Steven Wales

Fake Apologies. John 1:5

A genuine apology does not come with strings attached. You sincerely admit your mistake, you agree it was wrong, and you stop there. You don’t get to manipulate the other person’s response. A real apology does not require anything from the other person. You confess your failure and accept their reaction—even if you don’t likeContinue reading “Fake Apologies. John 1:5”

PRAY FOR YOUR SPOUSE AND CHILDREN. Psalm 106:37-41.

The Bible recounts terrible sin in Israel: “They sacrificed their sons and daughters to demons. They shed innocent blood—the blood of their sons and daughters whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan—so the land became polluted with blood. They defiled themselves by their actions …. Therefore the Lord’s anger burned against His people, andContinue reading “PRAY FOR YOUR SPOUSE AND CHILDREN. Psalm 106:37-41.”

Parades. Nehemiah 12:31, 38-43.

When you think of Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations, what comes to mind? Alcohol. To honor the only holiday dedicated to a missionary, the world drinks green beer to excess. There are better ways to honor the saint. But people love a parade—and they love an excuse to imbibe. There are as many reasons for paradesContinue reading “Parades. Nehemiah 12:31, 38-43.”

THINGS ARE GONNA GET BETTER! Psalm 30:5; Psalm 126:1-2,5-6.

Sometimes life is hard. It just is. There is the grief of emotional loss. There is the pressure of responsibilities. There are health concerns and disappointed hopes and crushed dreams. You gained weight when you were trying to lose it. You gave up three walks when you had a chance to strike them out. AnotherContinue reading “THINGS ARE GONNA GET BETTER! Psalm 30:5; Psalm 126:1-2,5-6.”

GOD’S HOUSE. Nehemiah 13:7-9; 1 Corinthians 6:19.

My attention was arrested this morning by a strange passage: “I discovered the evil that Eliashib had done on behalf of Tobiah by providing him a room in … God’s house. I was greatly displeased and threw all of Tobiah’s household possessions out of the room. I ordered that the rooms be purified, and IContinue reading “GOD’S HOUSE. Nehemiah 13:7-9; 1 Corinthians 6:19.”

If You’re Too Busy for God—You’re Too Busy. Nehemiah 9:3.

Are you too busy? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that most Americans work about forty hours a week. That is less than most people have worked, both in other nations and other times in history. But those of us blessed with shorter modern work weeks manage to fill our free time with otherContinue reading “If You’re Too Busy for God—You’re Too Busy. Nehemiah 9:3.”

GIVE GOD THE GLORY–and the Money. Nehemiah 10:35-37.

It’s great to hear athletes and movie stars give God glory. Sometimes it is heartfelt, other times it may not be. The wording can be clichéd; when I was in a similar situation, I would say: “Yeah, God really blessed me.” But the point is, on some level the celebrity recognizes: I DID NOT DOContinue reading “GIVE GOD THE GLORY–and the Money. Nehemiah 10:35-37.”

A BIBLICAL ATTENTION SPAN. Nehemiah 8:2-5,9.

Are you a good listener? Am I? Consider this remarkable story. “Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women, and all who could listen with understanding…. He read out of it from daybreak until noon … ALL THE PEOPLE LISTENED ATTENTIVELY. Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform madeContinue reading “A BIBLICAL ATTENTION SPAN. Nehemiah 8:2-5,9.”

DO YOU HAVE A HIGH BOREDOM TOLERANCE? Nehemiah 8:1-3.

How do you feel about reading aloud? My mind can wander when I listen to a lengthy reading. After all, we are the SHORT ATTENTION SPAN GENERATION, right? We crave fast food, music every second of our lives, TV and movies during every free moment until we hit the pillow late at night. Few thingsContinue reading “DO YOU HAVE A HIGH BOREDOM TOLERANCE? Nehemiah 8:1-3.”

YOUR FIRST BIBLE. Nehemiah 8:3

Do you remember your first Bible? Most of us received one as first graders, and we went home and sat down and opened it. We were excited. We turned to Genesis 1:1, and started reading … and it quickly became difficult and a little boring. The Bible is not a children’s book. It includes rape,Continue reading “YOUR FIRST BIBLE. Nehemiah 8:3”