Homer Simpson is confused about God: “He’s always happy. No wait. He’s always mad.” Which is it? Have you heard people argue God is always mad in the Old Testament, but always loving in the New? God never changes. God judges sin. You reap what you sow—both the good and the bad. He judges sin,Continue reading “JESUS CHRIST: THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER. Lamentations 3:25-33; Hebrews 13:8; 1 John 4:8; Hebrews 1:9.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
Is the Bible Too Long for You?
There’s a fascinating verse at the end of the Gospel of John: And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if they were written one by one, I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written. John 21:25. What a way to end the story! It’sContinue reading “Is the Bible Too Long for You?”
Every Morning: New Mercy from God! Lamentations 3:22-23
Because of the Lord’s faithful love, we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness! Lamentations 3:22-23. —Great promise after pages and pages about God’s judgment. He will punish sin. We do reap what we sow. But He is merciful too. Praise the Lord for that!Continue reading “Every Morning: New Mercy from God! Lamentations 3:22-23”
A PARENT’S PRAYER FOR GREATER FAITH. Mark 9:24.
One of my favorite verses on prayer has always been, “Lord, I believe; please help my unbelief.” Mark 9:24. I love this verse because the speaker tells Jesus, “Yes, I believe!” and immediately admits he is also struggling with doubt: “help my unbelief!” I love that honesty—and I think God loves it too. Have youContinue reading ” A PARENT’S PRAYER FOR GREATER FAITH. Mark 9:24.”
“DON’T LET THE WORLD SQUEEZE YOU INTO ITS MOLD.” Romans 12:1-2.
This is good advice: Do not be confirmed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind [through God’s Word], so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good, and acceptable, and perfect. Romans 12:1-2. Does your mind conform to the mind of the world? HaveContinue reading ““DON’T LET THE WORLD SQUEEZE YOU INTO ITS MOLD.” Romans 12:1-2.”
STEP BACK. Jeremiah 51:6,45.
Have you ever heard someone say, “Well, God might strike me down for saying this, but, I think the Yankees might lose,” and then everyone listening steps back, as if there’s a chance God might actually send a lightning bolt? The old cliché always strikes me as silly and a bit irreverent. God will notContinue reading “STEP BACK. Jeremiah 51:6,45.”
SOWING AND REAPING. Jeremiah 50:29; 51:63-64; Galatians 6:9.
Do you know much about sowing and reaping? Remember: plant good seeds, and you will have a good harvest, and don’t forget there is a delay between planting season and harvesting season—don’t let the delay discourage you. As Jeremiah nears the end of his lengthy message, he pronounces God’s judgment not only on Israel, butContinue reading “SOWING AND REAPING. Jeremiah 50:29; 51:63-64; Galatians 6:9.”
MERCY. Jeremiah 46:28.
God is the ideal Father, so in-love with His children. He delights in them, enjoys them. Nothing makes Him happier. He is patient, forgiving, long-suffering even. But at some point, God has suffered our arrogance and effrontery long enough. Is there a limit, a line you can cross after which God must take action? Yes.Continue reading “MERCY. Jeremiah 46:28.”
THE SWORD WILL DRINK. Jeremiah 46:10;48:42-44; 1 Peter 5:5.
Jeremiah was an announcer of God’s judgment. He carried the burden of difficult messages. Why did God need an announcer? Why not just destroy the bad guys? Because God is merciful; He warns us so we can change. Most don’t—but some do, and God forgives. One of those messages of judgment was for Egypt: “TheContinue reading “THE SWORD WILL DRINK. Jeremiah 46:10;48:42-44; 1 Peter 5:5.”
Are You a Slacker?
Once several of us in a singing group were loading speakers and other equipment into a trailer. I teased one of the guys for being a slacker. “Slacker? Don’t call me that—that’s my nickname at work!” He was serious. I was embarrassed for him, to be honest. What an awful reputation to have on theContinue reading “Are You a Slacker?”
Household Words: 