The Word That Lasts Part 2 - Martin Wiles

Anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be great in the Kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:19 NLT

Doing it is a lifetime habit I don’t intend to break.

I’ve been reading the Bible daily since I was a small tike. I suppose my family instilled in me the importance of doing so. With rare exception, we had daily Bible readings. I can remember as an elementary age child, sitting on the top bunk with my Bible in hand. I didn’t always understand it—in part because of the translation I was using, but Dad was glad to explain the words I couldn’t define. 

Memorizing it was also a part of my young life. The church my father pastored encouraged children to participate in sword drills and Bible memorization exercises. Even during my periods of rebellion, I still read God’s Word daily. I still do. 

Jesus said obeying God’s Word was important. I’ve found that to be true. 

I’ve learned disregarding God’s Word will lead to me leaving God out of my daily affairs. God wants to be involved in every detail of my life—the small and the large, the important and the not so important. He wants to give me wisdom for the decisions I have to make and guidance that will see me successfully through life. When I don’t meditate on His Word, it’s easy for me to forget He’s right beside me during my life’s journey.

God’s Word is more than the Bible itself. I don’t worship the book—even though all parts of it are true and crucial to believe. Nor do I worship a particular translation. I worship the One the Book points to, and I use various translations to help me better understand what God is saying. Loving Him is the greatest commandment. When I do, I’ll obey His commands by fleshing them out in my actions. 

Spiritual maturity is built on a lifetime of studying God’s Word. Surveys continue to demonstrate the lack of discipleship among believers. At one time, I was there myself. Though I’ve grown, I still have a long ways to travel. God’s Word gives me the beliefs I need to know, and His Spirit gives me the power to put them into practice.

Commit to spending more time in God’s Word and see the difference it will make.

Prayer: Father, may we always see the importance of Your Word for our lives. 

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Stuck in Place - Martin Wiles

And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God. Titus 2:12 NLT

I’ve tried it at my home, in a motel room, and in a gym; I didn’t like it either place. 

For me, exercising in place is the supreme act of boredom. I once owned a treadmill and used it religiously. I placed it in the den so I could watch television while walking. I soon tired of the same scenery—or lack thereof. I then bought a stair climber, thinking this would provide a more strenuous workout. In the den it went. Once again, boredom marched in. 

Going to a gym didn’t help. Though there were others around, the scenery was the same. I’ve even run and walked in place in a motel room if I was away on a business trip.  

Regardless of where I exercise, I’m stuck in place if I do it on a stationary machine. I also have to endure the same scenery. Give me the outside. A place where my view changes frequently and is unlimited. A place where I can hear birds sing, watch geese waddle in the pond, and marvel at the various types of trees, wildflowers, and wildlife. A place where I can actually say I’ve moved from point A to point B. 

As exercising in place confines me, so there have been times when I felt stuck spiritually. I wasn’t necessarily dabbling in godless living or sinful pleasures. I just wasn’t making any forward motion.

When I’m not moving forward spiritually—when I’m not growing in my walk with God, I’m actually falling backwards. God doesn’t want my journey with him to look like a yield graph of some popular stock. Rather, he desires a steady incline with no dips or plateaus. If I allow myself to get stuck in place, Satan will move in and steal my focus and lead me into sinful areas. 

Eagerly studying God’s Word for practical insights—not merely reading it because I always have, staying in close connection with fellow believers—not simply because of what they can do for me, and praying heartfelt, earnest prayers—not merely repeating words and phrases, will all move me from a stuck position and keep me on the incline. 

Decide on one action you can take that will prevent you from being stuck spiritually.

Prayer: Father, keep us close to You and always on the move in our spiritual growth. 

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Speaking Truth into Memory - Martin Wiles

I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us. Psalm 119:13 NLT

Truth and temptation have interesting ways of entering our minds. 

During elementary school, I was introduced to multiplication tables. Beginning with one times one, we learned up to 12 times 12. When we had finally mastered 12 times 12, we stopped. Our goal was reached. Large cards with the equation were held up by the teacher. No overheads or projectors in those days. Only after each student had stood before the class and recited their 1’s, 2’s, etc., did we move on to the next number. Though I hated standing in front of the class, I always had a good memory so the practice wasn’t difficult, just embarrassing. 

Almost fifty years later, I still remember my multiplication tables without really thinking about the answers. Because I spoke truth repeatedly into my memory, it stuck. 

The psalmist knew the importance of memorization as well. He probably wasn’t concerned with math facts, but he was with the principles of God’s Word. 

My parents and early childhood Sunday School teachers were also. I memorized the books of the Bible and demonstrated my knowledge by participating in sword drills. I also memorized special verses in the Bible that most Christians deemed important. Verses like John 3:16 and Romans 10:9, 10. Many of the verses I memorized as a child have stuck with me. 

Some years ago, I bought a small pocket sized notebook and began recording special Bible verses in it. Many of those I’d memorized as a child. Verses reminding me of God’s promises, love, and provision when facing troublesome times. Before long, I had filled the book. I keep it beside my favorite chair. Periodically, I’ll look through the book and recite the verses. 

God’s Word doesn’t automatically enter my mind, but I can speak it there. Repeating verses aloud speaks truth into my memory. Doing it often speaks it into my long term memory where it remains. When it’s firmly implanted, God will use those verses to guide me through the challenges of everyday life. 

Regardless of the situation or emotion I face, there will be a verse that fits. Are you speaking truth into your mind? It’s never too late to start. 

Prayer: Father, may Your word be so important to us that we would speak into our memories.

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