What did Abraham, Moses, and David put their faith in—sacrifices? The blood of sheep? Did they believe their good deeds got them into Heaven, or did they believe that God required faith? Does the Old Testament speak of Jesus? Yes. The Old Testament looks forward to Jesus, just as the New Testament looks back. HeContinue reading “The Scarlet Thread.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
Scandals in the Church.
Every week I read about ministers embroiled in scandals, usually involving sex, money, or an abusive leadership style. Imagine: God chose YOU. He gave you preaching gifts, leadership, the ability to tell a great story, and He put a fire in your belly to share His Good News. In the beginning, it was great. PeopleContinue reading “Scandals in the Church.”
Pride.
It’s driving an amazing car and feeling the stares of strangers. It’s wearing your newest outfit and being complimented sincerely. It’s hearing your name spoken and every head in the room turns to look, their hands clapping. It’s being congratulated by teammates and hearing the roar of the crowd. It’s walking on stage and hearingContinue reading “Pride.”
Your Desire May Indicate Your Purpose.
It is not easy to know your purpose. We think we know sometimes, but then it changes. So were you right before, or are you right now? It takes a lot of prayer and Godly counsel to understand why God put you here and His plan for your life. One clue can be your deepestContinue reading “Your Desire May Indicate Your Purpose.”
God Chose Them For You.
God makes many choices for us, including our parents. We have no say in who raises us. But God has His reasons, and “His ways are past finding out” Isaiah 55:9. The Ammonite king Nahash treated King David well. When Nahash died, David sent his officials to show kindness to the new king, Hanun, sonContinue reading “God Chose Them For You.”
There Are No Small Parts, Only Small Actors.
Auditioning for a Shakespeare play is an adventure—you never know what role you might receive. From a pool of college students a director might cast human roles of all ages plus monsters, ghosts, and fantastic creatures of all kinds. Perhaps you hoped to play Fairy Queen Titania, but find yourself cast as “fairy number two.”Continue reading “There Are No Small Parts, Only Small Actors.”
The Lord in Heaven Laughs.
“Mann traoch, Gott Lauch” is a Yiddish proverb: “man plans, God laughs.” God is in control. How could He not laugh? We plan for success, but God chuckles, allowing humbling failure. Or perhaps we prepare for a few failures—but God laughs and sends only victories. That too is humbling as we realize victory was notContinue reading “The Lord in Heaven Laughs.”
Screenagers.
I saw my nephew reading HOMER PRICE and had a flashback of my ten-year-old self crawling under the covers with a flashlight to read that hilarious book! Did you ever read a book when you were supposed to be asleep? —It is one of those odd infractions parents can be ambivalent about: sure, he’s stayingContinue reading “Screenagers.”
Is God in This?
I memorized these beautiful words years ago: “Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives toContinue reading “Is God in This?”
Dream Deferred.
I had a mid-life crisis yesterday. I remembered things I hope to do, places I hope to visit, dreams I hope to accomplish, and thought “I’ll never make it.” The year 2002 seems like yesterday—time has FLOWN! In another twenty years, I’ll be in my 70s. That’s discouraging. I have served God faithfully, but I’mContinue reading “Dream Deferred.”
Household Words: 