Steven Wales

Do You Ever Feel Mistreated?

Have you ever been treated unfairly? Have you ever felt left out by friends or teammates or family? God sees. He knows what happened and He knows how bad it feels. Can you forgive? Can you leave the problem in God’s hands and trust Him to make things right? We are called to trust Him,Continue reading “Do You Ever Feel Mistreated?”

Repeating a Pattern.

When the Bible repeats a pattern, that means it is important. Here’s one repeated within just a few pages–a single generation. When Jacob needs a wife, he travels to the land of Laban, and sees the shepherdess Rachel coming with a herd of sheep. So what does he do? While he was still speaking withContinue reading “Repeating a Pattern.”

Do You Know What Grace Is?

Could you explain grace, or is it just a churchy, religious word for something like forgiveness? Grace is related to forgiveness, but it is different. God forgives His children and wipes the slate clean. But grace is how God puts value in your life after sin has destroyed it. If you broke a crystal pitcher,Continue reading “Do You Know What Grace Is?”

Biblical Mysteries.

There are things in the Bible that are … peculiar. A talking donkey. People 900 years old. A prophet swallowed by a fish. Ezekiel’s “street-theater” messages including lying on his side for more than a year. A day when the sun stood still. Jesus healing a blind man with spit and mud. And then there’sContinue reading “Biblical Mysteries.”

Being the Right Person.

Someone once said, “Marriage is not so much FINDING the right person as BEING the right person.” That’s a timely word in a culture that views both marriage and careers as some magical romantic fantasy where the person or occupation perfectly fits your every trait, satisfies your every desire, and renders you blissfully happy foreverContinue reading “Being the Right Person.”

Generations.

Americans are obsessed with independence. We want to do OUR OWN thing, no matter what. Period. Mic Drop. It is impossible. As John Donne wrote, “No man is an island, entire of itself.” What we do affects those around us. Your family is a life boat. We are in the boat together: paddling, steering, fishing,Continue reading “Generations.”

What Are You Looking for in a Spouse?

Just as AMERICAN IDOL spawned a genre of TV talent contests, the BACHELOR birthed a litter of marriage contests. What traits are these contestants looking for in the opposite sex? Appearance, chemistry, and a sense of humor probably top the list, along with ambition, success, and money. Abraham and Isaac looked at marriage differently. AbrahamContinue reading “What Are You Looking for in a Spouse?”

Test Your Heart.

Abraham had it all—land, cattle, crops, gold, 300 employees—but no children. His peers might have had 60 descendants at his age, but Abe had none. SIX times God repeated his promise of a son—and of heirs that would outnumber the stars. Then at 86, Abe had a son, by Hagar. Finally at 100, God gaveContinue reading “Test Your Heart.”

Sacrifice.

What could you give up for God? God promised Abraham descendants that would outnumber the stars, and land in all directions. He called Abe his friend, and told him about Sodom and Gomorrah in advance. But in exchange, God asked a lot of the ultimate “founding father.” “Take thy son, thy only son Isaac, whomContinue reading “Sacrifice.”

Remember Lot’s Wife.

Jesus warns in Luke 17:33, “Remember Lot’s wife!” He makes it sound like life and death. But what does that mean? In Genesis 19, God sends angels to rescue Lot’s family. The people are warned to run from the city. The sons-in-law ignore it. The family hesitates. The angels (who look like men) grab theirContinue reading “Remember Lot’s Wife.”