Can you explain the star of Bethlehem? I can’t. Do you give much thought to stars? The North Star (a cluster of three stars referred to as Polaris) is predictable: because the axis on which the Earth spins lines up almost perfectly with Polaris, the North Star (visible to those of us north of Earth’sContinue reading “A Miracle of Nocturnal Navigation. Matthew 2:9.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
Bondservant. Luke 1:38
How do you respond to bad news? To challenges? To setbacks? Do you know how young Mary responded when the angel came and said, in effect, “God will make you pregnant, but everyone will assume the worst and will whisper lies about you for the rest of your life, and it will be a hardContinue reading “Bondservant. Luke 1:38”
LAYERS. Matthew 1:17; Luke 3:38.
I just finished my eighth reading of Holman’s Chronological Bible (READING GOD’S STORY: A Chronological Bible, 2011, Nashville). The Bible is so deep, so rich, so LAYERED with meaning—you can keep reading the Bible all your life and ALWAYS learn something new. You may become a master of the scriptures, but you will never stopContinue reading “LAYERS. Matthew 1:17; Luke 3:38.”
Today’s Math Problem. Matthew 1:1, 17.
The book of Matthew—and thus, the New Testament—begins with the remarkable genealogy of Jesus. Genealogies make tough reading, but put yourself in the writer’s position: Matthew wants to prove to his Hebrew people that Jesus is their long-awaited Messiah. Jesus’s ancestry is the logical place to start. “The historical record of Jesus Christ, the SonContinue reading “Today’s Math Problem. Matthew 1:1, 17.”
The Word Became Flesh. John 1:14.
John is one of my favorite Biblical authors. Though a fisherman by trade, John thinks like a poet and skillfully wrote five New Testament books: the Gospel of John, three letters (First, Second, and Third John), and Revelation. The first chapter of John’s gospel is so rich, shelves filled with books could be written aboutContinue reading “The Word Became Flesh. John 1:14.”
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.”