supernatural--curious

[zhazha]

i am interested in hearing any real experiences you, personally, have had with "the supernatural" (ie spirits, demons, etc.) what you or someone else has done in those situations.

[Gandalf]

Well, as C.S. Lewis points out in Miracles, the very existence of human thought is supernatural, really. Christ's redemption of our soul and the infilling of the Holy Spirit is certainly supernatural. So, everyone here is continuously experiencing the supernatural. But, I suppose you're really asking about miracles, rather than anything that's not merely natural, since any instance in which we impose our will on nature is supernatural.

Either way, for me the answer is yes. Here's one example, the first I specifically remember:

When I was three years old, I came down with the chicken pox. It was a pretty bad case - had blisters inside my mouth, etc. in addition to those covering my body. The neighbor kid had previously had it, a few weeks before, so presumably I contracted it from him. At the time, we lived in Charlotte, NC. My mom was in St. Louis for a wedding or funeral, and it was just my dad and I at home.

My dad hadn't been saved too long at this point - maybe a year. He took me over to the neighbor's since she still had some medicine left from when her son had been sick. We were standing outside on her deck, and she went inside to get the medicine. When she came back out, I asked her if it tasted bad. She (dishonestly) said, "No, it tastes good." Not expecting the foul taste of the medicine, I spat it on the deck as soon as it hit my tongue! (Here's a lesson in being honest with children, if you needed one! :))

My father then took me home, and that evening before putting me to bed, he told me that I could either pray to God that He'd heal me, or go back the next day and take some of the foul tasing medicine. Naturally, I chose the former, and prayed a simple prayer for healing before bed. The next morning when I awoke, there wasn't a spot on me - no blisters, no scars, no sign I'd ever been sick.

That "supernatural" enough for you? :)

[msscarlet82]

Wow. :eek: Works for me!

[Gandalf]

I suspect he was asking about specific encounters with purely supernatural/spiritual beings (as opposed to people, who are jointly natural and supernatural). But, since he just asked about supernatural encounters, not only about encounters with angelic beings, I figured it fit :)

As for demons, the Holy Spirit is more powerful and can deliver people from them - Jesus gave us the authority to cast them out and heal the sick (Matt 18). But, it's not something to walk into without knowing what you're doing - there are plenty of instances in the NT of people trying to cast out demons and failing. Talking to someone who's experienced in deliverance ministry would be wise when dealing with such situations.

[prayercloth sis]

There are several things I would like to share but I feel that they should be done on a private message. Please feel free to contact me if you wish. I do attend a church that believes in deliverance and have been apart of deliverance services and they are real. I can say that you need to be prayed up and right with God if and when you attempt to pray for someone that needs deliverance. Do not turn your back on them, or close your eyes, and always have a prayer partner with you. This is a very serious part of the ministry that some folks do not like to discuss or be apart of. God Bless You.

[Ehud Elijah]

I've had more than my share of experiences with the enemy, which shall remain untold at this point, for several reasons.
I have to agree with Gandalf....unless you know what you are doing, and you are prayed up, in the Word, keeping yourself pure...etc., then directly confronting demonic activity is probably not on God's list of things for you to do that day.
For anyone who reads LOTR, it's like this....Gandalf the Gray and Gandalf the White. Gandalf the White had greater power, authority, and wisdom, and operated on a higher level. That's where you gotta be.

[zhazha]

sorry if i was confusing....yes, i definitely believe that our inneraction with God is supernatural, etc....i was specifically asking for experiences such as miracles (thank you gandalf, really amazing), angels, demons, spirits, aliens, etc. i was just curious, because i know that i have had experiences in my life (multiple) where i, personally, have been tormented by "spirits" and have also been witness to things that were nothing short of a miracle. i know how to confront, when it needs to happen and i know what the scriptures say...i have an intense faith in God. i was just curious to hear some of your stories....that's all.

here's one of mine:
when i was a child, my bedroom was in the unfinished basement (all concrete)of our house. from the time i was in kindergarten through the third grade, we lived in this house. i always asked to sleep with the lamp beside my bed on. and about once a week or so, the light would *click* off--it was a pull chain lamp--and i would be abruptly woken up to something/one that i couldn't see pressing on my body. i couldn't move. and my breath made a really dark heavy noise that hurt my ears, so i wouldn't want to breathe. i would eventually be able to move one arm and when i moved my arm, it sounded like i was slicing through the air and that hurt my ears, as well. this would last about 2-3 minutes. then, out of nowhere, i would be able to move, so i would run to the bottom of the stairs and not be able to run up the stairs, so i would scream at the top of my lungs--my sister's room was right next to the base of the stairs--she would never wake up. the staircase would get even darker than the darkness that was downstairs and the door at the top of the stairs would open--a bright, blinding light would shine down and a dark figure would always walk into the doorway. i would be screaming for my mom, the dark figure would shake it's head and shut the door. after this happened, i could (and did) run up the stairs. so, i would run up to the third floor, where my parents' bedroom was--they would be sound asleep. i would tell them what was happening and they always thought i was having night terrors and would let me sleep with them.

we moved out of that house when i was in the third grade--we moved around quite a bit over the course of the next three years--then, the middle of my sixth grade year, we moved back and back into the same house....and it started to happen again.

one sunday, at church, the pastor was talking about having power over evil spirits and demons, if you have Christ, because he is more powerful than evil and if you call upon him for help and believe, he will help you. he explained a ton of stuff, but, being 12, i took that with me and believed God would help me.

the next time it happened, all i could get out of my mouth was, "God help me!" and it stopped. and, it stopped happening.

anyway...just curious....

oh, btw, gandalf, i am a girl! :D

[Gandalf]

oh, btw, gandalf, i am a girl! :D
Oops - Sorry. I just used the general "he" when typing and forgot to go back and see if I could figure out who the original poster was :)

[zhazha]

Oops - Sorry. I just used the general "he" when typing and forgot to go back and see if I could figure out who the original poster was :)

no worries!! no offense was taken... ;)

[jrmitch]

Just a friendly note of caution.......

Personal experience has taught me that it's easy to develop an unhealthy interest in the Spirit world. Now, hear me well: I'm not saying that's the case here. :) But as you explore this area -especially related to the demonic realm - just be sure that it's something directly led by Gods spirit and not just curiosity. It's also crucial your heart is right w/God; no open rebellion, etc.

See, if you're not in willful obedience w/a healthy walk with Jesus you're begging for trouble. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt (which was actually too small anyway..... :D ) I've had things sit on my chest and attempt to choke me in the middle of the night; I was also once picked up and thrown about 3 feet by something I couldn't see when I attempted to confront the wrong people at the wrong time with the wrong attitude. As a result I went off on a tangent studying demonology and the occult while I was in open rebellion in areas of my walk. The result was a 3 year period where my life was completely turned upside down because critters I'd opened up the door to gained a foothold.

Now, I didn't need to be "exorcised" or "delivered" - I simply needed to begin living a life of submission and obedience. But it was much harder to get to that point because of all the collateral damage I'd brought upon myself. This stuff is very real and powerful, so just proceed w/much prayer and caution.

Peace/Jim ;)

[sirlok]

One year to the day that I asked the Lord into my heart in 1993 I was involved in a really bad accident. I was forced into a head on collision.
while recovering with a broken leg, hand and a lot and I mean a lot of stiches I fell into a deep depresion...I don't know why. Anyway, This huge shadow looking thing jumped into my bedroom through the window. Got on top of me and began to slap me silly. I was caught so off gaurd I didn't even have the time to try to understand what was happening...when seddenly, it jumped off and out the window laughing at me..at that very moment my Mom and Stepdad ran into the room screaming "Get out in Jesus Name!"
Still in shock I turned to my Mom and asked how she knew. She said she had felt there was something evil in my room attacking me and she just knew to call on Jesus.
Now this is just one of my stories. I have many others but I understand that is not the point of this thread..or at least I think I understand. I must say as I walked in the Lord and got grounded in the Word and in Prayer those experiences, whatever they were have gone away....All Glory be to the Lord!!!!!!!!!

[R. Smith]

...not too long after giving my life to the Lord, I had this dream. It may sound funny or stupid, but it has stuck with me. I was floating in the clowds (in my dream), and this Bible came to me. It opened up, and the words In the beginning... came flying out at me. I woke up, and didn't know what to make of it.

-R-

[zhazha]

those are some incredible experiences....and yes, jrmitch, you are definitely right--but, i do have a strong faith in God and i stand firm in my faith. this thread was created so we could share stories of the power of God, whether it was through experiencing a miracle (like gandalf's healing) or dealing with "the darkside"...all glory goes to God and to no one else, for sure! :) and, r.smith, that's not silly at all...

[Godgrl Gomer]

These are awesome stories of the greatness of God. Thankyou all for sharing. It made inspirational reading!!
I have many stories and some of them would sound boring for the Spirit has become part of my daily life- they way the Lord and I communicate would and does astound many, and for those who know me, it is nothing spectacular. haha
I especially like what Gandalf had to say. I am always amazed at how our daily lives, and especially as Christians, are so extrememly supernatural. Although many would not recognise it as so. To simply say a pray of blessing on a person's life does incredible works in the heavenlies. Did you know that even saying Grace at dinner...or giving thanks to God for anything or everything He has given you is Supernatural. For you are acknowledging before all the powers and principalities, angels and humankind - and before God Himself that it is He who is providing for you, that you are thankful and are actually rejecting the idea and lie of Satan that we are responsible for our own provision....
Did that make sense? It was something that God revealled to me when I was a very young Christian. It blew me away and it still does!

[super]

do u mean ghost storys then.....in the middle of the night i was washing my hands and i looked up in the mirror and a white shirt went flying by :eek: :eek: :eek: and nobody was up it was so scary