Steven Wales

ARE WE LAZY? Hebrews 5:11-12.

Americans work so hard. But are we spiritually lazy? “We have a great deal to say about this [doctrine] but it’s difficult to explain, since YOU HAVE BECOME TOO LAZY TO UNDERSTAND. Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God’s revelation again. YouContinue reading “ARE WE LAZY? Hebrews 5:11-12.”

ANTI-INTELLECTUALISM in the United States. Hebrews 5:11-12,14.

–The following is from an article by Michael W. Austin, published by the Christian Research Institute: “Anti-intellectualism is rampant in the United States. For quite some time now, our culture has exalted feelings above reason, pragmatism over wisdom, entertainment over intellectual engagement, and we’re now seeing the fruit of these choices. The criticisms are now clichés,Continue reading “ANTI-INTELLECTUALISM in the United States. Hebrews 5:11-12,14.”

ANTI-INTELLECTUALISM IN THE AMERICAN CHURCH. Hebrews 5:11-12

We evangelicals have been accused of being anti-intellectual—and it seems a fair assessment. Things that require concentration are often dismissed as “not of God.” We reject complexity and nuance. Some of us won’t read anything that requires us to turn off our music. Preachers have to hold our hands for challenging topics. I have heardContinue reading “ANTI-INTELLECTUALISM IN THE AMERICAN CHURCH. Hebrews 5:11-12”

Sure, You Sleep Like a Baby. But Do You Eat Like a Baby? Hebrews 5:11-6:1.

Do you remember baby food? That strange, mild-flavored mush, served at room temperature? Want some? You never do see parents eating it, serving strained peas and whipped carrots at Thanksgiving dinner, right? Honestly, it’s kind of nasty. But the writer of Hebrews (I think it’s Paul, but no one is sure) brings up baby food:Continue reading “Sure, You Sleep Like a Baby. But Do You Eat Like a Baby? Hebrews 5:11-6:1.”

NO FISHING. Hebrews 4:15.

Corrie Ten Boom says when God forgives our sins, “He casts them into the deepest sea” (Micah 7:19) “and He puts up a sign that says, ‘NO FISHING.’” Stop dredging sins back up. Stop going back there to punish yourself. If the HOLY GOD WHO PUT THE STARS IN ORBIT can forgive you, then beContinue reading “NO FISHING. Hebrews 4:15.”

LAUGHTER. John 13:7-10.

As a child, I loved pictures of Jesus: Jesus and the children, Jesus walking on water, feeding the 5,000, talking to Zacchaeus, and more. But He was so serious—pleasant, more or less, but serious. The man in the drawings and paintings might hint at a smile, but NEVER laughter. People imagine Him as serious, neverContinue reading “LAUGHTER. John 13:7-10.”

WHAT WAS JESUS LIKE? Hebrews 1:9.

The Bible is not a novel, is it? It employs brief descriptions, hints at personalities, settings, and the details readers love. Parts of it read like a plot summary. But if a novelist were in charge, the Bible might be a fifty-volume set. Yet we have questions: Were Adam and Eve tall or short, thinContinue reading “WHAT WAS JESUS LIKE? Hebrews 1:9.”

IF THERE WERE A SECRET RECIPE FOR JOY, WOULD YOU FOLLOW IT? Hebrews 1:9

When I cook, I almost never use a recipe. I like to be creative and “let the spirit move me.” But I also cook things that are easy and that I am used to cooking (you could argue there is a recipe; I simply memorized it). But if you cook challenging meals for large groupsContinue reading “IF THERE WERE A SECRET RECIPE FOR JOY, WOULD YOU FOLLOW IT? Hebrews 1:9”

KNOW THE WORD AND DEFEAT YOUR ENEMY. Revelation 12:10-12.

Christians should not give the devil too much credit. It is usually silly to think the devil gave you a flat tire, or a late fee, or made you spill your lunch, or catch a cold. Most of our problems are natural things that happen in life. We need to expect the speed bumps andContinue reading “KNOW THE WORD AND DEFEAT YOUR ENEMY. Revelation 12:10-12.”

Two Causes of Stumbling. 1 Peter 5:8-9

Christians get tripped up two ways: (1) By our fleshly desires: lust, gluttony, pride, envy, laziness, unforgiveness, jealousy, etc., And (2) By the lies of the devil. But many of us do not take #2 seriously. Most of us figure that we are nobody special, so the devil would not waste his time on us.Continue reading “Two Causes of Stumbling. 1 Peter 5:8-9”