Practicing the Presence of God

By Evangelist Stephen Piersall

God’s Preservation Ministry,  http://sfprs.org/  

Many of us growing up in school have had the opportunity to “practice” whether it was in sports, homework, etc. Practice makes us much better in doing something. We do many things in our daily lives repeatedly, either at school, work, church, or other activities. It comes right down to it that we are practicing. How much time do you practice with God?

Ouch! Were a few toes stepped on by that comment? C’mon, who practices in churches? The Pastor with his sermon, the choir, and musical director with any band instruments, etc. However, Practicing the Presence of God in your life takes time and work. Are we referring to how often you pray, read your Bible, or tithe, or… NO?!

Practicing the presence of God is an awareness of God that flows through our day the way blood circulates through the body, replacing it with nutrients and oxygen. You need that quiet time each day with God with his conscience that he may be speaking to us. His presence fills our lives, through thoughts, feelings, dreams, activities, and in-between moments.

Practicing God’s presence moves his company beyond church gatherings, before meal graces and study time of the Bible to expand our knowledge of his word. Keeping company with God this way changes tasks such as building familiarity into acts of worship because we know at whose feet, we will sit encircling the rest of our lives. This awareness of God’s presence is a part, of how we delight in God: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4)

If you are interested in continuing this quest, consider yourself an experimenter. As an examiner you are not out to impress anyone or achieve anything difficult, but to explore what it means to enjoy God’s presence. Take it slowly; do not rush for immediate results. This is God’s time; worship him. Reap all the wisdom, discernment, love, forgiveness, giving, etc. that you can. Consider asking God to show you if there are ways you already practice his presence without recognizing it. Perhaps you are sitting at a doctor’s office and just stop and reflect and start to pray for the others around you, the staff, and doctors. Sitting at a red light, and looking around and see other sad faces in other cars, or people walking with their heads down, pray for them all accordingly.

During this past week’s "Spiritual Growth Toolbox” class at church, I learned the following, and I hope you find it of great value to help you to Examine your Presence of God:

1. STILLNESS: Quiet your heart, and listen. In this moment, become present to Jesus.
2. GRATITUDE: Seeing through the lens of thanks, appreciate God’s gifts in each event of the day.
3. REFLECTION: Review your positive and negative feelings. Did you choose Jesus’ way in each situation?
4. JOY & SORROW: Rejoice in a success, or ask forgiveness for sin. If necessary, plan to make amends.
5. HOPE. Move toward expectation. Ask God to shine a light on tomorrow’s path. Resolve to grow.

Imagine what it must have been like for the disciples to ask Jesus to teach them to pray. What motivates you to Practicing the Presence of God in your life?

Actual Amusing Announcements from Church Bulletins

By Stephen Piersall, 

God’s Preservation Ministry http://sfprs.org/

 

• Coming Up—Theological Open House. We discuss thought-provoking topics. Your opinions are hardly welcome.

• All singles are invited to join us Friday at 7 p.m. for the annula Christmas Sing-alone."

• Thursday night – potluck supper. Prayer and medication to follow.

• Remember in prayer the many that are sick of our church and the community.

• For those of you who have children and do not know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

• The rosebud on the altar this morning is to announce the birth of David Alan Belzer, the sin of Rev. and Mrs. Julius Belzer.

• This afternoon there will be a meeting in the south and north ends at the church. Children will be baptized at both ends.

• Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. there will be an ice cream social. All ladies giving milk will please come early.

• Wednesday, the Ladies Liturgy Society will meet. Mrs. Jones will sing "Put Me in My Little Bed" accompanied by the pastor.

• Thursday at 5:00 p.m. there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers Club. All wishing to become little mothers, please see the minister in his study.

• This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs. Lewis to come forward and lay an egg on the altar.

• The service will close with "Little Drops of Water”. One of the women will start quietly, and the rest of the congregation will join in.

• Next Sunday, a special collection will be taken to defray the cost of the new carpet. All those wishing to do something on the new carpet will come forward and get a piece of paper.

• The ladies from the church have cast off clothing of every kind, and they may be seen in the church basement Friday.

• A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.

• At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What Is Hell?" – come early and listen to our choir practice.

• Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. in the recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ the King.

• Miss Charlene Mason sang, "I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.

• "Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands."

• The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water." The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus."

• Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.

• Barbara remains at the hospital and needs blood donors for more transfusions. She is also having trouble sleeping and request's tapes of Pastor Jack's sermons.

• The Rector will preach his farewell message after which the choir will sing "Break Forth into Joy."

• Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. It so ends a friendship that began in their school days.

• Eight new choir robes are currently needed, due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.

• Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles, and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.

• Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person(s) you want remembered.

• The church will host an evening of fine dining, superb entertainment, and gracious hostility.

• The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday morning.

• Low self-esteem  Support Group will meet Thursday. Please use the back door.

• The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7:00 p.m. The Congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.

• Weight Watchers will meet at 7:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use the large double door at the side entrance.

• The outreach committee has enlisted 25 visitors to make calls on people who are not afflicted with any church.

• The Rev. Merriwether spoke briefly, much to the delight to the audience.

• Next Sunday Mrs. Vinson will be a soloist for the morning service. The pastor will then speak on "It's a Terrible Experience."

• The music for today's service was all composed by George Friedrich Handel in celebration of the 300th anniversary of his birth.

• Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.

• The concert held in Fellowship Hall was a great success. Special thanks are due to the minister's daughter, who labored the whole evening at the piano, which as usual fell upon her.

• Today's Sermon: HOW MUCH CAN A MAN DRINK? with hymns from a full choir.

• Pastor is on vacation. Massages can be given to the church secretary.

• Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa, will be speaking tonight at Calvary Methodist. Come hear Bertha Belch all the way from Africa.

• Attend and you will hear an excellent speaker and heave a healthy lunch.

• This evening at 7 pm there will be a hymn sing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.

• Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.

• The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday "I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours."

The Truths about Christians and Ghost Hunting

By Stephen Piersall, 
God's Preservation Ministry, http://sfprs.org/ 

I am submitting this blog I found in my archives and wanted to share it with you. I know you hear a few of us talking bad about ghost (demon) hunting all the time and many do not agree with us, even though we have Biblical proof of being correct. This is another person's point of few and I hope it at least plants a seed of hope that if you do not have Jesus as your LORD and Savior or are a Christian but have backslidden and adapted to the worldly views that it will open your minds and make you rethink your views.

Please visit our new updated web page and subscribe by email to get all our updates and new info...http://sfprs.org/

By Shane Raynor

If you aren't familiar with the phenomenon of ghost hunting, you haven't surfed through your basic cable channel lineup in a few years. Yes, the medium that brought you Jersey Shore and Honey Boo Boo also promotes the paranormal each week with shows like Ghost Hunters, Ghost Adventures, and The Haunted. Be afraid, be very afraid.

I generally take reality shows with a grain of salt, but ghost hunters, also known as paranormal investigators, aren't limited to television. Groups and societies that specialize in investigating paranormal claims are popping up all over the world. There’s probably at least one of them in your city. Some even claim to be Christian-based.

Ghost hunters use technology and fringe science as they attempt to prove or disprove alleged hauntings of houses and other locations. Some also use occult methods and they bring in psychics, mediums, and channelers to assist with their investigations. I’m guessing that real-life ghost hunting is nowhere near as fast-paced and exciting as the reality shows depict it to be. That's because in the real world, there’s no one to edit out all the boring stuff. And some ghost hunters get more than they signed up for. I've heard accounts of people experiencing demonic oppression and/or possession after taking part in paranormal investigations. Stirring up trouble in the spiritual realm is never something that should be taken lightly.

That brings us to the question of whether Christians should even be involved in paranormal research and investigations. Before I attempt to answer that, I’ll go out on a limb and say that some of what we see on paranormal reality shows is probably hokum. A portion of the “evidence” they uncover is likely exaggerated, and some of it could even be manufactured. Some shows are probably more trustworthy than others, but none of them can survive without ratings, and it’s hard to get ratings if something exciting isn't happening on screen.

But assuming that some paranormal events and phenomena are real (and I do), how should Christians respond to it? It depends. I don't think it’s a good idea to go ghost hunting in places like cemeteries or abandoned buildings for the adventure of it. But a Christian’s purpose is connected to the purpose of Jesus Christ: to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). So when there's a situation where someone is being tormented or harassed by a evil entity , I believe Christians have the authority to step in and confront it. For example, if a family is dealing with paranormal activity in their house, and they need help getting rid of it, then that’s fair game. But there’s always some degree of risk when you confront evil, especially if you don't know exactly what you're doing. If you do get involved in any kind of ministry that deals directly with evil, be prepared to pray and learn as much as you can about spiritual warfare.

Some of the methods paranormal investigators use are dangerous. Christians should not be collaborating with psychics or other occult practitioners. And attempting to communicate with the dead in any way, especially to get information or satisfy curiosity should be avoided. Leviticus 19:31 is fairly plain: "Do not resort to dead spirits or inquire of spirits of divination—you will be made unclean by them; I am the Lord your God" (CEB). Deuteronomy 18:10-12 puts it this way:

There must not be anyone among you who passes his son or daughter through fire; who practices divination, is a sign reader, fortune-teller, sorcerer, or spell caster; who converses with ghosts or spirits or communicates with the dead. All who do these things are detestable to the Lord! (Deuteronomy 18:10-12 CEB) There are good reasons for these warnings, one being that attempts to consult the dead could open the door to powerful demonic activity.

Ghost hunters often use technological tools to help them with their investigations, but some of these methods seem to me to be little more than high tech séances and Ouija boards. EVP (electronic voice phenomena) recorders, ghost/spirit boxes (modified radios that allegedly can be manipulated by spirits), and electronic speech synthesis devices like the Ovilus should be avoided by Christians. EMF (electromagnetic field) meters probably aren't an issue, provided they aren't used to gain information from spirits.

There may be a place for Christians in the world of paranormal investigation, but no one should get involved just for the thrill of it. Many of us will likely encounter the supernatural, both good and evil, at various points in our lives, but our fascination with it should be grounded in who we are in Christ. In Luke 10, Jesus had this to say to the 72 followers he’d sent out who came back with their minds blown because demons had actually submitted to them:

I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Look, I have given you authority to crush snakes and scorpions underfoot. I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, don't rejoice because the spirits submit to you. Rejoice instead that your names are written in heaven (Luke 10:18-20 CEB).

The spiritual war between good and evil is real, but getting actively involved with it just for the thrill factor or the entertainment value is never a good idea.

Actual Announcements from Church Bulletins

By Stephen Piersall, 

God’s Preservation Ministry http://sfprs.org/

 

• Coming Up—Theological Open House. We discuss thought-provoking topics. Your opinions are hardly welcome.

• All singles are invited to join us Friday at 7 p.m. for the annula Christmas Sing-alone."

• Thursday night – potluck supper. Prayer and medication to follow.

• Remember in prayer the many that are sick of our church and the community.

• For those of you who have children and do not know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

• The rosebud on the altar this morning is to announce the birth of David Alan Belzer, the sin of Rev. and Mrs. Julius Belzer.

• This afternoon there will be a meeting in the south and north ends at the church. Children will be baptized at both ends.

• Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. there will be an ice cream social. All ladies giving milk will please come early.

• Wednesday, the Ladies Liturgy Society will meet. Mrs. Jones will sing "Put Me in My Little Bed" accompanied by the pastor.

• Thursday at 5:00 p.m. there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers Club. All wishing to become little mothers, please see the minister in his study.

• This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs. Lewis to come forward and lay an egg on the altar.

• The service will close with "Little Drops of Water”. One of the women will start quietly, and the rest of the congregation will join in.

• Next Sunday, a special collection will be taken to defray the cost of the new carpet. All those wishing to do something on the new carpet will come forward and get a piece of paper.

• The ladies from the church have cast off clothing of every kind, and they may be seen in the church basement Friday.

• A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.

• At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What Is Hell?" – come early and listen to our choir practice.

• Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. in the recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ the King.

• Miss Charlene Mason sang, "I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.

• "Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands."

• The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water." The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus."

• Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.

• Barbara remains at the hospital and needs blood donors for more transfusions. She is also having trouble sleeping and request's tapes of Pastor Jack's sermons.

• The Rector will preach his farewell message after which the choir will sing "Break Forth into Joy."

• Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. It so ends a friendship that began in their school days.

• Eight new choir robes are currently needed, due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.

• Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles, and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.

• Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person(s) you want remembered.

• The church will host an evening of fine dining, superb entertainment, and gracious hostility.

• The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday morning.

• Low self-esteem  Support Group will meet Thursday. Please use the back door.

• The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7:00 p.m. The Congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.

• Weight Watchers will meet at 7:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use the large double door at the side entrance.

• The outreach committee has enlisted 25 visitors to make calls on people who are not afflicted with any church.

• The Rev. Merriwether spoke briefly, much to the delight to the audience.

• Next Sunday Mrs. Vinson will be a soloist for the morning service. The pastor will then speak on "It's a Terrible Experience."

• The music for today's service was all composed by George Friedrich Handel in celebration of the 300th anniversary of his birth.

• Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.

• The concert held in Fellowship Hall was a great success. Special thanks are due to the minister's daughter, who labored the whole evening at the piano, which as usual fell upon her.

• Today's Sermon: HOW MUCH CAN A MAN DRINK? with hymns from a full choir.

• Pastor is on vacation. Massages can be given to the church secretary.

• Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa, will be speaking tonight at Calvary Methodist. Come hear Bertha Belch all the way from Africa.

• Attend and you will hear an excellent speaker and heave a healthy lunch.

• This evening at 7 pm there will be a hymn sing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.

• Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.

• The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday "I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours."

Ten Things Not To Like About Christians

By Stephen Piersall, God’s Preservation Ministry 

http://sfprs.org/   ß----------Subscribe by email to get all posts and updates.

We read and hear the comments about those of us that do a lot of preaching, sharing, and renouncing all the paranormal activities that many are involved with especially the media. As for the mature Christians who read this and accept it as food for the Holy Spirit within us that is great. Those that are Christians but perhaps “back-slidden" with their faith, get pretty aggravated with our attempts to bring them back closer with God. Those that have NOT accepted Jesus into their lives will lash out with calling us shameful names, posting negative comments behind the safety of their computers and think all is right to their lives.

Why do we buy car insurance if we never plan to get into an accident? Sure you can agree that would be a great deal of $’s in our pockets as usable income. Whether the law says we have to buy insurance or not is irrelevant, since the first thing we are thankful for when we get involved in an auto accident is gladness that you won't have to pay a large sum of money to fix or buy a new car. Have you invested life for your future? This is not rot referring to a retirement plan or an investment in the stock market, but speaking about your future beyond death. 

Whether you want to believe it or not there are a Heaven and Hell, and when we die, we stand and bow before Jesus, and we have our life reviewed, it comes down to whether you have already accepted Jesus or not. No, you cannot pray someone out of purgatory, or cross over an earthbound spirit. Why would that be? Because there is no such thing, and without salvation through Jesus, you will have a future in Hell. On the other hand, if you still choose in the paranormal, you can be one of those fictitious ghosts. Send us an EVP instead of an email if you want to sign up for updates on our website.

Let us share something that may change your mind or give you something to think about regarding your future beyond the grave. The top ten things not to like about Christians is an opinion only. Do Christians act more like Christ than the Pharisees do? If the shoe fits, then maybe you need to make some changes to your Christian lifestyle:

10. The self-righteous argue over which edition of the Bible is holier. Are any of these (KJV, NKJV, NIV, and NASB) versions really 100% correct? Growing up many years ago there was only the KJV, but we need to keep in mind, we no longer speak like the days of Shakespeare. If you really want to study the Bible, then we have to go back to Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. If these newer translations help someone understand God’s word, and we win souls…Amen!

9. Why must we bash other religions and denominations? We are to bring people to God not to religions and denominations. We do not have to agree with what another person feels as comfortable to attending their church as it is for them to think the same about us. The Bible is CLEAR that his bride is the church; He did not say any particular denomination. Wait until you stand before Jesus and defend your viewpoint of condemning his bride!

8. People who follow God’s rules are better than those who do not. We should stand against those who oppose Christian values and feel grateful to be a Christian when we see other people’s failures and flaws. We should see God-given value in people, regardless of their past or present conditions. God is for everyone, and in fact; God works in people’s lives, even when they are not following him. We need to demonstrate love and compassion just as Jesus showed us by his example. How much time do you personally spend time with non-believers to help them follow Jesus?

7. Those that go buy fancy cars, clothes, homes, etc. and then when the collection plate comes around in church, we pull a few dollars out of our selfish wallets and feel good about ourselves. Jesus said, “Give back to Caesar. What is Caesar’s, and to God? What is God’s”. Tithing is giving to God your 10% right off the top of your income, and that is the amount before taxes too. We all feel the economic pinch, but for our churches to exist and prosper, we must give of all our resources, money, time, community, etc.

6. Do you remember the TV show “Leave it to Beaver”? Did you ever notice that the parents never went to the boy’s activities, with school sports or attending church? Sure, they would go to Beaver’s school, but that was when he got into trouble. By not attending church as a family and getting involved except on holidays sends a message to our children. You decide if it is a good or bad choice as a parental role model.

5. Bullying is in the news more and more and is becoming frightful. Look in the mirror, when you decide to bash a well-known pastor because you do not believe in their interpretation of Theology. Do you see a bully? Why are you not praying for them as Jesus taught? We are to pray for; those who have not accepted Jesus, those that have hurt us, and those that are backslidden. Who shall cast the first stone?

4. People who say they will pray for you and never do. Listen to others to learn their story. In fact, try to discover the needs of non-Christians rather than waiting for them to come to you. We should be praying ceaselessly. Start your day and end your day in prayer. Talk to God throughout your day, and give thanks for all the good things into your life. Do not be selfish in prayer. Pray for others before your needs.

3. Why must people attend church have to wear high $ fashions (women showing their cleavage), and have all their gold jewelry on display? Our Church has a come, as you are approach. It is not a good idea to put on a false front of your possessions or even your knowledge and experience. We need to be more humble and contribute to our churches and communities without attracting attention to ourselves. Do not let PRIDE or SELF-ENTITLEMENT get over the way of demonstrating your Christian walk.

2. People who proclaim they are mature Christians based on years attending church, but do not do anything except show up on Sunday mornings. Last weekend while at church, there were plenty of seats and pews and did not need any more deadwood just be sitting around. Read your Bible, pray daily and volunteer when opportunity is there. The more involved you become in the local church you will enjoy the fellowship of other believers, as well as get a chance to help in your community. Just remember you reap what you sow.

Lastly, the number-one reason of things not to like about Christians is…

1. Those that know better but still go out and do ghost hunting and believing in earthbound spirits, etc. Wake up and smell the new-age cologne you are wearing. When in doubt read Deuteronomy 18, and you will see that you are committing sins. Beware of false prophets and know Satan and his demons are masters of disguise. Have you ever been tricked by a salesperson to buy a different car than the one wanted? Do NOT get tricked into believing your future is full of rewards and find out you're stuck in Hell tormented forever! 

Practicing the Presence of God

By Stephen Piersall, God’s Preservation Ministry,  http://sfprs.org/  

Many of us growing up in school have had the opportunity to “practice” whether it was in sports, homework, etc. Practice makes us much better in doing something. We do many things in our daily lives repeatedly, either at school, work, church, or other activities. It comes right down to it that we are practicing. How much time do you practice with God?

Ouch! Were a few toes stepped on by that comment? C’mon, who practices in churches? The Pastor with his sermon, the choir, and musical director with any band instruments, etc. However, Practicing the Presence of God in your life takes time and work. Are we referring to how often you pray, read your Bible, or tithe, or… NO?!

Practicing the presence of God is an awareness of God that flows through our day the way blood circulates through the body, replacing it with nutrients and oxygen. You need that quiet time each day with God with his conscience that he may be speaking to us. His presence fills our lives, through thoughts, feelings, dreams, activities, and in-between moments.

Practicing God’s presence moves his company beyond church gatherings, before meal graces and study time of the Bible to expand our knowledge of his word. Keeping company with God this way changes tasks such as building familiarity into acts of worship because we know at whose feet, we will sit encircling the rest of our lives. This awareness of God’s presence is a part, of how we delight in God: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4)

If you are interested in continuing this quest, consider yourself an experimenter. As an examiner you are not out to impress anyone or achieve anything difficult, but to explore what it means to enjoy God’s presence. Take it slowly; do not rush for immediate results. This is God’s time; worship him. Reap all the wisdom, discernment, love, forgiveness, giving, etc. that you can. Consider asking God to show you if there are ways you already practice his presence without recognizing it. Perhaps you are sitting at a doctor’s office and just stop and reflect and start to pray for the others around you, the staff, and doctors. Sitting at a red light, and looking around and see other sad faces in other cars, or people walking with their heads down, pray for them all accordingly.

During this past week’s "Spiritual Growth Toolbox” class at church, I learned the following, and I hope you find it of great value to help you to Examine your Presence of God:

1. STILLNESS: Quiet your heart, and listen. In this moment, become present to Jesus.
2. GRATITUDE: Seeing through the lens of thanks, appreciate God’s gifts in each event of the day.
3. REFLECTION: Review your positive and negative feelings. Did you choose Jesus’ way in each situation?
4. JOY & SORROW: Rejoice in a success, or ask forgiveness for sin. If necessary, plan to make amends.
5. HOPE. Move toward expectation. Ask God to shine a light on tomorrow’s path. Resolve to grow.

Imagine what it must have been like for the disciples to ask Jesus to teach them to pray. What motivates you to Practicing the Presence of God in your life?

Personal Care: After the Deliverance

By Stephen Piersall,

God’s Preservation Ministry http://sfprs.org/       

I am sure many of you will agree with me after completing deliverance on someone, you might be exhausted. Keep in mind too, that this is NOT going in and doing a Cleansing or a Blessing. There are and SHOULD be many hours of preparation for you and whomever goes with you in research; interviewing, reviewing questionnaire answers, doing a walk-through, fasting, Bible study, and prayer. Effectively ministering to the client, you should also be doing follow up to ensure they are; attending a local church, reading their Bible, etc. MANY levels of clergy, demonologists, exorcists, deliverance personnel that perform some sort of deliverance will end it right after they walk out the door. Follow-up with the client in Christian counseling is just as important if not more! (1 Kings 19:5-7) He lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and behold, there was an angel touching him, and he said to him, "Arise, eat." Then he looked and behold, there was at his head a bread cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. The angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, "Arise, eat, because the journey is too great for you."

The impact of deliverance affects every part of you and here are some examples of what to do and how you might feel:

Just remember we cope in diverse ways

Body is tired, no energy, eat a good meal to include plenty of protein to rebuild the body.

You may feel defiled, and unclean. Take a long warm relaxing shower or bath

Soul may feel empty, drained and vulnerable, variety of emotions, weepy, depressed, negative, discouraged; loss of desire for ministry, an attraction to fleshly things

Want to be away from people.

You may experience emotional pain, grief, and emptiness.

You may experience backlash or reaction from spirits or occult.

Your spirit needs to be refreshed and restored:

You need to learn how to refresh your own soul; do something you enjoy that takes little effort, go out for a walk in nature, fishing, swimming, etc.?

Play worship music continually.

Have time alone in the Word of God

Receive ministry by friends or intercessors

Have a good restful nap and most importantly get a good night’s sleep.

Stay hydrated

Read (Psalm 23:2-3) “He restores my soul”

Follow-up care for the client (things that come to mind):

Ministry in deliverance is often progressive. One visit may not be enough; in fact, more issues may emerge.

Notify Pastor of the Church they will be attending so follow up can take place.

Contact the person to find out how they are doing, do they need support or counsel?

Teach the person how to maintain their freedom, and how to deal with old thoughts, ideas, mannerisms, and habits

Seek medical/mental assistance as needed.

Develop a strong consistent prayer life, as a minimum first thing in the morning and before going to bed at night (1 Thess 5:17; Eph 6:10-17)

Read, believe and live by the Word of God (Matthew 4:4; 1 Thess 2:13)

Praise God in all circumstances (good and bad) and expect his blessings (Isaiah 61:3; 1 Thess 5:18)

Join a local church, get involved, and cultivate good Christian relationships (Heb10:24-25)

Make forgiveness a way of life (Matt 6:14-16)

Be alert for, and resist spiritual attacks (1 Pet 5:7-9)

The devil will try to come back and invade their lives. Submit to God, Resist evil, and draw near to God (James 4:6-8) “God gives grace to the humble”

Cultivate discipline and self-control (Matt 28:19)

Separate yourself from objects, places and relationships those are catalysts for sin or spiritual bondage (Rom 13:14; Acts 19:19)

Cultivate respectful attitudes to authorities in your life

Watch over your relationships; avoid those that draw you away from God’s plan.