Good thoughts I like your pastors quote!
BUT..does that mean that to prove that I BELIEVE I must take up serpents?
Thats going a bit too literal, I have no desire to pick up a serpent, unless I needed to.
Maybe it could be also referring to
spiritual serpents. I've been around many of those and am still here AND I have drank deadly stuff but am alive still.
Laying hands on the sick?
Could be *shrug* I've prayed for lots of people and they're still here, too.
BUT no I can never take credit for that.
All credit, honor and glory goes to my LORD.