Spiritual Warfare

Humble Heart & Gratitude

• Expressing honor and gratitude for the opportunity to serve the Lord.
• Acknowledging a “big old humble heart” and constant thoughts of people and Jesus.
• Expressing gratitude for being saved, recognizing it as an undeserved act of grace.
  • Saved at 38, felt lost before salvation.

Mark Chapter 5 & Personal Connection

• Reading from Mark chapter 5, focusing on Legion.
• Brother Tommy asked to speak Tuesday morning.
• Prayed about the message, feeling a connection to Legion.
• Recognizing a past behavior mirroring Legion’s self-harm.
  • Cutting self with razor blades as a teenager (17-18 years old).
  • Devil trying to “kill, steal, and destroy.”

Encounters with Evil

• Recounting three experiences of feeling strangled while asleep.
  • First at 18 at dad’s place, felt someone on chest, could not breathe.
    • Saying “Jesus” three times stopped it.
  • Second time at home before being called to preach.
    • Again, saying “Jesus” three times stopped it.
  • Third time, saw a black demon sitting on chest, choking.
    • Demon described as black with scaly skin and large black wings.
    • Not scared this time, realized the demon was trying to prevent future ministry.

Devil’s Tactics & Vulnerable Targets

• The devil targets the vulnerable, like babies or weak church members.
• The devil seeks easy prey, those easily swayed or killed spiritually.
• The devil uses the weakest link in the church to cause division.
• Awareness is crucial to resist the devil’s influence.
• Personal vulnerability to returning to self-harm (“cutting arms”) if yielding to the devil.

Close Calls & Divine Intervention

• Recounting incidents where divine intervention prevented potential disasters.
  • Drag racing incident where a truck stopped unexpectedly.
  • Driving through a field in a 73 Dodge Charger at night and narrowly avoiding a tree.
    • Realizing the danger but still not listening to God.

Fighting the Devil with Scripture

• Cannot fight the devil spiritually.
• Emphasizing the need to use scripture against the devil, as Jesus did.
• Devils bow down to Jesus.

Legion’s Story & Personal Reflection

• Relating to Legion’s torment and self-harm.
• Remembering cutting self and apologizing to the Lord.
• Acknowledging God’s repeated rescue from dangerous situations.
  • Driving a mixer truck on a mountain, fearing it wouldn’t make it.
  • Praying for help and reaching safe ground.

The Power of Jesus & Transformation

• Legion recognized Jesus and worshipped him.
• The devil knows who Jesus is.
• Jesus cast out the demons from Legion into swine.
  • Two thousand swine ran into the sea.
• Legion, now in his right mind, wanted to follow Jesus.
• Jesus instructed him to share his story with his community.

Living a Transformed Life

• Expressing a commitment to staying “in the boat” with Jesus.
• Refusing to tolerate sinful behavior in personal space (“my house”).
• Avoiding involvement with friends engaged in harmful activities (drinking, drugging).
• Recognizing the heavy price paid for salvation.
• Repenting from sins and not letting them accumulate.
• Prioritizing God’s will over worldly desires.

The Preciousness of Ministry

• Expressing gratitude for the opportunity to preach God’s word.
• Desiring to continue preaching about salvation and the promise of eternal life.
• Acknowledging God’s goodness and the transformative power of salvation.
• Quitting bad habits and starting a life for Jesus.

Family & Faith

• Family members talking behind back about going to church all the time.
• Celebrating family members getting saved, including son and granddaughter.
• Prayers are heard by God.

The Danger of Turning Away

• The worst thing is knowing the righteousness of God and walking away from it.
• Sharing the story of mother’s 42-year backslide due to disobedience.
• Describing a difficult childhood marked by tension and fear.
• Sleeping in church yards for safety.
• Mom got it right after 42 years.

The Devil’s Strategy

• The devil cannot physically harm, but can influence thoughts leading to self-destruction.
• Relating personal experience of cutting self due to anger and feeling lost.
• Ignoring father’s warnings to get right with God.
• The devil was trying to kill Legion.

Salvation & Humility

• Remembering begging and pleading for salvation.
• Believing salvation occurred upon deciding to go to the altar due to a broken and humble heart.
• God has blessed ever since.
• Staying in the boat with Jesus.
• The devil just wants to torment.

Recognizing the Devil’s Influence

• Recognizing the devil’s attempts to aggravate and frustrate.
• Two cars broke down at the same time.
• Salvation provides awareness and resistance to the devil’s tactics.
• The devil uses various means to torment and destroy (drinking, smoking, etc.).
• Backsliding leads to greater distance from God.

Personal Reflections & Warnings

• Remembering cutting arms and realizing the devil had control.
• Hurting mother by actions and causing her to cry.
• God was holding one day this will be mine.
• God saved from turning over a 65 Dodge.
• The Holy Spirit warns against sinful actions.
• Need to be aware of the devil’s tactics.
• The devil is out to get kids, grandkids, and children.
• The devil never bothered until saved.
• The devil turned up the heat when called to preach.
• Staying in the boat with Jesus.