We are here to bear fruit. But how? The same way trees bear fruit. They need sunlight, water, and soil. They also need a few years—peach trees and grape vines often don’t bear fruit until year three or four. First, they need good roots. God explains Himself as a farmer with crops that are unsatisfying:Continue reading “MY PURPOSE? TO BEAR FRUIT. Isaiah 5:1-4.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
QUARTERMASTER. Isaiah 6:8.
When I was eleven, I joined the Boy Scouts. my friends Chris and Paul joined too, and my brother Dennis came along as soon as he was old enough. What red-blooded American boy wouldn’t want to join an organization that promised to take him on a camping trip in the woods every month for theContinue reading “QUARTERMASTER. Isaiah 6:8.”
COME LET US REASON TOGETHER. Isaiah 1:18; Isaiah 45.
In the book of Isaiah, God speaks frankly, in a straightforward style. Because of translation challenges, some of the wording may seem old or “religious,” but that should be corrected. This is God offering you a seat at His table, a good meal, and a good conversation. Let’s paraphrase and put it in today’s English:Continue reading “COME LET US REASON TOGETHER. Isaiah 1:18; Isaiah 45.”
The Older Brother Temptation, Isaiah 1:18.
God confronts His children in the book of Isaiah. “‘Come, let us reason together,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be red as crimson, they shall be as wool” Isaiah 1:18. This is not an accusation. God states it as a given: ‘sureContinue reading “The Older Brother Temptation, Isaiah 1:18.”
CAN A FATHER BE BOTH TENDER AND TERRIFYING? Hosea 11:8-9.
God is both. The movie that best captures my view of my father is Mel Gibson’s THE PATRIOT. The dad is wise and thoughtful, avoiding war, but when war comes for his sons, he takes action in a manner that is fierce to say the least. God hates sin and will destroy those who wouldContinue reading “CAN A FATHER BE BOTH TENDER AND TERRIFYING? Hosea 11:8-9.”
Come. Let’s Talk. Hosea 11:8-11.
In Isaiah, God says to His people, “Come, let us reason together.” That means, “Come, let’s talk. Let’s discuss your sins and my holiness, and how we can have a relationship. Even if your soul is as red as scarlet, I can make it white as snow” Isaiah 1:18. God is merciful. He wants toContinue reading “Come. Let’s Talk. Hosea 11:8-11.”
Poisonous Lawsuits. Hosea 10:4.
In his book NARCONOMICS, economist Tom Wainwright argues that drug cartels do not necessarily have more conflicts than other businesses. But they resolve conflicts with guns because they cannot use the legal system. In other words, drug lords murder people because when a contract for illegal drugs is breached, the seller can’t file a lawsuitContinue reading “Poisonous Lawsuits. Hosea 10:4.”
Jewels in My Mouth. Hosea 8:12.
When I was learning to read, I would read everything: my parents’ novels (a sentence or two was about all I could take), newspaper articles and cereal boxes at breakfast, shampoo bottles while showering, dictionaries and encyclopedias, you name it. I quickly realized there were some things I did not want to read, books asContinue reading “Jewels in My Mouth. Hosea 8:12.”
God Will Fix You. Hosea 2:6-19.
Imagine being consumed, so obsessed you can’t concentrate. Imagine being addicted. Most have been swept up in a moment that seemed impossible to resist. But if you go there often, it becomes every day, all the time. It will define you, identify you: “Hello, my name is Robert, and I am an alcoholic.” ‘Alcoholic’ isContinue reading “God Will Fix You. Hosea 2:6-19.”
He is Not Only God the Father, but GOD THE HUSBAND. Hosea 3:1.
It’s easy to consider God your heavenly Father. But can you consider Him a husband? The notion of being the “Bride of Christ” is difficult for men—and I’m not sure women find the idea easy to grasp either. Yet throughout both the Old and New Testaments, God uses marriage language to illustrate the way HeContinue reading “He is Not Only God the Father, but GOD THE HUSBAND. Hosea 3:1.”
Household Words: 