In my post What is Satan Like? I listed some of the characteristics that make up his nature, but I omitted to mention delusional. How do I know Satan is delusional? It’s easy really, that’s what he accuses born again, Holy Spirit-led, Jesus Christ centered, Bible-based Christians of being. In other words, that of which he accuses us, that he is himself. When he witnessed Jesus Christ die on the cross he thought it was all over for Jesus and just the beginning for him. What a Continue reading “How Do I know Satan Is Delusional?”
What is Satan Like?
For a while now I’ve been intrigued by the practices of young people with their cell phones – especially when using them for texting or reading messages rather than speaking. Almost daily I observe this practice with secondary college students walking to school, but the other morning I was able to get up close (not too personal!) and observe about ten people in their late teens, early twenties. It was the morning after a birthday celebration and as they sat eating breakfast with one Continue reading “What is Satan Like?”
The Great Regret
Some time ago here in Melbourne, a priest held a funeral service for a petty criminal who was also known by the priest and many friends to be an atheist. In his eulogy the priest spoke about the man and his meeting with God. Someone later said, “But Father, he didn’t believe in God.” The priest replied, “Well he does now.” Those words came to mind when reading of the death in December of a well-known British strident atheist intellectual, author and journalist, who, apparently Continue reading “The Great Regret”
The Destructive Power of Uncertainty
A television presenter recently interviewed a couple whose family was experiencing severe trials and she said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with you.” It was the second time that I’ve heard this presenter use those words, but I have also heard her on another occasion express uncertainty about the existence of God. A man on the radio told his listener something similar but added, “I hope God or Jesus, He or she or whatever, will hear.” A little while ago a well known politician here said, “To the great God and Creator of us all, I thank Him – or her, as well.” Doubting the certainty of God unleashes the Continue reading “The Destructive Power of Uncertainty”
Goal Number 27
I was blessed by listening to a church pastor the other day on the Internet telling us he loves to pray and that, “I can’t live without prayer.” He told us there was no way he would know what to do or know what people are thinking if he didn’t pray. More, “you have to pray without ceasing to keep your mind clear and be able to rise to every challenge that besets you.” I paused the video at that point to give some thought to not just what he was saying, but also to the passion with which he was expressing it. He wasn’t a shouter strutting back and forth across his stage like so many of them, he Continue reading “Goal Number 27”
These Marxist-Leninist Puppets of Hatred & Persecution
It was around the time of the first Gulf War when I asked the young man in his early twenties if I could talk to him about his salvation and he matter-of-factly said, “I don’t have any belief in your God or your gospel and I hate everything they stand for!” He told me he was a University student who held to a Marxist -Leninist world view. I thought of him recently when reading these statements: Vladimar Lenin – “We must teach our children to hate. Hatred is the basis of Communism.” Anatole Continue reading “These Marxist-Leninist Puppets of Hatred & Persecution”
Truth And Belonging Will Go Hand In Hand
On several occasions on this blog I have mentioned that many Christian people do not join or attend churches because they are searching for truth and a desire to live it out under the power of the Holy Spirit. Every so often I am reminded of this when meeting up with someone that I have not seen for a period of time. When coming face to face with him/her, the first thing I notice is the smile … a kind of “switch-it-on-now” smile, followed by some “appropriate” Christian-speak such as, “Good to see you, what a lovely day God has given us, how are you?” It’s not that they are expecting an answer to that; it’s Continue reading “Truth And Belonging Will Go Hand In Hand”
The Spirit of Intimidation
The other day on the Internet I came across an article on how to speak confidently and intimidate people. The article suggested that sometimes people will need to speak more confidently, whether for the purpose of intimidating others or to keep them from intimidating you. More – “speaking confidently to intimidate people involves having more confidence, authority and a sense of self-importance.” I can’t say I agree with the last bit of that statement. From what I’ve experienced of intimidators, they are full of self-importance, yes, but they’re far from confident and authoritative – only the appearance of being so. Continue reading “The Spirit of Intimidation”
Divine Physical Healing
For the past couple of months it has felt as though God has had me attend His school of divine physical healing. As is the usual practice when asking the Lord what is on His heart that He wants me to know about Him or His church, He begins to place certain things on my heart or quicken me through the Scriptures. Then in some way, shape or form He’ll follow up on that by bringing some information and teaching my way. Along with the Bible, one of the methods the Continue reading “Divine Physical Healing”
The Broken Spokes of the Wheel and the Soul Salvation Single Barrel Shotgun
It’s over twenty years ago since I first heard these recorded words from an overseas Bible teacher, “God’s truth is held in tension. All the things in the word of God are given to us in balancing factors, always … spirit and truth.” He said, “All truth, you dry up – all spirit, you blow up … spirit and truth, you grow up.” He called it “the balancing factor in God” and stressed that if you are in any group or church and you begin to see only one truth expressed everywhere, then also begin to suspect over-emphasis, out of balance … take caution. In other words, don’t Continue reading “The Broken Spokes of the Wheel and the Soul Salvation Single Barrel Shotgun”