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David Wilkerson

David Wilkerson (1931 - 2011). American Pentecostal pastor, evangelist, and author born in Hammond, Indiana. Raised in a family of preachers, he was baptized with the Holy Spirit at eight and began preaching at 14. Ordained in 1952 after studying at Central Bible College, he pastored small churches in Pennsylvania. In 1958, moved by a Life Magazine article about New York gang violence, he started a street ministry, founding Teen Challenge to help addicts and troubled youth. His book "The Cross and the Switchblade," co-authored in 1962, became a bestseller, chronicling his work with gang members like Nicky Cruz. In 1987, he founded Times Square Church in New York City, serving a diverse congregation until his death. Wilkerson wrote over 30 books, including "The Vision," and was known for bold prophecies and a focus on holiness. Married to Gwen since 1953, they had four children. He died in a car accident in Texas. His ministry emphasized compassion for the lost and reliance on God. Wilkerson’s work transformed countless lives globally. His legacy endures through Teen Challenge and Times Square Church.
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David Wilkerson emphasizes that while walking in the Spirit may invite harassment from demonic powers, believers should not be intimidated by these forces. He illustrates this through the Apostle Paul, who, filled with the Holy Ghost, confronted and overcame demonic opposition, demonstrating that believers have the authority to command demons to flee in Jesus' name. Wilkerson encourages Christians to rise above their circumstances, praising God even in trials, as true deliverance comes from faith and worship. He reminds us that even in the face of adversity, God can perform miraculous deliverance, just as He did for Paul and Silas in prison.
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Never Being Intimidated
If you walk in the Spirit, you will constantly be harassed by demonic powers. But you do not have to be intimidated by any demon power—anywhere, at any time! Paul was continually harassed by demonic powers. He was preaching on the isle of Paphos when demons attempted to interfere: “…a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus…withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith” (Acts 13:6–8). Barjesus means “son of Jesus” or “angel of light.” This was the devil standing up against Paul! But the Holy Ghost welled up inside of the apostle: “Then Saul…filled with the Holy Ghost…said…thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord” (Acts 13:9–12). Paul, “filled with the Holy Ghost,” brought down all the powers of darkness! It is not enough to be grieved by the attempts of Satan to harass you! In Acts 16 Paul was grieved—meaning “disturbed, troubled.” He allowed it for many days, but the Spirit of God welled up in Paul, and he said to the demon power, “That’s it—that’s enough! In the name of Jesus, be gone!” (See Acts 16:16–18.) Beloved, we take too much from the devil! There comes a time when we, too, must stand up in the power of the Holy Ghost and say, “Enough—that’s it, I command you in Jesus’ name to go!” When you take authority and command devils to flee, Satan will come at you with everything in his arsenal. Just after Paul had cast the demons out of the possessed girl in Acts 16:16–18, Satan started stirring things up. He enflamed the crowd against Paul and Silas—and suddenly they were in a terrible crisis! The city magistrates had them whipped and cast into prison. And with every stripe on their backs, I can hear the devil saying, “So you think you’ve won the victory? You think you’re going to cast out my demons and take authority over me?” The devil didn’t seem to know that the more you whip a servant of God who walks in the Spirit, the more praise you whip up from him! If you throw him in a crisis, tie him up with problems and troubles, he’ll sing, shout and worship! “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them” (Acts 16:25). If we are to walk in the Spirit, then we must believe God for supernatural deliverance from every bondage of Satan. It doesn’t matter if God has to create an earthquake to do it. That is exactly what he did for Paul: “And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed” (v. 26). Satan will try to bring upon you the most dreadful temptation or trial you have ever faced. He wants you to get bogged down in guilt, condemnation, self-examination. Dear saint, you have to arise in the Spirit and get your eyes off your circumstances and bondage. Don’t try to figure it all out. Start praising, singing and trusting God—and he will take care of your deliverance!
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David Wilkerson (1931 - 2011). American Pentecostal pastor, evangelist, and author born in Hammond, Indiana. Raised in a family of preachers, he was baptized with the Holy Spirit at eight and began preaching at 14. Ordained in 1952 after studying at Central Bible College, he pastored small churches in Pennsylvania. In 1958, moved by a Life Magazine article about New York gang violence, he started a street ministry, founding Teen Challenge to help addicts and troubled youth. His book "The Cross and the Switchblade," co-authored in 1962, became a bestseller, chronicling his work with gang members like Nicky Cruz. In 1987, he founded Times Square Church in New York City, serving a diverse congregation until his death. Wilkerson wrote over 30 books, including "The Vision," and was known for bold prophecies and a focus on holiness. Married to Gwen since 1953, they had four children. He died in a car accident in Texas. His ministry emphasized compassion for the lost and reliance on God. Wilkerson’s work transformed countless lives globally. His legacy endures through Teen Challenge and Times Square Church.