Month: March 2016

A friend sent me the ad above some weeks ago, about this guy Adrian Lee. I put it in my file labeled “They can’t be serious; I’ve got to write a blog about this!” First, this guy’s demonic eyes give him away. Second, he’s a paranormal investigator. Seriously? That’s his Christian credential? He doesn’t even rate a Wikipedia entry. His web site says, “Tarot reader, clairvoyant, Reiki healer.” Christian? He claims to use his “spirit guide” to contact dead loved ones. Necromancy. Christian? (Read Deuteronomy 18:11.)

This idea of Christians claiming psychic gifts isn’t new. Every week I minister to people bound by demons who have gone to some “spiritual” healer or medium. In most cases, the diviner claimed to be a Christian and often displayed pictures of Jesus and crosses. They said prayers. Maybe held a Bible. Some quoted scripture. The book, pictured above, claims to tell the truth concerning “what the Bible says about Mediums, Healers, and Paranormal Investigators.” Lee says he’s a devout Christian, whatever that means. He purports, in his book, to show Christians how to “safely and effectively” use their “God-given psychic gifts.”

Let’s be clear. The Bible in unmistakable language calls such things “detestable” (NIV); an abomination (KJV). Divination, mediumship, consulting the dead, and sorcery all warranted the death penalty in ancient Israel. New Age energy machines; Reiki energy healers; angel cards and Tarot readings; all such things are forbidden by God and open the door of one’s soul to demons. There is no such thing as a Christian psychic; these two words are antithetical. And while I’m at it, can insightful Christians stop calling themselves “seers?” The word has too many occult connotations. Look it up. It usually refers to powers of divination and sorcery and has throughout history. I understand that some want to redefine the term in a Christian sense. We must stop this trend of trying to Christianize yoga, tai chi, qigong etc. The latest is the “movementology” dance craze which seeks to release the “energy” and “anointing” of choreographed body movements to draw close to the Lord. What happened to fasting and prayer?

Beware? The occult, New Age, and Eastern religious spirits are entering the American church, especially those congregations that don’t believe a Christian can be demonized. How clever. How diabolical. And how ignorant and short-sighted of Christian leaders.

An encouraging word: HE RESTORES YOUR SOUL

“He restores my soul.” Those classic words from Psalm 23:3 say so much more than most realize. This promise of God reminds us that no matter what the devil has done to bring spiritual havoc to our lives, He restores. If careless choices have resulted in emotional devastation, He restores. Should the years take a toll on the courage of one’s faith, He restores. If relationships have grown cold, He restores. If His presence is not as dear as it once was, He restores. No matter what loss you may be facing today, never forget, God is a God of restoration.

Bob Larson has trained healing and deliverance teams all over the world to set the captives free and Do What Jesus Did® (Luke 4:18).  You can partner with Bob and support this vision to demonstrate God’s power in action by calling 303-980-1511 or clicking here to donate online.

When are you acting in faith, and when are you following foolishness? I’ve observed countless examples through the years. People who sold all they had because Jesus was coming on a particular date. Well-meaning individuals who believed some TV preacher’s pitch that they should put a “seed-faith” gift on an over-extended credit card and give so “God’s man” could have a new jet. Afflicted people who have believed that seeing a doctor denies their faith in God to heal and then they die as a result of lacking proper medical treatment. But a certain Nigerian preacher in Africa, who called himself a prophet, tops them all, on the scale of foolishness disguised as faith.

Alec Ndiwane reasoned that, since God gave mankind dominion over all the creatures of the earth, he could cozy-up to a lion in the wild. On safari with members of his church, Ndiwane charged a pride of lions in South Africa’s Kruger Park, speaking in tongues. The wild beasts thought he was prey and took chase. Running for his life, Ndiwane escaped death but not before a lion took a chunk of flesh out of his behind, necessitating a trip to the hospital where his rear was unceremoniously stitched back together. Ouch! “I thought the Lord wanted me to show His power over animals,” said the recovering prophet.

When you stop laughing at such foolishness think of the times you’ve fallen prey to similar thinking. This triumph of foolishness over faith is readily apparent with those who reject the idea of spiritual warfare. They daily charge into the face of all kinds of evil with the idea that Satan has no power to afflict them. They mock the idea of breaking generational curses with the foolish conclusion that all evil was covered at the cross and that there is no need for preventive prayer. Worst of all, they assume that “roaring lion” demons (1 Peter 5:8) have no more power to “devour” Christians, once a sinner has been saved. Based on my decades of documented experiences casting demons out of thousands of Christians, that false conclusion is foolishness, not faith. And it may lead to a life of unnecessary torment.

An encouraging word: BE SOBER AND VIGILANT

“Be self-controlled,” 1 Peter 5:8 says in the New International Version. I personally prefer the older King James Version, “Be sober, be vigilant.” Peter is warning about the way that Satan seeks to attack the souls of Christians, like a “roaring lion.” Self-control, sobriety, and vigilance are all important qualities to develop if one is to avoid the devil’s temptations and oppression. These are character habits that will enable us to survive Satan’s efforts to turn us from the Lord. You won’t find these attributes valued in the world around you, but you will have them instilled if you faithfully follow Scripture. Reading and hearing God’s word is the way to be sober and vigilant.

Bob Larson has trained healing and deliverance teams all over the world to set the captives free and Do What Jesus Did® (Luke 4:18).  You can partner with Bob and support this vision to demonstrate God’s power in action by calling 303-980-1511 or clicking here to donate online.

Finally, I am going to tell you, if you’ve wondered, “Who is Bob Larson voting for?” In this presidential election we have the wife of serial adulterer, a nearly -Communist socialist, a slightly profane billionaire, a senator who isn’t liked by his own colleagues, a son of immigrants with a spotty voting record when the senate is in session, and a guy in need of a new hair-do (not Trump). (I’ll leave it to your political acumen to fill in the blanks with names.) Sort of depressing, isn’t it. I’ve got very good personal reasons for disqualifying every one of them. But then I might be left with even worse, so I’ve got to make a choice. It’s crunch time. Who will it be?

Trump, who held up his hands in response to a questionable innuendo? Cruz, who says his favorite drink is Scotch? (There goes the teetotaler vote.) Rubio, who at times acts likes he’s on a schoolyard instead of a debate stage? Kasich, who occasionally seems to be disengaged? Hillary, who earns high marks for not being trustworthy? Bernie, who never met a tax hike he didn’t like? Get it? I can find reasons not like anyone of them, and consider them all due for an exorcism. (I had to get that in.) But what am I really looking for? A saint? Scratch that. A champion of religious freedom? They all claim that. At least someone who believes in God? Which one says that they don’t?

It all boils down to this. I don’t need a president who can save my soul. I need someone who can save this country! Make it respected again. Keep terrorists and drug dealers out. Yes, even make America feared again as a country that despots had better not mess with. Let the church be the church and do its job. I don’t need a religious zealous to help me keep my faith. I need someone who will defeat ISIS, demand respect for American interests around the world, and get the middle class back on track to succeed again. Leave the demons to me and Jesus. Leave religious liberty to groups like ADF and Liberty Counsel. Leave the gospel to faithful pastors of the flock. We’ll save the souls, but Next-Mr. President, you save America. I’d love for you to put God first, but I’m voting for you to put America first.

An encouraging word: OUR GOD IS HOLY

“You are holy.” Those words of 22:3 are what separate Judaism and Christianity from all other religions. Mohammed, by the admission of Muslims, conquered by the sword and killed in the name of his religion to conquer those in opposition. In Hinduism, in the “Bhagavad Gita”, Arjuna instructs Krishna to kill his own family. Buddhism claims to be a religion of peace, but that comes at the price of meditative detachment from reality. But the true God of the Jewish and Christian faiths is distinguished as a God of holiness. Other Gods may be lots of things, but “holy” they are not. Our God alone is holy.

Bob Larson has trained healing and deliverance teams all over the world to set the captives free and Do What Jesus Did® (Luke 4:18).  You can partner with Bob and support this vision to demonstrate God’s power in action by calling 303-980-1511 or clicking here to donate online.

The office of the Director of National Intelligence has released 113 documents seized during the May 2011 raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. The al-Queda leader was killed at the time. Osama’s documents included a will, directions on how to handle ransoms, and even a list of grievances about al-Qaeda excesses. While poring over reports about bin Laden’s letters, one particularly caught my eye. It was a missive to his father in which he wrote, “If I am to be killed, pray for me a lot and give continuous charities in my name, as I will be in great need for support to reach the permanent home.”

First, notice how frightened bin Laden was of dying. He thought about it obsessively. He worried about being killed. What hypocrisy. He felt no remorse for murdering 3,000 innocent souls on 9/11. What arrogance to consider that his own life had more value than the fathers, mothers, young people, even children who perished that day. Or the grief-stricken family members left behind. Such is the nature of evil. It is selfish, greedy, and uncaring about the concerns of others.

Second, he wasn’t certain where he’d end up eternally. This merciless killer wanted lots of Islamic prayers for his departed soul. Perhaps his ambivalence was driven by guilt, or maybe just plain hubris. Whatever, bin Laden’s “last will and testament” is a far cry from the words of the apostle Paul who said in 2 Timothy 1:12, “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” Finally, Osama thought good deeds could save his sorry soul after death. What a lie. Hebrews 9:27 teaches that man is destined once to die and after that eternally judged. No act of kindness or charity on bin Laden’s behalf could have changed his eternal state, and that is most assuredly in Hell!

An encouraging word: BEWARE THOSE WHO CONCEIVE EVIL

Psalm 7:14 says something interesting about the wicked individual: “He conceives trouble.” Truly evil people don’t just do wicked things, they actually gestate and give birth to their wickedness. We sometimes give the benefit of the doubt to sinful individuals, by saying, “Oh, he really didn’t mean what he said,” or “I’m sure he didn’t intend to do harm.” Sometimes such observations might be true, but beware the truly devious people who cohabit with the devil to the extent that they actually conceive the trouble which they cause.

Bob Larson has trained healing and deliverance teams all over the world to set the captives free and Do What Jesus Did® (Luke 4:18).  You can partner with Bob and support this vision to demonstrate God’s power in action by calling 303-980-1511 or clicking here to donate online.

Like many evangelicals, I am warming to Donald Trump. I’m not endorsing him or anyone else, and I don’t know for certain who will get my vote. (OK, not a socialist.) But the Christian nonsense going on in religious circles these days would be laughable if it weren’t pathetic. In case you aren’t aware, some religious “leaders” are saying that Donald Trump has “an anointing” to lead the country out of chaos. A “Cyrus anointing,” whatever that is. (Has “The Donald” become “The Great” of 500 BC?) Others say his Scottish heritage is a link to John Knox, the 16th Century theologian and Presbyterian clergyman. They’ve got to be kidding, but they’re not. It’s sad, but I trust Fox and CNN more than these political pundits cum-Christians. The have less depth than “The Economist” and fewer sources than “Time” magazine. Oh, I get it. They hear from “God.” So why is it that some think Marco’s the man, others say that Cruz is a godsend, and the rest pontificate that Donald Trump is a prophet sent from God. Could it be that all of them are just plain politicians, and none of them can save us from ourselves?

I’m not knocking the idea of Christians having insights into how the next President will led us spiritually and internationally. I’m just disgusted with those who think their Presidential pick is a mandate from God and has the imprimatur of the Almighty. Dreams? Visions? Prophetic words from the Lord? They all claim to hear from God. So why is God picking different Republican candidates as His own? It’s interesting that almost without exception these “prophetic” voices don’t do deliverance. They never battle face-to-face with real devils. Their demons of choice are named Bernie and Hillary. They substitute political hot-talk for a real hot-as-hell confrontation with a soul bound by Satan. They don’t even set one soul free in the name of Jesus, but they claim to be a prophetic mouthpiece of the Lord to set America free in the name of Trump.

Donald Trump may or may not make a good President. That remains to be seen, but can these self-appointed prognosticators for heaven dial back their umbrage a little? (I used umbrage because I know that most of the prophets who may read this will have to look it up and use a real literary resource for a change.) I like a lot of what Trump says but I’m not about to anoint him with a horn of oil yet. The same for all the other candidates. They are all human, mere men. (Ok, one’s a woman.) Let’s not crown them savior yet. We have one Lord. Or, in the heat of a political campaign, have some religious conservatives forgotten that?

An encouraging word: BE CAREFUL WITH WHOM YOU ASSOCIATE

What kind of company do you keep? Who do you hang out with? The Psalmist said, “I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites” (Psalm 26:4). To live a righteous life you can’t run with the wrong crowd. Remember the old saying, “A rotten apple spoils the whole barrel.” Some Christians think that by spending time with sinners they will save them. In my years of experience in counseling, I can attest it usually turns out the other way. If you sit with “deceitful men” the danger is that they bring you down before you bring them up.

Bob Larson has trained healing and deliverance teams all over the world to set the captives free and Do What Jesus Did® (Luke 4:18).  You can partner with Bob and support this vision to demonstrate God’s power in action by calling 303-980-1511 or clicking here to donate online.

Phoenix said “No,” so the suburb of Scottsdale, where I have offices, said yes. The Satanic Temple cult will be allowed to say a prayer before the City Council. The Satanists had originally asked to “hail Satan” before a similar body in Phoenix. That government group decided that, rather than give in to devil-worshipers in the name of freedom of religion, they would replace their normal invocation with a moment of silence. That gave the Satanist what they wanted, no prayers at all, including one to a Judaeo-Christian God. But the devil’s crowd didn’t give up and instead took their war of evil to nearby Scottsdale. Politicians there caved in, and sometime next month, praises to the devil will arise in the city chambers, a setting paid for by God-fearing citizens. According to the Temple, the prayer will include this invocation to demons: Embrace the Luciferian impulse to eat of the Tree of Knowledge and reason our solutions with agnosticism in all things, holding fast only to that which is demonstrably true, Hail Satan.

In the interest of full disclosure, the Satanic Temple doesn’t actually believe in a literal devil. They follow the mode of Anton Lavey, founder of the Church of Satan, that Lucifer is an apt symbol of rebellious, self-indulgent lust, which they advocate. (This brand of Satanism is thoroughly analyzed in LARSON’S BOOK OF WORLD RELIGIONS. To order CLICK HERE.) This is the same group which has erected statues of Lucifer in places such as Oklahoma City and Detroit. In reality, they are a very small group of social misfits who crave public attention for their devilish antics, ne’er-do-wells whose potential is outsized by their actual numbers and influence. Like the drunken Germans of the infamous Munich Nazi Beer Hall Putsch, the potential for evil can’t be underestimated. What they want is to eradicate Christianity’s influence in public life. In Phoenix and Scottsdale, they have set an example for others to follow. These silly Satanists may be headed to your city next, but don’t underestimate their antics. They are getting press and headlines, and if one misguided young person is drawn to them as a result, it’s one too many. With all the prayer and persistence you have, oppose them to the max when they come to your town.

An encouraging word: BE WHERE GOD DWELLS

I often meet people who call themselves Christians but see no need to go to church. I usually direct them to Hebrews 10:25 for starters. But that’s not the only place in Scripture where the importance of believers gathering in unison is emphasized. Consider Psalm 26:8 where David declares that he loves the “habitation of your house . . . where Your glory dwells.” In David’s day this place was a tabernacle, a tent filled with God’s glory. Today, we worship in a church. The point is, we should desire to be where God dwells. Granted, a church is just a physical structure, but it is a location dedicated and consecrated to the corporate worship of the Lord. To you want to be where God is? Have you been to church lately?

Bob Larson has trained healing and deliverance teams all over the world to set the captives free and Do What Jesus Did® (Luke 4:18).  You can partner with Bob and support this vision to demonstrate God’s power in action by calling 303-980-1511 or clicking here to donate online.