Anoint. There’s a word we don’t use every day. It means “set apart.” When you anoint something, you dedicate it for special use. The high priest, the temple, and the things in the temple were anointed for special service. Christians anoint the sick by placing olive oil on their foreheads, following James 5:14. Others anointContinue reading “ANOINT. Matthew 26:6-12.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
THY WILL BE DONE. Mark 14:36.
Often our greatest hurts come without warning—you break a bone, lose a loved one, fail a task. The pain is real, but the triggering event is behind you. But what about when horror looms ahead of you? In some ways, dread is so much worse. Before the crucifixion, “Jesus knew everything that was about toContinue reading “THY WILL BE DONE. Mark 14:36.”
REPETITION. Matthew 26:39,42,44.
Have you noticed repetition in the Bible? Song of Solomon says over and over: “Do not awaken love until the proper time.” Why the repetition? For emphasis. God repeats it so you will see how important it is. Flee lust. Remember that you’re too young, or remember that your circumstances are not right. Avoid theContinue reading “REPETITION. Matthew 26:39,42,44.”
Billy Graham said, “Ours is a Singing Faith.”
I don’t know about you, but even having been a singer all my life, I sometimes think of male singers as trendy little guys in skinny jeans, or hipsters with an oxymoronically-named man bun. I have sung bass in choirs with all the manliest bearded men: big, strong, tattooed Marine veterans and tough guys ofContinue reading “Billy Graham said, “Ours is a Singing Faith.””
Which is More Important, Your Body or Your Soul? Matthew 26:6-13.
The philosophy of Materialism holds that MATTER (material) is the fundamental substance in nature, and all things are the result of material processes. If you feel romantic, it is because of pheromones. If you love your children, it is because of oxytocin. If you enjoy art, movies, or classical music, it is because of dopamine.Continue reading “Which is More Important, Your Body or Your Soul? Matthew 26:6-13.”
PARABLE FOR THE BUSINESS MAJORS. Luke 19:24,26.
How do you make money? “Buy low, sell high,” right? Buy used American blue jeans at resale shops for $2.00 a pair, then when you have enough to fill a shipping container, ship the jeans to Japan and sell them for $200.00 a pair. That’s an incredible profit! (Saw this on TV’s “SWAP SHOP.”) ButContinue reading “PARABLE FOR THE BUSINESS MAJORS. Luke 19:24,26.”
TREE CLIMBER. Luke 19:8-9.
Tree climbing rarely makes it into the history books. But has anyone NOT climbed a tree? Parents even encourage it. My dad put me in a tree for the first time—and he created a monster. We had the perfect climbing tree, with smooth bark and limbs spaced out as if someone had engineered it forContinue reading “TREE CLIMBER. Luke 19:8-9.”
Salvation Has Come. Luke 19:9.
How do you get saved? One of my favorite soul-winning tools is the Bridge to Life[1] tract published by the Navigators. In only a few pages, the writers explain some of the fundamental truths that help people find Christ. It ends with what is often called a “sinner’s prayer,” and most believe that if youContinue reading “Salvation Has Come. Luke 19:9.”
Enraptured by the Rapture. Luke 18:31-34.
As Jesus led the disciples to Jerusalem, He warned them about His coming crucifixion. He told them—in plain terms—what would happen. His words were not poetic or artful in any way. He was not speaking in parables. He spoke the literal truth in the simplest terms—and they completely missed it. He told them what wasContinue reading “Enraptured by the Rapture. Luke 18:31-34.”
How Do You Achieve Greatness? Matthew 20:26.
How do you achieve greatness? Hard work? Dedication? Long hours? Sacrifice? Talent? Competitiveness? Drive? Self-discipline? Early to bed, early to rise? All of those things are vital for many aspects of life. But when the disciples talked about achievements and rank in God’s kingdom, Jesus had an answer so radical it was revolutionary: “Whoever wantsContinue reading “How Do You Achieve Greatness? Matthew 20:26.”
Household Words: 