(This article is the third in a series tracing the theme of spiritual opposition in Ephesians.) VJ (Victory in Jesus) Day Jesus stated at the close of Matthew’s Gospel account that all authority on heaven and on earth and under the earth had been bestowed upon Him. Didn’t all authority already belong to Jesus? Hasn’t […]
Continue Reading... 1 Comment.(This article is the second in a series tracing the theme of spiritual opposition in Ephesians.) Declaration of Deliverance Paul begins his letter to the Galatians with an explicit statement of deliverance. “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us […]
Continue Reading... 1 Comment.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 […]
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