Every New Testament author references the topic of opposition from a spiritual enemy. The Apostle Paul, in particular, develops the subject. Of his thirteen letters, Ephesians and 2 Corinthians most pointedly address the matter. Of those two, Ephesians lays out the most pervasive treatment. The epistles of the New Testament, as is the case […]
Continue Reading... No Comments.We live in a day when big is better. Sprawling box stores, mega-churches, huge restaurant meal portions all tout bigness. Small homes are no longer built in the area I live in. We can fall into the trap of bigness when it comes to prayer. A handful of people show up for the scheduled […]
Continue Reading... No Comments.Ten lepers approached Jesus as He entered a village. Nine of the lepers were Jews; one a Samaritan. Samaritans and Jews did not associate. But the state of their defilement bound them together. Together sinners. Together outcasts. Together helpless. From a distance mandated by their uncleanness, they cried out to Jesus for mercy. Jesus […]
Continue Reading... No Comments.I received an invitation to speak at a church’s weekend retreat, Friday through Sunday, five sessions. I limit my speaking engagements nowadays, so I had to decline. However, I wanted to encourage the church in its desire to be trained in prayer. I put together a possible outline for a self-led retreat. I post my […]
Continue Reading... No Comments.We are told by Matthew that after beginning His public ministry, Jesus “went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.” (Matthew 4:23). His fame spread. Crowds followed. Jesus went up on a mountain, sat down, and taught […]
Continue Reading... No Comments.“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is […]
Continue Reading... No Comments.“Prayer doesn’t work.” That’s not what those involved really thought, but that’s pretty much what it amounted to. I have a ministry that trains Christ’s disciples in evangelistic prayer. It’s called Community Houses of Prayer, CHOP for short. I’ve noticed something odd but consistent among those involved in this prayer outreach ministry. The heart […]
Continue Reading... Comments Off on “Prayer Doesn’t Work”As I write this, hurricane Sandy is morphing into a powerful nor’easter about to land a potentially devastating right hook to the east coast of the United States. Ordinarily, the hurricane would move out into the Atlantic, but a strong high pressure ridge of air off Greenland is blocking it, turning it eastward. The […]
Continue Reading... Comments Off on Riding the Storm