When Jesus came to the Gadarene demoniac (a man in Gadarenes who was demon-possessed), He had a conversation with the legion of demons. They begged Jesus to send them into the swine herd nearby—and 2,000 pigs immediately ran off a cliff and drowned. So not only could a single human soul house 2,000 demons, butContinue reading “Do you believe demons can occupy a human soul? Matthew 17:21”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
Kick it Into High Gear. Matthew 17:21.
Vehicles move faster as you switch to higher gears. First gear is slow, but strong enough to tow you up a mountain. Second is a little faster, third faster still, and so on. If you need to go faster, you move to a higher gear. But you know what vehicle has a really high gear?Continue reading “Kick it Into High Gear. Matthew 17:21.”
Deny Himself. Mark 8:34.
A woman once brought her little boy to Robert E. Lee. She asked the West Point graduate and Civil War general to bless her son. He gave an interesting answer: “Teach him that he must deny himself.” Did anyone teach you to deny yourself? When did you last tell yourself No? When was the lastContinue reading “Deny Himself. Mark 8:34.”
YOUR BEST LIFE NOW? Matthew 16:24-26.
Crucifixion was common. In 4 B.C., the Roman General Varus crucified 2,000 Jews in Palestine, the first of many mass crucifixions. The Romans perfected crucifixion, including the whippings, beatings, and placement of the body on the cross. The hands were nailed through a wrist bone, and one skeleton has been found with a wooden boardContinue reading “YOUR BEST LIFE NOW? Matthew 16:24-26.”
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.”