-
The place of battle: taking on the enemy
I am working my way through the work of Evagrius called Praktikos. It’s been too long since I’ve read this marvelous work on the contemplative life. Evagrius is intense when it comes to spiritual warfare. When you are tempted do not fall immediately to prayer. First utter some angry words against against the one who afflicts you. The reason for this…
-
The hope of breakthrough
Last night our church held a night of worship and prayer. Having a time of prayer doesn’t “draw” a lot of people, but the time is still incredible. Through prayer and song there were some bold steps in spiritual warfare that took place. There is a sense that this is a time of truly asking the Lord for incredible things.…
-
The Way of Peace is Found in Following the Prince of Peace
One of our Advent readings today is Eph. 6:10-20. It’s one we, as Pentecostals, love. Spiritual warfare. Here is the ironic thing I find in this passage and our current attitude in the wake of the Connecticut school shooting. On the one hand I’m fairly sure I could get almost 100 percent agreement from my fellow Pentecostals that we need…
-
The Difference Between Knowing God and Knowing ABOUT God
I am preparing for my Acts class this week and find myself in Acts 19, one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. The sons of Sceva always intrigue me. They are the picture of spiritual formulas. This is the picture we get when we are so caught up in the design of a program rather than the power of…
-
Intimidation
Malala Yousafzai is 14 years old. At age 11 she stood up to the Taliban in her part of Pakistan. How? By going to school. The Taliban forbid girls to be educated. She has spoken out for girls to be educated, she has written about it, and she has gone to school. This week she was shot by Taliban terrorists…
-
Don’t Settle for Status Quo Bondage
One of the notes I made on the passage in Mark 5 where Jesus heals the demoniac: “Don’t settle for letting people stay in bondage.” Sometimes it is hard work seeing people set free. It might be pray. It might be fasting. It might be counseling. It might be a huge combination of many things. Don’t give up. Don’t let up. Jesus…
-
The Song We THINK We Hear
This is the longest I’ve spent in New Orleans. One of the thoughts I’ve had about the city is this: New Orleans sings its story. It is a city of incredible music. I heard a street musician playing some incredibl classical pieces on his cello. I’ve heard some great jazz. There is a “cajun” style of music that is fun.…
-
God’s Best is Not Always What We Have in Mind
3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or…
-
Hard Work
Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognize them. (Ann Landers) “We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.” (Chuck Swindoll) In our spiritual lives there are times of breakthrough, and that means some tough work. It means tough work in prayer. It means tough work in all kinds…
-
Two Possible Responses to Jesus
In Mark 6 there are a couple of responses to Jesus. In vv. 1-6 the people familiar with Jesus didn’t think much of who he had become. They launched into stories of “I remember little Jesus when he was following his daddy around with a hammer…” In vv. 7-12 there is a different response. 7 He called for the Twelve…
Tag: spiritual warfare
