The Four Witches

This blog is being covered as I am working with several cases that involves a couple of these powerful witches working in the bloodlines of families I am assisting.  According to ancient texts there are four female beings who are the Queen Demonesses thus the most powerful of witches who mated with a very powerful arch angel who is known as Satan.

These female beings were as follows: Lilith, Agrat Bat Mahlat, Eisheth Zenunim, and Naamah.  Now it is stated that these beings are part of Satan’s concubine so to speak which go against the rules of God.  Now according to these ancient texts three of these beings were said to have already been fallen angels while one was a mortal woman (the first woman, not Eve) who fled the Garden of Eden thus becoming a ‘demon’ due to whispering the very secret name of God.

These beings then became the known as the Queens of Hell, and all four have ‘begot’ with this arch angel who holds the title of Satan.  All but Lilith bore children; Lilith instead bore offspring called Lilim or Lithu known as ‘children of night terrors’.  While the others offspring were called ‘the oracles of divinity (witchcraft) and sacred prostitution’.  Discussed in the Kabbalah these offspring were sent to ‘lustful’ men in their sleep and removed some of their lust, or sent them on a journey to the oracles in order for their sin to be removed from their souls so they won’t become possessed.

Now, Lilith is the most well-known demon succubi.  The story of Lilith has so many “chapters” that the real question is where does one begin? For starters the Kabbalah states that Lilith was the first wife of Adam, but because she was made from the same materials as Adam (dust – not from his rib) and that Lilith was not submissive to him during sex.  Lilith wanted to be on top, but Adam felt because he was a male that it was his God given right to be on top. Furious, Lilith spoke the secret name of God thus then turning into a demon and flying out of the Garden of Eden.

Lilith having fled without eating from The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is believed to be immortal until the end of times.  When Lilith fled away she took refuge near The Red Sea.  Even though she left, she still visited Adam in his sleep via dreams and supposedly ‘begot’ with him and stole his seed.  Now God sent for Lilith to come back to Adam, so God sent three angels named Senoy, Sansenoy, and Semangelof to convince her to return.

They found her by The Red Sea and informed her that if she doesn’t return then 100 of her offspring shall die every day for her actions of being with the very powerful Satan.  Lilith indicated she’ll never return, but she will spare the human children who bore the mark of one of the three angels who visited her to make her return.

Many stories branch off into different interpretations, some say Lilith begot with Satan to turn her into a succubus and becoming a wife for Satan.  While others say she was the serpent who tricked Eve into eating the fruit from the forbidden tree so that their offspring would thus die as well.

Lilith is known as one of the Queen of Demons thus making her a very powerful witch.  Within the paranormal realm people have encountered and do not understand it is Lilith and her offspring tormenting many of the people.   It is said that Lilith will pursue every child born on this earth under the ancestors of Adam and Eve.  The first born is whom she really goes after due to using Witchcraft rights from ancestors who long ago passed away.  It is said in other texts that she has the head of a Lion and the tail of a scorpion if seen by a child this is who this is.  Lilith will also portray an image of an attractive blonde or dark haired woman as a spectre.

The next powerful queen demoness is known as Agrat Bat Mahlat.  In the Hebrew both Agrat and Mahlat are proper names, however Bat means ‘daughter of’; together the name means Agrat daughter of Mahlat.   Mahlat has a translation of ‘illusion, bringer of deception, or reward for deception’.

The Kabbalah references Agrat Bat Mahlat as one of the four sacred angels, who also begot with a specific fallen arch angel known as Satan, once again not Lucifer.  In Rabbinic literature Agrat Bat Mahlot is “the dancing roof-demon” who dances while Lilith sings.  Agrat Bat Mahlat is also known as “the mistress of the sorceresses” who communicated magic secrets to Amemar, a Jewish sage.

Agrat Bat Mahlat is also said to have ‘begot’ with King David and as a result bore Asmodeus, known as the ‘King of Demons.’  However, Agrat Bat Mahlat is depicted like the Gorgon and is better known as ‘Medusa’ because she has snakes as her hair and is a Witch Queen.

Agrat Bat Mahlat will also show herself as on old elderly woman with very frazzled hair to humans.  When a human practices witchcraft or pagan worship it is believed to be her that is thus behind the witchcraft giving power to the dark realm, thus leading the human away from God.

The next queen demoness is known as Eisheth Zenunim.  She is the crone succubus and believed to be the first wife of Satan as well as the very first succubi.  Eisheth Zenunim is about the importance of sexuality and women’s rights (much like Lilith) and is shown as a crone, but she’s ‘the destroyer and bringer of life’, thus manifesting as a thin, graceful crone shown wearing golden robes and a crown with 6 horns.  Eisheth Zenunim is justice based, she goes by “an eye for an eye”.  You have heard that term before and now you know where this comes from.

Lastly is the queen demoness who oversees prostitution and this one is known as Naamah.  The name translates to ‘pleasant’ or ‘pleasing’.  Naamah is said to be one of the goddess’ of divination and the goddess of the earth (i.e. mother earth).  It’s not clear on how she became a demoness of sacred prostitution. The Kabbalah depicts Naamah as a fallen angel and also begot with Satan.

Naamah is said to have joined Lilith in visiting Adam as a succubi, bearing children as well.  Naamah is said to be to so attractive that no one can refuse her, not Satan, not Lucifer nor any angel and certainly not man.  Naamah will present herself as a crouching woman with an animal body in the paranormal realm as this is a very powerful evildoer and is also aligned with Abaddon – known as the ‘Destroyer’, The Gate Keeper of Hell, Baphomet, et cetera.

I pray this has opened someone’s eyes tonight regarding the falseness of witchcraft and how one or more of these powerful witches are active within the kingdom of evil against humans.

Blessings.


Rev. Bradley Luoma

Does The Scripture Stipulate Anything About Lucid Dreaming, Sleep Paralysis And Demons Possibly Connected?

I have been researching Sleep Paralysis for over four years intensively due to my two experiences that prompted me to see a Dream Doctor and ask quite a few questions. Many people over the years have asked me questions that are very important and need answers if that is even at all possible.These nightmares can be extremely disturbing, but is there any spiritual significance? In Genesis 20 God spoke to Abimelech, warning him not to touch Abraham’s wife, Sarah. Other dreams include Jacob’s ladder (Genesis 28), Joseph dreamed that his brothers would serve him that led to his captivity in Egypt (Genesis 37), as well as his dream about Pharaoh (Genesis 40-41) that led to his being made the second most powerful man in Egypt. The Lord or His angel appeared to others in the Bible, including Gideon (Judges 7), Solomon (1 Kings 3), Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2), Mary (Matthew 1), Joseph (Matthew 2), and Pilate’s wife (Matthew 27). None of these dreams, however, with the possible exception of Pilate’s wife’s dream, can really be called a nightmare. So it would appear that God does not usually speak to people through nightmares.

Some people think it's a form of Demonic Visitation and I feel the same. 97% of people say they felt a very malevolent presence and many see shadow people?. A gentlemen once told me he witnessed a dark shadow crawl up the walls and disappear. I have heard similar stories for the last 20 years. Why is it that 97% of people feel the same thing..Evil presence or attacks? Satan and demons are infiltrating our minds during nightmares, but there is nothing in the Bible to substantiate this very common issue. There are no biblical incidents of demonic forces communicating with people during dreams or nightmares. Nightmares are said to be nothing more than the brain’s way of contending with our fears and concerns as it continues to function during sleep cycles. If a Christian experiences continual, frequent nightmares that are interrupting sleep and causing emotional disturbance on a regular basis, then it would be prudent to seek medical attention. But, remember as in all things, prayer is our never fail weapon against any kind of spiritual distress. Christ gave us victory in His name! The war has been won my friends! One of the last things Christ said before leaving earth to be with the Father was "I leave you with the power of The Holy Spirit so you may cast out demons in thy name." Praise God! Praying for just 10 minutes prior to sleep as I feel is the most effective way to calm the mind and prepare for restful sleep.“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

At times our minds can play tricks on us when discussing things that can seep into our subconscious.The Enemy is always on the prowl, make no mistake.

These blogs are just my humble opinions on said subjects. God Bless you all and have a fabulous week. If you have any questions or need any help, please email me at: Biblicaldemonologist@gmail.com

Written by Jennifer L. Auld

A Plethora of Paranormal Phenomena—a Unified Theory?

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

Psychic Phenomena, or Psi, are events that cannot be explained by conventional scientific observation. These are the phenomena that parapsychologists study, and others as well. Extrasensory perception (ESP) and Psychokinesis (PK) are primary, but there are others. Many, many others! My goal in this blog is two-fold: to give a representative list of the vast variety of Psi, and to ask which explanation best explains this wild diversity of phenomena.

While listening to a recent interview of Tricia Robertson with host Kev Baker, she asked the question: what happens after we die? She then stated that there was “evidence beyond a reasonable doubt” that we live on after death, and that there is this same level of evidence of for many Psi. It was a fascinating discussion, and Dr Robertson is brilliant. She knows we cannot ‘prove’ much paranormal activity by reproducing it in the lab. So, I found her “beyond reasonable doubt” very helpful and instructive.

My question is this: having found evidence “beyond a reasonable doubt” that paranormal phenomena does in fact occur, does that explain the CAUSE behind the paranormal activity? They are two, distinct issues! Some otherwise very intelligent people seem to forget this distinction. Establishing the factualness of a phenomenon does not necessarily explain its origin, identity, or purpose….and to confuse the two is a logical fallacy. Psi are not self-referential nor self-defining. Remember we are dealing with the supernatural realm, and not the natural realm.

But, I’m getting ahead of myself. What I DO (and many others) have in common with those in the paranormal community is a ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ knowledge that a long litany of paranormal phenomena truly do occur….and seemingly with increasing frequency. That is a strong point of contact for fruitful discussion, is it not? We need to recognize this common ground and use it to engender useful discussions.

While not an exhaustive list, here are some of the phenomena. I listed some of them in a recent blog entitled the “Creeping Darkness.” For sake of time, I will simply mention them without explanation or comment: telekinesis, psychokinesis, ESP, the appearance of dark clouds in a room, dark shadows—sometimes humanoid shaped, floating faces, poltergeists, drop-in communicators (T Roberston’s term for entities communicating out of the blue, unknown to any present but later confirmed), psychic surgery (invasive and non-invasive), energy healing of all kinds (e.g. Reiki), psychic art—some with ‘precipitated art’ (Bank Sisters), automatic writing, mediums, psychics, EVP’s, energy shapes or orbs,  apparitions of various shapes and solidity, indoor rain, bee-sting sensation, cob-web effect, breezes, cold-spots, black-eyes kids, Aliens/abduction, cryptozoology, doppelgangers, quantum jumping, light bulb effect, sleep paralysis, vivid dreams/nightmares, ‘prophetic dreams’, ghost pets, alleged appearance of deceased loved ones, bangs, footsteps, smells, conversations, whistling, possession, spoon bending parties (at Rhine Inst.), wraiths,demons or ‘negative/hostile entities, elementals, fairies, leprechauns, etc. And we must not forget the very real effects/affects (emotional, intellectual, physical, relational, and spiritual) that these paranormal phenomena have on people…the effects are as long as the causes list above! Scratches, bites, burns, ect. And then there are the four alleged types of hauntings: intelligent deceased human, non-intelligent or residual, poltergeist, and demonic. Some affirm other types of haunts (e.g. multi-dimensional beings, or aliens).

When Kev Baker, from Scotland, interviewed T. Robertson (parapsychologist), she stated that, “It is a good thing I have no religious background.” As to establishing the facticity of paranormal phenomena—which she strongly affirms—her religious beliefs are not that important since she adheres strictly to being rigorously honest in her observations of the phenomena. Analogously, one can be the world’s leading astronomer without any religious faith, if they are rigorously honest in reporting and analyzing the data (though lack of faith inevitably effects how one views the phenomena). I admire Dr. Robertson’s encyclopedic knowledge of the wide variety of Psi. Again, a common ground is afforded people of different faiths (who know paranormal activity occurs) and folks in the paranormal community who tend to focus on the scientific method…or at least the collection of verifiable evidence, as Dr Robertson prefers to call it.

However, when it comes to the cause/origin/purpose of paranormal activity, I must insist on the myth of so-called neutrality—her lack of religious belief DOES seriously diminish Robertson’s ‘objectivity’. In fact, total objectivity is unattainable, nor even desirable. Robertson, as brilliant as she is, must remember that Proverbs 1:7 applies to everyone. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom/knowledge.” If God created the spirit realm, then I humbly suggest that we need His perspective, or we will not be able to answer the second part of my question (origin/identity/purpose).
The issue of presuppositions is so crucial, but I need to move on.

In Kev Baker’s interview, the principle of Occam's Razor was put forth as being very important when dealing with the multiplicity of paranormal phenomena, and the differing explanations. Occam's Razor goes like this: when you have multiple possible explanations for the same phenomena, the simplest explanation tends to be the right one.

Earlier, I had mentioned the distinction between establishing the factualness of the plethora of paranormal, and the IDENTITY/ORIGIN/PURPOSE of each of these paranormal phenomena. I trust that makes sense. For example, it is one thing to establish that shadow figures are facts, and asking the question: what ARE they?

If you take that long litany of paranormal phenomena listed above, people in the paranormal community have a wide range of opinions on their origin, identity, and purpose. For example, Dr. Robertson asserts that some poltergeist activity is due to deceased humans trying to communicate with loved ones, but other poltergeist activity is traced to interior, living human, psychic forces, often connected to an adolescent. That introduces some measure of complexity regarding the origin and identity of poltergeist activity. Frankly, how does one (in a scientific manner) determine which one it is? The point I wish to stress is that poltergeists are just one of a growing number of Psi that have a complexity surrounding them in the paranormal community. ‘Interior psychic forces’ is easy to say over and over, but not as easily explained in scientific manner.

Let’s look at the commonly held view that there are basically four different kinds of hauntings: intelligent human, non-intelligent/residual, poltergeist, and demonic. I have spent the last seven years analyzing each of these alleged forms of haunts….much in my book—Seeing Ghosts through God’s Eyes.

According to many in the paranormal community, residual haunts are a very common form of haunting, if not the most common. That fact itself, should make it incumbent upon us to do as Socrates said…to lead an examined life! I am NOT a scientist, but I did some basic, common-sense analysis of the notion of an energy-entrapment leading to cyclic ‘re-enactments.’ I wrote three or four lengthy blogs on the subject—challenging it on the grounds that it contradicted the second and third laws of thermodynamics….which introduces incredible complexity (or lack of simplicity) To date, I don’t know of a single sustained reply—I may be wrong, but I’m unaware of any. I’m not patting myself on the back, but I am humbly trying to help folks see where Occam’s Razor would lead us. The simplest answer tends to be the correct one.

What I have discovered is that many of the paranormal phenomenon mentioned above usually involve an incredible array of varying possible origins or identities…not to mention the purpose behind it. Elementals originate in one way, poltergeists another way, residual haunts in yet another, ect, ect. The mechanism allegedly changes from one phenomenon to the next. That is NOT simplicity regarding explaining the phenomena!

2 Corinthians 11:14—the angel of light principle-- is a simple, but not simplistic, means of explaining all true paranormal phenomena (except miracles and that which is angelic, and they don’t play games). Satan and his minions are at war with us, and they will use their very considerable intellects, power, and imagination to lob as many ‘grenades’ at us as possible. Every paranormal phenomenon that I listed above—from automatic writing to a zoo-ful of demonic animals—is easily explainable via the agency of Satan/demons, especially since we are near to Jesus’s return.

Appearance= reality may work in the natural realm, but not in supernatural realm. I am glad that I have ‘religion” (Jesus and bible) because we are given information from the Creator of heaven and earth, and ALL that is in it….which we cannot acquire on our own.

Back to Ockam’s Razor: which explains all the paranormal phenomena in the simplest fashion? One agent/cause….one identity behind all paranormal phenomena, with one consistent purpose (deceiving and destroying us), OR a view that has numerous explanations/mechanisms for every phenomenon? If Christianity is true, then what we are experiencing is exactly what we would expect….increased activity. Otherwise it is just a guessing game as to identity….nothing in science can block or take into account the angel of light principle.

Some folks think more visually…see if this helps.
I-o---o-------------o--------o--------------------o--------ooo-I-ooo------o--------o--------o----------------oooI

Creation/fall                                                        Cross                                                    Second Coming
In the flow of human history, there is a continuity of paranormal/demonic activity with humans—which began at the Fall,  increases at first/second comings of Christ, due to Satan’s frustrated anger. This visualizes that, amidst all the vast diversity of paranormal activity, there is a unity of origin, purpose, and identity. Simple, but not simplistic, diagram of the unity amidst all the incredible diversity of quantity and nature of demonic activity. All the Psi is accounted for in the entire flow of human history. (each ‘o’ on the scale represents some Psi activity) Obviously, the diagram is not to scale, but it shows the linear movement of history, and the Psi involved in its flow.

On the other hand, without a biblical view of history and demonic activity, there is nothing but chaos when trying to bring order out of the vast diversity of Psi throughout human history.
         ….o                                                                                 o
o
                                    o
                                                                                                                       ooo

The second diagram is meant to show chaos….much diversity, but no unifying ‘force’ to show how  they are connected in any meaningful, consistent fashion.

Without the God of the bible, history has no meaningful beginning, and no meaningful end…..all the Psi is dis-connected….no way to bring unity to all the diversity of paranormal activity. The true origin, nature, identity, and purpose of entities/activity must remain a mystery. One can only fixate on single datum and try to explain it by appearance.

An analogy is the continuing search of physicists for a unified theory that would explain all the forces at work in the cosmos…underlying this search is an awareness of a profound unity amidst the staggering diversity.

In physics, a unified field theory (UFT), occasionally referred to as a uniform field theory,[1] is a type of field theory that allows all that is usually thought of as fundamental forces and elementary particles to be written in terms of a single field. (Wikpedia)

Similarly,  the teaching of the bible in general, and especially the Creation/Fall/Redemption meta-narrative, provides from Genesis to Revelation, a profound unity amidst the staggering diversity of details revealed in the bible—including the beginning of paranormal activity, it’s purpose, and their identity.  The line above represents all of paranormal/demonic activity within the flow of human history, over which the Living God is absolutely sovereign. I have not included the miracles of God, nor angelic activity, in this discussion. Hence, the biblical model provides us with a ‘unified field theory’ which brings unity to all the vast diversity of paranormal activity, from the ancient past up until today. It not only acknowledges the vast variety of paranormal activity, but insists that all of it ultimately emanates from the same source…providing us with the source, purpose, identity of all Psi.
While non-biblical theories can ascertain the reality of paranormal activity (by borrowing from selected aspects of a biblical worldview….e.g. the foundation for the scientific method), it takes a staggering and confusing multiplicity of different explanations/methodologies in their attempt to explain the identity, origin, and purpose of many of these different phenomena. In other words, the non-biblical methods of attempting to explain paranormal phenomena is becoming increasingly complex, and often at odds with accepted scientific laws….while the biblical view has a beauty of simplicity. Occam’s Razor most certainly confirms the bible as the simplest, and most comprehensive, explanation of the multiplicity of paranormal phenomena, without resorting to reductionism.

Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.

The Dalai Lama's 3 Main Commitments

His Holiness has three main commitments in life. 

Firstly, on the level of a human being, His Holiness’ first commitment is the promotion of human values such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment and self-discipline. All human beings are the same. We all want happiness and do not want suffering. Even people who do not believe in religion recognize the importance of these human values in making their life happier. His Holiness refers to these human values as secular ethics. He remains committed to talk about the importance of these human values and share them with everyone he meets. 

Secondly, on the level of a religious practitioner, His Holiness’ second commitment is the promotion of religious harmony and understanding among the world’s major religious traditions. Despite philosophical differences, all major world religions have the same potential to create good human beings. It is therefore important for all religious traditions to respect one another and recognize the value of each other’s respective traditions. As far as one truth, one religion is concerned, this is relevant on an individual level. However, for the community at large, several truths, several religions are necessary. 

Thirdly, His Holiness is a Tibetan and carries the name of the ‘Dalai Lama’. Therefore, his third commitment is to work to preserve Tibet's Buddhist culture, a culture of peace and non-violence.

original link: http://dalailama.com/biography/three-main-committments

Demonic Strongholds

What is a stronghold?

Hello my parabeauties. I hope you have had a fantastic weekend and free from bad weather. Many across the world are suffering so let's be sure to keep them all in prayer. I'd like to add that my blogs are simply my humble opinion and in no way am I claiming fact. I thought this goes without saying but apparently not. It's all based on biblical laws and scripture.

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through god to the pulling down of strongholds;" -2 Corinthians 10:4

A Legal Right is how the devil gets in, and a stronghold is how the devil stays in .  A Stronghold is something that you have to attack and go after and remove or "pull down".  In Most cases, A Legal Right- you renounce through some declarative process - you say, "this is something I want to be free from.

A Legal Right, for example, being involved in the occult, or committing a willful and deliberate sin, is something that gives the devil a Legal Right to attack your life.  So, If you've done this (involvement in the occult or willful sin), you have to repent, you have to renounce, and that is how you get free of the Legal Right.

But, what the devil does with the Stronghold is much more subtle.  For The Record, what the devil actually does is three-fold :
(1) he gets a Legal Right
(2) he establishes a stronghold
(3) he declares dominion in every area of your life

A Legal Right is how the devil gets in, but A Stronghold is how he stays in.  Once the devil gets access to our life legally, he tries to build an "infrastructure of evil" by enmeshing himself into every aspect of who you are, and that's how a stronghold is established.  Many people think that it is "themselves",-they think that these very behaviors that are really a stronghold - they believe are themselves. They don't know how to distinguish between "the real them" and the devil's stronghold in their life.  How do we distinguish what is a Stronghold and what is just "ourselves ?"  Well, sometimes we believe that some of the things that the devil does through us is "us", but the devil has so mimicked his behavior and activity in our lives that we act out that behavior, and in doing that, we are doing what he wants us to do, and yet, it's really the devil motivating it.

The Strongholds And Principalities

The principalities waging war on earth have gained footholds by pagan worship. The sons of light have battled these principality's by overcoming the peoples that worship these entity. That's why God commanded the Israelite's to:-

(Numbers 33:52 KJV) Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:

Depending on the obedience of the sons of light the stronghold is held or lost. Islam and its demonic principalities are fighting back and in fact will win for a while and triumph temporarily over the sons of light.

(Revelations 11:7 KJV) And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

Iran and Iraq have been the major strongholds of the principalities of demons. And guess where that hatred is directed..Israel and the "Christianised".

(Ephesians 6:12 KJV) 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.

Identifying Strongholds And How They Enter

Our thoughts influence our emotions and our physical reactions. A thought may seem harmless, but it can become physically, emotionally or spiritually dangerous. Satan will bring evil thoughts into our minds. We cannot entertain these thoughts. Doing so will give way to the enemy. We need to rebuke the evil thoughts from our minds immediately. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. (Romans 8:5 NKJV) Our way of thinking determines the way we feel. As we entertain our thoughts, our emotions become involved. Negative thoughts will bring about negative emotions. But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. (Matthew 15:18-19 NKJV)

Giving in to our emotions eventually leads to taking some sort of action. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (James 1:14-15 NKJV) This is very evident in the life of Amnon and his lustful desires for Tamar (2 Samuel 13). His lustful desires for his sister led him to rape her. Absalom was so angry at Amnon for raping their sister that he plotted to kill his brother Amnon in revenge. Anger, unforgiveness, pride, etc. If there is sin in your life that you are unable to break away from, you need to be set free from the demonic stronghold that keeps you bound. The demons controlling the stronghold need to be rebuked from your life, old habits need to be broken, and your thoughts and emotions need to come under the control of the Holy Spirit. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2NKJV)

This subject can go on and on and on. Feel free to research this yourself and compare it to what the Bible says. It's hard to really have a proper ending to this. This was a request so I hope I am ble to answer a few questions and clear up what the Bible says regarding this subject.

Written By Jennifer L. Auld

Sleep Deprivation & Its Comprehensive Effects

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

The mighty prophet Elijah was fresh off his spectacular God-centered victory over the false prophets of Baal on Mt Carmel. Yahweh displayed that the false god of storms was impotent, indeed, non-existent.However, we see that Elijah was left exhausted by this victory and he plunged  into depression. (1 Kings 19:1-7) Here is a principle: after doing spiritual battle and seeing God work in a powerful way is exhilarating. However, after such powerful battles, one needs to be aware that this is a particularly likely time to be drawn into discouragement. After the initial glow wears off, exhaustion often comes, and it's wake, discouragement.

What was God's remedy for Elijah? He put his prophet to bed and fed him....twice.

Two nights ago I saw a TV special on the comprehensive effects of sleep deprivation and how widespread it is. Driving while sleep deprived is as dangerous as if one were drunk. This point was supported by statistics of how many people drive, and often die/kill, while driving half-asleep. My point is not to elaborate on the details, but only to ask this:I wonder how much emotional, physical, and spiritual problems are traceable to sleep  deprivation? The bible clearly indicates that our emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being are inter-related.

If one is out of balance, it will affect the other two. For example, if we are chronically sleep deprived then it will weaken us not only physically, but also emotionally and spiritually. They are inextricably connected.

While the TV special focused on the physical and emotional effects of lack of sleep, there are spiritual effects as well.

Have you noticed how demonic oppression often hinders people from getting enough sleep? Only one night of bad sleep can make many of us have a very difficult day. Think of what chronic insomnia can do to a persons psyche? Irritability, impatience, depression, joylessness (resulting in unkind comments) are not only poor advertisements for Christianity, but they can also weaken one's defenses against the Evil One. Sleep is not a waste of time. It enables us to make the best use of time. We are a body/soul composite, and the Lord wants us to take care of both.

If meditation is crucial to spiritual maturity, then proper sleep is as well. Some of us have this notion that it is noble to try to function on as little sleep as possible. I went through that stage in grad school, and the results were not pleasant.

We live in an era of unprecedented sleep deprivation, especially teenagers.So much stimuli from so many sources make us stand out from our agrarian ancestors. We live in this era by God's providence, but we are the ones who decide how late we stay up. Parents of young children, sleep apnea, and shift workers (there are others) often cannot avoid losing sleep. Some of you stay desperately fatigued and my heart goes out to you. My first step to overcoming this plight was simply becoming aware of how I had accepted it as normal. It is neither normal nor healthy.

Some may need behavioral insight or others medication, or both, but we need to make it a priority to get a good night's sleep. Not only does it enhance our physical immune system, but also our spiritual immune system. Abiding in Christ and displaying the fruit of the Spirit are hindered by fatigue. Our adversary knows our weaknesses and will attack.

Some suggestions--get more exercise, no caffeine before sleep, make your bedroom dark and quiet, go to bed and get up at the same time if possible, do not habitually try to "make up sleep" over the weekend. Some of you may need to be checked for sleep apnea. For chronic insomnia one may need to talk to their doctor and get a prescription (if the above are not sufficient)...at least for a while.

An increasing number of people are dying as a result of fatigue caused car crashes. It has also been shown that proper sleep can ward of cancer (as the whole immune system is enhanced).

God wants us to glorify and enjoy Him moment by moment, and a good nights sleep can help immensely.

If you have any further insight on this issue, please share it with us...thank you!

Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.

The Dalai Lama on Promoting Human Values

After a short drive across Delhi, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was received at Springdales School by the Principal, Mrs Ameeta Mulla Wattal. She escorted him to a brief reception and meeting with other principals and staff, including the Founding Principal, 90 year old Mrs Rajni Kumar. She established the first Springdales School in 1955 with a view to giving students a broad progressive holistic curriculum and a strong value system that included the universal values of love, truth and goodness.

On the daïs, His Holiness was offered a traditional shawl and a living plant. He took part in lighting the inaugural lamp while members of the school choir sang an ecumenical medley. Mrs Wattal declared that as teachers she and her colleagues feel it their responsibility to shape young minds with the notion that compassion is the solution to all ills. She said they had dreamed of inviting His Holiness to speak at the school and were now so pleased the dream had become reality. She requested him to address the gathering of eager young minds and their teachers.

“Respected principals, teachers and older brothers and sisters,” His Holiness began, “and younger brothers and sisters. Whenever I meet other people I remember that we are all the same as human beings. Having the same human brain, we all have the same potential. Sometimes that potential ends up creating more problems, but in general our basic human nature is compassionate.”

He spoke of experiments scientists have conducted with young infants. Showing them animated drawings of situations in which someone gives help and or hinders and obstructs, they favour the instances of help. He said this clearly accords with our status as social animals whose survival depends on others. This is why we develop a sense of community. And the emotions that foster community are love and affection, while anger and jealousy create distance and separation. It is by cultivating a sense of concern for others that we can learn to use our intelligence constructively.

“Modern education tends to focus on materialist goals with insufficient stress on developing warm-heartedness. If our education touches on ethics it is usually in relation to religious faith. Despite their philosophical differences, the main practice of all the major religious traditions is love. And in order to practise love effectively, you need tolerance and forgiveness, self-discipline and contentment. These traditions have a common purpose, to help us develop love. It may be through belief in a creator and the sense that we all have a spark of God, of love, within us. Or we might follow a non-theistic tradition that believes in causality and the idea that if you do good, you benefit, or that if you do harm it will have negative consequences. Whatever their differences philosophically, these spiritual traditions share a common goal.”

His Holiness remarked that in India all the major religious traditions have long lived together in harmony. However, among the 7 billion human beings alive in the world today, 1 billion assert that they have no such belief. He said the question then is how to educate such people in the value of love and compassion. He suggested a need to adopt a secular approach and that India has historically adopted such an approach that expresses an unbiased respect for all religions and even for people who proclaim no faith.

“I believe, therefore, that the idea of secular ethics is something that can appeal to all. We are biologically equipped with love and affection. When we are born we depend on our mother’s affection to survive. Love and affection allow us to grow in a healthy way and give us self-confidence. Many of you young women take time and trouble to make yourselves look beautiful using cosmetics and so on, but the real key to happy relationships, to creating a happy marriage is inner beauty.

“We all need friendship and friendship is built on trust, which comes about on the basis of mutual respect and concern for others. A family may be wealthy and powerful, but if its members are moved by mistrust and suspicion they’ll be unhappy. A poor family whose members trust each other, on the other hand, is happy.”

His Holiness referred to scientific research that shows that people who engage in training in love, compassion and warm-heartedness for as short a time as three weeks show a marked reduction in their levels of stress and blood pressure. Their relations with their friends improve. He cited this as an example that it is possible to educate people on the basis of scientific findings, common experience and common sense. Because of the materialist tendency of modern education, work is going on in the USA and here in India to design a curriculum that fosters secular ethics, that develops the heart as well as the mind.

“The 20th century saw many remarkable developments,” His Holiness declared, “and yet it was also an era of unprecedented violence. 200 million, by some counts, died in violence. Billions of dollars were spent on developing powerful weapons, but it didn’t result in positive change. Even now, when it is pleasant and peaceful where we are, elsewhere human beings like us are being killed and injured. We cannot create a more peaceful world through the use of force; we have, instead, to cultivate inner peace.”

Looking out over the audience he said that those less than 20 years old belong to the 21st century. While nothing can be done to change the past, if this generation tries it can change the future. He said that being concerned only about your own country is out of date, now it is time to be concerned about all humanity. India, with its ages-old traditions of ahimsa and inter-religious harmony, can make a great contribution to this.

“I have lived 55 years in this country as a refugee,” His Holiness said. “I consider myself a messenger of ancient Indian thought. I also sometimes call myself a son of India because as a student of the Nalanda tradition, that is the source of all my knowledge. Meanwhile, my body has been nourished by Indian rice and dal. Indian culture doesn’t reside only in the external trappings of song and dance, but here in the heart. If we pay attention to that, it will be effective. Please take your modern education seriously, but also remember what ancient India can teach us about reality and the nature of our mind and emotions. This knowledge, this Indian treasure, is particularly relevant today, as shown by the appreciation it is receiving from many modern scientists.”

In answering several questions from the audience, His Holiness explained that competition that ensures the success of all participants is helpful, but that competition that favours some while eliminating others is not. He clarified that stern action can be employed in a positive way, for example by a teacher who is wholly concerned for his or her student’s welfare. Asked whether he watches movies he replied that he went to the cinema in the early 60s, but nowadays does not watch television or films.

Questioned whether Buddha was a god, he said no, he was a human being who through his own efforts became an enlightened Buddha. He told his listeners that his greatest challenge had been in seeking to understand emptiness and dependent origination as taught by Nagarjuna. As to his dreams when he was young, he said he only wanted to run here and there, with little interest in study, but today at the age of nearly 80 reading and study are what he likes to do. And looking fondly down at Mrs Rajni Kumar, he expressed a hope to live to 90 or 100 like her.

Asked who his sources of inspiration were, without hesitation he mentioned masters of Nalanda like Nagarjuna and Shantideva. He said that hearing Shantideva’s texts explained changed his life. Prompted to name some contemporary figures, he cited Mahatma Gandhi and India’s first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, whose knowledge and humility had deeply impressed him. Finally, he remarked that making others happy is not a question of sacrificing our own happiness. Trying to make others happy, even when we do not always succeed, is a source of great satisfaction. He concluded that it is anger and hatred that are signs of weakness, while compassion is a sure sign of strength.

In the afternoon His Holiness was invited to address a meeting organized by the Ananta Aspen Centre, which is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that seeks to foster positive change in society through dissemination of knowledge. He outlined his own three commitments. Firstly, he talked about the promotion of deeper human values as a source of happiness and physical health; the idea that the ultimate source of happiness is within the mind. He remarked that our lives begin under the care of our mother’s affection and that as social animals it is affection that brings people together.

His Holiness described his second commitment as the promotion of inter-religious harmony, citing Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity as examples of people whose dedication to the welfare of the poor and needy was an expression of their faith. He reiterated that religious traditions may have philosophical differences, but they share a common goal.

Thirdly, he acknowledged that he is a Tibetan and that many Tibetans place their trust in him. While he has wholly retired from political responsibility, he retains a concern for the flourishing of Tibetan culture. Tibetans retain a comprehensive Buddhist tradition, the result of individuals’ study and practice down the centuries. Tibetan Buddhism can benefit not only Tibetans, but also the millions in China who describe themselves as Buddhists. He said that the Tibetan language remains the most accurate medium for exploring and explaining Buddhist ideas. He added that his concern for Tibet also extends to its natural environment, noting that a billion people across Asia are dependent on the water that flows from Tibet’s rivers.

“We are all the same as human beings,” he concluded. “We all need to take responsibility for creating a better world and a more peaceful humanity. Please keep this in mind and take it to heart.”

Answering the audience’s questions His Holiness elaborated on his thoughts about secular ethics, the importance of compassion, the steady changes taking place in China and the fact that the future of the world depends on us and how we exert ourselves. He said that in seeking to find the source of happiness within us, we need a map of our mind and emotions. We need to develop a sense of emotional hygiene, an understanding of how to manage our emotions, how to counter those that are negative and cultivate those that are positive. He said that is the way to find peace within.

original link with photos http://www.dalailama.com/news/post/1200-promoting-human-values