become a godlier and more effective leader?

Prayer: God of wisdom, give us insight, courage, faith, and strength to lead those You’ve entrusted to our care.

Tweetable: How are you leading? 

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Throwback Tuesday - Lifting the Fallen - Martin Wiles

Lifting the Fallen

“We don’t want to tell you to resign, but we think you should.”

My profession and family life were hanging in the balance, yet this was the group’s decision…a group who largely determined whether I’d sink or swim. If they cared about either, they weren’t showing it. They pretended to represent the church’s best interests, but how could those not include assisting someone captured by sin—and the innocent bystanders who suffered unwelcome consequences.

The majority ruled and chose to turn their backs on one of their own…and in the process purposefully disobeyed a clear command of God. Read more...

Tweetable: Are you kicking or lifting the fallen? 

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Baking a Religious Cake - Martin Wiles

Solomon loved the Lord and followed all the instructions of his father, David, except that Solomon, too, offered sacrifices and burned incense at the local altars. 1 Kings 3:3 NLT

Separately, the ingredients would be distasteful, but together, they are sumptuous. 

Of all the types of cakes my wife cooks, pound cake is my favorite. Hours are invested in making sure it turns out just right. Various ingredients are blended together at certain points rather than mixed all together at once. 

Eggs, milk, flour, butter, sugar, baking powder, and flavoring are mixed together. Of all the ingredients, milk is the only one I would consume by itself. Eggs would have to be cooked, flour and butter would have to be basted, and sugar and flavoring would have to be added to something else. 

Secularism is the attempt to separate government and those who represent it from religion and religious institutions. We might term it separation of church and state, but it’s actually an attempt to compartmentalize life. King Solomon went to the other extreme. He worshiped God, but he also worshiped at the local altars, which means he pandered after the local gods. Many people thought this was necessary for their crops and families to produce abundantly. Later, Solomon would even marry unbelieving women from other nations to form political alliances. 

Neither secularism in the present nor King Solomon in the past got it right. The Bible speaks of separation and conjoining. If I compartmentalize my life, I miss out on what God wants me to do. I won’t be a light shining into a sin darkened world, but neither will I believe my secular life has any bearing on my worship of God. 

God’s overarching purpose is to blend the various ingredients of our lives together so that we are formed into His Son’s image. We are created in the image of God—an image, albeit, that has been wrecked by sin. Through forgiveness of our sins and submissiveness on our part to His plan, He blends the religious and secular ingredients of our lives together to make us little Christ’s. While we don’t melt into or become Christ—as butter does into the other cake ingredients, we should become like Him in word, action, and thought. 

Have you been guilty of trying to separate the secular and religious ingredients of your life?  Blend them together so you can produce a tasteful lifestyle that will impact others for Christ. 

Prayer: Father, help us understand that our walk with You relates to and should impact every area of our lives.

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Flashback Friday - Martin Wiles

Honoring Our Leaders

At 80 years of age, he sits at the helm of a world renowned ministry, has authored 40 books, and has pastored the same church-First Baptist Church of Atlanta, Georgia, United States, for 40 years. But his ascent to the top wasn’t without pain.

Charles Stanley initially arrived at First Baptist as Associate Pastor. When the senior pastor left, the church divided over whether he should assume the Senior Pastor position. Nasty battles ensued, including one where a member cursed aloud and slugged him on the jaw. Read more...

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Traits of Effective Leaders - Martin Wiles

The next day, Moses sat as usual to hear the people’s complaints against each other. They were lined up in front of him from morning till evening. Exodus 18:13 NLT

The stress of leadership can be overbearing. 

I’ve never had people with problems lined up in front of me from morning till night, but I have been laden with other people’s situations. My day has begun by sitting seven hours with a family whose loved one was having a complicated heart surgery. Then it was off to the shut-in’s house who just needed someone to talk to. After gobbling down a bite of supper, it was off to a leadership team meeting. When I finally plopped down in my recliner at nine p.m., the phone rang. So and so had been in an accident. I was off again.  

Responsibility hounds leadership positions, and Moses had his share. He was responsible for leading more than a million people. Along with providing for their daily needs, he had to listen to their disagreements. Fortunately, his father-in-law gave him some sane advice that guarded his sanity. 

Effective leaders aren’t afraid to take advice from people who are qualified to give it. Jethro told Moses he couldn’t care for all the people’s needs by himself. Moses’ attempt—while well intentioned, was impossible. 

Effective leaders recognize they can’t do everything and shouldn’t try to. Jethro helped Moses see his unrealistic attempts. He told Moses how to solve his dilemma, and Moses listened. 

Effective leaders train and delegate. Jethro suggested that Moses divide the people into smaller groups. Then he was to find qualified leaders who could listen to the complaints and handle them. Only the major situations would come before Moses. Trying to do it all or having their hands in everything that occurs isn’t the sign effective leadership. 

Effective leaders genuinely care about those they lead. Though Moses had to reorganize his structure of handling disputes, the fact that he tried to handle them demonstrated his concern. Those he led could be aggravating, but he loved them. 

Let God show you how to be a more effective leader. Then lead.

Prayer: Father, we acknowledge we cannot effectively lead without Your guidance. Direct us to be loving leaders who guide others as You do us. 

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

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Lonely at the Top - Martin Wiles

They began to speak against God and Moses. “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die here in the wilderness?” they complained. “There is nothing to eat here and nothing to drink. And we hate this horrible manna!” Numbers 21:5 NLT

If I thought it, I was wrong. No one ever said leading was easy or popular. 

I had been chosen as the leader of a local organization. Assuming the position required moving almost three hours away. Since my wife and I felt the Lord calling us there, we went. Things went well initially. Until I began changing some things. 

With the help of a few key leaders, we made some changes that would take the entity to new heights by making it more competitive and attractive. And it worked. More people began to join. People who would serve it well into the next generation. Then it happened. Grumbling. Complaining. The majority followed my lead and enjoyed the new growth and opportunities. Others remained but continually grumbled and complained. A few chose to leave. It got lonely at the top. 

Moses knew how lonely the top could be. The job God offered him seemed attractive yet scary. Who wouldn’t want to lead millions of people? Soon after he took the position, the grumbling and complaining began. Didn’t like the route he took them down. Or the food he fed them. Or what he gave them to drink. On at least one occasion, they plotted to kill him. 

In spite of his loneliness at the top, Moses demonstrated traits of a good leader. He was patient. The stubbornness of the people would have driven even the best man to drinking, but not Moses. He was focused on where he knew God wanted him to take the people. He traveled in that direction even though the route was not the most pleasant one. He knew God’s way was always better. When they complained, he continued to lead. He was also compassionate. He knew their rebellion would bring God’s discipline—and it did in the form of poisonous snakes, but he interceded to God on their behalf when they repented. Moses loved the people even when they were unlovable. 

When God calls you to lead, do it with focus, compassion, obedience, and patience. 

Prayer: Father, thank You for the privilege of leading. May we do it with unconditional love. 

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Remember Your Leaders - Martin Wiles

Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith. Hebrews 13:7 NLT

I was a teenager and experimenting with things I should have left alone. At the time, he was my Sunday School teacher. I don’t remember the lesson, but I do recall what he said when referring to some acts of vandalism I was involved in—acts he didn’t know I was a part of: “We need to pray for the person or persons who did this.” His words convicted me, and I eventually straightened up.

I watched this same humble gentleman serve as chairman of the deacons, sing in the choir, and lead on other untold committees. He offered public prayers and always had an encouraging word for others. He visited the sick at home and in the hospital and wasn’t paid for it. He lived a good long life and provided a superb example of leadership.

As the early missionaries traveled from region to region and town to town establishing churches, they installed elders in each one. They were to be men whose lives reflected obedience to God and an ongoing developing spiritual maturity. They were charged with the spiritual care of the congregation.

The saying, “It’s lonely at the top,” is often true for leaders—secular or spiritual. I’ve been there; I know. Friends can be few and far between because of your position. Employees or church members can reject you because of decisions you make that affect their lives. Backbiting among the followers can be rife. Resignations can be asked for by the powers that be. 

My responsibility is to pray for my spiritual leaders and mentors. They need the type of direction and courage only God can give. They’ve been faithful to what God charged them with, and I need to be faithful in making petitions for them. Rather than tearing them down, I need to build them up. When they are the quality of spiritual leader they should be, I can hold them up as a role model for myself. 

What can you do for those who are leading you?

Prayer: Father, thank You for those spiritual leaders You place in our paths. Prompt us to pray for them that they might find the spiritual strength and wisdom they need. 

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