Steven Wales

Fasting, Praying, Servant Leadership. Deuteronomy 9:18.

Image generated with A.I. In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses recounts his experiences leading the difficult people of Israel (whom he describes as “stiff-necked,” Deuteronomy 9:6). After they left Egypt and crossed the Red Sea, God called Moses to visit with the Lord on Mount Sinai. Moses went up the mountain, was gone forty days,Continue reading “Fasting, Praying, Servant Leadership. Deuteronomy 9:18.”

Do the Ten Commandments Make Any Difference Anymore? Matthew 13:52.

Pictured: Moses holding the Ten Commandments at the center of a statue of lawgivers atop the East Facade of the United States Supreme Court building. My friend James wrote recently that the Ten Commandments play no role in the life of a Christian. I disagree–and contrary to my usual approach, I am going to beginContinue reading “Do the Ten Commandments Make Any Difference Anymore? Matthew 13:52.”

“We Had No Idea How It Was Going to Work.” Mark 16.

Christian testimonies frequently include the phrase “we had no idea how it was going to happen.” God calls us to step out in faith, often when things look impossible. For some, it may be a mission trip. They sign up to go, but explain later, “We knew we did not have the money, but GodContinue reading ““We Had No Idea How It Was Going to Work.” Mark 16.”

PROGRESS: BUILDING LIVES, BUILDING SOCIETY. Mark 5.

Pictured: the bell tower of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, Houston, Texas. Americans struggle to appreciate the march of human progress because we are surrounded by it. Driving across this great nation today can seem like an endless line of truck stops and fast food, gas stations and coffee shops, oil wells and 300-foot wind turbines.Continue reading “PROGRESS: BUILDING LIVES, BUILDING SOCIETY. Mark 5.”

UNITY: E PLURIBUS UNUM. John 17:20-21.

E Pluribus Unum. This Latin phrase was chosen by the founders as our nation’s motto. In English it means, “out of many, we become one.” Does one-ness matter? Does unity matter? Most of us find reasons to divide ourselves into warring camps, even when everyone involved is a “good person.” Children naturally divide the kidsContinue reading “UNITY: E PLURIBUS UNUM. John 17:20-21.”

GOD CAN OVERCOME ANYONE. Ezra 1-3; Proverbs 21:1.

Image generated by A.I. Have you ever felt good things would come your way if someone were out of the way? Is someone keeping you from your destiny? There is no one God cannot move. No one can stand in God’s way. “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of theContinue reading “GOD CAN OVERCOME ANYONE. Ezra 1-3; Proverbs 21:1.”

PROPHECY: USING THE OLD TESTAMENT TO EXPLAIN THE NEW. Isaiah 53.

You see prophecy in fiction all the time. Here is how it works: authors let you in on a secret, and later that secret plays an important part in the story. Consider an example from Les Miserables, by Victor Hugo. While he is in prison, we learn Jean Valjean is stronger than four men. LaterContinue reading “PROPHECY: USING THE OLD TESTAMENT TO EXPLAIN THE NEW. Isaiah 53.”

THE ART OF LANGUAGE. Psalm 46.

How powerful are WORDS? Visual art can capture scenes and moods, whether an epic war or a domestic still life. Music uses sound to capture emotions, and it runs the gamut from light comedy to epic drama. Art, music, dance, and even the art of cooking can convey emotions and some simple ideas. But onlyContinue reading “THE ART OF LANGUAGE. Psalm 46.”

LION FOOD: BEWARE THE SUPERSEDING WORD! 1 Kings 13:7-24.

Tricky title—simple concept: When you hear God’s voice, you must reject contradictory messages from others. God sent an unknown prophet to pronounce judgment. When the prophet finished, the king offered him a meal and lodging for the night, but the prophet said no. “Even if you offered half your kingdom I would not, for theContinue reading “LION FOOD: BEWARE THE SUPERSEDING WORD! 1 Kings 13:7-24.”

GOT MILK? Proverbs 16:7.

Remember the “Got Milk?” ad campaign, celebrities with milk moustaches telling children to drink their milk? Ironically, most adults cannot drink milk, losing the lactase enzyme as they grow up. Asian people groups and many from Africa and South America are nearly 100% lactose intolerant, causing pain, gas, nausea, and diarrhea—far from being nutritious, milkContinue reading “GOT MILK? Proverbs 16:7.”