Steven Wales

Here’s to the Cooks.

We elevate religious leaders. But the preacher is not a different breed. My childhood pastor was a gifted orator and a man with nearly irresistible leadership qualities. Yet, he was humble and chose to be called “Brother John”—an equal. Preachers, elders, and priests are your equals. So are doctors, lawyers, bankers, statemen. But you knowContinue reading “Here’s to the Cooks.”

“Just as the Lord Commanded.” Exodus 40:34

In Exodus 39 and 40, the artisans used their crafts to build the tabernacle. Do you know what the tabernacle is? If the temple is God’s House, the tabernacle is God’s mobile home: it could be moved. The artists and craftsmen obeyed God in EVERY DETAIL. The result: God’s glory. 39:1— “They made … garmentsContinue reading ““Just as the Lord Commanded.” Exodus 40:34″

ARE YOU A ‘MAKER’? God Uses Artists, Craftsmen, Designers, Engineers, Mechanics, and Hobbyists.

Pictured: Jesus showing his mother Mary a table he built, a scene from the film THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. I once asked my father, “Daddy, are you a people person, an idea person, or a thing person?” There was a pause while he looked up from the model airplane he was building. “I don’tContinue reading “ARE YOU A ‘MAKER’? God Uses Artists, Craftsmen, Designers, Engineers, Mechanics, and Hobbyists.”

Put Your Heart Into Your Work.

When Moses needed men to build the tabernacle, God brought men with skill AND passion. They had a CALLING. We have many skills, but few callings. That is, you may be good at several things. But your heart will lead you to the one that is right for you. Of course, your heart can getContinue reading “Put Your Heart Into Your Work.”

Who is God?

How would you describe God? Angry? Forgiving? Judgmental? Uninvolved? Deists said he was the Cosmic Clock Maker, who set the universe in motion, but has kept his hands off since. What do you say? Is He involved? Does he consider little prayers, or only wars and pandemics? Is God personal, or is he just aContinue reading “Who is God?”

MOSES.

Moses will forever be one of history’s great men: Miracle worker. Delivered the Jews. Taught them the law and worked as their judge. Founded a new nation. Wrote Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. But more than that, consider his walk with God: the burning bush, encounters with Pharaoh, God spoke to him face-to-face, GodContinue reading “MOSES.”

Forget “Beauty Rest.” Get Your “Beauty Prayer.”

What can walking with God do for your physical appearance? Quite a lot, it turns out. Have you ever seen the way some people look angry all the time—their faces permanently unhappy? When King David was depressed, he turned to God: “Why are you in despair, O my soul? Hope in God, for I shallContinue reading “Forget “Beauty Rest.” Get Your “Beauty Prayer.””

The Invisibility Cloak.

Harry Potter had an invisibility cloak—and it was AWESOME! He and a friend or two could hide under the cloak and escape detection. That blanket saved Harry so many times. And wouldn’t it be FUN?! I would love to get my hands on that serape. Unfortunately, I know of only one Invisibility Cloak, and rightContinue reading “The Invisibility Cloak.”

“But I Can’t Believe in Something I Cannot See.”

Since when do we not believe in the invisible? Do you believe in radio waves, TV signals, or WiFi? Do you believe in electricity? Can you see X-rays or magnetism? God’s invisibility may be the first point raised by unbelievers: “How do I know God is real if I can’t see Him?” Jesus answered that:Continue reading ““But I Can’t Believe in Something I Cannot See.””

The Best Prayers. Exodus 33:3.

Is there one prayer that God hopes to hear from you more than others? What is the best thing you can pray for? Consider these prayers. Eleven times in Ps. 119, David prayed, “Teach me your statutes…Teach me the way of your statutes…Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes… Teach me your ordinances…AndContinue reading “The Best Prayers. Exodus 33:3.”