Ministry Notes

Hi everyone,

Barbara and I got back from Mark and Eva's (son and daughter-in-law) graduation. He is now a MD and she is an MBA and they are moving to Chicago. New York was fun and I found time to run in Central Park. It was Barbara's first time to go to NYC and my first time to go as a tourist and we both loved it. God did a great job of watering the plants at the Church, while we were gone.

Message notes:

Some people are uncertain how to resist the enemy (devil/Satan). In many situations, it does not take any special gifts to identify when the enemy is attacking you. Jesus says the enemy leads you astray (Rev. 12:9) and is a murder and a liar (Jn 8:44).

So, if you have habits that can kill you, there is a good chance that the enemy is involved. Habits that you cannot stop or control may be an addiction. For example, if your eating is such that you find your self saying, "I can't stop eating" or "I can't lose weight", you may be dealing with an addiction that will kill you. Addictions like smoking, over eating, drugs*, alcohol*, lust*, anger*, unforgiveness*, and selfishness* can cause death and those with an (*) can cause separation from God and result in eternal death, which is more serious.

Jesus says in Mk 16:17 (TE), "Believers … will drive out demons in My name…" Jesus gave us an example in Mk 9:25 (NASU) when he said, … "You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again." Logically, there is no reason to think that someone who is deaf has a problem with the enemy, any more than someone who smokes.

Notice, Jesus

1. Named it! … "You deaf and mute spirit,

2. Commanded it! I command you, come out of him

3. Directed it! and do not enter him again."

Now you try it "In the name of Jesus, 1. Name it! you spirit of _______ (cigarettes, gluttony, drugs, alcohol, lust, anger, unforgiveness, selfishness)

2. Command it! shut up and come out

3. Direct it! and leave and don't come back!"

btw - if you have been working on your addiction for years, you may need to persist in your effort to resist it (Mt 7:7)