Note 2
(Note 1 – “As it was in the days of Noah…”)
The next thing that’s been coming to my heart in connection with this, which I believe the Lord brought confirmations for, is exciting.
If you watched the link in the previous note from Fox news, you heard that this case which was properly identified as demon possession involved supernatural and superhuman behaviors. In the other news reports of different cases, though what was happening was not identified as demonic, the police still testified to witnessing more than just grotesque and bizarre behaviors; they reported that the people involved at times displayed superhuman strength.
Apart from exposing to many who may not have believed that the dark side of the supernatural realm is real, what does this mean for us?
God is not going to be outdone by the enemy!
Ever since the Lord called us to help bring the supernatural gifts of the Spirit to those in the body of Christ who have not yet believed they are still for today, we believe that He showed us that the rise in the supernatural manifestations of the dark side of the spiritual realm would both parallel and precipitate the rise in the supernatural power of God being received and operated in by the church. Therefore, these more overt demonstrations of satan tell me that he is threatened by the spreading revelation of the genuine gifts of the Spirit that has already been recovered by many in the body of Christ and is ramping up his counterfeits in response (as a counter attack). But it also tells me that his desperate strategic move to come out of hiding and expose himself openly in this way is going to backfire by awakening even more people in the church and world to the reality of his existence and his supernatural power that’s still at work today. As a result, many more will realize that God’s SUPERIOR supernatural power is also still at work today and will turn to Him to receive His empowerment and authority that’s necessary to confront and overcome the progressing darkness.
After some of the things the Lord showed us last week, He reminded me about an interview from years ago of a woman who had been delivered out of the occult/witchcraft and had given her life to Him. In the interview, she lamented that the people from her background were much more serious about and committed to fasting and wholeheartedly seeking and serving the devil (and demon spirits/”spirit guides”) than most Christians she’d met since her conversion were to wholeheartedly seeking and serving the Lord. … You may need to read that again … What a tragic observation!
When we see the dedication of those serving the devil and the supernatural power they’re operating in as a result, if we weren’t already motivated, this should convict, provoke, and compel us to get focused, committed, and determined to seek the Lord wholeheartedly, to do His will, and to fully walk in all He has provided. God forbid that those who follow satan, whose ultimate design is to eternally destroy them, should be more dedicated to seeking him and carrying out his will than we are to seeking our Lord and doing the will of the One who paid the ultimate price to save us! We owe him EVERYTHING!
When we see the enemy’s counterfeits, it should point us back to the genuine that God created. When we see those in the enemy’s camp displaying supernatural strength, it should provoke us all the more to receive and operate in the SUPERIOR Supernatural Strength that God has made available to us. When we see those serving the enemy operating in supernatural knowledge and doing supernatural feats, it should inspire and compel us all the more to believe, receive, and activate all the SUPERIOR Supernatural Empowerments that God has made available to us so we can do the things Jesus did and even greater things through the power of His Spirit in us, as He promised (John 14).
The original Greek in the New Testament reveals that God used some very strong language when He told us to eagerly desire to operate in these supernatural empowerments that He has supplied. The Greek word zēloō, often translated “eagerly desire,” (I Corinthians 12:31; 14:1) is so strong that it means “to burn with zeal,” is sometimes translated as “covet” or “envy,” and is even used to describe the intense jealousy that God has for our devotion. So, though having such a strong “lust” for something is usually considered negative, God actually encourages us several times in Scripture to have this kind of intense burning passion to operate in the supernatural gifts of His Spirit. This shows that we can and should earnestly seek Him to work through us in these different manifestations of His power.
While we should never get it twisted by seeking and desiring solely His POWER rather than seeking and desiring HIM, His Presence, His Person ~ to KNOW HIM ~ I believe if we are truly seeking HIM as we should, then we will also have a burning desire to operate in the gifts of His Spirit that is fueled by our love for Him and for others (once we realize these gifts are still for us today). As long as our compelling motivation is springing forth from His love, He wants us to deeply long for the Spirit to work through us in these ways that bless and build up the body of Christ and reveal Him to the lost world. I believe He is urging many who seek and pursue HIM to continue stirring ourselves up in this regard. Without a doubt, He wants us to continue to eagerly pursue knowing Him ~ hungering and thirsting for intimacy with Him first and foremost. But in addition, rather than becoming comfortable and complacent with His power we have already experienced, or discouraged and inactive due to our failures to experience, He also wants us to continue to eagerly desire, hunger, thirst, and yearn to operate in more of His power than ever before. When we see the desperate needs of the world around us, this is easy to do. He wants us to have a divine discontent that refuses to live beneath the fullness of what He has provided. In His Kingdom economy, hunger is typically a prerequisite for being filled.
I believe He is coaching and training many in this season to get back to His gym to “Exercise,” “Exercise,” “Exercise” our faith in these areas, challenging ourselves in spiritual disciplines and building up our spiritual muscles to greater dimensions beyond where we’ve ever been. He brought confirmations of these things He was stirring in our hearts last week, speaking to us about the necessity of DESIRE ~ in terms of reaching toward, craving, longing, having a burning desire, yearning, or ambition to achieve or become something; stretching forward with your whole being to take hold of your goal. He’s encouraging us to continue stirring ourselves up and exercising in these ways until we’re strong enough to overcome every obstacle and force of hell arrayed against us. He also began reminding us of things He spoke to us last Spring (in the midst of life-threatening attack) about the SUPERNATURAL, “SUPERHUMAN” Strength and Ability we have because He is IN US. Last year, He had even given me the word “BIONIC” ~ using the definition of “having superhuman strength and capacity; supernatural; divine; godlike; herculean” strength. He showed me that if HE HIMSELF is our Strength (Exodus 15:2, Psalm 18:2; 28:7, etc.), then by force it is Supernatural, Superhuman, Bionic, Divine, Godlike Strength. He has been giving us additional confirmations of these things again now, calling us to fully renew our minds to these truths so that we will walk in His Superhuman, Divine Power and Authority over ALL the works of the enemy. He recently gave us multiple words again emphasizing the Unconquerable, Unsurpassable POWER OF HIS MIGHT that is at work IN US (through Him) ~ His explosive, tangibly demonstrated power, energized and executed through His muscular Might ~ to infuse us with His Supernatural, Superhuman abilities. This same power that raised Him from the dead is in us to enable us to confront and overcome demonic forces that come to wage war against us and to do the same supernatural works He did (and more). We must know through every fiber of our being that He is IN US with this Power when we face any work or weapon of the enemy (including the kinds of supernatural demonic manifestations discussed in these notes) and be fully persuaded that GREATER is He who is IN US than He who is in the world.
Epic battles between supernatural and superhuman foes are not merely make-believe tales from the pages of Marvel and D.C. comics, science-fiction books, or the special effects studios of Hollywood. They’re real life, from the pages of the Bible, the pages of history, and the pages of our lives. Our archenemy is still working in the same ways today as we read about in the New Testament. But the good news is – so is our God. It’s time for His people to once again get HIS “Super” on and rise up to confront the challenges before us.
Praying to this end!
© Laura Jewell Tyree
To be continued, again… (see note 3 here; link for note 1 at top of this page)
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Matthew 3:11 (Mark 1:1-8, Luke 3:1-18, John 1:19-34, Acts 1-2)
“Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’” Acts 11:16
“Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me. … Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. … What I am telling you I do not say on My own authority and of My own accord; but the Father Who lives continually in Me does the (His) works (His own miracles, deeds of power). Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me; or else believe Me for the sake of the [very] works themselves. [If you cannot trust Me, at least let these works that I do in My Father’s name convince you.] I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father. And I will do [I Myself will grant] whatever you ask in My Name [as presenting all that I Am], so that the Father may be glorified and extolled in (through) the Son. [Yes] I will grant [I Myself will do for you] whatever you shall ask in My Name [as presenting all that I Am]. If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever—The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you. … At that time [when that day comes] you will know [for yourselves] that I am in My Father, and you [are] in Me, and I [am] in you. The person who has My commands and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I [too] will love him and will show (reveal, manifest) Myself to him. [I will let Myself be clearly seen by him and make Myself real to him.]…Jesus answered, If a person [really] loves Me, he will keep My word [obey My teaching]; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him. Anyone who does not [really] love Me does not observe and obey My teaching. And the teaching which you hear and heed is not Mine, but [comes] from the Father Who sent Me. I have told you these things while I am still with you. But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. … ” parts of John 14 (entire chapter)
“In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:20-25“Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. … Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. … Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. … But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way. [LOVE – see ch.13] … Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.” portions of I Corinthians 12-14:1 (see entire chapters ~ I Corinthians 12-14)
“[For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him, By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places], Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come. And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church], Which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all [for in that body lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself].” Ephesians 1:17-23
“May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]! Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]—To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).” Ephesians 3:16-21“I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].” Philippians 4:13
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—” Ephesians 6:10-18
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” II Corinthians 10:3-5
“Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world. They proceed from the world and are of the world; therefore it is out of the world [its whole economy morally considered] that they speak, and the world listens (pays attention) to them.We are [children] of God. Whoever is learning to know God [progressively to perceive, recognize, and understand God by observation and experience, and to get an ever-clearer knowledge of Him] listens to us; and he who is not of God does not listen or pay attention to us. By this we know (recognize) the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of error.” I John 4:4-6