CAN A CHRISTIAN BE DEMON POSSESSED?

                                                             SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

CAN A CHRISTIAN BE DEMON POSSESSED?

For a long time now there has been discussion of whether a Christian can be demon possessed or not.  Perhaps it is generated by fear or by observing something they saw in others or even an experience they had themselves.  As in everything else we need to go directly to the scriptures and never base anything on experience or feeling.  Here are some verses to contemplate:

·         (Col 1:13) He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. 

·         (2 Cor 6:14-16) … For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?  15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?  16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them… 

·         (1 John 4:4) You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

The scriptures clearly state that believers are the temple of God and that God dwells in them.  God has no time-share with the devil!  But we know that if a Christian cannot be possessed then at times he can be oppressed by the devil.  Demons cannot live in Christian hearts, but they surely can perch on Christian shoulders and whisper in their ears.  

Someone might bring up Judas but we have to remember he never really was the Lord’s.  He was a false professor of faith.  (John 13:27) Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him.  And what about Saul?  Here’s what it says about him: (1 Sam 16:14) But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the Lord troubled him.  So there is the difference between Judas and Saul.  One was possessed because he was not saved and the other was oppressed because he knew the Lord but had was settled in willful disobedience.  

Good Christians may at times experience oppression from the devil.  (Psa 42:9) …Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”  But we know the Lord delivers us from attacks from Satan if we call on the name of the Lord!  (Psa 18:3) I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.  When the devil knocks remember to ask Jesus to answer the door!  (James 4:7)…Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

But someone might say they knew a Christian who was demon possessed.  Maybe they were never saved?  Psychological problems that appear as such?  Let us use wisdom and discernment as Christians and always test our experience against the solid truth of the Word of God.  

Louie

VIOLENCE IN THE LAND

                                                            SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

VIOLENCE IN THE LAND

(Genesis 6:13) And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

God made the world so beautiful.  But then man sinned against his Creator and it didn’t take long for violence to enter the world with Cain killing his brother Abel.  By Noah’s time the world was so full of violence that God sought to destroy it and start over.  Now history is repeating itself in our times as our news is filled with foreign terrorism as well as violence in our own land.  What is going on?  Will it ever stop?  Will we ever feel safe?   

There has always been violence in our country but the acceleration of it is what is getting to us.  (Hab 1:3) Why do You show me iniquity, and cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; there is strife, and contention arises.  We used to call it the problem of urbanization but now no sector of our cities or rural population is excluded: (Psa 55:9)…For I have seen violence and strife in the city.  And it’s not all foreign terrorists finding their way into America to wreak this havoc.  It’s also of our own citizens that commit mass murders in public places as well as domestic violence in apparently cozy homes with non-suspecting neighbors.   

If you are a person of faith you know that this was predicted: (Mat 24:37) But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.  It’s an unmistakable sign of the times and marks the soon coming of Christ that only a few will be prepared for: (1 Peter 3:20) who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.  

As believers we also know that we have promised protection from the Lord: (2 Samuel 22:3) The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence.  God’s got us covered and His angels are all around us!  And just think that when we are gone how bad the world will be without our godly influence as salt and light: (Rev 9:21) And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

One of these days we will be in Christ’s kingdom with zero percent crime!  (Isa 60:18) Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, neither wasting nor destruction within your borders; But you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise.

Violence is also a wake-up call to Christians who have been lukewarm to get their fire back for the Lord and stop living for this world that is perishing.  (2 Pet 3:11) Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness.

Louie

FAITH IN THE AGE OF TERRORISM

                                                            SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

FAITH IN THE AGE OF TERRORISM

(Luke 18:8) … when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” 

Truly we live in a time of terrorism.  We hear of horrible atrocities overseas and we have faced them even on our own shores.  What is going on with our world?  Why are things so out of control?  Why can’t the world get a hold of this problem?  How can a small group of people do so much devastation around the world?  Let’s take a look at terrorism from a Bible perspective:

GOD PROMISED THERE WOULD BE TERROR IN THE LAND AS A PUNISHMENT FOR TURNING AWAY FROM HIM.  (Lev 26:15-17) and if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgments, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant, 16 I also will do this to you: I will even appoint terror over you…17 I will set My face against you, and you shall be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you shall reign over you, and you shall flee when no one pursues you.  God created this world and gave us His laws.  If we violate those precepts then He said He would judge us.  God warned Israel not to turn away from Him but they did and they suffered severely for it.  What an example this is to any nation that leaves God out of its national life. (Read Lev 26; Deu 28)

WHAT CAN CHRISTIANS DO TO COMBAT TERRORISM?  We are to pray!  (1 Tim 2:1-2) Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.  (Jer 29:7) And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.

WE ARE TO BE FAITH-FULL AND NOT FEARFULL.  (Psa 91:5) You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day.  (Pro 3:25-26) Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; 26 For the Lord will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught.  (Isa 54:14) In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you.  (John 14:1) “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  

THERE WILL BE UNIVERSAL TERROR ON THE EARTH DURING THE TRIBULATION.  (Isa 2:19) They shall go into the holes of the rocks, And into the caves of the earth, From the terror of the Lord And the glory of His majesty, When He arises to shake the earth mightily.  The world hasn’t seen anything yet!  Read the book of Revelation where terror will cover the earth after the church is taken up in the rapture and deposited safely into the presence of the Lord forever.  

Let us live confidently and avoid fear.  God is in control and His peace can reign in our hearts so we can do His will in simple trust (Isa 26:3; Phil 4:6-7; Col 3:15; 2 Tim 1:7; 1 John 4:18)

Louie

THE IMMIGRANT

                                                            SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

THE IMMIGRANT

The topic of immigration is without doubt a controversial issue facing our nation today.  On the one hand we have the group that says we should receive and provide for all who come in to our borders.  On the other we have those who draw the line and build the walls and say it’s too much for our society to handle.  So let’s take a look at what the Bible says about the immigrant:

AVOID ILL-TREATMENT AND BE UNDERSTANDING:  (Exo 22:21) “You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.  (Acts 28:2) And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.

PROVIDE FOR AS ABLE:  (Lev 19:10) And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I am the Lord your God…(Mat 25:35) for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in.  

BE AN ADVOCATE FOR: (Deu 10:18) He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing.

SEE THEM AS AN OPPRESSED CLASS THAT GOD HAS A HEART FOR: (Psa 146:9) The Lord watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow…

SEE THEM AS PEOPLE WHO HAVE A MESSAGE FROM GOD FOR US: (Heb 13:2) Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels (messengers).

RECOGNIZE PEOPLE OF FAITH WHO WERE STRANGERS IN A FOREIGN LAND:  (1 Pet 2:11) Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. (I.e. Abraham, Joseph, Israel in Egypt, Ruth, Judah in Babylon, etc.)

It is quite obvious from these verses that God has a heart for the immigrant, and that we should follow in kind.  But that doesn’t negate the initiative that might be needed to bring about reform and regulation in the area of immigration.  That needs to be worked out by a society with just laws that benefit all (Acts 19:38; Rom 13:1-7, etc.).  But the Bible emphasizes an individual response and not just a legal response.  The forming of law and policy can coexist with a compassionate response to personal need. 

I remember how even subtle discrimination felt when we were living overseas as missionaries.  And to see how tough it was (and still is) for my son-in-law to immigrate to the U.S.  Let’s try to be like God who balances His justice and love in a world of constant collision of ideals.  

Louie

WHO IS JESUS?

                                                            SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

WHO IS JESUS?

When you poll people today and ask them who Jesus is you will get varied answers.  And that’s no surprise because it goes back to the time of Jesus Himself:  (Mat 16:13-14) When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” 14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Here’s what some groups believe about Jesus:

JEHOVAH WITNESS: Created being. Michael the archangel who became a man. 

MORMONS (LATTER DAY SAINTS): Jesus is the spiritual & physical offspring of God by procreation. Had a preexistence as God's spirit child and brother of Lucifer.

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE: A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness, not the Christ. 

UNITY SCHOOL OF CHRISTIANITY: Jesus was a way-shower whose crucifixion was not sacrificial, but released grace (inspiration).

CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY: A great teacher who fully realized his personal divinity as a "clear."JUDAISM: An important prophet, but not a divine Person. He did good things & taught the Golden Rule.

UNIFICATION CHURCH: He was to restore original relationship between God & humanity by marriage. His mission was incomplete because he was crucified before marriage. He is a spiritual, not physical savior. 

HINDUISM: One of many incarnations, or avatars, of Vishnu.

BUDDHISM: A good teacher.  One among many, not unique. Less important than Buddha. 

ISLAM: Only a man, a prophet below Mohammed in importance. Did not die for man’s sins.

SIKHISM: Taught humans the Golden Rule; His death was not vicarious.

SECULAR HUMANISM: Secular Humanists view Jesus as just another human teacher. They deny that Jesus is divine.

NEW AGE MOVEMENT: Jesus was one of many appearances of God throughout the ages, one of many people who were fully aware of their true divinity.

PERSON ON THE STREET TODAY: A good teacher. One of many ways. Did good. A good example.  

(Mat 16:15-17) He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

WHO IS JESUS?  God.  Second member of the Trinity.  Savior of all humanity.  Jesus died and rose from the dead.  Ascended to the Father.  Soon coming King.  Rules in the hearts of men.  Jesus is the only way to God:  (John 14:6) said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.  Is Jesus your personal Lord and Savior?  May the Father open your eyes and heart to believe and receive the love of Jesus today!  

Louie

FLIP OUT OR PHILIPPIANS

                                                            SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

FLIP OUT OR PHILIPPIANS

There are times in life when the pressure is so intense that we just can’t handle it and we flip out.  I mean, how much can a person take?  Aren’t we allowed to let off some steam at times?  We are human, are we not?  But if you were to ask the apostle Paul he would show you a healthier way to survive the perfect storms of life.  And who better to share than someone suffering innocently from a dark and dank Roman prison cell?  In Philippians chapter four Paul shares four key principles to keep from flipping out:

- PAUL LEARNED TO MAINTAIN A REJOICING SPIRIT AT ALL TIMES.  (Philippians 4:4) in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!  This is probably the most unnatural thing to do in distress but the Holy Spirit will help us.  Keep rejoicing.  Keep counting your blessings.  Keep thankful.  It’s a choice we must make to keep our spirits up and avoid slipping into despair. (1 Thes 5:18) in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

- PAUL TURNED ALL HIS ANXIETIES OVER TO THE LORD (TO THE LAST DETAIL) TO SECURE GOD’S PEACE.  (Philippians 4:6-7) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Pray about everything that concerns you.  Don’t let anxiety take hold in the crevices of your inner life.  Keep clear from mental and emotional clutter.  Turn it over before you get pushed over! 

- PAUL LEARNED TO BE CONTENT IN ALL OF LIFE’S CIRCUMSTANCES THROUGH CHRIST STRENGTHENING HIM.  (Philippians 4:11-13) Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  It is natural to complain and whine, but what good does it do?  Accept your circumstances and receive strength from above to rise into the jet stream of God’s love and grace.   

- PAUL TRUSTED THE LORD TO MEET ALL OF HIS NEEDS FROM HIS LIMITLESS RESOURCES.  (Philippians 4:19) And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  Jesus taught us to not worry about our needs being met (Mat 6:25-34).  God provides for the birds and flowers.  How much more does He love and provide for His cherished children?  Our greatest need of salvation has been supplied through Christ on the cross.  Won’t God provide for all the other things of life?  (Rom 8:32) He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

So the next time you feel like flipping out, turn to Philippians four and rehearse the key components of not only surviving but thriving in Christ!   

Louie

GUN CONTROL (The right of self-defense)

                                                            SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

GUN CONTROL (The right of self-defense)

Today America is experiencing one shooting after another.  It used to be just gang shootings and an occasional domestic dispute but now we have killers entering public places and shooting indiscriminately.  And every time we have one of these high profile shootings the advocates of gun control step up to the plate and speak their minds.  But in the midst of all the debate we must ask ourselves what does the Bible say about this topic?  

Let’s go back to the first murder.  (Gen 4:8) Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.  Now it doesn’t say what he used to kill his brother.  Perhaps it was a big enough rock that was there as he was creeping up on his brother.  Man has always had a weapon to use because the Bible says violence begins in the heart.  (James 4:1) Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? (See also Mat 5:21-22)  The Bible says this regarding the core of our sinful hearts:  (Jer 17:9) “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?  So it’s really not the weapon, but the sinful heart that generates hatred and crime.  

One of these days the world will be peaceful under Messiah’s reign. (Isa 2:4) He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.  But right now we live in a world riddled with violence that needs to be kept in check:  (Joel 3:10) Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears…  In other words, a nation needs to “keep its powder dry” because there are rogue nations and despots still bullying the world.  And as a nation is to defend itself, so the individual has the right to defend herself on a personal level.  

The pacifist produces Bible verses such as this: (Mat 26:52) But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.  But what they fail to notice is that Jesus previously said: (Luke 22:36)…he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one…(Luke 22:38) So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”  Jesus endorsed their personal protection in the threatening days ahead but during His arrest they were not to resist because He had come to die for the sins of humanity.

A man is to provide for and protect his family whether he believes in having a gun or not.  (Exo 22:2) If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed. (See also 1 Tim 5:8)  If one chooses to have a gun then it is also important to learn to use it properly and to keep it locked up from children.  God protects us but we are not to tempt the Lord by not using sensible and appropriate means to restrain violence when it is called for. (Luke 4:12) 

Louie