If you have ever tried to read the Bible, you have probably made it as far as Leviticus. Genesis and Exodus are pretty easy: lots of great stories. But Leviticus is a book short on stories and long on laws. The same is true for Numbers and Deuteronomy—there are stories mixed in, but much ofContinue reading “None of These Diseases. Exodus 15:26.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
When Your Children Ask You… Exodus 13.
God is greatly interested in the way we teach our children. Are you? Have you ever thought about how important that is? President Ronald Reagan put the idea into words: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for,Continue reading “When Your Children Ask You… Exodus 13.”
Tell Your Son and Grandson. Exodus 10:1-2.
Who is responsible for teaching children about God—parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, teachers, preachers, reporters, writers, actors, celebrities, sports stars? Perhaps all of the above are responsible to one degree or another. But parents have primary responsibility—and grandparents may come in second. God repeatedly tells the Israelites to talk to their children and grandchildrenContinue reading “Tell Your Son and Grandson. Exodus 10:1-2.”
Trying to Change? Ask God to Change Your Heart.
It is hard to change on your own, to muster up will power and just CHANGE. It is tough. That’s why people like New Year’s Resolutions: the idea of a new year easily coincides with the idea of a new habit. But dates are arbitrary—a week later, January 7 feels just like the year before. Continue reading “Trying to Change? Ask God to Change Your Heart.”
Copycat. Exodus 7:11.
One strategy of the enemy is to copy everything God does. If Jesus travels town-to-town talking about self-denial, the devil will create false religions based on itinerate “holy men” who promote self-denial (see Buddhism). If God provides a book of ancient scriptures, the devil will push false religions based on revered ancient writings such asContinue reading “Copycat. Exodus 7:11.”
There is Nothing Harder Than Turning Over a New Leaf. Exodus 7-12.
Haven’t we all had this experience? You swear off sweets, then arrive at work and it’s the boss’s birthday party and you have to accept a piece of cake? Or you join a gym and suddenly your work responsibilities double and you feel like you’ll never be able to work out and you might asContinue reading “There is Nothing Harder Than Turning Over a New Leaf. Exodus 7-12.”
Child Sacrifice is Not a “Trade-off.”
Cultures around the world have been killing children longer than there has been recorded history, including the Aztecs, the Incas, the Mayans, the Carthaginians (who worshipped Moloch), the Phoenicians, non-Muslim Arabians, Ugandans, South Africans, and more. Why? What could motivate loving parents to toss their children into fires and volcanoes? I believe the devil isContinue reading “Child Sacrifice is Not a “Trade-off.””
Anticipating What God Might Do.
God prepares us before he calls us. Often we are born with the gifts we will need, and our experience births in us a desire to work in the area of those gifts. Some of us will have an overwhelming desire to DO the work, but no idea HOW to do it. Have you everContinue reading “Anticipating What God Might Do.”
God Heard Their Groaning. He Saw. He Took Notice.
When the Egyptians enslaved the Hebrews and treated them cruelly, God paid attention. It must have seemed to go on forever. But God was not ignoring the problem. The Hebrews cried out to God and He was already busily at work raising up a leader who would deliver God’s people. (You know who that was,Continue reading “God Heard Their Groaning. He Saw. He Took Notice.”
Have You Been Desperate for Rescue?
The people of Israel were desperate. Pharaoh was cracking the whip, forcing them to do hard work for long hours. Those who resisted endured the lashings—and then had to get back to work anyway. Pharaoh put cruel slave drivers in charge. The usual rule: be as cruel as you have to be, but don’t injureContinue reading “Have You Been Desperate for Rescue?”
Household Words: 