Steven Wales

FRUIT TREES. Luke 13:6-9.

Fruit trees do not mature quickly. Apple trees bear fruit for the first time in the fourth or fifth year. Fig trees, cherry trees, and plum trees bear fruit at three to five years. Pears at four to six years. Clearly if you plan to farm fruit, you will have to be patient: it doesContinue reading “FRUIT TREES. Luke 13:6-9.”

Are You Bearing Fruit? Luke 13:6-9.

God put us here to bear fruit—to make an impact, to nourish and sweeten the world around us. Are you doing that? Does your life bear fruit? In Luke 13, Jesus tells a story about fruit. “And He began telling this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard;Continue reading “Are You Bearing Fruit? Luke 13:6-9.”

Jesus Picks a Fight–Seven Times. Luke 13:10-17.

Do you picture Jesus as strong, tough, and bold, or meek, pale, and weak? The reason I ask is that portrayals of Jesus run the gamut: Though almost everyone sticks to the traditional tall, skinny, brown-haired Englishman in a white robe (just sayin’), the question of manliness spans a broad spectrum. Once or twice, IContinue reading “Jesus Picks a Fight–Seven Times. Luke 13:10-17.”

BE HONEST WITH GOD. Acts 5:3-10; Hebrews 13:8.

The New Covenant was amazing: No more animal sacrifices. No more striving to follow 613 rules. No more struggling to hear God speak through prophets. In the age of grace, God pours out His Holy Spirit. In grace, His sheep hear His voice! John 10:27. In grace, Jesus says “I will not leave you asContinue reading “BE HONEST WITH GOD. Acts 5:3-10; Hebrews 13:8.”

BABY BOOKS. Luke 12:7.

When I was a child, mothers bought huge photo albums and wrote down everything their children did in the first year: first smile, first laugh, first time to sit up, first steps, first solid food, first word, first toys, first sentence, first friend, first EVERYTHING. The second year, moms wrote less, and it decreased withContinue reading “BABY BOOKS. Luke 12:7.”

Preacher Scandals and the Fear of the Lord. Luke 12:5-7.

Preacher scandals are sadly common. As with any class of claims, a few are groundless. But many are based on misconduct—from abusive leadership to embezzlement, adultery, pedophilia, and more. There are websites and newsletters reporting the alleged misdeeds of America’s pastors. Here are two things to keep in mind: First, stories of disgraced men ofContinue reading “Preacher Scandals and the Fear of the Lord. Luke 12:5-7.”

“JESUS WEPT.” John 11:33-38.

“Jesus wept” John 11:35. People love this two-word verse. It’s fun to memorize, huh? But why did Jesus weep? There are several statements about emotions here, and they should be considered together: “When Jesus saw Mary crying, and the Jews who had come with her crying, He was ANGRY in His spirit and DEEPLY MOVED.Continue reading ““JESUS WEPT.” John 11:33-38.”

“MY HOUR HAS NOT YET COME”–Courage Comes from Hearing God’s Voice. 1 Thessalonians 5:24.

Here’s a radical thought: The last day of the public ministry of Jesus ended with His murder. But the first day of the public ministry of Jesus BEGAN with His attempted murder. His ministry was bookended by attempts on His life. On the day He began His public ministry, He read from the scroll ofContinue reading ““MY HOUR HAS NOT YET COME”–Courage Comes from Hearing God’s Voice. 1 Thessalonians 5:24.”

DO YOU BELIEVE IN ‘EXTRA-BIBLICAL REVELATION’? John 10:4, 27.

Does God speak? Some say yes, but think hearing God’s voice is as simple as “following your heart.” Others say no, God did all His speaking in the Bible. After all, the Bible is some 1,500 pages—there is a lot there. You can study the Bible and follow its principles and live a life ofContinue reading “DO YOU BELIEVE IN ‘EXTRA-BIBLICAL REVELATION’? John 10:4, 27.”

THE REALITY OF DEMONS. John 10:10.

Do you believe in the existence of the devil? Many do not. Others believe in Satan but think he stays overseas, tormenting the uneducated in foreign lands. But consider the people of Israel. Jesus cast out demons from people in EVERY VILLAGE. A soul is a residence. You can open it to Jesus and askContinue reading “THE REALITY OF DEMONS. John 10:10.”