HALLOWEEN: GOOD OR EVIL?

 Is Halloween an innocent children's holiday to celebrate or is it something sinister we need to avoid? Online, in the Bing dictionary, it is defined as follows: 'October 31: the eve of All Saints' Day, originally celebrated by Celtic peoples but now popular with children in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.'

It was interesting studying this topic online and the varying opinions. We all have opinions about what is right or wrong.Some parents see nothing wrong with dressing the little ones up, even like Satan himself, and sending them off in the neighborhood to gather candy. In the United States this is

 Is Halloween an innocent children's holiday to celebrate or is it something sinister we need to avoid? Online, in the Bing dictionary, it is defined as follows: 'October 31: the eve of All Saints' Day, originally celebrated by Celtic peoples but now popular with children in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.'

It was interesting studying this topic online and the varying opinions. We all have opinions about what is right or wrong.Some parents see nothing wrong with dressing the little ones up, even like Satan himself, and sending them off in the neighborhood to gather candy. In the United States this is second most decorated holiday after Christmas. There are haunted houses, cornfield mazes, jack-o-lanterns, and harvest parties. If you want to avoid the evil aspect of this day and simply have fun, you could opt to take the kiddies to the church harvest party. That is what we used to do when our boys were small. They did go out in the neighborhood a couple times.

We do not need to embrace this day entirely but we can use it as a witness too. We are not to judge our Christian brothers and sisters who see nothing wrong with dressing up like a witch to come to greet the trick or treater's. I, for one, cannot glorify a witch but people have to be convicted on their own. Each person has to have conviction before they leave this holiday behind entirely. Here in the small town I live in, there is a church doing an alternative to a haunted house. I have experienced this type of 'alternative' a couple times in the past in places I have lived and actually they are a pretty good witnessing tool for those over the age of 12.

Still this day gets mixed reactions in the Christian community. Is it okay to celebrate or is it not? Yours truly was born on Halloween, no joke. So for me as a child this day was one big party and yes, other children came to my parties in their costumes. It is fun dressing up and having fun and the scary part can be funny too but if it gets too overboard and bordering on the demonic that is where I personally would draw the line.

As parents you are forming your child's character. If you start saying anything goes and have no boundaries then what does that teach them? Psalm 141:4 says "Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies!" Now is Halloween really wicked?

If you want to celebrate something innocently and let your children go to parties dressed up, you can choose to have costumes of heroes and such instead of witches, demons, goblins, ghosts and ghoulish creatures. Some say real life witches have this day as their high holy day but can't we as Christians use this day for good? That is point of the harvest parties.Perhaps what Satan means for evil we could use for good?

So what is a Christian to do? Is this a formerly Christian holiday called 'All Hallowed Eve" or is this when Satanists do their sacrifices and steal black cats and such. First of all evil and Satan are real and are not a joke. There is good and there is evil. We are to let our light shine forth to glorify our father which is in heaven it says in Matthew 5:16. This does not mean to act holier than than or self righteous to others. It is as simple as this. Is what you are doing bringing honor and glory to God? That is always a good question to ask yourself.

Romans 14:16 says "Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil." Ephesians 5:16 says "making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."

Pray and ask God what you should do. Happy Harvest Day!! Is this a day a Christian should really celebrate? Just something to think about.

PRAYER: Father help me to know in my heart what to do about celebrating Halloween. Thank you Lord for the gift of children and for those reading this with small ones still or grandchildren they have influence over help them be guided by your word and Holy Spirit in what to do for this normally fun day for children. If I have put too much emphasis on this over God forgive me. Show me how to be a light in my neighborhood as well. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Click on link below for a song of praise.

http://youtu.be/TqJwQQn7Ga0

PEACE BE WITH YOU

In the world we live in it is hard to have peace. The media bombards us with hype and fear. Perhaps you wake up in the morning and feed yourself a steady diet of depressing news, celebrity gossip, and the local paper. If so, do you feel any better when done with what to many is a morning ritual? The answer, if you are honest, is probably no. How can you feel positive and peaceful with a steady diet of lies, gossip, and fear? As a believer you have a choice. Waste one hour watching morning shows or spend the same time getting closer to God. The newspaper or the Bible. Your choice. Which is first in your life? Be honest.

Many forget about God each day. Church is enough many think. In past blog writings I have mentioned about not being 'conformed' to this world. Challenge yourself to be different and be set apart for kingdom work. Strengthen the spirit and focus on Christ. Don't get into the pattern of thinking you need to know about the Kardashians before Jesus. Why does it matter? Will it improve your life?

It is very difficult to maintain peace, joy, and love when the things of the world consume your every waking hour and there is no time for Jesus. If you know the news is going to depress you why even bother listening to it. Surround yourself with things that make for a peaceful life and keep those things that drag you away from the joy of the Lord out of your life.

In Isaiah 26:3 it says "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." I find it odd as I wrote this devotion a few days ago I accidentally hit the delete button instead of the save button and never did find it in the trash on my computer. I just laughed and went about recreating it knowing the enemy was trying to steal my peace while I wrote about peace.

Do you have peace today? If not turn on to God and tune out those things in your life causing fear and worry.

PRAYER: Father I thank you for helping me maintain peace when the world around me is going crazy. Help me look to you instead of the news to keep my focus in the correct place. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link below to worship God in song.

http://youtu.be/DXDGE_lRI0E

Note:Let us not forget to pray for those in the Northeast being hit by one of worst storms ever. Let us not worry and fear but trust God. He is sovereign over all!

REJOICE WITH THOSE WHO REJOICE

In Romans 12:15 it says to do what my title refers to but also to "weep with those who weep." When someone else gets a promotion and you don't, are you jealous? When a friends' child does something outstanding are you able to compliment them or are you envious? Does someone who has money for a new car or house bother you? Maybe it is the college someone attends or their job? We are where we are for reasons God has. No one individual is better in God's eyes.Everyone has a purpose and each of us is important to God.

If you are in a position that is important in the eyes of the world or are blessed with worldly treasures do not get arrogant or think you are better than others. 1 Peter 5:6 says "Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God that in due time he will exalt you."

Especially with your friends, learn to rejoice with them over good news and be sad with them or comfort them when they need it. Try to not be bitter but to be better I think I have heard Bible teacher Joyce Meyer say. John 3:30 says "He must become greater; I must become less." Basically this means to lift Jesus higher and do not be concerned over worrying about status.

Today try to find someone to rejoice with. Practice thinking less of yourself and more of others. You can impact your corner of the world and be thankful for exactly where God has placed you to do his kingdom work.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for the blessings in my life. The simple joys of each day are a delight. You truly are King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Forgive me for ever being jealous over the success of others. Help me Lord to always be humble. In Jesus name. Amen.

TAKE UP YOUR SWORD!!

 When a soldier goes into battle he takes what he needs to defeat his enemy. In the past the sword was a very useful weapon for defeat of our enemies. Bayonets are still on the end of some rifles used in combat in order to charge the enemy.

As Christians, in defeating our greatest enemy, which is Satan, we too have a sword and that is the word of God referred to as a 'sword' in Ephesians 6:17. It is one of the pieces of the armor of God we need to have in order to defeat Satan.

Hebrews 4:12 says "For the word of God is living and active sharper than any two edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of darkness. Your Bible has many truths and promises which you can speak out loud, and stop this enemy in his tracks. But how do you do this and what verses do you read? You have to study God's word and make it part of your daily life. Do not just call on God when you are in trouble then keep Him in a box the rest of the time.

Psalm 119:11 says "Thy word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you." Is God's word in your heart? Are you able to fight off those flaming darts on the battlefield of life?

PRAYER: I need you in my life in good times and in bad Lord. Seems at times it is easy to think things are going okay and to not focus on the word of God and sometimes not even bother to read it till Sunday and then only in church. It is my most important tool in my spiritual arsenal besides prayer. Keep that in my memory Lord as I run the race against my enemies to win. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link for awesome song of praise.

http://youtu.be/GsjJmk7tdk4

I'M STARVING!!

As I sit in a local coffee shop doing my writing I am sort of hungry as it is getting close to lunch time. In America most of us do not know real hunger and a good majority are overfed. To be hungry, truly hungry, is an awful experience I hope I never have to experience. Look at Third World nations eating some sort of mush out of a wooden bowl or cup and just gobbling it down. Then we in America waste our food and some hungry Americans find it in the dumpsters across our great land and eat what the privileged tossed aside.

But to really be hungry is something I can not fathom. If we go without being fed too long our bodies would shut down and we would not survive. But the worst kind of hunger is hunger for the word of God. Just as our physical bodies need to be fed food to grow, so too our spirit inside of us needs daily 'feeding' as not to wither away and die. How can we be equipped for the battleground of life unless we are prepared with proper spiritual food?

How many of us though think this feeding only should occur on Sunday? Imagine if you would if you only ate food one hour per week and the other 6 days you starved yourself. All sorts of problems would occur in your physical body. How many of us are guilty of starving our spiritual bodies? It is necessary to renew and refresh ourselves on a daily basis to be able to combat the 'arrows' thrown at us by Satan.Some who are starving for God would not even bother reading this devotion.

2 Timothy 2:15 says "Study to show thyself approved by God a workman that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Matthew 5:6 says " Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be saved."

Are you hungry for God and the Word of God? If not, maybe you need a spiritual renewal. Try this. Wake up each day and say out loud "thank you Lord for this new day. Use me today in your kingdom work." After that before you get caught up in the mornings activities or head off to a job or start your motherhood duties or whatever else occupies a majority of your time, set aside time alone with God. Read a passage of scripture. I have suggested before to start by reading the book of John or the book of Proverbs. In Proverbs there are 31 chapters so you could read the one corresponding to the date on the calendar. Just a thought. Then as you read ask God to reveal His truth to you. Before you know it you may be hungry for God and spiritual growth. Many do things in churches to stay busy but how much time do you take to nourish your spirit? Seething to think about.Going to church is great but being in love with Jesus and his word happens more than one hour each Sunday.

PRAYER: Father I thank you for each day you give me. Forgive me for the times I have gotten too busy to put you first. I know it is only through reading your Holy Bible that I can learn how to be more like you. Help me to cast off distractions that keep me from you.Also Lord help me to keep quiet if others around me in my family are not hungry for you and to simply pray. In Jesus name. Amen.

LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO BE UNHAPPY

As I sit writing at a crowded neighborhood coffee shop, the barista named Bob, behind the counter,when a customer said to him, "Boy are you in a good mood!" his response is my title above. It is so very true. Life is short. We do not know when God will call us home and our earthly service will be completed. He is the one who knows the day and the hour. It is important to stay happy. Turn that frown upside down. What good does it do to go around all gloomy? Try smiling and see if your attitude changes. People also say to me "How are you today?" My reply many times is "If I were any better I'd be twins." This gentleman working at the coffee shop answered the same question by exclaiming , "If I were any better the government would have to tax me twice."

Each day is a gift from God and an opportunity to shine for Jesus. If you love Jesus let your eyes sparkle and wear a smile! In the musical 'Annie' there was a song whose lyrics said "You're never fully dressed without a smile." Look around you. Do people around you display joy?

Matthew 24:6 says "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven or the Son, but only the Father." The time you have on earth should be used to serve others. Look at people you pass and give them a smile. Ecclesiastes 3:2 says " A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to pluck up what has been planted."

Many people dread their week especially those working in jobs they do not enjoy. They want Friday to hurry and be here. I heard an evangelist once say "It's Friday, But Sunday is coming!" so instead of being excited for 'Casual Friday' at work why not look in anticipation of the day you get to have fellowship with others.

So are you enjoying your life? If no,t find a way to help somebody. Volunteer at an assisted living center or a hospital. Go out and shine and radiate the love of God wherever your life takes you! Each day is a chance to start over if you have messed up seem way. Live every day to the fullest not knowing how much time you have left.

Psalm 90:2 says " Teach us to number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
Talk to any cancer survivor and they will no doubt tell you they are thankful for each day they are alive here on the Earth. Sometimes a brush with death helps us think of life differently. I have come close a couple times myself once being when I was sucked out to sea by rip tides while I was snorkeling and believe me it taught me the value of being alive.

Psalm 39:4 says "Show me Oh Lord my life's end and the number of my days, let me know how fleeting is my life." Death will come to all of us and it is nothing to fear if you know the Lord. In the meantime why not start making it a point to bless someone each and every day you are alive and well.

Get up and thank God saying Psalm 139:4 "This is the day the Lord has made. Will rejoice and be glad in it!"

PRAYER: Lord Jesus forgive me if I eve walk around gloomy thinking only of myself and my problems. Lord I know you want the joy of your presence to radiate to others. From this day forward I am going to make it a point to shine for you. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link below to listen to Nashville song writer Sonia Lee in a song of hope:

http://youtu.be/SXx1St1pdyY

DON'T WORRY ABOUT MAN

 

Have you ever put your trust or faith in a 'mere man' only to be let down and disappointed? Take a sports figure who is caught doping or cheating. Maybe it is a preacher who fell from grace. Perhaps a respected school teacher caught in a criminal act. Maybe it is a friend who has betrayed you in some way. For some maybe it is finding out a spouse has cheated on you. It could be an individual you trusted that it is found they embezzled money. Perhaps you shared something in confidence and found out it was not kept a secret. These are just a few examples. The point is humans can let us down but God never let us down.

When bad things happen to people, and they will at times, we are not to be the judge. Beware or the same scenarios occurring in your life. Pray for protection and for individuals caught in these traps. God does and can restore, redeem, and forgive. Often tragedies and downfalls in life cause the individual to get closer to the Lord.

Our hope and our trust should not be placed in mere man. Now in the case of the mention of an unfaithful spouse, those individuals, if they had a Christian marriage, took a vow before God to stay true to each other so that in fact should be followed as you grow in love daily putting God first and your spouse second. Don't ever put yourself in a tempting situation where you might fall. If one of the partners failed it is time to seek reconciliation and counseling to restore what God brought together. Stay best friends and this is unlikely to occur but still make sure God is number one.

Turn to the Lord and look to Him for your strength. Pray for you to stay strong and not led away by temptations and roadblocks man may put in your path.

Isaiah 40:31 says "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings as eagles. They will run and not be weary. They will walk and not faint."

Who do you trust today?

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for being there for me when it seems the world around me and people are faltering. Lord I thank you for being supremely in control. I look to you for my source of strength as I go through life. In Jesus name.

Click on link for a wonderful song of praise:
http://youtu.be/W48NfLLSFNc