Steven Wales

The Water Cycle. Isaiah 55:10-11.

Following college I spent one year working as a substitute teacher. I never turned down a job—I taught all grades, all levels, and all subjects in all the schools of Alief I.S.D. One of the things that surprised me was how often I found myself talking about “the Water Cycle.” I had never heard thatContinue reading “The Water Cycle. Isaiah 55:10-11.”

MAN OF SORROWS (Jesus was not fearful but sorrowful). Matthew 26:38.

How do we know Jesus sweat blood (Luke 22:44)? The disciples fell asleep. The only way Peter, James, and John could have known it (and reported it to Luke) was if they saw it later. When Jesus came to them, He must have been wiping the watery red sheen from His forehead. Between “falling facedown”Continue reading “MAN OF SORROWS (Jesus was not fearful but sorrowful). Matthew 26:38.”

The Scarlet Thread. Psalm 65:3; Isaiah 53.

What did Abraham, Moses, and David put their faith in—sacrifices? The blood of sheep? Did they believe their good deeds got them into Heaven, or did they believe that God required faith? Does the Old Testament speak of Jesus? Yes. The Old Testament looks forward to Jesus, just as the New Testament looks back. HeContinue reading “The Scarlet Thread. Psalm 65:3; Isaiah 53.”

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.”