If I offered you $1,000 to bring me a true story no one has yet reported, could you do it? What if I added $5,000 if the story provokes fear or outrage? You could listen to a police scanner, attend a trial, talk to people in an E.R. waiting room, interview a tow-truck driver, fireContinue reading “The Whole Earth is Calm and Quiet. Zechariah 1:8-11.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
Think Carefully About Your Ways. Haggai 1:5-7.
Imagine yourself a Mom or Dad, struggling to make ends meet. You work extra hours, earn extra money, but then the car breaks down and you have to spend more than you earned. And next month it happens again. And again. Just when you think you are getting caught up, another appliance breaks, or aContinue reading “Think Carefully About Your Ways. Haggai 1:5-7.”
‘FOR WHO HAS DESPISED THE DAY OF SMALL THINGS?’ Zechariah 4:10.
Dr. A.O. Collins, Old Testament professor at HBU, once quoted the passage above in defense of small churches. And even as a member of a large church, I knew he made a great point: churches do not have to be big to honor God. Most churches are small and most people who love Jesus learnedContinue reading “‘FOR WHO HAS DESPISED THE DAY OF SMALL THINGS?’ Zechariah 4:10.”
MY HOUSE LIES IN RUINS. Haggai 1:4-7; 2:4.
Have you ever gotten your priorities out of whack? You know, you’re working hard on hobbies, but ignoring school projects? You’re dedicated to a sport, but falling behind on summer reading? You’re having fun going places with friends, but you’re taking too much time off from your job? From time to time, all of usContinue reading “MY HOUSE LIES IN RUINS. Haggai 1:4-7; 2:4.”
Do You Put Your Money into a Bag Full of Holes? Haggai 1:6,9.
Do we still reap what we sow? Does that old idea still apply under the New Covenant? Do you harvest what you plant? Yes. When Israel delayed in rebuilding God’s temple, He said: think about it. Figure it out. “You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough to feel full.Continue reading “Do You Put Your Money into a Bag Full of Holes? Haggai 1:6,9.”
GOD CAN CHANGE ANYONE. Ezra 6:22 and Proverbs 21:1.
Have you ever had a feud or a problem with someone that was impossible to solve? God can make a way; He can reconcile enemies. Esau wanted to murder Jacob, but forgave him. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery—but they reconciled. Both Jesus and Stephen asked God to forgive their murderers. God is in theContinue reading “GOD CAN CHANGE ANYONE. Ezra 6:22 and Proverbs 21:1.”
The Day of Small Things. Ezra 5:10
Long ago, the people of Israel rejected God and His Word. Many died. Solomon’s temple was destroyed. God sent the survivors to live in the pagan nation of Babylon for generations. (That’s where Daniel faced the lions, and Shedrach, et al., faced the fiery furnace.) Then God used King Cyrus to send the new generationContinue reading “The Day of Small Things. Ezra 5:10”
Resolutions and Uphill Battles. Ezra 4:5 and 5:5.
Change is hard. New Year’s Resolutions are hard. Turning around old habits is hard. Starting new habits is hard. It is hard to study more or to become a reader. It is hard to begin eating right. Or to begin an exercise program. All new goals are hard to reach. First, you must overcome yourContinue reading “Resolutions and Uphill Battles. Ezra 4:5 and 5:5.”
What’s With All These Ancestors and Family Trees? Ezra 2:59-62.
Americans do many things well: Space travel, radio and television transmissions, weather forecasting, computers, automobiles, jet flight, modern medicine, antibiotics. We have stopped polio in its tracks and rid the world of smallpox. But Ancient Israel did one thing better: RECORD KEEPING. The Bible includes the most detailed records of so many things. The writersContinue reading “What’s With All These Ancestors and Family Trees? Ezra 2:59-62.”
SURRENDER YOUR EXPECTATIONS. Ezra 3:11-13; Zechariah 4:10.
What do you expect God to do for you? Do you think “I’ve obeyed Him, so I know He will give me _________”? Examples: You work hard in school, so you expect God to bless you with money. You are pure with the opposite sex, so you expect a rock-star spouse. You give your talentsContinue reading “SURRENDER YOUR EXPECTATIONS. Ezra 3:11-13; Zechariah 4:10.”