I paid bills yesterday. First I sent money to the church. And it was sort of hard. I thought about the way that I feel disconnected from my church: I don’t teach Sunday school, many worship from home, I attend the Cypress campus for convenience but not out of a sense of calling. I’m inContinue reading “Provision.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
Holidays and Celebrations.
Do you ever wonder what God thinks about all our celebrations? Isn’t our calendar full of holidays, covering topics from the sublime to the ridiculous? Many Americans decorate their yards nearly year-round: Valentine’s, Saint Patrick’s Day, Easter, July 4th, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas. Advertisers go even further: President’s Day Sale!, April Fool’s Folly!, Cinco de MayoContinue reading “Holidays and Celebrations.”
Why Do We Obey?
God provides reasons to obey His laws. Most obvious? To avoid punishment. Consider: These punishments are SEVERE and are a warning that God takes them seriously. He knows we need the fear of consequences. When we are tempted, sometimes only the fear of horrible consequences can stop us. But as we grow in Christ, aContinue reading “Why Do We Obey?”
“Do Not Be Partial…”
Can you be neutral? Can you listen to both sides before reaching a decision? Can you be objective when every friend and family member and church member, work associate,—EVERYONE is on the same side? And they expect you to join them? Can you RESERVE JUDGMENT? Most cannot. But here is a Biblical principle that willContinue reading ““Do Not Be Partial…””
Your Parents May Be Out of Touch, But God is Not.
It is easy to think parents have no idea what the world and its temptations are like. Parents talk about things like not drinking (you mean “AT ALL”?) or remaining a virgin until marriage, or not smoking, or not skipping classes, or whatever else—and it is easy to think these old people are out ofContinue reading “Your Parents May Be Out of Touch, But God is Not.”
Boundaries.
Throughout Leviticus, God provides laws that should not have been necessary. In 17:15, He says don’t eat roadkill (tempting, right?): “Every person … who eats an animal that died or was mauled by wild beasts… will be unclean.” God is realistic—He knows people will take things too far and push the boundaries. The same isContinue reading “Boundaries.”
Do Not Add a Second Sin to the First.
It is easy for the naïve to assume the best. But God is not naïve. “Jesus knew what was in the heart of man” John 2:25. In situations where well-meaning parents or teachers might think minimal guidance is enough, God spells things out in detail. Consider sexual sin, for example. Most of us think there’sContinue reading “Do Not Add a Second Sin to the First.”
God Knows How to Muck Out Your Hurricane-Ravaged House.
After Hurricane Harvey, I thought I’d seen it all. In my rubber boots I had slogged through a dozen Houston-area houses with water dripping from carpets and insulation. As the sun rose toward noon, you could feel the steam coming out of those swampy damp caverns of mold and moisture. It was interesting, but grossContinue reading “God Knows How to Muck Out Your Hurricane-Ravaged House.”
Quarantine. Leviticus 13 and 14.
As of this morning (2/20/2020), the Coronavirus has reached 24 nations; 75,000 people have been infected; 2,118 have died. Cruise ships returning from China are under 14-day quarantines around the world. China has placed 45M people under quarantine—the largest quarantine in history. Hong Kong announced prison sentences for anyone who violates the quarantine. Researchers traceContinue reading “Quarantine. Leviticus 13 and 14.”
How Do You Start a Nation?
Men who found nations begin by positioning armies at the borders. God begins by telling people WHAT TO EAT! And then? After food, God gives laws addressing dead animals, skin diseases, and mold! So unexpected! As with the well-known dietary laws, God provides “hygiene” laws that would later be confirmed by science. If unclean animalsContinue reading “How Do You Start a Nation?”