How can a Christian help a ghost?

      

How do we help them GO INTO THE LIGHT? How do we help them BE SET FREE? How do we help them REACH OUT TO THEIR LOVED ONES? How do we help them FIGURE OUT THEIR PURPOSE? How do we help them take care of their UNFINISHED BUSINESS? How do we help them CROSS TO THE OTHER SIDE?

               We don't.

Because "ghosts" don't exist.... but demons do. Angels also exist. "Paranormal" is real because there is a spiritual realm that is very real and that spiritual realm meets this physical realm all the time. If you believe strange things are happening that you simply cannot explain... you are not crazy, but you may be misinformed as to what exactly you are dealing with... and that's where it can get very dangerous if you are not careful.

     Brothers and Sisters in Christ, those of you who love Jesus, who read His Word, who believe that what He tells us is the Truth..... you know better. Maybe you've never really thought about it and it is so easy to get caught up in the fascination and mystery of it all, and the world we live in is definitely spellbound by it all (why wouldn't they be?) But sweet friends, we must take a step back and seek the Truth about the paranormal before we engage in something designed to destroy us.

     How can we be certain that there aren't any dead people still wandering around with unfinished business? 

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life" 

Matthew 25:46

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 6:23

"Jesus answered him, 'Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise'."

Luke 23:43

The story of the rich man and Lazarus after they both died found in Luke 16:19-31

       Jesus tells us that there are only 2 places we go when we die: those who have given their lives to Jesus and live for Him = Heaven, those who have rejected Him and embraced a life of sin = Hell. Period. There are no second chances to take care of "unfinished business". We all get one chance at life here on Earth. 

      What we fail to understand is that demons have been around since the beginning, they know history. They know all the stories, many of them were the influencers of terrible things that happened to people in their homes, ect. They are exceptional role players, and we are so gullable to be tricked into believing what they want us to believe. We might ask ourselves "Why? Why would demons pretend to be a person that haunts a place?" Answer: Because they will go to ANY lengths possible to get you to believe there is ANYTHING other than Heaven or Hell when you die.

       Demons know the Truth and they are desperate to keep us from knowing it as well. God tells us time and time again (1 Thess 5:22, Rev. 21:8, Eph. 5:11, 1 Peter 3:11, 1 Cor. 5:11, 1 Tim. 4:7, Isaiah 1:16, Micah 3:7, Lev. 19:26, Deut. 18:10-13, Rev. 18:23, Isaiah 47:12-14, Isaiah 8:19, Lev. 20:26-27, 1 Chron. 10:13-14, Eph. 5:11, 3 John 1:11, 1 Cor. 10:21, 1 John 4:1-3, 2 Chron. 33:6, Nahum 3:4-5,) to stay away from evil. He talks to us about Mediums, witchcraft, astrology, speaking with the dead, ect. because it's the work of demons. These practices have been around FOREVER, they are nothing new. Demons use these practices because it is easy to pull us in and cause us to take our eyes off of Jesus. Mediums are not talking to your dead loved ones, they are talking to the demons that watched you grow up. Demons know things about your life! They know your uncle bought you a little red wagon when you were 4, they know you lost a button off of your favorite sweater, they know you need to hear your loved one say they are proud of you... it's not hard for them to know exactly what you need to hear in order to get you to open yourself up to them and their continual influence in your life! 

      We are so desperate to contact those we've lost, and understandably so. We miss them and that's ok. But it's not okay to buy into the lies of Satan and disregard the Truth of God's Word. Even the Disciples bought into the lies of the Enemy and believed in ghosts, did you know that?

"When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. 'It's a ghost!' they said, and cried out in fear." Matthew 14:26 (Mark 6:49, Luke 24:37)

But.... then Jesus taught them and showed them the Truth, with the same scriptures and parables listed above.

     Angels and Demons do exist, and we do see them, the affects of them, we sense their presence... because it's all real. We just must get to a place that we know which ones we are dealing with. Demons disguise themselves as "good" and "light". Angels don't come and play with us either. Your cupboard doors are opening up on their own, stuff is moved to different places, loud noises scaring you and keeping you on edge.... probably not an angel. Dead people are showing up in your house... not an angel. Some child or lady in white wandering around... not angels. Demons LOVE to play. (not in a fun way by the way) The question is WHY?.... Because, if you knew there was an actual demon living in your house, you'd probably want it to leave yes? But, if you think it's some old war vet or lost child roaming your halls... well, you might offer your friendship and tell it you have no problem sharing your home with it, you can simply co-exist. And that is exactly what it wants you to do, welcome it into your life. Demons are not wallflowers... they are there to work.... on you. 

     It's time we wake up to the Truth. Ghosts are not real but demons are. So what do we do Christian? We can't sage them out, no wooden cross replica is going to do a thing, holy water...nope. (the demons might make you think that it does for a while) but the ONLY WAY to get rid of demons, is to 

1. Get right with Jesus first. Make sure there is nothing going in your life that may have allowed demons access to you. Sometimes unknowingly, we've invited demons into our lives by our own choices of sin and reluctance to be obedient to Christ in our lives. God does tell us that rebellion against His Word does attract demons so to speak. So check your life first and ask God if there's anything in your life that needs to go and be repented of. He'll tell ya.

2. The Holy Spirit "Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4 We have the ONLY TOOL needed to make a demon leave, living inside of us! How cool is that! Some people get caught up in long wordy prayers, some people take time to literally ask the demon 20 questions.... do you know that in the Bible... neither Jesus or the Disciples spent that much time dealing with the demons? Most of the time Jesus uttered ONE WORD: "Go" ... pretty contradictory to what we've seen and heard nowadays huh? There is Power in the name of Jesus and when we have Jesus and the Holy Spirit.... those demons don't stand a chance! *whenever I face demons...and it happens often enough.... I generally ignore the demon and start praying out loud to Jesus that He would fill my home with His presence and drive any evil thing out... and He does. I also pray in the Spirit when I don't know what to pray and that works too. Because it isn't US that drives out the demon but Jesus who drives it out. 

Remember that #1 is first... because the Holy Spirit and a life of sin do not live together, and if you are not right with Jesus, honestly, you have given that demon permission to stalk your life and that demon, doesn't have to do a thing you say, because YOU have no authority. Only through Jesus and the Holy Spirit do we have any authority. So be very careful, because it can get ugly really fast if you try to face those demons on your own power. "I'll fight the demons with the light of goodness I have within me" is the dumbest thought process ever. You need Jesus. Period.

"Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, 'I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims,' Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. But the evil spirit answered them, 'Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?' And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded." 

Acts 19: 13-16

Demons aren't stupid. They know whether you have Jesus or you're just using His name.

It's also very important that you get right with Jesus and stay right with Jesus because...

"When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation." Matthew 12:43-45

Now, this particular verse is talking about demonic possession of a person, but I want to warn you... i believe that is the goal of demons. To play with you enough... that eventually you give in to them completely. I've seen it happen with people and it is not pretty. This is serious stuff and the way to stop that from ever happening... is to put a stop to demons even hanging out in your life. The only way to do that.... is to get serious about your relationship with Jesus. 

      If we are IN Christ, we have NOTHING to fear. Churches no longer preach about demons or Hell but they are still very real. This world is getting darker by the day, just as Jesus told us it would. Wickedness is running rampant and the truth sweet friends, there literally are demons behind every bush. But we do not need to fear, the army of the Lord, the angels He puts charge over His Children, and the fact that Jesus has already defeated every. single. one. of. them. when He died on the cross for us gives us the VICTORY! His redemption lives in us sweet friends!  We must let Truth rule and reign in our hearts and in our minds. This world is lost and it is quick to buy into the lies of the Devil. Protect yourself by putting on the "Full Armor of God" so that you can stand firm against the tricks of the Enemy. Demons have a plan... it's ultimately your soul that is in play. Don't let them win. 

Establish My Heart

     

       So this year I didn't have any new year's resolutions. I have nothing against setting personal goals, I think it's a great idea! But this past year, 2020, has really opened my eyes to a lot of things, yes it was a different and at times difficult but there was a lot of good that came out of that year as well. The one singular observation that constantly rose above all others, was the state of the heart of man.            Wow, so many things happened that really brought people's hearts to the surface. It was amazing watching neighbors taking care of neighbors when the pandemic hit. It was a beautiful thing to watch the young people grocery shopping for the elderly so they wouldn't have to go out in public. It was amazing watching small businesses acclimate to the restrictions and yet find creative ways to still accommodate the community. And even greater watching the community rally around the small businesses and keep them afloat during this horrific time for businesses. 

     Churches were actually putting feet to their faith and began reaching out past their walls into their communities and sharing the love of Jesus through actually feeding the hungry and helping the needy. Watching Believers in Jesus out in the streets having worship and baptisms and sharing the message of Jesus in the midst of chaotic and fearful times in our country and world. When many were being told they couldn't gather by those who wished to see churches shut down and God's people silenced, they stood up anyway and boldly walked out their commitment to Jesus and remained obedient to who God calls us to be, especially in the midst of darkness. God's Children were busy shining a light.

     On the other side of the spectrum, I saw the ugliness of hearts surface. I saw people who can't tolerate anyone else's way of thinking, destroying people's businesses, towns, livelihoods. I watched as people would physically attack those who thought differently than them. Hate spewed out of the mouths of children who have been taught that everyone is out to get them. I've watched people lie and use other people to push an agenda meant to destroy all that is good. I have listened to dangerous rhetoric repeated over and over again until people simply believe it because they've heard it so much. The list goes on really. The condition of man's heart has been on full display both good and bad this past year. ... And I'm sure 2021 will be much of the same.

     So no resolutions this year but I ran across this verse one day and I decided that THIS will be my focus this year: 

"For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;

You do not delight in burnt offering.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, 

A broken and a contrite heart - 

these, O God, You will not despise."

Psalm 51:16-17

     Staying humble isn't easy is it sweet friends? But it is necessary to living a life that truly pleases God and a life that is full of peace. And we need BOTH of those things today don't we? The world will be how the world will be. God warned us about the direction it was going and He's told us to stand strong and hold to our faith. The only thing we CAN control in this life is our relationship with Jesus. 

     I believe that now more than ever, we need to be extra diligent in loving our Savior. We are being tested now and will continue to be tested in the days ahead. Our commitment to serving Jesus with our lives, our knowledge of what God really says versus what we "think" He says, and our ability to stand up to the Enemy of Christ without cowering or backing down will all be determined in the days ahead.

    We must really know Him sweet friends. The only way to navigate the way ahead, the way that leads to Eternal Life, the way that separates us from the rest of the world... is to really know Him. What we "think" we know, is not enough! We must seek His heart, we must study His Word, and we must be willing to change the things in our minds and lives that do not align with what He tells us to do. It won't be easy, but it is so worth it! Know Him well sweet friends, Know Him Well. oh, and Happy New Year!