God said go to Ninevah. Jonah ran. Three horrible days in the belly of a whale. Jonah begs God to rescue him. God does and Jonah preaches doom to Nineveh. But they repented in dust and ashes, fasting and making their animals fast. And God relented and forgave. “And Jonah was greatly displeased and becameContinue reading “Jonah Was Mad!”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
What Does God Want From Me? –The Micah Mandate*.
Have you ever asked, “What does God want from me?” It is one of life’s most important questions. After all, if there is a God, nothing matters more than knowing Him and knowing what He requires from us. When Jonah was about to die inside a “great fish,” he asked God to rescue Him. GodContinue reading “What Does God Want From Me? –The Micah Mandate*.”
God is Good.
Brian loved football. In tenth-grade he was diagnosed with cancer in his left leg and endured chemotherapy. He lost his hair, but returned to sports. Then cancer came raging back. The doctors wanted to remove Brian’s leg above the knee. Brian wanted to play football. He had two years left and decided to postpone theContinue reading “God is Good.”
Seek Wise Counsel.
You never know how God may speak. We must pray—and we must listen. God speaks through His word, prayer, circumstances, other people, and He may even speak through your enemies. Do you realize that? Judah’s King Amaziah was a pretty good king, generally following the Lord more closely than the kings of Israel such asContinue reading “Seek Wise Counsel.”
Street Theater.
Street theater is the man playing the saxophone between the skyscrapers in downtown Houston. It’s children tap dancing in the French Quarter with bottle caps nailed to their sneakers. It’s breakdancers turning Bourbon Street into a stage, spinning on their heads to the accompaniment of kids drumming on overturned 5-gallon buckets. There are buskers singingContinue reading “Street Theater.”
Don’t Try Anything—People Know You!
In 1995 I was sent to teach at the brand-new Austin High School. The state-of-the-art school had dry-erase “whiteboards” instead of chalkboards, computers in every classroom, and an abundance of windows and open spaces. Even students said it was a great facility. The library had a computer behind the desk for teacher use only. TheContinue reading “Don’t Try Anything—People Know You!”
What Will They Write on Your Tombstone?
MLK’s epitaph says “Free at Last, Free at Last, Thank God Almighty, I’m Free at Last.” Frank Sinatra’s says “The Best is Yet to Come.” (Not “I Did it My Way.”) Mel Blanc’s says “That’s All Folks.” Merv Griffin’s says “I Will NOT Be Right Back After This Message.” Rodney Dangerfield’s says “There Goes theContinue reading “What Will They Write on Your Tombstone?”
Crime Doesn’t Pay.
More specifically, SIN does not pay. Do not be deceived by appearances. God is watching and He will address it. After all, He says, “vengeance is Mine. I will repay” Romans 12:19. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” Galatians 6:7. Consider the many punishmentsContinue reading “Crime Doesn’t Pay.”
“He Died to No One’s Regret.”
Most epitaphs say something nice, like “Loving Father and Husband,” or “Forever in Our Hearts,” or even “Sixth Generation Texan.” But the life of King Jehoram was summed up as: “HE DIED TO NO ONE’S REGRET” 2 Chronicles 21:20. Imagine that on a tombstone! What happened? King Asa, great-grandson of King Solomon, followed the Lord. Continue reading ““He Died to No One’s Regret.””
The Invisible.
When you feel outnumbered, do you remember that GOD IS FOR YOU? Do you encourage yourself with that? No matter how many betray you, desert you, or attack you—GOD IS FOR YOU. When Elisha angered an enemy king, the king sent an army to the town of Dothan to capture the prophet. The next morningContinue reading “The Invisible.”
Household Words: 