This past week I started something new, teaching English as a Second Language with students in Conestoga Valley SEEDS’ classes held at my church. It was so much fun talking about our sometimes crazy English language. This past week, for example, we learned the nuances between “although,” “even though,” “though,” and “because.” English can beContinue reading “How “righteous” is a slang word – Breastplate of Righteousness, Preview”
Tag Archives: satan
How to hear the truth and speak it – Belt of Truth, Part 5
I recently saw a church sign message that asked the question, “How can you be a jerk during the week, then worship on Sunday?” Most church sign messages I see are ridiculous and counterproductive, but that one spoke truth. That was some truth in love that all Christians need to hear. Are we grumpy? WeContinue reading “How to hear the truth and speak it – Belt of Truth, Part 5”
It is God’s armor, not ours – Ephesians 6:10-13, Part 5
I love Star Wars, and their recent show The Mandalorian is a favorite. The Mandalorian people in Star Wars are known for their impenetrable armor. They are able to defeat evil because of their armor. But what about us? How should we interact with evil? In our study of Paul’s teaching in Ephesians 6:10-13, heContinue reading “It is God’s armor, not ours – Ephesians 6:10-13, Part 5”
Real spiritual warfare in the world – Ephesians 6:10-13, Part 4
A few years ago, my Amish neighbor years ago was going to have a new bore hole dug for a well. So they brought in a “water man.” This guy came to their property, pulled out a pliers, and started walking around their meadow. At one point, he said he felt the pliers start vibrating,Continue reading “Real spiritual warfare in the world – Ephesians 6:10-13, Part 4”
Evil spirits are not to be trifled with – Ephesians 6:10-13, Part 3
In our previous posts this week, here and here, we read in Ephesians 6:10-13 where Paul writes that our battle is not against flesh and blood, not against what we can see and touch, but against a spiritual enemy. That spiritual is the devil and his demonic forces. That immediately sounds ominous and scary. ShouldContinue reading “Evil spirits are not to be trifled with – Ephesians 6:10-13, Part 3”
Is spiritual warfare real? – Ephesians 6:10-13, Part 2
Is spiritual warfare real? Perhaps the most famous biblical passage about spiritual warfare is Ephesians 6, verses 10-20, about the Armor of God. For the next couple months, we will be studying the Armor of God. This week we are looking at verses 10-13, the introduction to the passage. The writer of this passage isContinue reading “Is spiritual warfare real? – Ephesians 6:10-13, Part 2”
Are ghosts real? – Ephesians 6:10-13, Part 1
Are ghosts real? If ghosts are real, aren’t they just manifestations of demons? Are demons real? And what about spiritual warfare? In our scientifically-minded culture we can lean heavily toward believing that ghosts, the spirit world and therefore spiritual warfare is not real. Some people go so far as to say that the descriptions ofContinue reading “Are ghosts real? – Ephesians 6:10-13, Part 1”
How should Christians respond to spiritual darkness – Ephesians 6:10-13, Preview
Tomorrow is October 1st, and the pumpkins and Halloween decorations are popping up all over my local community here in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Kids are talking about costumes and trick-or-treating. Among the princesses and super heroes we’ll see little ghouls, goblins, ghosts and gremlins walking around our neighborhoods. My personal opinion is that Halloween is oneContinue reading “How should Christians respond to spiritual darkness – Ephesians 6:10-13, Preview”
How to practice our faith like Jesus – Honest Advent Week 4, Part 5
What should we do to use our bodies to express our faith? In the previous post, I mentioned church attendance. But an embodied faith must go well beyond church worship service attendance. So look to Jesus. Jesus had a human body, and he showed us how to live. Jesus invites to do what he did.Continue reading “How to practice our faith like Jesus – Honest Advent Week 4, Part 5”
Is God a universal puppet master? – Current Events Q2 2020 – Is God in control?, Part 2
Is God in control? People use that phrase a lot, but is there anywhere in the Bible that teaches that God is in control? In the previous post we looked at an article that said it was going to list verses that confirmed God’s control, but ended up not doing so. So are there otherContinue reading “Is God a universal puppet master? – Current Events Q2 2020 – Is God in control?, Part 2”
Engaging Scripture 