If it can happen to me, it can happen to you

One of the questions that I am frequently asked is, “Do you think that everyone has a demon?” I am always hesitant to answer this because I don’t want to fall into the stereotypic “He sees a demon under every rock” category. Plus, I don’t see a demon under every rock. But, if you want to know what I think, read on. (BTW, there are some really great pictures in the next article just below this one.)

We know that the non-Christian part of the world is demonized simply because they live their lives in darkness and are owned by the Enemy. They, by and large, don’t want to be free from the darkness as it would require that they submit to God. That takes care of a big part of the population.

So, we are left with Christians. Are they possessed by demons? The answer is clearly no, as they are already possessed by Jesus. That happened when they became part of God’s kingdom at salvation. You can’t be a member of both kingdoms. When you become a believer the Holy Spirit lives within you.

Okay, can Christians be demonized? The answer is obviously yes. For whom else is deliverance intended? Unbelievers don’t want deliverance because it would mean submitting themselves to God and becoming believers. They are not interested. Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead so that his kids could be free.

In addition, if you removed the demonic spirits from the “house,” leaving it clean and empty, then the ones who have been cast out will return with new ones, leaving the poor person in worse shape than he/she was originally (Luke 11:21-26). Who would want to do that to a poor unbeliever? If that is the case, who is left? The answer is clearly believers.

Are all believers demonized? No. How could they be after a successful deliverance? When Jesus and the apostles cast demons out, I would assume that they probably didn’t leave any behind, though we really don’t know, as the Scriptures don’t say.

I like to think that when we get finished working with a person there are none left, but I know that isn’t true. Sometimes people don’t want some stuff to leave, sometimes they are afraid to admit that something that is embarrassing is present, sometimes God has to work on them a little more before they even become aware that there is something still present, sometimes it’s not yet time, and sometimes we probably miss something.

So, how can you determine whether a believer (you) is demonized? I like to look at a person’s history. Do you see ongoing destructive patterns in previous generations (generational curses)? Then you are probably demonized. Have you ever been involved in the occult or been a member of a non-Christian religion (and that includes the Mormons and the Jehovah’s Witnesses), or cultic churches? Then you are probably demonized. Have you ever experienced trauma or been victimized? Then you are probably demonized. Have you ever found yourself caught up in a cycle of sin from which you can’t seem to escape, no matter what you do? Then you are probably demonized. The more you answered “Yes” to these answers, the more likely it is that you have some demonic stuff going on. Who needs that, especially when you can be free?

I’ve been through deliverance this year, as have several of the members of my team. We are all vulnerable, especially to spiritual wear and tear. We all need help and periodic housecleaning, especially if we are engaged in the Lord’s work. If it can happen to me, it can happen to you.

Hats, Buckles, and Boots

For some unknown reason, I seem to have an overwhelming attraction to Stetson’s, large belt buckles, and cowboy boots. I think it’s God. In any case, in just a few days my colleague, Alistair McPherson, and I will start our three planes, four airports, 90-minute drive to our favorite cattle ranch in Whitman, NE. Tens of thousands of acres await us. We have been there three times this year, once in January, once in February, once in July (after calving season), and now, in October. This time we will be traveling for two days and doing deliverance for eight. That is the longest time yet. I am told that we will be working with approximately 16-18 people; sometimes two a day and sometimes three a day. The good news is that we will be working with the local deliverance team assisting. They have learned the model well after our last three visits. Yet, even though we have a team it is still exhausting work for everyone.

I am pretty much astonished that this is all coming together for the fourth time, as almost no one lives in this part of Nebraska. It is one of the most thinly populated areas in the United States. Still, those who need what we do seem to find us. They come from all over the west.

We will be staying at what is called Haven of Hope, a home perched on a rise just off NE State Rd. 61. There are no other houses around for miles and miles. When the home was purchased it had been abandoned for a while and then purchased for the purpose of turning it into a ministry center.

That is what it has become. What is amazing is that you would think that a ministry center should have people nearby, hotels, restaurants, churches, etc. This doesn’t. It is just out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by grassy, rolling hills. Yet people come because a small group of people who live and work on the ranch tells others about the freedom that they have experience in their own lives. They tell others and they tell others and suddenly a group of people begins to make plans to come to Whitman, NE to find the freedom that they seek. Who wouldn’t want that? Something is happening there. Who wouldn’t be excited?

Our hosts are Mike and Tee Jay Henderson (see below). They are cattle ranchers and the love of cattle, horses, rodeo, and wide-open spaces flow through their veins. They also love the Lord with all their hearts. They are the real deal. Please pray for them, for Brittany and Lee, who work on the ranch and who are part of the deliverance team; and for Bob, who is coming all the way from Illinois to help us. Oh yeah, and please pray for Alistair and me as we will be flying out on October 24th and returning on November 2nd. It would be appreciated.