TDS Ministries

Have you ever stared into the eyes of hell? Have you ever been confronted by a satanic prince you knew had been sent to defeat you? I would like to share an encounter I experienced in August of 2007. My purpose is not to frighten you but to help you better grasp the reality of the enemies you and I are fighting and to know the meaning of the scripture in James 4:7 that says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you”

 

I had decided to do a study on the word ‘discouragement’. I learned the root word courage originated in Old French in 1300 from the Latin word “coracticum” meaning “heart.”  It was a metaphor for “inner strength” and became synonymous with bravery, valor and fearlessness.

Webster’s College Dictionary defines courage as “a quality of spirit that enables one to face danger or pain without showing fear”

 

I then turned my attention to the word “dis.” I discovered the word was actually the name of a god in Roman Mythology. He was the god of the underworld or Hades. He was a well known god in many ancient cultures. Dis was sometimes referred to as Pluto/Hades. To the Celts he was Orcus. To the Etruscans he was Aita. He travelled the river of Achuron. This river was referred to by many names including River of Death, River of Pain, River of Sadness, River of Disappointment and River of the Lower World.

 

Dis was said to travel this river lurking beneath the surface, looking for those he could steal the breath from, causing them to become breathless or lifeless, meaning dead. He then ferried them in his boat down the river Achuron into Hades, the Abode of the Dead. 

 

Eventually Dispater became synonymous with death. The word dis became a prefix meaning, “the opposite of” as in death is the opposite of life. It means “to deprive of” as in discourage is to deprive of courage, dishonor is to deprive of honor, disgrace is to deprive of grace, etc.

 

While sitting at my desk, several days into the study, my printer started up on its own and began to print something. I was curious since I had not sent anything to the printer, so I walked over to see what was coming out.

 

I watched in amazement. It consisted of two sheets of print. The first was a drawing of a demonic being holding a scepter. The title read, “Dispater, Lord of the Iron City.” The second sheet asked the question, “You make inquiries of me” written in calligraphy. I have inserted it here in the Newsletter without alteration other than to reduce the font in order to fit the two pages on to one.

 

I’m fairly certain your reaction to his introduction was similar to mine: Startling and Unsettling. He left me more than a tad bit nervous. His timing was intended to add to my stress.

 

August is usually the busiest time of the year for TDS Ministries. The manual for the TDS School of Ministry must be edited, printed and assembled. Many other details must be attended to as well so the School can begin as scheduled.

Dispater immediately began to disrupt our schedule. Computers started breaking down. Text that had taken days to edit would suddenly disappear. Paper would jam and all the printers would break down. We would then have to call the computer repair man and that would set us back another day. Dispater picked up one of the computers and threw it against the wall, totally destroying it.  Documents left on the desk mysteriously disappeared.  Personal items such as a special piece of jewelry belonging to my wife came up missing, which we have never found to this day.

 

I could feel Dispater breathing down my neck. I could hear him mocking and laughing at me. He was very smug in his confidence that he would stop the school from taking place. I must have bound him a dozen times each day but he still somehow was able to disrupt everything. I became so frustrated and discouraged that I considered making this the last year I would teach the school.

 

We usually have the manual ready several days before the school starts so we can focus on all the last minute details.  It was the day before the school started and we did not have even one hard copy of the manual so it could be sent to the printers. It was midmorning and I was in my office with Carol, the office manager, praying and rebuking Dispater, while frantically  trying to get just one of our three copiers to work.

 

He was winning. He was sucking the life out of me. I felt like he had kicked me in the solar plexus. I was getting ready to teach a group of God’s people how to fight the enemy and I was unable to fight off this satanic prince. I felt like a total failure. Our nerves were frayed and the whole staff felt the tension. We hardly spoke to each other as we worked to figure out the problem. I was to the point of apologizing to those who had registered, returning their conference registration fee and telling them to go home.

 

Suddenly every thing began working properly and we were ready to print. I was so excited I almost jumped up and applauded. I asked Carol to get one copy printed so if the printer broke again we could send it to a commercial printer in town to do a rush job.

 

I headed for my truck to start tying up loose ends. But just as I opened the door, Carol called my cell. I answered in a weary tone, “What is it now Carol? As if it was her fault.

 

“You need to come back to the office,” she said.

 

I was not in the mood for mysteries and said, “No, just tell me the problem.”

 

“You have to see it.”

 

I ran back to the office, very frustrated and said, “What?”

 

She turned my computer around so I could see for myself and there on the screen where the perfect two hundred page manual had been just minutes before, was now a screen the color of computer blue with the words in large calligraphy, “S---w you.”  

                                                                              

That was it. I just sat down in a chair and started praying the prayer I always pray when I have no more fight left in me. “God, you told me to start this school. This is Your school and its Your responsibility to help me defeat my enemy. “God I don’t have any answers or strength. If You don’t help me, we have lost this battle.”

 

God stepped in and the manual reappeared on the screen. We printed out the manual and had a great school. The assignment was over and I was again filled with courage “to fight the good fight. “ (1 Tim. 6:12)

 

What is my point in sharing this story?  Dispater is as active today as he was to the ancient Romans of two thousand years ago. He is as active in your life as he is in mine. He still travels the river Achuron, the river of sadness, the river of pain, the river of disappointment. He still lurks beneath our world, waiting for the right moment to steal our breath away. He waits to leave us lifeless and without the courage to go on.

 

Jesus said in John 8:32, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”  

 

I have discovered in my own life, that knowing who I am fighting helps me to stay alert and focused on the battle. Each time I am attacked with discouragement, I remember the experience of August 2007 and how God allowed me to see that even though I was fighting the satanic prince Dispater, I could be victorious if I refused to give up.

Don’t give up.

 

We are offering the teaching on “Discouragement, Failure and Defeat” as the free mp3 download of the month. Be sure to take advantage of this offer and prepare yourself for the next time Dispater comes to try to suck the life out of you and steal your courage. 

 

Keep fighting the good fight.

 

A Fellow Warrior,

Jess