This is a difficult post for me to try and put across, it encompasses years of the Lord showing himself to me while he was working in my life.
We are now living in the age that Matthew 24: 24 applies.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Early on, while dating my wife to be; I can still recall the Lord assuring me that “my life was in his hands”. I did not comprehend at the time the totality in that meaning; I had not had my “near death experience” of Christ lying shoulder to shoulder next to me, nor was I in the Church leadership after I returned home from my orders under Operation Enduring Freedom. I had watched the leadership in the church become more and more institutionalized, as they focused on “building” a larger church body.
I became frustrated because of what I could plainly see, I surpassed all the training at the time because of my personal study under Dr. Gross for six years in street ministry, and Dr. Gross was one of the top exorcists in Baltimore City. I later told the Lord I wanted to be like Paul and Silos; and like them, effective for the Lord so that the enemy would know who I was, and not just pew stuffing in some church!
I then suffered my heart attack and NDE while in the U.S. Army, who were instrumental in saving my life while in water survival; and without which I would not have survived the ordeal.
A week later my new proximal lad stent had started to clot again. They rushed me down the corridor to have more emergency stenting. I told the nurse to tell my wife she was the best thing that had ever happened to me, and I insisted! The nurse (who I had never seen before) spoke very calmly to me exclaiming, “ Mr. Dell, the enemy knows who you are; but this will not stop what the Lord has planned for You” !!!
I was simply speechless, as I knew then that this woman was used of God in showing me he had heard my prayer! Incidentally, this all occurred like a silver thread that has run throughout my life in providence. I had asked the Lord not to have to serve in the Army more than I was obligated too, this echoed the words of a Lieutenant I had know in the Coast Guard, who told me during the reduction in force that the Coast Guard was not his God! It was almost my 20 year mark with the Army Reserve Watercraft now, and 23 years for pay purposes. It was also just three days after my ordination as a minister, and I was soon to get accredited by the reformed Baptists.
As I continued to struggle with getting my accreditation’s, mostly for what I learned under Dr. Gross years before; something very strange happened. I felt led to a room opposite my office where I was writing my thesis. As I entered this guest bedroom, I could feel a calm presence within, and out of the corner of my eyes I could make out what appeared to be the Lord; but this time the ghostly image was in color, not just black and white pushing in next to me, as when my heart stopped!
Honestly, although it was a wonderful experience, it scared me a bit; so I called my old mentor the late Dr. Gross on the phone, and explained to him what just had happened. He instinctively asked me; “where did this happen”? I told him opposite my computer room and office; then he said, “ Roland, don’t you see, it is the Lord telling you to follow him”!!! I had become so busy in attempting to prove myself to men, it seems I had sort of lost focus on my Lord!
Not too long ago, I was deeply involved with a couple men who espouse a type of “Lordship Salvation group” on the net. The leader of this group excepted me with great love in a 7 year Skype relationship. I finally felt accepted by one who seemed to understand just how the Lord functioned. Friction then started with a young brother who likened everything to being tied to Rome and the Illuminati. I tried desperately to communicate with this young brother about what I had learned of secret organizations in the past; but he would have none of it, as he knew I supported Donald Trump for president, who he despised.
The supposed “elder” would not intervene, and relationships with other internet “Christian whack jobs” which he allowed “into the fold” just increased. I am an open person, but I do not like being spied on by sanctimonious dingbats who think that they know better than anyone else; you know the types!
This all came to a head about the same time doctors discovered I had a vary serious infection to my hearts hardware which the military installed.
I was then accused of being “chastened of God” by the group fellowship leader, as being political minded instead of “God minded” read carnal. I do know one thing however, the Lord used this very serious event in my life to “rip me from this Lordship Salvation Cult”, in which the leader exclaims that he is so sanctified that he no longer sins, he just has glitches in the flesh!
I now must ask myself, “what was I thinking”? But in a time of strong delusions and wickedness abounding all over the world, peoples like these are bound to show up on stage; so to speak. The lesson I learned was don’t allow anyone to dictate how the Lord works his salvation and sanctification within your life. The Lord is so far above and ahead of the “paygrade” of any human being within the world that it is laughable to think that anyone can achieve such spiritual wisdom in judging another’s walk; that is – apart from blatant sin and rebellion against God.
It is more likely to be seen as a blatant rebellion against the leaders perceived authority, which he is actually reacting too; as no one is needed in defending the infallible and almighty Lord of heaven and earth!
To all committed followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, remember that mere men are fallible; my best advice I can give – is what the Lord gave to me; FOLLOW HIM and no one else, in these days of strong delusions!
I will close with what my dear old mother reminded me of tonight: ROMANS 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Lightship Ministries 