A New Normal - Martin Wiles

You have been wandering around in this hill country long enough; turn to the north. Deuteronomy 2:3 NLT

Monday morning arrived, and I couldn’t remember what I needed to do first.

For the previous four years, I had observed the same morning routine. My profession as a school teacher required me to arrive at school by 7:30 a.m. But things changed when I changed employment. I still kept office hours at my new employment, but the hours were variable, giving me more flexibility.

My first morning was slightly confusing. I was unsure whether to follow the same order I used before or rearrange it. I chose the latter but soon found myself confused about what to do first. I also forgot to do some things I had been doing with predictability for the last four years.

The trip from Egypt to the Promised Land was brief—or at least should have been (Deuteronomy 2:3). Stubborn rebellion by the Israelites caused them to wander in the wilderness for forty years until the rebels died. That’s when God gave them a new normal. No more wilderness. Now it was time for them to enter the Promised Land.

New norms can bring anxiety. The Israelites would immediately pass through territory belonging to the Edomites. While they were relatives, they weren’t friendly relatives. God reminded his people that he had been with them in the past and would be with them on this new normal journey as well. God never forsakes us when he leads us into new norms. His indwelling Spirit has the power to soothe our anxieties regardless of how intense they may seem.

New norms can usher in unprecedented victories. With a new fighting force, God led his children to capture land belonging to Sihon the Amorite and Og, king of Bashan. Along with anxiety came victory. God doesn’t lead us to new normals so that we’ll have some place fresh to go. He has plans that will involve us in his Kingdom advancement.

New norms invite the enemy’s attention. Moses experienced victory, but because of earlier disobedience, he couldn’t enter the Promised Land. God has plans for victory by leading us to the new norms, but as always, our enemy works to bring defeat. Honing our faith in the new normal keeps us from falling into the enemy’s traps.

Rather than being overwhelmed by anxiety, enjoy the new norms that God brings you.

Father, help me to trust you when you bring me into new norms. 

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing. No one escapes life's hurts, but we can move beyond them to hope and healing. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Choice Not Destiny - Martin Wiles

So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. Romans 6:11 NLT

With a grunt and a heavy sigh, he asked, “Do we have to do this?”

Teaching students who have little interest in learning challenges the most creative and persistent teacher. I know; I teach some five days a week who couldn’t care less about school. One student came in every morning just before the late bell with a look on his face that said, “I just got out of bed, and I really have no desire to be here.” Five hours later, when he arrived in my class, his attitude hadn’t changed much. Now, he was tired of the work he had been doing for the last five hours. When he asked if he had to do a particular assignment, I said, “Yes.” The law dictates that he attend school, and the school dictates the curriculum he must pass to move from one grade to the next.

Sin sometimes feels like a dreaded assignment I must do, but Paul says otherwise. As a believer, I should consider myself dead to sin and alive to Christ.

The questions, “Do I have to complete this assignment?” and “Do I have to sin?” are similar. The answer to the first is “Yes” and “No.” Yes, if the student wants credit, but no if they didn’t.

Whether I have to sin depends on my situation as well. If I’m a believer and have the presence of God’s Spirit empowering me, then no, I don’t have to sin. Sinning is a choice, but it’s not my destiny. If I haven’t trusted Christ as my Savior, then yes, I do have to sin. My nature controls it, and I have no one to help me avoid it.

As believers, we choose to sin. God doesn’t tempt us; Satan does. God will give us the power to say no regardless of what the temptation is. And he will never allow the temptation to be so great that we can say, “I had to sin.”

Our destiny is purity and holiness. While this won’t be entirely achieved until we’re in heaven, we can make great strides toward that state of existence while on earth when we allow God’s Spirit to control our decisions and desires.

Let God give you the power to choose holiness and purity.

Father, help me understand that sinning is a choice and that you can give me the power to say, “No,” to any temptation.

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing. No one escapes life's hurts, but we can move beyond them to hope and healing. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Energized - Martin Wiles

For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. Philippians 4:13 NLT

He needed energy, but I had nothing for him.

I had watched Henry’s gait since he entered the building. His appearance was the usual for most students when they first arrived at school: not enough sleep, a late ball game, staying up beyond curfew. Henry fell into this category with unkempt hair, sluggish steps, and a blank stare, but on this particular day looked more drained than usual. As Henry approached my class later in the day, his first words were, “Can I call my mom and see if she will bring me an energy drink?” Without something, he was sure to fall asleep in class.

These days, as age begins to take its toll on my body, I sometimes feel like Henry: I need energy. I can’t do the things I once did—at least not at the same speed. Bones ache and joints creak. Although I eat healthy--at least most of the time--exercise, and take daily vitamins, I am not the man I once was.

Paul seemed energized. He proudly stated he could do anything, and he wasn’t such a young man when he said it. But his energy didn’t ensue from an energy drink, exercise, vitamins, or food. His energy came from God.

Even when my physical energy wanes, God will give me the spiritual energy I need to continue doing his work. I hope one day to retire from my profession, but I never intend to retire from God’s work. What I do for him might change, but he will energize me to do something until I take my final breath.

The power Paul had—and the power available to all believers--comes from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit takes up residence when we place our faith in Jesus Christ, but the power comes through being filled with the Spirit, which is not automatic. We must crave for God’s Spirit to consume us. We do this by allowing our bodies to be a holy temple and confessing to God that we desire to be all we can for him. Staying in His Word, prayer, service, and fellowship with other believers proves we’re serious about the request.

Let God’s Spirit energize you for the work God has called you to.

Father, I ask that you energize me with your Spirit so I can do the work you’ve called me to accomplish. 

I invite you to try my book Grits, Grace, and Grands. If you have grands, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Too Many Words - Martin Wiles

The talk of fools is a rod for their backs, but the words of the wise keep them out of trouble. Proverbs 14:3 NLT

Sometimes, when I think I’ve said a lot, I realize I’ve said very little.

The assignment was simple. Students were to write a short paper detailing three things they felt strongly about. When they finished, I collected the papers and re-distributed them to their peers to check for grammatical errors, redundancy, and wordiness. 

One young lady approached my desk. “Doesn’t this sentence say the same as the previous one?” she asked.

“It does,” I replied.

A short time later, she returned. “Doesn’t this sentence say the same thing, too?”

“Yes, it does,” I said again.

With a confused look and a sigh, she whispered, “But that only leaves one sentence in the entire paragraph.”

I shook my head and smiled, then gathered the class’s attention. “Class, life lesson. Sometimes, when we think we have a lot to say, we have very little.”

The student, whose paper was in question, laughed, but I was convinced.

Many are the warnings God gives throughout the Bible with outright instruction or by example about the potency of our words. Taking into consideration those warnings, and noticing that I have two ears but only one mouth, I’ve concluded it’s better to listen more than I talk. I’ll learn more, stay out of trouble, and develop healthier relationships.

The classroom exercise also reminded me of how crucial it is to choose carefully the words we write or speak. Since wordiness and redundancy are rife, we must ensure the ones we give out are worth listening to. Saying the most in the fewest words is challenging and requires forethought, but it is possible.

Since people’s attention spans are growing increasingly shorter, speaking or writing with as few words as possible is wise. Otherwise, we’ll lose those to whom we think we have something to say.

Words also reflect our character—the people we are on the inside. I have a sneaky suspicion the young student was attempting to take a shortcut. Since I require a minimum of five sentences in a paragraph, they were shooting for the goal rather than thinking about that which they felt strongly. However, a student with a watchful eye foiled their attempt.

Make sure the words you deliver are worth listening to. 

Father, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight—and pleasant to others.

I invite you to try my book Grits, Grace, and Grands. If you have grands, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Wrong Is Never Right - Martin Wiles

What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil. Isaiah 5:20 NLT

Clay was usually a good student, but on this particular day, he broke the rules.

I sat with my back partially to the class, teaching from a PowerPoint about verbs. I could see most of them with my peripheral vision, including Clay, who sat in the back. As I taught, I noticed his hand continually slipping in and out of his pocket. Each time I looked at him, he gazed back with an innocent look. 

Toward the end of class, I remarked, “By the way, I know you’ve been eating.”

Quickly defending himself, he pulled out a piece of candy and said, “But I’ve only eaten one.” 

My look of disbelief convicted him. “Okay, two,” he said, “but I didn’t get to finish my breakfast this morning, and I didn’t have my milk.”

His remark was so comical that I and the rest of the class melted into a pool of laughter. Still, what he did was against the rules. 

Isaiah pronounced a “woe” upon those who called good evil and evil good. They had twisted values. Clay’s actions proved the mistake still existed. 

Though people and times may have changed, God’s standards haven’t. He still has an ethical and social code that he expects us to obey. I remember when even those who weren’t believers followed God’s code simply because most of society did. Not so many years ago, President Ronald Reagan said, “Without God, there is no virtue because there’s no prompting of the conscience. If we ever forget that we’re one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” 

Circumstances should not determine right and wrong. Doing so leads to situational ethics. What was wrong initially is still bad and will be when time ends, regardless of whether we think God should change his mind. And following the majority is often the wrong thing for us to do. While the majority may win the vote, they can still be wrong—and they are about many forms of behavior currently accepted as permissible. 

God bases his standards on his nature, which is characterized by holiness and goodness. We can be sure God is not out to make our lives miserable. Following his guidelines will result in the best possible life there is to live. 

Satisfaction and joy never result from calling evil good.

Father, may my standards always replicate those detailed in your Word. 

I invite you to try my book A Whisper in the Woods in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Tutored by God - Martin Wiles

The law was our guardian (tutor) and teacher to lead us until Christ came. So now, through faith in Christ, we are made right with God. Galatians 3:24 NLT

Tutoring isn’t usually initiated by students. And it wasn’t in my case.

Parents who observed their children struggling in grammar class approached me about giving their child extra help. Tutoring comes in several varieties. Some children need remedial tutoring. They haven’t grasped concepts learned in an earlier grade, making it difficult or impossible for them to keep up in their current grade. Others just need extra help understanding current concepts. A little one-on-one time with a tutor is all many children need to scale the hump. And then there’s the rare occasion when a student wants to get ahead of the class. This tutoring involves introducing concepts that would normally be introduced later in the year or even the next year. On whatever level of tutoring a child stands, teaching and understanding are the goals.

Paul considered God’s Old Testament law a tutor. God’s law was designed to guard or tutor until Christ fulfilled it. The sacrificial system tutored the people about the concept of the innocent being sacrificed for the guilty. Animals were slain during the Old Testament period, but Christ was slain in the New.

Now that Christ has fulfilled the law, God’s Spirit is the new tutor. Jesus said if He went away He would send a Comforter, the Holy Spirit. He is our tutor who guides, teaches, encourages, and comforts us. All traits of a good tutor.

God’s Spirit tutors the lost by introducing them to the way of salvation. He often uses people as the means to do that. After we’ve trusted Christ as our Savior, we should tutor others in the way of salvation. This tutoring can be accomplished by praying for the lost, being prepared to witness when the opportunity arises, taking training courses in how to witness, and by being sensitive to witnessing opportunities.

God’s Spirit tutors believers by guiding them to understand God’s truth as revealed in His Word, by teaching them how to apply that Word to everyday situations and circumstances, encouraging them to pick themselves up and try again when they fail, and comforting them in times of failure, sorrow, and grief.

Tutors have been trained in the material they teach. Believers have been tutored by God so they might become tutors as well. Make sure to tutor those God sends your way.

Father, thank You for the tutoring of Your Spirit. May I take what I learn and use it to tutor others.

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Engaging God’s Plan - Martin Wiles

But you followed God’s prearranged plan. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to the cross and murdered him. Acts 2:23 NLT

He had a plan, and the plan produced marvelous results.

More than a decade ago, the school where I teach hired a new headmaster. Attendance had languished, and it was time to do something or watch attendance fade. The new headmaster had a plan, which led to an uptick in enrollment. He introduced new technology, putting our school on the cutting edge. He initiated new sports programs and elective classes. A new attitude of excitement permeated the corridors. 

Having a plan is essential in anything we do. Peter reminded one crowd that God had a plan. They didn’t understand it. They couldn’t imagine pagan Gentiles being a part of it or that it included a Messiah who would allow himself to be beaten beyond recognition, ridiculed without responding, and crucified without fighting back.

Yet, as God had a plan for Jesus, so he does for every person. Our starting point in engaging God’s plan involves believing he has one. We’re not accidents—people he didn’t see coming. He knew us before birth, created us in our mothers’ wombs, and mapped out our lives’ courses.

Once we believe God has a plan, we must try to discover and submit to it. God won’t force His plan on us but will willingly give us the strength to pursue and accomplish it when we make the effort.

Recognizing it is God’s plan is essential. We’re the ones it’s happening to, but it’s God’s plan. Trusting him for the power to see it through is crucial. Otherwise, it will become our plan, and we’ll make a mess of it every time.

We should also expect opposition. Most of the Jews opposed God’s plan and demonstrated their opposition through unbelief in Jesus and by eventually convincing the Roman authorities to crucify Him. Satan’s never pleased when we follow God’s plan.

The good news is that we can expect success when we engage in God’s plan. The success might look different than we imagine, but God’s success often does. His success probably won’t result in wealth or worldwide fame, but it will be the type of success he’ll honor.

Engage God’s plan instead of coming up with one of your own.

Father, give me the foresight to see your plan and then the faith to follow it. 

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Protected from Self - Martin Wiles

Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. James 1:14 NLT

On any given day, stress levels can escalate.

I work well under pressure but don’t handle pressure well. I feel pressured when I’m behind on grading assignments I’ve given students. Or when the internet acts up. Intermittent downtime means more time is required to do the work I’m required to do—if I can do it at all. My students can’t access their online books or complete their online exercises. More than once, students have heard me grunt at the computer.

While I may blame my stress level on the computer, the internet, or the demands of my profession—or just plain life—I am the source. My attitude toward these or other aggravating circumstances swells my stress level. However, circumstances or people can only stretch my stress level if I allow them to.

The source of any sinful actions or thoughts is identical. James says my biggest problem is me—not others or even Satan. I am my worst enemy. On the other hand, he isn’t teaching that Satan or his demonic companions are figments of religious imagination.

We are all born with a sinful nature. When we follow Christ, He replaces it with a new nature but doesn’t remove the “flesh.” Flesh isn’t a reference to skin but to the part of us that still wants to act and think as we did before we met Christ. Satan temps through our flesh, but the flesh is ours, making us responsible. We need protection from ourselves.

The devil can’t make us do anything. The Spirit in believers is greater than the one (Satan) in the world. When we feed our flesh and new nature with God things, we lessen the chances we’re going to cause problems. Having God’s Word hidden in our hearts gives us a source to run to when our flesh acts up. Remaining in a constant attitude of prayer reminds us God is always present to provide us with wisdom and strength to overcome what Satan—or ourselves—throws at us.

Putting on the whole armor of God protects us from Satan’s attacks. Tending to our inner selves protects us from ourselves.

Father, I ask that You give me an inner desire to obey You rather than the temptations of Satan or the flesh.

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Count the Coins - Chrissy Wiles Harrison

Please join me in welcoming Chrissy Wiles Harrison, the main contributor to our new Parent Talk page. Although we may occasionally feature other writers on this page, she will be our featured writer.  

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:7-9 NIV

While pregnant with my firstborn, I took a seasonal job at Toys R Us. I know—the perfect way to jump into motherhood, right? As you can imagine, it was chaos. Not the store—it actually had a nice layout and system in place—but the time of year. Hot new toys plus eager, overwhelmed parents plus Christmas-time busyness equals far less patience all around.

But I’ll never forget one customer and his son. A line formed behind them as they waited in line at my register. And I’m not talking about a normal line. This was a long, giving-me-evil-looks, ready-to-be-checked-out-and-move-on-with-their-lives line.

The man’s son counted out every single coin he had so he could buy his toy. My insides were dying. I was frantic about the entire process. How long would this kid take? Can’t his dad help him? Doesn’t he see this insane line behind them? Do my customers think it’s my fault? Are they going to be upset with me?

Maybe my face showed how I felt, or maybe the dad offered advice to my pregnant-cashier self, but he looked up at me and said something I’ll never forget: “You never miss an opportunity to teach them.”

Suddenly, my mind quieted. What a profound lesson this dad had just taught me and one the Lord reminds me of frequently.

According to an observation floating around the internet, seventy-five percent of all the time a parent will spend with a child is complete by the time they reach twelve. And by the time they turn eighteen, well, ninety percent of parent-child time is already spent (timesfreepress.com).

How much time have I already missed teaching my children—I am often far too busy or worried about other things that I forget the little time we have left. They need to know so many things. Sometimes, I forget I’m the one who must teach all of it to them: respect, manners, and life skills (soooo many life skills). Also that it’s okay to make mistakes and that they are loved.

Most importantly, to teach them about their Savior and how to have a relationship with him. But to lead them to this place, I must stop being so busy or worried about others and let them count the coins.

God told the Israelites to teach their children. Think of some ways you can teach yours to count the coins.

If you enjoyed this devotion, please share it with your friends. Also, invite them to visit our Parent Talk page.  

Chrissy Wiles Harrison is a homeschooling mom who shares her home with four rambunctious boys, one husband, and a small pooch—and loves
every minute of it. 

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Tackling Life’s Trials - Martin Wiles

I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. Psalm 16:8 NLT

One took advantage of the situation; the other stepped up to the plate.

Watching a few middle schoolers traipse down the hall on crutches or with a limb in a cast isn’t unusual. In addition to the injuries, there are usually health-related issues as well. Students missing class for injuries or health concerns is typical; how they deal with it varies.

One particular year, two stood out. One had a broken limb; the other a health-related issue that kept him home for weeks. Normally, when a student has a broken limb, another student comes alongside them and carries their books. Not for this particular student. He didn’t even ask. He wrote the best he could with the hand he didn’t usually write with. Nothing was late or missing. The other student took advantage of his situation. Their responses are typical.

The psalmist confessed he would never be shaken regardless of what came his way. There was no need. The Lord was with him. The promise he held onto applies to every believer. When trials come—no matter the intensity, time, or shape—being shaken is unnecessary. But how we respond reveals much about our faith.

If we go about our business in the presence of trials as if it’s just another ordinary period—as the student with the broken limb did—our faith will change. Our spiritual walk with the Lord will mature, our faith will develop, and our dependence on God rather than ourselves will get a lift. Trials will turn us more toward God rather than others or ourselves. We’ll remember we can’t handle life on our own. We need more than friends, family, and acquaintances. We need God.

The only other choice is to do what the other student did: milk the system. We can get mad at God for allowing these circumstances into our lives and refuse to spend time with Him in prayer or any other way. We can depend too much on others at the expense of God and perhaps end up in co-dependent relationships. Or we can do nothing and have our own pity party.

Trials test our faith and form our integrity. Tackle the trials that come your way, knowing God is on your side and willing and able to help.  

Father, I thank You that Your strength is enough to enable me to conquer any trial. 

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