As a pastor for many years, I’ve had the opportunity to interacted with people in spiritual panics, some funny, some sad, some tragic. People come to me as their pastor, or I’ve found out about their situation, and they just don’t know what to do. They feel that God’s not answering them. They’re praying. They’reContinue reading “Three steps for avoiding spiritual panic – 1st Samuel 28-30, Part 5”
Tag Archives: spirits
The musical therapist who treated spiritual oppression – 1st Samuel 16, Part 4
Does God control evil spirits and sends them to torment people? In the previous post which mentioned 1 Samuel 16 verse 14, we learned that “Saul had an evil spirit from the Lord that tormented him.” That’s not how I think about God! Does God send demons to do his bidding? That’s what Satan isContinue reading “The musical therapist who treated spiritual oppression – 1st Samuel 16, 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”
Halloween and Horror…should we be concerned?
What kinds of commercials are you seeing on TV in the very few spots that are not already taken by election commercials? This time of year there are always lots of commercials advertising the latest horror movies. It’s Halloween season, and they’re trying to scare you. But why at Halloween? Have you ever thought aboutContinue reading “Halloween and Horror…should we be concerned?”
Ghost Tours & Ghostbusters: Is the Spirit Realm Real? – Luke 8:26-39
We were in the city of Lancaster a few weeks ago in the evening, around 8pm, and we saw a lady dressed in a costume leading a group of about 10 people. It was clear that this was a tour. But what kind of tour would be happening on a Sunday night at 8pm? TheContinue reading “Ghost Tours & Ghostbusters: Is the Spirit Realm Real? – Luke 8:26-39”
Engaging Scripture 