Is Demon Possession Happening Today?

This is not your usual conversation around the dinner table. "Is demon possession happening today?" It wasn't until we had to deal with it face to face in Africa that it became a topic of deeper reflection and conversation.

One of Satan's most clever tactics is to create the illusion (especially in America) that he doesn't even exist. To put doubt in the minds of people, to make it "cool" to be scared, or to "glamorize" evil and its dangerous consequences - all the while people are treating it as child's play.

My intention is not to magnify evil but magnify the power of Jesus Christ. For the battle is won, but evil is still among us. 
Be wise... the Bible is very clear on this topic:

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, 

but against the rulers, 

against the authorities, 

against the powers of this dark world 

and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

Don't fool yourself...
I witnessed demon-possession first hand at one of our outdoor air events. Our SWIM Team arrived at the event and to our surprise another guest had come to disrupt and to discourage. A demon-possessed man was causing a disturbance while some men were trying to temper him.

I have experienced some persecution in the past from the enemy, but this was out and out, in your face demon possession. I had asked if it would be alright if I go over and witness what was taking place. I was curious about the process and wanted to add help and prayer support.

Sammy Wanyonyi discouraged me from approaching the situation that I might be a distraction from what they were trying to accomplish. A blond white woman tends to stick out in the remote parts of Africa. I often forget I look different than most everyone else in Rwanda. (Below the choir members helped me role play the story of the ten lepers in Luke 17.)

"Why has God wired me this way? I tend to be intimated with the small insignificant things in life... but someone who is demon-possessed... I become so filled with the Spirit and faith in what God can do, that I want to preach the gospel and help save him. Go figure?"

During the time this possessed man was with us, it was brought to my attention to notice the condition of the society. They were ignoring the situation, playing it down, possibly hoping this problem would just walk away? I began to notice what the local pastors and villagers were doing to handle this demon-possessed man. It seems they were used to this type of interruption. No one was flustered nor surprised. The choir continued singing like nothing was going on.

His eyes were like nothing I had ever seen before - a slight white film seem to cover his glossy eyes- almost like he was blind, yet he seemed to see us perfectly fine. One minute the demon-possessed man would reach out to the people seeking help. He looked so lonely and miserable - and then the next minute he was picking up a large rock and doing things out of control. Five men could not even hold him down. 

I kept replaying the story of the demon-possessed boy from Matthew 17 that I had preached the evening before. Jesus rebuked the demon with one command and he immediately left the boy. Our God is a mighty powerful God and all bow to his command -  even the demons are afraid of Him. Amen!

The question I walk away is this:

Are we praying for those that are so emptied of God that the invitation is open for evil to come and reside? 

Where is our heartfelt sympathy for those that are lost?

Do we bleed for those that are imprisoned in their own evil? 

To live day in and day out without God would be a taste of hell itself. The bondage and suffocation from evil residing would be unbearable. Demon-possessed people are sometimes unable to help themselves - they need us to stand up and take notice - for us to stand in the gap and help free them through Christ's power.

After he continued in crude behavior, I sadly watched this man get dragged away and then the village people begin to dance and rejoice like nothing I had ever seen before. 

I was confident God was going to do something GREAT in the presence of evil - and He did! Sammy preached the gospel message and many came to Christ. 

Since that day I have often prayed for that man who was bound by demons. He wasn't in a physical prison like I normally see, but he was bound in his own personal hell by the enemy. 

I believe through our prayers, 

this man and many others will be released through the 

POWER AND AUTHORITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST! 

Why take the risk? If you suspect demonic activity, what could it hurt to ask a Christian to pray with you in authority of Jesus name to be completely set free! 


"Almighty Father,

Help me to... Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness but rather expose them. (Ephesians 5:11)

I submit myself to you, God. Empower me to resist the devil, and let him flee from me. Help me to come near to you, God, and in your Word You promise to come near to me.  (James 4:7-8)

Help me to humble myself before You and to rest in your promise to lift me up! (James 4:10)

I am sorry for my sins, I believe you died for me, I need you in my life, make me new again, seal me with the Holy Spirit and help me to walk in Your ways!

In the Name of Jesus I pray.

Amen!"


(We will be praying a similar prayer at the prison this weekend after the message on James 4:1-12 "Resisting the Devil 101." Please pray for total surrender.)

-Shug

Reflections On Rwanda, African Evangelistic Enterprises (AEE) and SWIM Ministries

I already miss the people of Rwanda... I have never been anywhere and experienced such friendly people. From the capital city of Kigali to the Ruzuzi District near the border of the Congo. It's surrounding villages and even in the prison -  everywhere Rwandan's were always polite and friendly, returning a smile or a wave.

I believe there is a revival happening in Rwanda moving throughout Africa. One evangelist describes it as a large body of water with many rivers flowing out from it. The Rwandan churches all coming together; "for a time such as this..." to bring everyone far and near to hear the Good News.

One pastor said, because of the efforts of AEE and SWIM Ministries he had a small congregation one week and it multiplied itself several times over the next. God is working in Rwanda. Amen!

African Enterprises -http://www.africanenterprise.org/.  AEE organizes evangelistic events throughout Africa and brings evangelism training to the districts themselves by equipping and supporting the Pastors. They collaboratively work with the churches to come together (which I love). Every evening we traveled to surrounding villages and shared the Gospel through outdoor air events. In addition, they send guest preachers to the Sunday church services to encourage and support the congregations. AEE carefully coordinates in advance all of the Festival events, securing translators, site locations and training counselors for follow-up. I am confident they do much more behind the scenes, but this is what I had witnessed in a short span of time.

When AEE arranged for our team to go into the prison this week, they brought in 1700+ outdoor quality made jackets for the inmates, a T.V. and baby clothes. It is common in many prisons that the organization coming in would have to contribute somehow to the welfare of the inmates. Not to mention they prearranged approval with the government, brought in and set-up large sound systems, stage equipment and everything needed to reach the masses. 

Imagine what could be done if the funding was abundant? 

When I was in the prison, the Prison Pastor said he thinks of AEE every time they worship because the microphones were donated by them several years ago. Imagine a prison where everyone can hear the grace and mercy of Jesus loud and clear. Well done AEE!

Sammy Wanyonyi founder of SWIM Ministries http://www.swimministry.com/2012/08/god-does-great-things-in-ruzizi-as.html reaches thousands of hurting people through preaching the Gospel to adults as well as children. (Check out his link about our trip.) It is difficult to describe Sammy's preaching style... I think it's powerfully transforming because it is simply full of God's love and mercy. 

Stanton Peterson with SWIM Ministries has wonderful ideas brewing: His vision is for the children who believe in Jesus to be taught how to reach out to other children and in turn bring them to Christ. 
Kids evangelizing to kids -BRILLIANT!









It was through SWIM Ministries that I was invited to come to Rwanda.

Instead of wondering if these ministries spend donated dollars wisely, I was amazed at how much they get done with such minimal funding? The money is still needed for these ministries to reach out to dark corners of the world.

Can you imagine what could be done for the people of Africa and beyond if we all chipped in and gave from overflow of our hearts? 

I HAVE SEEN GOD'S MIRACLES IN RWANDA PRISON!

Friends,

I am going to be brief as we have landed in Kenya and have our first glimpse of spotty internet service.




How I have felt your prayers surround me while sharing the gospel. Thanks to your prayers. I did get into the prison on Saturday morning.

(This is a picture that resembles what we saw. We were not able to bring in cameras to the prison.)

Lord, have mercy on those inmates and the environment in which they live.  

Unbelievable... people were everywhere. Inmates numbering over 2800 were crammed in tiny spaces to hear the gospel. Everywhere you looked there were faces. Above in the rafters, below on the ground, every nook and cranny was filled with inmates. The majority were men and a small choir of female inmates brought in together to hear the gospel message.

I preached from Luke on three short stories and related them to their lives: "The Ten Lepers" - I spoke of how the lepers were the outcasts of society, they had their own community. Ten where healed - but one was made whole!

The second story was "Jesus Heals the Demon-Possessed Boy." There is a lot of witch-craft and demon-possession the Rwanda (as we have witnessed) as well as the prisons. This boy from the Bible was healed by one word from our Lord and cast out.

The final story was about the "Criminals Who Were Crucified With Jesus." One mocked Him and hurled insults, and the other rebuked him and asked for Jesus to remember him. "Today, you and I will enter the Kingdom of Heaven."

They then were given the opportunity to invite Jesus into their hearts... AWESOME!

In total - We had over 1,400 inmates raise their hand and either ask the Lord Jesus Christ to enter their hearts for the first time or recommit their lives to Christ. It was overwhelming... to see the gospel melt the hearts of men who already have a taste of hell in prison. What a privilege to watch them surrender their hearts to Jesus, cry in repentance and then be set free and forgiven from their sins.

The rejoicing and singing was unbelievable while we were ushered out of the prison. We were truly anointed and on Holy Ground...

God is so good!


Shug

Only God Can Do That! Rwanda's Future Is Built On Forgiveness!

Genocide... In 1994 Rwanda experienced a terrible genocide with approximately one million people slaughtered by their neighbors and friends. (Remember the movie Hotel Rwanda) An example of how devastating Satan can be as he unleashes his fury on God's people.

Forgiveness... In 2004 prisons were overcrowded, inmates were living on top of each other, something had to be done. The President of Rwanda made a bold move, he released approximately 40,000 inmates from the prisons back into society. Why? Because healing needed to begin. The inmates who were released, were those who admitted their crimes and then took active steps of reconciliation (with the help of an intercessor) toward the victims and their families.

Gutsy but Brilliant. This opportunity has proven to promote healing and restoration in the country of Rwanda. It gives the inmates the opportunity to confess, repent and begin a new life - a "do over". This forgiveness has freed them both physically and spiritually.

Do you see the similarities...?  We each are given the same opportunity... we are each in our own prisons, chained to our pasts of hurt, guilt and shame. Each of us is separated from the life God intended us to have because of our sins. Its not through works or deeds done that wash away our guilt, it is only through Jesus. Plain and simple...When we approach our heavenly Father, when we admit to our past sins, He freely offers mercy, grace, forgiveness, freedom and restoration. Wow, who doesn't need that?

He totally erases our past sins, never to be remembered again. "Our sins are forgiven as far as the East is from the West." We can then begin this life of freedom, like the Rwandan inmates, we are reconciled to God through Jesus Christ our intercessor. We are given the opportunity through our Lord of second chances, to confess and release those chains of sins that keep us buried in a life of depression and darkness. Is it becoming overcrowded in the prison you are living in? Maybe it has been awhile since you've reconnected with Jesus? Let me join you in prayer, as we approach the throne of grace and together enjoy the freedom only Jesus can give. 

When I speak outside of the prisons, in the churches and open air events, I am assuming that most of the listeners will be indeed these very same survivors sitting side by side next to their perpetrators.

Only God can do that!

Speaking Schedule For Rwanda

God is going to do something great on this trip... I know it! Right before we left, my tickets for the entire trip were mysteriously deleted by the airline. After two hours of diligent searching and trying to restore the problem, customer service was going to give up. I was told I was going to have to fly on different flights and by myself. Well, what they didn't know was what a big God I have. I persisted they kept trying for I was confident I was going to be with my team.  What do you know - low and behold - the one true God is again reigning victorious and I am on all the same flights with the team.

So this is now the running joke with the SWIM team. "At least Shug has a ticket." Currently, we are in Amsterdam, should I be surprised they are having trouble finding my ticket and confirmation number? Two more legs of our trip until we get to Rwanda and the joke of Shug's mysteriously missing tickets continues...

For a unique perspective of our trip may I also encourage you to follow Sammy the founder of SWIM Ministries and his posts at www.swimministry.com

We are currently in Amsterdam on a 8 hour layover and I wanted to send you an updated schedule of our team's speaking events. How I depend on your prayers for these life-changing events. Our last day is next Sunday, (the schedule is difficult to read) it is when I will be "prayerfully" granted permission to go into the prisons to preach. Again, I feel confident God will prevail.

Thank you Lord for your continued protection and sense of humor. "For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength!"

Stay tuned...  Love, Shug

Mission Field	Times	Saturday 4	Sunday 5	Monday 6	Tuesday 7	Wednesday 8	Thursday 9	Friday 10	Saturday 11	Sunday 12
	7 :30am	Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakfast
RUSIZI  District  The city of CYANGUGU  Kamembe	8:00am - 1:00pm	Fly to Kamembe	Churches	Pastors meeting / Rest	Pastors  School Of Evangelism ( SOE )	Pastors School Of Evangelism ( SOE)	Womens Conference/ Pastors SOE	Womens Conference	Community Work                  ( Umuganda) Orphanage Ministry	Outreaches in Prisons Churches Schools
	1:00pm - 2:00		Break	Break	Break	Businessmen Outreach	Businessmen Outreach	Businessmen Outreach		Jesus celebration parade
	2:00- 5:30pm	Rest	Revival Crusade Stadium KAMEMBE	Open air Preaching In 13 Zones	Open air Preaching Zones	Open air Preaching Zones	Open air Preaching in Zones	Open air Preaching in Zones	Revival Youth Crusade Stadium KAMEMBE	Revival Crusade Stadium KAMEMBE
	5:30 -6:00pm			Jesus Film	Jesus Film	Jesus Film	Jesus Film	Jesus Film	Top Leaders Evangelistic Dinner	Debrief/ Pack/ Prepare to leave

  Rwanda - rusizi MISSION FOR JESUS August 5 -12, 2012