Over the years different people have asked me in different ways about the reality and work of Satan the devil and sin. Questions such as, “How come God allowed this to happen in the first place?” Or, “Why didn’t God get rid of Satan when he first sinned so as to prevent it from spreading into the world?” Some have been all too willing to blame God for it since He permitted it to happen in the first place … especially those who saw this as a way Continue reading “Misguided Love for Jesus – Misguided Fear of God”
The Nice People
In my recent post: Satan’s Useful Idiot, I made two statements, one with a question; God is not interested in being nice. Where in the gospels does one see Jesus being nice? A couple of people were offended. I don’t know what their beliefs are or whether they’re Christians or non-Christians, but it’s not the first time I’ve mentioned this truth, nor is it the first time I’ve had such responses, particularly when having conversations with people. It’s an interesting word, “nice.” It’s also interesting to observe Continue reading “The Nice People”
Will You be Standing or Falling?
I was re-watching a You Tube video from the late David Wilkerson recently, and I was struck by his words, “We have come to a time where every man, every woman, has to get their own word from God. You can’t get it from some great voice, you can’t get it from someone you think is holier than you, you have to get alone with God.” He spoke of David’s experience with the Amalekites after having gone through much heartache, distress and tears – getting alone with God he, “encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” 1 Samuel 30:6. With Continue reading “Will You be Standing or Falling?”
They All have One Thing in Common Now
Recently I read a few brief sentences about a man who, as a child learned the Bible at his mother’s knee and grew up believing that it was literally true. But some years later he was no longer sure that this was literally the case and therefore he made the decision to travel the world to, “unlock the origins of the Bible” and see how scholars interpret the Old and New Testaments. Apparently the man has now come to the conclusion that a “literal reading is not an intellectually credible decision.” There’s nothing new in this of course, he’s Continue reading “They All have One Thing in Common Now”
Progressive Reality Equals Progressive Liberty
During the presentation of my radio gospel program a lady phoned leaving a message to say she was being, “wonderfully blessed” by what she was hearing and that, “the Holy Spirit was speaking His truth.” During the presentation I was making some distinctions between common church practice and not so common reality. At the end of the program, I took a call from a man who said similar things. He said, “You spoke the Lord’s truth. How wonderful to hear truth.” Similar things get said by others from time to time, making it always Continue reading “Progressive Reality Equals Progressive Liberty”
Satan’s Useful Idiot
On television recently, a Baptist pastor was asked to share his views on same-sex marriage. He did so, “on the basis of justice, compassion and equality for all people.” Then he went on to say, “The case would need to be made that allowing same-sex marriage would actually be detrimental to the community in some way before I would argue that the state should legislate against it. For myself I actually support it and would be willing to conduct a same-sex wedding were such things allowed.” During my time of association with a Continue reading “Satan’s Useful Idiot”
Just As If I Had Never Sinned
Three years ago I was in prayer with the Lord agonizing over a decision, knowing that if I was to follow through on it, it would sever all relationships with some of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Sometimes when agonizing I talk too much and so to quieten me or grab my attention God has to break in. This particular morning was one of those, He broke in saying, “My kingdom is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Then later in my Bible reading for that day there it was again in Continue reading “Just As If I Had Never Sinned”
Spiritual Paralysis
In my post: The Same Old Same Old, I say, “For the repentant water-baptised Christian a divine exchange has taken place … death for life – eternal life … God’s life – eternal in quality, eternal in quantity. No man-centered rules, laws or obligations to adhere to, but rather, allegiance and obedience to the Lord Himself as the indwelling Holy Spirit reveals the word of God to us and empowers us to live it out.” I was in conversation with both a fellow Christian and a church elder one time and I spoke of this glorious freedom we have in Christ from man-centered rules etc, and the Continue reading “Spiritual Paralysis”
The Great Harm Done to God’s Reputation
Twenty plus years ago, one of the most common statements made to me by fifteen to seventeen year-old Secondary College students from Christian Schools went something like, “The story of Creation, Adam & Eve, Noah and the flood – they’re all just myths & legends, they’re not literally true … they didn’t literally happen.” I would ask, “Did you come up with this as a result of personal thought, prayer & study of the Bible or have you simply embraced the teaching or opinions of somebody else?” They would often laugh Continue reading “The Great Harm Done to God’s Reputation”
Satan’s Plaything
A young Christian man, zealous for God, recently found himself to be increasingly thirsty, fatigued and losing a lot of weight. This was a concern for his Christian parents, so his father thought it expedient that he visit the young man at his home. When he did so he found him near collapse and losing consciousness. Later in hospital the young man was diagnosed as having Type 1 Diabetes. The next day he said to his father, “I wonder if God will intervene and heal me?” His dad said, Continue reading “Satan’s Plaything”