Giving the Best - Martin Wiles

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9 NLT

Doing again what I had already done thirty years before was a surreal experience. But after all, who said giving the best was easy? 

Five candidates and I sat in front of the presiding bishop. We were ordinands and would soon be ordained by the presiding bishop. But the difference between me and them was that I had already done this many years before in another denomination. Although the doctrine and governing style between the two denominations differed slightly, the ordination process was similar—yet still touching. The bishop instructed us on the seriousness of the process and related its purpose. Then, one by one, we were called to the stage for the presiding board to lay hands on and pray for us, separating us for the preaching and teaching of the gospel. Once again, I was reminded that God demands my best.

If anybody could have tired of doing good things, Paul certainly could have. His zeal for spreading the gospel to the Jews and the pagan world was equally as fierce as his persecution of Christians before he met the risen Jesus on the Damascus Road. He traveled the known world on numerous mission trips, endeavoring to present everyone with the opportunity to trust in Jesus Christ. He gave his best until he was finally put to death for doing his best. 

Before meeting the risen Christ, Paul’s fervor was probably an attempt to earn acceptance with God. He was, after all, a Pharisee—a religious leader who had studied under a master teacher and who obeyed the Old Testament law zealously. New understanding, however, dawned on him after his Damascus Road encounter. Now he worked to tell others that they couldn’t work to attain salvation.

Salvation can’t be earned through good works, but we will want to do them when we choose to follow Christ. He is our example, and studying his life reveals that he spent the majority of his time serving others. 

Christianity is ironic. God promises persecution, but he also promises peace and abundance. Amid trying circumstances and persecution, we can find peace, joy, and fulfillment by taking our eyes off ourselves and putting servant hands on others. 

Give God your best by obeying him and serving others.

Father, as you have given your best for me, prompt me to offer my best to you. 

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We Need Revival - Patricia Jordan

Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction. Proverbs 29:18 NIV

One summer, I attended one of those old-time camp meeting revivals in Western North Carolina, where my husband and I live. This was my second summer of attending the tent meetings. I have a friend who attends the host church, and she invited me to her church’s revival. I went and enjoyed it so much that I returned again the following summer.

The host church covered the tent floor with wood shavings. Nightly, a great lineup of spirit-filled praise singers started and ended the meeting by singing wonderful gospel songs. In between the music, men and women prayed at the altar. Then one of the preachers approached the podium and preached an inspiring message. 

The preachers came from nearby towns scattered across the Blue Ridge Mountains, as well as some from as far away as Mississippi. They each realized it was up to them to spark the revival flame. The preachers and singers knew we live in a dark world. The Spirit anointed each one to be a gospel messenger through their talents and calling. 

Our souls are in a dark place without the light of the gospel message being placed within them. Without Christ, we wander through life looking for meaning, even spiritual meaning. But because we know no restraint but God's law, we never find that peace that passes all understanding.

One night, I relaxed in our backyard, enjoying the stars that sparkled across the sky. After a few minutes, I felt in my spirit that God told me that the brightly lit stars represented believers. The dark sky represented the darkness of this world. That’s when I realized how much we need revival. As Christians, we have the responsibility to share God’s message with the world.

Think of ways you can help revive this dark world. 

Heavenly Father, cleanse me of all unrighteousness. Forgive me of my sins. Set my soul and heart on fire for revival. In Jesus' name, amen.

Patricia and her husband are both Christians who stay active in their faith. They are also Air Force veterans. They have three daughters, two granddaughters, and one great-grandbaby. They live in her hometown of Sylva, NC. Patricia went to college, intending to become a writer. After dabbling around at writing, she finally got serious about it and wrote a self-help book about her own journey of overcoming depression (Westbow Press). She enjoys gardening and staying in touch with her extended family. She believes in daily Bible reading as a means of spiritual growth and mental and emotional wellness.

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Holding to the Truth - Martin Wiles

Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ. Ephesians 4:15 NLT

He was a hell-fire-and-brimstone preacher who held to the truth . . . regardless.

My dad preached for forty years. He labeled himself a “fundamentalist.” I re-discovered the truth of this when I listened to the only recorded sermon of his I have. He was a young man at the time, in his late 30’s. His voice undulated with passion. He preached the “unadulterated” gospel with zeal. He didn’t mince words to be politically correct; he simply preached what the Bible said. If the Bible called something sin, he did, too—regardless of what anyone else thought.

Dad held to the truth, as Paul instructed early believers to do. Only Paul included to do so with love. As early believers took the gospel into the world, they encountered pagan lies. Confronting those lies meant speaking the truth, but getting the people to listen required speaking it in love.

Spiritual truth isn’t always pretty. It can cut to the quick and raise the hackles on necks. When violating it and having someone call our hand, we can follow our gut reaction, get angry, and snap back. Truth reminds us of how ugly we can act.

The truth of the matter is we are born sinners. We may have been a pretty baby, but we had an ugly nature. It just didn’t show up initially. We didn’t arrive with a clean slate that was later corrupted by a sinful environment, although our circumstances can affect it. All Satan must do is capitalize on what is already present.

The truth is also that we will live and die the same way unless we allow God to do something about our nature. He can change it but won’t unless we agree with Him that we have sinned.

But the prettier truth is God can change us. By repenting of our sins and believing in Jesus Christ as our Savior, we can exchange our ugliness for Christ’s righteousness. This new nature won’t take away our struggle to obey—in fact, it will intensify it. But now God has something to work with. He can bring us into a state of obedience to His commands. A condition we could never enter before.

Have you accepted the cold hard truth about your nature?

Father, may I never shy away from the truth but speak it boldly to people who need to hear. 

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Time for Change - Martin Wiles

Then in the twelfth year he (Josiah) began to purify Judah and Jerusalem, destroying all the pagan shrines, the Asherah poles, and the carved idols and cast images. 2 Chronicles 34:3 NLT

“We need to change the . . .”

I had heard the words before—and would hear them again. At present, I had just been called as pastor of a small church whose previous pastor had been there quite some time. During his stay, not much had changed. After his resignation, the deacons passed out survey forms, asking the church members what changes they would like. Sure enough, the lists were long. Since my wife and I had previously been members of the church, I had my own list. Interestingly, mine matched those of the church members.

One change related to music. For years, choir members had sung the same songs, and the congregation rotated through the same hymns and praise songs. A few weeks after I began my duties, the music minister resigned. I asked a younger lady to lead the music, thinking she’d be able to help the church make a smooth transition to some new songs and styles of songs. Wrong.

In no time at all, complaints arose. And from some of the same people who said they wanted a change. I discovered they only thought they wanted to change. When they saw how it would look, they weren’t ready. Learning new songs took work, practice, and mistakes.

Several years later, just before my resignation, the church decided to return to the old songs. The church needed change—but doing so was too difficult. Staying the same was easier.

Eight-year-old King Josiah faced a nation that needed to change also. God’s people had fallen into worshipping false gods, and their representations were everywhere. God instructed Josiah to tear down the false idols and cleanse the land of idol worship. A great revival took place because he wanted to change—and so did the people.

Changes fill our lives. We can attempt to live change-free, but we’ll never master it. Even if we don’t personally change on purpose, circumstances will force us. Sometimes, spiritual change is even more difficult. God convinced Josiah of the need to change, and He does the same for us—in whatever area the change needs to happen. Maybe with our habits or friends.

God didn’t force Josiah or the people to change, and He won’t force us either, but He has a way of making us uncomfortable if we don’t. Especially if our failure to change keeps us in sinful habits or prevents us from fulfilling His plan. He gives us the freedom to balk and refuse, but He also has the power to discipline and make our lives miserable.

When God prompts us to change, He has a good reason. Viewing change as an exciting new adventure into His best makes those transitions easier.

If God leads you to change, trust Him to guide you through it.

Prayer: Father, give us the courage to step into Your desired changes. 

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Throwback Tuesday - From the Head to the Heart - Martin Wiles

From the Head to the Heart

The distance from one to the other is only about 18 inches, but what if I never bridge the gap?

He stood before the small congregation of people who had gathered to hear him speak. He ranted and raved and foamed at the mouth. At least it seemed so to a young boy. 

Pacing back and forth on the stage, he railed at those who thought they were in good standing with God, cautioning them to make sure. “I’m not trying to make you doubt your salvation,” he salivated, “but I want you to be certain.” 

According to him, a wrong assumption would have eternal consequences. Then the declaration I would hear many more times in my lifetime. “The difference from the head to the heart is only 18 inches.” Read more...

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Pretending into Reality - Martin Wiles

Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. Romans 5:13 NLT

What I had put on prepared me for what I’d become.

For a number of years before she died, my paternal great-grandmother stayed in the home with her daughter and son-in-law, my paternal grandparents. She had her own room, but nothing more. There was no studio apartment or mother-in-law room, but she was content.

She often sat on her bed, propped up with pillows behind her back, crocheting or reading her Bible. And I often sat in the room with her. My little soldier bed was in her room. When I spent the night, I slept there. A wooden chair was at the foot of her bed. Here I sat to watch her, talk with her, and do my pretending.

In front of the chair, I placed a small table. On the table, I placed a Bible. And from that position, I pretended to preach. I doubt at that age I could read well. I surely didn’t understand everything the Bible taught. Yet, I had heard my father preach every Sunday, and, like most boys, I wanted to be like my father.

I’m sure my antics amused my parents and grandparents. In reality, I don’t remember doing this. The act is stuck in my memory because they told me I did. But eventually, I pretended into reality.

Paul told his readers to put on Christ and to make no provision for sinful behavior. In other words, pretend into reality.

When we put on Christ through faith, He forgives, accepts us into His family, and makes us saints. From God’s perspective, we’re perfect because we’ve put on Christ. And Christ was sinless . . . perfect. God sees us in Him and sees our perfection, even though it hasn’t happened in reality.

As the betrayed pretends to still love the betrayer until those original feelings return, so I must pretend to be perfect until my thoughts, actions, and words become closer to reality—which won’t happen until I’m perfected in heaven.

I can be a little Christ when I begin to realize I can’t live the Christian life. Only Christ in me can. And the sooner I realize this, the sooner I will pretend into reality the person He wants me to be.

Don’t live like the person you were before Christ. Pretend into reality the person Christ has made you.

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Prayer: Father, help us realize who we are in Christ so we can live out in practice the people we are in position. 

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Blind Guide - Martin Wiles

They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch. Matthew 15:4 NLT

He stared at her until she got up and exited the building.

Spring had arrived, and it was time for our church to have one of its two annual revivals. This year, we had decided to have only one and to get a full-time evangelist. 

A lady in our church had recently begun a van ministry. Each Sunday, she faithfully picked up kids from the neighborhood and brought them to church. We never saw any of their parents—until one night during our revival.

A young mother with a small child walked in and took her place near the front. Her young baby was restless, the preacher was preaching passionately, and the mother was trying to quiet her baby. I saw irritation wash over the revivalist’s face as the mother continued to sit and listen while her baby whimpered.

Then it happened. He stopped preaching and gave her the “Aren’t you going to leave with that crying child” stare. After what seemed like an eternity of silence, she did. We never saw her or her child again. A potential believer was lost, and I was livid. 

I suppose the evangelist believed in the old adage that “children should be seen and not heard.” I wondered where he found that in the Bible, and I also wondered if he ever felt any shame over running off someone who needed—and wanted--to hear the gospel.

Those whom Jesus referred to as blind guides were not dastardly criminals, but the religious leaders. Ironic that He would call them that, but they were leading people astray with their traditions and added interpretations to God’s law. Jesus corrected them with scathing words.

Traditions can be good or bad, but even the good ones become bad when I elevate them to the same level as God’s Word and then make others feel guilty if they don’t obey them as I do. Doing this makes me and anyone else a blind guide, and our destiny is falling into a ditch. My hypocritical actions will lead others further from God, not closer to Him.

God wants us to disseminate His truth, not the interpretations or traditions we’ve developed to go along with it. His truth—and His truth alone--sets people free.

Don’t let your traditions or personal convictions hinder you from delivering God’s simple truth to others.

Prayer: Father, we thank You for Your truth. May we be faithful deliverers of it, with nothing added. 

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