Where Is the Supernatural Power of God Today?
The Sojourner:
God is supernatural.
Jesus walked in the supernatural.
He healed the sick. He cast out demons. He knew things naturally He could not have known. He multiplied food, calmed storms, raised the dead, and demonstrated the Kingdom of God wherever He went.
Then I look at the Church today and find myself wondering:
Where is the power of God in a supernatural way now?
Continue reading “Where is God’s Supernatual Power Today”When Faith Does Not Look Like Deliverance
Two groups. The same chapter. The same God. The same commendation of faith. But very different outcomes.
Sojourner:
I was reading Hebrews 11 again, and something caught my attention.
“Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection.”
— Hebrews 11:35
It says some of them did not accept deliverance.
Continue reading “When Faith Does Not Look Like Deliverance”Sojourner says:
Contemplation of Life and Death
If I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and for just a moment imagine leaving this body and standing side by side with Jesus, something becomes startlingly clear.
I have no pain. No sadness. I feel light, loved, content—happier and more whole than I have ever felt in my life.
And then I realize there is no yoke upon my shoulders anymore. The one I had been sharing with Jesus is gone. Not because it was meaningless, but because I am no longer on planet Earth, where we bore the burdens of His people and labored together. That work belonged to another place and another time.
But now I stand here free.
And I wonder…
Continue reading “Contemplation of Life and Death”Who Are You When Nobody Is Watching?
What an uncomfortable email, a survival show, and the silence of the wilderness taught us about our need to be seen.
The Sojourner
It started with an email that didn’t sit particularly well with my enjoyable cup of coffee.
The author wrote:
“Why is it that no one seems interested in what I am doing? If I don’t jump into a conversation and speak up, I could go days without anyone caring about what I am all about. Do I just keep speaking up?”
Something about that bothered me.
Professor, what do you make of it?
Continue reading “Who Are You When No One is Watching?”The SoJourner:
There have been wonderful things in my life—far more than I sometimes allow myself to remember. I have snorkeled over the reefs of Puerto Rico and walked through the old forts of San Juan, touching walls that have stood watch over the Caribbean for centuries. I have bivouacked beneath the enormous skies of Alaska and trekked through the rugged Uncompahgre country of the Colorado mountains, surrounded by landscapes that make a person realize just how vast and magnificent God’s creation really is. From Puerto Rico to Alaska, from the mountains of Colorado to the lakes of Florida, I have lived some remarkable adventures. I water-skied across those Florida lakes back before we began joking that the alligators had taken possession of them, wandered through the historic thirteen colonies where so much of America’s story began. This and much more.
Continue reading “Hear Jesus: “Let Me Teach You How To Understand Your Story””
He Left Judaea
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| ‘When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that
Jesus made and baptized disciples more than John…He left Judaea.’ John 4:1,3 |
| This is an interesting passage of scripture. On the surface, it might look like Jesus was running from a fight. Now that John the Baptist was out of the way (he had been imprisoned), it was inevitable that the Pharisees would attack Jesus.
One thing we can be sure of is that there was no fear on our Lord’s part.On other occasions He demonstrated that no one could do anything to Him if He didn’t allow it (Lk. 4:29-30; Jn. 7:30, 44-46; 8:20, 59; 10:39). Therefore we can assume that Jesus left because He knew it was God’s will. On another occasion when His half brothers dared Him to go to Jerusalem and confront the Pharisees, He told them that it wasn’t time for Him to go yet (Jn. 7:1-6). A lesser man would have been intimidated into showing His superiority. Jesus was the most selfless person who ever walked the earth. He did not come to earth for Himself, but for us. If He would have defended Himself, we would have never been saved. The humility of Jesus was surely interpreted by some to be weakness, but in truth it was love. Not love for Himself, but love for a dying world of which He was the only hope. |
#spiritualwarfare
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A Charge to Shepherds
If you are going to lead the sheep, feed the sheep, and care for them, then you must take the responsibility seriously. Shepherding is not casual work. It requires diligence, discernment, and a commitment to teach well—because what the sheep are taught will determine whether they stand firm or are easily taken advantage of.
There are those who will seek to fleece the flock. If the sheep are not protected, and if they are not taught to recognize danger, accountability does not fall on the sheep alone. It falls on the shepherd. Scripture is clear that leaders are entrusted with care, not only for nurture, but for protection.
At the same time, wisdom requires balance. Just as there are those who exploit congregations, there are also those who, knowingly or unknowingly, are used by the enemy to wound, undermine, or destroy leadership. This too must be taught plainly. The flock must learn not only how to guard themselves, but how to walk in honor and discernment toward those called to lead them.
A healthy body requires mutual understanding. Shepherds guard the sheep. Sheep honor and do not exploit the shepherd. Where either side is left untaught, the door is left open for harm.
Be wise. Be discerning. Be cautious. These are not abstractions—they are people, precious to God, the very apple of His eye.
🦋Sj
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“We Need Angels” — Rick Joyner
“We must keep in mind that, regardless of how much understanding we are given on anything, ‘we know in part, and we prophesy in part’ (1 Corinthians 13:9). Knowing that the most we are ever given is only ‘part’ should compel us to remain humble and teachable, recognizing that we need others in order to gain fuller understanding.”
“There have been cults and sects that began with a revelation from an angel that went beyond Scripture. So, is it dangerous to seek revelation from angels? Certainly—but it is probably no more dangerous than receiving revelation from another person.”
“If Daniel and John required angelic instruction, who are we to assume that we do not? We are instructed to ‘test the spirits’ (1 John 4:1–3), and we must do so. However, we must not reject angels whose assignment is to minister to the heirs of salvation.”
“As we approach the end of the age, we will experience increased interaction with angels because it will be necessary. Therefore, we must grow accustomed to this reality.”
(MorningStar — Word of the Week, Revelation Part One)
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The Watchman’s Pen 