Missing Ministries

"Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'Let us alone! What have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who you are - the Holy One of God!' But Jesus rebuked him, saying, 'Be quiet, and come out of him!' And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him." Luke 4:33-35 What would the people of our day think if something like this happened, a man or woman suddenly crying out strange words like these? Most would think he or she was mentally ill. I know a man who worked as a social worker at a psychiatric hospital, and when I mentioned to him that some people who are deemed "mentally ill" are actually under the control of an evil spirit, he laughed at me. A hearty laugh at that! Sadly, this is the response most would give today. So ...the problem is not being addressed correctly and these people will stay in their affliction. Medications might be of some help in controlling some of the symptoms, but when it's a case of demonic involvement, the only real remedy is the remedy given to us in the Scriptures: deliverance from the demon controlling the affliction. "And these signs will follow those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons;" Mark 16:17 "...those who believe." That's all of us who have been born again. The ministry to those in afflictions like these is sadly missing in the church of today. In some churches, some will pray for the afflicted. They might anoint the person with oil and gather round and pray, and that's good, it should be the first step. But if the affliction is demonic in nature, until the demonic spirits are cast out the person's affliction will remain. An intercessor said to me one day that the Lord spoke to her heart: "If something doesn't respond to prayer, consider that it may be demonic in nature." How can we ignore this? The common response to anyone with a message like this is that a believer cannot be "demon possessed." And that is correct. The problem is that the word is mistranslated. The correct translation is "demonized." People don't think twice when someone says a believer can be afflicted with bacteria, or viruses. They are not "possessed" by bacteria or viruses, they are under the control of bacteria or viruses until they are cured. In the same sense, a person can be under affliction of demonic spirits, as the Scriptures clearly tell us. The only cure is "deliverance," where the demons are cast out. Until then, the condition of the person will not be changed. It is a great disservice to the body of Christ that this ministry is rejected. Deliverance can change a person, and the change is often dramatic. Deliverance was a large part of Jesus's ministry while he walked the shores of Galilee. Where did those demons go when they were cast out? They are still here with us today, causing incredible suffering to God's people. If you have prayed and prayed for someone with no real change, go to the Lord and ASK him if the cause is demonic. Then follow his directions in how to proceed. It can mean a whole new life for someone. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, TO SET AT LIBERTY THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED;" Luke 4:18 Pray with me: Father God, your Son Jesus Christ has given to the church the ministries mentioned in Mark chapter 16, but today they are sadly missing, and without these ministries people stay in their afflictions. We ask you in Jesus's Name to restore this ministry to the church and to us as individual members. We're in a dry land, in a Laodicean time, but you change not and your gifts are still available. We ask you to empower us to use them in response to your leading. Raise us up, Lord, those whom you have called to bring comfort and healing to suffering brothers and sisters. We will gladly give you all the glory. In Jesus's Name. Amen