Don't Change Your Path or Pace - A Directive From A Dream

Whatever happens in life, if the Lord has set you on a path with a pace, don't change it. He will give you all the tools you need to make it on this journey. Stay focused on Him and keep going! This is my most-recent advice to myself.

Two weeks ago I dreamed that I was walking through a park while I was praying out loud in tongues. I noticed that some people were running away from me. Some folks were laying along the side of the path and did not wake up. Then there was one man who noticed me and pointed a gun at me. I prayed in tongues even louder and he walked away. Then I started to walk into a small downtown and one man in particular was harassing me. Telling me that my tongue-talking wouldn't help me. I kept walking. It was the same picture though, some folks were running from me and some didn't notice. I prayed even louder so that the person who was harassing me would go away. He just laughed and kept bugging me. Then I woke up.

I believed the dream was pretty obvious. There were going to be some things that I would be walking through that would be a walk in the park and some things that wouldn't be so easy. However, I needed to be praying in the spirit. In 1 Corinthians 14, praying in tongues is a gift that edifies/improves oneself. I felt there was a time coming that would need to be strengthened. I took this dream as a directive from the Lord about my future and what I need to be doing during this time.

The people in the dream represent the demonic. Jesus commissioned the disciples to cast out devils. He also said that some only come out through prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21). I believed the person in the dream that kept harassing me was one of those demons that required prayer and fasting.

So after this dream, I became more conscious about praying in tongues. I tried to pray in the spirit during my prayer time, while washing dishes, putting my make-up on in the morning, etc. Let me tell you .... the next week was the worst week I've experienced spiritually in a long time. I had tormenting thoughts, was moody, agitated, had horrible headaches, and the list goes on. I fasted for two days and it was by far, the worst fast I've ever participated in. I can honestly say, I wanted to die. I lost hope sporadically throughout that time, crazy stuff happened at work, relationships were challenged, etc. However, I knew that I knew that God had spoke to me and that I needed to pray in the spirit - AND that I would not die. I didn't in the dream. In fact, I kept on walking, never changing my pace or path. That meant that in the natural, I was going to succeed - never changing my path or pace toward the Lord and what I am called to do.

I am thankful for this dream and directive from God. I think I'm through the worst part of the storm and I know I'm stronger. What about you? Have you ever received directive from a dream?

The Ultimate Thrilling Move of the Spirit

Surfer-photographer Clark Little captures
 this photo from inside the tube of a Hawaii wave,
the spot where the water curls over itself and forms
a huge tunnel of water. Riding inside these
tubes is considered the ultimate thrill in surfing. 

 Last week I had a very vivid dream that I would like to share.

I was in one of America's largest cities inside a 12-story office building. I don’t know why I was there. I happened to look outside the window and noticed a huge wave coming toward the shoreline. I wasn’t afraid and neither was anyone else. I thought to myself, I’m on the 10^th floor. It shouldn’t make it that high up here and then it did. The water came in and rose above the ceiling, but I was in a tunnel or barrel, like what a surfer would be in when they are riding a wave. I could see light at the end of the tunnel and I kept thinking to myself, this is so cool. I need to take a picture because this is a once in a life-time experience. Then the wave passed. There was no damage to the building or fear by anyone. I went down the stairs and noticed everyone was back to work as normal. I walked outside and there were pools of water where children were playing and some areas were flooded. No one seemed to mind.

Here are some key things that really stood out to me about the dream.

• 10^th – earthly government
• 12^th – kingdom government
• Wave – large move of the spirit
• Tunnel – in the surf world it’s called a barrel or hollow. They don’t happen all the time, but when they do they are an unforgettable experience as told by many surfers.  

I feel like a move of the Spirit is coming that is above any earthly government. It is the kingdom government. This particular move will be an unforgettable/once-in-a-lifetime experience. Once it passes, there will be areas where there are pools to drink from and play in and some areas will be and remain flooded with the Spirit. I believe it will start in one of our nation's biggest cities.

A Decree and Declaration 

Lord I thank you for a mighty move of your Spirit in this country in this hour. I thank you for your government  increasing here on this earth. Thank you for an unforgettable, thrilling experience with you and your kingdom.

Casting Out Devils is Normal Christianity

I have always been curious about the supernatural. However, I try to be careful about what I read and watch. Meaning, I don't go looking for ghost stories or exorcisms. I like to try to keep my mind on heavenly things that line up with the promises of God. However, I couldn't pass up reading this recent story from the IndyStar about a woman and her children who were tormented by demons called The Exorcisms of LaToya Ammons.

It is by far the craziest account I have ever heard reported in the media with witnesses like priests, police, social workers, nurses, etc. The story entails a demonized family with children levitating, walking up walls, oil leaking from blinds, wet footprints, and the list goes on. It's really worth the read, whether you believe in this type of stuff or not.

After finishing the article, I couldn't help but feel a little righteous anger that this family was tormented like this. Also, that they had to wait so long to find help. This woman lost her children for a period of time and her home because she couldn't find help. There are churches on every corner in America, they all should have been able to offer help. Folks, RECOGNIZING DEVILS and CASTING THEM OUT is NORMAL CHRISTIANITY. How do I know this? Because Jesus said to do it.

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils: freely ye received, freely give. Matthew 10:8

This story really gives insight into the lack of spiritual maturity in many churches today. After a period of time, Ammons was able to find a priest willing and able to help. Thank you Catholic Church! Though the whole "putting a cross on someone's head" and tossing out Holy water all over the place isn't where the power came from for their deliverance. Jesus and the authority that He gives to believers is the only authority that can cast out devils. It is Jesus that gives Christians authority to defeat the enemy.

I am by no means an expert on exorcisms/deliverance, but my husband and I have practiced casting out demons. About three years ago, we were prayer leaders of our church and one Sunday we met a woman who had to be carried into the church. Her boyfriend said that she had been to doctors who ran tests and then claimed nothing was wrong. There was clearly something wrong with her. She couldn't walk, hold her head up or barely talk. I started praying for her and saw a picture of a witch. So I asked if she had been involved in any witchcraft. She said, no, but her ex-husband is a warlock who had recently killed her husband in front of her children. Right then, we knew we were dealing with the demonic. We started casting out spirits and she started convulsing. When we thought we were finished, she told us there were still more demons inside of her. We went for round two. By the end of the 30 minute or so prayer in our church sanctuary, she was smiling and laughing. We then talked to her son, who was talking in third person, saying things like, "We will kill God." He was not interested in being set free. To this day, we stay in contact with her. She still has problems with her children, but she is a spirit-filled believer and has grown deeper in her faith walk.

In another story, my husband got a black eye by a demonized man who just got released from prison. His grandfather brought him to Teen Challenge for help. (That is where  my husband worked at the time.) This demonized man kept saying he was God, talking in riddles, other languages and could not be contained. If anyone tried to hold him down, he would tell them about their life, freaking out those who tried to help out. Unfortunately, this man did not get set free that day and was asked to leave. That really bothered my husband for a long time and He sought the Lord for answers on that. In Nate's mind, that man should have been set free.

As Christians we need to be examples of Jesus and do what He said to do. SET PEOPLE FREE! I am currently reading Rick Joyner's book, Overcoming Fear, and he says, "Christians are called to fight evil on all the levels. However, we only  have spiritual authority to the degree that we abide in Him (Christ)."

I take this to mean, that while all Christians are called to cast out demons, not all of them can because of their lack of spiritual authority which comes by faith and abiding in Christ. If you don't believe you can do this, you will never try. And if you do try, and don't succeed, you should keep trying. The bible says we are moving from faith to faith. As we increase in that faith we will be promoted to new levels of authority and there will probably be new devils to fight too.

I know my husband and I are willing. We may fail at times, but we at least need to try to be the answers that people need. As Christians, we need to be ready to help. We need to exercise our authority in regards to casting out devils. I'm sure many of you have experienced the demonic, but may not have known it. In any case, ask the Lord to help you discern these situations and then bring help where it's needed.

What is your experience with deliverance ministry?  Do you have any encouraging stories of freedom to share?