Month: June 2016

Bombings in Belgium. Carnage in Paris. A massacre in Orlando. What is the world to do? Some Dutch citizens in the Netherlands think the answer is yoga. Tuesday, this past week, hundreds of them gathered on a beach in Zandvoot to mark the International Day of Yoga. They meditated, performed asanas (bodily positions of yoga), and welcomed peace to the world with the assembled form of a peace sign. Coincidentally, that same day marked a rare summer solstice with a full moon, highly prized by pagan, witches, and Satanists.Yoga, in Sanskrit, the ancient language of Hinduism, means “union with god,” small “g.” Its purpose is to bend the body into many forms to master the mind and soul of the practitioner. Quite literally, yoga’s goal is to tune the body to the Universal Mind and thereby achieve god-consciousness and attain oneness with the universe. At least that’s what they’ve been doing for thousands of years in India, no matter that some ignorant Christians in American may call their brand of Holy Yoga.

Some years ago, the secular magazine “Time” described yoga this way: “Enlightenment and good health require the free flow of the life force (prana) and the proper balance between the seven major energy hubs (chakras). (An eighth chakra, or aura, surrounds the body and encompasses the other seven.) The three lower chakras serve the body’s physical needs, while the five upper chakras are associated with the spiritual realm.”

Swami Vishnudevananda, a famous Hindu guru and worldwide advocate of yoga, once said, “The aim of all yoga practice is to achieve truth wherein the individual soul identifies itself with the supreme soul of God.” How? Vishnudevananda declared that “the supreme power of nature” was a coiled serpent lying at the base of the spine, the goddess Shakti, “the giver of immortality and eternal happiness.” But Shakti can only fulfill her promise by achieving union with Shiva, her consort. (Shiva is one member of the Hindu Trinitarian godhead, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva.) Shiva is said to reside at the center of the forehead between the eyebrows. The purpose of yoga is to arouse the serpent powers of Shakti (sometimes called kundalini) so that she passes through six chakras, spiritual energy centers. The seventh chakra, her destination, is Shiva. Once Shakti merges with Shiva, union, or yoga, is achieved. The next goal is permanent union to become a liberated soul and be unlimited by time and space-at one with god.

This is the way to world peace? I think not. I KNOW not, after decades of casting out yoga demons from hundreds of people. Christians, stay as far as you can from yoga in any format, even so-called Christian transmutations. And stay off the beach in the Netherlands if they gather again.

An encouraging word: TELL THOSE NOT YET BORN

Psalm 22:31 is an amazing prophetic statement: “They will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be born.” You and I have the responsibility to keep the message of the gospel alive, for those who are not yet on the earth. Each generation has the obligation to tell the next generation about Jesus. Serving God is more than enjoying the blessings of the generation before. It’s not just being content with what we have as Christians now. We must feel the full responsibility of telling the story of Christ’s love to those who are born on our watch. If we don’t, who will?

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.

Most Protestants have never stepped inside a Catholic church, except, perhaps, as a tourist meandering through some ancient European cathedral. Or they gazed in awe at St. Peters in the Vatican, when in Rome. Few Catholics have stopped to consider what is a unique requirement of all Catholic churches. To celebrate the mass, the official Roman Rite requires that a crucifix be situated on or close to the altar to remind the celebrants of the Eucharist that Christ has been crucified for sin. This blog isn’t purposed to argue for Catholic teachings or practices but rather to point out how central the cross is to the history of Christian worship. Not so in many “progressive” evangelical megachurches today. (It is imperative, before going further, that the reader read Part 1 of this series “What Happened to the Cross,” published last week. CLICK HERE to read.)

In fact, most evangelical Christians don’t have a clue about the difference between a “cross” and a “crucifix.” (The latter has a three-dimensional image of Christ affixed, rather than a bare cross.) Having traveled extensively in Russian and Eastern Europe, I’ve noted that their crosses have an additional third crossbar to which the feet are nailed, angled upward toward the penitent thief and downward toward the thief who would not repent. The rich history of the cross/crucifix establishes it as an essential part of Christian identity. Then why is it that many evangelical churches are out to prove that they are really “with it” and thus kick out the cross? Of what are they embarrassed? What are they trying to prove, other than a distaste for 2,000 years of Christian tradition?

True, a cross doesn’t make a church. A body of believers, two or more (Matthew 18:20), constitutes a “church” in the spiritual sense. But let’s not forget, Satan hates the cross. In our seminars, many people donate to our ministry to receive an exact replica of my own Cross of Deliverance. I pray over each cross, to dedicate and consecrate it as an emblem of faith and an instrument of torment to demons.

Watch the exorcisms on our YouTube channel, as nearly 8 million people have. You’ll see many instances when demons manifest just by the demonized person being touched with my cross. You’ll see demons dodge the cross, fearing the mere sight of it. Why? Demons can’t see my faith. That is an invisible component of my beliefs. But they can see the visible extension of my faith, the physical tangibility of where I place my hope and trust, the cross on which Christ died. If Satan so fears the cross, could it be that some churches remove it lest they have to deal with the existential reality of demons and the devil? I pray that is not so, though I fear that, implicitly, it is. Interestingly, you’ll never see a cross in a Mormon church. ‘Nough said. . . .

TO GET YOUR OWN CROSS OF DELIVERANCE FULL-SIZED OR JEWELRY-SIZED

CLICK HERE OR CALL 303-980-1511.

An encouraging word: YOU CAN TRUST YOUR FAITH

As you go about your tasks of the day, can you truly trust the Word of God to guide you? Much can be said about the veracity of Scripture, but consider these words of the apostle John: “This is the message which we have heard from Him” (1 John 1:5). John’s gospel and his epistles were the result of his own, eye-witness of Christ’s life and deeds. He, and the other gospel writers, only relayed exactly what they had seen and heard regarding Jesus. Today, you can count on your prayers. You can trust your faith in a crucified and risen Lord. John was but one of many who had personally seen and heard what is written in the New Testament. And they didn’t lie.

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

Over the past several weeks, I’ve made it a point to check out what’s going on in the evangelical Christian world by visiting various thriving churches. None of these congregations is one I’d want to be part of, but I was curious to see what was making them so apparently successful, at least numerically. From Phoenix to New York, and places in between. I slipped quietly into the audience and watched. Most of them had several things in common: reasonably professional-sounding praise bands which were obviously a major main draw; sophisticated settings with smiling greeters who had Dale Carnegie-style aplomb; interior design that was eye-catching and hip; casually dressed pastors whose wardrobes and mannerisms shouted “casual” and “cool.” But there was something I observed that hardly anyone else seemed to notice. It wasn’t what all these churches did, but what they didn’t do that chagrined me. It wasn’t what they had, but what they didn’t have that bothered me. It was glaringly obvious, to me, but presumably not to the oblivious, marketed masses.

I wanted to jump up in the middle of their services and shout from the top of my lungs “Where is the cross?” Go ahead, check out the Christian channels showcasing the most successful megachurches churches on TV. Church-hop a couple of Sundays. You’ll observe what I did. In most of them, not a cross anywhere. Not outside. Not on a steeple (there are very few of those any more). Not on the platform. Not somewhere behind the pulpit. Zilch. Nada. No cross. I have come to realize that this is no happenstance oversight. It is deliberate. With all the care taken to be certain that the stage design is worthy of a Broadway show with modernistic emblems and colorful lights, to augment the flashing video presentations that constantly punctuate the meetings with slick editing, no one bothers to include a cross anywhere. The conclusion? Not oversight. Intentional.

Paul told the Corinthians that the cross is the emblem of God’s power (1 Corinthians 1:18). So why had it been expunged from the churches I attended? I could only conclude that these purveyors of congregational cool didn’t want the environment to look too religious, lest some might be offended and not come back. After all, isn’t it all about being friendly to the seeker? No sense offending them with some ancient, formal symbol of Christianity. Don’t remind them of what’s uncool and traditional.

I now understand why some people think it so unusual that, in my seminars, I provoke demons with a cross in hand. And why some criticize me for doing it. It’s something believers seldom see anymore. The Christian public is losing its theological and philosophical grasp of the cross as the preeminent symbol of our faith. This one emblem has been Christianity’s universal image of the gospel for two millennia. You may think I’m over-reacting, but consider what I say against the backdrop of what churches have looked like for centuries. Some friendly advice. If you don’t see a cross somewhere in your church, think twice about coming back next Sunday. The absence of the cross speaks volumes about the implicit mindset of the church and pastor. And if you think I sound too bold or judgmental, wait until you read what I say in Part 2 of this blog next week.

This is part one of a series. Next week, Part 2.

TO LEARN THE REAL MEANING OF THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CROSS

OUR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF EXORCISM TEACHES IN-DEPTH THE IMPORTANCE

OF THIS EMBLEM OF OUR FAITH. TO ENROLL, CLICK HERE, OR CALL NOW 303-980-1511.

An encouraging word: GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT

In our world of looking out for #1, and politics of division and disrepute, the words of Paul to Timothy are a contrast: “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). Many seek contentment in the “mindfulness” of Eastern meditation. They pursue peace in drugs and lust. They hope for calm minds and bodies with yoga. But Paul says that the way to true contentment is by living a godly life. Such a pursuit is not only fulfilling, but it is “great gain” in every way, relationally and spiritually.

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 below is adapted from my latest book, DEALING WITH DEMONS. Chapter two.

I sometimes describe my approach to deliverance as the Joe Friday method. Remember the old “Dragnet” TV series, and detective Friday’s droll rejoinder, “Just the facts, Ma’am.” Often it’s the most basic facts about an individual’s personal history that give clues to demonic intrusion into their lives. Consider the crucial role that elementary information plays in determining what the devil has done and knowing how to crack the code to Satan’s machinations. Just the facts. For example, it’s important to know ten things when dealing with demons: (1) age, (2) residency location, (3) occupation, (4) education, (5) marital status, (6) extended family, (7) ethnicity, (8) cultural identity, (9) religious history, and (10) current religious affiliation.

On the surface this list seems very basic and not too insightful. But there is more to be learned than the reader might suppose. These ten things alone could be sufficient to reasonably determine the extent to which Satan is operating in one’s life. Those who have attended my seminars or watched our YouTube Exorcism Channel know that some form of these ten bits of information introduce almost every exorcism in which I engage. Knowing these basics gives a thumbnail sketch, a snapshot of who the person is and what constitutes their self-perception and their place in the world. Agreed, these designations are broad brushstrokes of analysis, by nature categorical. Even so, such generalizations have often proven to be good indicators as to how to proceed with ministry. They provide a good place to start.

For example, consider the first on my list, age. Younger individuals will likely be less serious about life and the consequences of evil. Convincing them to stop a particular behavior in order to be free from Satan many not seem as urgent as it will with someone older. Younger people have a lighter grasp on the spiritual issues of repentance and correction where eternity is concerned. They are also more easily distracted by the things of this world and all its temptations. The older individual may also be harder to persuade, but for a different reason: Demolishing spiritual strongholds (see 2 Corinthians 10:3-5) gets harder the older the person is. Older people are more set in their ways and perhaps unwilling to alter the habits which the demons are manipulating. The older one gets, in my counseling experience, the more entrenched the demons are.

An encouraging word: DISCERN THE TIMES

Jesus said of the hypocrites of His day, “You cannot discern the signs of the times” (Matthew 16:3). Not much has changed. From my perspective, there has been more moral deterioration in the last half-dozen years then I’ve seen in my entire lifetime. Many Christians agree with me. And yet, the drumbeat of culture seems to be marching millions in the direction of corruption and decay. They don’t discern the times because they don’t know what the Bible says about right and wrong. Don’t let that happen to you. Only by staying true to God’s Holy Word can any one of us discern what choices to make in life, and how to discern good from evil.

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