A couple of weeks back, I once again had the privilege of being a speaker at Beaver Creek Bible Camp. Nestled along the shore of Lake Winnipeg, the camp draws kids from the surrounding area, as well as others from Winnipeg and even as far south as Steinbach (where I live). Each camper comes with their own unique set of needs. I would like to share my encounter with one camper to show that King Jesus still has power over demons.
The Encounter
The theme this year at Beaver Creek was “There is More!” The intent was to help the campers see that in Christ there is more love, faith, freedom, power, and fullness than they ever dreamed of. The camp asked me to address one of these themes each night, then provide more teaching on it the next morning. I was more than happy to comply.
On Wednesday evening I shared on the topic of freedom. I told the story of Jesus’ encounter with the madman of Gadara. I assured the campers that no matter how deep seated their problems were, Jesus Christ had the power and authority to set them free.
After the message, we made it available for the campers to receive prayer for freedom if they so desired. I had prayed for a couple of kids when one shy little camper caught my attention. In the midst of a lot of tears the story finally came out that they were tormented at night by really frightening nightmares. I didn’t know this at the time, but this camper had already shared with one of their cabin leaders how they felt a dark presence around them all the time. That could mean only one thing.
Demons.
I absolutely hate demons. They defile and destroy everything they come in contact with. Fortunately, I also know that Jesus Christ has absolute authority over the demonic world.
One of the camp directors and I laid hands on this camper and began to pray. In the Name of Jesus I commanded the demonic powers to be broken over this young person’s life, and to leave them and never return.
The Result
After we had finished praying, I asked the camper if they felt anything happening while we prayed. Through a lot more tears they shared that they had felt something, and that it had felt good. I asked them to find me the next day and tell me how they had slept.
The next day I heard from the campers cabin leader. The camper had said they felt like a completely different person. I spoke with the camper at breakfast and they shared how they had not trouble sleeping. The story was the same a couple of days later.
We could sum it up like this:
THERE IS FREEDOM IN JESUS CHRIST, AND JESUS SET THEM FREE! HALLELUJAH!!
Authorization
Look at what Jesus said to the Seventy missionaries who returned with the report that even the demons had to obey them when they spoke to them in His Name.
“See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you.” Luke 10:19 NRSV
Snakes and scorpions are metaphors for demonic entities. Treading on them means exercising dominion over them. Jesus had given the missionaries divine authorization to break the power of evil over people’s lives. I fully believe this authorization is still extended to the King’s subjects to this day. I believe we can still trample on serpents. I am so glad it proved to be true in the life of this camper. They indeed found that there is always more with Jesus. It’s all a part of living in the Reign.
M
Filed under: Ministry, Reports
