Dave Williams's Blog, page 7

Symptoms of the Sprit of Grief

SIGNS THAT THE SPIRIT OR ATTITUDE OF GRIEF IS GAINING A FOOTHOLD

I have noticed some symptoms which seem to appear in those who have chosen to rebel rather than to rebound from grief. Remember that rebelling comes as a result of allowing grief to retain a strong place in the heart.

1. Strange patterns begin to develop, like setting an extra place at the table for the loved one who has gone to Heaven.
2. A general overall sense of gloom, sadness, and hopelessness is on the countenance of the person who has chosen to give in to the spirit of grief.
3. Dwindling interest in other people.

I know a pastor who today is in a major state of rebellion and darkness. He is on the scrap heap of life. As a pastor, he had become very politically active. He seemed continuously depressed at the way our nation was going politically and morally. It seemed that all he could focus on was the negative and corrupt. It’s all he could talk about.

One day, one of his pet “issues” lost a vote at a city council meeting, and this brother went into grief. He lost his interest in preaching and soul-winning. He began to develop a careless attitude toward people. Soon, he was drinking alcohol, left the ministry, and his life was destroyed. You see, it was his perceived loss that opened the door to the spirit of grief. The fact is, his loss was only a minor issue in the bigger picture, but he saw it as a total defeat.

4. A change in eating or sleeping habits.
5. The age-old trick of casting blame.
6. Incessantly talking about the past rather than the present and the future.
7. Sloppiness and undependability begin showing up.
8. Irritations become increasingly frequent.
9. Bitterness of spirit develops and gains a foothold. In Psalm 73:21(in the Amplified Bible), grieving and bitterness are linked together.

Psalm 73:21 AMPL

For my heart was grieved, embittered, and in a state of ferment, and I was pricked in my heart [as with the sharp fang of an adder].

In Hebrews, we are told to look “diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled,” (Hebrews 12:15). The spirit of grief will lead to bitterness of heart, stop the grace of God from working in your life, and end up defiling you. That’s pretty strong.

10. An erosion of spiritual passion sets in. The things that once excited you have now grown stale and moldy.
11. A desire to run away from all responsibility.
12. A general loss of self-worth.

I received a call late one night at my home. A lady was sobbing and screaming, “Dave’s dead. Dave’s dead.” A handsome, popular seventeen-year-old high school student named Dave had deliberately ended his life. Why did he do it? Grief.

A series of events had brought this young man into the tormenting cave of grief. He lost his girlfriend; she broke up with him. He was expelled from school for some minor infraction. He had lost his job, and somehow thought he was losing his health. All these “losses” brought a tremendous load of sorrow to the young man and the spirit of grief convinced him that he no longer had any worth to anyone and that life was not worth living.

THE SPIRIT OF GRIEF IS DESTRUCTIVE.

We all have suffered pain and loss. But the Bible tells us, as believers, to “sorrow not as others who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Hope is simply a bright picture, or vision of your future.

Sorrow and grief rob you of a bright future.

THE “VALLEY OF TEARS”

Mourning is an outward manifestation of inner pain. It is not the same as staying in a constant state of grief. Mourning, in a scriptural way, will bring blessings, enlargement, and set you in a wealthy place.

Psalm 66:12b

… we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.

On our journey through life, we will all face the pain of a personal “Baca.” Sooner or later, we come to its borders. Many have slipped here and fallen to the spirit of grief.

Psalm 84:1-7

How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.

The Valley of Baca in Psalm 84:1-7 was an actual place known as the “Valley of Tears” or the “Valley of Weeping.” It has come to symbolize any tough or painful event that causes us to hurt emotionally. It’s a place of seeming uncertainty and stress. But, God made rock-solid promises for those who would go through the Valley of Baca and resolve not to stop there.

He promised that Baca would only be a temporary point in your journey through life. He promised that you would be filled with an unlimited supply (rain for your pools) and that you would gain a supernatural victorious power! All this is promised to those who mourn but refuse to slip into the attitude of grief.

The post Symptoms of the Sprit of Grief appeared first on Dave Williams Ministries.

Principles of Giving for Financial Security

Also, see posts Rewards for Giving as part of God’s plan for Your Financial Security.

Have you ever wondered why you can’t seem to get on top of your finances? What you may not realize is that failing to put God first in your finances is the root of financial problems. God doesn’t ask you for the “leftovers.” He promises that if you give to Him first, He will see to it that your “barns will be filled to overflowing!” Here are the principles of giving for financial security:

1. You Must Purpose In Your Heart To Give

Don’t wait for a thundering voice from above to tell you to give. God has revealed in His Word His will regarding giving, so give! YOU must purpose in your heart to do it.

2. You Must Give Regularly

Giving must become a habit, a way of life for you. Satan will set many traps to tempt you not to give. His excuses will seem very plausible, but don’t listen to him. God promises in Galatians 6:9 that if we do not weary of well-doing, “in due season, we shall reap if we faint not.” So, don’t give up! Don’t be discouraged in times of testing. Continue to give regularly, and you will see God work miracles on your behalf.

3. Giving Must Be Done Cheerfully

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

4. Giving Should Sometimes Be Sacrificial

However, what looks like a “sacrifice” on this side of our obedience turns out to be the door into the “wealthy place” on the other side (Psalm 66:12).

Remember the story of the poor widow who gave all she had in the offering. Jesus used her as an example to us of how we should give. He said in Mark 12:43-44, “Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all, they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” (Read also Philippians 4:18, and 2 Samuel 24:24.)

5. Giving Must Be Generous

God has promised many benefits to the generous giver. In 2 Corinthians 9:6, the Bible says, “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” (Read also 2 Corinthians 8:7; Proverbs 28:22; Proverbs 22:9; Psalm 37:21, and Proverbs 11:24-25.)

6. Giving Must Be Done In Faith and Obedience to God’s Word

In Romans 6:16, the Bible says, “Know Ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousness?”

7. Giving Must Be Done For Jesus’ and For the Gospels’ Sake

In 2 Corinthians 9:13 (NIV), the Bible says, “Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.” When you, as a Christian, are obedient to give generously, then the effectiveness of your witness to unbelievers will be magnified.

Scripture Meditations for Financial Security:

Proverbs 3:9-10
Matthew 6:24-34
Malachi 3:8-11
Deuteronomy 14:23

The post Principles of Giving for Financial Security appeared first on Dave Williams Ministries.

Principles of Giving:

Also, see posts Rewards for Giving as part of God’s plan for Your Financial Security.

Have you ever wondered why you can’t seem to get on top of your finances? What you may not realize is that failing to put God first in your finances is the root of financial problems. God doesn’t ask you for the “leftovers.” He promises that if you give to Him first, He will see to it that your “barns will be filled to overflowing!” Here are the principles of giving:

1. You Must Purpose In Your Heart To Give.

Don’t wait for a thundering voice from above to tell you to give. God has revealed in His Word His will regarding giving, so give! YOU must purpose in your heart to do it.

2. You Must Give Regularly.

Giving must become a habit, a way of life for you. Satan will set many traps to tempt you not to give. His excuses will seem very plausible, but don’t listen to him. God promises in Galatians 6:9 that if we do not weary of well-doing, “in due season, we shall reap if we faint not.” So, don’t give up! Don’t be discouraged in times of testing. Continue to give regularly, and you will see God work miracles on your behalf.

3. Giving Must Be Done Cheerfully.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

4. Giving Should Sometimes Be Sacrificial.

However, what looks like a “sacrifice” on this side of our obedience turns out to be the door into the “wealthy place” on the other side (Psalm 66:12).

Remember the story of the poor widow who gave all she had in the offering. Jesus used her as an example to us of how we should give. He said in Mark 12:43-44, “Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all, they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” (Read also Philippians 4:18, and 2 Samuel 24:24.)

5. Giving Must Be Generous.

God has promised many benefits to the generous giver. In 2 Corinthians 9:6, the Bible says, “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” (Read also 2 Corinthians 8:7; Proverbs 28:22; Proverbs 22:9; Psalm 37:21, and Proverbs 11:24-25.)

6. Giving Must Be Done In Faith and Obedience to God’s Word.

In Romans 6:16, the Bible says, “Know Ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousness?”

7. Giving Must Be Done For Jesus’ and For the Gospels’ Sake.

In 2 Corinthians 9:13 (NIV), the Bible says, “Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.” When you, as a Christian, are obedient to give generously, then the effectiveness of your witness to unbelievers will be magnified.

Scripture Meditations:

Proverbs 3:9-10
Matthew 6:24-34
Malachi 3:8-11
Deuteronomy 14:23

The post Principles of Giving: appeared first on Dave Williams Ministries.

Rewards for Giving

Also, see post Principles of Giving as part of God’s plan for Your Financial Security

Have you ever wondered why you can’t seem to get on top of your finances? What you may not realize is that failing to put God first in your finances is the root of financial problems. God doesn’t ask you for the “leftovers.” He promises that if you give to Him first, He will see to it that your “barns will be filled to overflowing!” Here are rewards for giving:

1. Prosperity!

In Luke 6:38, God promises, Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

If a farmer wants a large harvest, he plants as many seeds as he can. If you want to reap a great financial harvest in your life, plant as many seeds into God’s kingdom as you can. Remember 2 Corinthians 9:6, “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”

2. A 30, 60, or 100-Fold Return

Now, in This Life! In Luke 18:29-30 Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.” What financial institution on earth could make a promise like that? When you get on God’s financial plan, He will bless you now!

3. Treasure In Your Heavenly Bank Account!

You have a bank account in Heaven that is gaining interest every day. No depression or recession can touch it; no thief can steal it away; no corruption can destroy it. You can draw from this account by faith when you have a need. In Matthew 6:20 Jesus said, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do no break through nor steal.” In St. Paul’s letter to the

Philippians, he said, give, “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” When you give to God, you never have to worry; His stock never crashes!

4. You Will “Eat” From the Best in the Land!

When you give God your best, He will give you His best. In Isaiah 1:19 God said, “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.” Also in Psalms 84:11 He promises, “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” God has promised to take care of you if you are obedient.

5. Blessings Beyond Human Understanding!

God wants to bless you beyond your wildest imagination. In Malachi 3:10 God said, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

Wow! What a promise that is! You won’t even have enough room to receive all that God will give you.

6. God Will Rebuke the Devourer for Your Sake!

When you are in God’s giving plan, your possessions won’t wear out so fast. For example, the tires you bought that were rated 40,000 miles may take your 80,000 miles. In Malachi 3:11-12 God promised, “I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.”

7. Your Needs Will Always be Met!

In Philippians 4:19 the Bible says, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Even during times of trouble, famine, and despair, the faithful giver will have plenty. Psalms 37:18-19 says, “The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be forever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.”

God’s Word is very clear on God’s plan for financial prosperity. If you choose to listen and obey His plan, your financial future will be secure—He promised!

Psalms 37:25-26

“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.”

Scripture Meditations:

Proverbs 3:9-10
Matthew 6:24-34
Malachi 3:8-11
Deuteronomy 14:23

The post Rewards for Giving appeared first on Dave Williams Ministries.

The Road to Recovery

I know you want to go forward and not backward. You want to become better, not bitter. You want to rebound, not rebel. Then allow me to present you with seven simple keys for the kind of mourning that leads to joy, dancing, and increase.

1. Set a time limit for your mourning.

You have heard the expression “Time heals all wounds.” Don’t believe it. Time doesn’t heal anything. Five years after my dad died, I still was not healed from that trauma that took place back in 1966. Waiting around for time to heal your pain is fruitless. Jesus is the healer.

I read about a precious man who received a nightmarish call one night that his entire family was killed in a school bus that was hit by a drunk driver. His wife of 18 years and his two beautiful teen-age daughters were gone. Time did not heal his pain as he rehearsed in his mind how his loved ones burned to death in that fiery crash. He could find no real peace or relief from the pain until he made the decision to set a time limit on his mourning. He set a date for it to be over, after which he would refuse to mourn. When he did this, God worked a miracle in his heart and restored his passion, gave him another beautiful wife and a new start in life. You must set a time limit on mourning if it is to turn to joy and dancing.

2. Pray in the Spirit.

Proverbs 3:5 tells us to “lean not unto our own understanding.” Often when the spirit of grief strikes, you’ll hear people say, “I just don’t understand . . ..” But when we pray in the spirit, we pray without our human understanding (1 Corinthians 14:2, 14,15). During these seasons of prayer, God just may reveal wonderful things to you about your loved one. He may show you important keys and principles to apply in your life. Your own spirit will be energized, built up (1 Corinthians 14:4, Jude 20), and you will gain heavenly understanding.

3. Ask the Lord to give your loved one a message.

Necromancy is forbidden in the Bible. This is the practice of talking to the dead. Prayer to God, however, is not forbidden, but encouraged. I remember standing at my father’s gravestone fourteen years after he had died. It was the first time I ever visited his grave. I stood there weeping, thinking of all the things I wished I had said to my dad when he was alive.

Then I remembered looking up into the heavens and saying, “Jesus, You are God. Will you please tell my dad that I love him — I really love him? And let him know that I’m a preacher now, if he doesn’t already know. Tell him he’d be proud of me, like he was when I’d win the track meets back in high school. Thank you, Lord.” What a peace enveloped me. What an amazing release. Something happened that closed the book on all those guilt-ridden years of never telling my dad that I loved him.

4. Start praising God with reckless abandon.

Lift your hands. Dance around your house shouting praises to God and watch how the garment of praise peels off that old rag of heaviness.

Isaiah 61:2b-3
… to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified

5. Speak out loud to others of your intention to move ahead in God’s will, regardless of this setback.

You see, the devil can make some pretty powerful arguments for your right to grieve. He will accuse you, tell you all the wrong things you said or did, and use any other tool he can employ to get you into a position of perpetual grief. Only faith-filled words spoken from God’s revealed will can neutralize him and drive his thoughts far from your mind. Jesus used simple phrases from God’s Word to overcome the devil. Speak God’s Word, God’s will, and your intentions of moving ahead.

6. Get busy again.

Do whatever it is you are called to do. It’s okay to take a short break, but there comes a time to get up and move on.

When Elijah started grieving because revival had not come to Israel and Jezebel wanted his head on a platter, he ran away, stopped under a juniper tree and just stayed there. But there came a time when God sent him the clear message, “It’s time to move on now. You’re a prophet, it’s time to start prophesying again.”

Start moving ahead, and verbalize to as many people as possible your full intentions of serving God all the days of your life, no matter what. It will not only help bring you into a “wealthy place,” (Psalm 66:12) it will be a witness to others of your abiding faith in Jesus Christ. Those who allow their lives to stop because of the spirit of grief can never be a witness of Christ’s amazing love and restoring power.

7: Give Jesus Christ your life, if you haven’t already.

Only He has the power to make all things new. God gave only one plan to make you fit for Heaven, and that plan is a Man – Jesus Christ. It was He who took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses. He bore our griefs and sorrows, and He alone has the power to pull you through the “Valley of Tears” successfully. God has no “Plan B.”

Jesus was God incarnate. He died on the cross and rose from the dead. It is Jesus who sent the Holy Spirit, the Divine Comforter. If you’ve never received Jesus Christ, do it right now.

John 1:12
But as many as received him, to them gave he the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.

Simply tell God, wherever you are right now, that you have sinned and fallen short of His standards.

Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

Ask Jesus to be your Savior and only hope. Then say, “Jesus, You are my Lord.” Tell someone you prayed and that Jesus Christ is now your Lord, and that you have been given a brand new start in life.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things become new.

This is the starting point for turning mourning into joy and dancing. God is crazy in love with you. If you haven’t done it already, accept His love as a free gift.

John 3:16, 17
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

When you receive Jesus Christ, you can then ask Him to send you the Divine Comforter; the Holy Spirit. Then your mourning will turn to overflowing joy. Look what Jesus said about this:

John 14:16, 17a
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you Another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of Truth …

Let’s pray this prayer, and I know God will hear and forgive you. He’ll give you a new nature, and prepare a home in heaven for you.

Father in Heaven,
I come to you in the Name of Your Son, Jesus. I have sinned against you. Please forgive me and cleanse me. I believe Jesus died on the cross for me, and I believe He was raised from the dead and lives forevermore. Jesus, come into my heart and life. Be my Savior, my Lord, and my best friend. I trust you to give me a home in Heaven and a brand new start in life beginning now. Amen!

If you prayed that prayer, I’d love to give you a free download of my book, The New Life…The Start of Something Wonderful! You can download it here.

THE CHOICE IS YOURS

Rebel or rebound? The choice belongs to each of us. We can go forward with our lives or we can go backwards. I know you are choosing to rebound. Just wait. You will see a bright, abundant future begin to unfold before your very eyes. Watch for it, beginning RIGHT NOW!

 

The post The Road to Recovery appeared first on Dave Williams Ministries.

What To Do If You Meet An Angel

While I was preaching one day, I felt an unusual anointing of God’s presence and power. After the service, several people came up to me — people who were stable and I knew to be spiritual — and said, “Pastor Williams, when you were preaching, it was like a great curtain was lifted between time and eternity, and I saw two angels beside you. One was on the right side, and one was on the left side, and when you would walk, they would walk right with you.”

Others have told me that at times God allows them to see into the spirit and they see me surrounded by angels.

I have never seen the angels around me that others see, and I don’t feel the need to. I am comforted knowing they are there. Sometime God may allow you to peer through to the other side to encourage you, to show you the protection around you or around someone you love. At other times an angel may come to you in the appearance of a person, and you will not know it is an angel.

If it happens, what should you do? I have gleaned these points from the Bible. Maybe someday you will be in a position to use them.

Be respectful

Remember that angels live in perfection with God. Also, remember that they only come to us on God’s direct word. We need to treat them with the utmost respect as fellow servants of the Most High.

Peter recognized this when he wrote:

2 Peter 2:10-11

This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings; yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord.

That means that there is a code of conduct in the spiritual realm that we dare not violate. If the Bible tells us not to even slander demons, how much more should we offer respect to faithful messengers of God?

Don’t worship them

As we have seen, angels refuse to be worshiped. You may be tempted by the brilliance and majesty emanating from them, but do not bow down and worship them.

Don’t focus on the angel but on God

Remember that God is vastly more powerful and loving than the angel that is before you. The angel is simply a servant. He cannot answer your prayer and can only act within the measure of authority God has given him.

Test what the angel says by the Bible

No matter how impressed you might be by the appearance of an angel, make sure his words or instructions line up with the Bible. Do not accept any message, exhortation, or instruction that is out of line with the Bible.

Obey and don’t doubt!

If an angel’s words are clearly from God, obey and do not be skeptical. Learn from the experience of Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, who doubted Gabriel’s words and was struck mute until John was born. Be instead like Mary, mother of Jesus, who humbly received Gabriel’s words with faith.

If you do not obey or receive the word, you expose yourself to great danger. The writer of Hebrews said:

Hebrews 2:1-3a

We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?

Don’t try to contact the angel once he’s gone

We can have a deep respect for angels, but we are not to try to cultivate friendships or acquaintances with them. In fact, we are not to talk to angels unless they speak or appear to us first.

When an angel visited Samson’s parents, they probably yearned to see him again, but they did not try to contact him. They knew it was an angel from God because he did not return:

Judges 13:19-21 (KJV, italics added)

So Manoah took a kid with a meat offering, and offered it upon a rock unto the LORD: and the angel did wondrously; and Manoah and his wife looked on. For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it,and fell on their faces to the ground. But the angel of the LORD did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was an angel of the LORD.

Perhaps someday you will have a face-to-face experience with an angel that causes you to tremble. I am expecting more angelic involvement as we get closer to the return of Jesus, and it would not surprise me to hear of more Christians visited by angels, just as the believers in the Early Church were.

The post What To Do If You Meet An Angel appeared first on Dave Williams Ministries.

Angels are Closer than You Think

The following is a transcript from Dave Williams’ 6 part series Angels they Are Watching You. Listen for free on YouTube.

There’s a scripture in the Bible that says be careful to entertain strangers because many people have entertained strangers and actually were entertaining angels but were unaware that they were angels.

A knock came to the door one day. A lady answered the door, and there was a gentleman standing at the door, and he said, “Lady, I need a place to stay for the night.” And she said, “You’ve got to be kidding me.” And he said, “No, I don’t have any place to sleep tonight, and I thought I’d stop here and see if I could stay over at your place.” And the lady said, “Well, I’m sorry. You’ll have to go down to the rescue mission or someplace, but you can’t stay here.” And he said, “Don’t you know the Bible says to be careful because you must entertain strangers because in so doing, you may be entertaining an angel.” She said, “I’m familiar with that scripture, sir, but I’m sure heavenly angels don’t smell like liquor.”

Not all angels who say they’re angels are really angels. In fact, St. Paul said that Satan himself can transform himself into an angel of light with the purpose of bringing deception, tragedy and destruction into human lives.

Angels are Closer Than You Think

We’re beginning a series today on angels. They’re closer than you think. They’re nearer than you dreamed. They’re watching. There is another world coexisting with this physical world, and that other world is watching today. That other world is involved in the affairs of men.

I want us to open our Bibles and begin with Psalm 34:7. Today we’re going to begin to talk about why we’re studying about angels, some of the false notions about angels, what angels are and what they do, and then next week we will continue with what angels do.

Psalm 34, verse 7. This is interesting. It says this: “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him and delivereth him — delivereth them.” The angel of the Lord encircles those who reverence God, and these angels, it says, deliver them or rescue them. Now down in Chapter 35, verse 5, it says, concerning the enemies of this believer in God, David, it said, “Let them as chaff before the wind.” And listen to this; this is so wonderful. It says, “It says let the angel of the Lord chase them.” The angel of the Lord will chase your enemies.

God loves you so much. He gave you angels to watch over you. He gave you angels to protect you. He gave you angels to surround your family and your property. He loves you so much He’s released angels into the earth to even chase your enemies and better than that, verse 6: “Let their way be dark and slippery, and let the angel of the Lord persecute them.” For those who cause trouble to God’s people, He will cause angels to chase them and persecute them.

Have you ever known somebody that just has trouble after trouble after trouble after trouble after trouble, and they’re always the ones that are cranking about Christians somehow? Could there be an angel involved in that?

Beware of Impostors

Now go over to second Corinthians if you would. I want to just lay a good foundation for this series. Second Corinthians, Chapter 11. Paul was talking about false ministers, hucksters, impostors that seemed to rule their head even in the early church. After Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead and went to heaven and the church was being formed, there were phonies that were coming into the pulpits. There were impostors calling themselves apostles and prophets and evangelists and teachers and pastors and so forth.

And Paul said in verse 13, he described them, and he said, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.” In other words, phonies saying they’re men of God. In verse 14, he says something very significant. He says, “And no marvel, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore, it’s no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness whose end shall be according to their words.”

There is an invisible realm that intermingles with the physical, natural world. Angels are nearer than you think. But as Paul said here, Satan himself can transform himself into what would appear to be an angel for the purpose of deceiving and destroying a person’s life. That’s one of the reasons for this series is because 10 years ago, you couldn’t find two books about angels at the bookstore. If you went to a bookstore 10 years ago and said, “I’d like a book about angels,” they’d take you to some section, maybe a metaphysical section or occult section, and you might find two books about angels. Today, there are entire sections at bookstores.

Angels are Everywhere

See, I had an eye-opener this past Christmas when I was Christmas shopping. I went into a card store, and lo and behold, it seemed like one-third of the cards had angels on them. Not only that, but there were also angel displays, figurines, pins, angels that will protect you. They were selling one little figurine. It was $300. It was a crystal angel that they said would protect your home. Boy, I sure am glad I’m not trusting in a little piece of glass to protect me because when an earthquake comes, that little piece of glass is going to fall off the shelf and break into 5 million pieces. Then what am I going to do, glue it together to protect me from the next earthquake? Of course not. I’m glad that I’ve got real protectors from the invisible realm sent by God!

There’s music about angels; there are movies about angels. There used to be one or two movies about angels; “It’s a Wonderful Life” with Jimmy Stewart. You know, George Bailey meets Clarence the angel who’s gonna earn his wings? When the bell rings, he earns his wings?

You know, there’s nothing in the Bible that says an angel earns wings, nothing in the Bible about a bell ring. It’s all fantasy, all fairytale. But yet, we always talk about, “Well, you heard a bell. An angel earned his wings.” And that was a popular movie. It’s still popular today around Christmastime. You see “It’s a Wonderful Life.” But now, look at the movies about angels: “Angels in the Outfield.” Television programs: “Heaven Can Wait,” “Highway to Heaven,” and all these different media productions about angels.

You know, angels are pretty popular right now. Somebody even sent me a little ad from a catalog about an angel pin you can buy, regularly $119, now marked down to $44, and if you wear it on your lapel, it’ll protect you. And it’s a picture of a little infant with a bare bottom sticking up, and he’s carrying a bow and arrow, looks like a cupid. Well, I’m glad I don’t have some 3-month -old with an arrow, bow and arrow that’s my guardian angel. I’d be in a whole heap of trouble if cupid was my guardian angel, and so would you because he’s a fantasy; he’s not real. It’s a false notion concerning angels.

What Angels Really Do

I was talking with a member of this church, George Osmer. One morning he got up and he felt particularly impressed to pray for his daughter who lived in a mobile home park. And he said he didn’t know why, he’d never prayed this way before, but he prayed, “Dear God, surround Laurie with angels.” He just prayed, “God, protect her with angels.”

Well, Laurie happened to leave something on her stove that day in her house trailer. She went off to sleep; it caught fire. Her house trailer was in blazes, and out of nowhere, a man walked through the door; her dog didn’t bark at the man. He walked in and pickup up Laurie, took her and her dog out of the blazes of that house trailer as it burnt to ashes, and then the man disappeared. She sought frantically to find the man that saved her life, asking neighbors. None of the neighbors saw this man. She described him. Nobody saw. Although they saw her house trailer in flames, nobody saw the man that pulled her out.

You see, angels never want to be thanked. They refuse to be worshipped. They just do the job God sent them to do, and then they go. They’re creatures of few words. They don’t chat about trivia. They just speak what they’re supposed to speak, and then they get on with their business and then they’re gone. Angels.

A mother was washing her dishes one day, and she heard her little 2 1/2 year-old Lisa playing in the living room, and all of a sudden it dawned on her that she hadn’t heard Lisa in a little while. She wondered what happened. She looked out the window, and there down just a little way, there’s a railroad track that went by the back of the house there. And she looked, and to her horror, and you can imagine as a parent who this would horrify you. Your 2 1/2-year-old was playing on the railroad track, and it was just the time the train came through every day. And the mother could hear the train horn, and she could actually feel the vibration of the train coming. She looked out there and screamed to Jesus. As she did, she saw a man dressed in white, a tall man dressed in white, whisk her daughter off the railroad track to the side of the track. Just then train went by and she was, the mother was running out to get her daughter, and she could see that figure in white with his arm around the little girl as the train passed, and by the time the mother got to the little girl, the man in the white was gone. Angels have been sent to protect, to camp around us, to watch out for us, to rescue us, to bring blessings to some people’s lives or to deliver tribulation to other people’s lives, as in the case of Psalm 35.

And reports, believe it or not, are continually today flowing into major ministry headquarters around the world concerning visitors from another realm. There have been more and more angel sightings than ever before. More and more reports are coming into ministry headquarters around the world about these strange visitors from another world, angels, and always, they’re warning of impending judgment and pointing to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Tour companies are now promoting tour packages to angel conferences. There are angel newsletters. According to Time Magazine, 69% of Americans believe in angels, but we have to go to God’s Word to find out the difference between a true angel and a false angel, the truth about angels and lies about angels. Why? Because Jesus said two men built their house, one on the sand, one on the rock. The storms came. One was leveled, lost it all; the other stood. What was the difference? Well, one built his house on experience, “Well, you know, I think this; I think that. Well, I’ve had this experience. This has happened to me. My imagination tells me this, blah, blah, blah.” Builds his house; storm came; it was leveled. The other guy said, “Jesus,” builds his house by coming to Jesus, hearing His words and then doing His words. It was a solid foundation, and then when trouble, storms of life came, that house was left standing. And so what I want to do is build a foundation about angels based on God’s Word because experiences can lie. I found out that when people have contrascriptual experiences and then promote them as being a great and glorious thing from God, it’s really a great and glorious thing from one of two sources: one, imagination, or two, a demon spirit that is disguised as an angel of light.

A pastor in his 30s became sick. This light came into the room, and the room was filled with this brilliant light, and at the end of his bed was this glowing creature. This glowing creature said, “Pastor, this sickness is unto death.” He said, “I have been sent by God to tell you that this sickness is unto death, that you are going to die of this sickness, and when you do, great glory will be brought to the Heavenly Father.”

Well, this pastor, he said, “Oh, that’s wonderful,” because, you know, everybody has those days when you just want to go to heaven, you know, some days more than others. And he would be — it was a relief to him. “Okay, now I know. This sickness is going to kill me and I’m going to go to heaven and God’s going to get glory out of this.” Well, he started telling everybody about his experience. It was just, “Oh, it was so glorious. This angel from God appeared at the end of my bed and told me that my sickness was going to kill me and God was going to get glory out of it.”

Finally, a couple of ministers that were there looked at him and said, “Pastor, what that creature that entered your room said to you, how does it line up with the Word of God, the Scriptures?” And the guy said, “Well, it had to be an angel from God because he was so brilliant and radiant, and I felt so much warmth when he came in the room.”

And they said, “Nowhere in God’s Word does it say that God gets glory out of sickness and death. Always glory was brought to God when people were healed and made well. Read the Gospels. Even the man that was born blind, they said, ‘Why was he born blind?’ Jesus said something about the glory of God, but it wasn’t the blindness; it was when he was made to see that God received glory!” And he said, “Don’t you realize that the Bible says that by His stripes we’re healed. The 39 whip marks on Jesus’ back were put there for our healing!”

And he said all of a sudden the true light came on, and he saw. “I believed a lie. I believed an experience more than I believed God’s Word.” And he repented, and he renounced the experience that so-called angel that came into his room, and the ministers prayed for him and guess what? A heat came from the top of his head down to the soles of his feet, and that pastor was healed, and he’s still preaching the Gospel today! But what if . . . what if he would’ve believed the lies of that creature that was disguised as an angel? He’d be dead today in heaven, and it’d be great to be in heaven, but think of how many people that he would not have been able to reach had he gone to heaven at a young age like that.

The Bible is our Foundation.

Now, the Bible is our foundation stone. Jesus is the cornerstone. The Bible is our foundation. It’s where we learn all about Jesus. That’s why Jesus said, “Learn of me.” He said, “Become my disciples.” He said, “If you continue in the Word, then you’re my disciples indeed and you’ll know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” Experiences which are contrascriptual, and there’s a host of books on the market today. Unfortunately even in Christian bookstores, many of the books on angels are full of angels, angel experiences that are so unlike the angels of the Bible. So if experience is contrascriptual, it can have one of two sources: imagination or a demonic impostor.

You know the danger of that is the Bible says the devil came to steal, kill, and destroy the thief. Jesus came that we might have life, and that we might have life abundantly. And most of the books about angels, at least in the secular market, are not talking about heavenly angels; they’re talking about what the Old Testament called “familiar spirits.” Moses told the people of God that if they ever deal in familiar spirits, they’ll be cut off from God’s people, and they’ll be cut off from the promise land. Heaven will never be their home if they deal with familiar spirits.

Now, what are familiar spirits? They’re those impostor spirits. They’re lying spirits. They claim to be something they’re not. In the Old Testament, they had mediums and witches that would conjure spirits of the dead. Well, the Bible tells us they weren’t spirits of the dead at all; they were what the Bible calls “familiar spirits” or demons. But they would imitate people that had died.

This became popularized by the Fox sisters when they invented the spiritism religion, and mediums became quite popular especially after World War II when people wanted to contact their dead loved ones who died in the war, and that was trafficking in familiar spirits. And anybody that got involved in that had to deny Jesus, had to deny the Word of God. You see, there’s only one mediator between God and man, and that’s Jesus.

Then came the new age movement. It started picking up steam in the ‘60s, and they had “spirit guides”. Same thing, familiar spirits. You can pray and get a spirit guide, use mantras, chants, other different methods, visualization was popularized, occultic visualization, and you could conjure up a spirit guide within you that would guide. That was nothing more than the Old Testament familiar spirits which promises those that deal in that will be cut off from God’s people and will have to spend eternity in hell if they don’t repent and come to Christ. So, you can’t get a Christian, a born-again Christian to follow spirit guides. I mean, how do I know what kind of a spirit it is?

So what do they do? They hijack the word “angel” and so now they call them angels! ‘You can get an angel guide! You can get in touch with your angel! You can actually become an angel if you evolve to that state.’

And it all goes back to that same old thing, the thing that was forbidden by God, dealing with familiar spirits or demon spirits, posing as angels. They’re impostors. That’s why we need to lay a clear foundation for what the Bible says because demonic activity is increasing and intensifying as we approach the coming of Christ. But the good news is angelic activity is increasing and intensifying too. And I got good news: there are two-thirds more good angels than there are fallen angels. Actually, actually I said that wrong. There are two times more good angels than there are fallen angels. Two-thirds stayed straight with God, one-third fell into sin.

Now, famous people have had encounters with angels. George Washington claimed he had an angel visit him one day and show him three wars the United States would face. Billy Graham wrote a book about 15 years ago called “Angels, God’s Secret Agents.” Great book. Since that time, Billy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. And he was ready to quit, retire, just go to heaven. How many have ever had one of those days where you just want to pull the covers over your head and say, “God, could you just — God, God, I want out of here.” I mean, you know heaven’s so much better than this dumpy place we live. But an angel came to Billy — he doesn’t talk about it much, but people close to Billy Graham will tell you that he talks about it.

But an angel came to Billy and said, “Billy, you can’t quit. You’re not going to go home until your work is done. You’ve got to keep preaching.” And people that know Billy say that — in fact, Ed did some work with Billy Graham and said that he’s a very frail man, very frail, until he gets into the pulpit and the power of God comes on him and he preaches with more anointing than I’ve ever heard him preach. And here a few years ago he was ready to retire and just go to be with Jesus. But he keeps — why does he keep on? Because an angel from God told him he had to keep preaching the Gospel.

George Handel, when he was composing — when he was composing “Handel’s Messiah,” “Hallelujah, hallelujah.” All over the world, people stand when Handel’s Messiah is sung or played. Why? What is the power behind the Hallelujah Chorus of Handel’s Messiah? Handel said that while he was writing — he came out of a session, a writing session. He writes about it. When he wrote Messiah, he came out, his face was radiant, his face was wet with tears and yet bright; he said that angels were all around that room and said he could take no credit for composing that masterpiece because angels from heaven gave it to him. And even today, there still rings and reeks with anointing when we hear Handel’s Messiah.

Angels are not cupids.

Angels are not infants with wings, as some of the paintings depict. They’re not effeminate creatures. In fact, in the Bible, they’re never depicted as a women but always in the masculine. Even though they don’t marry, they’re always depicted in the masculine. They’re not fairies, they’re not elves, they’re not leprechauns, they’re not birds, they’re not mythical creatures, they’re not half-man/half-animal. These common notions of angels is such a far cry from the awe-inspiring, majestic, strong beings called angels that the Bible talks about! The Bible never depicts the angels as any of those things. What they are is they’re spirits. Hebrews 1:4-13, they’re spirits. They’re not disembodies spirits; they have spiritual bodies. They can be seen in that other world that’s just beyond the veil of this world. They’re spirits, although they’re not omnipresent. They can’t be every place at once. They’ve got to travel just like you do. The only thing is they go a lot faster than you do. How fast do they go? They can travel at the speed of thought. Right now, everybody think “California.” Are you thinking “California”? That’s how fast they can go to California. As fast as you can think it, they can go. They travel at the speed of thought.

They’re messengers, deputies, dispatched ones, ambassadors. Daniel called them watchers. They’re watching. They’re watching you today. They’re watching your life. They watch you as you get into your car. They watch you when you’re home. They watch you at work. They watch you at school.. They watch you as you sit in the pew at church. They’re watching. They’re all over. If we could lift the veil of the spirit realm right now, there would be angels all over watching today. They love to look into intently things concerning salvation and what makes humans tick. The Bible says it’s a mystery to angels how humans can be so evil and then through an act of putting faith in Jesus Christ simply become born again and made into a new creature a little higher than the angels. You see, we were made a little lower than the angels, but when we accept Christ and Christ comes and lives in us, we are recreated and then we’re a little higher than the angels. We’re a different class than angels.

You see, now what are they teaching? Well, since the cosmonauts 1987, October, the Soviet cosmonauts went up, shortly before the fall of communism. They went up into space and lo and behold guess what happened? You see, angels can sometimes manifest themselves in all their majesty, or sometimes they’ll manifest themselves as humans., look like humans so you’re not scared of them. That’s how we’re told in Hebrews that you can sometimes mistake strangers who’re really angels.

But the cosmonauts, six Soviet cosmonauts saw seven angels manifest in space. They looked and they were a hundred feet high; they glowed. They were in such white it was almost blue. It was — they were dressed so white. Their wings were the span of a jetliner or more, and these seven angels just looked around their space capsule, and just kept looking and smiling. For ten minutes, seven angels captivated these six Soviet cosmonauts.

When they got back to earth, all six of them were excited. Ten minutes. Ten minutes was the appearance. They were so excited that the realm of the supernatural does exist; they saw it; they knew they were angels. They got back, and do you know what the atheists said? They weren’t angels, they were highly evolved humans. The same lie that many new-age philosophies teach today is that humans can evolve into angels or they can digress into demons.

Here’s the news: humans — excuse me. Humans will never evolve into angels. Humans will never regress into demons. Demons will never become angels. Angels will never become humans, although they may appear as humans; and demons will never become humans, although they can inhabit some humans. There’s different classes. There’s no crossover. When you die, leave this life, your spirit goes to heaven, you’re going to be you throughout eternity. You’re not going to be a devil or an angel. You’re going to be a human being from — throughout eternity somewhere, either heaven or hell, but you’re going to be you forever. No earning wings. If you’re in hell, no bail or bond. You’re just going to be you. And whatever state you die in when you die, that’s the way you are for eternity, but you’re always going to be you.

Now these Soviets saw angels in their majesty. Others have seen angels as humans. I told you about Ken Gaub, an evangelist we have here frequently. Every couple of years or so I like to bring Ken here. Ken was coming in from overseas. He lives in Yakima, Washington, but he flies into Seattle, Washington and leaves his car at the airport. Then he has to drive the rest of the way.

Well, he left his van at the airport, flew into Seattle, and said, “Oh, I just, I want to get home tonight.” The drive was — I think it was a couple of hours between Seattle and Yakima. And it was late, but he wanted to get home, so he got in his van, and he took off and lo and behold, he has to go to the bathroom. Usually that happens to our kids, doesn’t it? “I’ve got to go to the bathroom.” Ken had to go to the bathroom. Where’s he going to stop and go? Well, he knew about this little restaurant on the way where he likes to stop. He got there and it was closed. But he was hoping the rest room door was open. It was one of those outdoor ones. I mean you get in from the outside. And so he went up and — he went up and apparently he relieved himself, got back in the van and it wouldn’t start. It’s pitch black. Nobody is around, and he thought, “Well, Lord, I just wanted to get home so bad.” But there was no place he could get any help at that time of night. He said, “I’m just going to go to sleep.” And so he lay there, and then he heard a knock. Here was some guy knocking on his window. He looked at the guy and then he thought, “Oh, no. Weirdo.” But something told him roll the window down. He rolled the window down. He had this real warm feeling. The guy said, “Van won’t start, huh?” Ken said, “No.” He said, “You want me to fix it?” Ken said, “Well, you — you think you can fix it?” He said, “Sure.”

Guy lifted up the hood — it’s pitch black, and started working under the hood, no light. It’s pitch black. Here he’s working under the hood just… Puts the hood down and said, “It’ll start now.” Ken looks at the — now Ken’s getting suspicious. What’d this guy do under my hood? Ken turned the key, and it started right up, and the guy smiled. And Ken got out of the van and he reached into his pocket and said, “Oh, man, thank you! Here, let me pay you.” And the guy looked at the money and laughed and said, “Ho, ha, ha, what would I do with that?!” Ken said, “No, really.” And the guy said, “I have no use for that where I come from.”

Ken put the money away. He got in the van, and he sat there and said, “Thank you, Jesus.” And he looked, and the guy was gone. He sat there for a half-hour just crying and thanking God that God loved him enough to send him an angel when he wanted to get home to his wife.

Sometimes they appear in human form. Sometimes they appear in all their majesty. Sometimes they may appear as somebody you know. A mother who had a straw farm, they make the real straw brooms, had a straw farm, and she was out picking straw with her son Earnest, four years old, and they’re out in the — the straw’s way over Earnest’s head, but he’s helping mom. And somehow he wandered off. He looked around and mom wasn’t there. Mom looked around, Earnest wasn’t there. They’re looking for each other. He calls mom, she doesn’t hear him. He was there for a long time out in the straw. And he cried out, “Jesus, help me.” Just then, his mother said, “Come on, Earnest, let’s go back to the house.”

He and his mother, walking back to the house, and when they get to the back porch, all of a sudden the door opens, and his mother says, “Earnest, I’ve been looking all over for you,” and he looks, and the other mother’s gone! And he said — he said, “Mother, I was looking for you.” And she said, “Well, I was looking for you. I thought maybe you came back to the house for something, and I came back here looking for you. I’ve been so worried about you!” And he said, “Well, I was lost until you came and got me.” She said, “I didn’t come and get you.” She said, “I was here looking for you.” You know what I think that was? An angel that appeared in human form, somebody that Earnest knew and loved so that he wouldn’t be frightened. Can you imagine a ten-foot angel appearing to a four-year-old? “Hey, kid, come on. Let me take you home.” Especially if the angel looked like Scott, you know?

They sometimes appear in their majesty, but more often they appear in human form. What do they do? They work behind the scenes in the drama of world events as agents of God to convey blessings or to execute judgment.

In the ministry of Jesus, they announced His birth. They provided protection for His mom and dad, warned ‘em — or for His mom and Joseph, and warned them to get out of where they were and go into Egypt for a while. The ministry of angels brought comfort to Jesus after He was tempted. They ministered to Him in the garden of agony. They appeared with Him in the transfiguration. They announced His resurrection. And even angels were there when He ascended into heaven because you know the guys were standing around, looking, “Wow, that’s — how does He do that? That is so cool!” You know, just ZOOP, rose up in through the clouds up there. And they probably would’ve made a shrine of the place where He ascends — well, they did. We were there, but… They probably were just — broke their necks looking up there trying to figure out how He did it if these two angels hadn’t said, “Look, guys, this same Jesus that went into heaven that way, the same Jesus, not another Jesus, but the same Jesus is going to likewise in a like manner come back to this earth again someday.” They said, “Let’s get on with it now.”

Angels were always involved in Jesus’ ministry. And if you read the book of Acts — you know, we — I think we focused on demons way too much and way too long. I think the church has focused on the power of the devil and the work of demons way too much. If you study the book of Acts, there’re more experiences with angels than there are with demons.

And that’s whats so amazing. Now finally, the church is realizing that the gift of discerning of spirits is not the gift of discerning demons. It’s discerning spirits. Well, angels are spirits too.

And let me tell you, they are all over this place this morning. There are angels here to go home with you, to protect you, to watch over you. But you know what? I’m going to stop here today. We’ll pick up again next week. But the Bible says, and here, listen carefully. Listen very carefully. The Bible says that angels are ministering spirits to those who will be heirs of salvation. In other words, those who will one day accept Christ, and God knows they will. He will protect them with angels. Those who will not come to Christ one day have no such guarantee of protection for them or their families. This is why I think the most foolish thing — and I talk to intellectuals; they think it’s really smart. “Well, I don’t bring my children up in any religion. I’m going to wait until they’re 18 or 20 and then they can choose their own religion.”

Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb. You don’t have any angels watching over you. They may never even get to 18 years old. That is the dumbest thing! The best thing a parent can do for a child is raise that child in a place where they teach about Jesus Christ, the Son of Almighty God, the Savior of man and the Lord of heaven and earth! Because a child, a child that knows the ways of God and the commandments of God and the child that knows the way of salvation is so much more likely to come to Jesus than one who has never even heard of Jesus.   Oh, I want my kids to have the angels of the Lord camped around about them. I want my property, my family to have the angels of the Lord.

So number one, we’ve got to come to Jesus. You know you look close at me, you’ll see a lot of scars on me. I believe God knew that one day I would come to Jesus Christ. I defied death eight times. I figured it out. I figured I have one more life to go. Nine lives. Thank God that 9th life became the abundant life I found in Jesus. But I know this: I know that if I was not going to one day be an heir of salvation, today, this beautiful day when we gripe about the cold, I’d be down in the regions of the damned in my cell awaiting the great white throne judgment. I believe God sent angels to protect me in accident after accident because I would be an heir of salvation.

But you say, “Dave, what about this one or that one that I know that God didn’t somehow send an angel to protect?” There’s a Biblical reason for it, and as we progress in this series, I’m going to tell you why, and it’s a good reason, a very good reason you need to know why. Why does tragedy occur sometimes? Why does it seem the protective angels are withdrawn?

There is a reason and we’ll talk about that and we’ll get to that, but let me say this. If you’re an heir of salvation, there’s only one way. And that’s we’ve got to say, “God, I’m willing to turn from my sins,” and you know what sin is. And “Jesus, I’m willing to turn to you as my only hope.” You see two dangers about angels, just two. Number one, you don’t worship them. They’re not chit-chatty. They don’t sit and chitchat with you. People that say they chitchat with angels are chitchatting with demons. Demons are always chitchatting about trivia, nothing. Angels say what they’ve got to say and then they’re out.

You don’t worship demons — or you don’t worship angels, and number two, you don’t pray to angels because the Bible says there’s only one mediator between God and man and that is Christ Jesus! And when we focus on Jesus and give Him preeminence and make Him Lord of our lives, then you know what? We get the angels too. They surround us, they protect us, they guide us, they instruct us, and I’m going to show you so much more about angels and all you have in being a believer in Christ. Hee, haw. You’re just going to be hopping around knowing all the good — I’m going to show you how angels will help in bringing loved ones to Christ. I’m going to show you how angels actually — and I can verify this from the Scriptures how angels can actually go out and gather some wealth up for you. Most people just don’t know, just don’t know anything about that. They don’t know what the Bible says about angels and so they just believe what everybody says.

Look, we’re going for what the Word of God says about angels, and here’s what it says: If we hide ourselves in the shadow of the Almighty, keep ourselves confessed up, keep the sin confessed, do our best to have a willing heart, to be willing to do what God’s will is, and our lives are in harmony with Jesus, we’ve got angels all around us and all around our families, and they’re watching you.

The preceding is a transcript from Dave Williams’ 6 part series Angels they Are Watching You. Listen for free on YouTube.

The post Angels are Closer than You Think appeared first on Dave Williams Ministries.

Angels: They Are With Us

Have you ever seen an angel? Have you dreamed of angels? Felt an angel nearby? Do you know somebody who says he or she saw an angel? Do you believe it? Have you ever wished you could see an angel? Have there been times when you wanted one to swoop out of the heavens and deliver you from a bad situation?

I think most of us have had these thoughts. Our senses may tell us that we are alone, but in our spirits, we have a more profound sense that we are not.

The Bible tells us we are not alone.

As Christians, God is with us all the time. Jesus said:

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

John 14:18

But God is not the only one with us from that invisible realm. He also sends angels to help us and carry out His will. If you are sitting in what appears to be an empty room, it is not really empty. That feeling you have of someone else being with you is true: God is with you, and so are His angels.

Angels are closer to us than most think. They are on divine commissions to carry out some purpose, some task. The Bible calls them “watchers” (Daniel 4:13 KJV). They are watching you right now. They watch you at home, at work, at school, in the pew at church. If we could lift the veil of the spirit realm, we would see angels everywhere.

Do I Believe in Angels?

Yes, even though some theologians say that angels are nothing more than inspirations, sweet motivations, holographic wisps, or metaphors for the feeling of God’s presence. I believe angels have personalities and created beings that are real and alive and in our midst. I know this to be true because that is the picture of angels the Bible gives us.

Not only do I believe in angels, but I am also excited about angels! Who wouldn’t be thrilled to know we have supernatural partners in this work to which God has called us? Who doesn’t want to be protected, helped, motivated, and provided for by heavenly beings?

Angels In The Church

If anyone should know about angels, it should be Christians. The early church, Paul particularly, took for granted that angels were watching.

For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men.

1 Corinthians 4:9 (italics added)

I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

1 Timothy 5:21 (italics added)

Paul believed that angels observe the goings-on of humanity. But somehow, the Church got away from a balanced approach toward angels. At times throughout history, especially in the middle ages, there was a great deal of emphasis on angelic interventions and supernatural activity that did not always line up with the Word of God.

Today when you talk about angels, some will still say you are insane. Jesus and most of His followers were called crazy for the supernatural experiences they had. Angels open doors for Christians to speak about God and angels in a way that brings truth to people who do not know Christ.

The post Angels: They Are With Us appeared first on Dave Williams Ministries.

Apostasy in American Churches

Maybe you know someone who practices yoga, and you’ve had a certain “feeling” about it you cannot explain. That “feeling” is likely God’s loving discernment, warning you about a hidden and potentially lethal danger.

The Christian Church, including Charismatics, Pentecostals, and Evangelicals, is exploding with occult practices that only a few years ago were characterized as spiritual counterfeits. Today we read about “Christian witches,” “Christian Wicca,” “Christian mediums,” “Christian psychics,” and now “Christian yoga.”

2 Timothy 4:3 (MEV)

For the time will come when people will not endure sound doctrine, but they will gather to themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, having itching ears

Because it’s currently taking the Church by storm, I’m focusing exclusively on yoga. Why does yoga, like the forbidden fruit, wield such a mysterious, peculiar appeal?

An increasing number of Christians are unintentionally departing from the faith and unwittingly practicing the very things God hates.

I do not condemn those who practice yoga.

I do, however, want to issue an honest, loving, and urgent warning about the severe consequences of engaging in this spiritually risky and deceptive system.

I am quite certain I will be criticized, mocked, and misunderstood. Whenever someone speaks for God’s honor, typically he will be belittled sarcastically by those who think in a twisted way. It goes with the job description of the discerner.

Jeremiah 6:17 (NLT)

I posted watchmen over you who said, ‘Listen for the sound of the alarm.’ But you replied, ‘No! We won’t pay attention!’

According to the Springfield News-Sun, when Pastor John Lindell passionately warned his congregation about the dangers of yoga, people immediately hurled insults, calling his sermon “ludicrous,” “ignorant,” and “divisive.”

Isaiah, the prophet, saw what was coming to his people for their pagan practices and said, “Let me cry for my people as I watch them being destroyed.” (Isaiah 22:4b). I think I understand how the prophet felt.

I have listened to heart-wrenching testimonies of those who, after time, suffered confusion, demonic oppression, and even physical maladies after delving into yoga. I rejoiced when they turned to the real Jesus Christ, not the “guru,” but the Savior. Those who did turn to Christ immediately began warning others of the dark, nefarious path on which others were embarking when they signed up for a yoga class.

My goal is to honor God by bringing the truth about yoga to America and the English-speaking world and to reach the misguided souls who are practicing this ancient form of shamanism, sorcery, pantheism, and self- worship.

They Are Sitting in Your Church

New Agers teach a various blend of karma, chakras, yoga, higher consciousness, Christ consciousness, mindfulness (Eastern meditation), crystal powers, spirit channeling, and psychic powers. Today, naïve people that practice some of these identical concepts are sitting in our church pews, spreading a counterfeit gospel to others. And typically, they don’t know it.

Paul issued a stern message to the elders at Ephesus that warned about twisted teachers that would arise right from among the Church.

Acts 20:29-30 (MEV)

29  For I know that after my departure, dreadful wolves will enter among you, not sparing the flock.

30  Even from among you men will arise speaking perverse things, to draw the disciples away after them.

And Peter warned believers:

1 Peter 5:8 (MEV)

Be sober and watchful, because your adversary the devil walks around as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

We are unquestionably living in the day prophesied long ago when people would reject solid biblical doctrine and instead chase after unqualified teachers who embrace and espouse “doctrines of demons.” (1)

Thank God for discerning Christians. My friend Jillian ordered a yoga workout video, but every time she tried to exercise with it, an uncanny spiritual sense enveloped her and gently said, “This is off-limits for you.” She now knows that “spiritual sense” was discernment from the Lord. She never practiced yoga again.

Some Will Not Read This

Some will probably not finish reading this article. But, it’s not an expression of honest wisdom to refuse instruction from someone who cares about you.

Galatians 4:16-17 (TPT)

16 Have I really become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

17 Can’t you see what these false teachers are doing? They want to win you over so you will side with them. They want you divided from me so you will follow only them. Would you call that integrity?

When I learned about the Christian yoga brands that were popping up across America, I researched their teachers’ books, videos, and blogs. I wanted to know what they were teaching. I even read Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, translated into English by a Harvard professor. (2) I was stunned to discover the clear threads of sorcery in Patanjali’s writings and wondered how followers of Jesus could participate in an ancient occult practice like this.

Moving Away From the One True God

I painfully discovered that yoga–any brand of yoga–makes you move away from the one true God of the Bible and pulls you toward a counterfeit god while deceiving you into believing you are “connecting” with the true God. Faith is not faith unless it is firmly rooted in God’s revealed Word and His promises. For example, you cannot say, “Adultery is fine if I re-name it “holy adultery.”

And you cannot take one-sixth of the Hindu doctrines, re-intention them for worship of Jesus, re-name them “holy,” and practice them “in faith.” That is not faith, and that is not grace. Instead, it is disobedience and disgrace.

In my research, I learned that the physical postures in yoga are an intrinsic and vital part of a sorcery-ridden false religion that changes you mentally and spiritually. That’s the real purpose of yoga. It is not designed as a mere physical exercise, but to subtly refashion your mind to occult views.

The repeated practice of yoga pushes out the spirit of Jesus, replacing it with another spirit called “kundalini.” Regardless of the music playing in the background or on what or whom you are meditating.

Yoga was specifically fashioned to alter your mind to pagan and demonic mysticism. If you don’t believe it, listen to the scores of testimonies from precious souls like Corrina Craft, Jessica Smith, Kirstin Falsetta, or Mike Shreve, who each have renounced the spirit behind yoga and returned to the real Jesus Christ of the Bible.

In essence, when we engage in yoga, we are committing adultery with pagan gods. Inescapably, deception, and delusion will always follow.

Yoga is inseparably linked to the demonic realm.

It cannot be disconnected from sorcery and divination. You cannot change yoga’s nature by putting a Christian name tag on it and calling it “Christian” or “holy.”

After two years of researching, talking with experienced individuals, listening to testimonies, and examining God’s Word, I have come to this conclusion. Yoga wields the preternatural power to separate you from Jesus and open you and your family to treacherous demonic influences and spiritual attacks.

The following verses sum up my prayer for you:

Psalm 119:1-3 (TPT)

1 You’re only truly happy when you walk in total integrity, walking in the light of God’s word.

2 What joy overwhelms everyone who keeps the ways of God, those who seek him as their heart’s passion!

3 They’ll never do what’s wrong but will always choose the paths of the Lord.

I pray you will experience the love of God in its fullness as you walk His perfect path along with His Son Jesus. I ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with wisdom, revelation, discernment, and understanding…and that you’ll gain a full revelation of the Lord’s unchangeable love for you. I’m confident that you’ll find your place in the heavenly family, arm-in-arm with the saints and holy angels without employing any ancient occult practices.

To learn more about yoga review this document that lays out 24 Dave Williams Ministries’ official board-approved beliefs toward all forms of Yoga.

(1) 1 Timothy 4:1 NKJV [ The Great Apostasy ] Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.

(2) The Yoga System of Patanjali, translated from the original Sanskrit by James Haughton Woods, Professor of

Philosophy at Harvard University, CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, University Press 1914.

The post Apostasy in American Churches appeared first on Dave Williams Ministries.

The Rise of the Kundalini Spirit…In American Churches

You love Jesus, and, as a spiritual being, you want to enjoy genuine spiritual encounters. Yet, discernment is your lifeline in these days of deception, fake news, and delusion.

Satan is offering up a smorgasbord of curious deceptions. It’s crucial to learn how to discern truth from error (1 John 4:6) and prevent disaster in your life and maintain the presence of God in your home.

I am seeing the rise of a counterfeit Holy Spirit. The kundalini spirit masquerades as the Holy Spirit to convince undiscerning Christians that they’re hearing and encountering God. (1 John 4:1)

What Happened in the Past

This is precisely what happened in Germany just before Adolf Hitler was installed as chancellor. New age people and Hindus alike believe in what is called a “collective awakening.”  They teach that if you can get enough people involved in a pagan practice of some kind, an entire group can encounter a simultaneous collective awakening.  However, the Bible calls this a strong delusion. (2 Thessalonians 2:10-13)

Just as Germany encountered a strong delusion when the majority believed the lies of Third Reich and installed a demon-possessed man as it’s leader, the same is possible in America.

God warned His people to NEVER participate in the practicing of pagan nations. Yet, in the 1920s Germany experienced a yoga boom, with yoga studios opening everywhere. Berlin printed yoga books for distribution.  Hitler appropriated the swastika as his logo, stealing it from the Hindu religion. Heinrich Himmler, the architect of the “final solution,” was a yogi who carried a yoga book with him everywhere he went, even encouraging the death squads to practice yoga to relieve their stress. I document this all in my upcoming book, Yoga Craze in the Last Days.

What is Happening Today

In today’s America, we are seeing firsthand the time that Jesus warned would be filled with deception. We find professing Christians practicing “Christian Yoga,” “Christian Wicca,” and some even call themselves “Christian Mediums.” (Matthew 24:4, Matthew 24:11)

In the Old Testament, when God’s people incorporated pagan practices in their worship—serious judgment came. God instructed them clearly, “When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there.” (Deuteronomy 18:9)

When Israel adopted the customs and practices of the pagan nations and syncretized them with their worship of God, destruction came to them—not because of their intentions but because of their practices. This is important to note because leaders of the Christian transmutations of yoga say things like, “Same moves–different intention.” But according to God’s Word, it is not the intention, but the practice that is the biggest danger.

2 Kings 17:7, 8, 9, 15 (NLT)

This disaster came upon the people of Israel because they worshiped other gods… They had followed the practices of the pagan nations the Lord had driven from the land ahead of them, as well as the practices the kings of Israel had introduced. The people of Israel had also secretly done many things that were not pleasing to the Lord their God… They worshiped worthless idols, so they became worthless themselves. They followed the example of the nations around them, disobeying the Lord’s command not to imitate them.  [Emphasis mine]

“But that’s the Old Testament…and we are under grace,” some protest. Yet Paul cautioned that we should learn from their examples and NOT make the same idolatrous mistakes. (Corinthians 10:6, 1 Corinthians 10:11)

Pray for discernment

Some are now cleverly teaching a different Jesus, rather than the true Son of God, Messiah-Savior. (2 Corinthians 11:4) If Jesus allows Christians to integrate pagan traditions and occultism into Christian worship, then he is not the Jesus of Scripture. Many of the first-century Corinthians were worshipping “another Jesus” and listening to a “different spirit,” and they didn’t know it. They seemed to tolerate the deception, to their damage.

Pray for discernment in these deceptive days. (Hebrews 5:14) Don’t allow the devil to use you as a “useful idiot” in his scheme to help launch his own “collective awakening.” To learn more about yoga review this document that lays out 24 Dave Williams Ministries’ official board approved beliefs toward all forms of Yoga.

The post The Rise of the Kundalini Spirit…In American Churches appeared first on Dave Williams Ministries.