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Spirits – Rick Bagwell
Tag: DEMON
DELIVERANCE OF THE ABUSED & HOW TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD
MANY SEX CRIMES CAN BE TRACED BACK TO THE CRIMINAL BEING SEXUALLY ABUSED AT SOME POINT IN THEIR OWN LIVES. THIS DOOR FROM WHICH THAT SPIRIT CAME IN TO THEM, COULD HAVE BEEN OPENED FOR THIS DEMON TO SURFACE AND START WORKNG, THROUGH A GENERATIONAL PROCESS, OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN INVITED IN BY THEIR OWN LUST.
PARENTS, OPEN YOUR EYES, CHILDREN EXPERIMENT WITH THEIR BODIES. THEY KNOW TOO MUCH, TOO SOON.
THEY ARE AROUND OLDER CHILDREN WHO EXPOSE THEM TO EXPERIMENTATION, AND THEN THEY TAKE FROM THERE.
BEGIN TO QUESTION YOUR CHILDREN. QUIT BEING AFRAID TO BE CALLED ‘NOSEY.’ BE NOSEY, ASK QUESTIONS, SEARCH THEIR ROOM PERIODICALLY. LOOK FOR SIGNS LIKE: BED-WETTING, CHANGE IN ATTITUDE, EXTREME SHYNESS, UNUSUAL CRYING, POOR SELF- IMAGE, AND THERE ARE MORE.
DON’T LET THE CHILD CONTINUE TO SILENTLY HURT INSIDE; FEEL TORMENTED WITH THE MEMORIES; AND THE ANGER BE SHOWN ON THE OUTSIDE.
GIRLS SEEM TO HURT MORE INSIDE, AND BOYS SEEM TO SHOW IT MORE ON THE OUTSIDE.
WHEN MY DAUGHTER WAS GROWING UP WE HAD AN OPEN-DOOR POLICY. I NEVER ALLOWED HER FRIENDS OR FAMILY VISITORS TO ENTER A ROOM AND CLOSE THE DOOR BEHIND THEM. IN JUST A FEW MOMENTS BEHIND A CLOSED DOOR, CHILDREN CAN BEGIN A LIFE OF HURT THAT WILL FOLLOW THEM: SOME FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.
BE NOSEY, PARENTS! TAKE IT FROM SOMEONE WHO HAD WOUNDS AND SCARS MOST OF HER LIFE.
IT HAS AEFFECTED ME EMOTIONALLY AND PHYSICALLY IN WAYS THAT ARE INDESCRIBABLE.
HOW DID I GET RID OF IT?: THROUGH FORGIVING THE ABUSER AND KNOWING THAT THE REAL ABUSER WAS THE DEMON IN OPERATION THROUGH THAT PERSON OR PERSONS.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE AN ABUSER: HE OR SHE IS USALLY SOMEONE WHO HAS A PASSION FOR CHILDREN THAT IS NOT NORMAL. MY HUSBAND NOTICED AN OLDER MAN WHO CAME INTO THE CHURCH THAT ACTED STRANGE TOWARD SMALL BOYS. THIS MAN SELECTED ONE SMALL CHILD AND GAVE HIM A LOT OF ATTENTION. WE WARNED THE PARENTS WHO TURNED AGAINST US BECAUSE HE APPEARED TO THEM A LOVING, CARING, ELDERLY MAN WHO MEANT NO HARM.
STILL, SEEING HIS POSESSIVE BEHAVIOR TOWARD THIS CHILD, MY HUSBAND ALERTED THE MEN OF THE CHURCH AND HE WAS BEING WATCHED FROM ALL SIDES. WE DECIDED TO INVESTIGATE THE MAN AND FOUND OUT HE HAD ALREADY SERVED TIME FOR MESSING WITH LITTLE BOYS IN A SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS BY CALLING THEM ON HIS PHONE AND SAYING SEXUAL THINGS TO THEM. WE ALERTED THE FAMILY WHO STILL DOESN’T BELIEVE US, AND THEY LEFT THE CHURCH, THINKING WE HAD JUDGED HIM UNFAIRLY.
IT’S EVEN HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO ACCEPT, IF IT IS A FAMILY MEMBER, BECAUSE EITHER THEY DON’T WANT TO BELIEVE IT, OR THEY DON’T WANT TO DEAL WITH IT. IT’S MORE PAINFUL WHEN IT’S FAMILY FOR OBVIOUS REASONS.
HOW DO I GET MY CHILDREN TO TALK? – THIS IS THE HARDEST PART. THE CHILDREN SOMETIMES LOOK-UP-TO, AND CONFIDE IN THAT PERSON. THEY GIVE THEM A GREAT DEAL OF ATTENTION; BUY THEM GIFTS; TAKE THEM PLACES; SPEND A LOT OF TIME WITH THEM, PERSONALLY.
IN MY CASE, AS A SMALL CHILD, IT WAS THE PROMISE OF A BRIDE DOLL; ALONG WITH A THREAT OF MY DADDY KILLING MY GRANDFATHER AND GOING TO JAIL. — THIS IS VERY PERSUASIVE FOR A SMALL CHILD. A CHILD’S IMAGINATION SOMETIMES MAGNIFIES THE THREAT. THE ABUSER WILL SOMETIMES TELL THE CHILD, “I’M AN ADULT, AND NO ONE WILL LISTEN TO YOU. THEY WON’T BELIEVE YOU.”
I NEVER TOLD UNTIL MY GRANDFATHER DIED. I WAS A YOUNG ADULT WITH A CHILD OF MY OWN, AND CARRIED THE SECRET AROUND WITH ME MOST OF MY LIFE AND ALSO, IT TORMENTED ME ALMOST DAILY. IT AFFECTED EVERY PART OF MY LIFE.
ONCE I HEARD A DISCUSSION BY PSYCHIATRISTS AND PSYCOLOGISTS WHO SAID IT WAS GOOD FOR A CHILD TO HAVE SEX WITH AN ADULT: IT PREPARES THEM FOR THEIR SEXUAL ADULTHOOD.
EITHER THEY DIDN’T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT, OR THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH SOME SORT OF UNHEALTHY AND UNGODLY SEXUAL ACTIVITIES THEMSELVES.
SOME ARE SO DEVASTATED: THEY COMIT SUICIDE. AND OTHERS WHOM WE HAVE DEALT WITH, ARE SERVING TIME FOR THINGS THEY GOT INVOLVED WITH TO SOOTHE THEIR EMOTIONAL PAIN: DRUGS AND ALCOHOL; AND SOME BECAME PROSTITUTES BECAUSE THEY BECAME ADDICTED OR THE LUST SPIRIT WAS SO STRONG THEY COULD NOT BE SATISFIED.
IS THERE DELIVERANCE FOR THE ABUSED? – YES. IT TAKES TIME, AND IT TAKES PRAYER, BUT THE FIRST STEP, IS TO TELL.
WE HAVE TO FORGIVE THE ABUSERS AND PRAY FOR THEM, BUT WE DON’T HAVE TO PUT OURSELVES, OR THOSE OF WHICH WE ARE RESPONSIBLE BACK IN THE SAME PLACE TO BE ABUSED AGAIN.
TEACH THEM TO PRAY; AND ASK GOD TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN, NATIONWIDE, AND AROUND THE WORLD.
A HEALTHY CHILDHOOD IS A PRICELESS INVESTMENT.
WORDS PART II
PICTURE IN YOUR MIND, A PERSON STANDING IN THE CENTER OF A ROOM. WHEN A NEGATIVE WORD IS SPOKEN, THAT WORD IS CONSTANTLY SHOUTED AT THAT PERSON. THE PERSON IN THE CENTER BEGINS TO LOOK BEATEN DOWN. THEN, WHEN POSITIVE WORDS AND STATEMENTS ARE DONE THE SAME WAY, THE PERSON IN THE CENTER, REACHES OUT AND GATHERS (OR RECEIVES) EACH POSITIVE WORD AND BEGINS TO REJOICE. IF THE PERSON RECEIVES THE NEGATIVE WORDS, THEY WILL REMAIN IN A CAST DOWN CONDITION.
IF YOU CAN GET THIS PICTURE, YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THE WHOLE MESSAGE.
SOME OF THE NEGATIVE WORDS AND STATEMENTS; OR WE COULD CALL THEM CURSES, ARE: “FAILURE; NEVER AMOUNT TO ANYTHING; JUST LIKE YOUR FATHER; NO GOOD; GOING TO HELL; DRUG ADDICT; ALCOHOLIC; PROSTITUTE; JOHN; LAZY;” AND PROBABLY THE WORST OF ALL IS: “I HATE YOU; I WISH YOU WERE DEAD; I WISH YOU WERE NEVER BORN; WE’RE GETTING A DIVORCE; IT’S YOUR FAULT; I’M GOING TO KILL YOU; REJECTION; DESERTION; GET OUT; YOU’RE SICK!
YOU MAY EVEN BE HEARING VOICES FROM THE OTHER SIDE, “KILL!, KILL!; COMMIT SUICIDE!!”
FEAR AND ANGER ARE TWO OF THE FIRST SPIRITS OF EVLL THAT ENTERS THE LIFE OF THOSE WHO RECEIVE THE NEGATIVE WORDS FOR THEMSELVES, AND BELIEVE THEM. THEY BECOME A PART OF THEIR LIVES; WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT THEMSELVES.
I MIGHT ADD, BELOVED, ADULTS, AS WELL AS CHILDREN ARE SUSCEPTIBLE AND SENSITIVE TO RECEIVING SUCH WORDS AS A PART OF THEM, IF THEY HEAR THEM ENOUGH.
II TIMOTHY 1:7 – FOR GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US THE SPIRIT OF FEAR; BUT OF POWER, AND OF LOVE, AND OF A SOUND MIND.
THE DEMON SPIRIT OF FEAR CAN PARALYZE ANYONE INTO BELIEVING ALL THESE LIES ABOUT THEM.
JOHN 10:10 – THE THIEF COMETH NOT, BUT FOR TO STEAL, AND TO KILL, AND TO DESTROY: I AM COME THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE LIFE, AND THAT MORE ABUNDANTLY (OR IN IT’S FULLEST MEASURE).
SOME OF YOU CAN HEAR YOUR SAINTLY GRANDMOTHER PRAYING NOW, “O GOD, SAVE MY BABY; DON’T LET MY BABY GO TO HELL!”
MANY OF YOU WHO ARE SAVED, CAN LOOK BACK OVER YOUR LIFE, AND SEE WHAT IT TOOK TO GET YOU TO THIS PLACE OF SURRENDER TO GOD.
IT WAS THE DRAWING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
IT WAS THE PRAYERS OF SOMEONE WHO CARES ABOUT YOU.
WHEN JESUS CHRIST COMES IN TO LIVE, AND WE BEGIN TO STUDY THE BIBLE, AND HEAR ANOINTED PREACHING AND TEACHING, WE BEGIN TO HEAR, AND DISCOVER POSITIVE WORDS IN THE SCRIPTURES: THAT TELL US WHO WE REALLY ARE IN CHRIST.
THAT IS, WHEN WE SEE OURSELVES AS CHRIST SEES US: LOVED, JOHN 3:16; SAVED, EPHESIANS 2:8; HAVING ETERNAL LIFE, JOHN 3:15; NO CONDEMNATION, ROMANS 8:1; DELIVERED, LUKE 4:18; HEALED, I PETER 2:24; CHILD OF GOD, ROMANS 8:16; JOINT HEIR WITH CHRIST, ROMANS 8:17; FREE, JOHN 8:32, 36; NEVER ALONE, MATTHEW 1:23; RIGHTEOUS, ROMANS 5:19; I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST, PHILIPPIANS 4:13; FORGIVEN, LUKE 6:37; VICTORIOUS, I CORINTHIANS 15:57; A NEW CREATION, II CORINTHIANS 5:17; OLD THINGS ARE PASSED AWAY, II CORINTHIANS 5:17; PROMISE OF HEAVEN, HEBREWS 12:22, 23; WILL REIGN WITH CHRIST, ROMANS 5:17. REWARDS, PEACE.
CHRIST NEVER TOLD ANYONE, “YOU’LL NEVER MAKE IT; YOU’RE A FAILURE; I HATE YOU; GO TO HELL.”
BELOVED, EVEN IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE, THE MIND IS THE BATTLE GROUND.
WE ARE TO RENEW OUR MINDS DAILY, BY READING AND STUDYING THE WORD OF GOD.
*WATCH FOR “WORDS” PART III
HELP MY UNBELIEF
MARK 9:23 – JESUS SAID UNTO HIM, IF THOU CANST BELIEVE, ALL THINGS ARE POSSSIBLE TO HIM THAT BELIEVETH.
LIMITED FAITH IS MOTIVATED BY FEAR AND UNBELIEF.
LIMITED FAITH RESTRICTS THE POWER OF GOD.
LIMITED FAITH IS CONTROLLED BY CIRCUMSTANCES.
LIMITED FAITH DOESN’T RESIST OR FIGHT FOR THE PROMISES OF GOD, IT JUST LAYS DOWN AND DIES.
FAITH IS PRODUCED BY GOD’S WORD AND IS UNLIMITED, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE. ANYTHING THAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR US BELONGS TO US.
FAITH RELEASES THE ANIONTING AND ALSO FAITH RELEASES ANGELS.
THE FATHER OF THE DEMON POSSESSED CHILD SAID, LORD I BELIEVE YOU CAN DELIVER MY CHILD, BUT HELP MY UNBELIEF.
WE ALL HAVE UNBELIEF, BUT JESUS CAN HELP US OVERCOME OUR UNBELIEF.
IF WE GET FULL, AND STAY FULL OF THE LORD, UNBELIEF WILL DISAPPEAR AND FAITH WILL APPEAR.
IN THE BOOK OF ACTS WE READ OF A MAN CALLED STEPHEN, WHO WAS FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST AND FAITH. THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR UNBELIEF IN THIS MAN’S LIFE.
HE PREACHED WITH SUCH POWER, HIS SERMON’S WERE FULL OF THE WORD OF GOD. WE CAN UNDERSTAND HOW HE GOT FULL OF FAITH AND POWER, HE WAS FULL OF THE WORD OF GOD.
THE WORD OF GOD AND PRAYER FILLS OUR LIFE WITH FAITH AND POWER, A FIRE BURNS IN OUR HEARTS, A PASSION FOR MORE OF THE LORD. SO STRONG THAT THERE IS NO ROOM FOR UNBELIEF OR LIMITED FAITH. THE FIRE OF FAITH AND POWER THAT CREATES AN ATMOSPHERE FOR GREAT WONDERS AND MIRACLES.
WE CAN BE BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY GHOST AND POWER, THAT GIVES US A PASSION FOR PRAYER, WORD, AND WORSHIP.
DON’T LIMIT HOW MUCH OF GOD IS IN YOUR LIFE, LET’S BE LIKE STEPHEN: FULL OF FAITH AND POWER. WE MEASURE OUT HOW MUCH ANOINTING WE HAVE IN OUR LIFE.
GOD MAKES HIS PRESENCE AND POWER AND FAITH AVAILABE TO US, WE MEASURE OUT HOW MUCH WE WANT: WE CHOOSE.
I DESIRE HOLY GHOST FIRE TO SET THE CAPTIVE FREE, AND TO STAY FREE MYSELF: FULL OF FAITH AND POWER.
SWEET SLEEP
SLEEP IS IMPORTANT TO OUR DAILY HEALTH.
OUR BODIES CAN GO JUST SO MANY HOURS WITHOUT IT, THEN MAJOR PARTS OF OUR BODIES BEGIN TO BE FATIGUED AND OR EMOTIONS BECOME ALL OUT OF SORTS; WE CAN’T THINK CLEARLY, AND OTHERS AROUND US ARE AFFECTED.
IT WAS EASIER FOR US TO GET A GOOD NIGHT’S REST WHEN OUR EMPLOYMENT WAS FARMING AND PHYSICAL LABOR; BUT NOW, WE ARE BOMBARDED WITH MUCH MENTAL STRESS: ON THE JOB AND AT HOME. WE HAVE MACHINERY AND ALL KINDS OF APPLIANCES NOW, THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO MAKE OUR WORK EASIER BUT WE JUST SEEM TO “ADD-IT-ON” INSTEAD OF REST WHILE WE CAN.
SOME YEARS BACK, I HAD AN ILLNESS, THAT REQUIRED MUCH REST AND SLEEP. I QUICKLY NOTICED HOW THE NAPS I WAS TAKING WERE HEALING. IWAS WEARING OUT MY BODY AND WAS ALL STRESSED-OUT.
SLEEP IS DEFINED AS A STATE OF COMPLETE OR PARTIAL UNCONSCIOUSNESS.
IN THE SCRIPTURES, THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 21 REFERENCES, AND MAYBE MORE, REFERRING TO SLEEP OR THE LACK OF IT.
SLEEP IS DESCRIBED AS SLUMBER IN PROVERBS 6:4,10. PROVERBS 3:24, IT IS DESCRIBED AS SWEET – WHEN THOU LIEST DOWN, THOU SHALT NOT BE AFRAID: YEA, THOU SHALT LIE DOWN, AND THY SLEEP SHALL BE SWEET. HERE, IT SAYS…THOU SHALT NOT BE AFRAID…
SO WE MUST ASSUME, FEAR KEEPS SOME FROM HAVING SWEET SLEEP.
VERSE 25 – BE NOT AFFRAID OF SUDDEN FEAR , NEITHER OF THE DESOLATION OF THE WICKED, WHEN IT COMETH; AND VERSE 26 READS – FOR THE LORD SHALL BE THY CONFIDENCE, AND SHALL KEEP THY FOOT FROM BEING TAKEN.
MANY PEOPLE ARE PARALIZED WITH FEAR, AND FEAR BRINGS WITH IT TORMENT. WE ARE TOLD IN THE BIBLE, THAT FEAR IS A SPIRIT; IT IS A HARASSING DEMON THAT KEEPS PEOPLE FROM BEING AT PEACE SO THEY CAN’T ENJOY A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP.
SOMETIMES GOD USES THE LACK OF SLEEP FOR HIS PURPOSE: IN DANIEL 8:18, DANIEL WAS GIVEN A PROPHETIC VISION IN HIS SLEEP: – NOW AS HE WAS SPEAKING WITH ME, I WAS IN A DEEP SLEEP ON MY FACE TOWARD THE GROUND: BUT HE TOUCHED ME ND SET ME UPRIGHT ( OR MADE ME STAND UP).
IN DANIEL 2:1, WE SEE WHERE THE INABILITY TO SLEEP IS CAUSED BY WORRY – NEBUCHADNEZZAR DREAMED DREAMS…WHEREIN HIS SPIRIT WAS TROUBLED, AND SLEEP BROKE FROM HIM (HE COULD NOT SLEEP). WORRY CAN CAUSE ANY OF US TO HAVE INSOMNIA. IN ESTHER 6:1, THE KING COULD NOT SLEEP BECAUSE GOD WANTED HIM TO READ THE BOOK OF CHRONICLES.
INTERCESSORS AND MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL, CAN’T SLEEP BECAUSE GOD HAS A PURPOSE IN MIND: MOSTLY, SO THEY CAN PRAY AND INTERCEDE ABOUT SOMETHING OR FOR SOMEONE.
PETER WAS FAST ASLEEP IN A PRISON (DUNGEON). JAMES HAD ALREADY BEEN BEHEADED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE GOSPEL, AND PETER WAS NEXT IN LINE: ACTS 12:1-11 – NOW ABOUT THAT TIME HEROD THE KING, STRETCHED FORTH HIS HANDS TO VEX CERTAIN OF THE CHURCH. AND HE KILLED JAMES THE BROTHER OF JOHN WITH THE SWORD. AND BECAUSE HE SAW IT PLEASED THE JEWS, HE PROCEEDED FURTHER TO TAKE PETER ALSO. (THEN WERE THE DAYS OF UNLEAVENED BREAD). AND WHEN HE HAD APPREHENDED HIM , HE PUT HIM IN PRISON, AND DELIVERED HIM TO FOUR QUATERNIONS OF SOLDIERS TO KEEP HIM; INTENDING AFTER EASTER (PASSOVER) TO BRING HIM FORTH TO THE PEOPLE. PETER THEREFORE WAS KEPT IN PRISON; BUT PRAYER WAS MADE WITHOUT CEASING OF THE CHURCH UNTO GOD FOR HIM. AND WHEN HEROD WOULD HAVE BROUGHT HIM FORTH, THE SAME NIGHT PETER WAS SLEEPING BETWEEN TWO SOLDIERS BOUND WITH TWO CHAINS: AND THE KEEPERS BEFORE THE DOOR KEPT THE PRISON.
AND BEHOLD, THE ANGEL OF THE LORD CAME UPON HIM, AND A LIGHT SHINED IN THE PRISON: AND HE SMOTE PETER ON THE SIDE, AND RAISED HIM UP, SAYING, ARISE UP QUICKLY. AND HIS CHAINS FELL OFF FROM HIS HANDS. AND THE ANGEL SAID UNTO HIM, GIRD THYSELF, AND BIND ON THY SANDELS. AND SO HE DID. AND HE SAITH UNTO HIM, CAST THY GARMENT ABOUT THEE, AND FOLLOW ME. AND HE WENT OUT, AND FOLLOWED HIM; AND WIST NOT THAT IT WAS TRUE WHICH WAS DONE BY THE ANGEL; BUT THOUGHT HE SAW A VISION. WHEN THEY WERE PAST THE FIRST AND SECOND WARD THEY CAME UNTO THE IRON GATE THAT LEADETH INTO THE CITY; WHICH OPENED TO THEM OF HIS OWN ACCORD. AND THEY WENT OUT, AND PASSED ON THROUGH THE STREET; AND FORTHWITH THE ANGEL DEPARTED FROM HIM. AND WHEN PETER WAS COME TO HIMSELF, HE SAID, NOW I KNOW OF A SURETY, THAT THE LORD SENT HIS ANGEL, AND HATH DELIVERED ME OUT OF THE HAND OF HEROD, AND FROM ALL THE EXPECTATION OF THE JEWS.
THIS WAS A TRYING TIME IN OUR HISTORY WHERE THE CHURCH WAS GOING THROUGH HARASSMENT AND PERSECUTION. WE FIND PETER FAST ASLEEP IN A PRISON.
BECAUSE HEROD, THE KING, SAW HOW IT PLEASED THE JEWS TO WATCH JAMES BE KILLED BY THE SWORD, THAT HE DECIDED PETER WOULD BE NEXT: AFTER THE PASSOVER.
SOMETIMES WE FIND IT HARD TO SLEEP AFTER WE HAVE PASSED THROUGH A TRIAL DURING THE DAY OR WE ATE PIZZA LATE IN THE EVENING.
THIS STORY OF PETER AMAZES ME BECAUSE PETER KNEW WHAT WAS TO TAKE PLACE THE NEXT MORNING, YET WE FIND HIM THE NIGHT BEFORE WHE WAS TO BE EXECUTED, AN A DEEP SLEEP, CHAINED BETWEEN TWO SOLDIERS, AND GUARDED WELL.
HEROD’S GREAT DESIRE TO PLEASE THE PEOPLE BY GIFTS AND SHOWS OF BLOOD TO WIN THEIR FAVER, HAD BEEN FOILED. HE WAS PLANNING TO BRING PETER UP ONTO A STAGE OR SOME HIGH GROUND WHERE ALL THE PEOPLE COULD SEE HIM CONDEMNED WHICH WOULD BE AS GOOD THEM AS A GLADIATORIAL SLAUGHTER TO A ROMAN AUDIENCE.
THIS IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION WAS JUST THE RIGHT TIMING FOR A MIRACULOUS EVEN IN THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. WHEN THE BATTLE SEEMS THE HOTTEST, THE VICTORY IS USUALLY THE SWEETEST.
SUDDENLY, THE LIGHT SHOWN IN THE PRISON! THE ANGEL HAD TO AWAKE PETER OUT OF A VERY DEEP SLEEP AND RESCUE HIM AS THE SOLDIERS SLEPT ON DUTY. THIS, BY THE WAY, IS AN UNFORGIVABLE ACTION OF A SOLDIER. THIS WAS HIS DEATH WARRENT.
WHY DID PETER HAVE SUCH A CALM DEEP SLEEP ON THE NIGHT BEFORE HIS INTENDED DEATH? BECAUSE HE KNEW HE WAS IN THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD, AND KNEW IT EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A BATTLE GOING ON FOR HIS LIFE. PETER LIVED WHAT HE TAUGHT THE CHURCH.
WE LEARN SWEET SLEEP AND REST FROM THESE GREAT SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS; BUT THERE IS ONE MORE WAY WE LEARN: AND THAT IS THROUGH EXPERIENCING GOD’S PROMISES THROUGH OUR BEING TESTED.
LAST NIGHT I WAS STUNG IN THREE PLACES ON MY BODY BY A SCORPION IN BED DURING MY SLEEP. THE LAST TWO STINGS CAUSED ME TO JUMP OUT OF BED AND TURN ON THE LIGHT. THERE HE WAS, A BROWN SCORPION, READY TO STING AGAIN. MY HUSBAND SOON CAPTURED MY LITTLE ENEMY, AND I WENT BACK TO BED, AFTER CHECKING FOR MORE OF HIS LITTLE SCORPION FRIENDS. —-DID THIS KEEP ME AWAKE? NO! —-I WENT BACK TO SLEEP, LEAVING MYSELF IN THE HANDS OF THE ONE WHO IS FAITHFUL: MY LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
THE MEANEST AND THE BADEST
THE SCRIPTURES RECORD MANY WHO WERE DEMON POSSESSED AND HAD ALL KINDS OF DISEASES THAT ARE INCURABLE, BUT ALL OF THESE ARE NO MATCH FOR JESUS. HE SOUGHT AFTER THEIR SOULS.
MANY CHRISTIANS ARE BOUND-UP WITH THINGS THAT KEEP THEM FROM GOD’S BEST FOR THEM.
JOHN 4:9-14 – THUS SAITH THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA UNTO HIM, HOW IS IT THAT THOU BEING A JEW, ASKETH DRINK OF ME, WHICH AM A WOMAN OF SAMARIA? FOR THE JEWS HAVE NO DEALINGS WITH THE SAMARITANS.
THIS WOMAN KNEW NOTHING ABOUT JESUS, SHE JUST KNEW HE WAS A MAN, ALTHOUGH SHE DID BELIEVE THE MESSIAH WAS TO COME. BEING A SAMARITAN, SHE DIDN’T UNDERSTAND WHY A JEW WOULD HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH HER, MUCH LESS TALK TO HER.
JESUS HAD A PLAN IN MIND. HE DELIBERATELY WENT THROUGH SAMARIA FOR THIS REASON; TO TALK TO HER. HE WAS ALWAYS AT THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME, EVEN IN HIS DEATH.
HE COULD HAVE GONE ANOTHER ROUTE WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER FOR HIM, BUT HE HAD A DIVINE APPOINTMENT UP THE ROAD.
THERE WAS A GREAT CONFLICT BETWEEN THE JEWS AND THE SAMARITANS CONCERNING WHERE THEY SHOULD WORSHIP.
BUT JESUS HAD A GREATER MISSION THERE THAN JUST ONE WOMAN. HE KNEW WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO BRING REVIVAL TO THE PEOPLE OF SAMARIA.
HE WAS ABOVE ALL PREJUDICE.
HE WAS NOT INTERESTED IN WHERE TO WORSHIP, AS WHERE THE JEWS AND SAMARITANS, BECAUSE THE WORSHIP WAS ABOUT TO CHANGE. IT WOULD BE IN THE HEARTS OF THE BELIEVERS: THE JEW FIRST, AND THEN THE GENTILES.
MANY TIMES WE DON’T FEEL COMFORTABLE CROSSING OVER HE PREJUDICE BARRIERS TO WITNESS JESUS TO THOSE WE CONSIDER OUR ENEMY, OR DIFFERENT FROM US. THEIR CUSTOMS SOMETIMES TURN US OFF, AND WE ARE SOMETIMES INDIFFERENT TOWARDS THEM, MAYBE EVEN AFRAID OF THEM.
JESUS BEGAN TO TELL THE WOMAN ABOUT HER LIFE THROUGH THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE. SHE HAD A BAD REPUTATION, AND ONLY THE MEN WOULD TALK TO HER.
HOW DO I KNOW THAT? SHE CAME TO THE WELL ALONE, NOT LIKE THE CUSTOMARY TIME OF THE DAY WHEN THE WOMEN GATHERED TO DRAW WATER.
JESUS GAVE HER THAT LIVING WATER THAT DOES NOT COME FROM THE WELL, IT WAS EVERLASTING LIFE!! SHE WENT AWAY WITHOUT HER WATERPOT, AND BROUGHT OTHERS TO THAT WATER THAT WAS NOT FROM THE WELL, AND THEY CAME TO JESUS AND RECEIVED SALVATION.
WE AS BELIEVERS ARE TOLD IN MATTHEW 28:19, TO …GO YE THEREFORE AND TEACH ALL NATIONS… BUT SOMETIMES WE SHUN THOSE OF WHICH GOD REALLY WANTS US TO WITNESS.
THE MOST UNLIKELY ONE’S ARE THOSE WHO ARE THE BIGGEST CATCH IN GOD’S KINGDOM.
HERE, I AM REMINDED OF A MISSIONARY TRIP, WHEN BEFORE GOING, I PRAYED, “GOD, GIVE US THE SOULS OF THE ‘MEANEST AND BADEST’ (WHICH IS NOT VERY GOOD ENGLISH, BY THE WAY), BUT NEVERTHELESS, THAT’S THE WAY I PRAYED.
WE WERE HAVING A TENT REVIVAL IN SOTO, A VILLAGE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
THE SERVICES WERE GOING WONDERFUL. GOD WAS MOVING.
THEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN!! – THERE WAS A LOUD COMMOTION. I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON, I WAS ERNESTLY PRAYING FOR A LADY WHO WANTED TO GET SAVED AND WANTED PRAYER FOR HER HURT LEG.
I WAS STILL PRAYING FOR HER LEG WHEN MY HUSBAND AND BILL POSEY YELLED TO US TO GET OUT OF THE TENT AND RUN INTO THE FIELD BEHIND THE TENT.
ROCKS WERE SAILING INTO THE TENT WITH MIGHTY FORCE!!
SOME OF OUR FRIENDS HAD COME TO THE REVIVAL WITH THEIR CARS AND TRUCKS. THEIR WINDSHIELDS GOT IN THE LINE OF FIRE, AND WERE CRASHED AND SHATTERED.
SOME OF THE YOUNG MEN FIGHTING, WERE INTOXICATED.
WE FOUND OUT LATER FROM MISSIONARY MITCH MARTINEZ, THEY WERE TWO FACTIONS ROCK BATTLEING, AND WE JUST SEEMED TO BE IN THEIR CROSSFIRE.
THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN WERE RUSHED INTO VEHICLES AND SPED OFF, AWAY FROM DANGER.
I NOTICED MY HUSBAND, ROY PORTER, BILL , JERKED OUT TWO TENT POSTS, AND WERE READY FOR CONFRONTATION IF NEEDED BE.
THE NEXT NIGHT, ONE OF OUR FRIENDS, MIRIAM SANCHEZ, WENT TO THE POLICE AND ARRIVED WITH THREE POLICEMEN. ONE OF THEM WAS VERY BIG AND HAD KILLED SOME PEOPLE, SO HIS REPUTATION WAS WELL KNOWN AMONG THE PEOPLE.
EVERYTHING WENT WELL THAT NIGHT, AND THE POLICEMEN GOT SAVED.
THE THIRD NIGHT, WE HAD NO POLICEMEN. I GUESS THE POLICE THOUGHT WE DIDN’T NEED ANY BECAUSE THE NIGHT BEFORE WAS QUIET.
MY HUSBAND SPOTTED SOME OF THE ROCK THROWERS GATHER AROUND IN VARIOUS PLACES, SPREADING-OUT, HE HAD NO GUN, SO HE ASKED THE MISSIONARY FOR THIS WOODEN BRUSH. HE WRAPPED A HANKIE AROUND IT, AND STUFFED IT INTO HIS POCKET. IT REALLY DID LOOK LIKE A GUN.
THE WORD GOT AROUND, “THE PASTOR HAS A GUN.”
SOME SAID, “THE PASTOR????
HE ASKED SANDRA SLIGH TO PREACH FOR HIM, SO HE COULD KEEP AN EYE ON THINGS AND I WAS TO GIVE THE ALTER CALL IN WHICH ONE OF THE FACTION WHICH WAS INTOXICATED, GAVE HIS HEART TO CHRIST.
SOON AFTER, I SAW MY HUSBAND WITH TWO MORE. HE SAT THEM DOWN IN CHAIRS AND BEGAN TO TALK TO THEM, AS THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS DEALING WITH THEIR HEARTS.
BOTH YOUNG MEN GAVE THEIR HEARTS TO JESUS, AND SHORTLY AFTER, ONE OF THEM PULLED OUT A BUTCHER KNIFE AND HANDED IT TO ROY.
HE STILL TODAY HAS THAT BRUSH AND KNIFE IN HIS STUDY.
SEVERAL OF THE ROCK THROWERS GOT SAVED, AND STARTED A BASEBALL TEAM. I’M SURE YOU KNOW WHAT FABULOUS BASEBALL PLAYERS THE DOMINICANS ARE!
THE NEXT YEAR WENT THERE, AND PRESENTED THOSE GUYS A BOX OF BASEBALLS, AND THEY, IN TURN, PRESENTED ROY WITH A BASEBALL OF ALL THEIR SIGNATURES, WHICH STILL IS A PRIZED POSESSION OF HIS. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!!!
