Have you seen mustard seeds? Those seeds are TINY, roughly the size of a period. They must be easy to lose—a gust of wind could carry them for miles. I found mustard seed online. It’s sold by the McCormick spice company in a tiny glass jar with a red plastic top—like so many of ourContinue reading “PLANTING MUSTARD. Matthew 13:31-32.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
HOW SMALL IS YOUR PART? Matthew 13:31-32.
They say, “there are no small parts, only small actors,” but the truth is—there ARE small parts. You can be the star or you can be “Man in the crowd number 2.” Do you ever feel that way about your life? Like your part is small? You have an unnamed role, a face in theContinue reading “HOW SMALL IS YOUR PART? Matthew 13:31-32.”
CULTIVATE THE SEED. Matthew 13:1-23.
Jesus told the Parable of the Sower and while reading it again I thought about Passion and other mountaintop experiences: Camps, Disciple Nows, Revivals, Christmas Pageants, concerts, a sermon series, etc. When we are moved deep in our souls, we think we will never fall away, never go back. But things happen, life happens, andContinue reading “CULTIVATE THE SEED. Matthew 13:1-23.”
TREASURE. Matthew 13:52.
Do you have any treasures, things that if lost in a fire would break your heart? I find it hard to think of treasures—but that may be because I have never had a house burn down. But going through my parents’ home reminds me of treasures: irreplaceable albums and heirlooms. What are treasures you can’tContinue reading “TREASURE. Matthew 13:52.”
“GRIPPED BY GREAT FEAR.” Luke 8:37.
When you read the Gospels, it’s easy to envy those who knew Jesus on earth. How amazing to sit with Him at the Last Supper, or pray with Him in the garden? Or to pass out miracle-food to 5,000 people? Or see Lazarus come out of the grave? But it was not all sunshine andContinue reading ““GRIPPED BY GREAT FEAR.” Luke 8:37.”
ARE YOU WATCHING THE STORIES AROUND YOU? Luke 8:8, 12-15.
I am fascinated watching the stories around me—Mr. Most-Likely-to-Succeed actually does, while another flames out; gung-ho teacher quits after working 12 hours a day for two years, while another works half as much, but keeps at it for decades. Some destinies fulfill expectations, others are surprises. Most apples don’t fall far from the tree—but nowContinue reading “ARE YOU WATCHING THE STORIES AROUND YOU? Luke 8:8, 12-15.”
Authority. Matthew 28:18.
On my first day as a newly licensed attorney, I walked into my new office and my new secretary told me my new Texas Bar Number, which she had located online. She knew it before I did. Within an hour, the boss suggested I sign a motion for him. From that day on, my nameContinue reading “Authority. Matthew 28:18.”
DO YOU EVER HAVE DOUBTS?Luke 7:20.
If you have doubts, you are not alone. Many heroes of the Bible found themselves doubting God: Abraham, Moses, and David among others. Think about John the Baptist. He was touched by God while still in the womb—he leaped inside his mother when he heard the voice of Mary nearby. His whole life was escortingContinue reading “DO YOU EVER HAVE DOUBTS?Luke 7:20.”
EMOTIONS. Luke 7:37-38, 47.
We are emotional creatures. I have heard some describe their emotions as a “roller coaster,” but I think emotions are more like waves in the sea. The amount of energy in motion does not really change, but as the sea floor gets nearer to the surface, the waves become more dramatic. We all feel emotions,Continue reading “EMOTIONS. Luke 7:37-38, 47.”
THE AMAZING THRILL OF GREAT WORK. Matthew 11:28-30.
Have you ever experienced thrilling work? Been caught up in something bigger than yourself, knowing everything you do matters, that this will make a difference, that maybe this is what you were MADE TO DO? Have you worked to the point of exhaustion, yet felt the peace of knowing you were using your energy EXACTLYContinue reading “THE AMAZING THRILL OF GREAT WORK. Matthew 11:28-30.”
Household Words: 