Spirit Baptism And Deliverance 9780981573656

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Copyright © 2009 by Dennis Smith All Rights Reserved Printed in the USA Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version. Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society. Cover designed by David Berthiaume Text designed by Greg Solie • AltamontGraphics.com ISBN: 978-0-9815736-5-6

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Contents Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 1 Laws of Blessing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 2 Rejoicing and Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 3 Dress for Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 4 Introduction to Trust in Divine Power . . . . . . . . . . 33 5 Personal Experiences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 6 Evil Spirits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 7 The Three Angels’ Message and Healing . . . . . . . . . . . 53 8 The Baptism of the Holy Spirit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 9 Emotional Healing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 10 Experiencing God’s Love . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 11 Deliverance From Idols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 12 Healing and God’s Will  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  104

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13 Deliverance From Sickness and Disease . . . . . . . . . .  109 14 Wait Patiently on God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  132 15 The Faith Factor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  140 16 Casting Out Devils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  145 17 Rules of War . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  152 18 Historical Perspective of Biblical Healing �������������  162 19 Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  169 20 One Life Delivered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  172 21 Concluding Thoughts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  176 22 Reply to Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  183

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About the Author

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t the time of the writing of this book, Dennis Smith was serving as a pastor in the Southern New England Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Dennis has served the church as an active layman, and in pastoral and departmental positions for over 35 years. Dennis received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Colorado State University. While at Colorado State, he became a Seventh-day Adventist Christian. After working in engineering for a short time, he felt the call to full time ministry. To fulfill that calling, Dennis attended Andrews University Theological Seminary and received a Masters of Divinity degree. Dennis has also done studies in the area of public health from Loma Linda University. In 1999 the Lord led Dennis and his wife, Patty, to begin studying the biblical teaching on the baptism of the Holy Spirit. As a result of their study, they were convicted to specifically pray for this biblical experience. Soon after they prayed for God to grant this infilling experience of the Spirit, a new spiritual life began to take hold of them both. Almost immediately, Dennis felt inspired to begin writing about the things he was learning and experiencing. This book and the other books he has written are the result of that experience

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Overview

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he premise of this book is that those ready to meet Jesus will have gained the victory over every influence or oppression of Satan in their lives: spiritually, emotionally, and physically. They will be just like Jesus when He returns (1 John 3:2). Satan will have no influence over them. My goal in this book is to present a balanced approach to this deliverance. We are warned that the majority of Christians in the last days will lack real genuine faith and will live their lives in denial of the reality of God’s delivering power (Luke 18:8; 2 Timothy 3:5) I will begin by presenting the importance of following God’s laws of health in order to achieve good health. Many who read this book will be somewhat familiar with these laws. My prayer is that all who read of their importance will renew their commitment, by God’s grace, to live their life in harmony with them. The biblical teaching on what many call “faith healing,” which is the “trust in divine power,” which Ellen White referred to in the following quote, will also be presented. “Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power—these are the true remedies.” Ministry of Healing, p. 127 Ministry to the sick is not to be limited to teaching the importance of following God’s ordained health laws in order to achieve good health. They are also to be prayed for in faith believing God will heal them.

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“The work of the true medical missionary is largely a spiritual work. It includes prayer and the laying on of hands.” Counsels on Health, p. 540 Another vital aspect of healing presented is the importance of deliverance from Satan’s emotional oppressions in our life such as: depression, anxieties, fears, uncontrolled anger, critical spirit, etc. The principles of how to achieve this emotional deliverance will be delineated. Every biblical teaching in this book I have either experienced personally, or seen in the lives of others who have put into practice the principles of deliverance presented in the following chapters. I know and believe the teachings of deliverance you are about to read are true because of three witnesses to their truthfulness—the Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy writings (Ellen White), and experience. The deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage was a type of the deliverance God’s remnant people will experience when Jesus comes the second time. We are told that there was not “one feeble person among their tribes” (Psalm 105:37). When Jesus comes there will not be “one feeble” person among God’s remnant. Why? Because they have learned and practiced the principles of deliverance from all the oppressions of Satan in their life—spiritually, emotionally and physically. This may sound impossible from where we stand today in Laodicea. Remember, however, those ready to meet Jesus will have heeded God’s call to come out of their Laodicean condition by receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Revelation 3:18-21). They have experienced a genuine and powerful revival and reformation as the Spirit continued to fill them day-by-day. Their faith will have developed to the point where they are able to stand against anything Satan brings to them. They are completely victorious in every area of their lives—spiritually, emotionally, and physically. I have not used the word “perfection” or “perfectionism” in this book. There have been many misunderstandings throughout the centuries on the meaning of these terms. According to the Bible we will retain our sinful nature and bodies that are subject to death until Jesus comes (1 Corinthians 15:51-53). Put simply, the spiritual deliverance I am presenting in this book is, in essence, if you know something is sinful you don’t have to do it. I believe God is calling this “remnant” today. My personal conviction is that we must take seriously this call by receiving the daily baptism of the Holy Spirit, experience revival and reformation under the power of the

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OVERVIEW



Holy Spirit, and experience the full deliverance Jesus offers to us over all of Satan’s temptations, influences, and oppressions. Our personal experience of deliverance over all of Satan’s influences in our life is an ongoing process. Its full and complete deliverance does not happen over night. It is an experience we are to grow into, and become stronger and stronger in (Mark 4:28). So as you read in this book about the deliverance God’s last remnant people will experience and you do not see that full deliverance in your life now, don’t be discouraged. Let God begin the process now and trust him to bring you to the state of full and complete deliverance (1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24). Learn and apply the “weapons” of your warfare against Satan and you will experience many more victories in every area of your life; spiritually, emotionally and physically (2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Ephesians 6:10-18). Everywhere I have presented and applied the principles in this book I have seen people delivered from Satan’s oppressions. Many have asked if this material was available in print so they could have something to study. This book is written in response to these many requests. I invite you to read this book with an open mind and prayerful attitude (Acts 17:11). If we are living when Jesus comes, our eternal destiny will rest on whether or not we have cooperated with God in achieving this complete and final deliverance the gospel of Jesus Christ offers. This book is dedicated to the preparation of that last remnant people, who will experience that deliverance.

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Chapter One LAWS OF BLESSING

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nderstanding and following God’s laws of health (laws of blessing) is very important if we desire to experience complete deliverance in our life, and be ready for Christ’s second coming.

“In preparing a people for the Lord’s second coming a great work is to be done through the promulgation of health principles. We are to relieve suffering by the use of the natural agencies that God has provided. We should teach the people how to prevent sickness by obedience to the laws of life, and while we work for the healing of the body we should seize every opportunity to work for the healing of the soul. “This was Christ’s method. He worked to restore both the physical and moral image of God in man. Both physical and moral health is to be communicated from the mighty Healer.” AUCR, June 1, 1900 Most every Seventh-day Adventist that reads this book as well as many non-Adventists are familiar with the basic health principles that are important to follow in order to achieve good health. So this chapter will not present many new concepts to most who read it. Also this chapter will not be an exhaustive study supporting the medical findings that prove the benefits of following God’s health laws. There are many books available on the market today that do an excellent job in that area. I believe it is important to include a chapter outlining the importance of following God’s health laws in order to emphasize the balance I want to present in this book. For, if one simply tries to apply the principles of “faith

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healing” for physical problems or emotional healing and does not understand and apply the health laws, the deliverance may only be partial or not happen at all. The story I will relate next illustrates this point. The Need for Balance Illustrated Many years ago the Lord brought me into contact with a man who believed very much in God’s desire and power to heal those who are sick. He and I have remained friends ever since. He himself had experienced several marvelous healings. On one occasion he was electrocuted with 480 volts when he accidentally held two “live” electrical cables in his hands. He tried to let go of them, but was unable to. After a brief struggle and suffering much distress he finally just wanted to have the painful experience end and die. He became unconscious and fell to the floor. A co-worker saw what happened and called for emergency assistance. He awoke in the ambulance and describes his experience as follows: “I felt something like warm oil flow all over my body.” God totally healed him from all negative effects of being electrocuted. On another occasion he and a friend were working with racing fuel. Somehow the fuel exploded burning his face, hands, and arms. He awoke in the hospital and recalled that a Christian group had come and prayed for his healing. One week after the severe burning occurred the doctor removed the bandages and saw that all the burned area was scabbed over. He stated that he had never seen such sudden healing take place. So the doctor told him that he could go home. In a short time all the scabs fell off leaving no scars from the burns. Today he has not one scar on his face, hands, or arms from the severe burns he had experienced. Many times he had prayed for individuals who had physical problems, pains, diseases, etc. And on many occasions marvelous healings took place. So this individual had not only experienced amazing healings of his own, but he also had been used by God to bring healing to many others. When this man was in his thirties the Lord brought him into contact with some of the teachings about God’s laws of health. However, he felt he could eat whatever he wanted and that God would keep sickness and disease from him. He did not understand the importance of following the laws of health that were designed for our maintaining of good health. As the years passed he developed diabetes. However, he continued to believe God would heal him. He also chose to believe it was not important to be careful about his diet. He reasoned that if God was healing him then he shouldn’t have to change his life style. For him, that would show a lack

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of faith. So he continued to eat as he always had. The diabetes continued to the point where he partially lost his sight in both eyes and went on disability from his work. He also developed heart problems and had open heart surgery because of clogged arteries. Let’s Make One Thing Clear! Therefore, I want to make one thing very clear at the beginning of this book. Believing and following God’s laws of health are just as important as believing and applying the other principles of deliverance presented in the following chapters. In the Old Testament God gave his people many laws of health. When He brought Israel out of Egypt He promised to protect them from diseases (Exodus 15:26, Deuteronomy 7:15). The condition for them continuing in good health was obedience to God (Deuteronomy 28:1, 9, 13). The psalmist tells us that God’s truth is our “shield” (Psalm 91:3-4). The truths found in God’s health laws will provide a marvelous shield against disease. God has led us into a greater understanding of the importance of following laws of health. Ellen White listed the eight basic laws of health in the following statement. Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power—these are the true remedies. Ministry of Healing, p. 127 Case Studies Many studies have been done that testify to the benefits of following these natural laws of health. We know today that many of the degenerative diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, etc., can be prevented. Several years ago a Long Beach veterans study was conducted. Thirty-eight veterans participated ranging in age from 45 to 70. All suffered extensively from degenerative diseases. Nineteen were selected as the experimental group. They were thoroughly examined. For a full day they were given xray, angiography, and four color thermograph to determine the extent of artery damage due to degenerative disease. They were put on a low fat, low sugar, low salt, and low cholesterol diet with no caffeine. They were also put on an exercise regimen suitable for their age. The results were phenomenal. Within a matter of weeks their blood pressure dropped to normal, blood cholesterol and blood triglyceride levels dropped an average of 33%, they could walk miles without claudication or angina pain, which indicated

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their arteries were becoming unblocked. Most of the participants went off all the drugs they had been taking and were walking several miles every day and felt great. Another reported case is of a lady in her 80s named Eula Weaver. She was a great grandmother who was on many drugs for arthritis, atherosclerosis symptoms (angina and high blood pressure), and could walk only 50 feet. She was put on a strict diet and exercise program. After 6 months she was walking several city blocks at one outing. Within 2 years, at age 86, she was jogging over one mile per day and was off all drugs. After 3 years she entered the summer senior Olympics in Irvine, CA. She won gold metals in the half mile and one mile run. This was reported in The Journal of the American Medical Association, vol. 229, p. 1266-7. Another case study I came across was conducted by Doctors Williams and Mason of the Mayo Clinic staff. They did an experiment with eleven women in good health. They were placed on a diet of plain white bread, corn flakes, potatoes, polished rice, sucrose, skim milk, beef, egg whites, cheese, butter, vegetable fat, cocoa, gelatin, canned vegetables, and coffee. This diet is low in vitamin B. After several weeks the women became depressed, irritable, quarrelsome, fearful, weak, lacked energy, and were unable to carry out tasks efficiently. They also developed headaches, backaches, sore muscles, gastric distress, sleeplessness, tenseness, and intolerance to noise. Hence, we can see that following sound health laws not only affects our physical health it also affects our emotional health. Dr. McFarland in his book, Better Living, page 57, states: “What many a home needs is not so much more prayer to keep its members from squabbling, bickering and fighting, but a reformation at the dining room table. The devil knows that as long as he can have people eating improperly, and not getting enough vitamins to nourish their nervous system, he has it easy. They cannot control their disposition until they learn to control their diet, for good health and good religion are inseparable.” A Personal Encounter In the 1970s I had the opportunity to visit Nathan Pritikin’s Longevity Research Institute in Santa Barbara, California. Pritikin was advocating a therapeutic diet of 10% fat, 10% protein and 80% complex carbohydrates. An exercise regimen was also included. Individuals attended his four week

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program in order to improve their health and be relieved from the degenerative diseases with which they were struggling. Two physicians were with me during the visit with Pritikin. Our visit occurred when they had completed two weeks of the four week program. We met several individuals who were willing to share with us the health benefits they were experiencing. Blood pressures were dropping, arthritis was alleviated, diabetes was in remission, angina pain was gone, medications were lessening and being stopped completely. Pritikin commented that it took about two weeks before the beneficial results began to be seen. This comment reminded me of Daniel’s 10 day test (Daniel 1:12). I also had the privilege of being involved in the establishment of a live-in health conditioning center in the northwest in the mid 1970s. As the participants followed the dietary and exercise program, they experienced the same benefits as those who attended Pritikin’s Longevity Research Institute. There are many case studies available today that confirm the blessings of keeping God’s health laws. This is why I entitled this chapter “Laws of Blessing.” That is exactly what God’s health laws are; laws designed to bless abundantly those who follow them. Medical science has proven that degenerative disease can be prevented and even reversed when these laws are obeyed. Of course, we Seventh-day Adventists have known these things for over 100 years. God, through Ellen White, brought them to the attention of our denomination in the 19th century. Ellen White’s View Ellen White has given us many statements concerning the importance of following God’s laws of health. I list a few below. “Christ commenced the work of redemption just where the ruin began. He made provision to re-instate man in his God-like purity if he accepted the help brought him. Through faith in his all-powerful name—the only name given under Heaven whereby we may be saved—man could overcome appetite and passion, and through his obedience to the law of God, health would take the place of infirmities and corrupting diseases. Those who overcome will follow the example of Christ by bringing bodily appetites and passion under the control of enlightened conscience and reason.” RH, March 4, 1875 par. 11

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“As a people we have been given the work of making known the principles of health reform. There are some who think that the question of diet is not of sufficient importance to be included in their evangelistic work. But such make a great mistake. God’s word declares, ‘Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.’ 1 Corinthians 10:31. The subject of temperance, in all its bearings, has an important place in the work of salvation.” Counsels on Health, p. 443 “The work of health reform is the Lord’s means for lessening suffering in our world and for purifying His church.” Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 112 “The principles of health reform are found in the Word of God. The gospel of health is to be firmly linked with the ministry of the Word. It is the Lord’s design that the restoring influence of health reform shall be a part of the last great efforts to proclaim the gospel message.” Medical Ministry, p. 259 Why Prayers for Healing Are Not Answered “I saw that the reason why God did not hear the prayers of His servants for the sick among us more fully was, that He could not be glorified in so doing while they were violating the laws of health. And I also saw that He designed the health reform and Health Institute to prepare the way for the prayer of faith to be fully answered. Faith and good works should go hand in hand in relieving the afflicted among us, and in fitting them to glorify God here, and to be saved at the coming of Christ.” Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 25 “Many have expected that God would keep them from sickness merely because they have asked Him to do so. But God did not regard their prayers, because their faith was not made perfect by works. God will not work a miracle to keep those from sickness who have no care for themselves, but are continually violating the laws of health, and make no efforts to prevent disease. When we do all we can on our part to have health, then may we expect that the blessed results will follow, and we can ask God in faith to bless our efforts for the preservation of health. He will then answer our

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prayer, if His name can be glorified thereby. But let all understand that they have a work to do. God will not work in a miraculous manner to preserve the health of persons who are taking a sure course to make themselves sick, by their careless inattention to the laws of health.” Ibid., 26 “Those who will gratify their appetite, and then suffer because of their intemperance, and take drugs to relieve them, may be assured that God will not interpose to save health and life which is so recklessly periled. The cause has produced the effect. Many, as their last resort, follow the directions in the word of God, and request the prayers of the elders of the church for their restoration to health. God does not see fit to answer prayers offered in behalf of such, for He knows that if they should be restored to health, they would again sacrifice it upon the altar of unhealthy appetite.” Ibid., 26 The Sin of Sickness “It is a sin to be sick, for all sickness is the result of transgression. Many are suffering in consequence of the transgression of their parents. They cannot be censured for their parents’ sin; but it is nevertheless their duty to ascertain wherein their parents violated the laws of their being, which has entailed upon their offspring so miserable an inheritance; and wherein their parents’ habits were wrong, they should change their course, and place themselves by correct habits in a better relation to health.” Counsels on Health, p. 37 Clear Communication with God “The body is the only medium through which the mind and the soul are developed for the upbuilding of character. Hence it is that the adversary of souls directs his temptations to the enfeebling and degrading of the physical powers. His success here means the surrender to evil of the whole being.” Ministry of Healing, p. 130 “The brain nerves that connect with the whole system are the medium through which heaven communicates with man and affects the inmost life. Whatever hinders the circulation of the electric current in the nervous system, thus weakening the vital powers

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and lessening mental susceptibility, makes it more difficult to arouse the moral nature.” Education, p. 209 Victory Over Temptation “Whatever injures the health not only lessens physical vigor but tends to weaken the mental and moral powers. Indulgence in any unhealthful practice makes it more difficult for one to discriminate between right and wrong and hence more difficult to resist evil.” Ministry of Healing, p. 128 (1905). “The better you observe the laws of health, the more clearly can you discern temptations, and resist them, and the more clearly can you discern the value of eternal things.” My Life Today, p. 141 Miracles “God’s miracles do not always bear the outward semblance of miracles. Often they are brought about in a way which looks like the natural course of events. When we pray for the sick, we also work for them. We answer our own prayers by using the remedies within our reach… Natural means, used in accordance with God’s will, bring about supernatural results. We ask for a miracle, and the Lord directs the mind to some simple remedy.” Selected Messages, vol. 2, p. 346 God’s Promise “God has pledged Himself to keep this human machinery in healthful action if the human agent will obey His laws and co-operate with God.” Medical Ministry, p. 221 Cautions “To present health reform unwisely, making that subject the burden of the message , has served to create prejudice with unbelievers and to bar the way to the truth, leaving the impression that we are extremists.” Selected Messages, vol. 3, p. 285 “The question whether we should eat butter, meat, or cheese, is not to be presented to anyone as a test, but we are to educate and to show the evils of the things that are objectionable. Those who

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gather up these things and drive them upon others do not know what work they are doing.” Ibid., 287 “Tea, coffee, tobacco, and alcohol we must present as sinful indulgence. We cannot place on the same ground, meat, eggs, butter, cheese, and such articles placed on the table.” Ibid., 287 God’s Last Day Remnant God’s last day remnant people, who are ready to meet Jesus when He returns, will both understand and apply the principles of deliverance from all of Satan’s influences in their life. God’s laws of health will have played a major role in their deliverance. So let us begin today to apply all the principles of deliverance found in God’s word whither they be dietary laws of health, trust in divine power (faith healing), or rebuking Satan’s attacks. We must avail ourselves of every weapon the Lord has given us in order to obtain complete victory over Satan’s attacks, oppressions, and influences in our life.

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Chapter Two REJOICING AND HEALTH

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n area we may overlook in relation to health is the importance of joyfulness and rejoicing in the Lord. A thankful, joyful attitude toward God is very conducive to health. In this chapter we will look more closely at this concept. Old Testament Instruction God’s Word states that a positive, joyful attitude is very beneficial to our health. This applies to our entire being; spiritual, emotional and physical. Solomon wrote: “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” Proverbs 17:22 This issue is so important that according to this verse a negative, sorrowful attitude is very detrimental to our health. Jim Cymbala in a recent book reports the following concerning the relationship between “a broken spirit” and our body’s “bones.”   “ABC World News Tonight recently told a story that seems to bear out this point. A lab technician from Rochester, Minnesota, fell and shattered her wrist while walking to work one day. The damage was so bad that she said it looked as though she had been thrown through a car windshield. How had a woman who took great pains to maintain her health by exercising regularly, eating well, and taking vitamins and mineral supplements sustained such an injury? Even her doctors were surprised by the amount of damage she had suffered. ‘Usually a woman that age can sustain a fall and put their

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wrist out and catch themselves and not have any problem,’ said her physician, Dr. Lorraine Fitzpatrick of the Mayo Clinic. ‘But she had this very bad fracture.’   “While operating to repair the damage, doctors discovered the problem. This forty-six year old woman had unusually brittle bones. The diagnosis was advance osteoporosis. Dr. Fitzpatrick commented that her patient had the bones of a woman fifteen-totwenty years older. Doctors believe the problem may have stemmed from a bout of depression the woman had suffered years earlier. Apparently there is significant evidence showing that depression can lead to bone density loss in both men and women.   “A recent medical study offered X-ray evidence of the bone density loss in women who suffered even mild depression compared with those who never suffered depression. The study revealed that when depression lifted, a new pocket of calcium would amazingly form and strengthen the weakened bones. Ironically, in that verse from Proverbs, Solomon spoke through the Holy Spirit concerning this more than three thousand years ago.” Break Through Prayer, page 214 In the Old Testament God made a very significant statement concerning the relationship between joyful service to God and our prosperity and blessings from Him. God warned Israel that if they did not serve the Lord with “joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things” He had given them they would be defeated by their enemies (Deuteronomy 28:47, 48). Hence, a negative, sorrowful, unthankful attitude in life is actually a sin against God. If we desire spiritual, emotional and physical blessings and prosperity from God we must by His grace maintain a joyful, thankful attitude toward Him. David understood this when he wrote: “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1 Daniel faced a most difficult situation when a law was passed that no one was to pray to any one except to King Darius. Daniel was determined to obey God rather than man. So he continued his practice of praying three

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times a day in plain sight with his window open. It is recorded that Daniel “prayed, and gave thanks before his God” (Daniel 6:10). Daniel knew the importance of an attitude of continual praise and thanksgiving toward God even when facing such a serious threat. New Testament Counsel When we read of the experience of the Apostle Paul we find that he faced many challenges in his life and service for the Lord. Paul himself tells us that he received thirty-nine stripes by the Jews five times. He was imprisoned, beaten with rods twice, stoned once, shipwrecked three times, being in peril night and day in the sea, and threatened by robbers. He often went hungry and thirsty, at times he was cold and naked, and betrayed by false brethren (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). If any servant of the Lord had reason to complain and become unthankful, Paul seems to top the list. Yet Paul has some of the most positive counsel about the importance of a thankful, joyful attitude toward the Lord. “…for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” Philippians 4:11, 12 Why was he able to have such a confident, positive attitude under such difficult circumstances? Paul tells us: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13 Paul lived what he taught. When he and Silas were put in prison with their feet in stocks we read what they did in Acts chapter sixteen. “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God…” Acts 16:25 Why did Paul have such a meaningful relationship with Christ? How could he sing praises to God while in chains in prison? At the very beginning of his call to serve the Lord he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17). And he continued to receive the Spirit’s infilling everyday

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(Ephesians 5:18). The Greek verb form in this verse is continuous action: “keep on being filled with the Spirit.” Paul’s relationship with Christ was so real that he could write: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 Paul demonstrated the reality of his continual joyful attitude toward the Lord under the most trying circumstances. The fruit of the Spirit was truly manifested in his life. Our rejoicing in the Lord is not to be only on occasions that appear to be positive and a blessing to us. No, we are to, “rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4). And “in every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). The New Testament even states that Christians are to offer a special sacrifice to God continually. What is that sacrifice? The book of Hebrews tells us. “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Hebrews 13:15 Paul gives very practical counsel concerning how the believer is to maintain a positive attitude toward God. We are to continually rejoice in the Lord, not worry about anything, present our requests to God in prayer with thanksgiving, and think only on the pure, lovely and good things (Philippians 4:4-8). An Essential Ingredient A merry, cheerful, trustful heart is essential to good health. If we find ourselves doubting, simply ask God to give you the faith and trust you need. Remember the father of the sick boy who cried out; “Lord I believe, help my unbelief.” God will answer such a prayer. Then cooperate with God by choosing to focus on His many blessings in your life. Ellen White understood the relationship of a cheerful attitude and health.

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“It is the duty of everyone to cultivate cheerfulness instead of brooding over sorrow and troubles. Many not only make themselves wretched in this way, but they sacrifice health and happiness to a morbid imagination. There are things in their surroundings that are not agreeable, and their countenances wear a continual frown that more plainly than words expresses discontent.” Mind, Character and Personality, vol. 2, p. 759 “These depressing emotions are a great injury to them healthwise, for by hindering the process of digestion they interfere with nutrition. While grief and anxiety cannot remedy a single evil, they can do great harm; but cheerfulness and hope, while they brighten the pathway of others, ‘are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.’ ” ST, Feb. 12, 1885. (My Life Today, p. 153.) “That which brings sickness of body and mind to nearly all, is dissatisfied feelings and discontented repinings.” Counsels on Health, p. 631 It is also essential we continue to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit in our life (Ephesians 5:18). Only by the Spirit’s infilling will be have the fruit of love, joy and peace (Galatians 5:22-23). I have seen individuals choose to disregard God’s counsels to maintain a cheerful, thankful attitude. Instead they chose to focus on some hurtful experience in the past. I have seen such individuals actually become emotionally ill and develop serious physical problems because of their continual negative attitude. I recall one lady I met later in her life who suffered with serious depression. As I inquired concerning the cause of her condition I discovered that many years before her husband had left her for another woman. This hurt her deeply and she continued to hold resentment toward him for many years. This resentful, critical attitude led her into deeper and deeper depression. If she had chosen many years ago to, by God’s grace, forgive her husband and develop a thankful attitude toward God, she could have avoided the emotional pain she suffered with for so many years. If you find yourself continually oppressed by Satan emotionally I encourage you to daily apply the principles presented in this book on emotional deliverance. I have seen individuals delivered from severe cases of negative emotional attitudes and oppressions. God’s power is available. We

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just have to learn how to avail ourselves of His power. Remember, God has given you power over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19). Ellen White writes of the necessity of God’s power giving us the victory with the words: “Apart from divine power, no genuine reform can be effected. Human barriers against natural and cultivated tendencies are but as the sandbank against the torrent. Not until the life of Christ becomes a vitalizing power in our lives can we resist the temptations that assail us from within and from without.” Ministry of Healing, p. 130 Only by the baptism of the Holy Spirit can “the life of Christ become a vitalizing power in our lives.” This is why the Spirit’s infilling is essential to victory in every area of our lives. God’s blessings of spiritual, emotional and physical health are inseparably connected to our maintaining a positive, thankful, joyful attitude toward our Lord. Remember a positive attitude is not simply an option. It is a command from God (Philippians 4:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:18). And it is a sin if we allow ourselves to disregard these directives from God and His blessing cannot rest on us.

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Chapter Three DRESS FOR SUCCESS

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n the sixth chapter of Ephesians Paul presents the reality of the conflict we have with the forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). He also delineates how we can be victorious over Satan’s attacks. Since the subject of this book is deliverance I felt I could not omit this section of scripture. Paul begins this section of his letter to the Ephesian believers with the words: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (Ephesians 6:10). Paul makes it clear that our strength for victory is in the “power” of God’s might, not our own strength. Then Paul states that we must put on the “whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). If Paul considered the “armour” of God essential for victory over Satan, then it is important we understand what this armour is. For this armour is necessary if we are going to stand victorious in the “evil day” when we are fiercely assailed by the enemy. This armour has six parts to it. There is no armour listed for the back. Rather, all the armour is for our frontal protection. Hence, if we turn our back on the enemy, Satan, we have no protection. As Christians we are to constantly advance forward in our spiritual warfare. Belt of Truth First, we are to have our “loins girt about with truth” (Ephesians 6:14). This “belt” of truth holds the other pieces of armour in place. This “truth” is found in the Word of God, the Bible. Hence, we must learn what God’s truth is so we can be aware when Satan is seeking to lead us away from God’s will in our life. For example, if we have a thought that is not in harmony with God’s Word we must dismiss it (Philippians 4:8). If we have an opportunity in life that conflicts with God’s truth we must avoid it. Such

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opportunities could involve being “unequally yoked” in a working partnership with an unbeliever or in marriage, which is against God’s counsel. We may have a job opportunity that requires us to work on God’s holy Sabbath day. We must say no to such opportunities. God’s truth is for our protection. We must live in that truth; apply the principles of God’s Word daily to our life and conform all our decisions to God’s truth. Breastplate of Righteousness Next, we must put on the “breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14). When we accepted Christ as our Savior we were justified and received His righteousness (Philippians 3:9). Our knowledge and conviction that we are covered by the righteousness of Christ protects us against Satan’s discouraging accusations and lies. Satan will often seek to remind us of our short comings and try to cause us to believe that we are not good enough to be a Christian. Our response to such false accusations should be, “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth” (Romans 8:33). The knowledge of our righteousness in Christ is a wonderful protection against Satan’s efforts to discourage us. Gospel of Peace The third item Paul lists is our feet shod with the “gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). When we accept Christ we are united with the Prince of Peace. We are justified and have peace with God and are no longer condemned as a sinner (Romans 5:1; 8:1). This is essential for us to know when Satan is seeking to condemn us. Our acceptance of the gospel of Christ also gives us peace in our heart, which protects us from restlessness, frustration and discouragement that can lead to a fall (Colossians 3:15). This peace protects us from Satan’s divisive schemes. We act as a peace maker among our brothers and sisters in Christ (Romans 14:19), which promotes unity, fellowship and reconciliation. The gospel of peace will cause us to take the initiative to promote peace. We will learn how to have unity in diversity (Ephesians 4:1-3, 26, 27, 30-32). Shield of Faith The fourth piece of armour is the “shield of faith” (Ephesians 6:16). Faith is what we believe about God and His Word. The more we know about God and His Word the more faith we will have (Romans 10:17). The opposite is also true. If we neglect to study God’s Word, the Bible, our faith will be weak and our “shield of faith” will be quite small. Satan’s “fiery

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darts” are his lies, accusations, and temptations. It is our faith in God’s Word that stops these from getting through to our heart. Hence, we should avail ourselves of every opportunity to learn God’s Word. A partial list of Satan’s “fiery darts” that he will hurl at you, and the truths of God’s Word that will protect you from being “slain” by them if you have faith in those truths is given below. Satan’s “fiery dart” lies

God’s Truth

You are worthless and unforgiven

1 John 1:9

God has forsaken you

Hebrews 13:5

God will not meet your need

Philippians 4:19

You can’t afford to give a tithe

Malachi 3:10-11

God will not heal you

Psalm 103:1-3

We must meet every temptation and lie of Satan with the truth of God’s Word. Faith in this Word will be our shield of protection. This was the method Jesus used when He was severely tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Helmet of Salvation “The helmet of salvation” is listed next by Paul. The helmet protects a most critical part of our anatomy, our head or “mind” in the spiritual sense. The mind is where the spiritual battles are either won or lost. We must remember that our salvation does not come and go with an occasional failure or victory in our spiritual battle (1 John 2:1; Psalm 37:23, 24). “The character is revealed, not by occasional good deeds and occasional misdeeds, but by the tendency of the habitual words and acts.” Steps to Christ, p. 57 It is also important we remember the saving deliverance God has given us (Colossians 1:12, 13). Let us remember the assurance of salvation we have in Christ (1 John 5:11-13), which is our helmet of salvation. This will give us courage to continue in our battle with Satan. In warfare, if a soldier feels the battle is lost; then victory will be impossible and the soldier will give up and surrender. That is exactly what Satan wants us to do; give up and surrender. When we are severely attacked by Satan we must keep our

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“helmet of salvation” securely on by keeping our faith in the assurance of salvation we have in Christ (Romans 8:37-39). Sword of the Spirit The only offensive weapon listed is the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). The Greek word translated “word” in this text is “rhema,” which refers to the spoken word; not simply the written word. We are to defend ourselves and carry on our aggressive battle against Satan by speaking God’s Word against him. Hence Paul understood the importance of rebuking Satan with God’s Word. I personally believe this should be done aloud whenever possible. This is exactly how Jesus gained His victory in the wilderness temptations. In every case when Satan came against Him with a temptation it is recorded that “Jesus said” (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). When Jesus walked this earth He constantly met Satan’s attacks with the spoken word. We see this when he cast out devils, healed the sick, and even quelled the storm. When Satan tempted Christ through the words of Peter the Bible tells us that Jesus said to him, “Get thee behind me, Satan” (Matthew 16:23). When we speak God’s Word angels that excel in strength come to our aid (Psalm 103:20) and Satan will “flee” in terror (James 4:7). Believing and saying go hand-in-hand (Mark 11:23, Romans 10:9, 10, Revelation 12:11). When you speak these verses in faith, personalize them. For example, when tempted to yield to a particular sin say, “I am dead to sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ my Lord” (Romans 6:11) and “Sin shall not have dominion over me: for I am not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14). Ellen White counseled us concerning speaking God’s word when she wrote: “When assailed by temptation, look not to circumstances or to the weakness of self, but to the power of the word. All its strength is yours. ‘Thy word,’ says the psalmist, ‘have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.’ ‘By the word of Thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.’ Psalm 119:11; 17:4.” The Desire of Ages 123 “When Satan comes in like a flood, we must meet his temptations with the sword of the Spirit, and Jesus will be our helper and will lift up for us a standard against him. The father of lies quakes and

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trembles when the truth of God, in burning power, is thrown in his face.” Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 425 When we speak the Word of God in faith believing what we say will become a reality in our life, what we speak will become a reality in us (Mark 11:23). This world was founded on the spoken Word of God. Everything God created He did so by speaking His will and believing what He said (Genesis 1). Even when creating man He said, “let us make man in our image” (Genesis 1:26). Remember, God “calleth those things which be not as though they were.” (Romans 4:17). We must do the same thing. For example, when we ask for forgiveness even thought we don’t “feel” forgiven we must consider ourselves forgiven if we repented of and confessed our sin. If we do not see the victories over temptation that we desire we must still speak the Word of God against all temptation, believing that God’s Word will become a reality in our life. We must call those things that are not as though they are a reality in our life. If we do this in faith they will become a reality in us. We see this illustrated in the healing of the woman who had the issue of blood for twelve years. Mark records, “For she said, ‘If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be made whole.’ ” (Mark 5:28). Note that she “said” she would be healed and “believed” what she said, and she was healed. This is the principle of victory stated by Jesus recorded in Mark. “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.” Mark 11:23 Also, when overcoming temptation we must not depend on our own will power. We must give our will to God and depend on Him to give us the power. We make the choice to obey and depend on God to give us the power. God told Paul in his struggle that His “grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). You may have a “thorn in the flesh,” a temptation that won’t go away; a besetting sin that Satan keeps harassing you with. God often will allow this to happen. For example, I have seen God remove the desire for alcohol from someone, but leave the temptation to smoke. Why does He do that? He wants us to learn to depend on Him for our victory. Such victories

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being us into a closer relationship with Him, which is His ultimate goal for us. An example of applying the principle of depending on God for victory over temptation would be to turn your mind immediately away from the temptation and say to God, “I am a slave to this temptation. I can’t handle it. It is too strong for me. So, Lord, I turn to You to handle it for me. I am depending on You for the victory.” Then believe God will do what He says He will do; give you the victory. Also, remember, all temptation begins in the mind. We receive the temptation through one or more of our senses (sight, sound, smell, etc.), and then we are drawn towards it due to our sinful nature (James 1:14-15). If we allow our mind to focus on the temptation “conception” takes place, and the sin in thought or action will follow. In summary, when tempted;

• Speak the Word of God against it believing God will cause to come to pass what you spoke in faith

• Turn your mind immediately away from the temptation. • Ask God to give you the victory over the temptation. • Believe God will give you the victory. • Thank God for the victory. This is the method Jesus used when meeting the greatest temptations in His life (Matthew 4:1-11). The Spirit-filled Christian gains the victory over temptation and sin the same way Jesus did. Ellen White also understood the importance of rebuking Satan when she wrote: “Satan takes possession of the minds of men today. In my labors in the cause of God, I have again and again met those who have been thus possessed, and in the name of the Lord I have rebuked the evil spirit.” Selected Messages, vol. 2, p. 353 (emphasis added) For example, whenever Satan tempts us to believe that we are worthless and unforgiven we should meet his attack with the spoken rebuke: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). If Satan tempts us

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to doubt that God will provide for us our rebuke can be, “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Whenever possible we should always meet Satan’s temptations with the spoken Word of God. This is our “sword of the Spirit”; one of the essential “weapons” of our warfare against Satan’s attacks. Pray in the Spirit Paul concludes the armour list with the words, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18). We can only “pray in the Spirit” if we are filled with the Spirit. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is essential if we are to have the victory. Seeking to put on the armour of God without being Spirit-filled will prove to be discouraging. We must be filled with the Spirit as Jesus was if we are to have the same victories over temptations Jesus had. Paul also instructs us to intercede in prayer for one another. James understood the importance of this when he wrote: “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16 Our spiritual, emotional and physical healing is dependent on our own prayers of faith as well as the prayers of other Spirit-filled believers on our behalf. Hence, if we want the complete deliverance Jesus offers us let us not neglect to put on the “whole armour of God” and “pray in the Spirit” for one another.

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Chapter Four INTRODUCTION TO TRUST IN DIVINE POWER

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n all my books I have written on subjects I believe are vital for every Christian to understand and experience. I am strongly convinced that the biblical teachings in these books are especially essential for the last generation of Christians, who are living when Jesus returns, to understand and experience. They are the truths that prepare them for that great event. I began understanding and experiencing the Bible truths presented in this book soon after seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit. As I shared the biblical principles I was learning concerning how we are to be victorious over Satan, on numerous occasions church members would come to me and state that they had come to understand these very same God-given keys to victory and that they had been a great blessing to them in standing faithful for their Lord. However, they also stated that they had been hesitant to ever share these biblical truths with other Seventh-day Adventists because we did not seem to understand or teach these principles of spiritual warfare. Personally, I have been hesitant to put these teachings on spiritual warfare in book form. I did not want anything to create prejudice in the minds of any Seventh-day Adventist concerning the teachings on the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which I present in my other books. However, I know that those who are ready to meet Jesus must gain the victory over Satan in every area of their lives: spiritual, emotional, and physical. I also know that the deliverance presented in this book is biblical and will be a great blessing to all who apply it to their lives. I have a strong conviction that the Lord is calling a people out of Laodicea in order to prepare them for the last great conflict that is coming soon—Christ’s Second Advent. I know that it is through experiencing the baptism of the Holy Spirit that revival and reformation takes place in our

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life and we come out of our Laodicean, spiritually asleep condition. I also know that understanding and practicing the biblical truths about deliverance from Satan’s influence in our life is essential to our final victory over him. Therefore, I have felt compelled to write this book on deliverance. A Real War Our warfare with Satan is very real (Ephesians 6:12). In order to gain the victory in this warfare we must clearly understand and apply the weapons God has given us to defeat the enemy (2 Corinthians 10:4, 5; Ephesians 6:13-18). In this book I will present what the Bible says about how we can be completely victorious over Satan in our life. I know some who read this book will think it is too “Pentecostal.” When I began understanding these things I had to make a personal decision. Was I going to allow Satan to keep me from receiving truth God has for me that is important for me to experience the full deliverance the gospel offers simply because some have misapplied these teachings? I decided that I wanted the whole truth of God, whether it is popular among my church members or not. Ellen White understood this danger when she wrote: “Since the ministry of the Holy Spirit is of vital importance to the church of Christ, it is one of the devices of Satan, through the errors of extremists and fanatics, to cast contempt upon the work of the Spirit, and cause the people of God to neglect this source of strength which our Lord Himself has provided.” Australian Signs of the Times, July 24, 1911 Ellen White understood the warfare every Christian faces from the enemy. “The power and malice of Satan and his host might justly alarm us, were it not that we may find shelter and deliverance in the superior power of our Redeemer. We carefully secure our houses with bolts and locks to protect our property and our lives from evil men; but we seldom think of the evil angels who are constantly seeking access to us, and against whose attacks we have, in our own strength, no method of defense. If permitted, they can distract our minds, disorder, torment our bodies, destroy our possessions and our lives. Their only delight is in misery and destruction.” The Great Controversy, p. 517

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Christ, the Apostles, and the early church understood this warfare. They also understood how to gain the victory. The weapons of our warfare have not changed. Satan’s attacks have not stopped. Why then have we not seen the deliverance over Satan that we read about in the ministry of Jesus and the Apostles and in the early church? Ellen White tells us. “I saw that if the church had always retained her peculiar, holy character, the power of the Holy Spirit which was imparted to the disciples would still be with her. The sick would be healed, devils would be rebuked and cast out, and she would be mighty and a terror to her enemies.” Early Writings, p. 227 (emphasis added) Note that Ellen White mentions “rebuking.” Many non-Pentecostal Christians are afraid of this term. Ellen White wasn’t afraid of “rebuking.” In fact, she wrote of her own experience: “Satan takes possession of the minds of men today. In my labors in the cause of God, I have again and again met those who have been thus possessed, and in the name of the Lord I have rebuked the evil spirit.” Selected Messages, vol. 2, p. 353 (emphasis added) Be Careful What We Call Fanaticism When we receive the Spirit’s fullness He will begin leading us to experience the full deliverance from all of Satan’s influences in our life; spiritual, emotional, and physical. Ellen White warned us to be careful not to reject the Spirit’s working in these areas. “The baptism of the Holy Ghost as on the day of Pentecost will lead to a revival of true religion and to the performance of many wonderful works. Heavenly intelligences will come among us and men will speak as they are moved by the Holy Spirit of God. But should the Lord work upon men as He did on and after the day of Pentecost, many who now claim to believe the truth would know so very little of the operation of the Holy Spirit that they would cry, ‘Beware of fanaticism.’ They would say of those who were filled with the Spirit, ‘These men are full of new wine.’ “The time is not far off now when men will want a much closer relation to Christ, a much closer union with His Holy Spirit, than they have ever had, or will have, unless they give up their will and

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their way, and submit to God’s will and God’s way. The great sin of those who profess to be Christians is that they do not open the heart to receive the Holy Spirit. When souls long after Christ and seek to become one with Him, then those who are content with the form of godliness, exclaim ‘Be careful, do not go to extremes.’ When the angels of heaven come among us, and work through human agents, there will be solid and substantial conversions, after the order of the conversions after the day of Pentecost. “Now brethern, be careful and do not go into or try to create human excitement. But while we should be careful not to go into human excitement, we should not be among those who will raise inquiries and cherish doubts in reference to the work of the Spirit of God; for there will be those who will question and criticize when the Spirit of God takes possession of men and women, because their own hearts are not moved, but are cold and unimpressible.” Letter 27, 1894. Selected Messages, vol. 2, p. 56, 57 Fear Not As you read this book about God delivering His children spiritually, physically, and emotionally you may find yourself a little fearful—not wanting to be deceived by Satan. We know that Satan will work miracles to deceive in the last days just before Jesus returns (Matthew 24:24, Revelation 16:13, 14). Jesus even states that many Christians who were involved in apparent deliverance ministry would be lost (Matthew 7:21-23). My question concerning these last day deceptions of Satan is this; Just because Satan will counterfeit something that is a blessing from God (the gifts of healing in 1 Corinthians 12:28), should we reject that blessing? Certainly not! The early church had no problem with receiving the blessing of healing. We see the gifts of healing manifested many times in the book of Acts. This was the same kind of issue faced by the pioneers of our denomination when the “Spirit of Prophecy” began to be manifested through Ellen White. There was a tendency to reject this gift because of Satan’s counterfeits in this area of gifts. Our pioneers argued that the gift of prophecy should not be rejected because Satan has counterfeited it. They also pointed out that Satan would only counterfeit what is a true gift. Therefore, since the gift of prophecy is a true gift, the gift being manifested through Ellen White should be taken seriously.

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We must follow the same approach to deliverance ministry. We must not reject deliverance ministry just because this kind of ministry has been counterfeited by Satan. In fact, Satan’s efforts to counterfeit in this area would be an indication that there is definitely a “true” deliverance ministry available to God’s children. Our challenge is to be sure we understand what the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy say about the true ministry of deliverance so we will not be deceived by the false. My goal is to help the reader do just that; understand and experience deliverance ministry through the power of the Holy Spirit. The following quote by Ellen White about healing may come to the mind of some who read this book. “The way in which Christ worked was to preach the Word, and to relieve suffering by miraculous works of healing. But I am instructed that we cannot now work in this way, for Satan will exercise his power by working miracles. God’s servants today could not work by means of miracles, because spurious works of healing, claiming to be divine, will be wrought.” Selected Messages, vol. 2, p. 54 (1904) On the surface it would seem that Mrs. White is stating that God will not work miracles of divine healing in our day. Yet this cannot be since there are many recorded healing experiences in her writings. She never discouraged the believer from seeking God’s blessing of health and healing. “If we are under infirmities of body, it is certainly consistent to trust in the Lord, making supplications to our God in our own case, and if we feel inclined to ask others in whom we have confidence to unite with us in prayer to Jesus, who is the Mighty Healer, help will surely come if we ask in faith. I think we are altogether too faithless, too cold and lukewarm.” Medical Ministry, 16 In fact, she knew that when the great revival and reformation takes hold of God’s people just before Jesus comes there would be many miracles performed under the power and direction of the Holy Spirit. “In visions of the night representations passed before me of a great reformatory movement among God’s people. Many were praising God. The sick were healed, and other miracles were wrought. A

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spirit of intercession was seen, even as was manifested before the great Day of Pentecost. Hundreds and thousands were seen visiting families, and opening before them the word of God. Hearts were convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and a spirit of genuine conversion was manifest. On every side doors were thrown open to the proclamation of the truth. The world seemed to be lightened with the heavenly influence. Great blessings were received by the true and humble people of God.” Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 126 (emphasis added) From these statements it is very clear that Ellen White never believed the gifts of healing would cease to be manifested in the church. In fact, the above statement states that such miracles will be seen among God’s people during the last great reformation that will take place just prior to Christ’s second coming. She also makes a thought-provoking statement about the angel’s involvement in answering our prayers for healing. “When you neglect to offer prayer for the sick, you deprive them of great blessings; for angels of God are waiting to minister to these souls in response to your petitions.” Medical Ministry, p. 195 Putting It Together So, how do we put these seemingly contradictory statements together and harmonize them? This is how I personally understand the issue.

• Christ worked by performing many miracles to confirm that God was with Him and that He was the Messiah (Luke 7:20-22).

• Ellen White stated that the gifts of healing are available to God’s

people today and have even given specific examples of God’s intervention of healing in her writings.

• She also wrote that there will be miraculous healings and other miracles connected with the last true revival and reformation among God’s people.

• She stated that God does not now work through miracles as He

once did, meaning true miracles of God are not to play a major role in the last work of God on this earth and are not to be at the forefront of our work.

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• Rather the three angels’ messages are to lead the way in the work of the Seventh-day Adventist church until the end.

• Yet divine miracles of deliverance will be seen in our midst until the end and especially during the last great reformation among God’s people.

This book presents what the Bible teaches about “deliverance” from Satan’s power, “rebuking” Satan’s forces and spiritual, emotional, and physical healing. I pray that you will read with an open mind (Acts 17:11). For I truly believe and know from experience that a great blessing awaits us if we will simply take God’s Word as it reads, believe what it says, and apply the principles of deliverance from Satan’s influences in our lives that are presented in God’s Word.

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Chapter Five PERSONAL EXPERIENCES

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was baptized and became a Seventh-day Adventist Christian just before I graduated in engineering at Colorado State University. The year was 1966. Before I began studying the Bible with the local pastor and attended a short series of meetings conducted by HMS Richards, Sr., who was joined by his son HMS Richards, Jr., in Longmont, CO, I had come to the point where I even doubted the existence of God. But God in His masterful way led me to take the Bible seriously. Over a period of a few months I accepted Christ and His teachings. I was excited about my new-found faith and soon began feeling a call to the ministry. I worked in engineering for over a year, but then decided to leave everything and go to Andrews University and study for the ministry. God providentially opened many doors and within a little over two years I received my Masters of Divinity degree and began pastoring a small church in the northwest. If the Bible Teaches It—That Settles It! I was happy to be an Adventist Christian and to be a pastor. Since my baptism I had prided myself in the fact that my church and I took the Bible as it read. If the Bible said it, I would believe it. I have found that every person that comes to accept and obey the fourth commandment on the seventh-day Sabbath must come to that same conclusion. So I always held myself to this principle of believing something if it is in the Bible, and I have taught others to do the same. Over the years as a pastor I have had about every teaching that is contrary to my beliefs presented to me with Bible texts that supposedly supported them, and every time I became more confirmed in my faith. The teachings that I held and my church held could stand up to the closest scrutiny.

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God’s Unexpected Leading Often God allows something to happen in our lives in order to teach us more about Himself. Such an experience happened in 1992. My wife, Patty, began experiencing an intense internal side pain. After several tests it was discovered that she had a congenital obstruction in one of her kidneys. Surgery was scheduled to remove the obstruction. During the surgery the doctor discovered that the kidney had been too badly damaged so it had to be removed. About a month after this surgery Patty began experiencing severe edema. We again sought a specialist. After several tests it was discovered that the other kidney was being destroyed by glomerulonephritis, an auto-immune disease of the kidney. The doctors could only recommend steroids, but could guarantee no positive results. We sought a second opinion at UCLA Medical Center and spoke with the chief of the nephrology department and he gave us the same advice. We obtained information on steroid therapy and discovered there were many negative side effects. After much prayer and discussion, Patty and I decided to take this problem to the Lord and trust Him for healing. We studied every verse in the Bible on healing to bolster our faith. In the process we discovered that it is God’s will to heal His children. In time, Patty’s kidney was healed and is functioning today at the level of two kidneys. During the months that followed I didn’t pursue the Bible teaching on healing to any great extent. I had been a pastor for many years and had never seen a healing occur except for Patty’s kidney. So I had concluded that as a rule it probably was not God’s will to heal. However, this premise was challenged when we began studying the Bible teaching on healing after Patty faced the loss of her last kidney. In September of 1999 God began challenging me in various ways to look at the biblical concept of healing more closely. After careful study and prayer I came to the conclusion again that it is God’s will to heal His children. This book is the result of my study and the confirmation God has given to so many who have reached out to Him and received healing grace in their lives. We as Adventists have been a little afraid of the concept of “faith healing” and deliverance ministry. Biblical healing is a simple concept. One must simply believe in God’s desire and power to heal in Jesus’ name in order to be healed. I will elaborate on this concept in much greater detail in other chapters.

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What Happened Next What I will share next is what has happened as we have asked God for healing. One’s healing may be spiritual, emotional or physical since it is God’s desire is to heal and sanctify us wholly: body, soul, and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24). Of course, we must remember that the one praying does not do the healing. God is the only One Who can bring healing. The following deliverance experiences and more have occurred since mid-September of 1999. Since then I have seen God heal scores of individuals as they have reached out in faith to their healing God. For the previous 30 years of ministry, before understanding the biblical concept of healing, I had never seen a parishioner healed as result of prayer except for my wife, Patty. A brief description follows of healings I have witnessed since coming to understand God’s desire to heal His children and the principles of biblical healing.

• A lady had severe pain in her left arm and was wearing medicated patches to relieve the pain. She also suffered from severe anxiety and mild depression. She was healed physically and emotionally.

• A thirteen-year-old suffered from a heart ailment called tachycar-

dia for which he was taking medication several times a day. He also suffered from asthma and allergies. He was delivered from all three.

• A lady had severe back pain and several fused vertebrae. She was completely healed of the pain.

• A lady had a very severe cold that left her after a prayer for deliverance.

• A child had torn knee cartilage that was healed. She was running with the other children that same afternoon.

• A lady suffered with depression and had kidney stones that caused her great pain. After prayer and learning the weapons of her warfare her depression was relieved and the pain left her.

• A young man was clinically depressed and planned to commit sui-

cide on two occasions. He was heavily medicated for his condition, but was completely delivered from depression after prayer.

• One individual was healed of leg and neck pain.

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• Two individuals were healed of severe pain for which they were tak-

ing cortisone shots. One had knee pain and the other shoulder pain.

• A lady was healed of a tumor on her lung. • A man was healed of a heart condition that caused him to have breathing problems.

• A lady was healed of asthma. • One individual was healed of severe shoulder, back, leg pain caused by an accident years before.

• Eye floaters, which were inhibiting one individual’s reading ability, were removed through prayer.

• One individual suffered from stomach pain, shoulder pain, lower back pain, and her neck artery was 50% blocked. All of these health problems were healed.

• A lady was healed of severe arthritis in her back and hands. • An individual was healed of a severe bladder infection within an hour.

• A man was healed of a throat problem that hindered his singing for the Lord in church.

• A man was healed of a severe hip pain that he had been suffering for several months.

• Another lady’s blocked neck arteries were opened. • A couple were healed of diabetes. • A lady’s two knees were healed of damage done in a car accident two years before.

• A lady was healed of celiac disease.

What about Doctors? The following chapters give the biblical basis for faith healing. However, I want to make one thing very clear. I do not believe the Bible teaches that

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one should not seek medical advice and rational medical cures for ailments. My personal belief is that God should be sought first in all cases. He will direct sincere believers as to what His will is for their recovery. In my wife, Patty’s, case we were directed to depend on God for the healing and not follow the recommended regimen of steroid treatment. There are also many “natural” means that can be used to bring relief from many health problems such as: diet, exercise, rest, etc. I recall one case where an elderly man in our church had a defective heart valve that needed replacing. We prayed for his healing. Yet, God seemed to keep leading toward surgical replacement of the valve. I didn’t understand why the Lord did not heal him without surgery. The man had a successful valve replacement through surgery. After the surgery the doctor said, “Your heart valve was so defective I don’t understand how you were kept alive!” Then I understood. The Lord had answered our prayers and used the experience as a powerful testimony to the doctor of God’s power to keep His children. In another case a young man had gone though many surgeries due to a severe health problem. Again he was facing very serious surgery on his neck. We had prayed that God would heal him. However, again the Lord kept leading toward the surgery. So the young man had the surgery. During the operation something amazing happened. When the doctor opened the area in his neck, the bone that he was going to try to properly relocate (a dangerous procedure) automatically moved on its own to the proper place in the neck. After the surgery the doctor related this to the young man and his mother that he had never seen such a thing happen before. He didn’t understand it. God used this medical procedure as a testimony of His power. God has also led us to understand His desire and power to heal emotional problems such as chronic depression, anorexia, anxiety attacks, anger, critical spirit, etc. As a result of applying this understanding, I saw the amazing delivering power in ministry. These issues and how to become delivered from them will also be studied in this book. I think Satan’s plan is always to try to drive us to extremes by causing us to:

• Be suspicious of “faith healing” and reject it. • Look to doctors and modern medicine only. • Depend on “faith healing” only and reject all modern medical solutions.

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I believe God wants us to take a balanced approach. In the following chapters we will look more closely at the biblical teaching on healing and deliverance. My prayer is that the reader will approach this subject with an open mind. Healing is a wonderful gift God has given to His children. Do not allow Satan to steal it from you. What Made the Difference? What made the difference in my ministry? Why have I seen so many healings in recent years when for over 30 years I saw none? I had to choose to believe what the Bible said about healing and deliverance. I had to step out in faith and act on that belief and encourage others to do the same. As a result I have seen how truly merciful and loving God is. I have gotten a glimpse of how desirous God is to heal all who suffer. In fact, the prophet Micah states that God “delighteth in mercy” (Micah 7:18). Every act of divine healing is an act of “mercy.” God “delights” to show “mercy” and “heal” His children! Remember that God’s word tells us to “believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper” (2 Chronicles 20:20). Let us believe what Micah and the other Old and New Testament prophets tell us about God’s desire to be merciful and heal His children. When we do this then we too shall “prosper.” My Personal Struggle This understanding didn’t come easily. Whenever one studies the Bible they bring to that study certain presuppositions. We all have previously formed ideas about certain teachings. These can affect the interpretation of what we read. When I began this study of the biblical concept of healing I knew that I had pre-formed opinions on this subject. The following are the major presuppositions I had on the topic of faith healing:

• God has the power to heal but He probably will not. • God's promise of physical healing applies primarily to when Christ returns and we receive our glorified body.

• We live in a sinful world, and disease and suffering are part of this world for both the believer and non-believer.

• When we ask God in prayer to heal us we can never be confident that He will.

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• We must always preface our prayer for healing with the words "If it be Thy will."

• It is presumptuous on our part to pray with assurance that God will heal us.

• God's way of healing today is through the use of doctors, hospitals, and following natural health laws only.

• Miraculous healing may occur today through prayer. However,

this in the exception rather than the rule because this type of healing was needed in times past when there was a great ignorance of God's health laws and medical science was not understood as it is today.

• There is so much counterfeit faith healing taking place today that God will not now work in this way very often.

We need very much to have an open mind on the subject. Our goal must be to let the Scriptures speak for themselves. We would do well to emulate the Berean's attitude when searching for biblical truth. "These were more noble that those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." Acts 17:11 I recall one man in my church that was very skeptical about what I was teaching on healing. When he was a child, a “faith healer” had come to the area where he lived. As a result of what he saw and heard, he concluded that faith healing was not scriptural. Now he was a professional truck driver transporting vehicles. On one of his trips he fell from his truck and broke his foot. The pain was excruciating. Remembering what we had been teaching about God’s desire to heal His children, he called out to God in prayer asking Him to remove the pain. Immediately the pain left. When he went to get treatment for his foot the doctor asked him what pain medication he was taking so he could give him another prescription for continued relief from the pain. He told the doctor that there was no pain. The doctor couldn’t understand it. Such a break should be very painful. From that point on he believed in God’s desire to heal His children.

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Three Views of Healing in the Christian Church Today: 1. Some believe the gift of healing does not apply today. It was a gift for the apostolic era of the church only. Therefore doctors and medicine are God’s ordained means to heal today. 2. Other Christians teach that faith healing is very much applicable today. However, some Christians go so far as to teach that if one goes to a doctor or uses medicine he is denying faith in God’s power to heal. They teach that one should only look to God for healing of any disease one faces in this life. 3. The Seventh-day Adventist church has taken the middle road of these two extreme views. The Adventist church teaches that God has given the knowledge of medical science for our benefit and we should avail ourselves of this knowledge. Natural laws of health such as diet, exercise, etc. play an important role in maintaining health. The church also teaches that the gifts of faith healing are given to the Christian today as well.

Health is God’s Plan for His People The apostle John shared the desire he had, which would have been God’s desire also, for Gaius and all of God’s children. “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 2 Ellen White also wrote much about health. In the following statement she lists what have been called God’s eight natural remedies. “Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power - these are the true remedies.” Ministry of Healing, p. 127 Why has God given us these eight natural remedies? He wants us to experience good health. In the chapter entitled, “Laws of Blessing,” I presented the importance of following God’s health laws. In the chapters that follow we will study closely the last of these eight true remedies, “trust in divine power” in order to experience spiritual, physical and emotional healing.

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My prayer is that every reader of this book will truly be a Berean Christian, mind open and receptive to what the Bible teaches on this wonderful subject of divine healing. I know from experience that a great blessing awaits you if you do so.

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Chapter Six EVIL SPIRITS

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ormally I would not dedicate an entire chapter on Satan and his evil spirits. However, because of the subject of deliverance, I am presenting in this book, it is essential we understand the reality of the satanic forces we are warring against. Paul well understood the reality of the forces of evil we face. He wrote: “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 in high places.” Ephesians 6:12 The Good News The good news is that we have nothing to fear from them if we are a believer in Jesus Christ. Why? Because Jesus has been exalted above all evil powers. Paul makes this clear when he writes that God: “… raised him from the dead, and set him at this own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church.” Ephesians 1:20-22 Jesus reassured the disciples that they had nothing to fear from the forces of evil when he stated:

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“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19 Jesus had the power and authority to rebuke demons in whatever form he found them; whether it was disease, sickness, or devil possession. So also, does the Christian in Christ’s name have the same power and authority over satanic forces and influences. The seventy returned from their mission rejoicing because of this. “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.” Luke 10:17 Evil Spirits Are Real As we read the Bible we will find that many demons are listed by name, which describe the destructive activity they are involved in. For example, in the Old Testament some of the demons listed are: jealousy (Numbers 5:14, 30), whoredom (Hosea 3:12), treachery (Judges 9:23), lying (2 Chronicles 18:21), etc. The New Testament also lists many evil spirits by name. Often when Jesus cast them out he commanded them by name to depart. A few examples are: dumb or mute spirit (Mark 9:17), dumb and deaf spirit (Mark 9:25), spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). The Bible clearly indicates that there are evil spirits working against mankind and these evil spirits seem to specialize in their function. I suppose this makes sense. They are intelligent beings created by God as we are. We have different interests and functions in life. So also do the evil spirits. Each has his place in the hierarchy of demonic powers and has a specific assignment of woe to bring on mankind. Ellen White clearly points out in the following statement that there are evil spirits we have to contend with. “The power and malice of Satan and his host might justly alarm us, were it not that we may find shelter and deliverance in the superior power of our Redeemer. We carefully secure our houses with bolts and locks to protect our property and our lives from evil men; but we seldom think of the evil angels who are constantly seeking access to us, and against whose attacks we have, in our own strength, no method of defense. If permitted, they can distract our minds,

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disorder, torment our bodies, destroy our possessions and our lives. Their only delight is in misery and destruction.” The Great Controversy, p. 517 She also listed some of them by name in her writings. A few examples of these are: selfishness (vol. 5, SDA Bible Commentary, p. 1102), greed (Education, p. 92), strife (Adventist Home, p. 106), unkindness (The Sanctified Life, p. 13), intemperance (Temperance, p. 176), appetite (Temperance, p. 276). Again, many more could be listed. However, I think the point is made. Both the Bible and Ellen White recognized the existence of demons and indicate that they have special assignments in their coordinated attacks on mankind. Jesus dealt with them by rebuking and commanding them to depart from the person they were oppressing or possessing. Ellen White followed the same method of confronting them. She wrote: “Satan takes possession of the minds of men today. In my labors in the cause of God, I have again and again met those who have been thus possessed, and in the name of the Lord I have rebuked the evil spirit.” Selected Messages, vol. 2. p. 353 Many more demons could be listed from the Bible and Ellen White’s writings. However, it is not the purpose of this chapter or book to make an exhaustive listing of demons. The point is to clarify that there certainly are demons that attack and influence mankind in many and varied ways, and that the believer in Jesus Christ has authority over them. I know from personal experience that what the Bible and Ellen White states about evil spirits is true. I have on many occasions seen individuals freed from Satan’s oppressive influence by commanding them in the name of Christ to depart. This is discussed and examples given in more detail in several chapters in this book. A Victorious Generation If we want to be victorious over the satanic forces arrayed against us we must: • Be aware of them,

• Know how to take authority over them and rebuke them, • Know how to cooperate with God in keeping them out of our lives.

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This is why I have written this book. Those who are ready to meet Jesus will have learned how to be completely victorious over Satan and his evil forces in every area of their lives; spiritually, emotionally and physically. God has “delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.” (Colossians 1:13). The price for this deliverance made available to us was the cross of Christ. Satan wants to keep us blind to this fact and wants us to believe his lie that we are still to a great extent under his power and influence in our lives. I challenge you not to believe his lie. Learn how to assert in Christ your rights of being a citizen of God’s kingdom of grace—a kingdom of grace that is a dynamic force enabling you to be free from everything that Satan tries to bring into your life. This book is dedicated to enabling you to understand this truth and to teach you how to apply the “weapons” of our warfare in order to obtain this victory. This is why those who give the three angels’ messages in Spirit-filled early rain and latter rain power, and who are ready to meet Jesus are called “firstfruits” (Revelation 14:4). They are the first generation of Christians to obtain the complete victory over Satan and all his evil forces. They are so filled with God’s presence through the Holy Spirit, so completely victorious over Satan in their lives that they can in the flesh stand before Christ in His glory and not be consumed. This is the generation God is calling out of Laodicea today.

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Chapter Seven THE THREE ANGELS’ MESSAGE AND HEALING

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he Seventh-day Adventist church has been called by God to give the three angels’ messages of Revelation chapter fourteen to the world. These messages are vital for men and women to understand and accept in order to be ready for Christ’s second coming. The Elijah Message The prophet Malachi foretold that God would send Elijah, referring to an “Elijah message,” just prior to the coming of Jesus Christ (Malachi 4:5). This prophecy has two applications. One applies to Christ’s first advent. The other applies to His second coming. The gospel writer, Luke, tells us that John the Baptist fulfilled the first application of this prophecy of Malachi (Luke 1:17). John the Baptist went forward in ministry in the “spirit and power of Elijah.” What did this mean? It meant that he was Spirit-filled (Luke 1:15) and preached a Spirit anointed message to prepare the people of his day for the Messiah, who would soon appear. The power of the Holy Spirit attended John’s preaching. Multitudes came to hear him, and many were baptized (Matthew 3:5, 6). Jesus was well aware of Malachi’s prophecy, and also applied it to the mission and message of John the Baptist (Matthew 11:14). Malachi’s prophecy has a second application. It also refers to a people who will give a serious warning message just before Jesus comes. This last day Elijah message is intended to prepare men and women for Christ’s second coming. As John the Baptist had to be Spirit-filled in order to give the Elijah message of his day: so God’s last day believers must be Spirit-filled in order to give the last day Elijah message to the world. This last day message of warning that will be given by a Spirit-filled people will go forth in the “spirit and power of Elijah” as did John’s message.

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A Spirit-filled Church and the Gifts of Healing When an individual and church is Spirit-filled the fruit and gifts of the Spirit will be manifested through them (Galatians 5:22, 23, 1 Corinthians 12). The gift under discussion in this book is the gift of healing. Therefore, healings should happen when God’s people are Spirit-filled. And it is a Spirit-filled people that will give the three angels’ messages in the “spirit and power of Elijah.” Hence, healings will take place as the three angels’ messages are given under the power of the Holy Spirit. We see this same experience in the ministry of Jesus. He was Spiritfilled at His water baptism (Luke 3:21, 22). How did the Spirit’s infilling affect Jesus’ ministry? Peter’s message recorded in the book of Acts tells us. “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Acts 10:38 Note that Jesus’ Spirit anointing enabled him to “heal” all that were oppressed of the devil. Spirit infilling and healing go hand-in-hand, as well as all the other gifts of the Spirit. Matthew also records what Jesus’ Spirit-filled ministry was like. “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.” Matthew 4:23 We see the same ministry carried on by the Apostles and early church following the day of Pentecost when the church became Spirit-filled, which was in fulfillment of Christ’s words that the believers would do the works Jesus did (John 14:12). Many instances of healing are recorded in the book of Acts. Notice how extensive the ministry of healing was. “And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women. Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folk, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.” Acts 5:14-16

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Jesus foretold that a great ministry of healing would take place after the church became Spirit-filled. “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified).” John 7:38, 39 Jesus was referring to the prophecy in Ezekiel chapter forty-seven where a great “river of healing” was to flow out of the temple, which in the New Testament is the church (1 Corinthians 3:16). At first it begins as a very small stream. Then it grows to become a great river too wide to cross over. Everywhere the river flows it brings life and healing. It has always been God’s plan to do a work of healing ministry through His church. This work of healing ministry began on the day of Pentecost with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in “early rain” power. Early and Latter Rain of the Spirit and Healing At the end time there will be a second great outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which is called the “latter rain.” The latter rain will add to the early rain power of the Spirit to give the three angels’ messages a mighty, convicting power in its proclamation. Also, just as healing accompanied Jesus Spirit-filled ministry and the Spirit-filled ministry of the Apostles and early church; so also there will be a great healing ministry carried on by the Spirit-filled last day believers who give the three angels’ messages. A Ministry of Deliverance Deliverance from the power of Satan is a major work to be done by those who give God’s last message to the inhabitants of this earth. We are told that the earth will be lighted with God’s “glory” at the end time (Revelation 18:1). What does this mean? It means that God’s last remnant people will be perfectly reflecting Christ’s character and doing the same ministry Jesus did, which included a ministry of healing. Ellen White writes of this time in the following statement. “In visions of the night representations passed before me of a great reformatory movement among God’s people. Many were praising God. The sick were healed, and other miracles were wrought. A spirit of intercession was seen, even as was manifested before the

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great Day of Pentecost. Hundreds and thousands were seen visiting families, and opening before them the word of God. Hearts were convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and a spirit of genuine conversion was manifest. On every side doors were thrown open to the proclamation of the truth. The world seemed to be lightened with the heavenly influence. Great blessings were received by the true and humble people of God.” Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 126. Ellen White clearly indicates that in her vision she saw that “the sick were healed and other miracles were wrought.” Therefore, we should expect healing to take place more and more as the “great reformation” transpires among God’s people at the end time. Jesus came to reveal the glory of the Father (John 1:14). How did He do this? By teaching, preaching and healing (Matthew 4:23). When we look closely at Jesus’ ministry we find that he spent more time healing than anything else. Why? Healing is the visible demonstration of the gospel of deliverance from Satan’s power. When He sent the 12 and then the 70 out He gave them authority over the devils and the instruction to heal in His name (Luke chapters 9, 10). Jesus stated that this same ministry would happen after His ascension to the Father when the Holy Spirit would be poured out on the Day of Pentecost (Mark 16:17, 18). Mark goes on to say that what Jesus predicted did happen. “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.” Mark 16:20 God’s Glory Fills the Earth So, when the “glory of God” fills the earth (Revelation 18:1) just before Jesus returns there will be a great ministry of deliverance taking place. This work of deliverance will be carried on by those giving the three angels’ messages. It will be a work of deliverance very similar to the ministry Jesus and the Apostles carried out. It is very important to notice that the “signs” followed them. The “signs” are not to lead the way. No, the three angels’ messages are to lead the way. The three angels’ messages are what God will use to prepare men and women for Christ’s second coming. God will use Spirit-filled men and women to give these messages. The Spirit’s power will attend them, and

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draw men and women to become a part of God’s remnant church. Healing will play a secondary role. Nevertheless, there will be the gifts of divine healing manifested among God’s last day remnant people. I personally believe that Malachi’s prophecy of the coming of Elijah before the “great and dreadful day of the Lord” contains a promise of healing also. Malachi foretells that during that time the Elijah message will “turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers.” He is predicting a great work of inner healing that those who receive the Elijah message will experience. As we shall see in other chapters of this book, emotional healing plays a major role in our restoration to the image of God. Also, emotional healing and physical healing go hand-in-hand. God’s Last Day Remnant Described Revelation chapter fourteen describes the people who give the three angels’ messages. When we look closely at the description we find that they will have achieved a level of victory in Christ that no other generation of believers has achieved. They understand and know how to apply the deliverance from Satan’s power that has been provided for us at the cross. A verse by verse description follows.

• Vs. 1—They are with the lamb (Christ) on mount Zion and have

the Father’s name in their forehead. All who have accepted Christ are symbolically pictured as coming to Mt. Zion and Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22). Having the Father’s name in their foreheads indicates that they are perfectly reflecting the character of Christ.

• Vs. 2-3—They sing a new songthat no one but they can sing. This is because they have experienced the delivering power of God to a greater extent than any other generation. Their experience in Christ is unique. They have victoriously endured the great time of trouble or tribulation, which no other generation has endured. The song describes their experience of deliverance.

• Vs. 4—These are not defiled by the harlot Babylon in any way. They

are the five wise virgins Jesus described in Matthew chapter twenty five. They are Spirit-filled and obey God from the heart. They follow the lamb in every aspect of their life. Their one desire is to be faithful to Christ. They, like Christ when He walked this earth, have been so close to God that they worked in harmony with Him in their life and ministry (John 14:10; 5:19) They are the “firstfruits”

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unto God. They are the first as a generation to grow fully into the maturity of Christ. They are the first generation to experience full deliverance from Satan’s influence in every area of their lives. They will have experienced complete healing; spiritually, emotionally, and physically. They will be able to stand before Christ in all His glory when he returns and not be consumed. They are the firstfurits of the great harvest of souls that will take place at the resurrection of the redeemed when Jesus comes.

• Vs. 5—These are pure in thought and word. They have daily re-

ceived the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which brought them out of their Laodicean condition (Ephesians 5:18, Revelation 14-21). They have experienced righteousness by faith to the fullest.

• Vs. 6-12—They are the Spirit-filled remnant that give the three an-

gels’ messages in the power of the Holy Spirit in both early rain and latter rain power.

• Vs. 12—They have perfect, enduring trust in God. They have the commandments written on their heart (2 Corinthians 3:3, 18). Jesus is fully living in them through the baptism of the Holy Spirit and His faith in manifested in their lives (1 John 3:24, Galatians 2:20; 5:22-23).

Total Deliverance Is Essential Hence, I think we can see why understanding and experiencing God’s great delivering power in every area of our life is important. The generation that gives the three angels’ messages and is living when Jesus returns will have experienced deliverance from Satan to the fullest extent. They will have experienced the full gospel of deliverance—spiritually, emotionally, and physically. This can only happen by daily receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit and learning how to walk victoriously in the Spirit. The purpose of this book is to help the reader better understand how to experience the victorious “walk in the Spirit” the Bible describes. Jesus said; “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19). My prayer is that all who read this book will learn the truth of these words of Christ. It is essential we realize that in Christ we have “power” and “authority” over all the influence of Satan. We must also learn how to

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exercise Christ’s delivering power over all the rule of darkness in our lives. Then the words of Christ will be true for us; “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).

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Chapter Eight THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

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nderstanding and receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit is essential for grasping the concepts taught in this book and experiencing the deliverance described. Without the Spirit-filled experience, the truths taught in this book will become simply an academic exercise of learning, and will have no power to provide the spiritual, emotional, and physical deliverance we all desperately need. Peter made the following statement about the importance of the baptism of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ life and ministry of deliverance. “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Acts 10:38 Peter states that it was the “anointing” or baptism of the Holy Spirit that empowered Jesus to “heal all that were oppressed of the devil.” Hence, it is essential we understand and experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit if we want to minister fully in the Spirit as Jesus did. Due to the significance of this subject, I feel impressed to include this important material. The subject of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is covered in much greater detail in my book entitled, The Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I would refer the reader to that book for a more complete discussion. If you have read that book, then this chapter will be a review for you. Satan’s Efforts to Confuse Satan has done much to confuse and mislead concerning this very important biblical teaching. Ellen White was aware of Satan’s devices to hinder God’s people from receiving this gift:

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“Since the ministry of the Holy Spirit is of vital importance to the church of Christ, it is one of the devices of Satan, through the errors of extremists and fanatics, to cast contempt upon the work of the Spirit, and cause the people of God to neglect this source of strength which our Lord Himself has provided.” Australian Signs of the Times, July 24, 1911 The baptism of the Holy Spirit simply describes a special infilling of the Holy Spirit into the life of the believer. This baptism is also called “infilling” and “anointing,” and has been available to Christians since the day of Pentecost two thousand years ago. Peter associated the Pentecostal outpouring of the Spirit with the “early rain” prophecy of Joel (Acts 2:16-21). Jesus’ Promise and Example Jesus promised that the Father would give the Spirit if man asked for it (Luke 11:13). Paul tells us we receive this gift by faith (Galatians 3:14). The reception of this gift is so important that Paul commands us to keep on being “filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). It is not simply an option, but it is a necessity if the believer is earnest about experiencing the full deliverance offered by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus is our example in all things. In His life we see the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a special, separate event following His water baptism. This event equipped Him for victory over Satan and for His ministry. His experience is a divine model for every Christian. Christ was “begotten” of the Spirit (Luke 1:35). He was led by the Spirit in his childhood and early manhood (Luke 2:52). He received water baptism, followed by baptism in the Spirit, for which He had prayed (Luke 3:21-22). From that point on He was filled with the Spirit (Luke 4:1). After this experience of Spirit baptism (infilling or anointing), He was prepared to confront Satan and gain His great victories over this enemy (Luke 4:2-13). From that day forward, He went forth to minister in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:14; Acts 10:38). The experience of every believer is to follow Christ’s example. The Christian is first born of the Spirit and baptized (John 3:5-8). However, water baptism is not enough. It is only the beginning, for the believer must also be baptized by the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:16). This Spirit baptism has been available since the day of Pentecost. This infilling of the Spirit is necessary for the believer to have the power to live a victorious life and successfully witness for Christ (Acts 1:8).

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The fulfillment of Jesus’ promise was seen on the day of Pentecost and thereafter. The gospel was preached, souls were won, unity and joy were seen in the believers, and the sick were healed (Acts 2:46-47; 5:15-16). This was the same type of ministry as that practiced by Jesus. Receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit After Pentecost Not every believer was present at Pentecost. A practical question might be; “How did believers receive the baptism of the Spirit after Pentecost?” The answer is found in the book of Acts. On a couple of occasions the Spirit fell on a group while Peter spoke to them (Acts 10:44-46; 11:15-17). It also appears that God led the church to receive the baptism of the Spirit in a more orderly way by the laying on of hands (Acts 8:12-17; 19:1-6). Note in Acts chapter eight how the individuals of Samaria were led by the Spirit to accept Christ and be baptized. Yet they had not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Peter and John came to them from Jerusalem for the specific purpose of laying hands on them and pray for the baptism of the Spirit to come upon them. This is a clear indication that water baptism and Spirit baptism are two separate experiences. The Spirit leads an individual to accept Christ and be baptized in water. This is a different work than the baptism of the Spirit, which must be sought separately when one becomes aware and convicted of the importance of it. We see in Acts that Paul also received the baptism of the Spirit by the laying on of hands and prayer (Acts 9:17). The one performing this prayer with laying on of hands should be a believer who has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit himself. A believer desiring the baptism of the Holy Spirit does not necessarily have to have someone pray for him by laying hands on him. When I first began sharing this teaching with our church, one of the members decided that very evening to seek the baptism of the Spirit. She earnestly prayed for God to fill her with His Spirit. She said later that she felt the greatest peace come over her that she had ever felt. God has not limited Himself to only one method of receiving the baptism of the Spirit. I do believe that the special ceremony of praying with laying on of hands is a wonderful way to seek the infilling of the Spirit. It is always a special blessing to share in this sacred experience with a fellow believer. Ellen White stated many years ago: “What we need is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Without this, we are no more fitted to go forth to the world than were the disciples

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after the crucifixion of their Lord.” Advent Review & Sabbath Herald, Feb. 18, 1890 “Impress upon all the necessity of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the sanctification of the church, so that they will be living, growing, fruit-bearing trees of the Lord’s planting.” Testimonies vol. 6, p. 86 When one reads Ellen White’s statements on the baptism of the Holy Spirit, it is clear that she saw its importance and urged every believer to seek it. It was clear to her that the baptism of the Spirit was essential for God’s work to be finished in the lives of His people and in this earth. Finally, if the baptized believer automatically received the baptism of the Holy Spirit at water baptism, she would not counsel baptized believers to seek it. In the spring of 1928, God sought to again draw the attention of Adventists to this very important experience, when Elder LeRoy Froom was inspired to present this subject to delegates and workers at the quadrennial ministerial institutes held in conjunction with the union conference sessions. The book, The Coming of the Comforter, resulted from these presentations. LeRoy Froom states the following in reference to our failure to understand and receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit: “I am persuaded that this is our colossal blunder. I confess it has been mine. We are not to ‘go’ until we are endued. … All true service begins at our personal Pentecost.” The Coming of the Comforter, p. 94 Froom continues: “For there is an experience beyond and above the initial step by which the Holy Spirit first reveals sin, and begets a new life in the soul, and that is to be filled with the Spirit. For the lack of this, one’s testimony is feeble and the spiritual life but partial. “Alas, many today have gone as far as the baptism of repentance, but no farther.” Ibid., 142, 143

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Froom’s study led him to believe that the Spirit’s infilling is necessary in order for the believer to be victorious through the time of trouble unto Christ’s coming. “It is a relationship into which we may or may not enter, though we are exhorted, yea divinely commanded to, in Ephesians 5; and in order to abide through the time when there will be no high priestly intercession, when mercy ceases and forgiveness for transgressions is ended, we must enter.” Ibid., 170 There has been much misinformation and confusion about what happens when a person receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Satan fears this experience in the believer more than any other. He knows that the baptism of the Holy Spirit will break his power in the believer’s life, and the resulting powerful witness for Jesus Christ will bring Satan’s work to an end on planet earth. For this reason, he has done everything he can to confuse this teaching and cause many sincere Christians to misunderstand it and even be suspicious of it. “There is nothing that Satan fears so much as that the people of God shall clear the way by removing every hindrance, so that the Lord can pour out His Spirit upon a languishing church and an impenitent congregation. When the way is prepared for the Spirit of God, the blessing will come.” Advent Review & Sabbath Herald, March 22, 1887 Experiences of Those Who Have Received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit There are numerous records of Christians who have sought and experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Douglas Cooper in his book, Living in Our Finest Hour, relates a few of these experiences. About John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church, he states: “Fearful at his own spiritual weakness, disillusioned and dejected, he became acquainted with a group of Spirit-filled Christians who helped him to change his life remarkably. … “Wesley decided to seek the filling of the Spirit for himself. At another meeting he heard a statement read from Luther describing

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the inner change the Spirit can work on the heart of the believer. At this meeting John Wesley was baptized with the Spirit. He tells of experiencing what was a new dimension of spiritual life. ‘I felt my heart strangely warmed,’ he said. “Wesley came away with a new vision, a new passion, new power. Virtually unheard of before this time, his preaching went on to shake three nations.” Living in Our Finest Hour, p. 76, 77 Charles G. Finney stated: “’Christians are as guilty for not being filled with the Spirit as sinners are for not repenting. They are even more so, as they have more light, they are so much the more guilty.’ ” Ibid., 78 Quoting Dwight L. Moody: “After he had been filled with the Spirit, Dwight L. Moody wrote: ‘In some sense and to some extent the Holy Spirit dwells in every believer, but there is another gift which may be called the gift of the Holy Spirit for service. This gift, it strikes me, is entirely distinct and separate from conversion and assurance.’ ” Ibid., 87 About Catherine Marshall, who wrote many books including, A Man Called Peter: “She yearned to receive this baptism. ‘Since at that time I had no group to lay hands on me, very quickly and undramatically I asked for the gift of the Spirit. The setting was my bedroom with no other human being present. I knew too that when we accept one of heaven’s gifts like that - so quietly in the now—we cannot demand instantaneous proof that the Lord has heard and answered. For that would be walking by sight, not faith at all… I know that although I should not deny their validity, I should guard against demanding a highly emotional or dramatic experience as initial proof of my baptism in the Spirit.’ “The first day nothing overt happened. ‘I experienced no waves of liquid love or ecstatic joy,’ she says. ‘But then, in the next few days,

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quietly but surely, the heavenly Guest made known His presence in my heart. … Day by day came the evidence that after I had asked the helper to enter and take charge, He had done exactly that.’ ” “…She discovered ‘the manifestation of His presence on which the Spirit places highest value is the power to witness effectively to others of Jesus,’ ‘He then entered into my prayer life and began directing that. He became the major creative Agent in my writing. In the months that followed and indeed, on down the years, He would methodically bring one area of life after another under his control—health, finances, ambition, reputation. I soon realized that the baptism of the Holy Spirit was no onetime experience, rather a process that would continue throughout my lifetime.’ ” Ibid., 93 As can be seen from the examples related above, the baptism of the Spirit does not necessarily involve a highly emotional experience. One may or may not feel something at the time of seeking the infilling of the Spirit. However, the Spirit will make Himself known to the one in whom He dwells. His presence will begin changing the believer’s life from within. A new power for victory and service will be manifested. God desires to give His children this wonderful experience of Spirit baptism, but in order to receive it we must ask in faith believing He will bestow it. Secondly, we must be willing to give ourselves completely to God. “The heart must be emptied of every defilement and cleansed for the indwelling of the Spirit. It was by the confession and forsaking of sin, by earnest prayer and consecration of themselves to God, that the early disciples prepared for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.” Testimonies to Ministers, p. 507 Seek the Baptism Every Day Another very important point is that we must renew this infilling every day. Paul said, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). The dying to self and infilling of the Spirit is a daily experience. It is not a “once and for ever” experience. Paul tells us that the “inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). We need the renewing of the Spirit every day of our life. Also Paul commands us to “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). In the Greek the verb “be filled” is a continuous action verb meaning we

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are to “keep on being filled” with the Spirit daily. This infilling of the Spirit results in the believer being led by the Spirit. Paul writes of how important it is to experience this daily: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:14 Again the verb form in the Greek implies continuous action. Paul is actually saying “as many as are continuing to be led daily by the Spirit of God.” Hence, we must continually receive the Spirit to be led by Him everyday. Christ is our example in all things. Note what Ellen White writes about the baptism of the Spirit in Christ’s daily life: “Daily He received a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. In the early hours of the new day the Lord awakened Him from His slumbers, and His soul and His lips were anointed with grace, that He might impart to others.” Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 139 Benefits of Receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit The baptism of the Holy Spirit gives power to our witness and brings forth the fruit of Christ’s character in the life. Paul speaks of this when he writes: “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 God’s glory is His character (Exodus 33:18, 19). Paul states here that the believer will be growing in Christ’s character, “from glory to glory,” by the Spirit of the Lord that dwells in him. The infilling of the Spirit of God will “make you perfect in every good work, to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever” (Hebrews 13:21). The baptism of the Holy Spirit will allow God to manifest the fruit and gifts of the Spirit through us. As we fellowship with other believers, God will minister to them through us so that they may be edified and grow in the Lord. This is the “new wineskin” fellowship God desires us to enter into, which I describe in my book, Spirit Baptism & New Wineskin Fellowship.

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Ellen White reaffirms how the person who receives the infilling of the Spirit develops character when she writes; “When the Spirit of God takes possession of the heart, it transforms the life. Sinful thoughts are put away, evil deeds are renounced; love, humility, and peace take the place of anger, envy, and strife. Joy takes the place of sadness, and the countenance reflects the light of heaven.” The Desire of Ages, p. 173 The baptism of the Holy Spirit also empowers the believer in ministry. This experience empowers our: witness (Acts 1:8); gift ministry (1 Corinthians 12); deliverance ministry (John 7:38, 39, Acts 10:38); etc. The Spirit’s infilling affects every aspect of our Christian life and service for the Lord. We Can Grieve the Spirit There are things we can do that will grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). If we do not daily seek Him and cooperate in following where He leads, His power will wane and our Christian experience will weaken. God does not force. When we receive the baptism of the Spirit, He will have a greater impact in our lives. We will feel His prompting more strongly. He will be daily putting the desire in our hearts to obey God. He will call us to study God’s Word and to spend more time in prayer. The Spirit will cause us to begin loving righteousness and hating sin. However, we are always free to disregard His prompting. When we do this, we begin the process of “grieving” or “quenching” the Spirit. Paul gives very practical advice in many passages of Scripture on how to avoid doing this. The practical counsels Paul gives to the believer on living the Christian life are aimed at helping us maintain the fullness of the Spirit in our lives. Two examples of such counsel are found in Ephesians 4:25-32 and 1 Thessalonians 5:14-19. The majority of Christians who read these letters in Paul’s day were fellowshipping in small groups. This was very practical counsel on how to relate to one another in the intimate relationships the small groups provided. Paul knew that the Spirit of God dwelling in the believer would prompt him to do the things he listed. If, however, man refuses to yield to His promptings he will be in danger of “grieving” and “quenching” the Spirit.

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If you find that you have grieved the Spirit, don’t get discouraged. Instead, ask God to forgive you, and He will (1 John 1:9). Then ask God to fill you anew with His Spirit and He will (Luke 11:13). Ask Him in faith, and you will receive (Galatians 3:14). David knew God’s mercy. He had committed the sins of adultery and murder. He had walked away from the prompting of God’s Spirit in his life when he committed these terrible acts. Yet, when he was convicted of his sin by the Spirit, he turned to God in prayer, as recorded in Psalm 51: “Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” Psalm 51:9-12 When we find that we have been slipping away from God, we must not let another moment go by without confessing our sin, accepting God’s forgiveness, and claiming the promise of the renewing of the Spirit in our life as David did. Then the “inner” man will once again be strengthened and become victorious over Satan (Ephesians 3:16-19). We serve a wonderful God. When we have failed Him, let us remember: “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” Psalm 103:8-14 We Must Experience the Early Rain to Receive the Latter Rain It is time for the “latter rain” to fall. If we do not experience the infilling of the Spirit, which is the “early rain,” we will not be prepared to receive and participate in the work of the latter rain (Joel 2:23). I believe God is moving among His people today and leading them into this wonderful experience.

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Regarding this experience Ellen White offered a very important counsel in the following statement: “The latter rain, ripening earth’s harvest, represents the spiritual grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of man. But unless the former rain has fallen, there will be no life; the green blade will not spring up. Unless the early showers have done their work, the latter rain can bring no seed to perfection. “Many have in a great measure failed to receive the former rain. They have not obtained all the benefits that God has thus provided for them. They expect that the lack will be supplied by the latter rain. When the richest abundance of grace shall be bestowed, they intend to open their hearts to receive it. They are making a terrible mistake.” Testimony to Ministers, p. 506, 507 Let us not make the terrible mistake about which Ellen White warns us. Let us seek God for the early rain, which is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. If we fail to do this, we will not be ready for the latter rain of the Spirit. We will remain among the foolish virgins and the lukewarm professors of truth in Laodicea. The Time Has Come to Receive the Baptism of the Spirit Ellen White further counsels us: “As long as individuals are content with a theory of truth, and are yet lacking in the daily operation of the Spirit of God upon the heart, which is manifested in outward transformation of character, they are cutting themselves off from the qualifications that would fit them for greater efficiency in the Master’s work. Those who are devoid of the Holy Spirit cannot be faithful watchmen upon the walls of Zion; for they are blind to the work that ought to be done, and do not give the trumpet a certain sound. “The baptism of the Holy Ghost as on the day of Pentecost will lead to a revival of true religion and to the performance of many wonderful works. Heavenly intelligences will come among us and men will speak as they are moved by the Holy Spirit of God. But should the Lord work upon men as He did on and after the day of

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Pentecost, many who now claim to believe the truth would know so very little of the operation of the Holy Spirit that they would cry, ‘Beware of fanaticism’. They would say of those who were filled with the Spirit, ‘These men are full of new wine.’ “The time is not far off now when men will want a much closer relation to Christ, a much closer union with His Holy Spirit, than they have ever had, or will have, unless they give up their will and their way, and submit to God’s will and God’s way. The great sin of those who profess to be Christians is that they do not open the heart to receive the Holy Spirit. When souls long after Christ and seek to become one with Him, then those who are content with the form of godliness, exclaim ‘Be careful, do not go to extremes.’ When the angels of heaven come among us, and work through human agents, there will be solid and substantial conversions, after the order of the conversions after the day of Pentecost. “Now brethern, be careful and do not go into or try to create human excitement. But while we should be careful not to go into human excitement, we should not be among those who will raise inquiries and cherish doubts in reference to the work of the Spirit of God; for there will be those who will question and criticize when the Spirit of God takes possession of men and women, because their own hearts are not moved, but are cold and unimpressible.” Letter 27, 1894. Selected Messages, vol. 2, p. 56-57 If you have not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, do not delay another day. His reception should be first and foremost in our lives, for this gift will bring us all other gifts. The Spirit’s infilling will change our lethargy to excitement, our weakness to strength, and our witness will be with a power not seen since the day of Pentecost. Spirit Baptism, Fellowship, and Deliverance Receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the first step for the believer to take in order to grow into the fullness of Christ. The second step is to become actively involved in a “new wineskin” fellowship, which is described in my book, Spirit Baptism & New Wineskin Fellowship. Also, in order to experience the full deliverance the Lord wants us to have over Satan and his evil forces we must understand and apply the principles of deliverance

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taught in the Bible. These three experiences go hand-in-hand. The Spirit baptized believer must participate in the “new wineskin” fellowship and aggressively apply the principles of deliverance to his life. These three experiences taken together are God’s ordained means to prepare the last generation of Christians to finish His work with His power, and be ready for Christ’s second coming.

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Chapter Nine EMOTIONAL HEALING

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o you struggle with or know someone who struggles with depression, sadness, stress, anxiety, panic attacks, doubt, or fear? Do you or someone you know have a critical spirit, anger, or pride (feelings get hurt easily)? God has made it possible for us to be free from these emotional oppressions. Ellen White wrote of pride: “It is the love of self that destroys our peace. While self is all alive, we stand ready continually to guard it from mortification and insult; but when we are dead and our life is hid with Christ in God, we shall not take neglects or slights to heart. We shall be deaf to reproach and blind to scorn and insult. Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 16 In this chapter I will discuss how we can be free from these emotional oppressions. I have presented the messages in this book nationally and internationally. Everywhere I go I find God’s people struggling with these negative emotions. Most have concluded there is no real answer to their emotional pain. They have come to believe they have to wait until Jesus comes to be free of their emotional oppressions. There was a time when I questioned the power of the gospel. I saw deliverance in the New Testament, but did not see it in my ministry. Then when I came to understand the biblical teaching on the baptism of the Holy Spirit and deliverance, and began applying the biblical principles of our warfare I began seeing deliverance. The first encounter of emotional deliverance was that of a young man who suffered with clinical depression

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and had tried to commit suicide on several occasions. After seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and warring against the oppression of depression with the weapons God gives us, he became free in Christ. I have good news for you today. God wants to free you now of every negative emotional oppression in your life. The Cause of Emotional Oppressions The basis of emotional oppression and healing is found in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. “Be angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:26, 27 What happens in our life to cause emotional oppressions is hurt, especially in childhood. This causes us emotional pain and damage. We become angry, but usually suppress the anger we feel. This gives Satan the right of passage into our life; not devil possession necessarily, but devil oppression. This causes numerous symptoms in one’s life such asdepression, anxiety, fear, sadness, heaviness, a critical attitude, rebellion against authority, pride, suicidal thoughts, etc. This suppressed anger can also bring about physical diseases such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, eating disorders, stomach pain, headaches, and more. Health professionals tell us that 80% of diseases have an emotional and spiritual root cause. Many years ago Ellen White wrote of this cause and effect relationship: “That which brings sickness of body and mind to nearly all is dissatisfied feelings and discontented repinings. They have not God, they have not the hope which reaches to that within the veil, which is as an anchor to the soul both sure and steadfast. All who possess this hope will purify themselves even as He is pure. Such are free from restless longings, repinings, and discontent; they are not continually looking for evil and brooding over borrowed trouble.” Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 566 Unforgiveness opens the door for Satan to oppress us. It gives him a right of passage into our life. I have seen individuals, who had been deeply hurt by someone, actively choosing not to forgive that person. Over the

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years, they became clinically depressed, actually becoming an invalid, developing a serious illness, and eventually dying of the malady. Satan and his evil angels are real and we are at war with them (Ephesians 6:12). Ellen White wrote of our warfare with Satan with the words: “The power and malice of Satan and his host might justly alarm us, were it not that we may find shelter and deliverance in the superior power of our Redeemer. We carefully secure our houses with bolts and locks to protect our property and our lives from evil men; but we seldom think of the evil angels who are constantly seeking access to us, and against whose attacks we have, in our own strength, no method of defense. If permitted, they can distract our minds, disorder, torment our bodies, and destroy our possessions and our lives. Their only delight is in misery and destruction.” The Great Controversy, p. 517 Deliverance from Emotional Oppressions Jesus gave us power over Satan and his host of evil angels. When the seventy returned from the mission Jesus sent them on they rejoiced and said to Jesus, “even the devils are subject to us in thy name” (Luke 10:17). Jesus stated to them and all who believe: “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19 Jesus is speaking of the Christian’s power to rebuke Satan when he attacks us. Ellen White was well aware of the importance of rebuking when she wrote. “Satan takes possession of the minds of men today. In my labors in the cause of God, I have again and again met those who have been thus possessed, and in the name of the Lord I have rebuked the evil spirit.” Selected Messages, vol 2, p. 353, (emphasis added) Again and again in the New Testament, we see Jesus confronting Satan and rebuking him.

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The Prayer of Forgiveness As stated earlier, when someone has struggles with depression, anger, anxiety, fear, or any other deeply troubling emotion, they most likely have been hurt by someone in their past, and haven’t forgiven them—even though they believe they have. I have discussed several additional aspects of emotional healing in the chapters, “Experiencing God’s Love” and “Deliverance from Idols.” The principles of deliverance presented there are vital to understand and apply for complete spiritual, emotional and physical healing. God has also given us understanding about how to deal with these oppressions of Satan through what I call the “Prayer of Forgiveness.” The following is an approach that has proven effective in bringing deliverance in these cases. However, I want to emphasize the individual will need to be kept in contact with for some period of time. It will be easy for them to fall back into the old patterns. So, much understanding, prayer and encouragement needs to be provided. The fellowship I describe in my book, Spirit Baptism & New Wineskin Fellowship, would be very beneficial in these cases. The steps in leading a person to experience deliverance from these kinds of oppressions are:

• First, explain what you are going to do and what you expect them to do.

• Determine if the person has accepted Christ. If not, lead them in

a simple gospel presentation and prayer to accept Christ as their Savior. If they have slipped away from Christ, lead them to renew their relationship with Him.

• Ask them to list all emotional oppressions they feel. • Explain to them the biblical teaching on the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

• In prayer, lay your hands on them and claim the promise of the baptism of the Holy Spirit in their life.

• In prayer, and in the name of Jesus, command that the

spirit of anger, bitterness, and the unforgiving spirit depart from them.

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• Have them say in prayer, “Father forgive me for my anger, bitterness, and my unforgiving spirit.”

• Have them in prayer say: “Father I forgive ___________________ _______.” List the names of anyone God brings to mind that hurt them in the past.

• Have them ask God to forgive those they have just forgiven and to bless them.

• In prayer, lay your hands on them and command in the name of Jesus that the spirit of ____________ (list all emotional oppressions they told you they feel) depart from them. Thank God for the fruit of the Spirit He is giving them.

• When finished praying: ­— Ask them how they feel; — Ask them if they feel any other negative emotions. If they do, rebuke these negative emotions in a similar manner in prayer.

• Explain to them what they must now do to keep their deliverance. — They are never to think on, mention or discuss the persons that hurt them in the past. (Philippians 4:8) — They are to immediately rebuke in the name of Jesus any negative emotions that Satan tries to bring upon them. When an individual has been hurt and has harbored anger toward the one who hurt them, they become oppressed by many negative emotions. In most every case I have found them to be oppressed by depression, heaviness, sadness, fear, anxiety, doubt, and self-hate. If the anger and unforgiving attitudes have become severe, then many times self-destructive feelings and behaviors such as bulimia, anorexia, suicidal thoughts, and self-mutilation will develop. They can be released from what ever oppressions they are experiencing by following the steps listed above. Again I repeat, the more severe the oppressions, the more support and prayer the individual will need. The new wineskin fellowship is very important for their continued walk in the Spirit and victory over Satan’s attacks. If this prayer is simply an intellectual exercise, not much will happen to bring emotional healing. However, if the prayer experience goes deep

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within the individual on an emotional level there will be tears because they will have tapped into the emotional pain the individuals whom they have just forgiven caused them. That pain will be released and healing will begin taking place. God’s Spirit will move into those places in the heart that were deeply wounded, and bring the healing love of God. The emotional healing may happen very quickly in most cases. Sometimes it becomes a process of forgiveness where the individual says, “Father, I forgive _____________ and ask You to forgive and bless them,” whenever the individual comes to mind and negative feelings are experienced. When the healing is complete no negative feelings are experienced when the individual who caused the emotional pain comes to mind or is encountered. Forgiveness is a choice and is God’s will. Therefore, when we speak forgiveness of those who have hurt us God’s Spirit will begin putting forgiveness in our heart toward them. If we choose not to forgive, and instead continue to hold onto anger toward them, it is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die. God asks us to forgive others for our benefit. He knows that if we choose not to forgive we still suffer many things spiritually, emotionally, and physically. I have personally seen many individuals delivered from the emotional and physical oppressions of Satan by using the “Prayer of Forgiveness” given above. Quite often the individual feels a sense of release and lightness as if a great load has been removed from them. Time and again I have seen manifested against Satan what Jesus described as the power of God. Note the following scripture: “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19 This method of emotional healing is based on the counsel given us by James. “Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16 On one occasion when I was sharing these principles, there was a lady in the congregation who had tried to commit a drug overdose suicide two

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weeks before. This was her first Sabbath in an Adventist church. She had suffered severe abuse in the past. At 12 years of age she was sexually abused by a step father and her mother blamed her for what happened. After hearing God’s Word on deliverance, she came forward for prayer. I went through the process of deliverance with her and led her through the prayer of forgiveness. She experienced a powerful deliverance and wrote me the following several weeks later: “Pastor Smith—Through your ministry I have truly been blessed. My life has made a 180 degree turn. I am finally, for the first time in my life—Happy and Excited about Jesus and the blessings of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for blessing me with your knowledge and love for Jesus.” Please know, all the glory goes to God. He is the one who delivers. As Christians, we are simply one beggar telling another beggar where to get bread. Another individual who chose to seek the deliverance Jesus offers came for prayer. She had been abused by her parents and husband. She suffered from depression, sadness, anger, anxieties, and allergies, as well as migraine headaches. She was delivered by following the principles in this book. A few weeks later she wrote: “Pastor, I have been healed of my allergies and the sinuses, which have caused me terrible migraines. But more importantly my life is being transformed for Jesus.” The above testimony clearly points out the ultimate goal of deliverance. Emotional problems inhibit our spiritual growth into the full image of Jesus Christ in our life. The goal of emotional deliverance is to remove these hindrances so we can become just like Jesus (1 John 3:2). God gets all the glory. We have been given the privilege to lead others to Christ, and experience the deliverance He offers. Remember Jesus said, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). Continued Emotional Healing The approach necessary to continue to experience emotional healing is to take authority over the negative emotional spirit. If Satan tries to

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bring depression back upon you after you have gone through the “Prayer of Forgiveness,” you might pray like this: “In the name of Jesus I command that the spirit of depression depart. Thank you Lord for joy.” If Satan seeks to put an emotional infirmity on you, refuse to accept it in Christ’s name and thank God for the opposite fruit of the Spirit. The more of the infilling of the Spirit we have the stronger we will be in the Lord. A partial list of emotional infirmities that Satan will try to put on you and the opposite fruit of the Spirit is given below. Emotional Oppression Fruit of the Spirit Dissension, Disunity

Love, Peace

Depression, Sadness

Joy

Anxiety, Worry

Peace, Meekness

Guilt

Peace with God, Forgiveness

Intemperance, Addiction

Temperance, Self Control

Impatience

Patience

Harshness

Gentleness

Doubt

Faith

Lust

Temperance, Purity

I would suggest you expand this list to meet your special needs. Be ready at all times to rebuke Satan’s initial attack. He is called the serpent in the Bible. That is a good description. Picture him as a boa constrictor. Send him on his way immediately. Don’t let him come near. If you hesitate or forget to rebuke him he will, like a boa constrictor, begin wrapping himself around you. The longer you delay the stronger hold he will have on you. You may be just learning these things and feel Satan has a strong hold on you in certain areas of your life. Don’t despair. God’s power can break the strongest hold of Satan. Be persistent in resisting the devil and “he will flee from you” (James 4:7). A Word of Caution God’s purpose for us is to become like Jesus (Romans 8:29). For that reason, the ultimate goal of all deliverance is to remove the obstacles, strongholds, and hindrances that stand in the way of achieving that goal in our life. The principles outlined in this book will assist the Christian in

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becoming like Jesus in preparation for His second coming (1 John 3:2). However, if you find yourself rebuking the devil more than you are talking with God something is out of balance. Satan’s goal is to always get our focus off of God. One of his deceptions is to get us to continually see evil spirits “behind every rock.” If we fall into this trap our attention will be taken away from the Lord. Therefore, my counsel isto focus on spiritual warfare as long as it does not become an all consuming activity that takes your focus off of Christ. The Healed Healer When we accept Christ as our Savior we are called to join him in His ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18, 19). The more the gospel of deliverance impacts our life the more effective will we be in bringing others into reconciliation with God. Deep emotional hurts and wounds keep many from opening their hearts to God and experiencing His love. This is why the Lord wants to heal us emotionally. Emotional healing removes the barriers that hinder a closer relationship with Him. However, the emotional hurts in our own life will limit how effectively we will be used by God in helping others to experience the healing God wants to give them. If we are not emotionally healed we will find ourselves reacting to the faults of others rather than seeing beyond their faults and seeing their need. You see, this is how God ministers to us; He sees beyond our faults and sees our needs. When we ourselves are not healed emotionally we will find ourselves judging others due to our reaction to their faults. Jesus spoke of this when He said; “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5 Until we are emotionally healed we will tend to judge others because of the faults we see in them. When we experience healing from our emotional

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hurts we will then be able to look on others with the compassion of Christ. We will be able to minister to others as Christ did and have the attitude He had when He said: “…I came not to judge the world, but to save the world” (John 12:47). Our goal will be to lead others to salvation; not judge them. When we experience emotional healing, the “beam” in our eye keeping us from ministering to our brother effectively will be removed. Then we can see “clearly to cast out the mote out of our brother’s eye.” As a result we will be able to minister to him with compassion, which enables God to use us to bring healing. Then the river of healing will begin to flow out of us through the Holy Spirit living in us (Ezekiel 47:1-5, 8, 9; John 7:38, 39). We become effective ministers of reconciliation. Not Familiar Teaching I know that these teachings are very foreign to most of us today. Why? We have not understood them. We are influenced by those around us and we are not where we should be spiritually. Paul warned us of ignorance of God’s delivering power in the last days with the words. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come” (2 Timothy 3:1). One of the dangerous characteristics of last day Christians is that they have a form of godliness, but deny “the power thereof.” Paul tells us, “from such turn away” (verse 5). Ellen White understood the power the church should have when confronting Satan and his oppressions in the lives of men and women. “I saw that if the church had always retained her peculiar, holy character, the power of the Holy Spirit which was imparted to the disciples would still be with her. The sick would be healed, devils would be rebuked and cast out, and she would be mighty and a terror to her enemies.” Early Writings, p. 227 The choice is ours. God has provided everything for our deliverance from Satan’s power and influence in our life. I pray we will avail ourselves of God’s saving grace; spiritually, physically and emotionally. Then our witness will be about “The Jesus Who delivers.” The Ultimate Goal The ultimate goal of emotional deliverance is to remove from our life the oppressions of Satan that hinder us from growing up into the fullness

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of Christ. Remember, the last generation of Christians will be just like Jesus (1 John 3:2). Therefore, emotional deliverance is essential for us to experience if we are to be ready for Christ’s second coming.

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Chapter Ten EXPERIENCING GOD’S LOVE

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t is most important that we experience God’s love if we are to enter into the deliverance God offers—not just a “head knowledge” that God loves us. Rather we must come to know God’s love for us on the deepest level of our being. The fullest deliverance from the influences of Satan in our lives is dependent on knowing this. Paul points this out when he writes his prayer for the believers in Ephesus: “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Ephesians 3:16-20 Two Requirements Two things are required for us to experience the power of God working in our lives to bring about deliverance “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” Those two things are:

• Experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit so we can be “strength-

ened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” and “Christ dwell in our hearts by faith.”

• Know the fullness of God’s love for us in our deepest innermost

being, which goes beyond “understanding” or “head knowledge.”

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These two experiences will lead us to be “filled with all the fulness of God” and be delivered from Satan’s influences in our life in ways that are “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” Satan’s Plan Satan knows this, so he will do everything he can to keep us from being filled with God’s Spirit and experiencing God’s love. One major method he uses is to bring experiences into our life, often in our childhood, which causes us to get deeply hurt. His goal is that we know only “conditional” love and acceptance. These hurtful experiences cause us to feel a sense of worthlessness and shame. We feel un-loveable. As we grow into adulthood we project these same negative attitudes about ourselves onto God’s attitude toward us. We believe He feels the same way about us. Such feelings are very painful. Therefore, we develop self protecting feelings and behaviors to relieve the pain and protect ourselves from further hurt. We put up protective walls and shells around ourselves. We don’t do these things consciously. They are a natural emotional reaction to hurtful situations. Satan especially attacks us in childhood because he knows that is when much emotional damage can be done. He wants us to grow up feeling unloved and un-loveable, unworthy, worthless, a shamed of who we are, and undeserving of God’s blessings. God designed families to protect a child from these things. This is why we see Satan attacking families so fiercely. Statistics verify what is happening in the families in our society today. Every day in the United States:

• 2,795 teenage girls get pregnant. • 1,106 teenage girls have abortions. • 372 teenage girls have miscarriages. • 689 babies are born to women who have had inadequate prenatal care.

• 67 babies die before one month of life. • 105 babies die before their first birthday. • 27 children die from poverty.

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• 10 children are killed by guns. • 30 children are wounded by guns. • 6 teenagers commit suicide. • 135,000 children bring a gun to school. • 7,742 teenagers become sexually active. • 623 teenagers get syphilis or gonorrhea. • 211 children are arrested for drug abuse. • 437 children are arrested for drinking or drunk driving. • 1,512 teenagers drop out of school. • 1,849 children are abused or neglected. • 3,288 children run away from home. • 1,629 children are in adult jails. • 2,556 children are born out of wedlock. • 2,989 children see their parents divorce. (These statistics are taken from The Almanac of the Christian World, p. 779, Edited by Edythe Draper, 1990, published by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.) All the above experiences have devastating effects on the families and children involved. Satan’s goal is to do everything he can to keep us from experiencing the love of God. Instead he wants to cause us to feel shame, which is the result of put downs, rejection, unfair treatment and abandonment (emotionally or physically). Attitudes and Behaviors Resulting From Emotional Hurts There are common behaviors and attitudes that a child develops and takes into adulthood when they go through deeply painful experiences. Craig Hill in his book, The Ancient Paths, lists several of them. Some of the self-protecting behaviors are:

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• Feeling and expressing anger when circumstances seem out of control.

• Fear of emotion not wanting to express feelings or get out of control.

• Has difficulty saying “no” to people. • Afraid to try new things because of fear of failure. • Develop compulsive sins and addictive habits. • Feeling of need to succeed in order to be accepted. • An individual may also develop an unhealthy independence attitude and self sufficiency behaviors.

• Isolates oneself and has difficulty making close friends. • Has great difficulty asking for a favor or help. • Is a much better giver than receiver and when receives feels need to repay.

• Is fearful and uncomfortable in small groups unless he is either the controlling leader of the group, or will withdraw and not participate.

• Feelings of being tolerated rather than accepted. I am sure most of us can see some of these attitudes and behaviors in ourselves. Why? Because we have all been hurt and have experienced conditional love and acceptance. Such hurt, pain, and emotional wounds are unpleasant to feel. That is why we develop some of the above behaviors and attitudes, and put a protective shell around ourselves. Without experiencing the love of God in our deepest innermost soul, we will try to relieve the emotional pain we are feeling in destructive ways. Our sinful nature will seek to cause us to relieve the pain through the flesh. This will lead us into such things as; alcohol and drug abuse, fulfilling lustful desires (pornography, destructive sexual relations), eating disorders, angry and hostile behavior, false pride, jealousy, a critical attitude, etc.

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If one becomes religious without experiencing God’s love, the emotional pain will try to be relieved through “religion.” One may become “legalistic” in their attitude toward God. The feeling is, “If I can obey God perfectly then He will approve of me and love me.” Of course, this doesn’t work either. Beth Moore nicely describes how the Jews of Christ’s day had this same kind of “religious” experience. “The year was a.d. 28, give or take a few. For a chosen people who hadn’t heard a word from God in four centuries, life was pretty good. The Jews had covered their insecurities with a blanket of sameness. The absence of a fresh encounter with God had them clutching to what they had left—the Law. Interesting, isn’t it? The Hebrew people climbed to the summit of their legalism during the silent years between Malachi and Matthew. That’s what really religious people do when they don’t have much of a relationship with God.” The Beloved Disciple, p. 5 When we don’t have a fresh, daily, Spirit-filled encounter with God we cannot experience His love to the depth we need to. When this happens we seek other ways to find healing and deliverance from our pain; either through the flesh or religion. Such efforts will always fail to bring the deliverance we so much desire and need. The pain causes us to cry out to God for help. However, the very walls we have erected to protect ourselves from further pain and hurt becomes a barrier to our experiencing God’s unconditional love and acceptance. Only One Way Our emotional hurts, wounds and pain will be healed in only one way. The scripture I quoted at the beginning of this chapter gives us the answer. We must “comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God” (Ephesians 3:18, 19). Only then will we experience the deliverance that is “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:20). We must experience God’s unconditional love and acceptance in our deepest innermost being. Mary Magdalene, out of whom Jesus cast seven devils, experienced this kind of love from Christ (Mark 16:9). Some Bible commentators believe

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the seven demons cast out refers to Mary returning seven times to her old immoral life. It was only because of her deep, inner knowledge of Christ’s unconditional love and acceptance of her that she was able to return to him and finally gain the victory. This is why she felt such deep love for Christ and anointed His head with very expensive ointment when at Simon’s house (Matthew 26:7). She also was “weeping, and began to wash his feet with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment” (Luke 7:38). Simon critically judged Jesus for allowing this “sinful” woman to do this to Him. Jesus then gave a parable that taught the lesson that “he who is forgiven most, loves most.” Mary had experienced Jesus’ forgiving love and acceptance in her innermost being. This enabled her to experience healing in the depths of her very soul. Love is the greatest environment for healing to take place. Morris Venden, in his book, To Know God, page 90, very nicely states this fact. “The greatest need of any young person who is striving to overcome but who is having problems falling and failing and sinning is to know that someone loves him. “The only one who grows out of his mistakes is the one who knows he’s loved and accepted while he’s making them. And does this lead to license? No, it is this loving relationship, this continuing relationship with Jesus that leads to victory.” You see, we usually have the concept backwards. We think that if we can really overcome our faults, sins, and failures then we will have peace. The truth is that when we have peace through the knowledge of God’s unconditional love, then we will begin overcoming our faults, sins, and failures. Two Essential Experiences Jesus had two very important things in His life—the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the knowledge His Father loved and accepted Him (Luke 3:21, 22). We must have these same two experiences. We must daily receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). And we must know deep within ourselves that we are loved and accepted by our heavenly Father (Ephesians 3:16-19). This knowledge will enable our emotional healing to take place more readily. Love is the most healing environment.

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The Power of Love Why is knowing God’s love for us so important? John tells us in his first letter. “We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 We can love God only to the degree that we “know” His love for us. The more we know deep within ourselves that God loves and accepts us the stronger our love for Him will be. Love begets love. This is why the baptism of the Holy Spirit is so essential. It is only through the Spirit’s infilling that the “love of God is shed abroad in our hearts” (Romans 5:5). It is only by the baptism of the Holy Spirit that we experience the “fruit” of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23). The first fruit listed is “love.” Once this divine love begins to be experienced then the other fruit can begin to grow. The greater we experience God‘s love for us, the deeper we experience emotional healing. The deeper our experience of emotional healing, the greater will we experience joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self control. You see, God has provided a way for us to be delivered from anger, bitterness, jealousy, critical attitudes, and more. John gives us another important insight.

“…he who loveth God loveth his brother also.” 1 John 4:21

Our experience of God’s love is essential for us to truly love one another. We will love our brothers and sisters in Christ only to the degree that we “know” God’s love for us, and to the degree that we love God. You and I cannot make ourselves love others. Only God can do that in us. And He does this by leading us to experience His love for us to the fullest. Loving God and our fellow man are essential requirements in order to be ready for Christ’s second advent. Those ready to meet Jesus will be just like Him (1 John 3:2). They will love the Father with all their hearts and will love others as Christ loves them. Ellen White wrote of this with the words: “Love to man is the earthward manifestation of the love of God. It was to implant this love, to make us children of one family, that the King of glory became one with us. And when His parting words are fulfilled, ‘Love one another, as I have loved you’ (John 15:12); when we love the world as He has loved it, then for us His mission

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is accomplished. We are fitted for heaven; for we have heaven in our hearts.” The Desire of Ages, p. 641 How does “knowing” God loves and accepts us heal us emotionally? John again gives us the answer. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18 When we know in our deepest, innermost being that God really does love and accept us our fears begin to dissolve or be “cast out.” Why is it important that fear be cast out? Because the root cause of our emotional hurts and pain is fear. The painful experiences we have gone through have caused us to feel fear of rejection, fear of abandonment, fear of failure, etc. When this fear is gone the way is open for us to experience the greatest healing. We can then experience Christ’s joy (John 15:11), which bring great inner strength because “the joy of the Lord is our strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). When fear is cast out stress is alleviated, and worry and anxiety are gone. The way is then prepared for us to experience emotional, spiritual and even physical healing. For many of our physical ills are closely related to our emotional pain. When God’s love casts out our fears, then Christ’s peace can be ours (John 14:27). When we have the peace of God in our innermost souls then there is no need to seek peace through the desires of the flesh. Individuals turn to alcohol, drugs, develop eating disorders, anger, a critical spirit, etc., in order to attempt to relieve the pain they are feeling and achieve inner peace. When the peace of God is within us then the need for these “solutions of the flesh” have no attraction. We no longer have a need for them. How to Experience God’s Love The important question then is, How can I come to truly know God’s love and acceptance of me? Remember there are strongholds that we have erected in our lives to protect us from our emotional pains and from further hurt. These strongholds and protective barriers have become an obstacle to our experiencing God’s love for us. There are three things we can do to cast down these strongholds in order to clear the way for us to experience God’s love.

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First, be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). We can experience God’s love only by God living in us through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Remember it is through the Holy Spirit that God’s love is “shed abroad in our heart” (Romans 5:5) and we experience all the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23). Secondly, we should learn to practice what I call “listening prayer.” Paul tells us that we have spiritual weapons that will cast down any stronghold Satan has in our life. “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5 In prayer ask God to reveal the strongholds (past hurtful experiences) that are keeping you from experiencing God’s love. Ask Him to remove them. Then you must forgive anyone whom God brings to your mind who has hurt you. Many times we are unaware of these strongholds that are blocking our experiencing God’s love to the fullest. I write this because of my own experience. As I began learning these things I very much wanted to experience more of God’s love. I knew it was important, but in many ways I knew my understanding of His love for me was somewhat superficial or “head knowledge.” So I began asking God to reveal to me any stronghold experiences that were keeping me from experiencing His love on a deeper level. To my surprise, one day while in prayer the Lord brought to mind my parents. When I was 23 years old I found out that I had been adopted at 6 months. I was raised in a good home, though not a traditional Christian home. In fact, I had thanked God many times for the adoptive parents (the Smiths) He had given me. However, on this occasion in prayer the Lord brought to my mind some things I was really not aware of. I began to realize that I had experienced a conditional love, but was unaware. When I became a Seventh-day Adventist Christian at age 21 my parents disowned me as their son. They removed all the pictures of me in their home and there was no communication. When they were asked if they had children they would say that they had none. I didn’t completely understand their attitude and actions toward me at the time. It took about

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two years before they were able to renew a relationship with me to the fullest extent. In prayer the Lord brought other events to my mind. When I was a child my parents would use such expressions as “we will give you back to the Indians if you don’t behave,” which was somewhat of a common expression for parents of their generation. They would also say that if I was bad I could be sent to a reform school where bad boys were tied to a bed and beaten. Yet in many ways they were very loving to me. What the Lord showed me was that when they brought me into their home it was with a superior attitude toward me. They felt superior to the family I came from. They felt very superior toward me with the attitude that they were doing me a great favor and would love me as long as I met their expectations. I was never a rebellious child, so for the most part things went very well for me in my childhood. The Lord also brought to my mind an occasion when my wife and I moved into a nice home. My parents were living in an apartment at the time. My mother told me that I didn’t deserve the nice home we had moved into. I didn’t understand her attitude, but chose to ignore her words. My parents and I had what I would call an average relationship. On the conscious level I was not aware of any emotional wounds within me. During this time of prayer when the Lord revealed these things, all of a sudden I began crying and realized that there were deep emotional wounds within me. As I came to realize the things I have related above I for the first time understood the real relationship and attitude my parents had toward me all through my life. The pain of realizing their conditional love and acceptance tapped into the hurt that was deep within me. Then God revealed to me His continuous, unconditional love that He had had toward me all through those years. That, too, brought me to tears. Then I began feeling emotional release. During that prayer I forgave my parents for their conditional love and acceptance of me. I also thanked my Lord for loving me unconditionally. Since that prayer God has also led me to consciously forgive my natural mother for giving me up and my natural father for deserting me. If it hadn’t begun to understand these biblical principles and listening to prayer I would have continued to go through life with these strongholds inhibiting me from experiencing God’s love as I wanted to experience it. I am not fully there yet, but I am making progress. I relate this personal experience trusting that it may help someone who is struggling to experience God’s love, but seems unable to do so. Don’t

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be afraid of the emotional pain that you might tap into. God will be with you all the way through such an experience and will wrap you in His love. I now know from personal experience it is the only way that the deepest emotional healing can come. I have had the opportunity to share this “listening prayer” concept with many individuals during the seminars I present on the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Numerous individuals have shared with me their own experience when they began asking God to remove any stronghold that is keeping them from experiencing God’s love more fully. God knows the emotional hurts we have and He wants to heal them because He knows they are barriers Satan has brought into our life that keep us from growing into the fullness of Christ. Many times the experiences were so traumatic that we have suppressed them, and are not aware on a conscious level of the experience that caused them. On one occasion a lady told me of her experience. She had been praying this prayer, and one day the Lord showed her something she had totally blocked from her memory. She saw a little girl in her mind. Then she noticed the dress and shoes were the one’s she had as a child. She also recognized the barn the girl was in. Then she saw a male relative and realized what was happening. God brought to her mind a sexual abuse experience she was totally unaware of. The Lord revealed what had happened up to the actual abuse, and then jumped to what happened after the assault. She was devastated by what she saw had happened to her. For several mornings after becoming aware of the painful experience she would wake up in the fetal position with her pillow soaked with tears. Many negative feelings such as anger, shame, feeling dirty all swept upon her. She was aware of the “Prayer of Forgiveness,” but wasn’t sure when she would be ready to pray that prayer. This happened on a Sunday, and by her Wednesday evening prayer fellowship meeting she was ready to share her experience and pray the prayer of forgiveness. A powerful healing took place during that prayer. She became free of the negative emotions associated with the abuse. Later she told me that it was like a part of her heart had opened up, and that she felt more alive than ever before. She also now began realizing why she had reacted to certain situations as she had in the past. Many of God’s children are carrying around deep hurts that are inhibiting them from experiencing the emotional and physical healing God wants them to have. He knows that these deep hurts cause us to react in

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certain ways. He looks beyond our faults and sees our need, and wants to bring healing and freedom into our lives. When the emotional healing comes the individual is set free from the anger and bitterness the abusive experience has caused. One lady told me that she felt compassion for the man who abused her as a child instead of the hatred and anger she had struggled with for years. How true Jesus statement is that reads: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36 Thirdly, in order to cast down these strongholds and experience God’s love more fully enter into what I call a “new wineskin fellowship” group. God loves us through people. A fellowship of Spirit-filled believers is the best environment to experience God’s love on a human level. This loving environment is the best environment for healing to take place. James writes of this when he states: “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed…” James 5:16 This is also written of in the book of Hebrews: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:23-25 (NIV) A new wineskin fellowship group is the greatest environment within which God’s love can be experienced in a visible, tangible way in our lives. This kind of fellowship enables spiritual, emotional and physical healing to take place. For a more detailed discussion of this kind of Spirit-filled fellowship I refer you to my book, Spirit Baptism & New Wineskin Fellowship. Prayer of Forgiveness Understanding the why and how to experience God’s love to the fullest possible depth of our being is very important for our healing. The Lord has

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also led us to more fully understand how we can be delivered from many of the satanic oppressions that come upon us as a result of our harboring hurt and angry feelings. In another chapter I describe what I call the “Prayer of Forgiveness.” It is very important this also be understood and experienced in order to achieve complete deliverance from Satan’s influences in our life. Something to Remember Remember that God’s attitude toward you is this: “ ‘For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ ” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV) Craig Hill in his book, The Ancient Paths, puts it this way. “Son (daughter), I love you. You are precious to Me. You are worth the life of Jesus to Me. I am so proud to call you My son (daughter). Let Me wrap My arms around you and love you. You are secure in Me. No one can shake My love for you or your destiny which I have planned for you.” Paul stated this nicely when he wrote: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? … Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39

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There is nothing you can do to cause God to love you more, and there is nothing you can do to cause God to love you less. His love for you is unchanging and eternal. My prayer for you dear reader is that you will experience the love of God in your innermost soul as never before. For I know that this experience alone will bring about the greatest healing and deliverance from Satan’s influences in your life.

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Chapter Eleven DELIVERANCE FROM IDOLS

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here is another important aspect of deliverance from Satan’s influences in our life. As previously discussed, we enter into wrong attitudes and behaviors in order to try to release the emotional pain we are experiencing. We try to solve our problem through the “flesh.” So we find ourselves angry, jealous, critical of others, experiencing eating disorders, using alcohol or tobacco or other drugs. We may even seek out release through sinful, lustful activities such as pornography or become addicted to gambling in order to achieve our goal. In all these things we are seeking release from inner fears, anxieties, and tensions. Our desire is to achieve inner peace, joy, and happiness. When we become a Christian we become aware that these attitudes and behaviors are sinful. For that reason, we exert great effort to stop doing them. If we are weak willed we find out rather quickly that the victory is impossible. If we are strong willed it might take us a little longer to realize this. We know that the Bible says “faith is the victory” (1 John 5:4) and that we can “do all things through Christ which strengthens us” (Philippians 4:13). We redouble our efforts expecting God to add His power to our efforts to reform. Again we experience failure. We question ourselves. We ask, “What is my problem? “Am I not really converted? Don’t I really want to be like Jesus?” Time and again we find ourselves going back to those wrong attitudes and behaviors. We experience temporary relief in the wrong way. Yet we know such behaviors and attitudes are a sin and even self destructive. So we continue to question, “What is the answer?”

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The Answer The answer is we don’t understand the real problem! So what is the real problem that causes us to have wrong attitudes and do wrong things? First, whenever we seek release from our pain and hurts through any other means other than God we have made those other means an idol. For instance, whenever we use food as a “mood altering drug” in order to release our stress and anxiety that food has become an idol for us. It has taken the place of God in our life. Anger, bitterness, pornography, eating disorders, tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, among other things, all become as idols to us when we seek them for release rather than seeking God. Also, the release they give is very short-lived and those addictive behaviors demand more for further relief. Consequently, the first thing we must do is recognize them as idols and ask God to forgive us for making them so. In this prayer we must be very specific with God concerning the idols that we have put in the place of God. Also, as previously mentioned, always ask God to continue to fill you with His Spirit. The peace you want is only found in the power of the Holy Spirit producing the fruit of the Spirit in your life (Galatians 5:22, 23). It is also important that you understand and seek to experience God’s love in your life following the steps outlined in the previous chapter, “Experiencing God’s Love.” Without this understanding, what I describe next will be very difficult to achieve. Another very important thing for you to do is to recognize your inability to overcome the desires of the flesh by your own will power. Paul’s experience when God spoke to him clearly illustrates this truth. “And he said unto me, ‘My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me … for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9, 10 A vital truth for every Christian to learn is that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. What does that mean? It means that the more I try to overcome simply by exerting my “will power” the less of God’s strength will be present with me. Does this mean that I should not try to overcome? No, not at all. What it means is that often we “try” in the wrong way.

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What Should We Do? How then are we supposed to try to overcome? First, ask God to “cast down” any “stronghold” Satan has in your life that is controlling you. Some of the strongholds we are plagued with that negatively influence our lives are: lust, anger, critical spirit, jealousy, greed, eating disorders, drugs, etc. Paul tells us how to achieve this. “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5 Simply and specifically ask God to “pull down the stronghold of ____________,” and believe He will do it. You fill in the blank. You know what your strongholds are. It is God’s work to do this, not yours. You are to ask Him to do it and believe He will do what He says He will do. Paul made this clear when we wrote: “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24 Please notice that it is God Who will “sanctify” you. It is the God Who called you Who will “do it.” Our part is to believe what He says. We must learn to look to God in faith to give us the victory. The new covenant promise is: “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you. … And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” Ezekiel 36:26, 27 Again notice that it is God Who gives us the new heart and desires. It is God Who “causes” us to walk in His statutes and “do them.” We must believe He will do what He says.

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For example, when someone does something to cause us to become angry and say something in order to release the tension, we must do several things in faith.

• Immediately turn our mind away from the temptation to get angry (Philippians 4:8).

• Ask God to give us joy and peace believing He will do that by Jesus living in us and manifesting Himself in us through the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23).

• Thank God for giving us joy and peace. This approach applies to every temptation to release our anxiety, fear, stress and pain through the flesh. Look to God in faith believing He will provide what we need. The truth is God is the only source for genuine, lasting love, joy, peace, etc. This source is obtained through Jesus living in us and manifesting His fruit of character in us. Christ in us is our “hope” of His glory shining in and through us (Colossians 1:27). I refer the reader to my book, Spirit Baptism & Abiding in Christ, for a detailed explanation of how to let Jesus live out His life in us. Continual Communion with God This requires us to have a close, continual communion with God. The prophet Isaiah understood this when he wrote: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3 Note the elements of maintaining our peace; keeping our mind on Christ and believe He will do what He says. This is why Paul wrote, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Ellen White clearly presented this truth when she wrote: “Unless we become vitally connected with God, we can never resist the unhallowed effects of self-love, self-indulgence, and temptation to sin. We may leave off many bad habits, for the time we may part company with Satan; but without a vital connection with God, through the surrender of ourselves to Him moment by moment, we shall be overcome. Without a personal acquaintance

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with Christ, and a continual communion, we are at the mercy of the enemy, and shall do his bidding in the end.” The Desire of Ages, p. 324 God offers deliverance to us over every influence Satan tries to bring into our lives. We must learn how to obtain deliverance—not by strong willpower but rather by looking to Jesus (Hebrews 12:1, 2), Who abides in us through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We must in faith believe He will do what He says He will do—give us His love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self control (Galatians 5:22, 23). Oswald Chambers was a well known twentieth century Christian author who died while still a young man. Yet his short life has impacted many for Christ. One of his best known works is the daily devotional, My Utmost for His Highest. I quote from the July 23 reading entitled, “Sanctification.” “ ‘But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us … sanctification …’ ” (1 Corinthians 1:30). “The Life Side: The mystery of sanctification is that the perfect qualities of Jesus Christ are imparted as a gift to me, not gradually, but instantly once I enter by faith into the realization that He ‘became for [me] … sanctification …’ Sanctification means nothing less than the holiness of Jesus becoming mine and being exhibited in my life. “The most wonderful secret of living a holy life does not lie in imitating Jesus, but in letting the perfect qualities of Jesus exhibit themselves in my human flesh. Sanctification is ‘Christ in you…’ (Colossians 1:27). It is His wonderful life that is imparted to me in God’s grace. Am I willing for God to make sanctification as real in me as it is in His Word? “Sanctification means the impartation of the holy qualities of Jesus Christ to me. It is the gift of His patience, love, holiness, faith, purity, and godliness that is exhibited in and through every sanctified soul. Sanctification is not drawing from Jesus the power to be holy—it is drawing from Jesus the very holiness that was exhibited in Him, and that he now exhibits in me. Sanctification is an impartation, not an imitation. Imitation is something altogether

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different. The perfection of everything is in Jesus Christ, and the mystery of sanctification is that all the perfect qualities of Jesus are at my disposal. Consequently, I slowly but surely begin to live a life of inexpressible order, soundness, and holiness – ‘…kept by the power of God…’ (1 Peter 1:5).” So, “let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith …” (Hebrews 12:1, 2, NIV).

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Chapter Twelve HEALING AND GOD’S WILL

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hen one studies the subject of healing in the Bible there is little doubt that God can heal. The question most Christians have concerning healing is, “Is it God’s will to heal His children today?” Many sincere Christians struggle with the issue; is it God’s will to heal us today or is physical healing for the future when Jesus comes and delivers us from this world of sin? Is sickness and disease to be the lot of God’s children until the Second Advent? How can we know what God’s will actually is when it come to healing our physical diseases? I felt if I studied Jesus’ ministry I would find the answer. For the Bible is quite clear as to why Jesus came to this sinful earth. One primary reason was so we could better understand the Father. When Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father Jesus replied, “he that hath seen me hath seen the Father…” (John 14:9). The disciple John tells us that Jesus came to reveal the “glory,” or character of the Father (John 1:14). Jesus’ Mission Jesus clearly understood His mission. He came to “do the will” of the Father and to “finish His work” (John 4:34). What these verses tell us is that as we read about Jesus’ ministry to those in need we can clearly understand the Father’s attitude toward His children. Jesus’ and the Father’s attitude are the same for they are “one.” Jesus’ attitude toward the sick and diseased is the same as the Father’s attitude. So I began reading what the Gospel writers had recorded about Jesus’ attitude and ministry to those who were suffering from sickness and disease. Jesus came to give His people the abundant life (John 10:10). I have known this text for many years. Yet I hadn’t seen it in the light of healing. Anyone who has suffered with sickness and disease certainly knows that

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such a life cannot be described as an abundant life. Under such conditions life becomes very limited. The sickness and disease takes one’s time, energy, and focus day after day. Disease not only takes the time, energy, and focus of the one sick but also of caregivers and loved ones. Jesus Never Said No! As I began studying the many instances of Jesus encountering the sick and diseased I discovered that He never once denied anyone’s request for healing. I will not take the time in this book to list every recorded case of Jesus healing someone. I invite the reader to do that study for themselves. When one studies the many instances of Jesus healing only one conclusion can be drawn. It is Jesus’ will and desire to heal those who request healing from Him. One day a leper came to Jesus and said, “If you will you can make me clean.” The scriptures tell us that Jesus was moved with “compassion” and said, “I will; be thou clean” (Mark 1:40-42). Jesus felt compassion for the sick. Jesus stated it was His will to heal. Luke recorded Peter’s knowledge of Jesus’ ministry in the book of Acts. Peter told the people that Jesus “went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil” (Acts 10:38). Peter did not know of one case that Jesus refused to heal. For he states that Jesus healed “all.” Has Jesus Changed? Is the Jesus we serve today the same Jesus that walked this earth 2,000 years ago? Yes He is. The writer of Hebrews is clear on this when he states, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). What good news this is for one who is suffering from sickness and disease. We can come to the same Jesus today that so many sick folks came to 2,000 years ago and know that He has not changed His attitude toward sickness and disease. It was His desire to heal then and it is His desire to heal today. Why? Because He is the same today as He was then. He has the same attitude, the same compassion, the same desire and the same power to heal. John knew his Lord well. He came to know the love of Jesus better than any of the other disciples. John saw Jesus heal on many occasions. He knew Jesus’ attitude toward sickness and disease. Jesus’ desire became John’s desire for God’s children. John knew health was God’s desire and will for His people, and he had the same desire for them also.

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“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 2 For God’s Glory All mankind is to glorify God (Psalm 86:9). God can be glorified in many ways by His children. Jesus connected physical healing with God’s saving works and glorification. When Jesus was passing by a blind man His disciples asked Him about the man. They had some misconceptions about why individuals suffer from physical infirmities such as blindness. Jesus indicated that through his blindness the “works of God” would be “manifest” in him (John 9:1-3). His blindness would be a means for God to be glorified through the healing that would take place. Every time someone reaches out in faith to God and is healed God is glorified. Jesus received word that His friend Lazarus was sick. Jesus knew he would die. In fact Jesus intentionally delayed arriving to Lazarus’ home. When Jesus and the disciples finally did arrive Lazarus had died several days before their arrival. When speaking to the disciples Jesus stated that the purpose of this sickness was “for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby” (John 11:4). God is always glorified through the healing of His children. God has given His children many promises in the Bible. Every time the believer reaches out in faith and claims God’s promise, God is glorified (2 Corinthians 1:20). God’s desire is to manifest His power to save us from our spiritual, emotional and physical infirmities. God is glorified when His saving power is manifested. The Most Important Question The more I studied the life and ministry of Jesus I learned that Jesus healed all who came to him for healing. I became more and more convinced it is God’s will to heal those who come to Him for healing today. God will heal those who in faith claim His promise to heal and such healing brings glory to Him. This question of whether healing is God’s will or not is probably the most important question to be settled. Most all Christians believe God has the power to heal and that He can heal if He chooses to. This question was the one that caused me to doubt if healing would come when prayed for. As I have discussed biblical healing with others I have found they have the same doubts about God’s willingness to heal.

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Often individuals tell me of someone who seemed to be a very wonderful Christian, but was not healed of some disease. Such cases are held up as evidence that it is not always God’s will to heal His children. Let me pose a couple questions concerning this idea that what happens is evidence of God’s will concerning deliverance. Is it God’s will we overcome all temptation and sin? We would all answer, yes. If we do not overcome a particular temptation would we say then it is not God’s will we overcome that particular temptation? No, of course it is not God’s will we fail to overcome that sin. What would we say about that failure to have victory? We would say the failure was on our part, not God failing us. Most likely there was something we didn’t understand about victory or were weak spiritually. The same is true about physical healing. Just because someone is not healed it does not mean it is not God’s will to heal them. It simply means there are other dimensions to their healing they do not understand. Such areas of misunderstanding could include lifestyle issues such as diet, exercise, rest, etc. Or, there could be an emotional dimension that needs to be addressed before physical healing can take place. Lessons from Creation A subject that one might wonder if it has any relation to the subject under consideration is God’s creation. However, as I have reflected on the creation, God’s will to heal has become even clearer to me. We can learn much about God from His creation. It has been called God’s second book. As David reflected on the creation he was inspired to declare, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). As he considered God’s creation of mankind he wrote, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:…” (Psalm 139:14). What can we learn from nature about God’s desire concerning healing of His children? We can find the answer to our question. The creation of man clearly teaches us that it is God’s will to heal. God created our bodies to be healed. He gave us an immune system to fight disease. If we cut ourselves it heals. As Seventh-day Adventists we of all people should be aware of God’s desire for His people concerning health. God has given Seventh-day Adventists a health message. Why did He do that? So we could cooperate with Him in attaining good health. God wants His children to be healthy and disease free. And remember that “trust in divine power” is one of the eight “true remedies.”

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I have at times heard Christian’s assert that they believed it was God’s will for them to be sick and suffer in pain. Let me ask such a Christian a couple of questions. If you are suffering from some painful disease such as cancer, are you going to pray to God for healing? Most will answer, “Yes.” If you do not receive healing do you then believe it is God’s will you have this painful cancer? Many would answer, “Yes.” I would then ask, “Are you seeking medical care and treatment for this disease in hopes of being healed?” I am sure all would say, “Yes.” Think about the logic of this for one moment. If it is God’s will we suffer with painful cancer and we go to a doctor to seek healing of this cancer are we not going against God’s will that we have the disease? If He wants us to have this disease then we should bow to His will and not seek to free ourselves from it since it is God’s will we have it. If it is His will we be sick, then we should not seek some lifestyle change to rid ourselves of the disease. For if we seek to change something in our life that is God’s will we have, we would clearly be going against His will, and that would be a sin. Well, I don’t think any Christian would conclude that it is a sin to try to obtain freedom from sickness or disease. And if that is true then we should have no doubts as to God’s will to heal us. It Is God’s Will to Heal His Children Having studied the Bible and the life and ministry of Christ I have no question that it is God’s will to heal us. I know it is His will. And as I reflect on God’s creation and especially the creation of mankind my conviction is even more confirmed. Our very bodies declare loud and clear that it is God’s will we be healed. Even the advances in medical science that God has allowed mankind to understand tells me He desires healing for us whether we have faith in Him or not. God’s love, mercy, and compassion is so great for mankind that He has provided a means for relief from sickness and suffering for even the atheist and agnostic through the advancements of medical science. Yes, God has provided relief from suffering for even the one who curses His name and denies His existence. In the light of such clear evidence how can we dare to doubt His will to heal us. He has revealed His desire to heal us in so many ways. May we stop listening to the lies of Satan and choose to believe the Word of God and the testimony of nature both of which clearly and loudly declare—IT IS GOD’S WILL TO HEAL HIS CHILDREN!

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Chapter Thirteen DELIVERANCE FROM SICKNESS AND DISEASE

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hen God does a work He does a complete work. He does not leave anything partially undone. This completeness of God’s work applies to the deliverance Christ provided at the cross for every believer. When Jesus cried out from the cross “It is finished!” the provision for deliverance was completed. In this chapter we will deal primarily with physical and emotional deliverance from the infirmities Satan has brought on mankind. We will consider especially the deliverance from physical pain and disease that is available to the believer as well as deliverance from emotional stress such as anxiety and depression. The principle is this: whatever is not from God we do not have to receive. The Basis of Belief Some Christians can base their faith on strong feelings of what they believe God’s will to be. I have never been able to do that. I have always had to prove a teaching from the Bible and then I could have faith in it. When I first came to learn about the Sabbath, I was faced with a new truth. I had been raised with the belief that Sunday is the day God wants us to keep or at least go to church on. My feelings all confirmed that Sunday was the correct day. However, as I began studying the Bible I learned that Saturday is the seventh-day Sabbath that God asks us to keep in the fourth commandment. My feelings said Sunday. My intellect from the study of the Bible said Saturday. I choose to follow what I saw the Bible taught rather than my feelings about the matter. I soon discovered that in time my feelings caught up with my understanding. Now I feel very strongly that Saturday is the day God wants us to keep holy.

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As I began my study of the Bible teaching on healing I had somewhat of a similar struggle. I had always been taught that God can heal, but probably will not, and that we can never be sure if He will. So I had to follow the same method of determining the truth on the matter of healing. I had to see exactly what the Bible taught and choose to believe and practice what it taught even if my feelings or previous beliefs conflicted. When I became a Seventh-day Adventist I made the decision to follow the Bible and the Bible only regardless of what the majority of Christians believed. I had to make the same decision about healing. The Cross of Christ and Healing So the first thing I had to discover was what the theological basis of healing is. The cross of Christ is at the center of all Christian beliefs. As I studied the subject of healing I discovered that the cross was also the basis of the belief that we can be healed by God and that He desires to do so. Matthew understood the connection between the cross and healing. In chapter eight he records an event that occurred one evening when Jesus’ friends and loved ones “brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick” (Matthew 8:16). Matthew recognized that this was more than an event of healing. It was a fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy by Isaiah. Matthew goes on to tell us that this was done “That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses” (Matthew 8:17). You see, Matthew understood that Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would not only take our sins upon Himself at the cross, but He would also take our sicknesses and diseases. Why was this important? It is because He took our sins and paid the price for them on the cross that we can be forgiven. That is why Jesus could forgive the sins of those who came to Him seeking forgiveness. The same is true then for our sicknesses and diseases. It is because He took our ailments that He could bring healing to all who sought it from Him. On the cross Jesus paid the price for our total healing; spiritual, emotional, and physical. Both Old and New Testament writers recognized this work of total healing provided at the cross. We know Isaiah did. He clearly foretold it in the fifty-third chapter of his book, which Matthew quoted. David also understood this when he wrote:

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“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.” Psalm 103:1-3 Note how clearly David connects forgiveness and healing. The provisions for both take place at the cross. The New Testament writer, James, also understood this when he stated that God would heal the one prayed for and anointed. He states: “and if he hath committed sins, they shall be forgiven him” (James 5:15). What Kind of Healing? As I continued to study I began questioning if Matthew was referring to actual physical sickness and disease when he used the words “infirmities” and “sicknesses.” So I did a word study. I wanted to know how these two Greek words were used in other verses in the Bible. I will list only a couple examples, which I think make it clear. The two Greek words translated “infirmities” and “sickness” are astheneia and nosos, repectively, in Matthew 8:16, 17. I was excited to learn how they are used in other New Testament texts. Astheneia can refer to both spiritual or physical infirmities. In most cases it refers to physical disease. Two examples of this are found in Luke 5:15; 13:11-16. In Luke chapter five we are told that great multitudes came to hear Jesus and be healed of their “infirmities,” clearly referring to physical diseases. In Luke chapter thirteen Jesus referred to a woman who was so diseased that she was bowed down and could not lift herself up. Jesus called what she had a spirit of “infirmity,” again referring to a physical disease. Nosos (Matthew chapter eight) is often translated “sickness.” Matthew uses the Greek word again in chapter nine verse 35. In this verse he records the wide extent of Jesus’ healing ministry. Jesus is said to have gone to cities and villages and “healed every sickness and every disease among the people.” As I continued my study I became convinced of the truth that physical healing definitely does have a theological basis in the New Testament. Matthew clearly points out that the prophet Isaiah foretold it. I saw for the first time that Christ’s work on the cross included our physical healing. This was a wonderful, new enlightenment for me. However, I still had questions. I asked myself, “Is God as willing to heal today as He was when Jesus walked the earth? Could I have confidence that God would heal me if

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I faced sickness and disease?” I was eager to get the answers from the Bible. This book is the result of seeking these answers. Jesus Was Anointed to Bring Healing Garrie Williams, in his book, The Healing Power of the Holy Spirit, very aptly lays out the biblical teaching on the healing available to every believer. Jesus in His first sermon quoted from Isaiah 61:1-3 indicating that He was the great deliverer of Israel Who would set the captives of Satan free. Williams quotes Isaiah’s prophecy and makes the following comments: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor (spiritual healing for those who do not have the riches of salvation); He has sent Me to heal the broken hearted (emotional healing), to proclaim liberty to the captives (healing of circumstances of bondage through habits, addictions, generational sins, and memories), opening of the prison to those who are bound (healing from demonic and evil oppression); to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God (healing from the affects of erroneous religious teaching and expectations); To comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion (the healing of hurts, even from within the church), to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning (healing of all of the affects of sin and spiritual death), the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (healing of insecurities), the planted of the Lord (healing of instability), that He may be glorified.” The Healing Power of the Holy Spirit, p. 12 Jesus stated that He was “anointed” in order to do this work of ministry. The Scriptures tell us that Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit following His water baptism (Matthew 3:13-17). Immediately following His anointing we are told that Jesus was “full of the Holy Ghost” (Luke 4:1). It was at that point that He was equipped to confront Satan as never before in His life (Luke 4:1-13). We are then told: “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.” Luke 4:14

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What did Jesus do that caused His “fame” to be known? Matthew tells us: “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.” Matthew 4:23, 24 Jesus had the power to bring about works of healing every disease He was confronted with whether it be infirmity of body or mind. Why was Jesus able to do such works? Because He had received the anointing of the Holy Spirit. “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil.” Acts 10:38 Jesus’ Disciples Were Also Anointed to Bring Healing Jesus told His disciples that they would do the very works He did and even greater works (John 14:12). Jesus knew that the same Spirit that anointed Him would anoint His followers in the future on the day of Pentecost. And so, as the Spirit empowered Jesus to do His works so would the Spirit empower those who believe in Christ. The works of the followers of Jesus would be greater in that there would be more Spirit-filled believers, where at the time of Christ’s statement He was the only One who was Spirit-filled. Every believer was to become as Christ to the world in character and ministry. Therefore followers of Christ would continue in the ministry of healing He began. Jesus empowered his disciples, the twelve and the seventy, to do the same works He did. “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 disease.” Matthew 10:1

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“After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. … Jesus then said, ‘And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. …’ And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name….’ Jesus then told the seventy, ‘Behold, I have given unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.’ ” Luke 10:1, 8, 9, 17, 19 Jesus prophesied that His ministry would continue through all that would believe on Him in the future. “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; … they shall lay their hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16:17, 18 The New Testament Church is Anointed to Bring Healing When Jesus was about to ascend to His Father He told the disciples to wait for the Spirit to receive power to continue His ministry on earth (Acts 1:8). When the day of Pentecost came the Spirit was poured out on the waiting believers. The book of Acts is filled with accounts of their boldness in witnessing and works of healing (Acts 5:15, 16). As the church continued to grow in number the ministry of healing was to continue. God led the church to establish a more formal ceremony for seeking God’s healing in the church setting. “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he hath committed sins, they shall be forgiven him … pray for one another, that ye may be healed.” James 5:14, 15 However, as one reads the New Testament it is clear that God does not limit Himself to any one method for healing. Jesus and the disciples used

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numerous methods—laying on of hands, anointing with oil, speaking the Word, etc. Most Christians believe God can heal. The problem is that many don’t believe God will heal them. It is very important to believe that it is God’s desire to heal His children. How can we know that? Did Jesus ever turn anyone away who sought healing? No. Who’s will did Jesus come to reveal? The Father’s. What does this say about Jesus’ and the Father’s desire to heal us? It is Their desire to heal. Ellen G. White and Faith Healing When I first began getting into the subject of healing I wasn’t sure Ellen White supported the concept that it is God’s desire to heal His children. But such statements as the following clarified her position on it. “Sin brings physical and spiritual disease and weakness. Christ has made it possible for us to free ourselves from this curse.” Medical Ministry, p. 12 “If we are under infirmities of body, it is certainly consistent to trust in the Lord, making supplications to our God in our own case, and if we feel inclined to ask others in whom we have confidence to unite with us in prayer to Jesus, who is the Mighty Healer, help will surely come if we ask in faith. I think we are altogether too faithless, too cold and lukewarm.” Ibid., p. 16 “The influence of the Spirit of God is the very best medicine that can be received by a sick man or woman. Heaven is all health, and the more deeply the heavenly influences are realized, the more sure will be the recovery of the believing invalid.” Ibid., p. 12 Ellen White clearly supports the teaching that the believer should go to Jesus for healing and expect results. The Holy Spirit Anointing or Infilling and Healing Paul gives us a wonderful insight into the power the Spirit brings into our lives in Romans chapter 8. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2

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This text addresses the righteousness and eternal life we have in Jesus. The “Spirit of life” frees us from the condemnation of the law that our sins bring upon us. The Spirit of life also brings with Him physical and emotional life. The more of the Spirit we have through a daily renewing and infilling the more life and health we receive. The “law of sin and death” dwelling is us is over ruled by the “law of the Spirit of life.” Ellen White alludes to this in the previous statement quoted above. She speaks of the Spirit’s “influence” as being our “best medicine.” She also states “the more deeply the heavenly influences are realized,” the more surely will we experience healing and health. The last generation of Christians will have experienced total health of body, mind and spirit through the power of the Holy Spirit. They will be like those delivered from Egypt, which is a “type” of the deliverance of God’s children at Christ’s second coming. “… and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.” Psalm 105:37 God Created Us to Be Healed God created our bodies to be healed. He gave us an immune system to fight disease. If we cut ourselves it heals. God has given Seventh-day Adventists a health message. Why did He do that? So we could cooperate with Him in attaining good health. God wants His children to be healthy and disease-free. The One Who Causes Sickness and Disease Jesus gave us a clear example of who causes our diseases and how we can deal with them when He healed a woman that had an infirmity for eighteen years. He stated; “Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. … And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?” Luke 13:12, 16 Here we learn that Satan brings on disease. Jesus broke this bondage of Satan and loosed the woman from the disease. We in the name of Jesus can do the same thing when Satan brings disease on one of God’s children.

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Peter also recognized that Satan is the cause of sickness and disease. Of Jesus Peter stated: “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Acts 10:38 Here Peter states the when Jesus healed someone He was delivering them from an “oppression of the devil.” There are many reasons for sickness and disease. Medical science can explain many of them. Yet, according to Jesus and Peter, the devil is the one behind them all. He is the one ultimately responsible for all sin, sickness and disease in this world. Jesus came to “destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). Therefore, we can have faith that God will destroy all the works that the devil tries to bring into our lives whether they be spiritual, emotional or physical. How to Receive Healing If God desires to heal us how can we receive His healing? First, we must believe He will heal us in the name of His Son, Jesus. Christ Himself came up against a “doubt” barrier when He ministered in his “own country” as recorded in Mark chapter 6. We are told: “And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief…” Mark 6:5, 6 If we don’t believe we will be healed then we will not be healed. However, if we ask in faith believing that Jesus took our physical infirmities upon Himself on the cross we will receive healing. Sometimes the healing occurs immediately. Sometimes it takes a while for the healing to become complete. The timing is in God’s providence. However, we must not lose faith if the healing takes time. Jesus instructs us: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Matthew 7:7 The Greek verb form for “ask, seek, and knock” is continuous action. We are to keep on asking, keep on seeking, and keep on knocking and

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then our request will be fulfilled. Remember healing through prayer is a faith work; “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Continue to see your complete healing with the “eye of faith” even if the “natural eye” does not. Your faith in God’s promise will make the healing a reality. Remember Jesus said, “Ask and ye shall receive.” We will get what we ask for when it comes to our physical and emotional health. Be careful what you say. Our words are powerful when it comes to doing battle with Satan. Our words will either work for our good or our ill. I have heard of several cases of a critically ill person asking God to let them live for a certain period of time believing He would grant their request. Sure enough God did. What they did not know is that they could have asked for more. The Prayer of Faith for Healing According to Christ’s statement in Mark chapter 16 we can lay hands on the sick person and pray in faith believing God will heal. The following is an example of a simple prayer for healing of a Christian we will call Jim. “Father, we come before You in the name of your Son Jesus Christ. Jim has accepted Christ as his Savior and belongs to Him. Jesus took Jim’s spiritual infirmities and physical infirmities on Himself at the cross. Satan has no right to bring this sickness on Jim since he belongs to Jesus. Father, you have said through your Son Jesus that these signs shall follow them that believe, they shall lay their hands on the sick and they shall be healed. Therefore, in the name of Jesus I rebuke this disease and command that this spirit of infirmity that is causing this infirmity (name it if you can such as back pain, leg pain, cancer, etc) depart. And in the name of Jesus I claim your promise to heal Jim of this infirmity. Thank you Father for hearing us, and answering this prayer. Thank you for healing Jim.” I have used this prayer many times and have seen many healings. See the chapter entitled, “Personal Experiences,” for examples of healings that have resulted from prayer. One must pray confidently in faith and rebuke Satan with authority knowing that Christ has given the believer all power over the enemy. Also have the one prayed for thank God for healing them. Their confession of faith is important. If there was a pain in a certain part of their body I have them stand up and move around believing God has healed them.

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Our faith will make the healing a reality. Let me give an example. I had been suffering with a very painful hip and leg for over a year. I was ready to go to a specialist to see if I needed a hip replacement or some other surgery. One night I reached out to God in faith for healing. The next day it felt better. However, occasionally the pain would return. When the pain came I would say, “In the name of Jesus I do not accept that pain. Thank you God for healing me.” I didn’t accept the “false” evidence of the pain. Rather I choose to exercise faith in the promise of healing. After about two months the pain left completely. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” 1 John 5:14, 15 The Importance of Rebuking Some Adventists and other Christians are not sure about the reality of our conflict with Satan and his host of evil angels, and the necessity of “rebuking” them in the name of Jesus. The following statements by Ellen White are very helpful. “The power and malice of Satan and his host might justly alarm us, were it not that we may find shelter and deliverance in the superior power of our Redeemer. We carefully secure our houses with bolts and locks to protect our property and our lives from evil men; but we seldom think of the evil angels who are constantly seeking access to us, and against whose attacks we have, in our own strength, no method of defense. If permitted, they can distract our minds, disorder, torment our bodies, and destroy our possessions and our lives. Their only delight is in misery and destruction.” The Great Controversy, p. 517 “I saw that if the church had always retained her peculiar, holy character, the power of the Holy Spirit which was imparted to the disciples would still be with her. The sick would be healed, devils would be rebuked and cast out, and she would be mighty and a terror to her enemies.” Early Writings, p. 227 (emphasis added)

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“Satan takes possession of the minds of men today. In my labors in the cause of God, I have again and again met those who have been thus possessed, and in the name of the Lord I have rebuked the evil spirit.” Selected Messages, vol. 2, p. 353 (emphasis added) Remember that the only offensive weapon Paul listed in the armour of God is the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). The Greek word translated “word” in this text is rhema, which refers to the spoken word; not simply the written word. We are to defend ourselves and carry on our aggressive battle against Satan by speaking God’s Word against him. Hence Paul understood the importance of rebuking Satan with God’s Word. I personally believe this should be done aloud whenever possible. Jesus is our example in all things including how to be victorious over Satan. Note carefully how Christ dealt with Satan and his evil works in this earth. When Satan tempted Christ in the wilderness Jesus met these temptations with the “spoken” word (Luke 4:1-13). To every temptation it is recorded that Jesus “said” (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). He spoke the Word of God against Satan’s efforts to tempt. When casting out demons Jesus “spoke” against them (Mark 5:8). Again and again when He confronted a demon it is recorded that Jesus “said ….” Whenever He healed someone of a disease he spoke His word against the disease (Luke 13:12, 13). Christ’s spoken word rebuked the disease. When Satan tempted Christ through the words of Peter the Bible tells us that Jesus said to him, “Get thee behind me, Satan” (Matthew 16:23). Even when He calmed the storm it is recorded that He “said unto the sea, Peace, be still” (Mark 4:39). God works through the spoken word. We are to obtain our victories over Satan in the same way. We are to speak the Word in the name of Christ. Notice Jesus instruction. “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.” Mark 11:22, 23 Note Christ’s emphasis on “saying,” not just believing. Saying is mentioned three times to one reference to believing. God works through the spoken word. When we speak God’s Word angels that excel in strength come to our aid (Psalm 103:20) and Satan will “flee” in terror (James 4:7).

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Believing and saying go hand-in-hand (Mark 11:23; Romans 10:9, 10; Revelation 12:11). Paul gives further emphasis to the importance of our verbal confession along with belief in his letter to the Romans. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9, 10 The word translated “saved” is used 54 times in the New Testament. Fourteen times it refers to deliverance from disease and demon possession. Twenty times it refers to deliverance from physical peril or instant death. Twenty times it refers to spiritual salvation. Hence, we overcome Satan’s attacks on us spiritually, physically and emotionally by belief and verbal confession. Confession affirms something we believe. God works through us by His Word through our lips. We must meet Satan just like Jesus did. We must verbally speak against his attacks on us if we are to have victory. John the revelator understood this when he wrote: “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony…” (Revelation 12:11). Because of this I have found it important to share this concept of rebuking with those whom we have prayed for. One evening at prayer meeting we prayed for the healing of a lady’s neck, which had been injured years before and had caused her much pain and limited her ability to turn her head in certain directions. The Lord healed her pain immediately. Later she told us that on the way home Satan tried several times to bring the pain back. However, she rebuked his efforts and the pain finally left and has not returned. The same victory Jesus had is available to every Spirit-filled Christian in the name of Jesus. Remember Paul’s instruction in Ephesians 1:19-21. Every power in heaven and earth is under Jesus’ authority. And Christ’s power and authority over Satan and his host is conferred on the one who has faith in Jesus. An important principle in faith healing is to treat physical pain and disease, and emotional distress such as depression as you would sin. Rebuke it immediately. As soon as you sense Satan seeking to bring physical or emotional infirmities upon you, choose not to receive it.

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What we need to remember as a Spirit-filled Christian is to ask ourselves if what we are experiencing is from God or Satan. Jesus said; “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). James writes: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). These texts tell us that anxiety, depression, disease, temptation, and sin do not come from God. They steal from us the “abundant life” and certainly are not “good gifts.” These are from the “thief,” Satan, and we do not have to receive them. God will allow Satan to bring these things upon us. But, as we learn to become victorious over them in Jesus’ name we will be stronger and stronger in the faith. “My brethern, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:2-4 Remember. in Luke 4:13 Satan departed for a “season” after tempting Christ. Our struggle with Satan does not stop with the Spirit’s infilling in our life. Just the opposite will happen. It was after Christ received the baptism of the Spirit that He encountered His greatest conflicts with Satan. Satan does not “roll over and play dead” when we begin having such victories in Christ. He will come at us again. However, we have nothing to fear. He was defeated at the cross. And we have authority over him in Christ. The Believer’s Power and Authority over Satan It is so essential that every Christian understand their authority over Satan in Christ. I am afraid that we have been often defeated because of our ignorance of this fact. We often suffer needlessly under Satan oppressions because of this ignorance. God laments; “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). Victory over Satan is found nowhere in this world except through Christ. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. … If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:32, 36). Many Christians have not begun to tap into the power and authority that is available to them through Jesus. They are putting up with Satan’s

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works in their lives much more than they have to. The fact is, they don’t have to receive anything from him at all. “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Ephesians 3:20 Too often our prayer is primarily pleading with God to deliver us from Satan’s power in our lives. Such prayers are asking God for something He has already provided at the cross. Instead, we should be claiming the victory that is ours through Christ because of the power and authority He has given us over Satan. When we understand this our prayers will become more and more seeking a greater infilling of the Spirit. We will be praying for more of Jesus in our life. We will also be praising God more for the victories we are experiencing in our lives through the indwelling Christ. This does not mean there will not be times when we wrestle with God as Jacob did for deliverance. However, our focus will be wrestling with God in confidence knowing that we will receive the promised blessing. We must have a confidence that will not let God go until we receive the blessing and deliverance. This is not a prayer of pleading and hoping deliverance will come. Rather it is a prayer of beseeching and knowing deliverance will come. Begin exercising your authority and power in Christ over Satan and you will see amazing results. Victories over sins that have plagued you for years will be gained. If you have had struggles with anxiety, depression, fears, etc., these unclean spirits will be forced to depart. If you are suffering with physical pain or disease, in the name of Jesus you can be “loosed” from this bondage of Satan. If we are not having victories over Satan in our life it is not God’s fault. Not one Christian need be pushed around or run over by Satan. Remember, Jesus said; “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions” (Luke 10:17). The terms “serpents and scorpions” refers to Satan and his demon host. Instead of them walking all over us we have the power and authority to walk all over them. Isn’t that good news? Yes it is. That is the good news of the “gospel.” The gospel of Jesus Christ God has provided deliverance to all who choose it; deliverance over all the works of the devil in our lives. Believe for your victory and speak your victory and you will have victory. Your victory is guaranteed by God. God guaranteed it at the cross. All we

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have to do is avail ourselves of this victory in Christ through faith and the spoken word. We are God’s vineyard. We are to bring forth fruit by the Spirit’s infilling. God has provided everything we need for victory in every aspect of life; spiritual, physical, and emotional. How very true are God’s words; “What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it?” (Isaiah 5:4). God, Doctors and Other Believers As I have said elsewhere in this book, seek God first for healing. However, if the healing does not happen and some severe condition continues, then do not hesitate to seek medical advice. It is no denial of your faith to go to a doctor. Sometimes God chooses to use the medical knowledge He has given us to bring about our healing. For example, several years ago I developed a small lump on my knee. I prayed about it, but the lump remained. It wasn’t painful and didn’t bother me. However, I decided to go to the doctor and have it removed surgically. Also, God wants us to pray for one another (James 5:16). We are not created to be an “island” standing alone in our battle with Satan. If we are facing some attack by him, whether spiritual, emotional or physical, and we pray about it and rebuke his attacks and do not receive deliverance, then we should ask another Spirit-filled believer to pray for us as well. Ellen White understood this in her statement previously quoted: “If we are under infirmities of body, it is certainly consistent to trust in the Lord, making supplications to our God in our own case, and if we feel inclined to ask others in whom we have confidence to unite with us in prayer to Jesus, who is the Mighty Healer, help will surely come if we ask in faith. I think we are altogether too faithless, too cold and lukewarm.” Medical Ministry, p. 16 What About Death? Does this mean that the Christian will never die if he is always healed of the diseases and sicknesses that come upon him? No. Death is an entirely different issue. As with Moses, I think God offers to His children good health as long as they live. When their time comes to die they will simply go to sleep that night and pass away. Living daily with pain, disease, or being an invalid is not in God’s plan for His children. Jesus took all

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these physical infirmities upon Himself at the cross and we do not have to receive them from Satan. Emotional Dimension of Physical Healing As I stated previously, it is estimated that 80% of our physical sicknesses and diseases have an emotional or spiritual root cause. For this reason there may be times God does not heal the physical problem because He wants to heal us completely, including emotionally. For example, a critical spirit is closely associated with some diseases. One’s anger and bitterness could hinder the physical deliverance God wants to provide. However, if we are willing and ask Him He will lead us to emotional healing, which will prepare the way for physical healing. I saw the relationship between physical healing and such negative emotions as fear, doubt, and anxiety clearly illustrated in the experience of a lady suffering with diabetes. She had suffered for years with “brittle” diabetes. It seemed impossible to get her blood sugar to stabilize. The doctors did not understand what caused this. She was prayed for with anointing and God healed the physical condition. She stopped taking her insulin and for several weeks her blood sugar lowered to normal levels. Then she began experiencing severe emotional stress and the blood sugar began rising again. This caused great consternation in her leading her to doubt her faith in God for healing, and she was tempted to believe God had let her down. Her condition kept deteriorating. I explained to her the relationship between her negative emotions and physical healing of the diabetes. I suggested that she begin taking the insulin again, and then focus on overcoming the negative emotions by God’s grace. She followed this suggestion. This relieved the severe physical symptoms of the elevated blood sugar, and enabled her to better focus on emotional healing. The insulin required to lower her blood sugar to normal was less than previously required. I am convinced that in time the physical condition will be totally healed as the emotional healing progresses. Ellen White Quotes on the Mind-Body Relationship Ellen White revealed the close connection to our emotional health and physical health when she wrote the following. My Life Today, p. 151: “The relation that exists between the mind and the body is very intimate. When one is affected the other sympathizes. The condition

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of the mind affects the health to a far greater degree than many realize. Many of the diseases from which men suffer are the result of mental depression. Grief, anxiety, discontent, remorse, guilt, distrust, all tend to break down the life forces and to invite decay and death. “Disease is sometimes produced, and is often greatly aggravated, by the imagination. Many are lifelong invalids who might be well if they only thought so. “Courage, hope, faith, sympathy, love, promote health and prolong life. A contented mind, a cheerful spirit, is health to the body and strength to the soul. “Gratitude, rejoicing, benevolence, trust in God’s love and care— these are health’s greatest safeguard. “The power of the will and the importance of self-control, both in the preservation and in the recovery of health, the depressing and even ruinous effect of anger, discontent, selfishness, or impurity, and, on the other hand, the marvelous life-giving power to be found in cheerfulness, unselfishness, gratitude, should also be shown. “There is a physiological truth—truth that we need to consider—in the scripture, “A merry {rejoicing} heart doeth good like a medicine. “The true principles of Christianity open before all a source of inestimable happiness. “We should encourage a cheerful, hopeful, peaceful frame of mind; for our health depends upon our so doing.” Reflecting Christ, p. 137: “The influence of the mind on the body, as well as of the body on the mind, should be emphasized. The electric power of the brain, promoted by mental activity, vitalizes the whole system, and is thus an invaluable aid in resisting disease. … The power of the will and

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the importance of self-control, both in the preservation and in the recovery of health, the depressing and even ruinous effect of anger, discontent, selfishness, or impurity, and, on the other hand, the marvelous life-giving power to be found in cheerfulness, unselfishness, gratitude, should also be shown. There is a physiological truth—truth that we need to consider—in the scripture, ‘A merry rejoicing heart doeth good like a medicine’ (Proverbs 17:22).” Ministry of Healing, p. 241: “Disease is sometimes produced, and is often greatly aggravated, by the imagination. Many are lifelong invalids who might be well if they only thought so. “Many imagine that every slight exposure will cause illness, and the evil effect is produced because it is expected. Many die from disease the cause of which is wholly imaginary. “Courage, hope, faith, sympathy, love, promote health and prolong life. A contented mind, a cheerful spirit, is health to the body and strength to the soul. ‘A merry rejoicing heart doeth good like a medicine.’ Proverbs 17:22 “In the treatment of the sick the effect of mental influence should not be overlooked. Rightly used, this influence affords one of the most effective agencies for combating disease.” A Word of Caution I want to give one caution here. If you find yourself rebuking the devil more than you are talking with God, something is out of balance. Rebuke when necessary, but don’t become over focused on it. I want to include two concepts here that are in another chapter that deal with the importance of not becoming overly focused on deliverance ministry. One can become very involved in deliverance ministry and loose sight of the main purpose God has called us as a denomination. We are called to give the three angels’ messages. Whenever the need for deliverance arises we are to meet it in faith. But we are not to go out seeking it. If our time and energy becomes absorbed in deliverance ministry, then Satan will have accomplished his purpose in leading us away from giving the messages we are called to give in order to prepare a people for Christ’s second coming. This warning applies to casting out devils and healings.

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We see Jesus clearly illustrating this principle in His ministry. In the gospel of Mark we find a situation where Jesus had delivered many people the day before from devil possession and diseases. Then Jesus arose early the next morning to pray. Simon and the others sought Jesus to tell Him that many people were seeking Him. Instead of returning to the same city where scores of people were gathered to be delivered, Jesus said: “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth” (Mark 1:38). Jesus’ mission was clear and He wasn’t going to allow deliverance ministry to keep Him from fulfilling the primary reason He had come to earth. You Don’t Have to be Perfect It is also important to remember that we do not have to be perfect for God to heal us. If perfection in habits, diet, etc., were a requirement for healing, there would be no healing. We should do our best to follow God’s will for us in all areas of our life. The chapter entitled, “Laws of Blessing,” should make my view on this very clear. However, if we err then, ask God for forgiveness and don’t let our short comings become a barrier to our faith in His willingness to heal. Remember that the Bible tells us that Jesus passed through villages and healed all that were sick. I am sure each person healed was not “perfect” in their obedience and some may have even turned away from Christ later. The lesson is this: we should not let Satan cause us guilt over our short comings, keeping us from seeking healing from God. We serve a forgiving and healing God. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.” Psalm 103:2, 3 Cooperating With God When one begins studying faith healing the inevitable question is this: “What about doctors and medicine?” I believe God in His mercy has provided medical knowledge and medicine to be a blessing to mankind. After all, the majority of people in this world have little or no belief in the true God. Even many Christians do not believe in faith healing to any great extent. Thus I would never tell anyone not to go to a doctor or take medicine if that is what they think they should do. When someone has asked for prayer and believes God will heal them and they ask if they should

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continue to take their medicine, I tell them that that is between them and God. God will indicate what they should do. I have known of cases where when they tried continuing their medicine, they have had a negative reaction to it. Sometimes when Christians get involved in faith healing they think that if they do anything to help themselves obtain relief it would be a denial of their faith that God will heal them. This is a deception of Satan. God has created our bodies to function in a certain way being governed by specific laws of health. God gave numerous health laws to His people in the Bible— dietary laws, quarantine laws, sanitation laws, etc. It is important we understand these laws of health so we can better cooperate with God in the healing process. Let’s use the example of rest. I have discovered that if I don’t get enough rest I am more easily depressed. I have learned through the years to delay a decision if I can and not deal with anything “mentally heavy” if I am real tired. It is best for me to wait until I am rested. For me to pray for deliverance from depression and ignore my need for rest would be a presumptuous prayer. On another occasion I began having back and neck pain. I prayed for deliverance from it, but none came. I realized I had been under a lot of stress and had not been getting enough rest. That night I was so tired that I slept for ten hours. The next morning the back pain was relieved. God’s natural remedy of rest was the means He used to bring my deliverance. To ignore the natural laws of health and ask God to bring health to us would be like asking God to bless my garden with abundant vegetables, but refuse to weed and water it. We are to do our part in cooperating with God in every aspect of life. Ellen White has given us a wonderful list of the ways we can cooperate with God in achieving good health. “Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power—these are the true remedies.” Ministry of Healing, p. 127 It is important that we educate ourselves to know how to best cooperate with God in every area of our life. Prayer and Bible study are essential to our spiritual health. Emotional and mental health can be best achieved by focusing on the blessings we have in God and the positive things in our life (Philippians 4:8). The same applies to physical health. Knowing and following these eight natural remedies and asking God’s blessing on our efforts to follow them will bring us optimal health. Faith and works have

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always been God’s formula for spiritual, emotional, and physical health ever since man’s creation. Study and prayer are spiritual works for spiritual health. These eight laws of health are physical works we can do to cooperate with God in achieving physical and emotional health. If you want to see what can happen to a person when these physical laws are violated, just look at concentration and POW camp victims during the wars of the twentieth century. Depriving individuals of these allows the victim to be “brainwashed,” and will ultimately lead to their death if continued. Satan knows this and is constantly trying to lead men and women away from these simple God-given means to achieve good health. This aspect of deliverance is discussed in more detail in the chapter entitled, “Laws of Blessing.” There is another very important area that we must cooperate with God. This area is concerning our attitude. I have discovered that many times such diseases as arthritis are caused by us continuing to harbor anger and a critical spirit. I have discussed in another chapter how to become victorious over these destructive attitudes. However, here I want to state that if we do not overcome these negative attitudes they will greatly hinder the deliverance God wants us to experience. In fact, I personally know of one individual who was completely delivered from arthritis that was so severe they she had to sleep on the floor at night. She was in constant pain, but she was healed by applying the principles in this book—primarily by ridding herself of a critical attitude. The healing was so dramatic that she was able to sleep in her bed and even able to do such tasks as wall papering her home. In spite of this deliverance, she allowed the critical spirit to return. In time, the arthritis also returned. Harboring anger and a critical spirit are a sin (Hebrews 12:14, 15) that can bring negative physical as well as spiritual consequences. When Jesus healed the man at the pool of Bethesda he told him very clearly, “sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee” (John 5:14). These words of Jesus became very real to me as I observed the lady described above. This is why in this book I present the gospel of “total deliverance”— spiritual, emotional, and physical. Marvelous is the deliverance Christ has provided for His children. By faith in Him we can be freed from Satan’s bondage in every area of our lives: spiritual, physical, and emotional. Additionally, God has given us practical ways we can cooperate with Him in achieving this deliverance.

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A Process Remember, the deliverance I am describing in this book is a process. A child does not grow to full physical, emotional, and spiritual maturity overnight. Most of us are just coming out of a Laodicean condition. In many areas we are “babes” in Christ when it comes to deliverance. So, don’t become discouraged if you don’t see the deliverance you desire happen in your life overnight. Learn and begin applying the biblical principles of deliverance. In most cases this will take time. Sometimes God delivers immediately. Sometimes He does not. It may seem that in some areas of you life you are only taking “baby steps.” That’s ok. Baby steps in the experience of deliverance are better than no steps at all.

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Chapter Fourteen WAIT PATIENTLY ON GOD

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rom our perspective it would be wonderful if God chose to heal the sick immediately every time. As I have reflected on God delaying a healing, five reasons for the delay have surfaced.

Reasons for Delayed Healing First, He often tests our faith when we pray for something, whether it be for healing or some other need. This delay is designed to allow us opportunity to develop a strong, abiding faith in His promises. Remember, “the trying of your faith worketh patience (endurance)” (James 1:3). Jesus indicated the importance of praying and not “fainting” in Luke chapter eighteen. Ellen White confirmed this when she wrote: “But we must show a firm, undeviating trust in God. Often He delays to answer us in order to try our faith or test the genuineness of our desire. Having asked according to His word, we should believe His promise and press our petitions with a determination that will not be denied.” Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 145 Secondly, we learn to “wrestle” with God when He delays His answer. Jacob learned this lesson the night of his wrestling with God (Genesis 32:24-28). Jacob said to God, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.” Jacob knew God’s promise and tenaciously claimed it, not letting God go until he received it. As a result of this experience God named Jacob Israel, which means he prevailed with God. Thirdly, there is a warfare going on behind the scenes that we do not see. Prayer releases God’s power and enables Him to carry out His will. The forces of evil will try to resist. Persistent prayer on our part will finally

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enable God’s forces to win over the forces of evil. This warfare is clearly revealed in Daniel chapter ten verses twelve and fourteen. We also see a very clear example of this in the experience of Elijah. God told Elijah there would be a drought for three and one half years. In order for the drought to happen it was necessary for Elijah to pray that it happen (James 5:17). Three-and-a-half years later God promised to send rain and end the draught (1 Kings 18:1, 41-44). Again Elijah knew it was necessary for him to pray for the rain if rain were to come even though it was God’s will to send the rain. We are told that Elijah had to pray seven times before the rain came. Elijah knew if he stopped praying for God to fulfill His promise to send rain the rain would not come. Ellen White wrote of Elijah’s prayer: “Had he given up in discouragement at the sixth time, his prayer would not have been answered, but he persevered til the answer came.” SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 2, p. 1034 Persistent prayer is often required in releasing God’s power in this earth. When God desires to do something He moves upon the heart of His children to pray for it. However, we are always free to refuse to yield to His call to prayer. We too must not give up praying in faith if we don’t see an immediate answer. The forth reason for delayed answers is that God often waits to manifest the healing when it will bring Him the greatest glory. We see this in the case of Lazarus’s sickness. Jesus delayed responding to Martha’s and Mary’s request to come and heal their brother. When we read this story in John chapter eleven we learn that Jesus delayed in order for the glorious truth that Jesus is the “resurrection and the life” would be revealed. I recall reading of a man with cancer who sought healing for several years with no results. Finally he reached the point that he was so ill that the doctors gave up any hope of cure and gave him 48 hours to live. Then the healing came. A fifth reason could be that the Lord is waiting to give us time to better understand why we have the problem we are asking deliverance from. For example, not long ago I came down with three colds within a two and a half month period. Since I seldom get colds and have often been able to “rebuke” them successfully when they begin, I was surprised to be getting so many in such a short time period. As I prayed and reflected on the problem God impressed me that I had been continuously breaking two very important health laws; rest and eating too much sugar. The Lord had been convicting me on the sugar for some time. Yet, I didn’t get serious about

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His conviction. As I have pointed out in another chapter, we can understand the principles of deliverance, but if we continue to ignore God’s laws of health that are designed to keep us in good health it is presumptuous to expect God to heal us in our willful disobedience. Or, there may be an emotional component to our physical problem and God is leading us to experience emotional deliverance before the deliverance from the physical infirmity takes place. God wants to heal our whole person—spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Sometimes the first two, spiritual and emotional healing, has to take place before the physical deliverance is experienced. God is merciful, but he will not be mocked. Ellen White write of this in the following statement: “The Saviour longs to give us a greater blessing than we ask; and He delays the answer to our request that He may show us the evil of our own hearts, and our deep need of His grace. He desires us to renounce the selfishness that leads us to seek Him. Confessing our helplessness and bitter need, we are to trust ourselves wholly to His love. … “…This lesson we also have to learn. Not because we see or feel that God hears us are we to believe. We are to trust in His promises. When we come to Him in faith, every petition enters the heart of God. When we have asked for His blessing, we should believe that we receive it, and thank Him that we have received it. Then we are to go about our duties, assured that the blessing will be realized when we need it most. When we have learned to do this, we shall know that our prayers are answered. God will do for us ‘exceeding abundantly,’ ‘according to the riches of His glory,’ and ‘the working of His mighty power.’ ” Ephesians 3:20, 16; 1:19.” The Desire of Ages, p. 200 We Lose If We Lose Faith It is very important that we not lose faith if we don’t see immediate results from our prayer. Let’s use the illustration of a simple cut. If you cut yourself today and you look at it tomorrow and it is not healed you don’t panic and lose faith that the cut will be healed. Why? Because you know from experience that it takes time for a cut to heal. Apply the same concept to faith healing. God will heal you in answer to your prayer of faith. Some

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healings God chooses to take time to bring about. Don’t panic and lose faith. Keep trusting as you do with the healing of a cut. Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” The Greek form of the verbs “ask, seek, and knock” is continuous action. What Jesus is saying is to “keep on asking,” “keep on seeking” and “keep on knocking.” We are to keep on claiming God’s promise to heal knowing He will answer and manifest the healing in His own time. The Faith Factor The natural evidence may be that we still have the infirmity. However, our faith is the “evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Our faith is the evidence of the healing God promised that is not seen with the natural eye yet. Remember in that same chapter of Hebrews we are told: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 Did you get what that Scripture said? We must believe He will reward us when we seek Him. He will reward us by doing what we ask in faith. Why? Because we are claiming a promise that tells us He wants to do what we are asking Him to do. Some Christians have taught that it is wrong to pray more than once for the same infirmity. That is incorrect and not biblical. Jesus clearly gave us an example of praying more that once for deliverance from an infirmity. On one occasion Jesus prayed two times for a blind man. “And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto Him, and besought Him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that He put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.” Mark 8:22-25 This is a wonderful example of what our attitude should be in regard to God healing us. Jesus knew that the complete restoration of this man’s sight

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was God’s will. Jesus did not accept a partial healing. He persisted until the man’s sight was totally restored. So, if we face an infirmity of any kind and pray claiming God’s promise to heal and it doesn’t happen immediately we must keep on asking in faith believing God will heal us. Daily and even several times a day whenever you feel impressed to do so command in the name of Jesus that Satan loose you from the infirm bondage he has brought on you (Luke 13:10-16) and thank God for healing you. Simply refuse to accept this bondage of Satan. With a thankful attitude go about your business to the best of your ability as though you have no problem knowing God is delivering you. I remember one lady’s experience with a tumor on her lung. Many tests were done. We and her family had prayed for God to heal her. She went to the doctor for the final tests and an actual biopsy of the tumor. A test was done, which still revealed the tumor. There was some time between the next test and the biopsy. She wrestled with the Lord and would not give up claiming His healing in her life. She reached out to God with every ounce of strength and faith that was in her. The doctor returned and did a final test just before the biopsy. He was stunned at what he saw. The tumor was gone. He came out to the waiting room and spoke with her husband and father. Looking very puzzled he said, “I don’t understand it. The tumor is not there.” She and her family went home rejoicing. Patience, Patience A common problem we all have is impatience. We want God to do what He says He will do right now, immediately. We become impatient if He delays. It is very important we overcome this weakness. God will see to it that we will have numerous opportunities to overcome it. The opportunity to develop patient trust in God may come to us by God not manifesting His healing promise immediately to us. Patient waiting on the Lord is often spoken of in the Bible. David says we should “wait” on the Lord with an attitude of “good courage.” If we do this he says the Lord will “strengthen our heart” (Psalm 27:14). A wonderful promise for those who wait on the Lord is found in Psalm 33:18-22. “Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because

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we trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.” Several very important lessons are taught here. We are to hope in His mercy. Often when someone asked Jesus to heal them they asked Him to be “merciful” to them. When we claim God’s promise to heal we are seeking His mercy. When we “trust His holy name,” trust His character, trust His promise to heal, our hearts shall rejoice because of the deliverance that will surely come. This text also says that God’s mercy (healing power) will be upon us “according as we hope” in Him and His mercy. This is the same as saying “according to our faith will it be done unto us.” There is no doubt. God will reward those who wait patiently on Him. David clearly recognized that deliverance was found only in the Lord. He knew the importance of waiting on that deliverance. “Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation” (Psalm 62:1). David goes on the say; “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him” (Psalm 62:5). Waiting on the Lord means we trust patiently in His Word. We wait for God to fulfill the promise of healing found in His Word. “I wait for the Lord, my soul doeth wait, and in his word do I hope.” Psalm 130:5 Jeremiah knew difficulties. One of my favorite texts on waiting on the Lord for His deliverance is found in Lamentations. “And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord: Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations 3:18-26 If we find ourselves in despair as Jeremiah did at times, let us do as he did. Remember God’s compassion and mercy. God will be merciful to our affliction. He will save us from our infirmities. He will fulfill His promise to heal. Ellen White writes:

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“Prayer is not to work any change in God; it is to bring us into harmony with God. When we make request of Him, He may see that it is necessary for us to search our hearts and repent of sin. Therefore He takes us through test and trial, He brings us through humiliation, that we may see what hinders the working of His Holy Spirit through us.” Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 143 When God Seems Far Away There may be times because of our affliction that God seems far away and unresponsive to our cries. He may seem deaf to our prayers. He does hear. He will answer. But He will answer and deliver in His own time, at the perfectly right time. “For the Lord will not cast off for ever: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.” Lamentations 3:31, 32 We may at times feel cast off by God in our affliction. Such times are wonderful opportunities to develop an unwavering faith and fidelity to our God in spite of apparent circumstances and seeming lack of His hearing. We must learn to walk by faith and not by sight. This applies to receiving healing from God as well as every other aspect of the Christian life. The rewards are well worth the wait. God richly rewards His faithful, waiting child. “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 We will never be ashamed or disappointed when we wait on the Lord. No matter what the enemy brings upon us God will deliver from Satan’s captivity. “…and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me. …But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee.” Isaiah 49:23, 25

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We may feel like a helpless prey and captive of Satan. We may feel helpless in our affliction. God’s promise to us is that He will deliver us from Satan’s power. God promises to deliver us spiritually, physically and emotionally from anything Satan brings upon us. Though Satan appear “mighty and terrible,” his power will be broken in our life when we claim God’s promise of deliverance in the name of Jesus. See the chapter entitled “Power and Authority” for further discussion of how Satan’s power is broken in our life. Doing It My Way When we are experiencing a delay after we have prayed for healing we will be tempted to take things into our own hands. We want God to work by our schedule. Our schedule and His are seldom the same. We must learn the lesson of humbly submitting to His time table. We will also feel the pressure of the attitude of others who do not have the confidence we do in God’s healing promises. They will try to talk us out of our faith and trust in God’s promise to deliver. We may also experience a fear of failure. “What if it doesn’t happen?” will cross our mind. At such times rebuke the spirit of doubt in the name of Jesus and thank God for faith. We will probably experience criticism from those who talk doubt and say we are foolish or irrational in our belief. At such times turn often to God’s Word. Reinforce our belief in His promises. Pray often. We will come away from such trying times much stronger in the Lord than we were before. Learn well the lesson of Elijah and Daniel. God will fulfill His promise of healing. The honor of his throne is at stake in the fulfillment of His word. Don’t stop seeking God. Don’t quit praying until you have the answer. God will hear you and God will answer with a “yes” because it is His will to heal. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” 1 John 5:14, 15

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Chapter Fifteen THE FAITH FACTOR

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aith is the key factor in being victorious over Satan and his oppressions in our life. By faith we overcome the spiritual, physical and emotional infirmities Satan tries to put on us. John said it well:

“… and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” 1 John 5:4 If we expect to have victory we must have faith. If we expect to be forgiven for our sins we must have faith in God’s promise to forgive (1 John 1:9). If we desire to be healed of a physical or emotional infirmity we must have faith in God’s promise to heal us: “And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he hath committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” James 5:15 There is a great lack of faith in the world today, even the Christian world. If there were more faith we would be seeing more of the power of God in the lives of His professed people. Greater spiritual, physical, and emotional victories would be gained. God’s people today would be an example to the world of spiritual, physical, and emotional health. They would be a shining testimony to the truth of God’s Word, which teaches that deliverance is found in Jesus Christ. Their lives would shine out brilliantly in contrast to a world full of sin, sickness and emotional oppressions. Ellen White understood the weak condition of the church when she wrote:

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“I saw that if the church had always retained her peculiar, holy character, the power of the Holy Spirit which was imparted to the disciples would still be with her. The sick would be healed, devils would be rebuked and cast out, and she would be mighty and a terror to her enemies.” Early Writings, p. 227 God will have a generation of believers who do experience His power to deliver them totally from Satan’s bondage and oppressions. That generation will be used by God to finish His work on this earth and they will see their Lord return in glory. Relation between Faith and Deliverance We learn much about the relation between faith and deliverance when we read the accounts in the gospels of Jesus delivering men and women from Satan’s bondage. At one time Jesus went to minister in His own “country” (Mark 6:1). Great doubt filled the hearts of the people. They did not believe Jesus could deliver from Satan’s power. The sad account is given with the words: “And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief.” Mark 6:5, 6 Jesus was limited in what He could do because of their lack of faith. He marveled at their condition of unbelief. I’m sure Jesus still marvels at the state of many professed believers today because of their lack of faith. Examples Times haven’t changed a thing when it comes to the relation between faith and deliverance. The way Jesus delivered 2,000 years age is the same today, by faith in His power to deliver. In order to clarify this let’s look at several passages of Scripture that reveal the importance of faith in receiving the deliverance Jesus offers. One day a centurion came to Jesus asking Him to heal his servant who was at home. Jesus said He would come with him to his home and heal the servant. The centurion said to Jesus, “speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.” Jesus marveled at the centurion’s faith. In fact Jesus said he hadn’t seen such faith among God’s people, Israel. Then Jesus told the

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centurion, “Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee” (Matthew 8:13). Do you see the faith factor? “As thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.” We will receive deliverance from God in proportion to our faith to receive that deliverance. Great faith will bring great deliverance. Little faith will bring little deliverance. One day several friends brought a sick man with palsy to Jesus to be healed. The scripture says Jesus saw “their faith” (Matthew 9:2). As a result of their faith Jesus healed the man (Matthew 9:6). Once when in a crowd of people a very sick woman believed if she could only touch the hem of His garment she would be healed. She did touch it and she was healed. Jesus acknowledged her faith and said to her, “… thy faith hath made thee whole” (Matthew 9:22). On another occasion two blind men came to Jesus to be healed. Jesus asked a very important question, “Believe ye that I am able to do this?” (Matthew 9:28). The blind men answered yes. Restoring their sight Jesus said, “According to your faith be it unto you” (Matthew 9:29). Having faith in God’s promises without doubting is the key. The smallest amount of doubt will hinder God’s power in our lives to deliver. “Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matthew 21:21, 22. On one occasion when a father brought his son to Jesus to be healed the father recognized the danger of unbelief and doubt. Realizing that his doubt could hinder his son’s deliverance he cried out to Jesus, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief ” (Mark 9:24). Jesus delivered the son from Satan’s power. So, even if you feel a slight bit doubt, don’t let that discourage you from continuing to reach out with the faith you have to receive God’s blessing. Remember what Jesus said about faith the size of a “grain of mustard seed” (Matthew 17:20). Also remember, we live by faith, not by feeling. It doesn’t matter what you feel about the promise being fulfilled. What matters is that you believe it!

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We find statement after statement by Christ revealing the necessity of faith in God’s power to deliver. Such statements as “… thy faith hath made thee whole.” (Mark 10:52; Luke 17:19), are found throughout the gospels. The disciples learned well the lessons of faith taught by Jesus. When Peter healed the lame man who asked him for alms Peter said, “… faith in his name (Jesus’) hath made this man strong” (Acts 3:16). On one occasion Paul was speaking and saw a lame man. The Scripture states that Paul “perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet” (Acts 14:10). The record says the man stood up and leaped and walked. Why did Paul speak the word of healing to this man? Because Paul knew the man had the “faith to be healed.” If the lame man had not had the faith he would not have been healed. Faith was the key factor. God May Test Our Faith There are times God may test our faith. A non-Israelite woman pleaded with Jesus to heal her daughter. He seemed to be uninterested in healing the girl. However, the mother kept pleading. After testing her faith Jesus said to her, “O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt” (Matthew 15:28). Jesus gave a parable teaching this lesson about continuing in prayer and not giving up (Luke 18:1-8). A woman kept pleading with a judge to avenge her unjust treatment. The judge wasn’t interested, but finally gave in to her pleading. Jesus pointed out that God will avenge His own elect. However, I think one point of the story is that God may delay the deliverance. We must learn the lesson of persistence in prayer believing God will do what He says He will do. The word “avenge” means to defend one’s cause or maintain one’s rights. Because of the deliverance Christ provided at the cross the believer has the right to be forgiven his sins and delivered from his physical and emotional infirmities. Satan has no right bringing disease and pain or emotional distress on them. Therefore the believer has the right to ask the great Judge of the universe to “avenge” them, to defend them against what Satan is doing to them. However, God may delay His answer. We can be assured of deliverance if we “faint not,” and continue in prayer and faith, believing in our deliverance by God.

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Faithless to the End At the end of this parable Jesus asks the question, “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). Jesus knew there would be a great lack of faith in the earth at the end of time. The world will continue in this faithless condition until Jesus comes. The church also faces a great challenge in the area of faith. Paul warned us in his second letter to the young minister, Timothy: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” 2 Timothy 3:1 In verses 2 through 5, Paul then goes on to list a whole array of characteristics of those living in the last days. The striking thing about this list is that it seems to describe professed Christians. For Paul concludes the list with the words: “Having the form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” The majority of last day Christians will not know the power of godliness in their lives. This power Paul speaks of is the power of faith. It is faith that brings the power of God into our lives. It is faith that gives us the victory over the sins Paul lists in the previous verses. It is faith that brings godliness into our lives. God revealed this same faithless condition of the last generation of Christians in His message to the seven churches in Revelation. He describes the last church, Laodicea, as not having the necessary “gold” (Revelation 3:18). This gold represents “faith and love” in their lives (Galatians 5:6, 1 Peter 1:7). The sad fact is these last day Christians don’t even know they have such a need (Revelation 3:17). Unless they come out of this spiritually blind and faithless condition they will be lost (Revelation 3:16). However, those who choose to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit will not be among them. They will have chosen to let Christ into their lives (Revelation 3:20). The infilling of God’s Spirit will bring revival and reformation into their lives and bring them out of their Laodicean condition. They will be great in faith. And because of their faith they will have experienced God’s deliverance in every aspect of their lives—spiritual, physical, and emotional. They will be “overcomers” (Revelation 3:21). They will be faithful in a faithless generation. They will shine brightly in a dark, faithless world.

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Chapter Sixteen CASTING OUT DEVILS

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here are occasions when a Christian will face a devil possession situation. My first experience occurred in my second church district when I was a young man in the ministry. I had never faced such a thing before and had never been taught what to do when confronted with devil possession. God in His mercy lead and the young woman was delivered. I will relate the story in order to share the principles that I learned about our authority over Satan. My First Experience There was a young woman who had recently accepted Christ and became a member of our church. She had been taking drugs and living an immoral life before accepting Christ. She was very sincere and actively served her Lord after her conversion. Shortly after becoming a Christian her father became seriously ill and was placed in a nursing home. She stayed by her father’s side for weeks until his death. The experience drained her emotionally and physically. She hadn’t taken time for daily devotionals in prayer and Bible study. So she began slipping away from Christ. Over time she became spiritually weaker and weaker. After a couple of months she went back to her old life style of drugs and moved in with a man in his apartment. She would come by our home and I would study and pray with her. However, she seemed helpless to get out of the situation she was in and didn’t seem to be able to re-establish her relationship with Christ. One Friday afternoon she came by our home and had decided she wanted to stay with us so she could be in a more controlled environment. As she sat at our kitchen table she looked at me and asked if something had a hold of her neck. I said no, I didn’t see anything. Then she stretched

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out her arms and began saying every foul word she could think of. I was shocked and didn’t know what to do. At the time our son was only a few years old. So I told my wife to get him out of the kitchen. I didn’t know what to do. In a matter of seconds such thoughts as putting a wash cloth in her mouth or physically throwing her out of the house flashed through my mind. Then the Lord impressed me to take hold of her arms and tell her to pray. With great effort she could barely get the words out: “I claim the blood of Jesus.” She said this several times. I then set down at the table with her and turned to many Bible promises on deliverance such as are found in Psalms chapter thirty-four. We would read the promises and then pray for deliverance. I didn’t understand rebuking then. However, I was leaning with all my trust on God’s promises to deliver her. It soon dawned on me how utterly helpless I was to cause this evil power to leave her. As we continued to read Bible promises and pray I would literally sense the evil presence leave and then return. A severe struggle took place in our kitchen for several hours. Later, youth arrived at our home for a meeting. I had been claiming promises and praying with her for about an hour and a half before they arrived. The youth leader joined me in the kitchen and the youth began praying in the living room. After about four hours the evil presence was gone and the young woman was delivered and at peace. That experience clearly taught me that we in our own strength have no power and authority over Satan. However, in Christ we have all power and authority over him (Luke 10:19). As many years have passed I have come to better understand how we are to fight the warfare we are in with Satan. We have nothing to fear from him. In Christ’s name we have all authority over him. One side note on this story is that the man she had moved in with was found hung to death in his apartment several weeks later. She realized that she could have been hanging beside him if the Lord had not delivered her from the power of Satan. Every possession of Satan has a root cause. It is important the individual understands what the cause is and repents of what opened the door to Satan in the first place if they want to experience full deliverance. I cover this in greater detail in the next chapter. Talking With the Devil Now I understand that whenever we face such a situation we have the authority to “rebuke” Satan and command that he leave. We have the

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same authority over him that Jesus had when He walked this earth. As you have read in other chapters in this book I have described how we are to do this. In the 1970s a movement spread through our church concerning casting out devils. One element of the procedure of casting them out was to in the name of Jesus ask them their name. The belief was that if we don’t know their name then we cannot cast them out. It was and is still felt by some that we must command them by name for them to leave. The scripture that is used to support this approach to casing out devils is found in Mark chapter five. This is the only place where Jesus asked the demons their name. However, if you read the text closely you will find that Jesus commanded them, “Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit” (Mark 5:8), before He asked them their name, which they said was Legion (Mark 5:9). In fact, when Jesus commanded them to come out He called them “thou unclean spirit,” not “Legion.” Hence, it appears that he didn’t have to know their name to cast them out. There are places where Jesus was aware of what kind of evil spirit possessed a person and commanded them by name. For example, on one occasion when a devil possessed child was brought to Jesus He commanded, “Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him” (Mark 9:25). From the Bible and personal experience I have come to believe that we have authority to cast out any devil that possesses a person if that person wants to be delivered. If we know what kind of evil spirit it is then we can command it by name. If not, then we can command it, as Jesus did, by calling it an “unclean” spirit. I know that this is not the most popular method of taking authority over evil spirits. Many books have been written describing the “naming” method and listing scores of demons. So I don’t judge anyone that feels the “naming” method is correct. I have simply written what my experience has been and what I see the Bible teaching. One reason I am not comfortable asking the evil spirit his name is that in such situations I would be talking with demons, which I don’t want to do. Also, if the demon speaks through the devil-possessed person then we are making them a spirit medium for Satan to speak through. A pastor friend of mine from Haiti shared an approach often used in his country when dealing with a devil possessed situation in an individual’s life. They gather around the individual that is devil possessed and sing seven hymns of praise and read seven Psalms of praise such as Psalms 34, 46,

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91, 103, 142, 144, 145, and 146. The songs and Psalms can be read and sung in any order. They find that this is an effective method of forcing the evil spirits to leave. I believe this is an effective means for any Christian to use whenever he finds himself harassed by Satan. I shared this approach with a lady who was being severely oppressed by Satan. She found release from his oppressions as she sang praises to God and quoted praise Scriptures. Every possession of Satan has a root cause. It is important the individual understand what the cause is and repent of what opened the door to Satan in the first place if they want to experience full deliverance. I cover this in greater detail in the next chapter. When Satan Stopped a Lady from Praying In one situation I was helping a lady be delivered from a spirit of severe anxiety. I led her through the “Prayer of Forgiveness” described in a previous chapter. When we got to the point where she was to say, “I forgive _________” and list the names God brought to her mind, she suddenly stopped praying. I waited briefly and then was impressed by the Lord to command in the name of Jesus that the spirit that was causing her not to speak depart. Immediately she continued in the prayer. After this prayer session she told me that she stopped praying because of a very loud noise that she heard in her ears, which seemed to paralyze her and keep her from speaking. As soon as this evil spirit was rebuked the noise stopped and she was able to continue. Deliverance from Curses In the western world we don’t see or experience the reality of curses very often. When I ministered on the West Coast of the United States I never came across individuals involved with curses. However, when I moved to the East coast I began to become aware that curses are real and at times need to be dealt with by Christians. What I am about to write next may seem strange to some of my readers who like me have not previously experienced the phenomena of curses. Since beginning my pastorate on the East Coast I have come across several cases of curses. One experience was a man who became deathly ill and fell into a coma. It was not possible to revive him and the doctors could find no reason for his illness. Later I discovered that an individual from the Caribbean Islands from where he came had put a curse on him. He was not a Christian and I was unable to communicate with him due to his condition. He died within a matter of weeks.

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Another case involved a women from the Caribbean who had eaten “voodoo” food, which had been created to cause her to become harassed by a demon. This would cause great physical discomfort to her internally any time within 20 years of eating the food. I met her after the 20-year timeperiod and the curse was beginning to happen. I can emphatically say, the problems she was experiencing were not psychosomatic. After seeing for myself such events I have become very much aware that curses are real. If you ever face the potential of having a curse put on you I can offer the following prayer that God will honor to protect His children. “Father, I ask You to protect our family [list names] from sickness, harm and accidents. If any curses, hexes or spells have been placed on us, I declare them void in the name of Jesus Christ. If any evil spirits have been sent against us, in the name of Jesus Christ I decommission them. I claim the promises of our Lord for protection and thank you for sending the holy angels to guard us from all evil. In Jesus’ name. Amen.” This is based on the Lord’s Prayer where Jesus prayed, “deliver us from the evil one [Satan],” (Matthew 6:13). We are in a warfare with the enemy of God (Ephesians 6:12). It is vital we know how to use the weapons of our warfare when he attacks us or our family. Generational Sins The family we come from always has an influence on us. For example, there are classic symptoms of behavior that often results from growing up with an alcoholic parent. Sociologists and psychologists have long understood the importance of studying family history of individuals they are seeking to understand and help. On the positive side of family influences, a child growing up in a Christian home who was dedicated to the Lord as a child will experience blessings as a result. I have also observed that an individual who grew up in a spiritualistic home with satanic influences will often be attacked by the forces of evil when they seek to follow Christ. When that happens I have suggested that they renounce the sins of their family and ask God to forgive them for the sins of their family. This applies even if they were an innocent child simply growing up in the home. The home’s influence may still be upon them. As mentioned previously, this certainly applies to a child growing up in a Christian home. God has a right to influence that child more than a child growing up in a non-Christian home. So also, Satan has the right to more directly influence a child growing up in a spiritualistic home.

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One time I was studying the Bible with a man with an American Indian heritage. He described the spiritualistic nature of the home he was raised in. I told him that Satan may try to discourage him from studying the Bible and praying. The next time I came to give him Bible studies he related to me that the previous week when he was praying beside his bed the bed started moving and pictures on the wall began rattling against the wall. He kept praying and the harassment stopped. Hence, it seems to be the case that the family we come from has an influence for good or bad in our life. Many Christians have recognized this as generational sins, which can be passed on from generation to generation unless broken by the blood of Christ. This is based on the Bible text: “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:4-6 (NIV) I have discovered that if someone has sought to remove every influence of Satan in their life, but still seems to be suffering from some apparent satanic attack, they may need to consider the influence of generational sins, which may be giving Satan a right of passage into their life. Christ died on the cross to pay the price for the removal of all generational “curses” that is in our family line (Galatians 3:13). Therefore, the blood of Christ can be applied to any family generational sins that one may be suffering from as the result of their families past sins. This can be done by first asking forgiveness for the past generations, even though the person may not know what actually happened. Next, offer a prayer of repentance for the spiritual direction the family had taken that was not in harmony with God’s will and kingdom. Then offer a prayer to say that it is the current persons will to realign the family’s spiritual direction with the will of God. Next, pray for the removal of the generational demonic angels that have had the right to attack the family.  In this prayer, claim forgiveness and repentance, saying the evil angels no longer have authority to stay in the family and they must leave, in Jesus’ name.

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Once this is done, one can then ask for the Holy Spirit to come into the current family generation. Ask for the blessings from past generations to come into the current generation also. Finally, offer a prayer for the future generations giving permission for the Holy Spirit to influence them for purposes of God’s kingdom. We Are to Do the Works Jesus Did The experience I described at the beginning of this chapter required several hours to force the demon to leave. When the “naming” method is used many hours are normally required to cast all the demons out. As I read the Bible I don’t see Jesus having to take hours to cast out any demons he came across. I believe as we grow in our Spirit-filled experience Jesus will live more and more fully in us. I personally feel that we should grow in such spiritual strength that we will not only do the works Jesus did, but we will do them just like He did. I say this because through the daily baptism of the Holy Spirit Jesus is to live in us fully and manifest Himself through us fully. I read that the Apostles had the same experience Jesus did when devils were cast out. The reason is the same. They were Spirit-filled and Jesus was ministering through them in the same manner He did when He walked this earth. This is the Spirit-filled experience Jesus is seeking to lead us into. May we each let the Spirit fill us more and more each day until we come to the point that Jesus in fully living and ministering through us. Cautions There are several cautions I want to give at this point. Do not go out seeking devils to cast out of people. Be careful that you don’t begin seeing a devil possession in every situation. Let me state once again, one can become too involved in deliverance ministry and loose sight of the main purpose God has called us as a denomination. We are called to give the three angels’ messages. Whenever the need for deliverance arises we are to meet it in faith. But we are not to go out seeking it. If our time and energy becomes all absorbed in deliverance ministry then Satan will have accomplished his purpose in leading us away from giving the messages we are called to give in order to prepare a people for Christ’s second coming. This warning applies to casting out devils and healings.

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Chapter Seventeen RULES OF WAR

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n this book I have presented the weapons of our warfare for victory over Satan’s influences, oppressions and possession in the believer’s life. In this chapter I will present another very important factor that is necessary to understand in order to have complete victory. Wrestling with the Enemy As we have seen, Paul clearly points out that we are in a spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12). He states that we “wrestle” with the demonic hosts. Wrestling is an up close and personal struggle. I wrestled in high school and can tell you from experience that if you let up for a moment against the opponent you are in trouble. So it is with Satan. We must be constantly vigilant against his attacks (1 Peter 5:8). God’s desire for His children is that we have the “abundant life” and be filled with the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (John 10:10, Galatians 5:22, 23). Satan’s plan is to steal these from us and destroy us spiritually, emotionally and physically. Rules of Warfare There are rules that govern the spiritual warfare we are in. When we understand these rules we will better know how to cooperate with God in order to gain the complete victory over Satan’s attacks. Throughout this book I have presented some of these rules and principles for victory. The essence of the rules is this; our thoughts, words and activities give either God or Satan “right of passage” into our life. When we do such things as study God’s Word, pray, praise God, enter into new wineskin fellowship, etc., we give God the right of passage into our life. On the other hand, when

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we think, speak or do things that are in harmony with Satan’s character we give him the right of passage. Inspiring Spirits There are things in this world that God inspires and there are things that Satan inspires. For example, often God inspires a Christian to write something and what is written is written under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When someone reads what was written under the Spirit’s guidance the Holy Spirit and holy angels will be present to open the mind of the reader to the truth contained in the writing. Ellen White stated concerning this: “If the salvation of God is with the one that writes for the paper, the same spirit will be felt by the reader. A piece written in the Spirit of God angels approbate, and impress the same upon the readers. But a piece written when the writer is not living wholly for the glory of God, not wholly devoted to him, angels feel the lack in sadness. They turn away and do not impress the reader with it because God and his Spirit are not in it. The words are good but it lacks the warm influence of the Spirit of God.” EGW to Bro. Uriah and Sister Harriet, Letter S-3-1857 The opposite is also true. When someone creates something that is inspired by Satan then his evil host will accompany it and influence the one who comes into contact with that material. There is much in our world today that is inspired by Satan in such areas as music, literature, theatre, entertainments, etc. Whenever we bring Satan-inspired things into our life we give him the “right of passage” into our life. Therefore the Christian must be very careful in what he sees, hears, reads, or participates in. Note the characteristics of those in Zion (the church) that are not ready to go through the time of trouble and meet Jesus when He returns. “The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that ‘walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; He shall dwell on high: his place of defense shall be the

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munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.’ ” Isaiah 33:14-16 God is calling His children to come out of the world. This is many dimensional. One dimension certainly involves the things I am describing in this chapter. Paul referred to this when he wrote: “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, ‘I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.’ ” 2 Corinthians 7:6 Peter refers to this when he wrote of God’s call to us: “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation [lifestyle]; because it is written, ‘Be ye holy; for I am holy.’ ” 1 Peter 1:13-16 Eliminate Evil Influences It is significant that Luke recorded in Acts the fact that those who accepted Christ discarded everything they had that had been inspired by Satan. “And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 19:18-20 Luke tells us that the word of God “mightily grew and prevailed.” The same is true for us. If we want God’s Word and power to grow mightily and prevail in our life, family and church we must do the same thing. We must

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discard everything in our life that is inspired by Satan and confess this sin before God and at times before man. If we have music, videos, books, games, etc., that are not wholesome or does not uplift God, we must get rid of them if we want to grow most fully into the image of Christ. If we have sought psychics, fortune tellers, palm readers, new age teachings and practices we must renounce them and confess this sin asking God for forgiveness. If we don’t do this Satan has a right of passage into our life. We are told that the “secret” things belong to God (Deuteronomy 19:18-20). When we seek to know the secret things we are reaching out to a source other than God. I am convinced that God’s children are suffering from many oppressions of Satan because of not understanding these things. Everywhere I go I see Christians struggling with fear, doubt, anger, bitterness, critical spirit, unforgiving attitudes, anxieties, self hate, eating disorders, jealously, heaviness, sadness, etc. These are all manifestations of satanic oppressions. Such things are certainly not from God. If they are not from God, they must be from the enemy. The sad things is most believers have very little understanding of the reality of the spiritual warfare they are in (Ephesians 6:13), do not know how to cooperate with God in their deliverance or how to use the weapons of their warfare. The Rest of the Story In the previous chapter I told the story of a young woman who found herself devil possessed because of returning to an immoral life and drugs. I will call her Dianne, which is not her real name. In the context of the principles I am presenting in this chapter I will tell you the rest of the story. After Dianne was delivered from Satan’s power on Friday evening she wanted to stay with us in order to have a more controlled environment. She knew she needed the boundaries that our family life would provide for her and that we would in love hold her accountable. The next evening, Saturday night, a film called “The Shaggy Dog” was shown at our local church school. So we decided to go as a family and take Dianne with us. There was a scene or two in the movie during which witchcraft and black magic was mentioned. Immediately I began to feel the presence of evil I had felt the night before. I felt so uncomfortable that I told my wife and son that we had to leave. Over some objections by our young son we quietly left. When we left the auditorium and entered the hallway we met Dianne. She too had felt the evil presence return and said she had to leave or she would come under Satan’s power again. As we drove home

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I quietly claimed the promises of God in Psalm 34. After a short time the peace of God returned. A couple days later Dianne and I were studying at the table in our home. I had the radio tuned to a station that usually had what I thought was acceptable music to listen to. As we were studying, the song “The House of the Rising Sun” came on the radio. Immediately both Dianne and I looked up. Again we felt the evil presence return. Needless to say, I got up and turned off the radio. These two experiences taught me a valuable lesson. The wrong kind of music, entertainment, etc., will give Satan the right of passage into our life and home. I began to see many of the scriptural directives and Spirit of Prophecy counsels in a new light. They took on greater significance. Learning from Other’s Experiences The Christian has nothing to fear from Satan once they understand the authority they have in Christ (Luke 10:19). Two other experiences early in my ministry made that very clear to me. The first experience involved a lady who I was giving Bible studies to. She was renting an upstairs room in a large house. During one of our studies she mentioned that the lady who owned the house was a spiritualist and on some evenings they would have gatherings in the living room down stairs with other spiritualists in order to communicate with the dead. I told her that she had nothing to fear, for God and His holy angels were with her. The next time I came she told me that the owner had spoken to her and said they were having difficulty seeing the spirits during their gatherings. Within a couple weeks she reported to the lady I was giving Bible studies to that they had to move the gathering to another location in the country for they could no longer hear the spirits in the house where this Christian was staying. God’s power is always stronger than Satan’s forces. If we stay close to our Lord, Satan can have no power over us. And from this experience I learned that even a Christian’s presence will negatively affect Satan’s efforts to influence others. The second incident was another Bible study I was giving to a man of Native American descent that I mentioned earlier. The religion he grew up with was spiritualistic. As I studied with him I told him that Satan was not pleased that he was giving his life to Christ and that Satan might try to intimidate him since he had been involved is spiritualistic activities as a child. I also told him that he had nothing to fear. A couple weeks later during the Bible study he told me that when he was praying a few nights

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before the bed starting shaking and the pictures on the wall began moving and making noise. He continued to pray and finally the harassment ceased. He said he hadn’t been bothered by Satan since then. Christ’s power was again stronger than Satan’s forces. Right of Passage I am convinced, as I have pointed out in this book that the oppressions that many Christian’s feel such as depression, anxieties, fears, anger, jealousies, etc., come directly from Satan. I am also convinced that his oppressions and possessions come into individual’s lives because they have participated or are participating in things that give him the right of passage. In a previous chapter I discussed in some detail the satanic oppressions that can come into a Christian’s life because of being deeply hurt by someone in the past. I described the “Prayer of Forgiveness” that is necessary before we can take authority over these oppressions. We have no right to be angry with anyone for anything they have done to us. Paul’s counsel in Ephesians is very significant. “Be angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:26, 27 The NIV translation states that we give Satan a “foothold” whenever we hold angry feelings toward anyone. We give him the “right of passage.” Remember, God wants us to have love, joy, peace—not depression, sadness, and fears. Therefore, if we are struggling with any oppressions, they are not from God. They are from the enemy. In order to rid ourselves of these through God’s power we must determine the root cause that is giving Satan the right to bring these upon us. Again I refer you to the previous chapters in this book that explain how this is done. Rules of Devil Possession This applies to devil possession also. If you find yourself ministering to someone who is possessed it is important that under the Holy Spirit’s guidance you help the person determine the root cause or causes. When the cause or causes are found the individual must renounce them, and ask God’s forgiveness. Then the satanic manifestation can be rebuked in the name of Jesus. You see, the principle is the same whether one is experiencing a devil oppression or possession. Determine what gives Satan the right of passage

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in the life. Then bring it under God’s forgiving grace. Satan was defeated at the cross. In order to have this victory in our life we must apply the forgiving grace of the cross to every stronghold Satan has brought into our life. As we pray the “listening prayer,” which is described in a previous chapter, God will being to our mind experiences from our past or the present that need to be brought under God’s grace. The Mighty Satanic Bondage of Sexual Immorality Another area that Satan commonly uses is immoral activity. In our society today, immoral sexual relationships are upheld as acceptable as long as such activity is between two consenting adults. Statistics indicate that both teenagers and adults commonly practice sexual relationships outside of marriage, along with homosexual relationships. Such relationships are frequently depicted on television sitcoms and in movies. Satan is successfully numbing our senses to the fact that such activities are not only sinful, but also create a right of passage for him into one’s life. Paul clearly points this out. “Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them members of an harlot? God forbid. What? Know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? For two, saith he, shall be one flesh… Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that commiteth fornication sinneth against his own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:15-18 Whenever someone becomes sexually involved with another they become “one flesh” with that person. When this occurs outside of marriage, any demons that are oppressing or possessing that person have right of passage in the other person’s life. I am convinced that this in one way that Satan is not only bringing disease and death to many, but he is also gaining a stronger and stronger foothold in the lives of multitudes in this world. Yet, even this can be brought under the forgiving grace of God when the individual renounces any past or present immoral activity and asks God’s forgiveness. Nothing to Fear In this warfare against Satan we have nothing to fear if we are a believer in Jesus Christ. Jesus gives us power and authority over Satan and his entire evil host. Christ told his followers;

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“Behold, I give unto you power to treads on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19 Satan can do nothing to “hurt” us eternally if we remain in Christ and exercise the weapons of our warfare against him (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). However, we must understand what these weapons are and learn how to use them effectively. The purpose of this book is to help the reader better understand this spiritual warfare and how to gain the complete victory, which is necessary in order to be ready for Christ’s second coming. Holy Spirit Guidance As sincere Christians, when we read about what I have just presented we might become a little frantic and begin making lists of what is acceptable and what is not. The obvious things should go on a “not to do” list. After you read this you might start becoming concerned about some things you previously though were acceptable for a Christian. That is good. However, you do not want to become “neurotic” or “obsessive” over this. If you do, it will destroy your joy in the Lord. You will be constantly worrying if you are doing something that is giving Satan a right of passage. This is why our Lord has given us the baptism of the Holy Spirit. As we seek the Spirit’s infilling each day He will guide us (John 16:13). Through daily prayer, moment-by-moment communion with God, Bible study, and the Spirit’s infilling, God will guide concerning what is right or wrong for us. So, instead of going about worrying if we are doing something wrong, we should simply go about our business trusting in the Spirit’s guidance. If we are Spirit-filled, whenever we begin watching something, listening to something, or participating in some activity that is inspired by Satan we will begin to get an uneasy feeling about it. We must then listen to that feeling and turn away from that activity. I refer you to the chapters entitled, “Obedience From the Heart” and “Walking in the Spirit,” in my book, The Baptism of the Holy Spirit, for a more in-depth discussion on this issue. Remember God’s promise in Proverbs: “Trust in the Lord with all thy heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5, 6

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We must also be careful not to become another’s conscience. I have known of Christians who when they visited a fellow believer they would begin criticizing things in the home that they thought should not be there. Or in church they would be quick to point out what they thought was wrong in the other person’s life. Such “Christians” would do well to deal with the “beam” in their own eye before concerning themselves with the “mote” in a brother’s eye (Matthew 7:3). My book, Spirit Baptism & New Wineskin Fellowship, describes the best setting for God ministering to others through us. Assurance When we do all we know to cooperate with God we should then rest in His promise to see us through victoriously to the end. Rest confidently in such promises as: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24 God has made it His responsibility to save us from our sins and from the devil’s influences, oppressions, and possessions. Our part is to apply the weapons of our warfare the Lord has given us. Then in Christ we will be “more than conquerors” (Romans 8:37). We will be delivered spiritually, emotionally and physically. We will become just like Jesus and will be ready for His appearing in the clouds of glory (1 John 3:2). Called to Minister Deliverance One final point I want to make in this chapter is that all who accept Christ are to join Him in the ministry of reconciliation and deliverance (2 Corinthians 5:18, 19). Jesus pointed this out in the great gospel commission recorded in Mark chapter 16 verses 15 through 18. Mark goes on to state that a ministry of deliverance did happen.

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“And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Mark 16:20 Throughout the book of Acts we see God’s delivering power demonstrated. Satan’s kingdom was being invaded and souls were being delivered from his power; spiritually, emotionally and physically. The same delivering power will be seen again among God’s last day remnant people. They will be just like the early church, of which they are a remnant—made of the same cloth and pattern. The same Lord, the same Holy Spirit, the same delivering power of the gospel will be seen in their midst.

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Chapter Eighteen Historical Perspective of Biblical Healing

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e have seen in previous chapters that the Bible clearly teaches that it is God’s will to heal His children. Jesus provided this healing at the cross by taking our “infirmities” and “sicknesses” (Matthew 8:17). The gospels tell us that Jesus healed all that came to Him for healing. Jesus gave His disciples power and authority over Satan (Luke 10:19). The great gospel commission to the church includes healing from disease (Mark 16:15-18). The early church successfully carried forward the gospel and thousands were delivered from the power of Satan: spiritually, physically, and emotionally. When one looks into the records of the early church beyond the time of the book of Acts, biblical healing is clearly seen. The following is a list of recorded occurrences of healing. Early Church Fathers a.d. 165—Justin Martyr “For numberless demoniacs throughout the whole world, and in your city, many of our Christian men exorcising them in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, have healed and do heal, rendering helpless and driving the possessing devils out of the men, though they could not be cured by all the other exorcists, and those who used incantations and drugs.” The Second Apology of Justin, Chapter 6 a.d. 185—Irenaeus, pupil of Polycarp who was a disciple of the apostle John “… all who were truly disciples of Jesus wrought miracles in His name. Some cast out devils; others had visions, or the knowledge of future events; others healed the sick.

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“… those who are in truth His disciples, receiving grace from Him, do in His name perform [miracles] so as to promote the welfare of other men… For some do certainly and truly drive out devils… Others still, heal the sick by laying their hands upon them, and they are made whole, yea, moreover, as I have said, the dead even have been raised up and remained among us for many years.” Irenaeus Against Heresies, Book I, Chapter 32, Sec 4 a.d. 200—Tertullian “How many men of rank (to say nothing of common people) have been delivered from devils and healed from diseases! Even Severus himself, the father of Antonine, was graciously mindful of the Christians, for he sought out the Christian Proculus, surnamed Torpacion, the steward of Eurodias, in gratitude for his having once cured him by anointing, he kept him in his palace till the day of his death.” To Scapula a.d. 250—Origen “And some give evidence of their having received through their faith a marvelous power by the cures which they perform, invoking no other name over those who need their help than that of the God of all things, and of Jesus, along with a mention of His history. For by these means we to have seen many persons freed from grievous calamities, and from the distractions of mind, and madness, and countless other ills, which could be cured neither by men or devils.” Origen Against Celsus, Book III, Chapter 24 3rd Century—Clement “…he (Clement) ordered those to approach who were distressed with diseases, and thus many approached, having come together through the experience of those who had been healed yesterday. And he having laid his hands upon them and prayed, and immediately healed them…” The Homilees of Clement, Homily IX, Chapter 23 4th Century—Church Historian Sozomen Writes of Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishop Presiding Over the Church in Constantinople “… the power of God was manifested, and was helpful both in waking visions and in dreams, often by the relief of many diseases

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and for those afflicted by some sudden transmutation in their affairs.” The Ecclesiastical History of Sozomen, Chapter 5 a.d. 396–440—Bishop of Hippo Augustine wrote in a.d. 424: “For even now miracles are wrought in the name of Jesus Christ. … Once I realized how many miracles were occurring in our own day and which were so like the miracles of old and also how wrong it would be to allow the memory of these marvels of divine power to perish from among our people. It is only two years ago that the keeping of records was begun here in Hippo, and already at this writing we have nearly seventy attested miracles.” The City of God, Book XXII, chapter 8 Some of the types of healings reported by Augustine were blindness, breast cancer, gout, paralysis, hernia, fistulas, demonism, and death. The conclusion is clear from a study of early Christian writers. Biblical healings continued in the Christian church until the close of the 6th century. Christians commonly believed healing was God’s will and disease and sickness were demonic oppressions. A Pope’s Influence In a.d. 590 Pope Gregory I taught that sickness and disease were one of the ways God disciplines His children rather than Satan’s oppressions. The result was that sickness was no longer considered the work of Satan and Christians lost faith in God’s will to heal. This view was taught in Pope Gregory’s work, “The Book of Pastoral Rule,” which became required reading for all clergy. In it he stated, “The sick are to be admonished that they feel themselves to be sons of God in that the scourge of discipline chastises them. …Who with sound understanding can be ungrateful for being himself smitten, when even He who lived here without sin not hence without a scourge.” Gregory Nazianzen, Oration XLIII, The Panegyric on S. Basil, 54-55 Morton Kelsey writes of how Pope Gregory views affected western Christianity’s view of sickness and disease. “With Gregory’s point of view and practice, Western thinking about healing had come full circle. Sickness was no longer understood

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as the malicious work of demons or the Evil One, to be countered in every instance. Instead, it was a mark of God’s correction, sometimes inflicted by the negative powers with divine approval, to bring moral renewal. There was no question about God’s power to heal nor His ability to intervene, but only of God’s will to heal.” Apostolic Traditions of Hippolytus 1.5, in Easton, op.cit., pp. 36-37 John Wesley commented on why miracles stopped after the Roman Empire became Christian: “I answer that after the empire became Christian, a general corruption of faith and morals infected the Christian church. By that revolution, as St. Jerome says, ‘The church lost as much of her virtue as it had gained of wealth and power.’ And this very same reason was given by St. Chrysostom in the words, ‘There are some who ask, Why are not miracles performed still? Why are there no persons who raise the dead and cure diseases?’ To which he replies that it was due to the lack of faith, virtue, and piety in those times.” The Holy Spirit and Power, John Wesley as paraphrased by Clare Weakley, p. 83 The Reformation and Healing Healing was restored under the influence of the reformers. This is understandable since the reformers emphasized the teachings of the Bible rather than the traditions of the church. In the 1500s Martin Luther prayed for and believed in his friend Philip Melanchton’s healing. Luther said to Philip Melanchton: “Be of good courage, Philip, you will not die; give no place to the spirit of sorrow, and be not your own murderer, but trust in the Lord.” The Church and Healing, Carl J. Scherzer, p. 67 Luther wrote the following procedure for prayer for the sick. “ ‘… O God, almighty Father, who hast … encouraged us to pray … ask and you shall receive. … Free this (person) from all evil, and put to naught all the work that Satan has done to him…’ then when you depart, lay your hands upon the man again and say, ‘These signs shall follow them that believe; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.’ ” Luther, Letter of Spiritual Counsel, Theodore Tappert, 18:52

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A 1700s reformer and revivalist Zinzendorf wrote: “To believe against hope is the root of the gift of miracles; and I owe this testimony to our beloved church, that apostolic powers are there manifested. We have had undeniable proofs there of in the unequivocal discovering of things, persons, and circumstances, which could not humanly have been discovered, in the healing of maladies in themselves incurable, such as cancers, consumptions, when the patient was in the agonies of death, all by means of prayer, or of a simple word.” Bodily Healing and the Atonement, DR. T.J. McCrossan, p. 54-55 In 1750, the Waldensians wrote: “Therefore, concerning the anointing of the sick, we hold it as an article of faith, and profess sincerely from the heart, that sick persons, when they ask it, may lawfully be anointed with anointing oil by one who joins with them in praying that it may be efficacious to the healing of the body according to the design and end and effect maintained by the apostles, and we profess that such an anointing, performed according to the apostolic design and practice, will be healing and profitable.” Bodily Healing and the Atonement, Dr. T.J. McCrossan, p. 55 In the mid 1700s John Wesley recorded many healing during his ministry in his journal. In one instance he recorded the healing of his lame horse. “When Mr. Shepherd and I left Smeton, my horse was so exceeding lame. … We could not discern what it was that was amiss, and yet he would scarce set his foot to the ground. By riding thus seven miles I was thoroughly tired, and my head ached more that it had done for some months… I then thought, ‘Cannot God heal either man or beast, by any means or without any?’ Immediately my weariness and headache ceased, and my horses lameness in the same instant. Nor did he halt anymore either that day or the next. (Monday, March 17, 1746)” The Journal of John Wesley, p. 146

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Ellen White and Early Adventists In the 1800s the early Seventh-day Adventist Church and Ellen White experienced many healings through prayer and claiming God’s promises. Volume 2 of Spiritual Gifts records healings of rheumatic fever, bloody dysentery, fits, coughs, head pain, consumption, sore arm, lock jaw, brain inflammation, throat disease, and cholera. Ellen White supported the biblical teaching of divine healing when she wrote: “Sin brings physical and spiritual disease and weakness. Christ has made it possible for us to free ourselves from this curse.” Medical Ministry, p. 12 “When we do all we can on our part to have health, then we may expect that the blessed results will follow, and we can ask God in faith to bless our efforts for the preservation of health.” Ibid.,13 “If we are under infirmities of body, it is certainly consistent to trust in the Lord, making supplications to our God in our own case, and if we feel inclined to ask others in whom we have confidence to unite with us I prayer to Jesus, who is the Mighty Healer, help will surely come if we ask in faith. I think we are all together too faithless, too cold and lukewarm.” Ibid., 16 “Sometimes answers to our prayers come immediately; sometimes we have to wait patiently and continue earnestly to plead for the things that we need. … We are to keep on asking, even if we don not realize the immediate response to our prayers. … The delay is for our special benefit. We have a chance to see whether our faith is true and sincere or changeable like the waves of the sea.” Counsels on Health, p. 380 “The influence of the Spirit of God is the very best medicine that can be received by a sick man or woman. Heaven is all health; and the more deeply the heavenly influences are realized, the more sure will be the recovery of the believing invalid.” Medical Ministry, p. 12

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Summary In summary it is clear from the study of the Bible and history that:

• Healing is biblical. • Healing is God’s will. • Healing was believed and practiced by Jesus, the disciples, the early church in Acts, and the early church fathers.

• Healing ceased due to the influence of Pope Gregory I around a.d. 590 and the apostasy of the church in general.

• Healing returned under the influence of the reformation teaching. • Healing is available today. Let us not allow to Satan steal this wonderful gift from us. Jesus paid a high price for our deliverance from Satan. May we avail ourselves of that deliverance in every area of our lives: spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

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Chapter Nineteen PAUL’S THORN IN THE FLESH

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ften when the subject of healing is presented the question about Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” comes up. The common interpretation of the text is that Paul suffered with some kind of physical ailment. The conclusion then is, if the Apostle Paul didn’t receive healing how can we expect to always receive healing? A valid question if the interpretation is right. So let’s look closely at the text in Paul’s second letter to the believers in Corinth. “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, ‘My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 It is commonly thought that the “thorn in the flesh” and “infirmities” refers to some kind of physical ailment Paul had. So let’s look at these two terms and phrases. What Is in a Phrase? The phrase “thorn in the flesh” is used in other places in scripture. An important principle to use when we interpret the Bible is to let the Bible interpret its own terms and phrases. When we consider the other scriptures that use the phrase, “thorn in the flesh,” we find it always refers to those who persecuted Israel (Numbers 33:55; Joshua 23:13; Judges 2:3).

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Hence, the phrase, “thorn in the flesh,” is not used in the Bible to refer to a physical sickness. What Kind of Infirmities? When we look closely at the word translated “infirmities” we find that the Greek word, “astheneia,” “refers to those suffering from weakness of any kind, i.e., physical, psychosomatic, emotional, economic, relational, or whatever causes the person to state, ‘I don’t feel well’ ” (The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament, by Spiros Zodhiaties, Th.D. p. 271). Thus we see it would be incorrect to limit this “infirmity” or weakness as referring to an illness only. In fact, Paul goes on in the next verse of the text under consideration to further clarify what he is talking about. “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Paul actually clarifies what he is referring to, which was “infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecutions, distresses for Christ’s sake.” Therefore, it appears that the “thorn in the flesh” and “infirmities” refers to all these things. These things made Paul’s ministry very difficult. Sometimes he must have felt overwhelmed. Yet, God reassured Paul that His grace would be sufficient for him. Paul was learning the lesson that the more he realized his own weakness the more the Lord could do for and through him. This was an important lesson for the “strong willed,” former legalistic Pharisee Paul to learn. It is an important lesson for all believers to learn. Two Biblical Principles There is also another Bible principle that is important to remember. Whenever the scripture clearly teaches a truth we must never allow one verse that seems to contradict that truth to over rule all the other verses that agree on the subject. For instance, we Seventh-day Adventists hold the Sabbath truth to be very dear to us and know it is important to God. Whenever we read a scripture that seems at first to teach that the Sabbath is no longer important to observe we will not accept what the text “appears” to be teaching. We will look closely at the verse(s) in order to learn what it is actually teaching, which we know will not contradict what the rest of the Bible teaches about keeping God’s forth commandment. The same

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principle applies to any verses that seem to contradict what the rest of the Bible teaches about God’s will to heal His children. Also, there are occasions when God gives an instruction to someone in the Bible that contradicts His instructions given in the rest of the Bible. An example of this is when God instructed Hosea to take a “wife of whoredoms” (Hosea 1:2). This instruction is a direct contradiction of what the Bible teaches about not being “unequally yoked” with an unbeliever. Unfaithfulness is clearly taught to be a sin in both the New and Old Testament. In fact, an adulterer was to be stoned in Old Testament times, not taken as a wife. No Christian reading the story of Hosea would conclude that this one scripture should over rule what the rest of the Bible teaches on the subject of who to marry and adultery. So what does this have to do with Paul’s thorn in the flesh? It applies in this way for those who want to say that Paul’s thorn in the flesh was a physical illness. We should not use Paul’s thorn in the flesh text to cause us to reject what the rest of scripture teaches on God’s desire to heal His children. Therefore, however one chooses to interpret Paul’s statement about his thorn in the flesh and infirmities, this text should not be used to undermine our confidence in what the rest of the Bible teaches about physical and emotional healing.

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Chapter Twenty ONE LIFE DELIVERED

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rs. Marion Simpson has experienced a wonderful deliverance from a painful past that was causing a debilitating condition in her body. She did this through applying the principles you have read about in this book. I invited her to share her story and the following is what she has written. “Dear Reader, “As I sit here in my living-room, I am in awe remembering how God in His mercy delivered me from a debilitating condition called fibromyalgia. My condition was so severe that even though I was a young woman, I was well on my way to becoming an invalid. For years my condition was chronic and I struggled through each day with the help of pain medication until the day that my condition became acute. “As I sat in the parking lot of my work place holding on to the steering wheel of my car, pulsating pain ripped throughout my body, from my head and neck, down my arms, into the lower part of my back, and down my legs. My muscles felt as though they had turned to rock. After some time, the pain receded leaving me pale and weak. I knew in my heart that my working days were over. I had always been very independent and now I had become totally dependent on my husband who in the past could have always depended on my income to supplement our financial needs. “As time went on I became very fearful and insecure. I took out extra life insurance to cover the mortgage and to pay off the car

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because I wasn’t sure where this thing called fibromyalgia was taking me. “As I reflect on how God brought deliverance to me, my mind goes back to the latter part of the year 2000 when our pastor, Dennis Smith, bravely ventured out where few Seventh-day Adventist pastors dare to go! This was into a biblical study on the Holy Spirit and healing. On one occasion we had a special time of prayer with the laying on of hands for my deliverance from the debilitating physical condition that was plaguing me. It was during this time that God began to heal me. I was able to wean myself off of all pain medications. But, it wasn’t until two years later when my husband and I took part in what was called a ‘10 Day Prayer Fast’ and revival meetings, which is described in Pastor Smith’s book, The Baptism of the Holy Spirit, that my full deliverance began. “During those 10 days we prayed for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, revival and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We prayed with sincere hearts that God would reveal to us anything that might be standing in the way. We heard heart wrenching testimonies from many people, we saw their tears and we felt the presence of the Holy Spirit and God was glorified. I know this to be true because I was one of those people who surrendered everything to God and made the commitment to let go of whatever He showed me that was not of Him. “It wasn’t easy for me to make that kind of commitment. I already had an idea of what God might show me and it was something that I did not want to see! But, the Holy Spirit had confirmed it in my heart. I became fearful and I fought it. I said, over and over in my heart; ‘no, no, no, not that, anything but that.’ It was something so painful I dared not to think about it. It was something from my past! “Again, I went to Pastor Smith and requested that we have another special time of prayer with the laying on of hands for my deliverance from emotional oppressions that came from my past. My husband was present for this special time of prayer and gave me moral support, as he had done the time before. Pastor Smith spoke

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simple but, powerful words of deliverance in the name of Jesus, and my soul was satisfied. “I can now see that it was inevitable that I would be susceptible to many hurtful things such as fibromyalgia. You see, I had lived with ‘incest’ my entire childhood. There are hardly words to describe the effects of something so vile. I felt oppressions of worthlessness, shame, hopelessness and fear. It had led me into a life style of selfdestruction and it had left me with resentment so deep that only God could deliver me from it. I had never dealt with my past and I had even denied that there was anything there. But, there was; my past was very much alive and it had festered for years until it had infected my whole being and robbed me of all that was dear to me. It may seem insensitive for me to say, ‘I’d rather die with a cancer than to die holding onto my past.’ I say this because my painful childhood caused deep unrepented resentment within me which could have, very well, affected my eternal salvation if it had not been dealt with. We are told not to fear the one who kills the body, but fear the one who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell (Matthew 10:28). “I shutter to think of what my life might be like today if it had not been for the study on the ‘Holy Spirit and healing’, the ‘special time of prayer’ and the ‘10 Day Prayer Fast’ and revival meetings that lead to my deliverance. “My body has taken a loss and requires respect for all it has been through. But, I can say, ‘I am a changed person’. My life now and my present relationship with the Lord does not compare to what it was before I surrendered my heart to the Lord with sincere honesty about my past and acceptance of whatever He would require of me. Then I asked Him for the infilling of His Holy Spirit and He gave it to me. He healed me from my past and filled me with His presence. And I am forever grateful for the grace and mercy that He has shown me.

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Sincerely, Marion Simpson”

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Marion’s testimony makes very clear the importance of forgiving those who have abused and hurt us. This forgiveness is absolutely necessary for us to experience the full deliverance and healing the Lord wants us to have. As Marion points out, this is difficult to do, humanly speaking. However, by God’s grace we can and must have forgiveness in our heart toward anyone who has hurt us—no matter how severe that hurt has been. God offers to all of His children deliverance from Satan’s influences in their life. If you are struggling with spiritual, emotional or physical oppressions of Satan I invite you to reach out in faith and believe in your loving heavenly Father for deliverance. God’s desire is to deliver you just as He delivered Marion Simpson.

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Chapter Twenty-one CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

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he goal of this book has been to present a balanced view on spiritual, emotional and physical deliverance. My impression is that most Christians tend to emphasize one aspect of deliverance to the neglect to other important aspects. Those who focus on “natural remedies” such as diet, exercise, rest, and so on, often know little about “trust in divine power” (faith healing). While, on the other hand, those who emphasize “faith healing” tend to put little emphasis on the natural laws of health. My personal conviction is that God wants us to understand and apply all the truths concerning how we are to achieve total deliverance from Satan’s influence in our life; spiritually, emotionally and physically. I am also deeply convinced that the last generation of Christians living when Jesus comes will have achieved this total deliverance. Not an Accurate Example Today Therefore, what we see in the Christian world today concerning spiritual, emotional and physical deliverance is not an accurate example of what those believers living when Jesus comes will have experienced. In general, God’s children today are still struggling with sin, emotional oppressions and physical diseases. When we read God’s description of the seventh church era, Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22), which is a description of the church today, it would be expected that the Laodicean Christian would be experiencing little real deliverance. In fact, those who choose to stay in their Laodicean condition will deny God’s power to deliver until the very end of time (2 Timothy 3:3, 5). Today’s Laodicean Christian’s experience is nowhere near the victorious experience God’s last day remnant people will have obtained just prior to Christ’s second coming.

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However, even today I have seen glimpses of the deliverance God’s last day believers will experience. I have seen amazing spiritual, emotional and physical deliverance. I have seen flashes of God’s glory; that glory which will fill the earth just before Jesus returns (Revelation 18:1). A Glorious, Victorious Future You see, that last generation of believers will vindicate their God before the entire universe (1 Corinthians 4:9; Ephesians 3:10). In the midst of the greatest darkness upon this earth they will “perfectly” reflect the character of Christ and will have experienced, in the name of Jesus, complete deliverance over every “oppression” of the devil in their lives. They will be just like Jesus (1 John 3:2). I believe Ellen White supports this view in her many statements about deliverance. In the area of spiritual victory she states the following concerning the “character” of those ready to meet Jesus. “Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 69 They will be continuously victorious over Satan’s temptations and will be reflecting Christ’s character perfectly. “He who has not sufficient faith in Christ to believe that He can keep him from sinning, has not the faith that will give him an entrance into the kingdom of God.” Manuscript 161, 1897. Christ will be living fully in His remnant people through the baptism of the Holy Spirit (early rain). Their life will be a life of continual obedience to Him. “All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. The will, refined and sanctified, will find its highest delight in doing His service. When we know God, as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of continual

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obedience. Through an appreciation of the character of Christ, through communion with God, sin will become hateful to us.” The Desire of Ages, p. 668 Loving God and our fellow man are essential requirements in order to be ready for Christ’s Second Advent. God’s last generation of believers will love the Father with all their hearts and will love others as Christ loves. They will love “just like” Jesus loves. Ellen White wrote of this with the words: “Love to man is the earthward manifestation of the love of God. It was to implant this love, to make us children of one family, that the King of glory became one with us. And when His parting words are fulfilled, ‘Love one another, as I have loved you’ (John 15:12); when we love the world as He has loved it, then for us His mission is accomplished. We are fitted for heaven; for we have heaven in our hearts.” The Desire of Ages, p. 641 They will also have gained emotional victory over every emotional oppression of Satan. “That which brings sickness of body and mind to nearly all is dissatisfied feelings and discontented repinings. They have not God, they have not the hope which reaches to that within the veil, which is as an anchor to the soul both sure and steadfast. All who possess this hope will purify themselves even as He is pure. Such are free from restless longings, repinings, and discontent; they are not continually looking for evil and brooding over borrowed trouble.” Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 566 God’s last remnant people will not have dissatisfied feelings, discontented repinings, and restless longings. No; instead they will have peace with God and reflect the purity of Christ in their countenance and emotions. Thirdly, those ready to meet Jesus will be victorious over every physical infirmity Satan has tried to bring upon them. Ellen White indicates this when one understands the logical conclusion of the following statements. “Through faith in his all-powerful name—the only name given under Heaven whereby we may be saved—man could overcome

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appetite and passion, and through his obedience to the law of God, health would take the place of infirmities and corrupting diseases.” Review & Herald, March 4, 1875 par. 11 “It is a sin to be sick, for all sickness is the result of transgression.” Counsels on Health, p. 37 “God has pledged Himself to keep this human machinery in healthful action if the human agent will obey His laws and co-operate with God.” Medical Ministry, p. 221 “Sin brings physical and spiritual disease and weakness. Christ has made it possible for us to free ourselves from this curse.” Ibid., p. 12 “The influence of the Spirit of God is the very best medicine that can be received by a sick man or woman. Heaven is all health, and the more deeply the heavenly influences are realized, the more sure will be the recovery of the believing invalid.” Ibid. God’s children, who are ready to meet Jesus, will most certainly be living under the “heavenly influences” of both the early rain baptism of the Holy Spirit and the latter rain outpouring of the Spirit. According to Ellen White, this powerful heavenly influence will bring recovery from debilitating disease. Simply put, Ellen White tells us that those who obey God, which certainly describes those ready to meet Jesus, will experience health instead of infirmities and corrupting diseases. She states it is a sin to be sick. Those ready to meet Jesus will not be living in any known sin. Therefore, they will not be sick. Also, those ready to meet Jesus will be cooperating with God in every way. God will honor their obedience and pledges Himself to keep them in a healthful condition. Also, prophecy indicates that those ready to meet Jesus will have gone through the “time of Jacob’s trouble.” They will have either been imprisoned or fleeing to isolated places to escape persecution. They will not be able to “buy or sell” (Revelation 13:17). Under such conditions medical care, medications, kidney dialysis equipment, etc., will not be available to them. They will have learned to depend on God for their health, protection, sustenance, and victories over Satan’s attacks. They will know from experience

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what the scripture means when it says, “man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4 NIV). They are truly living by faith in God’s Word. Remember, those ready to meet Jesus are the “first fruits” of the redeemed who will be raised from the dead (Revelation 14:4). They still have a sinful nature and a body that is subject to death, both of which will be changed when Jesus returns (1 Corinthians 15:51-53). However, they will have gotten complete victory over their sinful nature because they are allowing the “divine nature of God” to rule in their life (2 Peter 1:4). And under the Spirit’s influence and power they have been delivered from emotional and physical infirmities. They will have achieved in the power of the Holy Spirit a level of victory that no other “generation” has experienced. They are a “type” of those who will be resurrected when Jesus comes. They are the “first fruits” of the redeemed. A Process Also, remember that the deliverance and transformation of our lives into the full image of Christ is a process. It does not happen in an instant, (Mark 4:28). The trials, difficulties and temptations we experience are a part of that process, (James 1:2-4). So don’t get discouraged when you see yourself buffeted by the enemy, (Acts 14:22, 1 Peter 4:12, 13). One of my favorite quotes by Ellen White along these lines is given below. Writing about the challenge of living the kind of loving Christian life God wants us live, she wrote: “To live such a life, to exert such an influence, costs at every step effort, self-sacrifice, discipline. It is because they do not understand this that many are so easily discouraged in the Christian life. Many who sincerely consecrate their lives to God’s service are surprised and disappointed to find themselves, as never before, confronted by obstacles and beset by trials and perplexities. They pray for Christlikeness of character, for a fitness for the Lord’s work, and they are placed in circumstances that seem to call forth all the evil of their nature. Faults are revealed of which they did not even suspect the existence. Like Israel of old they question, ‘If God is leading us, why do all these things come upon us?’ “It is because God is leading them that these things come upon them. Trials and obstacles are the Lord’s chosen methods of

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discipline and His appointed conditions of success. He who reads the hearts of men knows their characters better than they themselves know them. He sees that some have powers and susceptibilities which, rightly directed, might be used in the advancement of His work. In His providence He brings these persons into different positions and varied circumstances that they may discover in their character the defects which have been concealed from their own knowledge. He gives them opportunity to correct these defects and to fit themselves for His service. Often He permits the fires of affliction to assail them that they may be purified. “The fact that we are called upon to endure trial shows that the Lord Jesus sees in us something precious which He desires to develop. If He saw in us nothing whereby He might glorify His name, He would not spend time in refining us. He does not cast worthless stones into His furnace. It is valuable ore that He refines. The blacksmith puts the iron and steel into the fire that he may know what manner of metal they are. The Lord allows His chosen ones to be placed in the furnace of affliction to prove what temper they are of and whether they can be fashioned for His work.” Ministry of Healing, p. 471 The Church Triumphant God’s remnant church at the coming of Jesus will be perfectly reflecting Christ’s character and will have fully manifested God’s glory in this earth (Revelation 18:1). Ellen White writes of this with the words: “The church is God’s appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world. From the beginning it has been God’s plan that through His church shall be reflected to the world His fullness and His sufficiency. The members of the church, those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light, are to show forth His glory. The church is the repository of the riches of the grace of Christ; and through the church will eventually be made manifest, even to ‘principalities and powers in heavenly places,’ the final and full display of the love of God. Ephesians 3:10.” Acts of the Apostles, p. 9

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The entire creation is waiting for this event; the full manifestation of the sons of God (Romans 8:19). The final generation of Christians will be the “manifestation of the sons of God” in a world darkened by sin to the fullest. Now Is the Time I personally believe God’s prophetic time clock has struck the hour in which God is calling His remnant to experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit and come out of their Laodicean condition. God is now calling us to experience the full and complete deliverance from all of Satan’s influences in our life (spiritual, emotional, physical), and reflect God’s glory fully. Those who heed this call of God will be able to stand “in the flesh” in the presence of a holy God in all His unshielded glory (Revelation 6:17; 7:1-3). Will you heed this call and glorify God in your spirit, soul and body (1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 10:31)? Are you willing to let the Lord refine and purify you? If you say “yes” to God’s call in your life, then when Jesus comes you will be among those of whom Jesus says; “This is my people,” and you will reply; “The Lord in my God” (Zechariah 13:8, 9).

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Chapter Twenty-two REPLY TO QUESTIONS

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ince the first printing of this book I have received a few correspondences via email, letter and phone concerning Ellen White’s statements about always praying using the form “if it by God’s will” when praying for physical healing. This chapter is included in this edition to help answer that concern. I understand the challenge this book on deliverance may pose to some.  I personally had to deal with many of my own questions over the past several years.  I address the personal struggle I had in my effort to understand what the Bible actually teaches about healing in a previous chapter. As you have read in this book, my first experience in turning to God for healing was when my wife had an incurable kidney disease.  We decided to not follow the recommended steroid treatment, and turn to God instead.  This was the first healing I had personally seen happen. We were both deeply convicted that it was God’s will to heal her and prayed accordingly.  So I understand some of the questions individuals might have. I had them too.  There are some statements by Ellen White that seem to indicate we should pray “if it be God’s will” when we pray for healing.  There are other statements by her that seem to indicate that if we are convicted that God wants to heal us we should pray with confidence, and can ask others to pray for and with us. Some of these statements are quoted in this book. One must, with Ellen White as well as the Bible, consider other statements or texts on a particular subject. For instance, Paul wrote; “…a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Romans 3:28). Yet, James writes: “… by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:24). Throughout the centuries Christians have fallen into the trap of emphasizing one text to the omission of another. Some have done the same with

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Ellen White’s statements. It is important to take a balanced view when reading Ellen White or the Bible on any given subject. It is always dangerous to base a doctrine on one verse in the Bible or on only a few statements by Ellen White on a subject. When someone asks for prayer for physical healing I usually always deal with the emotional issues (anger, bitterness, etc.) in the lives of those I pray with since emotional and physical healing are closely linked.  This process is described in this book.  Everywhere I go I see church members who are struggling with many negative emotions such as anger, depression, critical spirit, bitterness, etc.  These negative emotions hinder the relationship they want to have with Christ, interfere with interpersonal relationships with others, cause them many times to feel guilty and defeated, which often results in physical problems.  In the Holy Spirit Seminars I conduct I present material that enables the attendees to understand and experience the biblical principles of how they can be free from these oppressions in their life.  After I have shared the biblical concepts with them, when I speak with someone who wants prayer for healing, I ask what they feel God’s will is concerning their physical healing.  If they don’t know, I have often told them to pray determining God’s will for them.  I then pray with them with that focus. Some people don’t really want to be healed because they enjoy the attention they get from having the physical problem or being sick.  There have been times I have prayed with individuals asking the Lord to reveal His will to them concerning their healing, and I did not actually pray for their healing.  I think the key is having the Lord lead concerning what to pray for.  Jesus did not heal everyone he saw that was sick.  Only one man at the pool of Bethesda was healed even though many others were there with great needs.  Sickness is listed in the Old Testament as one of the curses, while freedom from disease is listed among the blessings (mount of curses and mount of blessing).  Many of the diseases people struggle with bring these maladies upon themselves by disobedience to God.  For example, it would be foolish and presumptuous to pray for an alcoholic to be healed of liver disease while he continues to drink. I have sought to present a balanced view of healing in this book. The chapter titled, “Laws of Blessing,” presents the importance of our cooperation with God in order to achieve health and healing from disease. One is

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being presumptuous if he/she seeks God for healing while continuing to willfully disobey His counsels. I will say that since I have begun praying positively about healing as described in this book on deliverance I have seen many healings.  Before I came to this understanding I saw none.  However, the paragraphs above give some qualifications I apply before I pray. I do want to also state, we do not have to be perfect in order to be healed. If that were the case no one would experience deliverance. Our deliverance is an act of compassion and mercy by God toward us.

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Books by Pastor Dennis Smith The Baptism of the Holy Spirit This book presents the biblical teaching on the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the benefits of receiving this gift in fullness, and why it is necessary for the Christian to receive it. Spirit Baptism & Evangelism The relationship between the baptism of the Holy Spirit and witnessing for Christ is presented along with Christ’s method of evangelism. Spirit Baptism & New Wineskin Fellowship This book gives a biblical and historical study into how the early Christians “did church”, and why it is important Christians continue to experience genuine fellowship. Spirit Baptism & Deliverance It is God’s will to deliver His children from every influence and oppression of Satan in the Christian’s life spiritually, emotionally and physically. This book presents how deliverance can become a reality in the Christian’s life. Spirit Baptism & Prayer Prayer is the most powerful force on earth. This book presents the many facets of prayer including fasting and how to pray in the Spirit. Spirit Baptism & Christ’s Glorious Return This book presents the characteristics of those who are ready for Christ’s return. Spirit Baptism & Abiding in Christ This book explains how the Christian is to obtain victory over every temptation and sin by allowing Christ to live out His life in and through him or her. When this is experienced one’s life will never again be the same. Spirit Baptism & Waiting on God This book presents the biblical teaching about waiting on God for everything: prayer, guidance, service, Christ’s character, and why God allows trials and difficulties to enter the Christian’s life.

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Spirit Baptism & the 1888 Message of Righteousness by Faith In 1888 God brought the message of righteousness by faith to the Seventhday Adventist Church. This book presents what that message was and why it is essential we experience righteousness by faith in Christ alone today. Spirit Baptism & Earth’s Final Events This book unveils Satan’s last-day prophetic deceptions and reveals the role the baptism of the Holy Spirit and righteousness by faith plays in preparing God’s people for earth’s final events. 40 Days A devotional book designed to be used during a 40 day time period individually or as a group. Each of the 40 daily devotionals presents one aspect of the baptism of the Holy Spirit followed by study questions, and a daily prayer focus, which includes suggestions for reaching out to 5 former or non-Adventists. An excellent book for preparing for a Visitor’s Sabbath and evangelistic meetings. Transformed By the Spirit (w/Juan Cubero) The inspiring true story of Juan Cubero, a former violent drug dealer and prison gang leader, who the Spirit transformed to become a servant of the King of kings. An amazing story for young and old alike.

Pastor Smith’s books can be ordered from: Adventist Book Center - 800-435-0008 Dennis Smith Phone: 203-389-4784 Email: [email protected] Website: www.spiritbaptism.org

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