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The “No More Signs” Generation
We can’t be pursuing Jesus simply for the signs. We are in pursuit because of who he is. May we not be in the generation where Jesus says, “No more signs.” 11 The Pharisees showed up and began to argue with Jesus. To test him, they asked for a sign from heaven. 12 With an impatient sigh, Jesus said, “Why…
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Clean and Unclean
15 The voice spoke a second time, “Never consider unclean what God has made pure.” (Acts 10:15, CEB) One of the greatest challenges for the American Church in our day is to rise above the political rhetoric, quit drawing political lines in the sand, and hear the voice of God in our midst once again. It’s not a matter of…
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Oh, Just Let Me DIE!
That sums up Elijah’s response when Jezebel threatened his life. He had defeated the prophets of Baal, called down fire from heaven, then prayed for rain. Now, he’s in the wilderness worn out and wishing he could die. The word of the Lord came to him several times in the form of a question: The LORD’s word came to him…
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Short Attention Span Theater
30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him everything they had done and taught. 31 Many people were coming and going, so there was no time to eat. He said to the apostles, “Come by yourselves to a secluded place and rest for a while.” 32 They departed in a boat by themselves for a deserted place. 33 Many…
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My Name is Legion, Pt. 2
Mark 5:1-20 is the story of Jesus delivering the demoniac. The first challenge out of this story I posted here. The second challenge I have is the response of the people. 14 Those who tended the pigs ran away and told the story in the city and in the countryside. People came to see what had happened. 15 They came to Jesus and…
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My Name is Legion
2 As soon as Jesus got out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out of the tombs. 3 This man lived among the tombs, and no one was ever strong enough to restrain him, even with a chain. 4 He had been secured many times with leg irons and chains, but he broke the chains…
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“Spiritual”… Not “Religious”
For those making that claim, my contention is that the best way to be “spiritual” is to understand where real spirituality is found. 4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood,…
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Passage and Thoughts Challenging Me Lately
11 He gave some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. 12 His purpose was to equip God’s people for the work of serving and building up the body of Christ 13 until we all reach the unity of faith and knowledge of God’s Son. God’s goal is for us to become mature adults—to be fully grown,…
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Demons and Authority
In Mark 1 there is the story of Jesus casting out the demon in the synagogue. While we focus on the power encounter, Mark focuses on the authority. Twice in the same story he mentions the authority of Jesus to teach. 22 The people were amazed by his teaching, for he was teaching them with authority, not like the legal…
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The Leading of the Spirit
12 At once the Spirit forced Jesus out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among the wild animals, and the angels took care of him. (Mark 1:12-13, CEB) The Spirit did not lead very softly. The same Greek word for “force” is the same word used to talk about Jesus casting out…
Category: Holy Spirit
