A preacher asked, “Is there anyone here with goals?,” everyone nodded, then he followed-up: “Raise your hand if you have your goals written down in your pocket right now!” No one raised a hand. The point? You only achieve things you are deeply committed to. If you don’t write down your goals, you will notContinue reading “GOALS & MISSION STATEMENTS. Luke 4:18-21.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
LIFE VERSE: PRAY FOR ME! Matthew 13:54-55.
I love when Jesus walks into his hometown synagogue in Nazareth and reads from the scroll of Isaiah. It was not unusual for local men to read a passage. But the local boy did more than just read something aloud: “… And unrolling the scroll, He found the place where it was written: ‘The SpiritContinue reading “LIFE VERSE: PRAY FOR ME! Matthew 13:54-55.”
ALONE. Luke 4:1-7.
The adventure show ALONE is so popular it has spawned foreign-language versions in Danish and Norwegian, and English versions filmed in Australia and Britain. And I’m reading the Bible and find myself imagining the scene as an episode of the show: “Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness 40Continue reading “ALONE. Luke 4:1-7.”
What’s Your Mission Statement? Luke 4:18-19
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”
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.”
Household Words: 