Steven Wales

Big Dreams and Big Sacrifices.

What is your big dream? It can be anything—a good marriage, a great career, a talent, a warm family. What are you willing to give up to achieve your dream? Are you willing to make sacrifices? And do you EXPECT to make sacrifices? Would it disappoint you if you did not? Naaman had a bigContinue reading “Big Dreams and Big Sacrifices.”

Leadership, Cannibalism, Supply and Demand.

It’s easy to pray about your home and family—the little world around you. But God controls EVERYTHING. When the world is suffering, God can fix it. The burden of leadership weighed heavily on the king of Israel when Samaria was under siege. His people were starving. “As the king was passing by on the cityContinue reading “Leadership, Cannibalism, Supply and Demand.”

Five Points From History.

Never forget the historical context of the Bible. For example, did you know Jews were history’s first MONOTHEISTS? Before Abraham, the world believed in many gods, worshipping the sun, moon, stars, and idols. The Jews were actually called “atheists” because they rejected every ‘god’ but their own. Second–a related point—these monotheists were the first toContinue reading “Five Points From History.”

What’s So Bad About Idol Worship?

What’s so bad about idol worship? Some idols are believed to be inspired by demons, thus idol worship is demon worship. And idol worship involved “temple prostitutes” of both sexes. When babies were born to them, the girls joined their mothers as sex slaves, and the boys were killed. Idolatry also involved child sacrifice. WhenContinue reading “What’s So Bad About Idol Worship?”

God Comes Through.

When we are desperate, truly driven to the end, with no way out, God shows up. When Israel was outnumbered, King Jehoshaphat prayed a desperate prayer: “We do not know what to do, but we look to you.” 2 Chronicles 20:12. God responded through a prophet: “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of thisContinue reading “God Comes Through.”

God is Interested.

God is interested in the details. He cares about things some might think would be beneath Him. How do we know? The Bible makes it clear. God is interested in justice, for example. The Bible talks about those who give false testimony, about different aspects of civil and criminal trials, and the consequences of lettingContinue reading “God is Interested.”

Whom Do You Serve?

King Jehoshaphat was not a perfect king. But God commended him for several things. One was the way he commissioned judges. The king told them: “Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the Lord, who is with you in the matter of judgment.” 2 Chronicles 19:6. Think aboutContinue reading “Whom Do You Serve?”

Apples and Choices.

Jehoshaphat “walked in the way of his father Asa and did not depart from it, doing right in the sight of the Lord” 2 Chronicles 20:32. Nadab “did evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of his father Jeroboam” 1 Kings 15:26. “Ahaziah … did evil in the sight ofContinue reading “Apples and Choices.”

Resentful and Angry.

Ever been “resentful and angry”? What did it lead to? Probably nothing good. King Ahab, Israel’s most wicked king, let those feelings ruin him. First, he failed to kill the Lord’s enemy, the evil king of Aram. The prophet told him God would take his life instead, and he “went home resentful and angry.” 1Continue reading “Resentful and Angry.”

Some Bad Marriages Do Not Involve Conflict.

It is easy for young people to ask about the basics: Is she hot? Does he have a great career? Does she laugh at my jokes? Does he listen to me? Is she affectionate? Is he romantic? Traits like these are easy. But you must evaluate a potential spouse on a deeper level: does heContinue reading “Some Bad Marriages Do Not Involve Conflict.”