Dreams
When I was a missionary in India, I discovered that spiritual warfare was very real! The last thing that Satan wants is for us to share the hope that we have in Jesus and the truth with the world at large. What he hates most is when we pray for others! He retaliates with attacks, at first they may be subtle, he tries to ruin our relationships with others, he tries to plant lies in our mind about ourselves, others or God. He tries to make us lethargic and lazy in our spiritual walk. He tries to lull us to sleep with comfort or he diverts our attention from Christ to self. He loves using hooks like sex, lust, adultery, pride and religiousity. He divides believers from one another and also divides families through divorce. His ultimate goal is to destroy us and keep us separated from God forever. I used to cower in fear when I thought of Satan and demons, I gave him far more attention than he deserved. But then I realized in the midst of attacks that one word can fell him! JESUS! He flees at the name of Jesus, if I really want to keep him at a distance then I start singing about the blood of Jesus that saves me from sin, death and hell! I believe that in the west Satan wants to remain hidden, he doesn't obviously present himself. If he can keep us from believing that there is a heaven & hell and eternity, that all paths lead to God, that being good is enough than he has won our souls. In third world countries, they know that evil exists! There is an all out war that you can see at times and feel. There is demon possession and deliverance from evil spirits.
In Oakland, San Francisco and among the poor in inner cities, I have noticed that Satan is very present. The majority of youth in juvenile hall can relate to demons and spiritual attack and temptation. I find it funy that the people that I talk to in most churches are the skeptics! There is a very real battle and whether we choose to acknowledge it or not we are in the midst of it. If we are not actively pursuing Jesus than we are ultimately siding with Satan.
Last night I had a dream it was very interesting. I was told in India that dreams are a call to prayer, this one was no exception. My fellow missionaries and I were sitting around a beautiful bonfire with some of youth that we work with. The fire represented God, community, fellowship and joy. We were laughing and rejoicing full of life and passion. Mateo caught my eye and brought my attention to what was encrouching upon us. There were wolves surrounding us, creeping, lurking, poised for attack. They zoned in on one of our youth and began to attack. I started praying and the others did too, it was our only defense against the darkness. A wolf came and whispered seductively in my ear, you can't pray, you're getting sleepy, very sleepy. I was fighting to pray but my eyelids were so heavy, the fire was so warm all I wanted was sleep. I knew I had to pray, I started praying and fighting and singing songs about the blood of Jesus. Then I woke up from the dream. Satan made his tactic obvious, he wants to lull believers into a deep sleep. He wants to keep us powerless and ineffective in the presence of darkness. If you are reading this I beg you, wake up! Pray! Do not become the sleeping church in Revelation! Ask the Lord to strengthen all believers, ask for intercessors, pray for those who are wrapped in darkness! God acts on our behalf when we pray!
I know that the LIGHT always overcomes! I know that LIFE is stronger than death! I know that JESUS defeated satan on the cross and that the victory is WON! BUT we are still in a battle for souls, please pray! I long to see captives set free, the oppressed delivered and the lost found! Please pray for me and my fellow missionarys, that God keeps us awake, alert and praying without ceasing!