In team sports like basketball or football or hockey, a coach will often remind the players to play their position. When they are playing their position, they are stronger and more effective. When they are out of position, the other team has an advantage over them. Likewise in our Christian journey, as we maintain our…

During the American Civil War, a soldier was shot in the arm during a battle in Tennessee. His captain saw that he was wounded and ordered him: “Give me your gun, private, and go to the rear of the battle!” The private handed over his rifle and ran toward the north, seeking safety. But after…

As we experience freedom in Christ, we can in turn help others. Here’s a simple way: “And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone” (1 Thessalonians 5:14). 1. Warn those who are idle and disruptive. Speak directly to the…

A Chinese boy who wanted to learn about jade went to study from an old, honored teacher. This man put a piece of the precious stone into his hand and told him to hold it tight. Then he began to talk about philosophy, men, women, the sun, and almost everything under it. After an hour…

Sometimes we struggle against dark things, spiritual battles, behind the issues and people we see. Victory is assured, but we must use spiritual weapons and must fight to win. Ephesians 6:13-18 describes our battle armor. • Put on the full armor of God (13). Take our stand against temptations, spiritual attacks, and spiritual oppositions. Take…

Jesus is saving, delivering, sanctifying, healing, and setting me free on all levels – sin, self, sickness, Satan. God’s Word and God’s Spirit convicts me of my sins. I confess them deeply and profoundly. I desire a deep purging and rooting out of all sins. Jesus calls me to deny myself, pick up my cross…

I’ve appreciated the balance C.S. Lewis emphasized about demonic activity: “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe and then feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.” Some never see anything demonic going on…

Some people have control issues. They need to feel the need to maintain power over their relationships, family, and workplace. As Christ followers, we give the control of our lives over to God. We invite the Spirit of Jesus to live through us in our relationships, family, and workplace. Still, we can unwisely “give the…

People have a tendency to believe something is true when it is not. Or they believe something is false when it is true. How can we sort out between true and false? We are commanded: “But test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). In other…

Satan is described as the accuser of brothers and sisters in Christ (Revelation 12:10). He continuously claims that we have done something wrong or belittles us into thinking we ourselves are wrong. “You’re not important. You’re not qualified. You’re no good.” When we have sinned, the Holy Spirit convicts us, moving us to humble ourselves,…