It was not quite a year after my encounter that I needed to travel to Kentucky to visit with my father; this time as a new creature in Messiah. I had been devoting myself to the study of scripture and growing very quickly as a disciple of Messiah. Though I was still a “babe in Christ”, I had never been so hungry for something as I was for the Word. Being filled with the Holy Spirit ignited something in me I had never felt before; a sense of purpose like no other. I understood that it was only by the grace and mercy of my Heavenly Father that I had been plucked out of the darkness. I deserved none of it. I knew that the ultimate expression of appreciation to Him was to be obedient and devoted to His Word. No new disciple is freed from the power of sin in order to do nothing. There is purpose.
My father knew of my “change of heart”. I had shared with him my experience and held nothing back. I expressed my hearts burden that he would know the God that I know. Though he heard the sincerity in my voice, I do believe he was doubtful and skeptical. I am often reminded of my own reaction to believers when I were a Heathen. I was more than doubtful and skeptical. I was hateful. I think of how I treated Christians and spoke such hateful things to them. I found myself in their shoes many times after my encounter. Rejection and skepticism became a normal reaction to my testimony. So, I understand now and expect it as part of the mission. I also know how much it hurts and it’s ok.
My flight to Kentucky from Louisiana went well. I was able to easily feed on the Word, because I knew in my spirit what I was going to come in contact with. I knew of the darkness that awaited me in that old house; the residue of transgression that lingered there. I had thought nothing of it before, but now it was different. My mind would conjure up sights and sounds from my troubled childhood; things my mother and father believed I was ignorant of. And then what I had added to it as a teenager, my occult practices and belief in the gods, only increased the energy comfortably dwelling in the shadows.
My intent was different now. Darkness had no hold on me any longer. I was no longer a prisoner to unforgiveness and hate. The occult and paganism no longer deceived me. I had been cleaned up and wore new spiritual garments. I did not return to fight or seek conflict, but I knew that the possibility for a battle existed. I knew that the present darkness was not going to recognize me as one of their own, but rather as a child of the King. The Spirit of God was never welcome in that house. However, a Son of the most high was coming to visit and I was not going to tolerate their presence.
When I arrived at the household, I let my dad go in before me. I said, “give me a moment dad”. I did not express to my father what I felt, but it was like a heaviness at the doorway. I didn’t want to weird out my dad or anything. So, I treated it with casual concern. He could see that I was a different man and was actually pretty happy about it. However, he had his doubts about why I had changed. My father is a very critical man; he has his reasons. He is quick to cry foul on something or point out hypocrisies. However, I was not concerned about any of that this time. Regardless of his doubts or lack of enthusiasm, I truly was a changed person and he could see it.
Before I stepped into the house and crossed over the threshold, I began to pray, “Heavenly Father, in the name of your most beloved Son, my Master. I give you praise, honor, and glory this day. Father, I know you know about this house and all the things that are in it. Help me, Father, to walk in your authority and power. May no harm come to any who dwell here. In Jesus name, Amen”. I then began to speak with boldness, “I carry the Spirit of God within me. I am the temple of the Holy Spirit. I serve the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Where I go He goes! You cannot be in His presence. You have no power or authority here while I am here. I rebuke you and command you to flee, In Jesus name”!
That was the first time I had actually done it this way. I knew I was probably stirring up a hornet’s nest, but I believed in the authority that I had as a believer and worker in the Kingdom of God. I visited for a bit and made my way back to my old room where I used to spend many hours. As soon as I crossed the threshold into my room, the door slams loudly behind me. If you understood the anatomy of this house, you would know that doors do not slam shut. After slamming shut I heard this faint, but very clear “growl”. I am not going to lie, it startled me, but I immediately rebuked whatever it was and stood on my authority. I opened the door and said, “I want the door open and it will stay open”.
As the day went on, nothing more happened. I walked around the house and in all of the bedrooms to include the basement. I felt nothing odd in the house; nothing that would indicate a presence of any kind. The day actually went very well. My father and I spent hours catching up on the goings on in life. It was a really nice visit so far. There seemed to be a feeling of peace as we spoke and laughed about life. Then I felt as if I needed to rest a bit; ready myself for some more visiting. My mind could not have been clearer.
Instead of resting in my old bedroom, I decided to relax on my dad’s bed. It was still light outside. I closed my eyes and began to drift when I suddenly felt that something was not right. I was struggling to breath and my chest felt heavy. My throat felt as if it were closing and being restricted. I quickly opened my eyes and found myself staring into the eyes of a vile presence. My heart began to race and pound heavily. This was not a dream like the times before. This was happening in the waking hours of the day. It was straddled over me and I could feel its weight pressing against my chest. I was under attack and could not move a muscle.
It was reddish-brown in color with yellow eyes. This was really happening! It had its hands around my throat and I couldn't fight back. I was being choked and couldn't breathe. And though it was a struggle to do so, I managed to whisper "Jesus" and its grasp reluctantly released enough in order for me to speak a little louder. I said, "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus, you have no power or authority here"! It immediately released its grip and backed away to the end of the bed. It stood there vibrating strangely and looked at me with surprise. I sat up on the bed and made eye contact with it. Again, I proclaimed, “In the name of Jesus, I rebuke you! You have no authority here”! It began to break up and dissipated like grains of sand into nothing.
Shaken by the experience, almost in tears, I immediately began to praise the glorious name of my Master. Once again, it had been proven to me that there is power in the name of our Messiah. There is an authority that the disciple has that is truly awesome and it all comes from the throne of Heaven. Again, I am so undeserving of His wondrous love. To think that I used to fellowship with darkness and willingly submit to its deception. To think that for most of my life, I walked a path that only meant to lead me to certain destruction. Thank the Father for sending His Son so that I, a hater of all that was holy, could be redeemed and made whole.
I have shared much with you, the reader. This is not at all an exhaustive memoir, but it does tell the tail of a Germanic Heathen rescued from the clutches of deception. It tells of a powerful Creator God who is real and supernatural. With all the many paths to take in life, only one leads to the truth. Truth is not a concept; truth is a person. He has an open invitation to you if you do not know Him.
There is only ONE God. There is only ONE Creator of the Heavens and the Earth; not many creators. There is only ONE cross that matters. There is only ONE sacrifice that matters. There is only ONE way to the truth; true enlightenment. His name is Y’shua/Jesus the Messiah.
Seek Him and you will find Him. Be filled with the Holy Spirit and spread the good news with boldness.
In Messiah.