While God can certainly transform people in an instant, there is often a progression that brings about transformative impact. The church in Antioch set apart Saul and Barnabas and then sent them out on a mission trip. But before this happened, they had sought God’s will through prayer and fasting. That was the foundation of …
Satanic struggles began in the Garden of Eden and will continue until Jesus comes again. But never forget God is victorious! Acts 13:6–8 introduces us to a pivotal moment in the early church’s mission. Barnabas and Saul, sent out by the Holy Spirit, arrived in Cyprus ready to proclaim the Gospel. They traveled across the …
Jesus gained victory through prayer when He rebuked the evil spirit that controlled a young boy. The disciples had tried to exorcise the spirit earlier but failed. Later, when they were in private, the disciples wanted Jesus to explain what had happened. Mark 9: 28 Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, …
Jesus prevails over the demonic spirit in a boy. The father had brought the boy to the disciples for deliverance, but they had failed. Then Jesus appeared and told the man, who was struggling with unbelief, that anything is possible if a person believes. Next, Jesus demonstrated His authority over the demonic realm. Mark 9: …
In this week’s story, we see Naomi repeatedly responding to unwanted transitions. First, because of a drought, the family had moved from Bethlehem to Moab. Then an unwanted death intruded. Ruth 1: 3 Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons.[1] Naomi was now a widow. In that culture, a woman needed a …
Israel experienced how God fights for us in transition. God had enabled them to leave slavery in Egypt. Even though they were no longer under their slave masters, they still had a slave mentality. It would take time for them to become a free nation. God knew this and guided their exit from Egypt accordingly. …
Deliverance does not cancel the battle, as seen when the Egyptians pursue the Israelites after their escape. This is true for us today. When Pharaoh learned the Israelites had fled, he and his officials regretted it. They questioned, “What have we done, letting all those Israelite slaves get away?” Pharaoh then prepared his chariot, summoned …
The Apostle Paul tells us that, in the end, we have victory over death. Now this is a future event, but it has compelling implications for each of us. If Jesus did not really rise to a new life in a physical body, we might as well live for this earthly life and do as …
Paul says to stand your ground in the spiritual battle. I first read Ephesians 6 in the NIV translation. There, the word stand is used four times in four consecutive verses. Evidently, the concept of standing must be important. Ephesians 6: 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your …
Temptation often follows victories due to fatigue and the celebration that accompanies them. The most dangerous time for a mountain climber is the descent down the mountain. The exhilaration of reaching the top can lead to overconfidence. The increasing exhaustion from the trip adds to the temptation to overlook safety precautions. This combination can lead …