“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18

I was in prayer for the content of this month’s Newsletter and heard the word’s “Duped to Dope.” The Lord and I do have serious moments, but this phrase was different from any other. It got my attention. I pulled out my dependable Webster Dictionary and looked up the word “dupe” which read, “one that is easily deceived; a fool.” I continued in my dialogue with Him about what was on His heart.
 
There is a considerable level of deception in society, as well as, the Church concerning alcohol, marijuana, pain medications, anti-depressants, etc... notice the word “deception” (the act of deceiving.) This is Satan's greatest strategy against humanity. If a person is deceived, then one can never experience the truth that liberates. John 8:32 says, “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Truth is meant to be experienced. One needs only to observe the past twenty years to see how skillful Satan has been in lulling (causing someone to fall asleep) society and the Church into a pacific state of compromise. It comes as no surprise for our society and government to be “duped,” but for the Church– it’s heresy.
 
The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 3:10, “God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display His wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.” The Apostle was influenced by the Holy Spirit when he penned the prophetic picture of the Church demonstrating strategic insight into  the schemes of  fallen angels, for the purpose of imposing the victory already won through Calvary (Col. 2:15). These “rulers and authorities” (fallen angels) have been assigned by Satan to deceive the nations and bring them into bondage (Rev. 18:23). The Church has been given the gifts of the Holy Spirit to frustrate and punish the demonic realm. Praise God there are Light Houses that are drawing the sinner to come and be reconciled to God, which allows restoration to begin. These Churches are training people to love, heal and deliver like Jesus did (Jn. 14:12), but there must be a great awakening and a deeper sense of unity within the Body of Christ to reap the great soul harvest. “He said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.’”  Matthew 9:37-38.
 
In 24 years of ministry I have both, beheld the regression of society into a cesspool of inequity, as well as, observed the response of the Church. The majority of the Church does little to confront the strongman behind the strategy to deceive in order to destroy. It is then left to the faithful minority to confront the hoards of hell, riding the wave of iniquity to drown humanity in sin. The enemy intends to divide the Church in order to minimize our effectiveness. The Church has to regain the effectiveness it had in the book of Acts. “Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women. As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed.” Acts 5:14-16.
 
The Church is responsible for the welfare of the people. It is through the anointed teaching of The Word of God that the hearer develops faith to heal (Rom. 10:17, Ps. 107:20, Prov. 4:20-22). I am a witness of the transforming power of God’s Word. Early in my childhood, fear and anxiety became a part of my emotions. Later in my teenage years I experimented with illegal drugs during the “hippie movement.” That culture was using rebellion as an excuse to use drugs, I used the drugs to medicate myself, and in doing so hid all my insecurities. Little did I know that later on in life I would reap the devastating effects of its design. It was God’s mercy that drew me out, revealed the plan of the devil and exposed his tactics to destroy. The word pharmacy comes from the Greek word “pharmakeia” which means, sorcery; enchantment, witchcraft, mojo, and necromancy (conversations with the dead). It is vital to realize the devil uses his wizardry to cast spells upon the ignorant. Only God can save us from a superior intellect who uses psychological warfare to enslave its victim. *It’s important to understand that I do endorse doctors prescribing medicine for proper uses such as: bringing healing, and alleviating pain and suffering. I’m simply informing the readers of how Satan can use this for his advantage, to numb the senses in order to deceive.
 
I, along with many others, have been set free and delivered from the bondage of addiction. I know this to be true and my experience qualifies me to inform. Here are instructions to all who are affected: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8. With our great salvation comes the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We have been given the most powerful person in all the heavens and earth-“The Third Person of The God Head.” He brings us new life through regeneration (born from above). He reveals the Holy Scriptures to us in order for us to prosper in every area of life (Is. 55:10-11, Jn. 14:26). The Holy Spirit is available to every believer, to transform us into the powerful entity He intended, His Church. We no longer have to be slaves to sin, or be seduced into medicating our senses. The Lord has given us the cup to drink from that satisfies the thirst of the soul in the pilgrimage of life. He is The Holy Spirit, The Fountain of Life! “With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation!” Isaiah 12:3. Amen, I will drink to that!