Conversation with a Demon

"And Jesus asked him, 'What is your name?' And he said, 'Legion'; for many demons had entered him." (Luke 8:30)

I was on my way to an undisclosed location. (I am purposely disguising various portions of this story to protect the innocent ~ myself included.) As I was journeying to this place, I had a good sense of the presence of God, was enjoying recognizing it and rejoicing.

It was in this "mood" that I arrived at my destination and was met by someone that I hadn't seen in a while. This is a person I am friendly with and have known for a long time.

Immediately, he or she (still disguising things as best I can) made an odd comment. (I just got chills writing that.) They said, "Hey Mike, you know the Bible talks about giants."

My antennae went up.

This person never talks about the Bible. I mean, never. So something unusual was happening.

I knew it was the Enemy.

I quickly responded, "Yes, the Nephilim." (Genesis 6:4) "That's right," they immediately said. (I'm still getting chills.)

Now you got to know a little bit more. I know about this person that was talking to me. I know that he or she (they) have been exposed (and given themselves) to New Age and cult practices. And so I was all the more tuned in, on the alert.

The conversation continued as "they" said there was a certain cosmic occurrence that was about to take place that would trigger another alien visitation to the earth which hadn't happened in a very long time.

It was as if Satan had put bait on a hook (more chills) to get me to try and bite (in the sense that I would confront this person and/or try to share the Gospel at that moment with him/her). But I didn't. I wouldn't. It simply wasn't the time or place.

As I reflect upon the encounter I believe God was wanting to show me something else.

And our Lord did speak of the end of the world and that it would include an atmosphere identical to that of Noah's day. (Luke 17:26)

And let me just say: Those same spirits that overtook the world prior to the Flood have been (and are being) released in ours (in all their decadence and filth). (Revelation 12:12)

Listen: "They" know who we (believers in Jesus) are.

Make sure you have your armor on. (Ephesians 6:13-18)

(The Fall of the Rebel Angels picture is in the public domain: click here.)

You might also be interested in:

• Signs of the Evil Times
• The Devil at the Door

10 Lies of the Devil (redux) plus podcast

(To listen to the podcast of this post, click here for Part 1, click here for Part 2 and click here for Part 3.)

I have written on this topic before. (To read 10 Lies of the Devil, click here. To read 10 More Lies of the Devil, click here.) I feel strangely moved to write on it again. (A "redux" is a revisiting of something from the past.)

The world is ending. (Selah~pause to reflect) More and more people are having a problem with the teaching of the Bible. The way my Pastor likes to put it is they are rejecting (will reject) a "Biblical worldview."

A "Biblical worldview" is one that looks to the Word of God, the Scriptures as its lens to live life, respond to life and evaluate life. The Bible is to be the final rule of faith and conduct. After all, it was for Jesus. (Wasn't it?)

This rejection of a "Biblical worldview" has given rise to a false gospel. (2 Timothy 2:3-4) There are preachers who have turned away from the truth themselves. And it only makes sense (to them)? Their services are full. (Sometimes the size of stadiums.) So is their bank account. They are even being accepting by major media and popular politicians.

And yet they are "anathema" to God. (Dictionary.com defines anathema as "a formal ecclesiastical curse involving excommunication.")

Ezekiel was given a vision of the elders of Israel. (Ezekiel 8:7-8) Behind the scenes where no one could see (but God could see) they were worshiping idols / burning incense to false images. (Ezekiel 8:9-12)

I suggest that preachers who are preaching a false gospel have some hidden sin in their lives, too, that no one knows about (but God knows).

Which brings me finally to...

10 Lies of the Devil (redux):
(What might you add?)

• You can be a Christian and support same sex marriage
• It is never right to judge another person's life (1 Corinthians 5:1-5)
• Man evolved from apes
• "Social justice" (/socialism) is based in Christianity
• The problem is global warming, not sin
• You can be a Christian and support abortion rights
• Man can rule himself (and therefore others) apart from God
• You don't have to work to eat
• There is such a thing as morality without God
• The world will finally be at peace when we all can come together as one

You might also be interested in:

• 7 Points on Spiritual Warfare (plus 3 bonus points)
• Life of a Pastor (and Death)

Adam's Wife, Eve: She Had Some Good Qualities, Too

What Might Jesus Say to a Mormon?

"For even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:14)

The founding of the Mormon religion goes something like this. As a teenager, Joseph Smith, Jr., became troubled by what he saw as the divisiveness of the Christian Church. And so he sought answers and began to pray.

Now praying is okay as long as one knows to whom he's praying to. Just because one "prays" doesn't necessarily guarantee that the being on the receiving end is God. And if you add to that you're not even a believer in the first place, well, it's a disaster in the making.

Joseph Smith was not a Christian. Therefore, when he prayed to "God," he was an easy target for deception. Yes, there is a devil. (John 10:10a) Yes, he seeks to deceive. (Revelation 12:9) And yes, if you are susceptible to believing a lie and available to promote that lie to others, Satan will come knocking at your door. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)

Smith's deceptions came in the form of supposed "visions," the first of which was when, while in "prayer," he perceived "[two] personages (supposedly God the Father and God the Son) [standing] above [him] in the light." (The Pearl of Great Price, 17-19; Understanding the Cults by McDowell and Stewart, pg 84) These "personages" told him that he shouldn't join any Christian denomination for they all were wrong. Instead, they directed him to found his own church, the likes of which would be the only true church of God.

Now in a second vision about three years later, Smith was again visited by a being who this time had a name. The exchange between him and "Moroni" is also recorded in the Mormon document: "The Pearl of Great Price." There, Smith says...

I had a second vision. A personage appeared at my bedside who was glorious beyond description. He said that he was a messenger sent from the Presence of God, and that his name was Moroni; [and] that God had a work for me to do. ...He told me that a book had been deposited, written on golden plates, giving account of the former habitations of this continent (America) and containing "the fullness of the everlasting Gospel" as delivered by the saviour to the ancient inhabitants of this land. ...I was shown exactly where the plates had been deposited. That same night the heavenly messenger appeared again twice, each time repeating the same message. The next day I went to a hill outside the village where we lived...and found the golden [plates] in a stone box. (The Pearl of Great Price, 50-54; Understanding the Cults by McDowell and Stewart, pg 84-85)

It was from these "plates" that Joseph Smith ultimately translated what was to become known as the book of Mormon, a book that is supposedly an additional testament of Jesus Christ. And a new religious system was born.

And so what might Jesus say to Joseph Smith (Mormonism's founder)? I believe Jesus might answer with a Bible verse found in the New Testament book of Galatians...

But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8)

How could Jesus say such a thing? I thought Jesus was a nice guy. I thought Jesus was tolerant. I thought Jesus loved everybody. Well, He does love everybody, but not with the kind of "love" that most often the world portrays. Jesus' love speaks the truth. Jesus' love is not politically correct. In the end the masses will not accept it. (John 1:11; Matthew 7:13b)

(Picture above in the public domain: click here.)

You might also be interested in:

• 10 Lies of the Devil
• In Bed with a Demon - Part 2

In Bed with a Demon - Part 2

(To read "In Bed with a Demon - Part 1," click here.)

His room was as dark as night. The blankets over the windows were positioned to not let any light in. The walls and ceilings were covered with posters of rock groups. And the boy had just as many cassettes. (It was the 80s after all.)

At that point he asked me what he should do. He never again wanted to go through what he had gone through the night before (meeting some "entity" at the end of his bed).

Ultimately, I wanted to pray. (What else does one do in that situation?)

But before I prayed I told him that everything had to go ~ the posters, the tapes ~ everything. Even the blankets had to come down. If he was really serious he needed to get right with God and give up everything that was not of Him.

So he began to tear the posters down and to throw the tapes into a box. It was a most humbling sight. These were this young person's treasures. He even took off the shirt he was wearing. On it was the name and picture of one of his favorite bands.

He gave me everything.

Before leaving I prayed for him. I prayed for a cleansing to take place in his life and in that room. And I prayed against the enemy that he wouldn't return.

I left with two good-size boxes of paraphernalia to discard. I quickly did in a nearby trash bin.

The devil. He's not just a fantasy, my friends. He is real. At this very moment he's plotting how he might destroy you.

Do you realize that? Do you understand it?

You might also be interested in:

• 7 Points on Spiritual Warfare (plus 3 bonus points)
• Sounding of the 6 Trumpets-Part 1

In Bed with a Demon - Part 1

I remember the concert was at San Jose Bible College in the late 80s. From out of the audience a teenage boy approached us immediately after the final song. I'll just cut to the chase: He'd flat out encountered a demon. It "appeared" to him in his bedroom. And he was terrified. (I just got a chill writing that. Memories.)

The boy went on about how he'd been at an Iron Maiden rock concert the night before. (Remember them?) He recounted how they were conjuring up demons on stage, but he never took it seriously. He just thought it was part of the act. (If you can believe it, yours truly attended an Iron Maiden concert before I became a Christian. But that's a demon story for another day.)

After the concert (the boy's) he said he went home, was lying down just falling asleep and then he remembers being awakened by some type of commotion at the end of his bed. He looked and saw a "creature." It was reaching for him, trying to grab at his leg. (I'm getting more chills.) The boy said he remembers scrambling to get away. As he did he knocked over his fan to the floor. (It broke.) And he was calling out to Jesus for help. (Yes, he did.) The demon left.

Bottom line: the boy wanted someone to come to his house.

The mistake I made is I went with him alone.

(The rest of the story in: "In Bed with a Demon - Part 2" coming soon.)

You might also be interested in:

• Choir Loft Crazy
• The Devil at the Door

Dressed For Battle - Part 2 (in 30 seconds)

Dressed For Battle - Part 1 (in 30 seconds)

A Day to Rejoice and Be Glad In

"This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24)

You've probably heard the above verse quoted many times. It's used in songs, too. What you probably don't know (at least completely) is what it's talking about. It makes all the difference.

It's talking about a "day" to rejoice and be glad in. (Of course.) But it's a different "day" than our day today. That's how some people use the verse. They say, "This is the day (today!) the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it." And that's okay (I guess). But that's not the "day" the verse is talking about.

And let me just say...

There is no day to rejoice in without that "day." (Selah~pause to reflect)

Have you figured it out yet? The "day"? I'm purposely beating around the bush a bit to allow you a moment to think. Have you figured the "day" out yet? (Think about it.)

It's really quite simple. If you look at the two verses directly prior to Psalm 118:24 (you could also add Psalm 118:26 - just two verses later about the Triumphal Entry/Palm Sunday), you'll find the answer to what the "day" is (to rejoice and be glad in!).

And let me just give you the two verses:

The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner stone. This is the Lord's doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. (Psalm 118:22-23)

Do you see that there? I't comes right before the verse: "This is the DAY (what "day"? - what "day"?! - the day in v. 22-23 - that day!). "This is the day (in v. 22-23) which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it (that day!)."

So what's the "day" that's being talked about? (Are you still with me?)

What is it?

It's the day that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. ("The stone which the builders rejected.")

There is no day to rejoice in without that "day." #Rejoice

You might also be interested in:

• 8 Responses to Christ's Call
• The Truth Is Out There?

The Devil at the Door

It was after 10 p.m. I was in a dead sleep. That's when the banging started. "Mike!!" was the cry at the back door. "Mike!!!!!" I was startled, disoriented. My heart was racing. I didn't know what to think. I didn't know what to do.

I got my baseball bat.

I went to the door. I peeked out the window. There he was. "Mike!!!!" he said it again. "You need to come with me. My wife is demon-possessed!" No, I thought. You're demon-possessed. His eyes glared. He was panicked. He was serious. "You need to come with me. My wife is demon-possessed." He said it again. I said, "No. You need to go. I'm not coming with you."

And there's a way to go about seeking help and then there's a way to NOT go about seeking help. (moral of the story)

I went back to bed, but with my bat this time. (And for the next few nights.)

Oh, and the man / guy / husband of the demon-possessed wife at the door? He was a former attendee of my church. It comes with the territory.

You might also be interested in:

• 10 Lies Of The Devil
• 10 More Lies Of The Devil

Parable of the Strong Man

This Dark Presence

I wasn't a Christian. Oh, but I still worshiped a god. It was the god of music and drugs and whatever else a young person fills the emptiness of his soul with after high school. I had decided to visit the record store one Friday afternoon. (They were "records" back then.) A famous singer was coming to sign autographs. I don't remember the exact time he was to appear. Let's say 3:30. And so it was about 30 minutes prior to arrival. And that's when it happened. (I just got a chill while writing that.) The atmosphere outside the store started to change. I could feel it. It's hard to explain. The crowd grew agitated. The clouds seemed to thicken. (I'm not making it up.) Some "thing" was descending. There was like this dark presence. It was sickening. It was ugly. It was real. Then the singer stepped out of the store. He signed some autographs. He played with the crowd. He left about a half hour later. The presence left with him. Everything returned to normal.

I was going to end the blog post there, but thought you might like to know who the singer was. Would you like to know? Would you like to take a guess? It was none other than Ozzy Osbourne.

Twitter "Crushes"

Do you remember in school the "fascination" a classmate would have with a certain teacher? We called them "crushes." Right? They were an attachment, a connection (emotionally) to the instructor in the mind of a student - and for whatever reason. The instructor smiled, gave praise, paid extra attention (it may not have been extra, but seemed like it) and/or - there could be a legitimate "teacher's pet" relationship going. It could be just about anything that's at the root of a crush developing (low self-esteem, loneliness, etc., included).

I'd like to suggest it can happen with social media, too. (It's really not a large leap.) I'm focusing on Twitter in particular because it's where I spend most of my time and I believe people are most susceptible to crushes on Twitter because of the ease of listening in on and/or jumping in on conversations with people you don't really know except surfacely.

And I was thinking about giving a list of signs that you may have a "Twitter crush," but I'll leave that for another day. (Maybe you could add a "sign" in the comment section below?) Suffice it to say that Twitter crushes can be harmless. But especially as believers, we need to be careful that they don't move into the danger zone (like the devil would have).

When We Lose Ourselves (Identity Theft)

I had a dream the other night. I didn't remember it until I went out jogging later in the morning. That's when God brought it back to me. I was in the house of a former friend from my school days. I was young (like I was back then). And the thing that happened is someone broke into the house and stole something. It was something very important to me personally: my wallet. Of course, a wallet contains everything about a person: driver's license, credit card(s), cash, pictures of family, etc. It literally was my identity that was stolen!

Later on in the dream I remember entering a room that no one dared visit. (I'm getting chills as I write this.) In the room there were various pieces of furniture (chairs, end tables, etc). Some had cloths over them. It was a very dusty room. It was as if nothing had been touched in there in a long, long time. And let me just stress it again: I dared venture into that room while no one else would. The bottom line is: I found my wallet there! (tears) The thief had hidden it in that very room. (more tears) The conclusion of the matter and God confirmed it in my heart: He was going to return/restore my identity to me. (Sighing and more emotion.) I lost a portion of me in recent years (and long ago, too). Can I just be transparent? Things happen in life where we lose ourselves. Sometimes it's of our own doing while at other times it's circumstances, even other people who come along and steal our identity (who we are in Christ and/or who we were meant to be in Christ).

In the book of Genesis, the man Joseph had his identity stolen from him. (My middle name is "Joseph." He was a dreamer, too.) If you remember the story, it was God behind the scenes of Joseph's life to bring about a mighty salvation who ultimately returned/restored Joseph's identity to him.

God's in the identity restoration business. This is meant to be a word for you, too.

7 Points on Spiritual Warfare (plus 3 bonus points)

"Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep." (2 Corinthians 11:24-25)

If you've been a believer in Jesus Christ for very long, you've come under the attack of the evil one. You've faced spiritual warfare! (Amen?) It's only natural (supernatural) because you are a threat to the enemy. You (and the message you carry) are able to free people who are under Satan's rule and ownership. (And he doesn't much like that.)

I was in a street boxing match in the front yard of a friend's house with others watching. I was getting in some good punches (if I say so myself). I was holding my own. That's when it hit me out of nowhere~Pow! A left hook (from a lefty). And I was down. Everyone was stunned. (Me the most.) The truth be told: I never trained for that fight. I never prepared myself. I just put on the gloves one day, got in the "ring" and started swinging. (Wiiiiiiish. Woooooosh.) It wasn't enough. That's why I lost. That's why I got beat. And so it is in the spiritual realm. It isn't enough to just put on the gloves one day. We must become disciplined/equipped or we just won't last quite frankly. (Luke 22:31-32)

It is to this end that I've come up with the following 7 points on spiritual warfare. It was first broadcast on Twitter in 7 tweets (a "tweetcast" ~ each is 140 characters or less). So if any of you got the chance to already see it, I've added 3 bonus points you won't want to miss at the end.

And so here we go with...

7 points on Spiritual Warfare (plus 3 bonus points):
(feel free to tweet these yourself if you like)

1.Satan’s attack is no greater now than it was b4.Ur just “aware” of it.He’s always hell-bent on ur destruction #spiritualwarfare #tweetcast

2. Put on the full armor of God. Eph 6 U need 2 speak it out over ur family. If ur the husband/dad, take charge #spiritualwarfare #tweetcast

3. The devil will try to confuse the mind. Christ will speak 2 ur heart. Discern the difference between the 2 #spiritualwarfare #tweetcast

4. Turn from sin or u will b crushed. (ie. Peter) U must choose righteousness.Not perfection, but direction \o/ #spiritualwarfare #tweetcast

5.Worship is a #1 tool in combating Satan. Sing,shout,praise,adore,laud,exalt&bless the name of Jesus #spiritualwarfare #tweetcast #Tworship

6. The Roman shield could b connected 2 another shield & another.Combine ur faith w/others.Stand firm #spiritualwarfare #tweetcast #Tworship

Big, big point next in the "Spiritual Warfare" #tweetcast (number 7)...

7.Finally,don’t forget: Greater is He (theHolySpirit) who is in u than he (thedevil) who is in the world.1Jn4:4 #spiritualwarfare #tweetcast

BONUS

8.Many a great preacher has been put in the fetal position.All vulnerable.(Elijah ran from Jezebel~1 Kgs 18-19) #spiritualwarfare #tweetcast

9.Partner up! If 1 can overpower him who is alone,2 can resist.A cord of 3...is not quickly torn apart.Eccl4:12 #spiritualwarfare #tweetcast

10.Apply Christ's instructions in ur life 4 victory Matt 4:4 But prove yourselves doers of the word James 1:22a #spiritualwarfare #tweetcast

Six Six Six

“You need wisdom to understand the number of the beast! But if you are smart enough, you can figure this out. Its number is six hundred sixty-six, and it stands for a person.” (Revelation 13:18; Contemporary English Version)

Where did it ever happen that we thought we should be afraid of a number?

I know it’s associated with some pretty dark things in the Bible, but it really amounts to nothing short of superstition and paranoia to act in such a way.

And especially if you’re a Christian!

Does somebody need to hear this?

You can throw all the triple sixes at me that you want. You can whisper it in my ear: “6-6-6.” You can write it down on a piece of paper and mail it to me in the mail (or tweet it to me on twitter!). You can sell me a house that has it as the address. You can even point out the time on the clock when it’s six minutes and six seconds past six. And do you know how I’ll react? If I want to get a charge out of you, I’ll say, “Aaahhh!”

But really instead what I’ll really say (after I slap you a couple times?) is, “Quit being silly. It’s just a number. Who’s in control of your life anyway?” (Jesus!)

And now isn’t that just so weird? The number of words in this blog post is – take a wild guess - 666. AHH!

(Picture above in the public domain: HERE.)

10恶魔的谎言 (10 Lies of the Devil)

有一个伊甸园的狡猾的野兽。他会说话！为了女人，大蛇说：“你不会死，如果你吃了禁果。您只需变得像神。”和所有的母亲一起生活了。夏娃吃。直到今天，她 的孩子是这样的选择支付（和亚当的）。你已经站在了一个葬礼前，灵柩前？这么多蛇的/魔鬼的建议。夏娃什么不明白早在花园可以挽救她和她的丈夫（和我们每 一个人）。蛇/魔鬼/撒但不能说真话永远。嗯嗯。不行。这是不可能的。出来的一切，从他的嘴里，是欺骗/假。耶稣（谁也不会说谎）的骗子（在这样的魔鬼） 发言：“[他]并不了解事实真相的立场，因为他心里没有真理。每当他讲一个谎言，他从自己的性质，讲他是个骗子和谎言之父。“ （约翰福音8:44），也不会说，任何出来的魔鬼的嘴巴如此这般，必须予以驳斥。 ，他是否对你说什么最近？它可能包括一些/下列任何？

10恶魔的谎言...
（可能你添加什么？）

上帝不爱你

有没有这回事地狱

所有宗教导致天堂

你不是罪人

每个人都将被保存

您决不会有出息

您转世第二次机会

你可以让自己接受的你怎么做上帝

耶稣只是一个好人

魔鬼不是真正的

（留意“10更多谎言的魔鬼”到功成。）

Chinese (Simplified)

(10 Lies of the Devil: ENGLISH)

10 More Lies of the Devil

After forty days in the wilderness Satan tempted the Savior, "If You are God's Son, tell this stone to become bread." "Worship me and I will give you all the kingdoms of the world." "Throw Yourself down from the temple's height and the angels will catch You." Each time Jesus recognized it was a liar speaking and referenced the words He lived by (the truth of Scripture). (Luke 4:1-13) And unlike our parents (Eve and Adam) in the Garden, Christ overcame. You and I can likewise withstand the onslaught of the enemy of our souls, but first we must recognize his lies. Anything that comes out of the devil's mouth must be rejected. Has he been saying anything to you lately? Might it include some/any of the following?

10 More Lies of the Devil...
(What might you add?)

This life is all there is (so eat, drink and be merry)

You can pray to the Virgin Mary and she will hear you

As long as you are "sincere," that's all that matters

God overlooks the "small sins" and only cares about the big ones

Allah is God, too

You don't need to go to church

What you're doing for God is NOT making a difference

Your denomination (church affiliation) has all the answers

It is possible for a person to keep the Ten Commandments

You don't need Jesus

(Click HERE if you would like to read Part 1 of this series: "10 Lies of the Devil.")

10 Lies of the Devil

There was a crafty beast in the Garden of Eden. And he could talk! To the woman, the serpent said, "You won't die if you eat the forbidden fruit. You'll just become like God." And the mother of all the living went along. Eve ate. To this day her children are paying for that choice (and Adam's). You've stood at a funeral in front of a casket before? So much for the serpent's/devil's recommendations. And what Eve didn't understand back in the Garden could have saved her and her husband (and each of us). The serpent/devil/Satan can not speak the truth ever. Uh uh. No way. It's not possible. Everything that comes out of his mouth is a deception/false. Jesus (who can never lie) spoke of the deceiver (the devil) like this, "[He] does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44) And so it goes without saying that anything that comes out of the devil's mouth must be rejected. Has he been saying anything to you lately? Might it include some/any of the following?

10 Lies of the Devil...
(What might you add?)

God doesn't love you

There's no such thing as hell

All religions lead to heaven

You're not a sinner

Every person will be saved

You'll never amount to anything

You'll reincarnate for a second chance

You can make yourself acceptable to God by what you do

Jesus was just a good man

I (the devil) am (is) not real

(Watch for "10 More Lies of the Devil" to come soon.)