By Stephen Piersall
God is so good! Recently, I have had a closed MRI for my back and being 6’3”, 260 pounds and claustrophobic; they shoved every ounce of me in this tiny crawl space about the size of the old torpedo tubes submarines used years ago. I normally would start with my panic attacks and anxiety getting the best of me days before, but it was done in 18 minutes, and I spent the whole time eyes closed and praying to God for everybody I could think of. I had a root canal done with NO PAIN for the first time during my life. Yes, I spent every minute in prayer with that too. I also gave birth to my first (and hopefully never again) Kidney Stone. Ouch! Yes, they are as bad as the stories you might have heard, and the prayers that days were in desperation. LOL. Lastly, completed a pre-surgical physical, and the results show I am the healthiest I have been in years.
Since our ministry is growing and helping many other people with Christian Deliverance counseling, and still attending classes at our local church and Internet courses, it has brought closeness to God that one can only cherish. So intimate, that when I wake up, the first thing that comes to mind is God and my personal prayer list of those who have needs. It is the same at night when taking our two dogs out for the last time before bed; looking up to the sky, talking to God, and thanking him for all he is doing in my life. The late Walter Payton, NFL, Chicago Bears running back was nicknamed “Sweetness." With God beside me, it is pure “Sweetness."
Leaving the hospital, passing many people and the Holy Spirit within me must have turned up the volume on my ears. Hearing couples arguing over petty things, gossiping all around, my ears were just buzzing. This doctor is no good, and this neighbor all the time complains about different highly public viewed clergy on TV. Yikes, jumping back into the MRI machine where it was safe and just praying to God in peace, (except for the LOUD MRI noises) seems like a great idea.
One of the pet peeves of mine is a person talking bad about others behind their backs. Here recently I have had two discussions with some of our staff about what they were doing if it gave them a good reputation with God and their business and family life. They both accepted the discussion in a Christian attitude, and I praise them both for their walk with God. What about the others I mentioned, is peer pressure affecting walking with God? This rather reminds me of back in Junior High School all over again.
The Bible says that the tongue is full of deadly poison. The tongue is like a sword. It can cut and slice apart its victims. Proverbs 21:23 states, "Whoso keepeth his mouth, and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles."
Why must we speak about what version of the Bible that someone reads? Why must we talk about clergy members who have Internet talk shows? Why must we talk badly about how someone does deliverance differently than what you believe? Jesus commands we remove evil, but no particular checklist for us to follow in doing so. There are many methodologies, and if it works, Glory to God! Why are Christians not acting like Christians? Why are some of you reading this not Christian at all?
Christian Bible thumpers as we sometimes are called, will keep trying to win souls for Jesus because that is our number-one job. Jesus proclaimed that in his Great Commission among other things. You can go through all of these biblical steps with a right heart and spirit, and the other person may still choose to respond in a negative or fleshly way. Some people have a contentious spirit and do not want peace. On the other hand, some people will agree with you to your face and make no change whatsoever. At this point, you cannot get bitter and angry. You must leave it with the Lord. Romans 12:18 states, "If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men."
Did you know that of all the sins that God sees in us, they are, even so, to him except one? The sin of not accepting Jesus as your Savior is above all other sins. When you die and bow before him, and he says, “I do not know you”; your destiny in Hell will reign forever.
Matthew 7:22-23, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? Then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire, so then; you will know them by their fruits.
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”
That has happened to me also, where someone thought, I was speaking of them, when I was not. However, what this says to me, it is the Holy Spirit convicting that person's heart. Instead of leaning toward the Spirit of the Lord, they get very defensive. What we see as very immature behavior in some really can be brought back around to the enemy causing trouble in the Body of Christ, as you are making clear.
It is too late to accept Jesus as your Savior once you die. There is no purgatory or earth bound spirits or ghosts where you can pray someone to heaven or have a medium cross over someone for you. Believing in any of that is Satan’s trap to lure you. Beware of false prophets, Satan and his demons are the master of disguises! Read the Gospels and follow the teachings of Jesus.
This YouTube video will answer some questions perhaps you have. Enjoy.
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