“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
spiritual warfare
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
Against the powers of chaos
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy” (Exodus 20:8).Rest is an act of war against the powers of chaos.That’s a pretty strong statement. Perhaps some of you think it’s too much. Or, perhaps, just maybe, it’s right on the money?Life can get crazy. So can the world. Rest isn’t optional for a warrior preparing … Continue reading Against the powers of chaos
No other gods before me
The first commandment is well known: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3).It’s about putting God first. But we easily miss something else that is very important. It’s connected to the word “gods.”Let’s be honest. That word can make many of us uncomfortable. We know there is only one true God, the … Continue reading No other gods before me
Call out to God. Don’t wait.
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).A man named Abba Elias told an old story about a man who was living in a temple. Demons came to pester him, trying to get him to leave. To some of you that might seem shocking. Perhaps you’ve been told … Continue reading Call out to God. Don’t wait.
Spiritual muscle matters
Motivation matters. For example, people who do better in surgery are people who have a reason to live afterwards. It’s a matter of motivation.Or consider the 17-year old girl who didn’t want to go to soccer practice. But then her mom told her that the scout for the university soccer team would be there. “Why didn’t … Continue reading Spiritual muscle matters
The mocking voice stopped
Max Lucado was teaching a group of people in Jerusalem. They were in an enclosed space. They were accompanied by a tour guide and some guards. His text was John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal … Continue reading The mocking voice stopped
The spiritual power of allegiance
In Matthew 16 Jesus asked his disciples about his identity. Peter answered correctly: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you … Continue reading The spiritual power of allegiance
What is the Devil trying to do?
C. Peter Wagner writes: “The chief end of humans is to glorify God and the chief end of Satan is to prevent God from being glorified.”*There’s a lot in that statement so let’s take a few moments to unpack it.When he says that the “chief end of humans is to glorify God” he’s referring to … Continue reading What is the Devil trying to do?
Who’s changing who?
You sometimes hear it said that as Christians we have three enemies—the world, the flesh and the Devil. The Devil is the Devil. That’s pretty clear. No ambiguity there. The “flesh” is a reference to the internal battle we experience with our own sin and temptation. The “world” is perhaps less understood than the previous … Continue reading Who’s changing who?
