Identity Crisis

Some Scriptures are just plain scary: “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars―their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulphur. This is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).I mean, that terrible list seems to include everybody! What’s more, it’s Jesus himself speaking. Are […]

Lord, was that you?

The Apostle Paul and his companions were flummoxed. They’d tried to preach in Asia but the Holy Spirit said, ‘No!’ Then they tried Bithinya, and the Spirit said, ‘Nyet.’ Scratching their heads, they went down to Troas to await further instructions. That night Paul dreamed of the ‘man of Macedonia’ begging, ‘Come and help us.’ Excited to have direction at […]

Binding and loosing unwrapped!

I taught Matthew 16 for years, but always shied away from verse 19. The English translations cannot do justice to the Greek tenses, and I am no Greek scholar. But the Lord recently prompted me to go back to it, and I am glad I did—it is life changing! In Matthew 16:16, Peter declared that Jesus is, “the Christ, the […]

Why are you Fasting?

Are you being encouraged to fast? If so, make sure it’s for the right reasons. The Puzzles Jesus fasted, but never taught his disciples to. Why not? Jesus said to fast in secret, but later the church fasted together. Why? There’s no teaching on it in the epistles. Why not? The Pithy Parables When John the Baptist’s disciples asked Jesus, […]

Do you come “for” or “with”?

1 Corinthians 14:26 says, “When you come together, everyone has a hymn, a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation.” Verse 31: “For you can all prophesy…” But when we come together, we sing rehearsed songs, listen to a prepared message, and drink coffee. When do we participate? If we come “for” the worship, the word, or […]

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