Jesus knew His mission, His purpose. It was the first scripture He ever read publicly in His hometown synagogue. Do you remember it? THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERYContinue reading “What’s Your Mission Statement? Luke 4:18-19”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
DARKNESS. Matthew 4:16.
Our world is filled with darkness. The sin, murder, bloodshed, war, genocide, perversity…. Remember walking down Bourbon Street? Remember the way a tourist can look at it all as if it were a sideshow? To happy people from the suburbs, a walk down that street is like a walk through a zoo—danger may lurk onContinue reading “DARKNESS. Matthew 4:16.”
God’s Plans are Never Predictable. Matthew 4:1-11.
Think of the string of surprises in store for Mary and Joseph: 1. An angel tells Mary she will have a virgin birth. 2. An angel tells Joseph the same. 3. Mary’s aunt prophecies over her, saying, among other things, that her child (John) jumped when she heard the voice of Mary. 4. Mary isContinue reading “God’s Plans are Never Predictable. Matthew 4:1-11.”
“I Will Make You Fishers of Men.” Matthew 4:18-20.
“As He was walking along the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers, Simon, who would be called Peter, and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. ‘Follow Me,’ He told them, ‘and I will make you fishers of men!’ Immediately they left their nets and followedContinue reading ““I Will Make You Fishers of Men.” Matthew 4:18-20.”
“JESUS HIMSELF BEGAN TO BE ABOUT THIRTY YEARS OF AGE…” Luke 3:23.
The King James version uses odd terminology: (began to be about thirty?). But the point of the verse above is, Jesus was 30 when he began his public ministry. How old do you plan to be when you begin your “public ministry” or some other great work? In our culture, most people launch careers inContinue reading ““JESUS HIMSELF BEGAN TO BE ABOUT THIRTY YEARS OF AGE…” Luke 3:23.”
CALLED TO SOLITUDE, EVEN LONELINESS. Mark 1:12.
Sometimes God calls us to solitude, times when life is reduced to a single relationship: me and God. He may use physical isolation—some move to a new city or take a long journey. Others never leave the city, yet find themselves alone. Don’t despair. Godly solitude is a time to draw near to God; aContinue reading “CALLED TO SOLITUDE, EVEN LONELINESS. Mark 1:12.”
BEGIN WELL. Mark 1:9-11.
We talk often about “finishing well,” and that is important. Too many great efforts go nowhere because someone took their eyes off the goal. But beginning well can also be critical. We should take the time to reflect, to celebrate beginnings. And more importantly, to do it for others. Do you know anyone about toContinue reading “BEGIN WELL. Mark 1:9-11.”
HE GETS IT. HE GETS YOU. Matthew 3:13-17; Hebrews 4:15-16.
In 1995, Joan Osborne sang ONE OF US, a song that asks, “What if God was one of us? Just a slob like one of us? What if God was one of us? Just a stranger on the bus, Trying to make his way home?” Were I a record producer I would have said, “Sorry.Continue reading “HE GETS IT. HE GETS YOU. Matthew 3:13-17; Hebrews 4:15-16.”
Blessings Follow Obedience. Matthew 3:15
When Jesus approached John for baptism, John hesitated and said, “How can I baptize you? I need you to baptize me.” And Jesus answered, “Let it be done to fulfill all righteousness.” Matthew 3:15. John baptized Him, and what happened? The heavens opened, the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove and flewContinue reading “Blessings Follow Obedience. Matthew 3:15”
ADVANCE TEAM. Mark 1:10-11.
An ADVANCE TEAM is a group of staff sent ahead of a politician’s appearance to prepare the location. Advance Teams “specialize in the art of stagecraft that governs every public appearance, photo op, and televised moment in politics—often referred to as the ‘optics’ … They ensure that politicians … never arrive anywhere that isn’t perfectlyContinue reading “ADVANCE TEAM. Mark 1:10-11.”
Household Words: 