Steven Wales

DID GOD TURN HIS BACK ON JESUS? WAS JESUS CONFUSED WHEN HE SAID “WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?” Psalm 22:24.

The answer to the title question is no. When Jesus says “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?,” it does not mean that God turned his back on Jesus. It also is not evidence Jesus was confused or somehow felt abandoned in that moment. Instead (as Voddie Baucham has argued) Jesus is usingContinue reading “DID GOD TURN HIS BACK ON JESUS? WAS JESUS CONFUSED WHEN HE SAID “WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?” Psalm 22:24.”

Amazing, Miraculous Grace. Luke 23:13.

Remember the parable of the Prodigal Son? Is it better to be the mostly obedient older brother, or the completely selfish younger brother? Is it better to make good choices and need less grace, or to make bad choices, and experience a great deal of God’s grace? Or could we maybe argue that because ofContinue reading “Amazing, Miraculous Grace. Luke 23:13.”

SEPARATION OF POWERS. Matthew 27:24.

One of America’s great achievements is the SEPARATION OF POWERS, that is, the way our government separates the executive, judicial, and legislative powers. This separation prevents massive, nation-destroying corruption. Imagine if a president had the power to outlaw guns, the power to prosecute you for owning a gun, and the power to judge whether youContinue reading “SEPARATION OF POWERS. Matthew 27:24.”

THE PONTIUS PILATE DILEMMA.

Pilate had too much power. Too much power can get you into trouble with God and Man. America’s politicians are insulated by the Separation of Powers doctrine. Our system separates the executive from the judge and legislature. That way, those who make the rules do not also enforce the rules and judge the accused. TheContinue reading “THE PONTIUS PILATE DILEMMA.”

INCITE. Matthew 27:24-25.

On June 1, 2020, London’s DAILY MAIL reported pallets of bricks that “showed up” in US cities when riots were expected. No one knows who left the bricks, but police believe they were put there to make the riots worse.* There are terrorist groups, rogue nations, and others who want to see America collapse. TheyContinue reading “INCITE. Matthew 27:24-25.”

Sorry is Not Enough. Matthew 27:4.

Did Judas go to heaven? “Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was full of remorse and returned the 30 pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,’ he said. ‘What is that to us?’ they answered. ‘See to that yourself.’ So he threwContinue reading “Sorry is Not Enough. Matthew 27:4.”

How Do You Get to the Place Called Happiness? Follow the Obedience Road. Hebrews 1:9.

When it comes to portrayals of Jesus on film, my favorite may forever by that of Bruce Marchiano in the Visual Bible’s film, “THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW.” Were I to choose one word to characterize that portrayal I would choose “joyful.” Through prayer and Bible study, Bruce became convinced joy was the key toContinue reading “How Do You Get to the Place Called Happiness? Follow the Obedience Road. Hebrews 1:9.”

Pontius Pilate: Man Without Integrity. John 18:38.

What sort of man was Pontius Pilate? Bible scholars believe he was assigned to Israel, not a place any Roman hoped to be, and he was motivated to keep his superiors happy by keeping the peace. He was a politician, willing to do whatever looked best at the time, and if he had doubts, heContinue reading “Pontius Pilate: Man Without Integrity. John 18:38.”

Your I.Q. is NOT Your Most Important Trait. John 14:26.

We are obsessed with measuring, quantifying, and labeling. The minute a child is born—literally the first minute—we give him a TEST! The APGAR test allows nurses to evaluate a newborn’s health by examining his Appearance, Pulse, Grimace (reflexes), Activity, and Respiration. The APGAR test is given one minute after birth, and again five minutes afterContinue reading “Your I.Q. is NOT Your Most Important Trait. John 14:26.”

Do You Have a Strategy for Dealing With Hard Times? James 1:2-3.

I hate to suffer. Don’t you? It’s the worst. But the Bible says “Consider it all JOY my brethren, when you encounter various trials, because the testing of your faith produces endurance” James 1:2-3. Have you ever considered suffering to be joy? When you lose or fail, do you think of it as a positiveContinue reading “Do You Have a Strategy for Dealing With Hard Times? James 1:2-3.”