Words seem futile in times like this, at least words originating from my own thoughts and emotions while sitting in the comfort of my own home far away from unimaginable horror and persecution. Right now, there are thousands of people thousands of miles away in Afghanistan facing incomprehensible tribulation, torture, and even death. A recent article spoke of a pastor in Afghanistan receiving a letter from the Taliban saying, “We know who you are, what you do, and where to…
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:16,17 ESV For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21 ESV It is an interesting observation. Whenever I…
Here I was, standing in the New Age section of a large chain bookstore, feeling extremely uncomfortable and facing a wall of books. It would not surprise you to know there were books concerning astrology, tarot card reading, numerology, necromancy, and supernatural phenomena of various curiosities lining the shelves. I never knew I could huff so much and be so thankful to make my way back to the Bible section. Is that not fitting? After observing what I came to…
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:6 ESV “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” Matthew 5:13 ESV From time to time, I get messages from people responding to a blog post, a video,…
Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me. Psalm 42:7 ESV For the longest time, Psalm 42:7 was lost on me, and I didn’t even know it. I had taken this verse to mean something it was not saying, that the depths in me called out to the depths of God within me. How poetic, right? Not really. I had never read it in context. I had never…
As I think about how to begin this blog post, I am reminded of the apostle Paul’s words in Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Now no one asked me a question per se when it comes to a recent document released concerning the prophetic movement, and I will be the first to admit that I am no theologian. I am merely a…
This is bound to stir the hornet’s nest. I realize that is probable, and though I do not personally enjoy confrontation, I am compelled to address certain topics of concern and to point myself and others back to Scripture. This is one of those topics. I wrote a post recently about Christian deliverance and how I disagreed with the premise that born again believers can be indwelt by demons and how Scripture does not support such a belief. This is…
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14 ESV “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order.” Matthew 12:43-44…
Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 1 Corinthians 15:24 ESV Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jew. But my kingdom is not from this world. John 18:36 ESV Have you ever sat in corporate church gathering where you heard…
“If you ask, ‘Why is this happening?’ no light may come, but if you ask, ‘How am I to glorify God now?’ there will always be an answer.” J.I. Packer Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. James 4:10 The saying goes that hindsight is 20/20. It seems rather poetic to have such insight having come out of 2020. This month marks two years for me since the fateful events transpired that led to my departure from…