Blogs
Focus On Jesus
July 3rd
Luke 10:20 - 'Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are
LUKE 10:20
We were never instructed to have a Ph.D. in demonology. However, some justify focusing on Satan and his activity to an inordinate degree. This will actually encourage demonic activity and become a device that Satan can use against us.
As Paul said, we should not be 'ignorant' of Satan's devices. We certainly need to know that the devil and demons exist, and we need to...
Freedom From Temptation
July 2nd
Luke 10:19 - 'Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.'
LUKE 10:19
Although these are examples of God's protection from harm caused by the physical creation, this scripture is also speaking of mastery over the spiritual realm of the enemy (i.e., Satan). This Scripture does not say that Satan cannot inflict any harm. The scriptures abound with examples, and warnings of the enemy's damage on the godly and the ungodly alike (2 Cor. 2:11, 2 Tim. 2:26, 1 Pet. 5:8-9). However, he cannot harm us when we are walking in faith in Christ's redemptive work.
There are no...
Power In The Name Of Jesus
July 1st
Luke 10:17 - 'And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.'
LUKE 10:17
It was the power in the name of Jesus plus the disciples' faith in that power that made the demons subject unto them. This can clearly be seen in Acts 19:13-17 where certain Jews called on the name of Jesus in an effort to cast demons out of a man. They used the name of Jesus, but it didn't work because they had not put faith in that name.
These Jews were itinerants who used incantations to effect deliverance for people who were demon possessed. The first-century historian, Josephus, wrote of an exorcism that he witnessed in the...
I BELIEVE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WRONG IN WHAT THEY BELIEVE THE VERSE PHILIPPIANS 4:19 SAYS, INCLUDING ME. IN JUST READING IT WITHOUT REALLY THINKING ABOUT WHAT IT SAYS AND SEEING WHO PAUL WAS TALKING TO, I THINK A LOT OF US JUST QUOTE IT TRYING TO MAKE A POINT. I HAVE BEEN JUST AS BAD AS ANYONE ELSE SO MAYBE WE ALL CAN LEARN SOMETHING HERE.
What's Your Motivation
June 30th
Matthew 6:1, 'Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.'
MATTHEW 6:1-4
The motive behind our gift is more important than the gift itself. Paul said if he gave all of his goods to feed the poor, or if he made the ultimate sacrifice of giving his own life for someone else, and wasn't motivated by love, his gift would profit him nothing (1 Cor. 13:3).
Many Christians give faithfully but never see the hundredfold return that the Lord promised because of wrong motives (Mk. 10:29-30). Paul said God loves a cheerful giver - not one who gives grudgingly or out of debt (2 Cor. 9:7).
...YOU KNOW, IF WE COULD JUST TAKE JESUS AT HIS WORD, THINGS WOULD BE SO MUCH BETTER FOR US. WE SOMETIMES STRESS OVER THE SMALLEST THINGS AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH WE WORRY ABOUT THEM, IT DOESN'T HELP. WHY DON'T WE DO WHAT THE BIBLE TELLS US TO DO IN 1ST PETER 5:7 BY "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." JESUS CAN HANDLE IT A LOT BETTER THAN WE CAN.
The Best Defense
June 29th
Matthew 5:39, 'But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.'
MATTHEW 5:38-48
Which would you rather have - God defending you, or you defending yourself? That's the choice that Jesus is offering us here. 'Turning the other cheek' is not a prescription for abuse but rather the way to get the Lord involved in your defense.
Many people feel that these instructions of Jesus guarantee that others will take advantage of us. That would be true if there was no God. But when we follow these commands of Jesus, the Lord is on our side. He said in Rom. 12:19, 'Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but...