Trick Or Tricked?

Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies. Psalm 141:4

Each year I ponder how to deal with Halloween. It is for sure not an edifying holiday yet many Christians see no harm in it as they send their little ones dressed like Satan or another character out the door to get candy. My birthday happens to fall on this holiday. I just have a real hard time and choose to not celebrate. So many think it is harmless and I am some sort of religious fanatic weirdo. Guilty as charged.

Recently I saw a sign posted where a church, yes a church, was having a haunted house. Not an alternative Celebration but apparently an actual haunted house. It made me take a step back. Why on Earth would any church claiming to be Christian do this? Perhaps they do not preach spiritual warfare and do not see the harm in this.

All I know is I ask myself why is it necessary? If you see the movies coming out this time of year too, likewise they borderline on darkness as well. In my opinion a Christian should flee the darkness and run to the light. Each person has to be convicted in his or her own heart and I guess ask "What would Jesus do?"

PRAYER: Lord Jesus help the things I say and do and the  activities I participate in bring glory to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Politics and Halloween

Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity; and let me not eat of their dainties. Psalm 141:4

These two things come to the forefront the same time every year. I am finding they are both polarizing issues and if you expect to keep good friends you better keep your opinions to yourself and try to not force others to change. Only the Holy Spirit brings change. I write about both because I am passionate about both. I am only sharing where God has me.

 We are days away from a Presidential election which is a make or break one for freedom as we know it. Each person needs to turn off the news and get on their knees and pray and think for themselves. Use the Bible as your guide. Don't change the truth to fit a political belief. And as for Halloween, I have close friends who agree to disagree with me, but I personally am not into giving any attention to what borderlines on demonic. Sure a person doesn't go out to trick or treat searching for a demon under every rock but why do we need to glorify this secular holiday? Just asking?

So my friend, pray, love Jesus, seek Him first, and ask God to guide you in the direction of truth and wisdom.

 PRAYER: I love you Lord and I never want to be holier than thou or act self righteous. Guide me Lord to do what is right in this election and on Halloween. Help me recognize the forces of evil and darkness and be bold against them. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Be Bold..Yes You!

“According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.”
Philippians 1:20

I was in a secular type group meeting recently where I had the opportunity to share how a person could not be angry and yet I sat there silent. Shame on me! The person leading the conversation kept asking people in the group what can you suggest if you get this way. I wanted to say "Start the day with Jesus and the Bible and oh yeah you could read God's Lemonade Stand too" but instead there I sat too afraid or outnumbered to speak up. Have you ever been in a situation like this? You want to give the answer which related to Jesus giving you peace but instead you clam up. It is great when you are in a Holy huddle and no one opposes you but at a meeting not related to church it can be scary. Why? 

Next time I am not going to allow that to happen. If I have a godly solution to the problem I plan to step up to the plate and share. Fear is from the enemy and most certainly Satan does not want you giving a Christ centered solution to a problem. Don't let fear of what others may think stand in your way. The minute I froze up I said to myself "What kind of Lemonade Stand lady are you if you can't share hope with people who may not hear it anywhere else."

If you find yourself in a similar predicament look at it as a golden opportunity God has given you to shine for the Kingdom. It is like the Christian college student who is outnumbered in his class by a class full of students who may jeer at them. Speak the truth in love then pray. 

PRAYER: Forgive me Lord for opportunities I have had to share hope with others but failed to do so. Give me a Holy boldness to be a light for you when I may be outnumbered. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Occult In America

"I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." Matthew 10:16
This time of year in America many people go nuts decorating their homes with witches, fake cobwebs, tombstones, ghosts and so on. I personally opt for the harvest theme if I decorated at all.  "Oh come on now Becky Halloween is just a silly fun holiday. There is nothing wrong with dressing up." Granted dressing up can be fun but why not have have a costume party another time if you really have to.

Anything to do with occultism in my opinion should not be tolerated by a Christian this includes yes Harry Potter, Quija Board, Dungeons and Dragons, reading a horoscope, even the Twilight movies are pushing the edge,  yet how many,  even in the Christian community see nothing wrong and consider it fun?Not judging, just stating a fact. Each person has to reach their own conclusion. I wasn't always this way yet after accepting Christ in 1975 became very convicted by the Holy Spirit on many things.

In 2 Corinthians 11:14 it says "And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light." You have to choose what you will do and be accountable for your own actions. I am just giving you something to think about. Also in Deuteronomy 18:10 it says "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer." Satan can use subtle ways to trip believers up. Beware that you don't fall into his trap.

PRAYER: I want to let my light shine but to do this I know I have to be careful to not live in two different worlds where some things are okay cause 'the world' says so and be sucked into the worlds' system more than yours. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Thank God For The Calvin's In Our Path

"For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38

At a recent routine doctor visit, the intake nurse named Calvin, was just what the doctor ordered for me for that particular day. He was not ashamed of his faith in God and we carried on a great short conversation about loving Jesus. I needed this that particular day as I had almost been rear ended by a semi tractor trailer whose driver was not paying attention and this shook me just a bit. Anyway all of us who name the name of Jesus' need to not be ashamed and be a 'Calvin' to a stranger.

I would suggest to get a small Gideon's purse or pocket size Bible and carry it with you each day. When your are in a waiting room or someplace else where you could waste time on the internet, instead get your Bible out and start reading. Don't worry that people might stare. They might need to see your so they have courage to do the same. It might even start a conversation. 

Each day you are one step closer to the time of your death. That is not a morbid or scary thing but should be an opportunity to boldly share your faith with others. 

PRAYER:Forgive me if I have ever acted ashamed of you. Give me Holy boldness to be your witness wherever you place me whether in a grocery store line, the gym,doctor's office,  coffee shop, or even in church. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Shine On Regardless

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3

So I drove two hours to a speciality clinic for a doctor appointment( fear not nothing is wrong). When I arrived even though I had marked two calendars plainly with the time and date I  was told I did not have an appointment. I could choose to be like the world and rant, rave and be demanding or I could stay at peace and go with the flow. Things often happen for a reason. I chose peace and joy.

When the unexpected happens to you is the tendency to pop a cork or do you choose to remain calm? God operates in calmness and Satan lurks around like a roaring lion seeking to get you steamed up and act less than Christlike. You feel better when you can just flow with the punches so to speak. 

Whatever test or unexpected happening is on your horizon be prepared to react like Jesus would and let His love flow out of you. As the saying goes "You may be the only Bible someone may ever 'read'."

PRAYER: I choose this day to turn to you when I would rather scream. I choose to love instead of hate. I choose to pray when I would rather scream. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Winking At Sin

"Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness." 1 John 3:4

I often wonder just how many people, even those supposedly claiming to be 'Christian' just sort of wink at sin. Perhaps for those who are on fire for the Lord are perceived as 'Jesus freaks' or a little bit over the edge I say, "So how is a person that loves God supposed to act?" It is easy to slip into sin. The US Government has made certain forms of sin 'legal' and accepted but let me say that does not mean they are accepted in the eyes of God. Today it is almost if Christians are being bound and gagged from saying what is right and wrong. We are called hateful, intolerant, bigots. All the modern ways don't mean God is okay with it. Satan is working hard to deceive and lead astray many. Don't be fooled. There is good and there is evil and there is right and wrong. The Bible has not chained it's standards for 2016. 

Maybe you are reading this and you are dabbling in something you know does not please God or something that could further lead you closer to Satan and not to the kingdom of heaven. Search your heart, get into the word, get on your knees. If you need to repent please do so. 

God can heal, set free, and redeem. He does forgive. If you are in the wrong crowd of people leading you into a lifestyle you know is not right then find new people to hang out with. Seek the help of a spirit filled Christian counselor if you need to. Don't keep allowing Satan to get a foothold. 

PRAYER: I know I am in a battle of good versus evil and I know Satan is a liar and tries to get me off the path you planned for me. I choose to reject evil and stand for the truth. I pray for those friends and families who are being captivated by Satan to be set free. In Jesus' name. Amen.