The dream I DON’T want to come true (not for sensitive readers)

I have been quiet for the past two weeks as things have been very depressing in my country lately. I don’t like to speak of the negative things surrounding ones country, but this is so bad that I’m petrified and wondering when my morning is coming (Ps 30:5)

It’s no secret that crime in South Africa is pretty horrendous. As of late it has stepped up a notch. There’s this guy with a Grade 4 education who makes it blatantly obvious how much he hates white people and openly expresses how he will “wipe us out”. In 2010, a whole lot of churches across the country fasted for 40 days against ungodly rulers and for the country. This guy, called Julius Malema, was eventually caught out by the revenue service regarding all the corruption he was involved in and he lost everything. But now he is rising like an evil phoenix from the ashes, has started his own political party and his number one aim is “wiping out” all the white people in SA. This is NOT how all South Africans are –this is just one hate crime group.

     

Slaughtering a cow to give honour to their demon god ‘ancestors’

Black on white violence is increasing at an alarming pace and I blame him. This has taken place in the past three weeks alone:

** Not for sensitive readers! **

• 3 toddlers raped and murdered
• The people 3 houses away from me went away for the weekend and an old man was looking after the house for them. Burglars got in and tortured him the entire weekend while stealing goods.
• Burglars broke into a farm in Johannesburg, gang raped the mother while standing on her face, and gang raped her two daughters while forcing the 12 year old son to watch. Then murdered them. They then drowned the boy in boiling water and disemboweled the family dog for barking. After being sentenced they laughed and said, “this was just the beginning”.
• Burglars broke into an elderly woman’s home, and threw her into boiling water while robbing her of her goods.
• My brother’s female friend was home alone, they broke in, tied her up and beat her up. Thank the Lord they never raped her because they always do!
  

That is in Johannesburg alone!

I’ve been left in a state of paralyzing fear. Yes, I’m a child of God, I don’t have a spirit of fear. But I am scared! It is making me depressed. Do you know why I’m scared? This is how the crime started in Zimbabwe. In addition, about 12 years ago I had this vivid dream. It was so vivid that it felt like I was almost awake. I dreamt that the government had all the white people lined up. We were on our knees with our hands behind our backs waiting to be shot execution style. I felt the barrel of a gun on the back of my head and I woke up. What they are wearing in the pictures above is what they were wearing in my dream, but in black.

I’ve done spiritual warfare in our street and neighbourhood and anointed the house. I’ve been trying to stay in the Word and pray, but having this impending doom over my head is a life of horror, a bad dream. I am praying for the Lord’s will on emigration. I am currently calling a fast with my South African Christian brothers and sisters for the end of the month. Please too, include us in your prayers? Please remember me.

The country just wants to live in peace with each other, especially after the wrongs of apartheid, but when evil like this rears its ugly head then one bad apple spoils the whole bunch.

Author Spotlight: Paula Cross interview

I was blessed to interview Paula concerning her book “The spirit of Python Unveiled”
If any of you are interested in purchasing her informative book, here is a chance to get to know her, and the book, a little better!

1. What’s different about this book than others on in the bookstores?
Pastor Jentezen Franklin’s book on the spirit of python is the only one I am aware of at this time. Although both of our books disclose the same reality that python is out to steal our breath and that he does this through luring us into sin, THE SPIRIT OF PYTHON UNVEILED reveals why many are not just attacked, but dominated. This title also contains a profound revelation that has yet to be comprehended by the bride. And this book is written out of first-hand experience as one who was dominated but now free from the oppressing rule of python.

2. Did you receive any further revelations from God that you never knew before while writing the book?
I must confess… I thought I was strictly writing a book about how the Holy Spirit walked me out of python’s grip but what happened in the process astounded me. After I completed the book for the first time in February 2011 and was eager to have it published, the Lord told me ‘no’. He said it wasn’t finished and to put it down until He told me what else to do. It wasn’t until a year later when things began falling into my understanding that added to and supported the heart of the book. God was actually walking me through situations and teaching me even more and that’s when He told me to pick the book back up. He told me to remove a few chapters and save that information for another book and He replaced them with material that I had no idea was in me. Because it wasn’t in me until He poured it out. And that’s how the book was written – by the leading, revelation, instruction and teaching of the Holy Ghost.

After the book was written, it was time to publish and do you know God used that experience to give me all the more understanding! Of course, this is not disclosed in the book because it was finished, but He showed me how python was at work even though he had no authority or grounds. I was running into major walls and hassles trying to get the book published. Finally, one day when I was to the point of tears because it seemed all was lost and impossible, the Lord spoke to me saying, “Take authority over your book”. I said, “But why, Lord, I KNOW You are with me! I feel Your presence all over me, all over this book! You are right here! Python can’t touch it!” I thought the hassles were just typical issues. But God said, “Yes, I am with you and your angels have been fighting tooth and nail for days against the demons assigned to stop this book. Give your angels assistance and take authority over it, commanding the enemy to take his hands off your property which is unto Me!” I immediately took authority in the Name of Jesus and told them to take their hands off my book because it was God’s business and they had no legal grounds to interfere. Instantly, the hassle I had been having for days was GONE! The thing of it is ~ there is so much to learn. That’s why I’m confident there will have to be a part II to this title!

3. What would you say to Christians who believe it is impossible to be attacked by any spirit, such as python?
If somebody didn’t believe it was possible to be attacked by the spirit of python, they might not understand the reality of the spirit realm. Scripture says you must have the Holy Spirit in you to understand the things of the Spirit. What I would do is pray that God delivers them from evil, that Father God would enable them to see the truth of Christ, and that God would save them and open their eyes. Then, if Holy Spirit specifically told me to say something, I would. But only He knows what that might be at this point.

4. As described in your book, Python attempts to attack again and again. What advice, and scriptures, do you find particularly helpful in combating further attack?
The fact is python has zero power UNLESS we give it to him. Our problem is we do not realize that we are granting him power over us, we don’t understand how we are granting him power over us, nor do we understand why he easily acquires this power over us. And the only way out is to truly know God intimately, to know His love, and to own His truths. Such as Colossians 1:13 which says we have been rescued from the dominion of darkness and transferred into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son. Once this is real to us, once we own it and wear it because of how one we are with the Majestic One, we are free. Period.

5. Now that your life is free from the bondage of python, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Now that I know who I am in Christ and am filled with the exhilaration that freedom brings… now that the chains that bound me most of my life are gone, all I want to do is expose the spirit of python! We can all be free! The infiltration has been so thick. The layers are so numerous! Python has accomplished much over the course of time and my brothers and sisters are trapped in a cloud of darkness that is completely escapable through truth. So I will spend the rest of my days on this earth revealing this truth as best as I can!

6. As an author, what’s your greatest hope for Unveiling the Python?
My greatest hope for The Spirit Of Python Unveiled is that it causes tremendous damage to the spirit of python’s empire – so much so that waves of believers across the planet will realize who they are in Christ, will rise up, and will lead others into certain freedom as well. And that freedom would spread like wildfire. If my book plays even a fraction of a role in such a glorious event, I would be blessed for eternity and count all the hell I went through as worth it to the max!

7. Can we hope to see any further books from you?
You can certainly hope to see further books from me. God is speaking to me about what’s coming and says He will show me precisely what to write next. I’m thinking it will be part II to this title… but we’ll see what the Holy Spirit says. He is so awesome!

In the meantime, He has me working on one of my websites (www.unveilingpython.homestead.com/) which is going to be powerful hands on help to those in the midst of their battle with python. It will provide ample support teachings (audio or video) and guidance as well as prayers.

Thank you Paula for your astounding input into the kingdom! May God be glorified!

Book Review: The spirit of Python Unveiled by Paula Cross

I was approached by Christian author Paula Cross to read and review her book “The spirit of Python unveiled”

I have been attacked by this spirit before – and just when I thought I knew everything about it, out comes Paula’s book!  This book is excellent in explaining how intricately weaved this spirit actually is in the lives of some Christians. Paula describes in detail how this spirit works on so many levels that I highly doubt any Christian who reads this will still walk away with the question “what on earth is happening to me?”

What I liked about the book, is that you come to such a great understanding of the workings of the spirit because Paula gives detailed accounts of her own life and patterns of thinking while under attack by this spirit, that many will identify with. But she also provides a wonderful balance to the book of God’s grace and the importance of a relationship with Him – which ultimately will provide you with wisdom to defeat this spirit!
Paula’s explanation of law verses grace is excellent, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Each chapter also includes a short workbook so that you can tell if you have grasped all that she has explained!
It is highly recommended and her book can be found on Amazon
I interviewed Paula and will be posting that soon! Stay tuned! 😀

When once I was a deer

When I was small and would complain about something, my mother would warn me about my tongue and the words I speak. I always thought that was the dumbest thing I had ever heard.

“Ahh Ma! That’s just DUMB!”

Now that I’m all grown up (hah), I have come to realise the seriousness of the effect our tongues do have on our lives. They can cause real damage, so much so that it is no wonder that James calls our tongue a flame of fire – that thing causes third degree burns (James 3:6). Not only can it burn ourselves but people around us too.

I once had planned on fasting for two weeks. But from day one it was awful. I have been fasting for years and this was the hardest fast I had ever done. I couldn’t understand why. But I was depressed by day two and very miserable. I could not understand what I was so depressed about. It was not even hunger that was bothering me, but the depression. However, the depression made any hunger harder to deal with. It was really bugging me.

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?”

I like to get to work a little earlier while fasting so that I can pray. So one morning I asked the Lord to help me and moaned, “Lord, what on earth is my problem? I know fasting is not supposed to be an easy sail, but why am I so depressed and finding this fast so incredibly hard to deal with? I have nothing to be depressed about, please help me?”
I sat by my window watching the sunrise while I had decided to go through Psalms 42. It was soothing to my soul, it felt like a warm blanket wrapped around me and I felt the depression dissipate.

“Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance”

However, even though I had read that Psalm so many times, that day my mind kept thinking about the deer in verse one

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God”

I thought about why a deer was used as a representation there, and pictured him lovingly sipping of the cool brook. As I tried getting on with my work, my mind would keep wondering back to the deer.

Then it hit me!

I had remembered once reading in one of my dad’s wildlife magazines that deer get extremely thirsty after coming into contact or a fight with their most deadly enemy – the snake/serpent! The word ‘pant’ here means “longing for water”.

Then, a few days afterward I had found out that a certain number of people had been saying the most awful, hateful things about me, and about my fasting, during the exact same week I was doing the fast!

Was this the serpent I was unknowingly battling that week?
Were the hateful words said about me the fiery darts affecting my fast?
Were the fiery flames of those words causing my depression to negatively affect my fast?

I believe they were.

Where there’s coincidence, there’s fire.

I would love to catch a glimpse into the spirit world of what happens when negative or hateful words are spoken. I don’t think it is a pretty sight.

Let us always be watchful of the things we say, especially concerning our brothers and sisters in Christ. I learnt a good lesson. It was such an awful experience that I am super mindful about what I say about others now. I never want someone to go through what I experienced there.
In a way I was glad it happened, as ugly as it was. I thought back to the times where I said less than pleasant things about others and I was horrified! I prayed for them to be set free from any demonic forces my words might have brought them.
I also learned the importance of praying for protection against hateful or negative words said about me, especially while fasting.

Nasty words are the cheap shot in war. The person can’t see them coming and runs the risk of losing out on a blessing when they can’t figure out what is wrong.

Christ our Captain sees though, and will still lead His children to victory.

Which side of the war will offenders be left on…

 http://deborahonline.net/2013/07/31/dont-give-up/

 

My own storm on a boat

You know when you’re young, you just want to do things for the Lord and help save the whole world? But sometimes, you lack the wisdom to know when to just shut it? Well, yes that’s happened to me.
When I was 17 I was invited by my best friend at the time to go to stay at her friend’s place for a weekend at the Vaal Dam. It is about an hour’s drive out of the city and people bring their yachts and boats to take out onto the dam; it is just a fun relaxing place to go for a weekend getaway. Kind of Cape-Coddy.

We went during low season, so there were hardly any visitors and it was nice and quiet. The friend of hers whose place we stayed at is a new-ager and has three spirit guides. We all did the same sport in high school together, so this is how I knew her. We are not friends, but due to our mutual friend, our paths crossed once in a blue moon.

So little me decided to do my “Christian duty” and talk to her about God and “educate” her on spirit guides, how they are not there to help her because they are demons and there for her ultimate destruction.

“Shut up”, she said.

I proceeded to carry on with my ‘lecture’, not waiting on the Holy Spirit’s guidance, mind you.

“You had better shut up, I am warning you,” she stated after a few more lectures. There was a new look in her eyes. A warning, like she knew something I did not. I decided to give up the fight and carried on reading my book, lapping up the sun’s rays.

That night, my best friend and I decided that we wanted to be cool and sleep in the boat. It was not on the water yet, it was on land, but it was still cool. Right?

After chatting we decided to go to sleep.

Scratch. Scratch…I heard above my head.

Scratch….scratch…

“Stop that, I’m trying to sleep!” I said to my friend
“It’s not me! I thought it was you!”

Gulp.

All of a sudden the scratching got louder and bigger. It started at the tops of our heads on the outside of the boat and proceeded to move downwards. It sounded like claws. The time it took for the scratching to move from the top of the boat to the bottom and back up again was a split second! It moved with such force that the entire boat was rocking forcibly from side to side that we were holding onto things to keep from getting banged up! I knew then that I was being attacked by her spirit guides. We were in such fear that all my friend managed to do was keep the door closed with her feet – like that’s gonna help! Laugh. I started rebuking them in the name of Jesus and commanding them to leave us alone. After approximately twenty seconds, it all stopped. My friend immediately jumped up and stuck her head out of the top to see if anyone was there. But it was silent, not a breath or sight around. I may have heard crickets.
If it was someone playing a prank we would have seen straight away, as it was in a huge expanse of ground with nowhere to run and hide. The force that moved the boat would have taken about ten strong men anyway. And the scratching was beyond human ability.

I don’t tell this for the sake of telling a freaky story.
I took this as a lesson. We are to preach the gospel, but first listening to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and voice is very important; especially when it involves people who play around with the occult, because then we are up against something much bigger than unbelief. The war gets stronger. Their demons’ functions are to ensure that they always remain in their trap of deception and never hear the truth. I brought the truth, and they retaliated. But when we tread where God does not necessarily tell us to, or wait on Him to tell us how, we may go on that journey alone and unarmed.

Pray for Gov. Rick Perry – The black magic of pro-abortionists

The pro-abortionists have unleashed a new horror! Besides “hailing Satan”, the evil that sprouts from their hearts is becoming more shocking by the day (Romans 1:28).
Houston seamstress, Michelle Sinched, has produced voodoo dolls in the likeness of Texas Governor Rick Perry who has passed a ban on abortions after 20 weeks.

This woman calls herself “The Stitch Witch”. Nice. Quite fitting.
She said she came up with the idea because she wanted to “send a message and raise money for Planned Parenthood.” Send a message? More like demons!

Please take this seriously – voodoo dolls are extremely dangerous. Their origin lies solely in satanic practices. I am sure that there will be those who will literally burn the Rick Perry doll or traditionally stick pins into it. Even if they think it is a laugh – as with all voodoo dolls, demons are sent to the person the doll represents and they do inflict all sorts of destruction on that person!
Michelle has further stated, “What’s better than sticking pins in Gov. Goodhair or burning him at your own doll sized stake?”
She has caused people, both knowingly and unknowingly, to dabble in black magic. Rick Perry is in danger.

I urge everyone who reads this to please fervently pray for Gov. Rick Perry.
Pray that no weapon formed against him will prosper and that every tongue risen against him will be condemned! (Isaiah 54:17)
Pray that he will be surrounded with a shield of protection (Psalms 5:2)
Pray that all principalities and powers will be stopped dead in their tracks (Psalm 21:11)
Pray that all the power of the enemy is subdued by Christ Jesus (Luke 10:19)

Please pray for him now, and keep him, and all those fighting for the lives of unborn babies, in your prayer time with the Lord.

Fight the good fight!

 

 

Curses: where angels fear to tread and touch!

I love to travel! The only continent I have not been to yet is Australia. I have a huge world map and a key ring placed on each country I have been to.

However, we can get quite a few curses from our travels I have noticed, especially in countries of eastern culture influence. Why? We can tread on unholy ground and what is the one thing we always do? Buy a souvenir and bring it home. There it sits on your shelf or mantel piece looking all pretty for the world to see where you’ve been. But some of these souvenirs harbour their own curses and bring destruction onto you or your home, or both.
The reason for this is that many souvenirs, and areas, are blessed by these eastern religions, which gives demons, and the demon gods these cultures worship, the legal ground to inhabit the souvenir and area. Also, some are dedicated to the services of Satan.
When I went to Taiwan for a month with my Taiwanese friend, he told me quite proudly that they don’t fear anything because the “gods of Taiwan” have been ‘brought down’ to protect Taiwan’s borders and itself as a country. I thought, ‘oh boy!’ Those are demonic beings that have legal ground to oppress anyone coming into the country!

Looking at scripture, we can see how God forbade touching of unclean things. We are not to associate with darkness, and bringing unclean things into our homes is doing just that! The best example lies in the book of Joshua. When the walls of Jericho came down, God warned them to not take anything from Jericho for themselves.

“But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things, for Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed things; so the anger of the Lord burned against the children of Israel.” Joshua 7:1

Then, they went up to Ai and 36 men were killed! They were distraught and Joshua cried out to God not understanding what had gone wrong. Sounds like us? “God, why did you let this happen to me? I don’t understand what’s going on!” God explained this very well to Joshua and said,

“So the Lord said to Joshua: “Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. For they have even taken some of the accursed things, and have both stolen and deceived; and they have also put it among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they have become doomed to destruction. Neither will I be with you anymore, unless you destroy the accursed from among you. Get up, sanctify the people, and say, ‘Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, because thus says the Lord God of Israel: “There is an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing from among you.” Joshua 7:10-13

God specifically commanded them to not take anything from Jericho because it was cursed and sinful, and they did not listen.

God makes it clear to keep ourselves and homes clean, sanctified and holy:

“And he spoke to the congregation, saying, “Depart now from the tents of these wicked men! Touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their sins.” Numbers 16:26

“Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” 2 Cor 6:17

In the Book of Acts, those who accepted Jesus Christ did not hesitate to rid of their occultist practices and objects!

“And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totalled fifty thousand pieces of silver.So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.” Acts 19:18-20

Some of the most obvious objects we should not have in our homes are statues of demon gods such as Buddha or Egyptian Pharaohs, eastern gods and some African art – some are clearly representations of demon gods and we should not have any of them in our homes or on our possession. I see often how tourists got nuts for the African art sold here. Some are very pretty, but a lot of them are carvings of their demon gods and some are so blatantly obvious they’re demonic they make your hair stand up. We are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). Also, almost anything from Asian countries is risky – in my travels there I learnt how many objects are cursed, and most some for the destruction against Christians!
The easiest way to tell is to learn about the culture and history you are visiting. It is my prayer that the thought “Well, if I don’t believe it, it won’t happen to me!” will be eradicated from the hearts and minds of every Christian out there. I hear that so often. There is no way Satan thinks, “Oh well, let me give him a break – he doesn’t believe it, so I will leave him be.” Not a chance.

My next few posts will be focused on the types of curses you can get specifically on objects you bring into your home and the unholy ground we walk on – a lot of it will be on different countries, mostly the ones I have traveled to and learnt from.

I love Oprah Winfrey

I’m sure many people would love to wring my neck right now. Oprah has not been very kind about our Jesus or Christians and has led so many astray with her own cult of a church. But I can’t help how my heart aches for her. This is how I see her.

Despite being brought up in a Baptist family she was brutally raped at the age of 9 and still suffered through sexual molestation until 14. Not only that, she went through horrible physical abuse as well. I remember an interview I watched with her and she said that she “had to believe in a power greater than herself” to get through it.
Being brought up in a Baptist family, you learn that there is a God and that He is good. Imagine going through such mental and physical horror as a frightened little girl, ultimately wondering where God was to help her. She never saw the help, did she? No one to pray for her, heal her wounds or rid of the demonic entities that now surrounded her.

Yet she went on to become a billionaire. That is what we call overcompensation for feelings of inferiority. She said on David Letterman, “I know what it feels like to not be wanted.” Only nine. Do you remember what it felt like being 9 years old? When you’re that small, you’re helpless and completely dependent on the adults who are supposed to be watching over you. Besides terror, can you imagine the feelings of inferiority and insecurity that developed in her at that time?

Oprah said in the interview that, “Anyone who has been verbally abused or physically abused will spend a great deal of their life rebuilding their esteem.”
When going through trauma like that, people sometimes strive to gain power to overcome those feelings of inferiority, and they tend to be very successful.

I am not her therapist but here’s my shot in the dark. Her Baptist upbringing resulted in the first book she read being the Bible and even learnt verses by heart from it and quoted them to her friends. She believed once upon a time. If Oprah has indeed overcompensated for what she has been through to become the successful person she is today, then to what extent has her absolute rejection of Jesus or the formation of her own church developed out of overcompensation too? She has said numerous times that “I don’t believe you can go through adversity without believing in a power greater than yourself.” So, growing up knowing there is a true God, who did not come to her rescue when abused, is it possible that Oprah’s blatant disregard for the living God is her way of telling herself that it is easier to believe that there are other gods out there than rather admit the one true God she believed in actually did not come to her rescue?
I believe this is her bondage and stronghold. That bondage and stronghold is appealing to thousands every day.
That is how I see her – the supposed evil woman who tries with all her might to lead the world astray has sprung out of an innocent, horribly abused little girl who has possibly developed thought patterns that help her deal with her disappointment in God by denying He actually exists. The day she turned from God was in church and she heard the pastor say that God is a jealous God, and that immediately put her off! What a lame excuse – it is almost as if she was subconsciously waiting for any little excuse to walk away. It is sad, so sad for that to happen to a child, to now not have an interest in salvation. It’s not fair.

Are we able to look at all lost souls this way? To hate the sin, not the sinner? To not look at what is seen by their behaviour and things they say, because it can rouse all sorts of anger and judgment in Christians. But to look at the unseen, that is their heart, of things that once were, to see what Jesus sees. And direct our prayers that way. To see the little girl that was so savagely tormented by the kingdom of darkness. To have the mind of Christ and love them no matter what scathing things come out of their mouths.

Can we?

Praying for salvation – the charcoal breastplate

I have been praying and fasting for my dad’s salvation. He just does not believe. When we ask him if he believes that Jesus died on a cross for our sins, his response is “I dunno. It’s just a mystery.” But when you try to explain “the mystery” he does not want to hear it. All he says is that he thinks Buddhism is quite interesting because they are peaceful people. He also has a lot of intellectual strongholds that keep him from seeing the true beauty and simplicity of Jesus and His finished work at the Cross.

But this is why I love fasting. It’s extremely difficult at times but provides so much revelation into what you are praying for!

When I would pray for my dad I would see/picture him with this weird charcoal looking thing covering his whole chest. I did not think anything of it because I thought it was just my mind conjuring up images while I prayed.

But it happened every single time I would pray for him. Eventually I said, “Lord, is this my imagination? Why do I keep picturing my dad with that weird charcoal cover over his whole chest?”

I actually never expected an answer, but immediately He answered and said, “Just as I have provided you with a breastplate of righteousness, so does Satan have his own ‘protection’. The charcoal you see is the covering he has placed over your dad to prevent him from receiving My gospel. Look at 2 Corinthians 10:4 – the word for stronghold there is the same as ‘fortress’. Satan has his own fortresses just like I do. That charcoal breastplate is your dad’s fortress so that nothing of Me can get in.”

Looking at the verse He showed me it says “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds”. Mind blowing right!! I just got this awesome picture of how He truly reigns on His throne. He sees everything and is in control of everything.
So I said, almost to myself, “Oh ok, this is brilliant! I would think Satan would make sure to cover him around his entire body – his back is left completely open from what I see.”

Guess what He said… 

Wait for it…

God is so cool…

 “Cowards attack from the back.”

 Ha! I actually laughed. I can’t get over this conversation! What an eye opener to praying for someone’s salvation! So while my dad is “protected” from receiving the gospel from the front, Satan can keep attacking him from the back, with beliefs in Buddhism, mysteries, intellectualism etc. From what I sensed, that charcoal breastplate is very thick -so there is a lot more fasting and praying that will have to be done!

But God is so exciting!!!
It just amazes me how the Creator of Heaven and earth can come down to my puny little level and give me a glimpse of what is going on spiritually to make my prayers more effective.

God, you are GREAT! There is just no word to describe Your excellence!!

The evil tempter caramel muffin

Fasting is difficult, but I love it. It is such a blessing, to open your spirit to the wonders of God. Satan knows how beneficial it is that he will do anything to interrupt it. This day was no exception! I will never forget the cunning way he literally devised this.

It was during my annual fast and while at work I was craving a caramel muffin. Now I never eat caramel muffins. I adore caramel, but not as a muffin. I run for the lemon poppy seed or the beloved chocolate. Never ever caramel. But the craving was insatiable. My mouth was watering thinking about it, to the point of frustration. I could taste it. I tried praying it away but it just never went. I can’t tell you how crazy I was for a caramel muffin!
Eventually I just tried ignoring it.

I also started wondering where my Manager was, she was almost an hour late. She never called in like she usually would if she was running late.
Much later, in she storms, carrying a brown paper bag. She exclaimed excitedly, “Wow! Traffic is bad this morning! On the way to work, I don’t know why, but I wanted to get some muffins. The traffic jam to get into the place was impossible! I had to wait 20 minutes just to get a parking. But I really wanted to get us some muffins! Here – I got you a caramel one.”

Errrm…I kid you not. How sneaky was Satan’s plan? She was over an hour late for work trying with all her might to get, not just  a muffin, but a caramel one! I did not want to tell her I was fasting, so I thanked her for the muffin and kept it for my daughter when I got home. I was so shocked but I saw it immediately for what it was. I was being tempted to have my blessing taken away for a muffin. Red lentil stew anyone?

She would also never eat lunch at work, she was just one of those people. I also badly craved pizza that week and she came and sat at my desk with a pizza to ‘chat’. Eating in front of me! In the four years I worked there that never ever happened again!

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8

In what ways have you been tempted during fasting, Reader?