Steven Wales

GET THEE BEHIND ME. Matthew 16:23

I have said a lot of harsh things over the years. But I have never seen anyone turn pale the way my friend Robb once did. In high school, we used to go to Pappy’s for a meal after church every Sunday night. There might be five of us—or there might be fifty. One night,Continue reading “GET THEE BEHIND ME. Matthew 16:23”

The Best “Self-love” is Serving Others. Matthew 16:24

A friend of mine was a member of the crew team at Rutgers University. That is the team of eight men rowing a long, narrow boat called a “skull.” The eight sit facing backwards, and a ninth man, the “coxswain,” sits at the back facing forward, guiding and coaching the other eight. (Can you imagineContinue reading “The Best “Self-love” is Serving Others. Matthew 16:24”

Whose Concerns Matter Most? Matthew 16:23.

When Jesus spoke of His imminent death, Peter interrupted: “Oh no, Master! This will never happen to you!” Jesus looked at him, shaking his head, maybe, and said: “Get thee behind me, Satan, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God but of man” Matthew 16:23. How’s that for a stingingContinue reading “Whose Concerns Matter Most? Matthew 16:23.”

COUNTING LAWS. Matthew 16:6.

Have you ever wondered how many laws there are in the United States? The number is incredibly high—but more importantly, it is UNKNOWN. The Congressional Research Service, a government office filled with professors, researchers, and librarian-types, was once asked to determine the number of laws in America. Their eventual report basically said, “it cannot beContinue reading “COUNTING LAWS. Matthew 16:6.”

DON’T DEMAND PROOF. Matthew 16:16-18.

The Pharisees demanded a miracle. How did Jesus react? HE SIGHED DEEPLY, and said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? I assure you, no sign will be given!” Mark 8:12. That sounds like our generation. We have elevated science to the level of scripture and refuse to believe anything we cannot prove. Although GodContinue reading “DON’T DEMAND PROOF. Matthew 16:16-18.”

THE BLIND LEADING THE BLIND. Matthew 15:11,14,19-20.

What sins does our culture condemn? Sometimes “cancelled” celebrities deserve it, having committed violent assaults—they are predators and pedophiles: R. Kelly, Matt Lauer, Harvey Weinstein, Michael Jackson. But others facing “cancellation” did things so trivial that to receive the same punishment as a sexual predator is ridiculous. But that’s exactly what happens to celebrities whoContinue reading “THE BLIND LEADING THE BLIND. Matthew 15:11,14,19-20.”

HOW HARD ARE YOU PRAYING? Matthew 15:22-28.

What do you need from the Lord? How hard are you praying for it? I bet you could pray harder. Are you praying the Word, using scripture to “prove your point” to God, to show Him why He should say ‘YES’ to your request? Are you praying out loud, having a conversation with Him? OnceContinue reading “HOW HARD ARE YOU PRAYING? Matthew 15:22-28.”

PRAY LIKE A LAWYER! Matthew 15:22-27; Mark7:29.

Daddy used to get fed up: “You’d argue with a fence post!” So he told me to be a lawyer. True, there are thousands of lawyer jokes, few of them undeserved. But when you need one, you’ll be glad to have one. (Even Jesus is described as “our advocate with the Father” 1 John 2:1.)Continue reading “PRAY LIKE A LAWYER! Matthew 15:22-27; Mark7:29.”

Pray Without Ceasing. Matthew 15:21-28.

Jesus says, “You have not because you ask not.” Are you remembering to ASK? And when you ask, He says to “pray without ceasing,” (I Thess. 5:17) and to “knock and keep on knocking” (Matt. 7:7). Don’t give up in prayer. Consider the story of the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:21-28. She comes to JesusContinue reading “Pray Without Ceasing. Matthew 15:21-28.”

The ‘God Bless the USA Bible.’ Matthew 15:4-9.

When confronted by the Pharisees, Jesus pointed out the hypocrisy of man-made rules. “God said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’ … but you say ‘Whoever tells his father or mother, ‘whatever benefit you might have received from me is a gift committed to the temple’—does not have to honor his father and mother. YouContinue reading “The ‘God Bless the USA Bible.’ Matthew 15:4-9.”