Steven Wales

SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH KINGS AND VAGABONDS. Acts 25:12.

When Paul was arrested on trumped-up charges, he knew it was an opportunity to share the Gospel. After defending himself to Governor Felix, he appealed to Caesar. Felix answered: “You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go!” Acts 25:12. God had warned Paul that traveling to Jerusalem would cause him great suffering. PaulContinue reading “SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH KINGS AND VAGABONDS. Acts 25:12.”

A Lawyer Looks at the Trials of the Apostle Paul. Acts 24-26.

Laws are built on beliefs about the nature of man, of justice and fairness, and how best to operate a society. No source played a larger role in the development of Anglo-American (“English-American”) law than the Bible. Not only did the Archbishop of Canterbury write the first draft of the Magna Carta, but the bookContinue reading “A Lawyer Looks at the Trials of the Apostle Paul. Acts 24-26.”

Conspiracy Theories. Acts 23:12-13,16.

Here’s a bit of Texas law: “A person commits criminal conspiracy if, with intent a felony be committed, (1) he agrees with one or more persons that they … engage in conduct that would constitute the offense; and (2) … one or more of them performs an overt act in pursuance of the agreement” TexasContinue reading “Conspiracy Theories. Acts 23:12-13,16.”

How Do You Judge Public Speaking? Acts 23:11.

Every time a candidate for president gives a speech, the pundits on television offer their analysis: how many minutes was the speech? Did the speaker improvise or stick to the script? Was the tone optimistic, pessimistic, or neutral? Did the speaker focus on numbers and facts or on heart-felt human stories? Was there humor? HowContinue reading “How Do You Judge Public Speaking? Acts 23:11.”

A JESUS LIFE—WHAT AN ADVENTURE! Acts 23:11.

Imagine living every day on a quest that is larger than you, larger than life, a journey so dramatic your life is at risk every moment, but you see visions of heaven and the life to come. You understand scripture, life on earth, and life in heaven better than anyone. Jesus is the center, butContinue reading “A JESUS LIFE—WHAT AN ADVENTURE! Acts 23:11.”

FALSE DOCTRINE. Acts 20:29-30.

I was Doug’s camp counselor; he was my FAVORITE seventh grader. Now he is the meanest radical out there. He insults not only me, but was rude to my mom on Facebook—whom he has known his ENTIRE life. I try to laugh with him, but it’s hard. I once shared a comical story online aboutContinue reading “FALSE DOCTRINE. Acts 20:29-30.”

The Wisdom of Ignorance … Romans 16:19-20.

Is it ever better to be ignorant? To NOT know something? Yes. Soldiers who endured trench warfare in World War 1, Japanese prison camps in World War 2, and jungle warfare in Vietnam would say, yes—there are some things not worth knowing, some experiences you do NOT want to endure. Sometimes it is better toContinue reading “The Wisdom of Ignorance … Romans 16:19-20.”

DEVIANT DOCTRINES. Acts 20:30.

“… Men will rise up with DEVIANT DOCTRINES…” Acts 20:30 2020 was a terrible year. COVID 19, the death of George Floyd, Antifa, riots, the desecration of statues and history, arson in dozens of major cities, vicious anger at law enforcement and the government that culminated in an attack on the U.S. Capitol. And ofContinue reading “DEVIANT DOCTRINES. Acts 20:30.”

WORD FOR ADULTS. Romans 14:20-21; 1 Cor. 6:12.

The tension between Law and Grace creates the most cerebral issues in Christianity. This is faith for grownups—it’s not the “milk of the word” for baby Christians (1 Peter 2:2). The law says “thou shalt not,” and grace says, “All things are lawful.” So which is it? Romans 14:20 says “Everything is clean.” First CorinthiansContinue reading “WORD FOR ADULTS. Romans 14:20-21; 1 Cor. 6:12.”