What Jesus treated as basic discipleship in his time on earth we’ve made into a rarity and some “specialist” work. In Mark 9 Jesus has come down from the Transfiguration and a father runs straight to him.
Tag Archives: Deliverance
Tolerating demons
When I began Lent I had in mind a practice I read in Esau McCaulley’s new book, Lent. I was going to go through the New Testament books that weren’t the Gospels or Paul’s writings. I would start in Acts and move through and end up in Revelation. Once I opened my Bible to tryContinue reading “Tolerating demons”
We rise to resurrection — LIVE in that immense power
Exodus 12:1-14 1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: 2 This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. 3 Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to takeContinue reading “We rise to resurrection — LIVE in that immense power”
Love without pretense
Reading for Saturday: Psalm 102, 108, 33 Ex. 2:23-3:15 1 Cor. 13:1-13 Mark 9:14-29 Reading for Sunday: Psalm 118, 145 Ex. 3:16-4:12 Rom. 12:1-12 John 8:46-59 Thoughts from Mark 9:
Tolerating the devil we know
Reading for Today: Psalm 75, 76, 23, 27 Gen. 43:16-34 1 Cor. 7:10-24 Mark 5:1-20 There is a saying that goes like this: “Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t.”
Advent Reading — He is our strong deliverer
The Sunday we announced our resignation as pastors of Heights Church, the Lord had me share from Acts 16 when Paul came to Troas. He had been trying to get into new territory to preach the gospel and a couple of times the Spirit kept him from heading in particular directions. Finally, he came toContinue reading “Advent Reading — He is our strong deliverer”
When we tire of prayer
“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” (Luke 9:41, NIV)
The toleration we have for “the devil we know”
Mark 5:1-20 tells the story of the demoniac in the Gerasene region. What strikes me each time I read this story is the toleration the villagers had for the bondage this man was under and when he was actually made whole, they wanted Jesus out of the region. They had “the devil they knew” andContinue reading “The toleration we have for “the devil we know””
Do we settle for the dominion of the enemy?
I can still remember parts of a sermon I heard many years ago from Loren Cunningham, founder of YWAM, on the passage Matthew 8:28-34. The message was called “Swine over the Savior.” The people of that region seemed to have “settled in” with the idea of the demoniac men running wild. They could at leastContinue reading “Do we settle for the dominion of the enemy?”
Do I irritate the enemy?
We are good at irritating each other. Liberals irritating conservatives, both Christian and political… and the return fire is done with equal zest. But how about the REAL enemy? He doesn’t mind if we think he doesn’t exist and we want to go with the mantra, “Evil is the absence of someone doing good.” AsContinue reading “Do I irritate the enemy?”
Apprentice 2 Jesus 