Author Archives: Steven Wales

When Friends Go Astray.

Have you seen any friends go astray? Have any gone off to college and surprised you? Why is that? What keeps some people walking with the Lord, while others go off on foolish, sinful paths of error and evil? One factor is peers. 1 Corinthians 15:33 warns, “Do not be deceived: bad company corrupts goodContinue reading “When Friends Go Astray.”

Choose Your Friends Wisely!

Do you choose wisely? It is SO important. Why? Because no one will influence you as much as your friends. So choose friends wisely—because you will become like them. “He who walks with wise men will be wise. But the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:20. I know the problem. The problem is,Continue reading “Choose Your Friends Wisely!”

Mining Hazards.

Do you know the term “undermine”?  It is often used in reference to authority. For example, if a principal walks into a classroom and tells students “Don’t bother with that assignment your teacher gave you,” the teacher will likely complain the principal has undermined her authority.  UNDERMINE.  Think about what that word means.  It isContinue reading “Mining Hazards.”

Listen to Wise Counsel.

Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, had a question. He got advice from the old men who had served his father, then from the young men who were his childhood friends. Guess who gave the better advice? The old men. Why? Because they had experience. Don’t you realize how valuable that is? Rehoboam took the advice of theContinue reading “Listen to Wise Counsel.”

Choose Your College.

How do kids choose a college? Location? Beauty? Reputation? Degrees offered? Friends going there? What do parents consider? Price? Safety? Future job prospects? The considerations are enormous—as is the time to be invested.  It is a huge decision, and one for which you must hear from God. Proverbs 9 uses a picture similar to collegeContinue reading “Choose Your College.”

Rebuke.

Have you ever rebuked anyone? Ever told friend he was wrong? Ever spoken up for what is right? You can tell a lot about a person by the way he responds to rebuke. Wise people accept it, humble themselves, and listen. Foolish people are not able to accept rebuke; they will be angry and defensive.Continue reading “Rebuke.”

Wisdom Has Built Her House.

Yesterday I watched a documentary about a talented athlete whose career fell apart because his life was a dumpster fire: parties, booze, drugs, and selfishness.  This is the life of foolishness. Even though I published my first book Friday (!), the biggest event of this year will be the work involved in honoring the lifeContinue reading “Wisdom Has Built Her House.”

Profanity.

George Washington said, “The wicked practice of profane swearing is a vice so low that every person of character despises it.” Do you agree? Many would disagree, yet most only swear in certain situations: they won’t cuss at church, a funeral, on television, in front of children, or during a job interview. They know it’sContinue reading “Profanity.”

What Does God Enjoy?

I once visited a preacher in the hospital, and he sat up in bed and preached to us. He said, “People always talk about ‘God bless me,’ but did you know that YOU can bless GOD?” He was so excited about that. One verse he mentioned was “bless the Lord, o my soul, and allContinue reading “What Does God Enjoy?”