Speak Life! '...Because of what you said, your child is free!'

An attack that the devil brings against children of God is an attack against your REST.
Rest is not inactivity,  it is living in a state of peace of mind, knowing that we are under the Protection of God and have access to His Provision. Often the thing that hinders rest is the lack of understanding of our identity.

Did you know, that by what you confess, by the words you declare in faith, about yourself, about who you are and who God has called you to be, you can access God's power and have victory over the areas that the devil has brought against you or your children.

There is an awesome story in the Bible that gives us an example of this. Remember that every story in the Bible is a testimony to you and I of how Almighty God deals with man. It is a history of God's interactions but often gives us examples and patterns to follow.

  Mark 7:25...a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.

A few facts that stand out to me are:

1. Little Children can become possessed by demon spirits.
2. We don't know what the demon was
3. We don't know how or why the demon got there?
4. Parents have a responsibility to seek deliverance on behalf of their kids.

This woman came to Jesus begging him for his help. Lets quickly define the obvious. What do we call it when a person goes to Jesus, talks to Jesus, and Jesus who is God, responds back? We call that Prayer!

How interesting it would be to look back on the gospels and see some of the conversations that people had with Jesus not just as conversations but as prayers...

This is how Jesus answers her:

27 “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “...for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” 28 “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 Then he told her, “For such a reply (because of what you said), you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone!

Again we know the little girl was possessed by a demon, we don't know the demons name or how it got there, the mom comes to Jesus and prays to him for deliverance for her daughter.

In her conversation with Jesus she says a statement of faith! She declares that she knows she is unworthy in her own mind but she believes that she also has access to the blessings of God that fall from His table. I just need a crumb of bread. In this simple response... a declaration of identity; JESUS I HAVE ACCESS, I HAVE THE RIGHT TO RECIEVE FROM YOU, EVEN SOMETHING SMALL. I HAVE ACCESS TO A CRUMB!!! For this statement of hers, the demon was cast out, and rest came to the little girl where there was once torment! There was no negotiating with the devil, no need to get into a dramatic standoff with the demonic. (At times that happens in the gospels and still happens today)

This is such an encouraging story. If a family member or a loved one is going through an oppression or a demonic attack, we need to bring that need to Jesus and declare the access that we have to His Power & Provision. The victory over the demonic is not about our qualification but it is about the power that you have access to. Today bring your child's needs to Jesus. Declare who you are and declare who He is. That enemy that has tried to steal your REST will be cast out!

The 2014 High School Student & The 2014 Church

About a year ago, in preparation for this new phase of life: marriage, new house etc, I got a secular job.

 Along with all the ministry and traveling that I was doing, I got a secular job where I was interacting and tutoring Public High School & College age students. Often it was one-on-one or in a group setting of 2-3 students. Occasionally I would complain about why God had me in that position not understanding that He is the one that opens and closes doors.  I was reminded about something my late father often said: 'Never be afraid to work hard, the only thing to be ashamed of is if you are a thief. I never imagined myself doing any kind of secular work but truly this was one of the greatest advantages that I believe I have now in ministry. I have a years experience interacting with secular, modern youth in a neutral setting.

I wish that I could introduce you to Amanda, Kristen, Carlos, Blake, Brian, Andrew, Britney and many of the 500+ students that I have tutored. Through the experience of teaching in a public context, I have met the 2014 Modern High-School Student, up close and personal. One thing that has been encouraging is about 80% of the time in the middle of our 1 or 2 hour sessions, something always came up about God.

Today's High School Student is not as close minded or agnostic as we think of the subject of God, Faith or Religion. In fact I have seen most kids today are very open to hearing and even instantly changing their opinions based on EVIDENCE that can be presented to them no matter what the subject, be it faith, morality, human sexuality, abortion or any of the controversial issues facing society.

Today's High School student studies and interacts in an atmosphere where Sexuality is common place. Based on conversations that I have had, at least 100% of all high school students know at least 1 or more 15-16 year old that is pregnant. I don't have official statistics but based on my conversations, the virgin is outnumbered  and is in a very small minority. Bi-sexual and same sex relationships are much more common today than at any other time.

Technology is so important to this age group. They are at the cutting age of what is recent and popular. What they do today with technology, the apps they use to communicate with, are what their parents will be using in 2-3 years. Recently I was at a wedding and at least 20 adults over the age of 60 came up to me and told me that they follow me on Facebook. High School students don't use Facebook as they used to. Maybe they don't use it because all of their parents and grandparents are on it now.
Instagram, Twitter, Snap-chat and other such sites are more popular for them. Smaller updates, more visually driven and temporary.

My question to church leaders, Pastors and committees and board members is this:
What are you doing to reach this generation? How are you strategically planning to reach their hearts and minds? Is relevance an issue when you are selecting a man or woman to lead your youth? Is what qualifies your youth Pastor a Bible College degree that they got 15 years ago in a foreign country?
Do your youth relate to him/her? What experiences do your leaders have that qualify them to reach your youth? An important lesson that I have learned is that it is so important to know who you are ministering to. The youth that you see at youth group or in church on Sunday mornings is not necessarily the same young person on Monday through Friday. Many have a church identity and a school identity. It is useless to try to minister to their church worldview and that ministry not impact who they are at school. I encourage Youth Leaders, Pastors and parents to go to your kids schools, have lunch in their cafeteria, walk the hallways in between class. I guarantee that you will be challenged to minister with greater Relevance to the 2014 High School Student.

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; Proverbs 27:23