The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; He cares for those who take refuge in Him. Nahum 1:7. Talk to God about His word. Thank Him that He is what it says He is, that He’ll do what it says He’ll do. ΑΩ
Author Archives: Steven Wales
JUSTICE. Nahum 1:3.
On June 24, 1993, Jennifer Lee Ertman (14) and Elizabeth Pena (16) took a shortcut through Houston’s T.C. Jester Park around 11:30 p.m. (The park snakes along White Oak Bayou about a mile north of Hwy 290 and Antoine.) In their hurry to get home after a birthday party, the two girls walked past sixContinue reading “JUSTICE. Nahum 1:3.”
GOD’S GREATEST MIRACLE. 2 Chronicles 33:10-13.
What is the greatest miracle? Creation? Parting the Red Sea? The virgin birth? The resurrection? Those are huge. But the greatest miracle—because it happens EVERY DAY—is that God hides Himself. Think about it: God is the biggest, most powerful force. He is bigger than everything: bigger, faster, stronger, louder. Yet we never see Him. HeContinue reading “GOD’S GREATEST MIRACLE. 2 Chronicles 33:10-13.”
Baby Steps: FOLLOW HIM IN THE MOMENTS, NOT JUST THE MILESTONES. Colossians 2:6.
Johnny Derouen writes, “Being a bond servant of Jesus is not a once-and-for-all thing! We make choices to obey and honor Him dozens of times a day.” That is so true. You’re not a believer because of something you did years ago. You’re a believer because you chose to obey this morning, this hour, thisContinue reading “Baby Steps: FOLLOW HIM IN THE MOMENTS, NOT JUST THE MILESTONES. Colossians 2:6.”
Pork, Port, and Potions: What’s So Tempting About Idolatry? Psalm 135:15-18.
Few things are more surprising to a first-time Bible reader than the constant presence of idol worship in a book about the One True God. God called Abram out of idol worship. His grandson Jacob married Rachel—who stole her father’s idols as a wedding present to herself. After Moses brought the nation out of Egypt,Continue reading “Pork, Port, and Potions: What’s So Tempting About Idolatry? Psalm 135:15-18.”
WHAT IS GOD LOOKING FOR? Isaiah 66:2.
I once overheard a conversation between women. One wanted a man who was tall. The other wanted one with a deep voice. They talked about traits: is he a family man? Can we laugh together? Is he patient? Honest? Kind? Strong? A good listener? A nice dresser? But what does God look for? In Isaiah,Continue reading “WHAT IS GOD LOOKING FOR? Isaiah 66:2.”
Your Good Deeds are Not Good Enough. Isaiah 64:6.
My grandfather lived in the woods of East Louisiana. There was no cathedral and no church. But the priest would ride up on his horse every third Sunday and hold mass in the school house. I used to share that story with Catholics so I could talk to them about faith. I would say, “Well,Continue reading “Your Good Deeds are Not Good Enough. Isaiah 64:6.”
CERAMICS. Romans 9:20-21.
God is a “creative,” if you will pardon the annoying buzzword. God keeps good accounts. He understands math and science. But creativity is the heart of who God is. And one of the great things about creativity is that creative people are resourceful, they can work the unexpected problem into the final product and evenContinue reading “CERAMICS. Romans 9:20-21.”
TREMBLE. Isaiah 66:2.
I remember the fear I felt one night when I was a little boy. We were in a fourth-floor apartment in New York City visiting my aunt and uncle. My brother and I had gone to bed and the lights were off. Suddenly I looked at the window and saw a man on the fireContinue reading “TREMBLE. Isaiah 66:2.”
WHY DOES GOD LET US SUFFER? Isaiah 63:9.
Why DOES God let us suffer? Why doesn’t He spare us? Why must we grieve and feel lonely and hurt and disappointed? Why do we have physical pain? Why do we go through death, whether it is quick and horrifying, or a decades-long odyssey through ever-worsening illnesses? I believe God DOES spare us many pains.Continue reading “WHY DOES GOD LET US SUFFER? Isaiah 63:9.”