There is a direct relationship between the physical realm and the unseen realm. As I often say to the congregation where I pastor, details matter. Take, for example, Daniel 10. That’s where we learn how he was mourning and fasting for three weeks: “I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did … Continue reading The physical realm and the unseen realm
spiritual warfare
Holiness and worldliness
[Note: New podcast episode and blog -- link in footnotes.] ~ Peter Wagner writes: “Without holiness we can expect very little power in spiritual warfare. The opposite of holiness is worldliness…”*I’ll be honest. In an earlier chapter of my life, I would have grimaced at a statement like that. What in the world is he … Continue reading Holiness and worldliness
The biggest challenge facing most Christians today?
Perhaps the biggest challenge facing most Christians today is not that they won’t spend eternity with God but that they don’t spend today with God. Here’s what I mean.If you trust in the risen Jesus—in who he is and what he has done for you on the cross—your sin is forgiven. You are given eternal peace … Continue reading The biggest challenge facing most Christians today?
The epicentre of the war in the world
John Eldredge is an author and therapist. Recently in an interview he said: “The war for the human heart is the epicentre of the war in the world.”*That made me stop and think. I hope it makes you stop and think as well.First, it reminds us that there is in fact a war for the … Continue reading The epicentre of the war in the world
Evil wants to confuse you
Let me share two quotes with you.The first is by C.S. Lewis who famously wrote: “There is no neutral ground in the universe: every square inch is claimed by God and counterclaimed by Satan.”*I used to think that statement was a bit extreme, but not any more. The more I understand the Bible, the more … Continue reading Evil wants to confuse you
Your three enemies and overcoming the world
“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5)In these verses, John introduces the idea of “overcoming the world.” What … Continue reading Your three enemies and overcoming the world
He loves to be ignored
“By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error” (1 John 4:6).Neil Anderson and Timothy Warner say that “Satan loves to be ignored.”* What do they mean?Think about it. If the Devil jumped out from behind every bush with horns and a pitch fork, we’d easily be able to identify and reject … Continue reading He loves to be ignored
Angels and demons on our shoulders?
You sometimes see artwork where a person has an angel over one shoulder and a demon over the other. Sometimes they are shown to be whispering into the person’s ear. Regardless of whether the artist thinks these good and evil spirits are literally on someone’s shoulder, the idea is clear—that there are good and bad … Continue reading Angels and demons on our shoulders?
Evicting dark thoughts
“If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth” (1 John 1:6).Nectarios Trevino is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He was as a squadron commander and also worked in intelligence. He served on General Schwarzkopf’s staff during the Gulf War. After Trevino … Continue reading Evicting dark thoughts
Eyes open on Friday the 13th
Today is Friday the thirteenth.There are a variety of theories about why this day is seen as “bad luck.”As Christians, we don’t believe in luck of course. We believe in the providence of God. The Westminster Confession summarizes some powerful biblical truth when it points out in chapter five that the God of infallible knowledge … Continue reading Eyes open on Friday the 13th
