I love a good shortcut. I’ll never forget taking a shortcut back to our campsite. The rest of our scout troop was convinced I was wrong. But when I arrived back at camp alone, the men looked at me wondering where the others were. Then I took a shower and got cleaned up. An hourContinue reading “Beware of Shortcuts.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
Choices.
Your life is not based on one BIG DECISION, but on thousands of small choices. And the most important of those choices is the seemingly small choice to spend time with God every day. When Israel was a divided kingdom, the nation’s kings made bad choices. King Nadab was an evil idol worshipper and BaashaContinue reading “Choices.”
CAN YOU IMAGINE A MEAL FIT FOR A KING?
When Daniel was taken captive into Babylon, he determined NOT to defile himself with the “royal food and wine.” You know the story: the servant was afraid he’d be killed if Daniel and the other Jews lost weight. Daniel said, “Give us vegetables for ten days, then check. If we look poorly, we’ll eat theContinue reading “CAN YOU IMAGINE A MEAL FIT FOR A KING?”
The Eyes of the Lord.
Who do you depend on? God, or yourself? We train children to work hard and do what they are supposed to do. And wisdom requires you to fulfill your obligations. Why rely on others for tasks you can complete on your own? It’s like a farm: you should plow your own fields, plant your ownContinue reading “The Eyes of the Lord.”
God is LOOKING for Someone to Bless!
Israel fought many wars against pagan nations. As a Bible reader, it is easy to assume God will always intervene so His people win every war. After all, the surrounding nations worship idols but Israel worships the One True God, right? But what if Israel has a civil war? If Judah and Benjamin takeContinue reading “God is LOOKING for Someone to Bless!”
Warning! There are Risks to Success.
Success comes with great risks. David would never have gotten in trouble with Bathsheba were he not the king. All of Solomon’s failures were tied to his royal crown. Many great people end up famous for great failures: Ken Lay, Richard Nixon, Harvey Weinstein, Matt Lauer. “When Rehoboam had established his sovereignty and royal power,Continue reading “Warning! There are Risks to Success.”
“Thus Sayeth the Lord …”
Let me tell you a crazy, obscure story from the Old Testament– Prophet A came to Bethel and prophesied destruction. As he was leaving, the king invited him to the palace for a meal. Prophet A said, “If you were to offer me half your kingdom, I would not eat with you, for this isContinue reading ““Thus Sayeth the Lord …””
This Devo About Counseling is Rated PG13– Not a Story for Children.
To whom will you listen? There are the older and wiser, sages who have experience. They give advice. There are also young people, “influencers,” people who have achieved little but are beautiful or good talkers or cool and smooth and fashionable or super-funny. They too give advice. When Gregg Matte resigned from his college ministryContinue reading “This Devo About Counseling is Rated PG13– Not a Story for Children.”
The Capable Wife.
Chapter 31 of Proverbs is so popular it has become an adjective: “She’s a Proverbs 31 woman.” It is a great compliment—what woman would not want to be described this way? But we misread the passage when we take it literally. Consider: ‘She buys wool and flax to make things. She rises early to prepareContinue reading “The Capable Wife.”
What Do You Seek in the Opposite Sex?
Most begin with looks. That’s natural, since you see a person long before you have a chance to meet. But there is so much more to relationships. I used to talk to high school classes about a friend of mine who was always on the heavy side, but girls were lined up to date him.Continue reading “What Do You Seek in the Opposite Sex?”
Household Words: 