Chapter
1
The Anointing Power
Every ounce of Satan's territory that you take for Christ is a battle. It's a struggle. It's warfare.
We must stand in Christ's power and battle for souls. Jesus said: "And I say also unto thee. That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it," Matthew 16:18.
Only a few are willing to set the captives free.
It is sad indeed. God's people are choosing spiritual blindness for it is a terrible thing to see the demonstration of the powers of darkness upon human beings. How greatly we need wisdom. We must turn from a spiritual slumber, material worldliness in the Church and see our true spiritual condition. Let Christ arouse our souls in deep compassion for the trapped spiritual slaves of Satan's kingdom using Christ's power to set them free. The Church is facing its last battle, Satan's final conflict. We pray for willing Christian warriors who will seek the Holy Spirit's anointing to vanquish this satanic rise to power. The Holy Spirit's anointing is the energy to wield the victory over this vast Satanic invasion aimed at the destruction of man's souls.
Our text is found in Mark 16:15-18. "And he said unto them. Go Ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs that follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
These are the last words that our Lord Jesus Christ spoke to His people just before He ascended into heaven. Last words are usually the most important words that someone will speak to you. The Lord's last words are vitally important for our generation because the Bible tells us that in the latter days many raise prophets will deceive many. In these scriptures Jesus gave us a road map to help us to discern true prophets of God.
The first thing true prophets of God will do, is preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. They will lift up the name of Jesus not their own name, a denominational name or anything else. It will always be the Name of Jesus. A true prophet knows Jesus said, "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me" (John 12:32). The true prophet's main objective is to bring souls to Christ. He knows it is most important to make Christians out of sinners (John 3:36). Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). Who will abide in Christ? (John 15:4); who will walk after Christ? (Luke 9:23) who will be obedient to Christ? (John 14:31); who is indwelt by Christ? (Galatian 2:20); who will witness unto Christ? (Acts 1:8) and who will continually look for Christ's return? (Phil. 3:30). The true prophet knows the supreme glory of the Person of Christ as the Son of God and His superiority to angels (Hebrews 1:5-4, 13).
SIGNS AND WONDERS
There are many people preaching the Word today without power. Personally, I believe the gospel and the power of God go hand in hand . . . SIGNS AND WONDERS SHALL FOLLOW. THEM THAT BELIEVE. The sins of the Church today are denying the power of God . . . Wrong Belief, Neutrality, Indifference, Hard Loveless Orthodoxy. The Scriptures affirm," . . . in the last days perilous times shall come, for men shall, have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof: from such turn away" (II Timothy 3:1-5), God is simply not interested in religion but He is tremendously involved with the well being of people.
We wish to open the doors of your life to the Deeper Spiritual Life. This can only occur through the power of God. Billy Sunday wrote, "Let's quit 'fiddling' with religion and do something to bring the world to Christ."1
THE POWER OF GOD is the answer to the Church's need in this day . . . Signs and wonders should follow them that believe. The Lord gave us an example of these signs when He said in Mark 16:17, "THEY SHALL CAST OUT DEVILS."
How many places can you go today and see devils cast out?'
VERY FEW!
"And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and gnashes with his teeth, and pineth away and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out and they could not" (Mark 9:18).
In many Churches, they are denying that gift of God's power. The result of negating this gift is, many Churches are full of people who are oppressed with devils. This is why you see so much confusion, division, back-biting, bickering, etc., within the Church community. Evil spirits are known to be complaining, prejudiced, doubting, confusing, accusing, critical, jealous and restless. Many have eliminated casting out devils in their midst.
DENIAL OF CASTING OUT DEVILS?
When you deny casting out devils, you will lose your ability of being able to discern evil spirits. If you don't want to see them. God is not going to give you the gift of discerning them. It is most important that we have, in the Body of Christ, the power to discern evil spirits.
Life is a conflict, a combat and a continual wrestling against opposing forces. The conflict is not against flesh and blood nor a struggle of men against men but you must look deeper. The battle is against the whole human race. Certain principalities and powers, world rulers of darkness, wicked spirits in high places are set against mankind. These principalities and powers oppose the whole human race.
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness . . ." (Ephesians 6:12).
Behind problems of the world and behind evil, which manifests itself in mankind, is a hierarchy of evil spirits... namely the devil and his angels. There is an organized kingdom of principalities and powers at various levels of authority that sit at world rulers of the present darkness, wicked spirits in high places. Unfortunately Christians are not totally immune to the influences of these powers. However, if you, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7), victory is yours through Jesus Christ. We are crucified with Him and the life, which we now live in the flesh, is through our faith in Christ. If we will do our part. God will certainly do His. Our deceiving crafty enemy will try to beguile all believers. He will both slander God and saint, even the warmest-hearted Christian. God's Word and Christians are ridiculed. All sorts of evil, suggestive accusations are made. But if we do the Word of God by resisting him, we will not talk about people nor will we listen and be a party to those who would tear down the saints of the living God. If God accepts them, so should we. Remember, you may be the only Bible that someone will ever read.
ABLE TO DISCERN
One of the most important tools in the Church is to be able to discern and cast out evil spirits when they are operating within the Church. We are not to cast out the people, only the evil spirits!
People in the world seem to be able to see the reality of Satan's power more than the church people do. Mike Warneke, a former high priest for Satan writes in his book The Satan Seller, "In our ceremonies, we called on demons to do almost everything a person's Satanic-oriented mind could dream up. We had control of a Satanic power, although often demons themselves do their own destructive deeds without our help in directing them."2
"Demons can inflict disease, can possess men, can possess animals, can oppose spiritual growth, can disseminate false doctrine, can torment people, and can be tormented by people Demons can talk or cry with a loud voice, using the tongues and lips of humans. They can tell lies and make people believe lies. They can even preach. They can stand, walk, and seek rest when disembodied in a human being. They can tell fortunes, make people strip off their clothes, cause suicides, render a person insane, or cause a body to be bowed in affliction. They can cause jealousy, pride, and lust. They can drive a person into despair."3
"Demons seek to inhabit human bodies that they might work out their indescribable lusts and evil longings. They will not willingly leave a human they inhabit. If they are cast out, they will seek to reenter the same body, inviting other demons to join them if the person has a 'vacant house' (not full of the Word, fruit of the Holy Spirit, prayer and a life submitted to Christ's rule). It is known that as many as two thousand demons inhabited one man." One of the most important tools in the church is to be able to discern and cast out evil spirits when they are operating within the Church!
THE EARLY CHURCH WAS ABLE TO SEE SPIRITUALLY.
In Acts 16:16-18, we see a young girl possessed with a spirit of divination. The Bible says she was a professional fortune-teller who followed Paul and his workers for several days giving out the prophecy, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, which show us the way of Salvation.
Her message was true. They were Godly men taking the gospel to the lost. But her message was coming from the wrong source... a spirit of divination, or a demon. People who are under the power of evil spirits should not be allowed to address the congregation.
The appointed leader must be able to see spiritually what is behind the person speaking. Paul, through the gift of discerning of spirits, was able to see spiritually through the power of deceiving spirits controlling her. He was able to see behind the human personality and see the deception of the supernatural force (Ephesians 6:10). We see in I Corinthians 2:14 those "spiritual things are spiritually discerned."
The Bible records that she followed them several days but Paul being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, "I command thee in the name of Jesus to come out of her!" The Word of God continues, "And HE came out of her the same hour."
Did you catch it?
"AND HE" . . . "He" means he is a being. Paul was speaking to a girl but the supernatural force behind her was referred to as HE. HE was a spiritual being controlling her. Although invisible, HE was speaking through the girl's lips giving out a message to the people. Paul knew it in the Spirit and it was his responsibility to present the real truth and protect the people. He looked beyond the girl speaking flattering words and rebuked the force. Paul dealt with the evil spirit by using his delegated superior power, THE NAME OF JESUS, and it left.
Jesus' power is always greater. Colossians 2:15 show Him victoriously over Satan. "And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." The war is already won in Christ who is not only our Lord but also Lord of all.
Joining the battle scripturally, we can be victorious also. Doing The Word of God will enable you to chase the devils and they will flee from you (James 4:7).
SPIRITUAL EYES MUST OPEN
"But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Hebrews 5:14).
Yes, the gift of discerning of spirits both, good and bad, is vital to the church today... "for many have crept in unawares" (Jude 4). When Jesus said, "You shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free" (John 8:37), He immediately explained, "If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:36).
The essence of the Christian ministry is personal service. The earliest ministry of the church was that of the Apostles. As the meaning of the word "apostle" indicates, they were men "sent out on a mission to continue the work of Christ." The Word of God has never told us to cease their beginnings. Christ was a devil-driving Minister. Jesus set the people free and we must do the same, Casting out demons is a very specialized ministry which, when properly understood, involves unusual qualities of faith, praying and fasting (Matt. 17:19-20). If we do our part. God will perform His Word.
SPEAKING IN TONGUES
The Lord said, "AND THEY SHALL SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES" (Mark 16:17). This is a Godly gift that is also being denied by large factions in the Christian Church today. "Oh, that was for the Apostles. The days of miracles have passed," some relate. It just seems easier to doubt God than to believe Him. God has not deserted us by going to sleep and leaving us defenseless against the wiles of the Devil. The Evil One has continued his rampage against mankind so God is still working through His people.
Another excuse they use to doubt the Word of God about speaking in tongues is, "When that which is perfect comes, tongues shall pass away (1 CORINTHIANS 13:10). We've got the Bible." Perfect friends, is not the Bible but none other than JESUS CHRIST. Tongues shall not pass away until Jesus Christ comes again . . . That's when we won't need tongues anymore.
The great Apostle Paul wrote much about the subject of speaking in other tongues. He evidently practiced what he preached for he said, "I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all" (I Corinthians 14:18). Certainly Paul found this a source of power and comfort in his life for he wrote, "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself" (1 Corinthians 14:4). "Edifieth himself," means to build up in spiritual strength.
Harold Horton writes, "What is this Gift of Divers (many or unique) Kinds of Tongues, or Speaking with Tongues? It is supernatural utterance by the Holy Spirit in languages never learned by the speaker--not understood by the mind of the speaker--nearly always not under stood by the hearer. It has nothing whatever to do neither with linguistic ability nor with the mind or intellect of man. It is a manifestation of the mind of the Spirit of God employing human speech organs. When a man is speaking with tongues, his mind, intellect and understanding are quiescent. It is the faculty of God that is active. Man's will, certainly, is active and his spirit and the speech organs but the Mind operating, is the Mind of God through the Holy Spirit. The linguistic skill of man is no more employed in speaking with tongues than the surgical skill of man was employed when at Peter's word, "Rise and walk," the lame man instantly arose and leaped and walked! It is not a mental miracle; the mentality is God's. It is a vocal miracle."5
"... Let us say that it was the Lord Jesus Himself--your Lord, critical friend, who instituted the Gift of Tongues! He did not limit it to believers in Apostolic days but promised it to all who would believe."6
" But tongues are listed last, so it's the least of the gifts," some people argue.
Everything the Father put into His Holy Word is important! WHAT PUNY EXCUSES people search for to keep from being obedient to God! We see in I Corinthians 14:2, "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries." Jesus said in Luke 24:49, "And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high." The baptism of the Holy Ghost is peculiar to the Lord Jesus." He shall baptize you with fire." The glorified Christ must lay His hands upon us and then we receive the Holy Ghost. Praise His name forevermore!
Much of the church world has missed the power because of misinterpretation of the Bible. They ignore their need for the infilling of the Holy Ghost. They live defeated in body and soul. Acts 1:8 tells us, "But you shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you . . . " It was prophesied in Isaiah 28:11-12, "For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said. This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear."
What is the rest, and refreshing these scriptures refer to? SPEAKING IN OTHER TONGUES!
"But tongues is of the devil, my preacher said so."
Shall we believe what man says or trust God's Word? The Bible says, in I Corinthians 14:39, "Wherefore brethren covet to prophecy, and FORBID NOT TO SPEAK IN TONGUES!" Praying in tongues energizes our faith according to Jude 20, "But ye beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost."
If you have been standing against God's Perfect will in your life repent and ask Him to fill you with the Holy Ghost giving you His wonderful gift of tongues.
"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive" (Ephesians 4:14).
TAKING UP SERPENTS
THEY SHALL TAKE UP SERPENTS, AND IF THEY DRINK ANY DEADLY THING IT SHALL NOT HURT THEM" (Mark 16:17). This does not mean that believers should become snake handlers. It simply means we are protected from their bites as Paul was in Acts 28:3-5. He shook the viper loose into the fire and had no physical effects from the bite.
Evangelist, Mrs. Maria Woodworth Etter, writes about 'claiming the promise' in her Book Signs and Wonders. At a recent meeting at the time just after the call for all needing prayer to come to the altar. Sister Etter had been praying for many and God wonderfully healed them all, and as she was praying for a lady there was a scorpion lying two inches away from her hand.
She saw it and began to knock it off. It stung her. The pain seemed to run all through her and go to her heart. The finger got red and the Lord showed her it was a fatal and poisonous sting and nothing but the Lord could help her. A brother killed it and several saints saw it and began praying. She claimed the promise that we should have power over serpents and all fear left her.
The people were waiting for her to minister healing to them. She continued to believe God and His promises. The pain began to stop as she continued praying for the sick and nothing was left but the mark of the sting. The hurt was perfectly healed.7
She had claimed the promises in the Word, "They shall take up serpents," and in Luke 10:19 which says, "Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."
In his book. Like A Mighty Wind, Mel Tari also writes about the snakes getting out of their way as they walked through the jungles to take the gospel to other islands.
The Lord also said in Mark 16:18, "And if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them." This does not mean that we test God by drinking poison. It simply means that if you happen to be in a group of people preaching the Word of God and if they poisoned you, it will not have any effect on you.
I heard Rev. Richard Vineyard, who has traveled the world by faith and cast out demons preach one night. He came to the United States and was evangelizing in one of the large sophisticated towns. A group of occultists came. He was speaking on "Casting Out Devils." They invited him to come to their house for dinner. They put all kinds of poisons into his food! He ate it and when he finished, he stood and spoke to them. They told him later, they were waiting for him to die, but he did not die!
"We can't understand why you are not dead."
"Why?"
"Because, we have put enough poison in your food to kill ten people!"
"You can't kill me like that."
"Why not?" they inquired.
"Because I have promises in the Word of God that you can't poison me. God won't let it kill me. I'm a man of God and I've come to bring you the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the most powerful person in the universe. You can't hurt me with poison."
Well, they were saved, because he demonstrated that he had a stronger power than they. Praise the Lord!
LAY HANDS ON THE SICK
Last but not least. Mark 16:18 says, "THEY SHALL LAY HANDS ON THE SICK AND THEY SHALL RECOVER." Are we seeing the Church move forth in the Power?
No, only a small group is bold enough to believe the Word in this area. "And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice (Luke 4:33).
On the mission fields many times we see, Christians attend church on Sundays and later go to the local witch doctor for healing. While evangelizing in Trinidad, I was praying for the sick After praying for everyone in the prayer line, the Holy Spirit lead me over to a young black woman sitting on the front row. She had not come forward for prayer.
"Can I pray for you?" I asked. Fear appeared on her face.
"I don't know what it is, but every time I hear the name of Jesus I get real scared inside," she revealed. "I know what that is, can I pray for you?"
Her mouth tightened to a thin line. She sat like that for a few minutes and then answered me. "Yes," she said in a shaky voice.
As I placed my hands on her forehead, through the power of this gift of discerning of spirits, I could see that she had had contact with the occult. With the growing focus of evil at work, it is evident we must return to the clearly outlined scriptural practice of dealing with unclean and Satanic power.
"Have you ever been involved with the occult?" I asked.
She did not answer. Although she could speak English, she seemed puzzled by the question. She awkwardly wiped a shock of dark hair back from her face. She did not understand the question, but the evil thing inside her knew that I could see him and reacted. Her facial expression changed, eyes bulged and mouth sagged. I put my hand on her quivering shoulder. Anger filled her as she slammed her fist down on the arm of the pew. A low animal sound began to bubble up from within. It was a growling mean sounding noise. It roared like a wild-trapped animal.
Evil spirits recognize individuals and discriminate against them "I recognize Jesus and I know about Paul, but who are you? (Acts 19:51). They know true believers and have to honor the name of Jesus. So this evil thing knew he was in the presence of one that would do battle.
"You foul evil spirit. I command you in the name of Jesus to loose this woman." For a long time a heavy silence filled the church as the people sank quietly into the pews with their heads lowered. Lips began to move in prayer seeking the aid of the God Most High. They were not frightened because many of them had come out of witchcraft and Hinduism before conversion. They knew evil spirits existed.
I spoke to the evil thing firmly: "You have no power here. I bind all your power in Jesus Christ's name. I rebuke you and command you to leave!" (When Satan is invited in, he does not leave easily. Sometimes he has to be driven out, forcefully.) Jesus promised the gates of hell shall not prevail against us (Matt. 16:18).
All those who were present could see the manifested demon and began to pray and claim the protection of Christ's Blood. The terrible gaze of the evil thing working through the young girl fell on each of them and they could clearly see witchcraft's effect. A peculiar, heavy feeling hung in the air but there was not one who doubted that Christ would set her free. Jesus told His disciples to heal the sick and cast out devils (Matthew 10:7,8), and that's what we were doing. God was on our side and we knew it.
As I put spiritual pressure on the evil thing, she began to heave, thrust and thrash forward. Her voice had broken and tears streamed down her face. Finally a foamy green slime came out and she was immediately set free from Satan's bondage. She jumped and began to shout. My heart went out to her. It is such a great feeling to see Satan defeated by the power of the name of Jesus. It is worth the price of the ministry to see one come out of the Kingdom of Darkness and you truly know Jesus Christ is well pleased.
"Praise you Jesus, Thank you Jesus," she continued zealously. She was happy and not afraid of the name of Jesus any longer!
I know many would like to shove this part of the gospel into the basement of the church but Jesus recognized demons in His day. He spoke to them in public and rebuked them in front of people. He commanded them and cast them out. He argued with the Jews about them, and said that the fact of casting out demons was proof that the Kingdom of God had come to them.
After this lady's deliverance, a young man came over to me smiling brightly and said, "That's my Aunt; I live in the house next to hers. Sometimes at night I hear her making that terrible growling sound and I don't think she ever sleeps."
"What is she involved with, Son; does she hang around with any strange people?"
"Yes, Mrs. Holliday, she goes to the obeah man, the local witch doctor for sickness all the time." "Well, you make sure that she never goes there again. She's free now but if she goes back to that witch doctor, she will only become possessed again."
I asked her if she was still sick or if she had any pain left in her body.
"No, I'm healed."
I explained to her the importance of staying away from the witch doctor because the Bible tells us things can be worse than before if we slip back. Matthew 12:43 tells us, ..."When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest and findeth none. Then saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept and garnished. Then goeth and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first..." This means that demons have a deep craving to find expression through a physical body. When a demon cannot find a body to occupy, he is without rest. To stay free, one must be totally submitted to God, leaving those old things behind. "The night is far spent, the day is at hand, let us therefore put off the works of darkness" (Romans 13:12).
Jesus did not instruct the disciples to ask Him to do the deliverance. He commanded THEM to heal the sick and cast out devils! (Mark 3:15).
Is the church enjoying the gift of healing?
"No!"
Only a small group is bold enough to believe the Word of God in this area. I've seen many healed by the power of Jesus' name and the laying on of hands. Recently, the Lord healed a young man who had hepatitis for many years and he miraculously received a new liver. The diseased organ had permanent damage. I've seen Christ heal all kinds of sickness over the years; cancers, arthritis, muscle diseases, diseased backs, etc.
"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 57:18)
Healing means to cure or restore to a sound and healthy condition. It is noteworthy that the Greek word for SAVIOR may also be rendered HEALER. That Jesus saw Himself in both these roles is seen in His assertions that His power over disease is the evidence of His power to forgive sins (for example, see Mark 2:1-12). Throughout the New Testament the Apostles are credited with the power to perform miracles of healing (for example, see Acts 2:43; 5:12; 8:7; 9:12; 17; 28:8).
In Matthew 10:1, Jesus gave His Disciples power to heal the sick. "And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of diseases." And then we see them moving in this power in Mark 6:13 and Luke 10:9. This has never been removed from the Church and many are still bold enough to believe for healing today.
A young man lingered after church one morning. "Mrs. Holliday, I have a bad back. It's a ruptured disc. I've seen the x-rays and it's really bad. Many people have prayed me but I just can't get healed. You see, I know how bad it is and I just can't get up the faith for the healing."
"Son, it's obvious that you don't have the faith, so why don't we use my faith? I've seen Jesus do all kinds of impossible things, as far as we humans are concerned. So if you will let me pray for you I know the Lord will heal you." "Okay," he said. "Lord, You said in I Peter 2:24, 'Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on The Tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by Whose stripes Ye were healed.' In Jesus' name, heal my brother's back."
As I placed my hand on his back and prayed for healing, the transference of virtue left my hand. The Lord instantly healed him.
Glory be to God!
The gospel is more than just Words. It's POWER! In I Corinthians 4:19-20, the Scriptures show, "But I will come to you shortly if the Lord will, and will know not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the Kingdom of God is not in word but in power."
The Word of God asserts the importance of the Power demonstrated and mixed with the Word. I Thessalonians 1:5 says, "For our gospel come not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake." There is no way that I would be willing to preach the gospel today without knowing the power and authority of Jesus Christ and if I didn't know that I could handle an evil spirit if it came into the room. Many evil spirits have been turned loose in America and those that preachers have never had to cope with before. We grew up in a Christian country that was founded on Christian precept! With laws that were established through the Word of God by GOD-FEARING men, these laws were written to protect the people. For instance, in every state of the union, there are laws on the book against fortunetellers and occultists. However, in the last twenty years these laws have not been enforced. The reason, these occultists are being received as "consultants and celebrities on this radio and TV talk shows, and in our government. Psychic Jeanne Dixon has been a futurist consultant to many of our recent Presidents. The newspapers give psychics much coverage. These media, people molders have made it vogue to be a psychic or witch. In our universities across the land, they are now teaching courses in Satanism, witchcraft, astrology, psychic phenomena, etc. In our government agencies we have scientists who are studying and trying to harness supernatural powers because Russia is using these powers, but does this make it right?
Just because high officials in the government; doctors, lawyers, teachers, TV personalities or scientists have suddenly begun accepting and delving into these evil powers, does not mean Satan's power is minimized. Not at all!
What it means is this: People are becoming "demonized" in our country by evils spirits that most preachers have never had to deal with before because they were protected by laws in the past. Many of these people are attending churches and prayer meetings and' they are demonized. They are absolutely possessed. They are going to fortune-tellers, reading their horoscope, experimenting in these things and becoming mentally and physically sick, while attending church regularly. Many church people are looking at them and thinking they are just insane or physically ill.
I'm telling you, if our ministers knew and believed the Bible, the would be able to scripturally deal with those things that have come upon us. But many are denying the power of the Word of God just as I Timothy 3:5 says . . . "that they would have a form godliness but deny the power thereof."
My firm conviction is, that in proportion as we have more regard for the sacred Godhead, the wondrous Trinity in Unity, we shall see a greater display of God's power and a more glorious manifestation of His might in our churches. May God send us Christ-exalting, Spirit-loving ministry-men who shall proclaim God, and the Holy Ghost in all His offices, and shall extol God the Savior as, "the Author and Finisher of our faith; not neglecting the Great God, the Father of His people, who before all worlds, elected us in Christ, His Son justified as through His righteousness, and will inevitably preserve us together in one in the consummation of all things at the last great day."8
The moment you become born again, you become a son of God, an heir to the things of the Kingdom of God and that's why it's important to know the Word. So that you claim what is rightfully yours.9
We must learn to stand on the Word of God; no matter what the circumstances, or what your flesh is telling you; what your mind is telling you, or what other people are saying. We have to believe the Word of God and what it has to say about things. Sometimes that's really hard to do.10
Ephesians 1:19: "And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power." This chapter is so dynamic and great for the Christian life. In order for you to move in power and the anointing of Jesus Christ, you must know Him as He is. You must know Him beyond the cross. You must know Him in the resurrection, ascension and know that He is sitting at the right hand of God the Father."
You must see that He literally spoke the world into existence by the Word of Faith. You must be able to see Him coming back with all of His saints in His great glory, speaking the Word, as the devil will be bound and cast into the pit. He's already fought the battle. He's not going to have to shed any more blood to whip the devil on that day. He's just going to speak, and it will happen! Just as we are authorized to speak in faith and bind devils and so are they bound! You speak and believe for specific things, and it comes to pass. It is not through our greatness or power or how intelligent we are... It is through His ability, His greatness and power within us. The greater concept we have of Jesus, the more you can receive in your life. It's His power working to usward who believe.12
|