Meandering Monday - Using the Sixth Sense - Martin Wiles

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

By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. Hebrews 11:3 NLT

I knew the furry animal standing before me was a dog.

With my eyes, I saw his characteristics. I heard a sound that someone had told me was a bark. Dogs bark, so this must be a dog. I touched him. He was real and not a figment of my imagination. I decided to smell him just to make sure. Sure enough, he smelled like a dog. A little raunchiness mixed in with the doggie deodorant my wife had sprayed on him. The only thing left to do was taste him. Since my other four senses convinced me, there was no need to lick him to find out.

But how can I explain the feeling that I shouldn’t take the route the GPS suggested? Or get on my scheduled flight? Or help the lady whose car was broken down by the roadside? My five senses appraised the situation, but my sixth sense drove me in another direction.

Where the beginning of the universe is concerned, my five senses serve no purpose. I can see it presently, but what I see is the finished product. Only with the sixth sense can I believe that a Supreme Designer created it out of nothing.

Faith in God is my sixth sense. Some think it’s irrational, and from a logical standpoint, it might be, but it’s the sense with which I choose to follow God and believe all he’s told me. Forgiveness can’t be experienced with my five senses, but I believe I have it. Nor can they prove the Spirit’s presence guiding me, but I believe that as well. I can’t use them to conclude I have an eternal home in heaven, but I’m banking on it.

In fact, our entire Christian journey is traveled by using our sixth sense. That overwhelming feeling that the journey is real, not just a crutch we’re using to help us handle life. We must walk by faith—the sixth sense—not by sight, hearing, touching, smelling, or tasting.

Are you using your sixth sense?

Prayer: Father, enhance our sixth sense so we’ll see every opportunity You send us and believe everything You’ve told us. 

Tweetable: Are you using your sixth sense? 

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Thinking Thoughts about God - Martin Wiles

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. Psalm 23:1 NLT

I turn God into whatever I think of Him.

Dad was a harsh disciplinarian—at least when I was young. I’m not sure where his ideas of discipline sprang from because he didn’t copy the pattern of his parents or grandparents. Dad went by the book. Severe consequences followed broken rules. His parents were more understanding and lenient.

Dad was also legalistic in his view of God. God had rules and regulations that must be adhered to. When they weren’t, discipline followed. God was also a God of love, but He was quick to punish when someone broke His laws—not lenient or understanding.

While growing up, I noticed Dad’s view of God bled over into how he conducted his household. Perhaps his idea of God explains why I had a framed set of rules hung on my bedroom wall—a list of do’s and don’ts, accompanied by a set of consequences for breaking each don’t.

Dad was right in one sense. God does have rules He expects me to abide by, and when I choose to break them consequences follow. I suppose it was the way Dad carried out the process that colored my view of God as a harsh deity instead of a loving Savior.

David knew God had rules, but he also pictured Him as his shepherd—which paints a different portrait. God disciplined him when he went astray—and he did quite a few times, but He also lovingly guided his life journey.

If I think of God as a harsh disciplinarian—sitting in heaven waiting for me to make a mistake, I might still love Him, but my relationship with Him will be somewhat distant—not close up and personal. On the other hand, if I see Him as a grandfatherly type, I might assume He’ll let me get away with anything without consequence—which He won’t.

Jesus showed us the loving characteristics of God that the rules of the religious leaders had almost covered completely. But He also reminded us God has standards He expects us to obey. When my view of God is balanced, I’ll obey Him because I love Him and because of what He’s done for me, not simply because I’m afraid He’ll punish me if I don’t.

Think correct thoughts about God so you will love Him deeply and serve Him intently.

Prayer: Father, may the thoughts we think of You cause us to have an accurate picture of who You are.

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Throwback Tuesday - The World's Best Mirror - Martin Wiles

The World’s Best Mirror

Turns out, the world’s clearest mirror isn’t a mirror after all. 

I’m rarely pleased anymore when I glance in the mirror. My chest has taken up residence in my stomach area. My once muscular arms are now a little flabby, and my ears are more elongated. Most of my hair tired of my head long ago and fled to my nose and ears. And since my eyesight has deteriorated, my entire image is slightly blurred.

I’ve discovered my clearest mirror doesn’t hang on a wall but sits beside my recliner. Read more...

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