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Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months,arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God (Acts 19:8). When we hear the word authority, we tend to picture presidents, military generals, CEOs, professors, pastors, theologians, experts and the like. Since most of us are not any of those, we can think that this whole idea of having spiritual power in e...
Keep ReadingActs 19:8-20 I hate snakes. They're my number one phobia, and I prefer to have absolutely nothing to do with them. Kids bring home a book about snakes from the library? Daddy will read that one to you. Snake exhibit at the zoo? I'll wait outside. Seeing a snake in the wild? That's me running in the opposite direction! Listen, I know snakes are around, but we have an unsp...
Keep ReadingAndhe entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading themabout the kingdom of God.But when some became stubborn andcontinued in unbelief, speaking evil ofthe Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the discipleswith him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus.This continued fortwo years, so thatall the residents of As...
Keep ReadingBut some of them [listening to Paul] became obstinate; they refused to believeand publicly maligned the Way.Acts 19:9 For two weeks, we've been examining what it means to have spiritual authority as well as how to exercise it. Since Jesus has shared this authority with us, it's not too much of a stretch to suggest we're being disobedient if we're not using this authority....
Keep ReadingSome Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, "In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?...
Keep ReadingTherefore, 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 around 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 al...
Keep ReadingAnd that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no weekend war that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death...
Keep ReadingPut on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.(Ephesians 6:11) When Paul exhorts the Ephesian church (and, by extension, all Christians) to "put on the full armor of God," I remember my graduate school days when I was on the fencing team. Arming myself against my opponent was critical. Mask to protect my face and neck, check. Wel...
Keep ReadingAnd pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind,be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people (Ephesians 6:18). I was recently encouraged by a friend to commit to the 45-day prayer challenge. She was prompted to do it because she had heard some miraculous stories of amazing things that God did through other...
Keep ReadingFor our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and againstthe spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). Are we in a war? Not the guns-and-bombs-and-tanks kind of war, but a war that can accurately be characterized as "spiritual"? Paul certainly thought so. But ...
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