Having been trained in the deliverance method used by the Argentines in their crusades with Carlos Anacondia, I continue to use and recommend the same method, first implemented by Pablo Bottari, known as the 10-step model, to instruct others. I have added and implemented “suggestions on how to stay free,” or what might be termed ‘aftercare ministry ‘! This method relies on the Holy Spirit, the word of God, and the knowledge that we must be saved and want to be set free from bondage to experience true freedom. Through these years, I have gleaned much from studying excellent materials written by approved ministries such as Peter Horrobin, Francis MacNutt, Randy Clark, Derek Prince, Kylstras, John Sanford, and our good friend Linda Forster.I have learned how the demonic is given access to bring oppression on His people and how to minister to the captives and the broken ones with His love and compassion. 

I never sought this ministry, but the more I ministered to others, and the more the Holy Spirit was pouring out His presence in our church and home groups as we invited Him to come and prayed for physical and emotional healing, the more I became aware of the immense need for people to find freedom from torment, abuse, trauma, and pain, and that I needed to learn an effective deliverance model to set people free.

We are created in the image of God, and we as human beings are comprised of three parts: body, soul, and spirit. What affects one area will affect the health of our entire body.

            When we confess, repent, and receive Christ as our Savior, we receive a new nature where the Spirit of God resides within us. We can now see and understand things from a very different perspective! Where we once lived in darkness, we see the light. Yes, once we were blind, and now we see!. We are given the keys to the Kingdom of God, enabling us to be free from our old sin nature, which we were slaves to, to live in the new nature as His beloved adopted sons and daughters! Through the work of the Holy Spirit within us, we are transformed by the power of His might, and as we mature in our new nature through discipling, activating the word of God, and spirit-filled worship, we can overcome bondage and live in freedom.

We are given the keys to freedom through understanding that we now have spiritual armor, and we must continue to actively put it on and choose to die daily to His will, not our own. This is not difficult when we seek Him and find His love is poured out on us beyond measure, and that He is always faithful and will never abandon or leave us. But because we still possess free will, it is possible to allow the enemy a foothold in our lives, and we can find ourselves going into a downward spiral back into slavery to that which the enemy has designed to take us out or make us ineffective. I Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion , walketh about seeking whom he may devour.”

            Chapter 5 of Galatians says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Later, in that same chapter of Galatians 5, “So I say live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  

 I will add that if we continue in the sinful ways that Paul has emphasized, we will not inherit the kingdom of God.

We all have a personal responsibility to walk out our salvation and to be overcomers.

Psalm 23 says this: “You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.” Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord. Forever.

 I want to be so full of His Spirit that I run over with the abundance of who He is in me. This is and will always be my goal- to be used of Him and to “end well.”

                                       Overcoming the Strongholds of our Minds

In my own life and ministering to many others, I have found that the biggest battle is over the mind and emotions. Negative, hopeless, and condemning thoughts come from the pit of hell. Our Lord does convict us, but He came to save us, not condemn us. The answer that brings hope and freedom come as we confess our sins to Him, repent, and turn away; much of the time, we must run away from any enticement of the sinful nature. But remember, He never brings hopelessness or condemnation; He always has a way out. Our Lord is full of light, health, hope, and strength, and there is no darkness in Him. This is why the two greatest commandments are to love Him and to love others. As we live and abide in His love and give His love away, the battle over our minds will become less and less. And living a holy life will become our nature, as is His nature. 

One scripture He has brought to my Spirit this past few weeks and that I have prayed as I have gotten up in the morning is from Psalm 19:14, Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. You see, out of what is in the heart, the mouth speaks. As you read the next paragraph, put your hand over your heart and let this be my prayer over you today.

            Come Holy Spirit, you are the refining fire that comes to purify, cleanse, and fill us with your abundance of life. Anoint us with the oil of your presence and holiness and give us the strength to speak life and hope to those in need so they may experience for themselves your great love, peace, and freedom. Give us boldness to share the gospel and speak out for righteousness and truth, as you prepare the paths you have before us to walk in. We ask all these things in the precious name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, Amen.

Lois & Rex