Sometimes we have gatherings so personal they are not appropriate to show on our website. Some would find this hard to believe, but after all, we are a family together as a local body of believers, and families sometimes need to air out things that should not be made public.

I am not talking about something dark, illegal or wicked, but just matters shared in personal lives that just everybody need not know, because religious, pharisaical  people would either not understand or would judge the person or our fellowship for what is shared or confessed. Sad to say, but true.

Seems our gathering this morning was just such a meeting. We needed to talk about why someone left us and is now going to another church. We don’t talk about the people, but seek discernment from the Lord about their situation and why they didn’t “get it” so to speak. We continue to pray for ones like this and hope they will finally find what they need (not necessarily what they are looking for). Too many believers are looking for the wrong thing and don’t even realize it. Other times, the Lord sends people to us for the breakthrough He wants them to have, but won’t receive on the Lord’s terms.

I am not saying we alone have the right answers for everybody, but I will say we are equipped to minister what many, many need. I will make this bold statement: “I have never met anyone, including Christians, who did not need some deliverance.” I can discern what’s working in their lives and see the demonic influence. I sometimes want so earnestly to reach out, but the Lord says, “No. Not until they see and ask.”

It grieves me to see these things working in good peoples’ lives. They either don’t have a clue or refuse to believe they have that kind of a problem. Denial never brings deliverance, not does it substitute for confrontation and transparency.

After 32 years, this month, of walking back to the Lord and serving in my calling, I cannot get away from what the Lord showed me from the beginning: All of His people need to deal with demonic things in their lives. Regardless of position, calling, celebrity or knowledge, no one is excluded. This is why Jesus came to His sheep casting out demons and always commissioning His disciples to do the same. This is one of the first signs of validation of a believer. (Read Mark 16)

My primary commission is to preach this, teach this and do this in spite of the ridicule (and I have had my share of that), denial (that seems to be the majority’s position), rejection and retaliation.

It takes humility with a broken and contrite heart to come to the place where the Lord can really infuse one’s life and bring the fullness of deliverance and healing He wants all of us to have. Pride is a killer and will eventually bring one down. Many mega ministries (and mini ministries) are gone because of this.

Jesus said we would know the truth (reality) and it would make us free. The reality of demons is something everyone needs to sincerely and seriously pray about. It’s hard to approach the Lord without preconception and misconceptions, but if we will do it, He will show us the truth. It can be really traumatic and shaking, but who cares but those have a reputation to defend?

Some are so convinced they are beyond such need, they won’t listen or change. Others believe it is so, but have outgrown such primitive views. Some think knowledge is what they really need and that alone will set them free.

All I can say is, they need to sit down and read the Gospels again. Are we better and wiser than Jesus?

I don’t think so.