Silence Is Golden - Martin Wiles

But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Matthew 6:6 NLT

“The Sound of Silence” was written by Paul Simon of the duo Simon and Garfunkle over several months between 1963 and 1964. In 1966, the song, which tells of a man who failed to communicate, hit number one on the Billboard 100.

Although silence can have damaging effects, it can also be golden. After teaching around one hundred middle school students daily, I’m ready for silence when I get home. Following an end-of-first-semester party for our middle schoolers at the local bowling alley—one my wife attended with me—my wife now understands why I want silence when I get home.

Jesus also thought a great deal of silence. People who wanted to hear him teach, see him perform miracles, or do something for them constantly mobbed him. Along with those who wanted something were the religious hound dogs who continually searched for some reason to arrest and even kill Jesus. Getting away by himself or with his disciples was essential for maintaining his and their sanity. It is for me, too.

A little white noise is good. My wife and I sleep with fans blowing. We wake up when the power goes off, and complete silence overshadows us. But the other types of noises that often characterize a day—loud voices, machines, vehicles, horns, train whistles, screaming kids, shouting customers, television shows, and internet voices—can drown out the most critical voice we need to hear. While God can speak amid the noise, we’re more apt not to hear him when noise abounds. Jesus says we need to get in our prayer closet—whether we take that literally or not.

Silence helps us focus. I want to hear God’s voice and focus on his words. We need to listen to him clearly so we can think soberly. Silence is necessary for accomplishing this task.

Obedience is much easier when we can hear God unmistakably and focus on his words. And when we obey, peace follows. We experience peace when we submit to and follow God’s will. Anything less will produce noise.

Find a place and time where you can be silent before God daily.

Father, I long for silence to hear your Spirit speak clearly to my spirit. 

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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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A Secret Place - Martin Wiles

As my glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Exodus 33:22 NLT

He was a master at making and discovering a secret place.

My maternal grandparents lived in an old farmhouse. My first cousin and his family lived a stone’s throw away. When I spent time visiting my cousin, we normally spent most of our time at our grandparents’ house. During one of my visits, he showed me his most recent discovery. Just above the small closet door in the kitchen was a hidden door.

What greeted us when we opened it was a spiral staircase. Naturally, we wanted to explore. Up we went into a dusty cavern. My hopes for discovering hidden treasure were dashed. Rolls and rolls of player-piano music was all we mined. No doubt once used on my grandmother’s old player piano that had been converted to a playable piano.

I wonder now what this secret room was used for: storage, a room for unruly children, an extra bedroom, or perhaps a secret place to hide runaway slaves. Although we didn’t know the purpose, we had uncovered yet another secret place.

Moses was sometimes overwhelmed by his God-given task of leading millions of people across a wilderness to the Promised Land. He wanted assurance of God’s guidance. On this occasion, he asked to see God’s presence as proof. God didn’t allow Moses to see his face, but he did place Moses in a secret place as he passed by: the cleft of a rock. 

Every believer needs their secret place. I have mine, and it’s not always the same place. It’s the place I go where God and I can be alone. A quiet place where I can hear God speak to me by his Spirit. A recliner in the early morning hours, a bench in a park, the bank of a pond, the top of a mountain peak, or a chair in the backyard.

The spot we choose isn’t as important as our frame of mind when we go there, along with our purpose for being there. Secret places are for seeking God’s face and his plan and for renewing our resolve to serve him and others faithfully. Secret places are essential for good spiritual health, so we should visit them often.  

Where is your secret place, and what makes it special?

Father, show me Your presence in a fresh way when I meet with You in our secret place. 

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The Best Book - Martin Wiles

Hilkiah said to Shaphan the court secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the Lord’s Temple!” 2 Chronicles 34:15 NLT

I am a connoisseur of old books.

In the spare bedroom of our small patio townhome, bookshelves rest against the walls, encircling the area where bedroom furniture should reside. I have no choice. The square footage is small, and I don’t want to box up my treasures but display them. I’ve put much time and energy into collecting these books—most of which boast a copyright date before 1940. I haven’t invested much money since I discovered most of them at thrift shops, not antique stores.

The oldest ones I wrap in cellophane paper to preserve the covers. Some of the books are in great shape, considering their age. My oldest book is two hundred years old, came from a Charleston, South Carolina, library, and has no scratches, mildew, or tears.

Many of the books have content that doesn’t interest me—but their condition intrigues me. They have survived so long. I’m also amazed by the covers. Not dull like so many modern-day books. Some have intricate designs and carvings, such as a sculptor would place on his work of art—no mass production.

I have read a few of my old books. Most just sit on the shelf. Thumbing through the pages would probably loosen them from the spine and even separate the cover. But within their pages reside truth and error. None mimic the book Hilkiah discovered.

One of young King Josiah’s projects, when he took over the throne, involved restoring the temple, which had fallen into disrepair. In the cleanup, Hilkiah discovered the Book of the Law. Scholars think this was our book of Deuteronomy. When the king read God’s Word, he tore his clothes. The people—and the king—had disobeyed. Surely, punishment marched on the horizon. The king led the people to repent and turn back to God.

We can discover tidbits of truth in many places, but only one place hosts complete, absolute truth that never changes: the Bible. The words held truth when God first spoke them through the various writers, and they still contain truth presently.

When truth confronts us, it always calls for change, as it did with the king and his people. God’s Words leads us to repentance, confession, sorrow, joy, peace, encouragement, and abundant life. No other book can change us as God’s Word can because no other book has been breathed by God’s Spirit.

Many good books avail themselves for our reading, but God’s Word is the best book. Make it a point to read it often. Doing so will change your life. Don’t just place it on a shelf.

Prayer: Father, prompt us to read and meditate on Your Word daily. 

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Just Be Still - Martin Wiles

But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. Exodus 14:13 NLT

Telling two of my grandboys to be still wastes my breath.

My daughters two boys—a five and a three-year-old—are typical boys. They don’t know the meaning of being still. Asking them to sit still while I read them a book or while they eat at the table proves difficult. As does sitting still in a chair on the occasions when we put them in time out for not listening. Their age … and personality … makes them want to move.

I can’t say much. When still, I feel as if I’m wasting time. Perhaps because my dad said, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” I suppose I transferred that to an idle body, too.

I discovered how difficult remaining still is when I had an MRI on my back. The technician said, “Don’t move.” Doing so would distort the images. Every part of my body that never itches, itched. But I dared not scratch.

Being still must have challenged the Israelites as well. Egypt lay behind them—but so did the Egyptian army which was hot on their tails. In front of them lay the Red Sea. They couldn’t move in either direction. Moses instructed them to remain still. God would rescue them. And He did by parting the Red Sea.

Being still is difficult in our noisy world. After teaching middle schoolers all day, my wife doesn’t understand why I want quiet when I get home. She’s listened to whining youngins all day and wants to watch TV or listen to music. I want to hear nothing. I need quiet to think … to hear God.

Busyness and noise drown out God’s voice. We need quiet to hear Him, and this won’t come unless we’re intentional about creating quiet time in our day. When we don’t, we miss out on what God wants to say to us. And what He says is always important to our life journey. He may just want to say that He loves us. Or remind us that He hasn’t forgotten us. Or that He has our situation under control. But we must be still to hear.

Find a quiet time each day where You can listen to God’s still small voice.

Prayer: Father, take us to those quiet places where we can hear from You.

Tweetable: Do you know how to be still? 

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Throwback Tuesday - Why Is the Bible So Difficult to Understand? - Martin Wiles

Why Is the Bible So Difficult to Understand?

Series: Hey God…I Have a Question

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword…It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12 NLT

If God wants me to understand his love letter, why is it penned in such a difficult language?

I was in middle school when The Living Bible surfaced. Until then, the King James Version reigned supreme. There were several other translations available—such as the Revised Standard Version and the American Standard Version, but rarely did I see anyone use either. My dad was a fundamentalist and had never swayed from the KJV. When The Living Bible emerged in 1971, he was immediately suspicious because it was a paraphrase, not a translation. Read more...

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Just Be Still - Martin Wiles

Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Psalm 37:7 NLT

“Mr. Wiles, I need you to lie perfectly still.”

My back hurt as it never had before, so after trying to self-medicate myself—to no avail—I decided to visit my family doctor. He scheduled an MRI.

When I arrived, the technician gave me the dreaded command: lie still. In any other circumstance, lying still for thirty minutes wouldn’t be impossible. But when someone tells you to do it, things happen that don’t normally occur. My nose itched, but all I could do was twitch it. My arms itched, and then my legs. Every place imaginable needed my scratching fingers, but I didn’t dare move them lest I hear, “We’re going to have to start the test over. You moved.”

My five-year-old grandson knows less about being still than I do—especially if we give him too many sugary foods. If he doesn’t have his head stuck in Meme’s iPad, he’ll run around our small townhouse as if he’s on speed. I often say to him, “Levi, you’re making me tired just watching you.”

David encouraged his readers not to worry about their enemies or the wicked. They simply needed to be still—to be quiet—and let God handle things.

Along with being still comes silence. A tough thing in our noisy world of electronics and technological gadgets. My wife keeps two of our grandchildren and another small child, but still wants noise when they leave. I teach sixty middle schoolers and want silence when I come home.

Hearing God’s still small voice—which is how He speaks to us, whether through prayer or His Word—proves difficult when He has to compete with noise. Finding silent periods throughout the day makes it likely we’ll hear Him and understand better the guidance He wants to give.

And God’s not much into competition when it comes to choosing between Him and other things. He wants our undivided attention so He can lead us down the best path for every decision, every relationship, and every area of service to others.

In our noisy world, silence won’t come without intentionality on our part. I must mute the television, silence the radio, and take out the earplugs connected to the iPod. If I don’t, I’m likely to miss out on important information from God.

Make a point to find your silent, still spot each day so you can hear God.

Prayer: Father, guide us to that still spot where we can hear Your words to us.

Tweetable: Are you finding time to be still?

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The Thought Reader - Martin Wiles

You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. Psalm 139:2 NLT

The sign said she could—but I had my doubts.

When I was a preteen growing up in the 1970s, Palm Reader signs decorated almost every town, large and small. Funny, I never saw any vehicles in their parking lots, but the sign said “Open.” Although I often wondered how they could read a palm and know a person’s future by doing so, I never visited a palm reader when I reached the age where I could have. Dad called them phonies, and I adopted his stance. Forty plus years later, some of the signs remain, but the businesses are closed.

The horoscope page in the local newspaper was another popular item when I was young. Occasionally, I’d read mine. After all, everyone else was. The predictions seemed quite generic, as if anyone could write one with the chances pretty high that what was predicted might come true. Dad labeled it nonsense, and once again I claimed his viewpoint. A waste of my time.

What palm readers and horoscopes claim the ability to do—but can’t—God does. According to the psalmist, He is a thought reader. And He doesn’t guess. He knows all about my past, present, and future. I choose to believe the psalmist’s viewpoint. Believing God could do this seemed more plausible than the horoscope page or the palm reader. Since God created me, it seems only logical that He can guide me along the best life path.

Knowing God can read my thoughts changes my perspective on life. If He knows my thoughts, they must carry as much weight as the words I actually speak. And He must hold me as accountable for them as He does for my words. Jesus confirms this in His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. According to Him, thinking something wrong makes me as guilty as if I had committed the deed itself.

Realizing God knows my thoughts means my life is transparent to Him. And since thoughts often lead to actions, I must manage them well lest my actions result in a lifestyle foreign to the way God wants me to live.

Only God can give us the power to control our thoughts—and our actions. Ask Him to help you think about things that are pure, just, lovely, honorable, virtuous, praiseworthy, and of good report.

Tweetable: Are your thoughts God's thoughts?

Prayer: Father, our desire is to honor You with our thoughts and actions.

Tell us how you control negative thoughts. 

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Flashback Friday - Savor the Flavor - Martin Wiles

Savor the Flavor

When the smell wafts through every crevice of our home and finally passes under my nostrils, my mouth waters. 

Fried chicken…southern style. There’s nothing like it. My wife knows how to season it just right. I could eat it every day. From a good health standpoint, I understand it’s probably not beneficial for me. The grease clogs my arteries, and the skin houses enough fat and grease to do a magnificent clogging job. But I savor the flavor and taste and plan to keep eating it on every occasion I can wrap my mouth around a juicy piece of it. Some things are worth dying for. Read more...

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