Many of my charismatic and pentecostal friends have a habit of commanding satan to “go back to the pit” where he came from. This prompts me to enjoy on days when I see someone about to eat a peach or cherry or apricot to warn them to be very careful with the pit, looking very serious. When they ask why, […]
Time doesn’t heal wounds. Rottenness invades wounds and grows there. Even when we forgive those who have sinned against us, the work is not finished with one act of forgiveness, no matter how genuine and love-motivated it may be. Every time I think again of the offence, I have to go through the entire process of forgiveness again. Every time […]
Don’t let your last trip to the woodshed be your last trip to the woodshed! “The woodshed” has become a euphemism for a place of punishment, or of correction (which are notably two very different actions.) Many things that happen in our lives are destructive or annoying or painful. We are quick to attribute them to “the devil.” Many of […]
At what point does it become weird to have faith in Jesus? The woman with perpetual menstruation had seen all the physicians who could be seen, apparently. The boy on the funeral cart near Capernaum was not getting any more opinions about his condition. Bartimaeus was definitely blind. Their problems were out of the reach of the professionals of the […]
In 1 Kings 3, there is a story about Solomon proving to have much wisdom in his judgment in the case of two prostitutes. They were arguing over their sons: one was dead, and the other alive. Each was claiming that the living boy was theirs. Solomon ordered that the live baby be cut in half, and that each prostitute […]
James mentioned prayer in passing in his letter in two places that I would like to draw a point from: 4:3 and 5:17 & 18. In the first, he wrote that it is possible to pray with selfish intent and harm the effect of my prayer. In the second, he described Elijah’s prayers asking for famine and then rain. In […]
Paul wrote to the churches in Corinth (2 Corinthians 1:15-22): In this confidence, I planned to come to you first, so you could have a double benefit, and to go on to Macedonia with your help, then come to you again from Macedonia and be given a start by you on my journey to Judea. So when I planned this, […]
Many advisors will appear if you have questions about what you should do. Frequently, they will appear even if you have no questions. As a Scripture says, there is safety in a multitude of counsellors (Proverbs 11:4). That is under the assumption that they are wise counsellors, of course. Abraham had been promised a son through whom his descendants would […]
Many people have the idea that ministries should not accept gifts or investments from unbelievers, and that believers should not accept gifts or investments from people who got it in a foul way. One of Isaiah’s prophecies to the city of Tyre: On that day Tyre will be forgotten for 70 years—the life span of one king. At the end […]
“Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where […]