The greatest oxymoron to ever exist is the phrase defeated Christian. It’s heartbreaking to think most believers are living with masks on, hiding what’s behind their facade. They overcome, but never seem to conquer… They’re frustrated, but don’t know why… They’re saved from hell, but living in some form of it every day. THIS HAS TO CHANGE. The three major ...
Dan Mohler said, “Jesus didn’t die because you have sin. He died because you have destiny.” The truth is, the devil stole man’s destiny from him in the Garden of Eden. But when darkness became our common enemy, Jesus came to forgive all sin and restore what was lost. In Luke 10:17-19, the bible says seventy disciples returned from ministering ...
The past few weeks we’ve been talking about FACING THE ENEMY. So let me make this statement: If righteousness (by definition) is the ability to stand before God without inferiority (or fear), then God wants us to stand before the devil that way too (no cowering). In other words, Christians do not need to be hiding from or avoiding their enemy. ...
I recently used a chess board as an analogy of how the world around us works and how God uses our position in Christ to His advantage to hold ground. So picture this with me: Like a chessboard, you’re standing on a square holding your ground. But your opponent (the enemy) wants to move you out of his way. So ...
God doesn’t want any of us walking in the dark. He knows the light of His Word and His presence bring comfort, faith, and confidence. This is true of every obstacle or area of confusion. God is the first one to say, “You want to understand? Let me show you.” In the book of Micah, the writer makes an interesting ...
To be behind enemy lines is a military term that means you are on their turf, but not on their side. This understanding makes our position as believers in this world very important. In other words, God wants us to help hold ground for the kingdom of Light, even in the midst of dark and trying times. Obviously, the enemy has other ...
In my last post, I said we would talk about boot camp because I made the comment that it would be nice if every believer had to go through some kind of special training before sending them out into the world. Most of our Christian walk is about conforming to the image of Christ while operating in a world that ...
The last prayer of Jesus before His crucifixion tells us a lot. It’s recorded in John 17 and mentions our world nineteen times. It’s obvious Jesus knew the world we live in is the seat of Satan’s power and that every man, woman, and child rescued from the kingdom of darkness would have to remain here in this world controlled ...
I think I love teaching because I love to understand. 1 John 5:20 says, “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.” This scripture ...
This article first appeared on The Christian Broadcasting Network When I was growing up, my stepdad was a plumber. It wasn’t unusual for him to have to crawl under houses or up into attics to work on someone’s faulty pipes. One time, he was squeezing into a crawl space under a pier and beam foundation when he saw a giant ...
This article first appeared on The Christian Broadcasting Network There isn’t a human on earth who hasn’t at one time or another been discontented, distressed, or in debt. Even at an early age, children and teenagers experience moments of being dissatisfied or fed up with school or rules. And people of all ages have unfortunately suffered heartache and anxiousness. This ...
Everything we’ve been learning is only knowledge unless we apply it. James 1:22-24 says, “Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk ...
Have you seen the movie Awakenings with Robin Williams? The movie came out in 1990 and is based on a true story about victims of an encephalitis epidemic that left people in a catatonic state. In the 1970’s, Dr. Oliver Sacks tried a new drug regimen that offered the prospect of reviving these people from their unconscious condition. One thing ...
Edith Wharton once said, “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle OR the mirror that reflects it.” Her words remind me that before you can ever truly reflect Christ to others, you must first see Christ in you. Colossians 3:10-11 says, “You’ve become a new person. This new person is continually renewed in knowledge to be ...
I’ve said it before: Salvation isn’t a one-time event. Not only did God’s mercy save us in the beginning, it daily saves us. The Bible says, “When the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, [it was] not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:4-5). ...
One of my favorite quotes ever is: “The wheel’s still spinning, but the hamster’s dead” (author unknown). I think it speaks to me because my early Christian life was a vicious cycle of trying to do good, failing, trying to do better, etc, etc. — all because I was trapped in my own unforgiveness. I tried to reach God through ...
Does the Bible say we’re just sinners saved by grace? No, it actually doesn’t. No-fault religion has taught men to say that. The Bible says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8). In other words, we were sinners ...
I have good news for you: Righteousness is never based on your feelings. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but we need to admit we are carnal people (Romans 7:14). What do I mean? To be carnal means to be motivated by the things of the flesh, such as passions and appetites. It’s basically the opposite of being spiritual. One ...