Steven Wales

GOD IS A FRIEND WHO STICKS CLOSER THAN A … MOTHER. Isaiah 49:14-16.

We love the verse that says “there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” Proverbs 18:24. Most consider Jesus the ultimate fulfilment of that statement. He sticks closer than any brother. But what about a mother? Could Jesus be closer than even your own mother? Yes. Not only is it possible, but GodContinue reading “GOD IS A FRIEND WHO STICKS CLOSER THAN A … MOTHER. Isaiah 49:14-16.”

GOD CAN USE YOU IN YOUR FINAL DAYS. Isaiah 46:3-4.

In 2021, we moved my father into a memory care center because of Alzheimer’s disease. I found it difficult to watch him leave his home and his wife and move alone into the equivalent of a college dormitory—where he knew no one and, as independent as he was, would certainly be confused at first. ButContinue reading “GOD CAN USE YOU IN YOUR FINAL DAYS. Isaiah 46:3-4.”

GOD HAS FORGOTTEN ABOUT ME. Isaiah 49:14-16.

Have you seen the recent film based on the book from 1970, ARE YOU THERE GOD, IT’S ME, MARGARET? Controversy surrounds the books of Judy Blume. One writer says she is “perniciously wrong about all the social issues that matter” yet even Blume’s critics are calling this a “perfect” film. It tells the story ofContinue reading “GOD HAS FORGOTTEN ABOUT ME. Isaiah 49:14-16.”

COPING SKILLS. Isaiah 45:6,21-23.

When you face your greatest disappointment, your deepest grief and loss, will you be prepared? THE BIBLE TEACHES COPING SKILLS: Number one—pray. Sounds obvious, but it is too critical not to mention. See, for example, Philippians 4:6-7. Number two—PRAISE GOD. This coping skill is not well known. But it makes such a difference. To praiseContinue reading “COPING SKILLS. Isaiah 45:6,21-23.”

PEACE IN OUR TIME. Psalm 46:9-10.

In 1938, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain returned from negotiations with Adolf Hitler and announced to the British people that he had secured “Peace in Our Time.” Chamberlain and others had agreed to give Hitler the Sudetenland, an area of Czechoslovakia populated by many Germans. Everyone seemed to think if they gave Hitler that oneContinue reading “PEACE IN OUR TIME. Psalm 46:9-10.”

EXPRESSIONS FROM THE BIBLE. John 19:30.

You probably know what it means if I say, “I wash my hands of this matter.” It means I’m not involved or responsible. It comes from Pilate attempting to wash away his own responsibility for the kangaroo-court “conviction” of Jesus. And you probably know the context in which Jesus made famous the phrase, “He whoContinue reading “EXPRESSIONS FROM THE BIBLE. John 19:30.”

WHY ARE WE HERE? Isaiah 40-43.

What is the point of our short little lives? “All humanity is grass… the grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God remains forever.” Isaiah 40:6,8. “The nations are a drop in a bucket, a speck of dust on the scales… all the nations [6,000,000,000 people!] are as nothing to Him, nothingnessContinue reading “WHY ARE WE HERE? Isaiah 40-43.”

Hard Truths Can Become Words of Comfort. Isaiah 40, Matthew 6:20.

Sunday afternoons will often find me enjoying my new riding mower. Last week I was mowing a maze into a pasture and wishing I had small children around to appreciate it. But it was just me and acres of partially cut grass. A cold front was coming in and every time I turned the mowerContinue reading “Hard Truths Can Become Words of Comfort. Isaiah 40, Matthew 6:20.”

PRAY! 2 Kings 20:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

Have you ever thought ‘Oh, well, it’s God’s will—God is going to do what God is going to do’? Are you tempted to think prayer won’t change anything, so why bother—as if God has already decided what He is going to do? THAT’S FALSE! What God has DECIDED is that PRAYER WORKS! What He hasContinue reading “PRAY! 2 Kings 20:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 5:17.”

Does Prayer Really Work? Isaiah 38:1-5; Matthew 7:7-11.

Have you ever doubted prayer? Consider the story of Hezekiah—it is told in THREE books of the Bible: Isaiah, 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles. “Hezekiah became terminally ill. The prophet Isaiah came to him and said, ‘Put your affairs in order, for you are about to die.’ Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall andContinue reading “Does Prayer Really Work? Isaiah 38:1-5; Matthew 7:7-11.”