Trials and Temptations

if you don't believe in the devil then ...

If you don’t believe in the devil, then …

If you don’t believe in the devil, then …

The man’s gentle face slowly sagged and became a picture of foreboding. “I can hardly advise you, who thinks the devil is only hot air, now can I?”

from “Immanuel’s Veins” by Ted Dekker

Ted Dekker really has a way of getting right to the point, doesn’t he?

He looks at the dark side of life.  The all-too-real dark side of life.

If you don’t believe in the devil, then … More

Praise the Lord when things are bad?

Psalm 9 – Praise the Lord when things are bad?

Seriously? Praise the Lord when things are bad? No problem, when things are going well. When we get what we want. But how many of us feel like praising God when things, for lack of a better word, suck? If I had a motto for my life, years ago it would have been: life sucks and then you die. Not any more. What changed? And why do I agree with the title, Praise the Lord when things are bad?

Psalm 9 – Praise the Lord when things are bad? More

Do you make Jesus pray in vain?

Do you make Jesus pray in vain?

Do you make Jesus pray in vain?  If you’re like me, the answer’s yes.  Way too often.

What do I mean?

Lk 22:31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Satan is the accuser.  He’s out to destroy all of us.  With Jesus praying for us, how can Satan ever win?

Unfortunately, the answer is – all too often.

Do you make Jesus pray in vain? More

Blessed are those who are persecuted

Blessed are those who are persecuted

Blessed are those who are persecuted.  Huh?  Persecuted for what?  And why?  Why is it a blessing to be persecuted?  And what is the blessing that’s received?  If you don’t know what this is about, it probably sounds like someone’s really into being dumped on.  But then, if you’re a regular here, you know what this is about.  It’s the conclusion to our series on the  Beatitudes.  

Blessed are those who are persecuted More

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