INCREASING OBSESSION WITH OCCULTISM

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Mike Signorelli, senior pastor of V1 Church in New York City is correctly sounding the alarm on the troubling ways people are increasingly being conditioned to improperly partake in the occult. More and more TV programs and films are increasingly involving Psychics, Witches, Horoscopes, and the Supernatural. Mike is also warning that “carnal, natural-minded Christians” are the biggest barrier he sees to spiritual revival.

“We’re stepping into this area right now. New Age practices are becoming a normal phenomenon,” Signorelli told “The Playing With Fire Podcast.” “Even secular companies are provoking people to step into the spiritual realm or to believe in the supernatural in a way that, it’s like we’re moving past atheism and we’re moving into ‘spiritual but not religious as a people.”

The preacher offered a message to Christians who might be hesitant to talk about biblical evil with friends and family, warning that many of their loved ones are already engaging in the supernatural — but in deeply inappropriate and dangerous ways.

Exorcism typically gets a lot of attention in pop culture, mainly due to its vivid depictions in movies, but the expulsion of evil from a person’s life doesn’t always look like what’s observed on the big screen. Mike Signorelli, the senior pastor of V1 Church in New York City, recently appeared on “The Playing With Fire Podcast,” where he explored exorcism and his views on biblical evil. The preacher explained “deliverance,” a term with which people might have less familiarity than the word “exorcism,” though many use the words interchangeably, among other topics.

As Faithwire has reported, McDonald’s is just one of the companies that brought the occult — specifically Tarot card reading — into its marketing this year. Other companies have done the same, with Hollywood shows routinely bringing psychics, mediums, and others into the mainstream.

Watch Signorelli break these issues down around the 34-minute mark:

“Sometimes you’ll be like, ‘Well, I don’t want to freak my family out, or I don’t want to freak my coworkers out,’” he said. “Not knowing that your coworkers are burning sage in their home in hopes that unclear spirits are leaving … they’re reading their horoscopes.”

Signorelli said the refusal to engage is actually hampering faith, particularly when it is paired with the denial of the supernatural elements of the spiritual realm.

“Carnal, natural-minded Christians are the biggest barrier to revival right now,” he said. “Because your friends and family are all operating in the supernatural realm right now, but they’re illegally entering it.”

Anyone mistakenly thinking of engaging in such tactics should remember the biblical commands to trust God with our futures, not man.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Read more about Signorelli’s comments on evil, deliverance, and more.

DEMONS AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE ARE REAL

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Witches, Satanists, and Warlocks: Meet the Pastors Who Boldly Shared the Gospel For a Decade in Salem, Massachusetts

Guy and Tana Miller who led a unique and fascinating ministry in Salem, Massachusetts — a hotbed of witchcraft and spiritual activity — believe Christians need to turn to “unconditional love” when trying to reach people in difficult or uncomfortable situations. They planted Remix Church in Salem in 2011 and ministered there for 10 years. They recently joined “The Playing With Fire Podcast” to discuss how they interacted with witches, Satanists, and others in the community — and what some Christians get wrong when trying to reach these groups.

Their ministry, called Remix Church, came about after the couple felt prompted by God to provide pastoral care in Salem.

“I was shocked to find out … there was only a couple, very small but faithful outreaches going on,” Guy said. “There wasn’t a lot of evangelical … witness in Salem, and I was blown away.”

Tana added, “God clearly spoke to us to go into Salem.”

Listen to Guy and Tana discuss their fascinating ministry in Salem:

https://player.edifi.app/episodes/Witches-Satanists-and-More:-Meet-the-Pastors-Who-Lovingly-Ministered-For-Years-in-Salem-Massachusetts/5138519

SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS REAL

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The Bible tells us that we have an enemy and one that’s more dangerous because he is invisible.

The Christian needs the armor of God more today than ever because “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). 

“My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart” (Psalm 7:10)

God offers Himself as a shield to those who trust in Him. It is up to us to “take up” and “put on” the whole armor of God, but once we have, we can say with confidence: 

“My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart” (Psalm 7:10).

“Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him” Proverbs 30:5

Prayer is a key to the armor of God as we take up the helmet of salvation, which guards our minds and thoughts and keep it from being taken captive. The sword of the Spirit helps us fight off the enemy the way Jesus did during His temptation, and that’s with the Word of God. Three times Jesus rebuked the Devil by using the Word of God, and there’s more. We need to “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14). What we need is the truth of God’s Word that secures us in our stand against the enemy, and then the breastplate of righteousness which we attain once we trust in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21), but we’re not quite done yet since we need “shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). Once equipped, we can now be ready for spiritual warfare.

Are you ready to face the coming end-times tribulation that Jesus told us Christians will endure prior to His return to put things right? You will not be unless you understand who your enemy really is and put on the full armour of God.

Extracts from the article Shielded by God by Jack Wellman May 8th, 2019

DEMONIC OPPRESSION IS REAL

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Demonic oppression is a spiritual attack from a demonic spirit that seeks to influence a person’s thoughts, emotions, and actions. Since a demon cannot possess a Christian to control them, then oppression is the next best option. Because of the way we are created as humans, these attacks will often begin in our minds because this is the central hub that dictates what we think about, how we feel, and ultimately what we do. The goal of demonic oppression is to keep a person trapped and bound. The desire is to paralyze the Christian believer so they become ineffective.

From Job, we know that God allows demonic spirits to attack the body so the following story is possible.

Actress Joey King, who played a little girl afflicted by the supernatural in the demonic-themed horror film, “The Conjuring,” recently shared strange details from her time making the movie that still makes her “shudder.”

King, 22, said earlier this month in an appearance on “The Drew Barrymore Show” that she developed a strange blood disorder while playing Christine, one of the Perron children in “The Conjuring.”

“It was pretty intense. Some weird stuff happened on the set, along with the movie being scary,” she told fellow actress Drew Barrymore. “It’s true, I developed this bizarre, rare, out-of-nowhere blood disorder, and basically, my body, like all the red platelets from my body were like drained out.

“In the [movie], when the mother gets possessed, she gets all these bruises on her,” King said. “And so during the filming of those particular scenes, I started having a lot of bruises show up on my body.”

The bruises in strange places like her chest and stomach were so pervasive that makeup artists thought she stole their supplies to create fake bruising. They only realized this wasn’t the case when they tried to remove the bruising to no avail.

“It was so dramatic,” she said. “So I had to, every day before work and after work, go to the hospital, get my blood taken.”

But something truly bizarre happened once King finished filming “The Conjuring.” “Then, all of a sudden, I got home, and I’ve never had a problem with my blood since,” she said, sparking a shocked reaction from Barrymore. “Every time I think about it, I just shudder a little bit.”

It’s a truly bizarre story, but regardless of the veracity of the claims, scripture does tell us that evil is very real. Satan cannot possess Christians but he can oppress them. Scripture reveals that in the end times this will escalate.

”Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 2:9-10

”Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:7-8

IMPACTING YOUR CITY FOR JESUS

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Anne Harley is passionate about seeing the church adapt to the needs of the community. Hear what has been accomplished in Townsville, Queensland Australia. It is only a six-minute video and well worth your time to hear what this veteran has done over twenty years in her city. Unless you connect with people nothing will change. Church buildings are a trap, we must move out into the community to see change.

We need males with the same passion and drive as Anne to step up and take the leadership role that God designed them to have. Of course, if they do not God will raise up the Deborah’s. The following story of Deborah addressing Barak the leader of the army demonstrates who God was using and why. Deborah had a relationship with God. She knew what He wanted to do and trusted Him to do it.

“Has not the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded you, ‘Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 from the people of Naphtali and the people of Zebulun. And I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin’s army, to meet you by the river Kishon with his chariots and his troops, and I will give him into your hand’?” Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” And she said, “I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Judges 4:6-9

BE PREPARED: “LAST DAYS” SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS INTENSE

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Jesus tells us that in the “last days” before He returns to rule and reign there will be false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. They are under the power of Satan and we know he disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise that his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.

“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.” 2 Corinthians 11-15

“I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4::11-13

We need to recognise that the true battle is in the heavenly places and it is against the spiritual forces of evil which is why we are told to put on the full armour of God daily. Are you being obedient to your Lord and Saviour?

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12

“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,” Ephesians 6:14-18

Our job with the lost is to preach the Good News as directed by the Holy Spirit knowing they cannot understand the word of God without the Spirit of God.

“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 set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:5-8

We are also called to love them, pray for them, and return good for evil but also to be sensitive to what the Holy Spirit may be doing in their lives. The Holy Spirit may prompt you to use one of the nine Holy Spirit gifts that He expects us to operate in. He distributes them according to His will.

“Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:35-36

“God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.“ Hebrews 2:4

SATAN’S POWER DEFEATED IN TENNESSEE

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May be an image of one or more people, people standing and grass
Baker and Stone players lead in prayer on their knees.

Satan’s power was defeated in Tennessee, as the threat of legal action by administrators with Putnam County Schools to forbid prayer after the game was overwhelmed by player lead prayer supported by parents and fans in solidarity on Overall Field.

Last week, administrators told staffers they would be barred from leading students in prayer in the future, a decision that came as a result of a letter from the group Americans United for Separation of Church and State, according to WZTV-TV.

After the school board in Tennessee told teachers and coaches they could no longer lead students in prayer, members of the football team and their parents took matters into their own hands.

School administrators were told by their attorney to make sure all policies and laws concerning prayer at school-sponsored activities are followed. They said, “case law not allowing prayer or proselytizing is clear. Courts have consistently ruled that prayer and proselytizing can not be sponsored by schools or school personnel.“

The district, for its part, acknowledged “the importance of prayer in the lives of our students, faculty, and staff members,” saying in a statement to the press that administrators “support the right of students to participate in and lead spontaneous prayers.”

“That right is and will continue to be protected,” the district added. “We also understand that faculty and staff members cannot lead or participate in the spontaneous student-led prayers.”

God bless the Baxter and Stone players for their faith and courage. Pray that we will see more Christians standing up for their faith in public places as a witness to the truth of God’s Word.

HOW SATAN WORKS

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John Cooper of the successful band Skillet described the man, who was an agent of Satan, as well as a music agent, a promoter and a businessman who was a “mover and shaker.” 

“And he said, ‘It’s your time, John, but you have got to disassociate from Christianity. You’ve got to stop talking about Jesus so much. … Don’t do Christian interviews. Don’t do Christian music festivals. If people ask you what your songs are about, I’m not telling you to lie. Just don’t offer up the information about Jesus,’” he continued.

“Then he said something else. And this is what got me, and this is what I think is interesting,” Cooper continued, he said, ‘But John, think about the good you could do for your faith. If you got rich and famous, think about what you could do for Jesus, if you stop talking about Jesus.’“

Cooper said that phrase was the “turning point” of his career.

“I went to the bus. I told my wife about the conversation. We prayed about it. And it was … almost instantaneous. I knew that that is not the Lord. It was from the enemy, Satan. He was trying … to get me to be quiet, and it had the opposite effect.”

A decade later, Skillet is now a Grammy Award-nominated, multi-platinum band. Cooper has a popular YouTube series in which he is very outspoken about his faith and shares his thoughts about current events.

In an episode of Abby Johnson’s podcast “Politely Rude” released in August, Cooper revealed the motivation behind his boldness. He said he was shocked to find that many people no longer believe in absolute truth and called the changes unfolding in culture “scary.” 

“We need to be extremely vigilant about the Word of God,” he emphasized. “We need to be extremely vigilant about what the Bible says because if we are not, then we will begin to read the Bible with that same sort of relativism. And when you do that, you’re not starting from a premise that the Word of God is absolute, that God’s Word is supreme.”

“What happens in relativism is you say, ‘No, I am supreme. My feelings are supreme. My experience is the brain. I can find truth in my heart,’” Cooper added. “Then I look through that filter at the Word of God, and then I shape the Word of God to meet my needs. So we need to be extremely vigilant about this because it is wrecking Christianity.

FUTILITY OF THEIR MINDS

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“Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.” Ephesians 4:17

It is a modern futility of the mind that sexual identity is now a matter of personal preference and is disconnected from the body God has given us as demonstrated by our sexual organs, chromosomes and DNA.

The problem is not just mental or cultural but spiritual. They believe the lies, the falsehoods of the evil one, having no knowledge of the spiritual battle that is taking place. They are literally under the control of Satan and his demons. Satan hates us because we are the image bearers of God. and he will do his utmost to destroy us.

“They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.” Ephesians 4:18-19

These are harsh words: because of the ignorance in them, they are darkened in their understanding, have hardened hearts, and are alienated from God. Thereby they become callous and given up to every kind of impurity.

What is to be our reaction? This scripture makes it clear our response is to be twofold.

“Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” Ephesians 5:11

Christ must be our model of how we expose and address gender and sex issues. Invariably they will call us bigots and haters but others who know us will say, “No, they disagree with us, but I think they love me and want what is best for me.”

“Finally be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:10-12

Jesus healing the sick. Jesus must be our model for how we treat others

OUR JOB AND KNOWING IT IS SPIRITUAL WARFARE

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Jesus tells us that in the “last days” before He returns to rule and reign there will be false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. They are under the power of Satan and we know he disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise that his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.

“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.” 2 Corinthians 11-15

“I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4::11-13

We need to recognise that the true battle is in the heavenly places and it is against the spiritual forces of evil which is why we are told to put on the full armour of God daily.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12

“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,” Ephesians 6:14-18

Our job with the lost is preach the Good News as directed by the Holy Spirit knowing they cannot understand the word of God without the Spirit of God

“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 set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:5-8

We are also called to love them, pray for them and return good for evil but also to be sensitive to what the Holy Spirit may be doing in their lives. The Holy Spirit may prompt you to use one of the nine Holy Spirit gifts that He expects us to operate in. He distributes them according to His will.

“Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:35-36

“God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.“ Hebrews 2:4