Dear friends:

This week I was reading a book by Bruce D. Allen, "Gazing Into Glory," which described a pastor in Australia who had a son who loved studying history in high school.  He became fascinated with WW2 and Adolph Hitler.  In fact, Hitler became an obsession with him, so much so that he obtained a big poster of Hitler and put it in his room.

His admiration evolved into idolatry and he would spend time gazing at the picture in his room.

One Sunday he went to church and everyone noticed that he was different.  His demeanor had changed.  His clothes were different.  His attitude had changed, and he had shaved off all his hair.

During the message, he stood and walked toward the pastor, cursing in fluent German, although he had never learned German.

The pastor had the presence of mind to say, "I bind that thing in the name of Jesus.  Now speak to me in English.  Who are you?"

He replied, "I am one of the 6,000 demons who were in Adolf Hitler."  (This spirit, this other person in him, was speaking through him.)

That day the church had a deliverance service and cast the legion of demons out of the boy.

The author explains that with the boy's obsession with Hitler, he became transfixed on him.  What he focused on, he connected with, and activation took place.

The author explains, "What we focus on, we will connect with.  Get that in your heart.  Whatever you focus on, something is going to be imparted, and activation takes place.  Why not focus on God?  'Set your affection on things above' (Colossians 3:2)."

Coincidentally, I know of a young college couple who also became obsessed with Adolf Hitler.  The young woman began to act in a demonic manner and soon destroyed the marriage.  The husband, who was once on fire for God and ministry, lost his zeal, succumbed to liberal interpretations of the Bible, and at best became lukewarm and ineffective in his faith.

"Set your affection on things above."  Connect with God.  There is no other way to true peace and life.

Jim