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.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
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.”
FAMILY LINES. 1 Chronicles 23-26.
The Bible contains numerous genealogies—they make dull reading until you use imagination to see further. I ask myself what God is up to, why He chooses certain families. The first, most obvious lesson when reading genealogies is: GOD CARES MORE ABOUT FAMILY TREES/HERITAGE THAN WE DO. Clearly these things are important (and both Moses andContinue reading “FAMILY LINES. 1 Chronicles 23-26.”
KEEP SERVING GOD WHILE YOU’RE WAITING. 1 Samuel 27.
It’s easy to think that when THIS THING finally happens, or when I reach THAT MILESTONE, I’ll start really doing things for God. But life often comes down to what you do while you’re WAITING on that next thing. We need to serve God during the delays; not just after reaching some perfect destination, butContinue reading “KEEP SERVING GOD WHILE YOU’RE WAITING. 1 Samuel 27.”
FAITH CAN BE SCARY. Judges 4:22.
This coffee cup showing Jael slaying Sisera is one of over 90 portrayals of Judges 4 available from fineartamerica.com. Apparently, Jael has quietly become a hero to many. Deborah told Barak God’s message: “Attack Sisera and I will hand him over to you” Judges 4:7. But Barak was scared and said, “If you will goContinue reading “FAITH CAN BE SCARY. Judges 4:22.”
IS FEAR A SIN? Numbers 14:2,4; 7,9.
Does fear make you guilty? Can fear be a sin? If so, is fear a sin—a) always, b) sometimes, or c) never? When God sent ten miracles and delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the wilderness, the former slaves kept wanting to go back to Egypt. Their ingratitude and lack ofContinue reading “IS FEAR A SIN? Numbers 14:2,4; 7,9.”
READING LEVITICUS. Leviticus 5-7.
Leviticus shows how blessed we are today to rely on the atoning work of Christ on the cross. The sacrificial system was INTENSE! First, if anyone sinned UNKNOWINGLY and later discovered it, “he is to confess…. He must bring restitution for the sin …, a female lamb or goat as a sin offering” Leviticus 5:5-6.Continue reading “READING LEVITICUS. Leviticus 5-7.”
GOD’S COURTROOM. Job.
Picture generated by A.I. Have you read the book of Job? The book of Job reads like the transcript of a trial.[1] The room is called to order and Job makes an opening statement—in his lawsuit against GOD: “I have prepared my case. I know that I am right… I was at ease, but GodContinue reading “GOD’S COURTROOM. Job.”
Household Words: 