Demon Possessed

According to the Bible, demon possession is real. If you are a Christian, therefore, you must believe it is true. I don't need anyone to convince me that demonic possession is real. We have a cat!

Our cat sleeps most of the day. The only exception to that rule is during the time my wife makes dinner. The cat quietly sneaks up behind my wife and sits down behind her - waiting patiently to attack.

All my wife has to do is move one of her feet and the cat is sure to be under it. Meoooooww!!!! The cats screams, My wife screams, I laugh. Demonic possession is real!

There is a show on The Animal Planet channel called My Cat From Hell. Sadly, the host's subject matter, insane cats, seem all too prevalent in this world.

I'd tell you all about our cat but my wife loves him and could quite possibly read this blog so I won't. We don't need yet ANOTHER example of demon possession to talk about in our house. LOL! Instead, let's talk about real demon possession in humans. And it IS just that - all too real. Examples are everywhere. But let's begin by opening our Bibles to Mark 5.

Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man

"They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones." - Mark 5:1-5

There it is. Demon possession is real. Demonic possession would actually explain some of the drivers I have seen on the roads around town. But demonic possession is no laughing matter.

Have you met anyone who might qualify as demon possessed? I have met a few. So what do we do about it? I think prayer is our best and most powerful weapon. Why do I say that? Keep reading in Mark 5.

"6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” - Mark 5:6-8

Jesus has power over demons. Remember that. Jesus casts out demons! So, when you encounter craziness in this world, don't forget to pray. Immediately! Why do we always forget to do that? Even the demons remember to do that (verse 7)! It should be the first thing that we who profess faith in Christ should do!

The Private War of a Saint - David Wilkerson

Defenders

As I type this story there is a roar being heard overhead. It's the Wisconsin Air National Guard practicing over the skies of Central Wisconsin. Practice makes perfect you know. But practice for what?

They are practicing so that, if needed, they won't have to "think" about defending this country. They will just do it. They want their planes to become extensions of their own bodies. They will be the first line of defense against an enemy attack. Our faith must be like the Air National Guard. We must be prepared for battle against our enemy. Satan.

Think about it. When the enemy attacks, where does he do it? A smart enemy will search for weaknesses in our defense system. The enemy looks for holes in our perimeter fencing where we are most vulnerable. Satan has a very high success rate in his attacks on us. So what do we do about it? How can we stop his advances?

We must examine ourselves. Where are we the weakest? We need to find those weak areas and build them up. It's possible that our weakness can even become our strengths. Especially if we call on Jesus. "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble." - Psalm 46:1

Have you heard the phrase, "The best defense is a good offense?" It's true. We need to build up our defenses before the attacks even come and then go on offense. Struggling with sexual sin? Remove the temptations. Close off the access points. Struggling with overeating? Quite buying junk food! Go on the offensive.

We must never let our guard down because that's when Satan will attack.

"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." - 1 Peter 5:8

"But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31

God has given us all the weapons we need for our battle. His Word and prayer. We must train with them and use them like they are a part of us if we are to survive this war.

115th Fighter Wing

Blackbirds

This morning on my way to work I witnessed something I have seen several times in my lifetime – a red-winged blackbird attacking a crow as it flew from one place to another. I’m sure you’ve seen that too. Or maybe it was a big hawk flying low, followed by two or three red-winged blackbirds. The birds appear so mean but all the blackbirds are doing really is protecting their nests from would-be predators. We just never see the nests.

The scene of the dive-bombing birds reminded me of the movie Memphis Belle, a story the famed World War II bomber crew of a B-17. The B-17, also known as a Flying Fortress, carried bombs and a crew of brave machine gun wielding men. But, as big and powerful as the B-17 was, it was slow moving and vulnerable to attack by smaller, more nimble fighter planes. Much like those red-winged blackbirds and that crow I was talking about earlier.

Recently, my friend and I were on one of our lunchtime walks on a trail near our work when suddenly, “Whoosh!!”, a red-winged blackbird swooped down, right over our heads. We never saw it coming but after that first attack our heads were on swivels when we passed through that area on our return trip. That’s when I discovered something about red-winged blackbirds. They won’t attack you if you are looking right at them. They only come after us if we are unsuspecting and unprepared. I wonder why that is. Because it's safer for them if they can attack without being seen.

That is just how Satan works. He likes to work in the shadows where no one can see him, where he can go undetected by his next unsuspecting victim. He always excels when no one is watching. That's when he does his best work. He loves to put doubt in the minds of those he is attacking. Take Eve for example. From to book of Genesis . . .

"3 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say . . . ?”

He just slithered around the garden, asked leading questions, and placed doubt it Eve's mind. He led her astray and she sinned. How many times will that happen to US today. Will we come under attack when we least expect it? You can count on it! So what do we do when we come under attack from the master of lies? Here's a little first Peter for you this morning . . .

"6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." - 1 Peter 5:6-11

So as we walk through this world, and we come under attack, shall we cower in fear of what might happen to us? Shall we succumb to the schemes of the father of lies? Where could we possibly find hope in our despair? Who will come to our defense in time of need? Who will stand by our side in whatever battle we may face? Let us turn and face the evil one with Jesus by our side. Let's see how we face our daily attacks with the King of Glory next to us. Who then shall we fear? :)

Whom Shall I Fear by Chris Tomlin