Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth.” Matthew 5:13. What? Remember what salt meant back then. It was a preservative for food—meat packed in salt lasts a long time. Application? We preserve the world. Christians should keep things pure and fresh. Does your influence slow the decay around you? Does our culture remainContinue reading “SALT. Matthew 5:13.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
RECONCILE YOUR CONFLICTS. Matthew 5:9, 23-26.
Recently a woman told me that God made her a fighter. She argued that feuding with people was her calling, where reconciliation was the calling of ministers and Bible teachers. She seemed to think the two options were equally valid, as if God designed her to be someone who fights nasty, bitter battles (her extremelyContinue reading “RECONCILE YOUR CONFLICTS. Matthew 5:9, 23-26.”
DARKNESS AND LIGHT. Matthew 5:14.
Have you ever been in a dark tent with a small light? What is the best way to light things up? Put the flashlight into your pillowcase? No—you hold it up high. Light works best filtering down from high places. The higher the light source, the better it can reach every nook and cranny. JesusContinue reading “DARKNESS AND LIGHT. Matthew 5:14.”
THE CULTURAL MANDATE: God Used Christians to Make the World a Better Place. Matthew 5:14-16.
Today my Bible reading included a king who punished his enemies by “ripping open all the pregnant women,” and another who captured 10,000 men, then drove them off a cliff to be “dashed to pieces.” Other Bible stories speak of cannibalism, being thrown to lions, burned in a furnace, eating newborn children and fighting overContinue reading “THE CULTURAL MANDATE: God Used Christians to Make the World a Better Place. Matthew 5:14-16.”
The Beatitudes Are About the Heart. Matthew 5:1-10.
Every culture looks at outward traits. To be popular as a high school student requires one set of traits. To be popular in medical school requires a different set of traits. To fit in during US Navy SEAL training might require a third set of traits. But in every context, people respect the visible appearanceContinue reading “The Beatitudes Are About the Heart. Matthew 5:1-10.”
Authority. Luke 5:24.
When I began practicing law, the word Authority took on new meaning. I remember stepping out of a mediation to call the boss. I passed along a settlement offer from opposing counsel and his answer was, “I can’t agree to that. I don’t have authority.” What he meant was that his defendant-client had not givenContinue reading “Authority. Luke 5:24.”
POPULARITY. Luke 6:26.
Is it good to be popular or bad to be popular? Well, it’s complicated. God can use your appeal—if people like you, they will be interested in what you have to say about Him. But popularity is not the goal. “Woe to you when all people speak well of you, for their fathers used toContinue reading “POPULARITY. Luke 6:26.”
SONS OF GOD. Matthew 5:9,45; Luke 6:35.
Jesus calls us sons of God. That’s an incredible title, coming from THE Son of God. But He gives us tasks: if you obey His words, you will be sons of God. Do you see how amazing that is? You won’t be just ordinary. You will be sons of God. Think of what comes withContinue reading “SONS OF GOD. Matthew 5:9,45; Luke 6:35.”
DEDICATION. Luke 6:12.
Jesus was dedicated. But people say, “well, that kind of dedication is fine for Jesus, but not for me”? What if I told you to fast for forty days? I’m pretty sure you would argue His forty-day fast does not apply to you—because He IS Jesus, after all. And I might even agree. Jesus wasContinue reading “DEDICATION. Luke 6:12.”
Be Doers of the Word, Not Hearers Only: the Bible is Your Owner’s Manual. Luke 6:46-49
We all hear the Word. But do we obey it, or just nod and say, “Oh, that’s a nice thought, very inspirational.” Poetry, speeches, even songs can inspire and delight. But God’s Word demands more—actual obedience. We are supposed to change, not just get goose bumps or tears over a moving bit of language. HeContinue reading “Be Doers of the Word, Not Hearers Only: the Bible is Your Owner’s Manual. Luke 6:46-49”
Household Words: 