DEVOTIONS Chinks In The Armor Ephesians reminds us that Satan and his agents lurk behind the struggles we face in our lives—but also that God gives us his weapons. J. I. Packer
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Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
In addition to all this, take up the shield of ...
DEVOTIONS Spiritual Passion The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah warned against making such things as wisdom, strength, or wealth the driving passions of our life. Henri Nouwen
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This is what the lord says:
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the lord, who exercises kindness, Justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the Lord.
Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not ...
ARTICLE Putting Evil in Perspective If Christ has truly defeated the powers of Satan on the Cross, why do the powers of evil effectively operate in this world? Answered by Richard B. Hays
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"And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." Colossians 2:15
Christian theology takes seriously the reality of evil. How can we do otherwise, when the newspaper every day tells of murder, war, poverty, sexual abuse, and other signs that evil is afoot in our world? Some groups (e.g., Christian Scientists) have claimed that evil ...
Urgent care situations often require an immediate response from church leaders. This overview outlines major steps you should take in addressing spiritual warfare. These action steps are explored in greater depth and detail in the remainder of this packet.
Immediate Concerns
1. Be a calming presence to the person.
2. Reassure the person that, with God's power, the oppression can be lifted.
I had no previous experience with demons or spiritual forces the day my future wife and I went to visit Harry in a small rural hospital near the church where I pastored part time during college. He had suffered a serious heart attack and been in a coma ever since.
After talking to Harry, Julie and I decided to pray for him. Shortly after we began, he moved his lips and said, "Jesus Christ did not come ...
Church leaders have it easy; they deal only with nice people. At least that is the common assumption. But pastors encounter evil-twisted personalities and sorry situations—with regularity. Churches attract troubled people, and leaders are called into dark situations.
So how do you tackle the effects of evil? Leadership talked with four leaders who have experienced spiritual warfare:
DEVOTIONS Is It Really War? Consider these diagnostic insights to help determine rules of engagement. Archibald D. Hart
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No counselor or caregiver can become an expert in every aspect of the human condition. And yet they have to diagnose, if only at a rudimentary level, a troubled person's problem: Does this person need to be pointed toward making a commitment to Christ and thereby experiencing the new life of regeneration? Does this person need some supernatural intervention? Or is this a case for psychotherapy or ...
DEVOTIONS Caught in the Occult Leaders and counselors find themselves with the touchy ministry of warning. Gordon Dalbey
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We must be prepared to respond both to simple curiosity and dedicated involvement in occult practices among church members. We cannot assume that all churchgoers know what the Bible says about the occult, or even that those who do will discern the more subtle forms of the occult springing up in our time.
I have come to rely on several guidelines. Following them is not guaranteed to change the other's ...
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