Many of you know that I recently went to San Diego to visit family and give a seminar on the SUPERNATURAL RULES OF ENGAGEMENT. And I experienced a strange miracle in the process. I think ‘bitter-sweet’ discribes something that is both good and bad at the same time and this was it.
I am sharing this because it is a great (yet, for me very uncomfortable) present day example of II Corinthians 12;7. “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.”
I have met many who think if they ignore the devil, he will leave them alone….so I want to be clear. I definitely do not expect demonic interference nor do I dwell on the possible ‘fears’ of our life on this earth. However, I spend my life seeking the heart of God, and building my faith in the supernatural presence of the Holy Spirit in my life, and thanking Jesus for the authority and power He has delegated to us. (Matt 28; Mark 16; Luke 10:19) Not only to teach the Kingdom of God on earth with our King Jesus but to fight the enemy when he attacks. Am I ‘super-saint’ …..happy horse feathers, no…..just like Paul saved from being one of worst of all sinners, and excited about the things of God and His work in all our lives.
If people ignore the demonic realm (God love them) I just don’t know what Bible they are reading as it is all there……especially John 10:10.
I had forgotten the amount of work and effort it takes to put on a seminar. Without a team–and I am blessed with a great one–it could never happen. The hosting Church was gracious and the accommodations super-duper, as the Pastor made sure all our needs were met–I am so impressed with the heart of that leader.
This is no different than a meeting, or special occasion, you may have or be planning. It is a group effort and truly enjoyed as such. My personal prayer partner, (we all need at least one) was invaluable, and a very special friend came from Los Angeles and covered every detail for me, so I could focus on the teaching. Don’t we all need a ‘keeper’ at times–special friends and I am so blessed with many.
We gathered in a group ahead of time and prayed. Just as we parted to take our ‘posts’ an excruciating pain hit my head, neck and shoulders. I never, I mean, never have headaches. I immediately fought the attack and asked others for help. The day was a ‘roller-coaster’ of physical discomfort and pain. When Paul writes in the scripture quoted above, ‘ thorn in the flesh to buffet me’ I could personally relate. ‘Buffet’ means to hit with clenched fist, metaphorically to assault.
The MIRACLE in all of this, was, that I was able to teach for six hours, despite my physical condition. The Holy Spirit is always with us….never leaves or forsakes us….and it was clear to me, He was working through me to express the revelation of His work and will, and I was just the vehicle.
That scripture says, ” lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of revelation” reveals the threat to the enemy and his evil work. In other areas of the Bible all the disciples encourage us to seek boldness to speak the Word of God, etc. so it sure isn’t God worried about our ego being inflated…..but just the opposite…..the devil and his demons want to discourage, halt and bring discord, and confusion to our lives.
We finished the day, giving Glory to God, and thanking Him for the breakthroughs that were experienced by many. More on their stories later. For me, the attack lasted almost three weeks. Each day I got better. Judy and other faithful friends prayed for me often. I sought the Lord, like Paul, that it would depart from me. We questioned how this could of happened? With my focus on my presentation and direction of the Lord, did I forget to cover myself with the Blood of Jesus ? And I think I might have forgotten to do that–Something we should always do–for protection–especially when praying for others. How could that happen? The demonic world are experts in distraction.
Was it a physical attack because of a new ‘hair spray’ I used that morning? Maybe! Possibly an allergic reaction? That was a possibility.
We are so funny….it seems easier to ‘see’ the physical, logical answers, rather than deal with the supernatural realm. I am pretty good at this, but I still search for answers. In the process of being healing I had several revelations that will serve me well in helping others. I think it says, “God’s grace is sufficient….” Many I have found, think that means God is saying, ‘just grin and bear it’. We get so wrapped up in our self-righteousness we think suffering is to our credit. Hardly!
I didn’t take this laying down…..(excuse the pun) even though I spend a great deal of time in bed for the past two weeks….I continued to ‘stand’ my ground on my belief in the power, willingness and love of God in Jesus to heal…..Acts 10:38 for all doubting Thomas-es.
One of the definitions of Grace is the the Empowering presence of God. We want and expect healing to be immediate and that is a good thing…..a very good thing. However, sometimes it is a process and the Empowering presence of God will sustain us and lead us to victory.
My total release from this attack sent by Satan came this week when I attended a two-day training class by the Bethel SOZO Healing Team. First the Holy Spirit told me four or five times (sometimes I am a little dense) to attend. Second, during the first session the leaders ask if anyone had been on a mission trip and felt they had come home with ‘something’.
Since I don’t consider myself a ‘missionary’ I didn’t stand. Until the Holy Spirit said very clearly, “STAND UP”! Boy, I sure can be dense at times. As I stood and they prayed I was ‘jolted’ from head to toe, top to bottom for several seconds and it was gone! A strong confirmation from the Lord that it was a “messenager who had brought a thorn in the flesh” to buffet and discourage me from the truth of God’s Word and even more to give up sharing that truth when ever possible.
Did I get discouraged and feel hopeless? You bet I did….and this certainly isn’t the first time. I have wanted to give up (whatever that means), go a different way (whatever that means) and not trust God. Those thoughts come from the enemy and are easily captured in our mind because pain is a great conditioner.
Many will say to me, “Well, God will never give me more than I can bear.” That is a mis-understanding of I Corinthians 10:13, in my opinion. In truth, God will not, but in reality the devil will. He comes to ‘kill, rob and destroy’ (John 10:10) and he will if he can. Miracles and healings are now more abundand than any time in history, since Jesus. And, the good news is that if, the devil, his demons manage to take our life Jesus is standing at the door to receive us into His Heavenly Kingdom. It is a win-win situation for those of us who love and follow our Jesus! And, how foolish it would be not to fight the good fight of faith until our last breath! That’s my plan I pray it is yours also!
Pressing in and pressing on….