Sound The Alarm

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Posted by Martha Wilson, July 17, 2024

I must admit that I have been in the full swing of summer, enjoying late nights leading into late mornings. No alarms. No set agenda. Long mornings to spend time with God. Knocking out the stack of unread books.  Spontaneous visit with friends. Swim parties with the children. Freezers of homemade ice cream. Lazy afternoon naps and a few productive household projects. 

Last week I had to set the alarm to be sure I was up and ready on time for an important gathering with my sisters. The alarm had been unused for over a month, and I found it to be quite startling. It definitely got my attention as I quickly lept out of bed. There was no time to press snooze; I just woke up and got going. 

Rest, play, and relaxation are good, and I would even call them holy. They are a necessary and helpful part of life, but I find that when I allow them to hang around too long, I can become lazy, stagnant, and lethargic. I can fall asleep and grow callous about what is going on within and around me.

It reminds me of the state of the church and the world: Asleep. Unaware. Lethargic. Unfocused. Satisfied. 

Sunday, July 14, wasn’t just another Sunday. It was the day after our nation was shaken by the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. I feel that everything shifted and changed forever. The call to prayer was plastered all over social media outlets, and our “Salt and Light” Sunday School class would not be excluded. Our leader invited us to circle around, hold hands, and pray for our nation, our church, and ourselves. The circle reached wide as many of us gathered. We pressed our bodies close to one another as we poured our hearts out to God, pleading for mercy, forgiveness, and one last chance.

Just as the prayers began, a phone sounded an alarm. It rang out incessantly, and no one dared to break the circle of prayer. It was grating, annoying, and interruptive. I wanted it to go away, just like my bedside alarm. 

Suddenly, it became a sign from God in my heart. As tears rolled from the edges of my awakened eyes, my spiritual ears heard His voice. “This is my alarm. I AM calling you, the church, to wake up. The hour is near. There is no more time to snooze. Get up and get ready. Cry out to me, and I will hear you and answer you.” 

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable 

things you do not know.”  Jeremiah 33:3

We have ignored the signs that His word has shown us.

We have turned our eyes away. We have hidden our heads in the sand. We have grown weary and angry. In many ways, we have become unbelieving believers. 

Now is the time to awaken and call on God with all that is within us. This alarm calls us to arise and believe again that our God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do (Numbers 23:19). Will we repent for our nation? Will we declare God's goodness? Will we be His salt and light on the earth? 

Our circle of beautiful prayers continued, and eventually, the alarm subsided. 

The Lord sent me to His word and assured me what He was speaking. 

“Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. It is close at hand.” Joel 2:1

We don’t need anyone to tell us that we live in a world that is filled with hatred, disunity, and evil of every kind. The enemy is on a rampage as he knows that his time is running out. (Rev. 12:12) 

It’s past time to wake up! 

Joel 2:12-13 goes on to say, “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

The Lord's alarm has awakened me, and I pray that this blog will be an alarm to awaken and stir all of us to cry out to God for our nation, our leaders, our churches, and ourselves. Let’s press in close together as the body of Christ, seek His face, and pray for one more great awakening in our land. 

Martha Wilson is a writer, speaker, blogger and co-host of A Burst of Hope weekly podcast. She is the founder and director of Touching Hearts Ministries for women. She has led women to pursue an intimate relationship with Jesus for most of her adult life. She is bold, tender, and transparent as she teaches women to embrace powerful Biblical truths. Martha and her husband, Ed, live in Fayetteville, Georgia, and enjoy their blended family of five children, eight grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. You can connect with Martha at: Facebook and Instagram @TouchingHeartsMinistries or listen to the A Burst of Hope Podcast.

Follow The Leader

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Posted by Martha Wilson, July 10, 2024

“Your path led through the sea; your way through the mighty waters 

though your footprints were not seen.” PS. 77:19

Serving in children’s extended sessions at my church brings many unexpected blessings. It is tiring, fun, and inspiring to watch children play. It only took a few minutes to observe who the little leaders were in the group. The self-appointed leader determined which corner they were playing, whether the kitchen or the building blocks. The prominent leader stood up and announced, “We are going to play ‘follow the leader,’ and I am the leader. Line up behind me.” To my surprise, a few actually followed his instructions. 

He made his way around the room, turning to the right and left and touching tables here and there. He dropped to his pudgy knees and crawled underneath the table, pushing chairs out of his way. The children happily followed his path with much joy and laughter.  I noticed that as his motions became more complicated and the adventure became lengthy, the children lost interest and began to fall out of line. Quickly, another little person took the lead, and the frustrated children approvingly followed toward building towers that reached for the sky.

I got a glimpse of myself in all of these little children. Following God can be exciting as long as I see where He leads. I am often tempted to fall out of line when the tasks become more complex. I can grow weary with all the twists and turns, especially when I seem to be going nowhere. My attention can quickly become distracted by a more appealing and comfortable route. 

Following God involves walking blindly.

The path He leads us down can sometimes seem like a waste of time and, yes, often like a crazy obstacle course. But, the more we follow and experience His faithfulness, the easier it is to follow. He invites us to follow His voice, only sometimes His footprints. We are people who like to see first, then follow. But faith follows without seeing. “We walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7

We quickly identify with the Israelites following Moses through the wilderness on their pathway of freedom into the Promised Land. But, as Moses followed the voice of God, his leadership led them directly into the Red Sea, with the enemy closing in close behind them. And yes, they griped and complained all the way. 

Does this sound familiar?

It certainly didn’t look like Mighty God's leadership, yet it was. He called them to step right into that sea, and a miracle would follow their trust and obedience. 

What looked like death led to life. 

The Israelites had to abandon logic and understanding and follow God’s voice. Faith and Obedience had to lead the way. 

When the pathway is dark…

When His directions seem ridiculous… 

When it feels like we are stepping into a death trap… 

We experience God’s mighty power to deliver us in these most unlikely places. 

“Your path led through the sea; your way through the mighty waters 

though your footprints were not seen.” PS. 77:19

“Your footprints were not seen.” Life trains us to trust our leader and follow his every command. In the days to come, we will need more faith to follow our leader wherever He leads. He has proven faithful and worthy of trust. 

Practice hearing. Practice obeying. Practice trusting. 

“Lord, your ways are always good. You are a perfect leader that can be trusted even when we cannot trace your footprints Give us the courage to trust you and follow you wherever you may lead.”

Martha Wilson is a writer, speaker, blogger and co-host of A Burst of Hope weekly podcast. She is the founder and director of Touching Hearts Ministries for women. She has led women to pursue an intimate relationship with Jesus for most of her adult life. She is bold, tender, and transparent as she teaches women to embrace powerful Biblical truths. Martha and her husband, Ed, live in Fayetteville, Georgia, and enjoy their blended family of five children, eight grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. You can connect with Martha at: Facebook and Instagram @TouchingHeartsMinistries or listen to the A Burst of Hope Podcast.

It's Time To Celebrate!

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Posted by Martha Wilson, June 26, 2024

Light up the grill! Crank up the ice cream freezer! Chill the melon!

Wave the flag and light up the night skies! Throw the confetti and sing the songs!

It’s time to celebrate!

This week our country celebrates the birth of American Independence. Our founding fathers and many after them gave their lives for this day. Did you know that John Adams made this a day of celebration?  

“John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail that July 2 ‘will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival and that the celebration should include ‘Pomp and Parade…Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other.’ Though the vote for actual independence took place on July 2nd, from then on, the 4th became the day that was celebrated as the birth of American independence.” (History.com)

If you don’t already know it is time to celebrate our freedom, I encourage you to visit your local Hobby Lobby store. Upon entering the store, the first display you encounter is always the current season or holiday being celebrated. This week, it is all things Red, White, and Blue! You can purchase anything you need to celebrate freedom. (Minus the fireworks and food!) You will find multiple designs of flag paper plates and matching napkins to help you enjoy your grilled hotdog. Banners and confetti, toys and trinkets, and every other decoration you can imagine are available for your July 4th party.

As I made my way further into the store, I couldn’t help but notice the fall flowers climbing around the July 4th aisle. Pumpkins of every color led me into a winter wonderland of Christmas trees, angels, and ornaments.

But, wait a minute! Can we pause and stand in the midst of the July 4th aisle and have a party before we pull out the pumpkins?

As an American, I pause in sincere reflection to celebrate the many freedoms I continue to enjoy as a citizen of this great nation, knowing that one day, these freedoms may be non-existent.

As a Christian, I celebrate a much greater freedom that cannot be taken away. It cannot be purchased or bargained for. No, this freedom was purchased by the lifeblood of my Savior, Jesus Christ. It is freedom to be remembered and celebrated with every breath of my being.  

The Bible predicted and now trumpets the good news message of freedom.

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17)

“So if the Son liberates you [makes you free], then you are really and unquestionably free.” (John 8:36 AMPC)

“For in Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit of life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)

Now that is something to celebrate—being free from sin and death.

Once, I was bound, imprisoned, and enslaved to sin, but Jesus set me free. I am set free to live a life of freedom. My life should always display Freedom in Christ—not on occasion but every waking moment.

If you have not experienced this freedom found in relationship with Jesus, I would love to have a conversation with you. Please feel free to contact me, and I will share how you can be truly free. (Martha@touchinghearts.tv)

And if you know Jesus, but have given up your freedom, it is still yours. Pause and remember what He did for you on the cross. Take up the banner of Freedom and don’t be enslaved to sin any longer.

Reflect and Remember! Wave the flag of freedom! Taste and see that He is good!

It’s time to celebrate!

Martha Wilson is a writer, speaker, blogger and co-host of A Burst of Hope weekly podcast. She is the founder and director of Touching Hearts Ministries for women. She has led women to pursue an intimate relationship with Jesus for most of her adult life. She is bold, tender, and transparent as she teaches women to embrace powerful Biblical truths. Martha and her husband, Ed, live in Fayetteville, Georgia, and enjoy their blended family of five children, eight grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. You can connect with Martha at: Facebook and Instagram @TouchingHeartsMinistries or listen to the A Burst of Hope Podcast.