Steven Wales

IT’S A DOG FIGHT.

The Oklahoma preacher bumped into an old Cherokee gentleman who had recently become a believer: “How’s your Christian faith?” “It’s a battle. There are two dogs inside me fighting all the time.” “Which dog is winning?” “Depends on who I feed the most.” Isn’t that great? You can ‘FEED’ the natures inside you: You canContinue reading “IT’S A DOG FIGHT.”

IMMORALITY BRINGS WRATH. Revelation 14:19-18:24.

Society mocks morals. A recent broadcast of the Grammy Awards featured lyrics so immoral you would be embarrassed if I discussed it. There are thousands more examples. The music and stories of our culture would argue sex has nothing to do with marriage, children, or the God who created it to illustrate oneness with HisContinue reading “IMMORALITY BRINGS WRATH. Revelation 14:19-18:24.”

ARE YOU A SLAVE OR A SON? Galatians 4:3-7.

DOWNTON ABBEY is an English estate: 5,000 acres run by a village of tenant farmers, 40 servants who run the home, and a “nobly born” family of five who live like kings. It’s an insightful story of a class system that was once nearly universal. Then Tom, the chauffeur, marries the family’s youngest daughter. SuddenlyContinue reading “ARE YOU A SLAVE OR A SON? Galatians 4:3-7.”

Grace Gives You Freedom from the Law. Use Your Freedom to Serve Others. Acts 15:29.

Imagine: You are a missionary to the people of Jerusalem in the year 55 A.D. You have invited a crowd of two dozen local Jews to listen to you share about Jesus on the beach one morning. As they walk up, they can smell something cooking. You’ve got a nice fire going, with bacon andContinue reading “Grace Gives You Freedom from the Law. Use Your Freedom to Serve Others. Acts 15:29.”

THE RECIPE FOR SALVATION WILL BE RUINED IF YOU MIX IN A PINCH OF LAW. Galatians 5:9.

I love to cook without recipes. When I was a child, I made milk shakes in a blender. I would throw in bananas, berries, ice cream, a raw egg, chocolate syrup, honey, milk, vanilla extract, and more. You really can’t mess up a milk shake. But boy, have I ruined a few meals! I onceContinue reading “THE RECIPE FOR SALVATION WILL BE RUINED IF YOU MIX IN A PINCH OF LAW. Galatians 5:9.”

AN ALLEGORY OF GALATIANS 3.

Imagine a KINGDOM called FAITH. The head of the kingdom is KING ABRAHAM. Before King Abraham leaves for a long journey, he places his child and heir, PRINCE ISRAEL, in the hands of a guardian. The guardian’s name is LAW. Guardian LAW will raise the heir while the king is away, teaching the heir allContinue reading “AN ALLEGORY OF GALATIANS 3.”

RICHES. Revelation 18.

Energy creates value. When man discovered oil and ways to reach it, mine it, refine it, and use it, the world instantly became fabulously wealthy. Imagine an animated graphic: as oil was brought from the depths to the surface, buildings rose from the surface into the clouds. Cities exploded. Trails became superhighways. The globe isContinue reading “RICHES. Revelation 18.”

“DO YOU SWEAR?!” James 5:12.

When Hurricane Camille came ashore on Sunday, August 17, 1969, three people showed up at Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge: the pastor, there to keep an eye on the building, and Willie and Vercie Wales. Paw Paw, my grandfather, figured it was Sunday morning, time to go to church. What’s a little rain? HeContinue reading ““DO YOU SWEAR?!” James 5:12.”

WORD CHOICE. James 4:4-5.

Research says most hear 30,000 words a day, and speak 7,000 words a day with some (like my family!) speaking many more. Stephen King encourages new writers to WRITE 1,000 words a day. That’s 40,000 words a day. That being said, when was the last time you looked up a word to ensure you wereContinue reading “WORD CHOICE. James 4:4-5.”

IMAGINE PEACE. James 4:4-10.

What if we were all on the same side? What if everyone loved everyone, and there was no judgment, no hate? No politics? No right and wrong? “Imagine there’s no countries. Nothing to kill or die for… Imagine all the people living life in peace…. Imagine all the people sharing all the world.” Unfortunately, thisContinue reading “IMAGINE PEACE. James 4:4-10.”