I am my family’s shepherd. Father, help me to provide for all their needs. Help me to find green pastures for them, moments of peace and calm and rest. Help me to lead them to quiet waters, where their needs are met and where there is no anxiety, no drama. Give me words of graceContinue reading “A Father Prays Through the 23rd Psalm. Psalm 23.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
Who is the Greatest in the Kingdom? Matthew 18:1-4.
The disciples asked Jesus to name the greatest person in the Kingdom of Heaven. They expected Him to say Abraham or Moses or David or Elijah or maybe John the Baptist, but He surprised them: “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ AndContinue reading “Who is the Greatest in the Kingdom? Matthew 18:1-4.”
Asleep in the Boat. Matthew 8.
Matthew 8 tells the story of the disciples being caught in a storm. The wind and waves were so bad, they woke Jesus up to ask for His help. They said, “Lord save us! We’re going to die!” So He got up and rebuked the wind and waves. Then He said, “Why are you fearful,Continue reading “Asleep in the Boat. Matthew 8.”
Sometimes You Need to “Tattle.” Esther 2:21-23.
Esther 2:21-23 includes an interesting story. When Esther’s uncle Mordecai hears of a plot to assassinate the king, he reports it, saves the king’s life, and later that act leads to the salvation of the entire Jewish race. The point is, sometimes you gotta speak up. Sometimes the “tattler” is the hero. Sometimes the schoolyardContinue reading “Sometimes You Need to “Tattle.” Esther 2:21-23.”
Facing Tragedy? Ask God to Pour Out a Spirit of Grace and Prayer. Zechariah 12:10.
“Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the house of David” Zechariah 12:10. What a great prayer. If we could be overwhelmed by a passion for prayer and for grace, it would change our lives. Is anyone you know suffering an unspeakable tragedy? I read this verse the day afterContinue reading “Facing Tragedy? Ask God to Pour Out a Spirit of Grace and Prayer. Zechariah 12:10.”
We Cannot Save Ourselves. Ezekiel 16:63.
There is a great story in Ezekiel 16. God compares His rescue of Israel to the rescue of abandoned newborns. He saves them, nurtures them, feeds, clothes, and adorns them with jewelry. He makes them beautiful, redeems their broken lives and makes them amazing. And what happens? They become proud of their beauty and makeContinue reading “We Cannot Save Ourselves. Ezekiel 16:63.”
MAN’S GREATEST WORKS ARE A TOWER OF BABEL. Revelation 20:11-21:1,5.
A.I. image. It is easy to be swept up in humanity’s little dramas. The Olympics is a stunning spectacle—193 nations and a dozen non-nations competing in events that have their own storied history (consider ancient events like archery, marathon running, and wrestling). Athletes carry a flame, light a torch, and promote peace. It is allContinue reading “MAN’S GREATEST WORKS ARE A TOWER OF BABEL. Revelation 20:11-21:1,5.”
JESUS IS LOVE AND WRATH. Revelation 19:11-20:12.
This picture generated with A.I. The Old Testament predicts the New. God promised Abram his people would return from Egypt to the Promised Land after 400 years, “because the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure” Genesis 15:16. The pagans were not evil enough to warrant destruction—but would be in time.Continue reading “JESUS IS LOVE AND WRATH. Revelation 19:11-20:12.”
The End Times Will Reveal the Hearts of Men. Revelation 14:14-16.
In the book of Revelation Jesus reveals the future (the noun form of ‘reveal’ is ‘revelation’). But the End Times will also reveal the hearts of man. Those who love God will grow to love Him more, and those who hate God will hate Him even more, as they “fill up the full measure ofContinue reading “The End Times Will Reveal the Hearts of Men. Revelation 14:14-16.”
God Does Not Judge the Repentant. God Judges Those Who Refuse to Repent. 2 Peter 3:9.
Many struggle to understand the judgment of God. Some look at Noah’s flood and feel sorry for those who drowned. Or they read about Sodom and Gomorrah and feel sympathetic toward the people of these two cities who were slain. Others look at the battles David fought and wonder how God could ask Israel toContinue reading “God Does Not Judge the Repentant. God Judges Those Who Refuse to Repent. 2 Peter 3:9.”