Steven Wales

GRIEVING THOMAS: Perhaps Thomas was not Skeptical, but Sorrowful. John 20:27-28.

One vivid memory of playing Jesus on stage is the rush of activity inside the different tombs—lifting white robes from hangers and throwing them on, tying things, adjusting my hair or wig (depending on the year), and some years, pulling a black Sharpie out of my pocket. The Sharpie was for drawing nail holes inContinue reading “GRIEVING THOMAS: Perhaps Thomas was not Skeptical, but Sorrowful. John 20:27-28.”

YOU CAN WRITE. 1 John 2:12-14.

Most of those who wrote the Bible probably did not know they were writing scripture. They wrote histories or song lyrics or letters without knowing their words would be read for thousands of years in the greatest best-seller of all time. But why write? John, one of the more poetic, “writerly” writers, gives answers. HeContinue reading “YOU CAN WRITE. 1 John 2:12-14.”

GOD CARES ABOUT THE LITTLE THINGS. Acts 12:7-8; Philippians 4:6.

Sometimes we don’t pray about the “small stuff” because we don’t want to bother God. But God has infinite time—and there is no “small stuff.” (Or rather, to an infinite, omnipotent God, there is no big stuff.) God made ALL of life—He knows you need clothing, food, water, shelter, medicine, that new toothbrush—and a hundredContinue reading “GOD CARES ABOUT THE LITTLE THINGS. Acts 12:7-8; Philippians 4:6.”

CAN YOU READ? Luke 24:45.

Reading is easy, right? Children pick it up early and love books. Some even become “million-word readers.” Then parents give them phones and their reading level hits a plateau. (Okay, it’s not that simple: research says texting is actually good practice for low-level fundamentals, but too much “screen time” becomes a problem later, slowing orContinue reading “CAN YOU READ? Luke 24:45.”

ABLAZE. Luke 24:32.

After Jesus had what must have been an amazing conversation with two obscure disciples on the seven-mile walk to Emmaus, He entered their house as if to spend the night. At the meal, He took bread, gave thanks, broke the bread—and suddenly the men recognized him. Then He disappeared. And what did they say? ThisContinue reading “ABLAZE. Luke 24:32.”

ON THE ROAD. Luke 24:25-27.

One of my favorite unrecorded conversations happens on the Road to Emmaus in Luke 24. After the death of Jesus, two followers were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They were debating about all that had happened and Jesus began walking with them, but His identity was concealed. He asked what they were talking about andContinue reading “ON THE ROAD. Luke 24:25-27.”

The Incredible Story of the Emmaus Road. Luke 24:13-35.

There is an amazing scene in the book of Luke that reads like something out of a spy novel. After Jesus’s resurrection, He appeared to a pair of His followers as they were traveling from Jerusalem to Emmaus (a 7-mile walk)—but they did not know who He was. He asked what they were talking aboutContinue reading “The Incredible Story of the Emmaus Road. Luke 24:13-35.”

HE IS WITH YOU ALWAYS. Acts 17:22-28; Matthew 28:20.

Do you ever feel alone? Have you ever felt abandoned by God? One of the last things Jesus told His disciples was: “Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20. If you are a believer, He promises that He is always with you. But it is interesting—God isContinue reading “HE IS WITH YOU ALWAYS. Acts 17:22-28; Matthew 28:20.”

THE COMFORT FOR EVERY ACHE. Psalm 22:3; 1 Thess. 5:16.

Do you know the wonder drug for hurting hearts? The universal cure that can replace grief with JOY? There is something you can DO. When life dumps you into an ocean of sorrow, you can sink or you can swim. You swim through worship. How? You lose a loved one, and go off somewhere toContinue reading “THE COMFORT FOR EVERY ACHE. Psalm 22:3; 1 Thess. 5:16.”

The Role of Praise. Psalm 100.

Christians know they should pray. Most of us confess sins now and then. We talk about reading, studying, and memorizing the Bible. But do you think about PRAISE? The Book of Psalms reminds us that we are here to praise God, and when we spend time praising Him, it blesses Him and it blesses us.Continue reading “The Role of Praise. Psalm 100.”