Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Revive me, O Lord!

"Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?"
(Psalm 85:6)

The believer who wants true revival throws away his list of favorite excuses for sin. Confession replaces excuses. Commitment replaces compromise.

You might be tempted to say, "But I've confessed, tried, and failed so many times, revival just doesn't last." A skeptic once made a comment to evangelist Billy Sunday in the early 1900s. He tried to make the point that since personal revival wasn't a permanent end-all to temptation, sin, and failure, times of revival weren't really that important. "Revival just doesn't last," the man complained to Billy Sunday one evening. Sunday just smiled and replied, "Well, a bath doesn't last either, but it's good to take one occasionally!"

Has it ever occurred to you that a great word to describe Christianity is exposure? You become a Christian after being exposed as a sinner. You grow as a Christian after being exposed to your need of change in some area. You confess daily sin as it is exposed in your life. You flourish in your walk as a result of being exposed to the Scriptures.

No wonder every Christian is in need of daily revival. We so easily sugarcoat our selfishness and rationalize our rebellion. We manage our sin, but fail to confess it. We conveniently forget how heartbreaking sin is to our heavenly Father.

Revival, then, could be defined as a movement of God's Spirit in the believer's life, which produces both private confession of sin and public obedience to the Scriptures. The priority for our outward behavior is to please God - a priority that will undeniably impact personal relationships, financial decisions, and lifestyle choices. Therefore, revival is not a once-and-done event... it is daily. And it should interrupt your life over and over again.

By the way, you can't plan for revival but you can pray for it. You can't orchestrate it or announce that it is going to happen in a series of meetings the third week of May. All you can do is beg God to give you a heart that confesses and a life that obeys.

So, take His Word daily, ask God to blow on the smoldering embers of your heart, making it burst into flaming affection for Him all over again. While you're at it, remember that revival is not so much about emotion as it is about action.

Don't wait for a week of revival meetings to pray, "Revive me, O Lord"... do it today!




Wisdom for the Heart

Friday, November 11, 2011

Diligently Seeking


There are times when we look, and there are times when we see. There are times when we observe, and there are times when we memorize. There are times when we notice, and there are times when we study. Most of us know what it means to see a new car or a nice little something in the store we would like to have for our own… but do we know what it’s like to see Jesus?

In Acts 26:12-18, Paul recalls his experience on the road (as Saul) to Damascus when he saw the Lord. At the very moment that his eyes were blinded, they were also opened. Jesus, having opened Paul’s eyes, went on to tell him to return to those he used to assist in locking up for being faithful servants to the Lord, and OPEN THEIR EYES the way his had been opened so they too can repent and be forgiven. Paul was obedient. They did try to kill him for it, but because he opened his eyes to what JESUS WANTED OF HIM, he was delivered from it.

You won’t see Jesus if you’re not actively looking for him. Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." So not only do we need to be seeking him, but we need to be DILIGENTLY (earnestly, hungrily, and needingly) seeking him and believe that he is a rewarder of such faithful seeking.

God has been calling out to us since the beginning, calling for people to see his hand, to hear his voice, and to seek his face. In 1 Chronicles 22:19 David commanded his people to not only seek God, but to set their hearts and souls on seeking God. In other words, to have their hearts and minds reach out to God as a vital necessity, and THEN to arise and build the sanctuary. Forget just building a place for the Lord, he wanted God to be the ONLY THING on their hearts and minds while they built!

Isaiah 55:6 says, “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.” How many times do we say a prayer, end it with “Amen”, and then sit around twiddling our thumbs waiting for heaven itself to crack open wide, dumping the answer into our lap? Obviously that's not exactly realistic. Here we’re told to SEEK the Lord, and to call on Him while He’s near. We should be seeking Him and calling out to Him, because it’s a necessity that we find Him. It’s once we are there in His presence that we can talk to Him and present our requests to Him.

Let’s say you’re looking for the keys to your car. You remember that the last time you saw them was when you asked your son to hang them on the key rack for you, but the keys are nowhere to be found. You’re running late for something and NEED those keys! You yell out your son's name asking 'where are my keys?', and five minutes later your keys are still nowhere to be found, and you’re still running late. So you hunt down your son. It's now your mission to find him to get what you want. You walk through the house calling his name. After searching for him high and low he hears you calling out his name and responds to your call. You finally sought him out, heard his response, and found him, and when you ask him where your keys are, he is able to show you, and the need is met so you can continue on with what needed done. Seeking God uses the same concept. Call on Him. Call out His name! Shout, cry, and glorify! You’ll know when you've truly found Him because you’ll feel his presence. The more often you seek Him, the less time it will take for Him to recognize your call!

In Hosea 10:12 we read “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea is instructing us to plant ourselves in the Lord... sow ourselves in righteousness, growing stronger in our walk with him, while we break up our “fallow” (uncultivated, unused, barren) ground... take a garden plow to our hearts to prepare it for a harvest... for it's time to seek the Lord! It’s time to inquire for him and of him, and REQUIRE he accompany you on your journey, seeking him until he comes and teaches you righteousness, and rains out his gift of salvation upon you.

Let’s talk about John and Andrew and what we read about in John chapter 1. They were rewarded for seeking out Jesus. For them it wasn’t enough to listen to John the Baptist. Many would have been content to serve in the shadow him. But when John and Andrew saw Jesus, they left John the Baptist and followed Jesus. If you’ve read John chapter 1 you’ll note the question they had for Jesus. In John 1:38 they said “Rabbi, where dwellest thou?” In other words, “Hey Master, where are you staying?” That was pretty bold! They didn’t ask Jesus to give them a minute of his time, or an opinion, or a message or miracle. They wanted his address. They wanted to hang out with him. They wanted to KNOW him. They wanted to know what caused his head to turn and his heart to burn and his soul to yearn. They wanted to study his eyes and follow his steps. They wanted to SEE him.

So, how did Jesus answer the disciples? He said “Come and see.” He didn’t say “come and glance” or “come and peek”, he said “Come and SEE”. Bring your bifocals and binoculars... this is no time for side glances or occasional peeks. Like Hebrews 12:2 says, we need to be looking unto Jesus, the AUTHOR and FINISHER of our faith! The fisherman fixes eyes on the boat. The shopper fixes eyes on the sale. The girl fixes eyes on the boy. The disciple fixes eyes on the Savior!

Now, how does God want to be sought? According to Deuteronomy 4:29 He wants us to seek with all our hearts, seeking as though we’re drawing our final breath in need of finding a life line if we want another, using our hearts, our minds, our lives, truly SEEKING Him as a necessity for living. In that same verse He tells us if we do seek Him like that, we WILL indeed find Him.

So, when will we find the Lord, and what will He do when we find Him? According to Jeremiah 29:13-14, the Lord tells us we’ll seek Him and find Him when we search for Him with all our hearts, and not only will we find Him, but He’ll bring us back from captivity... when we find Him He’ll release us from the things holding us captive so we can enjoy our time with Him instead of being bound by the things going on in our lives.

Matthew 7:7 tells us “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” And in Lamentations 3:25 we’re reminded “The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.” We need to be hopefully and expectantly waiting on Him, seeking Him with that necessity and longing, and of course on the authority He gives us in His word.

Most have heard the story of Zacchaeus. He was far from being a big guy. He was small, so small he couldn’t see over the crowd that lined the street the day Jesus came to Jericho. Of course the crowd might have let him elbow his way up to the front, except that he was a tax collector... so he wasn’t exactly the most liked man in the crowd. But good ole Zacchaeus had a hunger in his heart to SEE Jesus.

It wasn’t enough for him to stand at the back of the crowd. It wasn’t enough to peer through a cardboard telescope. It wasn't enough to listen to someone else describe the parade of the Messiah. Zacchaeus wanted to SEE Jesus with his own eyes. So what did he do? All dressed up in his best three piece Armani suit and brand new Italian loafers, he shimmied up a tree in hopes of seeing Christ.

Zacchaeus was in earnest. He was willing to (literally) go out on a limb in his search for something to trust. Psalm 9:10 says “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.” Those who have experience and a familiar acquaintance with the Lord and His mercy, those that lean on Him and put 100% trust in Him, those that know the authority we have through His word and stand firm on it, seeking His face through it... it is those faithful few that are TRULY seeking him, that he will not forsake or abandon.

Those who seek the Lord are rewarded for their eagerness and effort when we find Him. Psalm 27:4 tells us we will dwell with Him, seeing his beauty firsthand. Psalm 34:4 reminds us He’ll deliver us from our fears. Psalm 105:4 assures us that He lends us His strength. Psalm 119:2 tells us we shall be happy and blessed, and Ephesians 2:18 tells us that God listens to us.

Would YOU go out on a limb like Zacchaeus did to see Jesus? Not everyone would if put in that situation while juggling a full schedule. They may be willing to pull out the binoculars to avoid the overwhelming crowd or even just read about it the next day in the paper to save on gas by not making the long drive there.

So we reviewed Zacchaeus, and his willingness to crawl out on a limb among the crowd of people. In Matthew there’s another story about a crowd, only this story involves a rich young ruler. Only, unlike the crowd Zacchaeus was up against, this crowd had no problem parting to make room for him. When he found out Jesus was in the area, he called for his limo, cruised across town and approached the carpenter with a question. Matthew 19:16 says he asked “Good Master, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” This guy was a bottom line sort of fellow. He jumps in with 'Let’s get right to the issue. Your schedule is busy, so is mine. Tell me how I can get saved and I’ll leave you alone.' No time for formalities or conversations... he just wanted the quick fix so he could get back to his day with an easy ticket to heaven.

There was nothing wrong with his question, but there was a problem with his heart. Contrast his desire with the desire of Zacchaeus: “Can I make it up that tree to SEE him?” Or even compare it to John and Andrew asking “Where are you staying?”

See the difference? The rich young ruler wanted medicine. The others wanted the Physician. The ruler wanted an answer to the quiz. They wanted the Teacher. He was in a hurry. They had all the time in the world. He settled for a cup of coffee at the drive-thru window. They wouldn’t settle for anything less than a full course meal at the banquet table. They wanted more than salvation. They wanted the Savior. They wanted to SEE Jesus.

Psalm 69:32 says “the humble shall see this and be glad; and your heart shall live that seek God.” We’re inquiring in Him... we’re requiring ourselves to be involved with Him, and because of that our hearts and souls will be revived through the hardships and turmoil of our lives and we’ll live to fellowship with Him again and again until the day we join up with Him for eternity!

Scripture tells us how to go about our search as we seek Him. 2 Peter 3:14 says “wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace without spot and blameless.” At our Savior’s coming we should already be daily striving to have complete assurance that we are not only born again, but also in complete confidence that we are free from fears and conflicts. In our daily repentance and quest for peace our search begins.

2 Timothy 2:15 says “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” We should be studying and eager to present ourselves to God through our tests of trials without being ashamed, because regardless of the level we are each individually on in our walk with God, we all have much more to learn as we ask Him to correctly and accurately guide us in handling and spreading to others the goodness He has given us in His word.

DILIGENTLY – what a great word! Be diligent in your search! Be hungry in your quest, relentless in your journey. Step away from puny pursuits of possessions, positions, and people pleasing and SEEK your King! Do as John and Andrew did: ask for his address. Do as Matthew: invite Jesus into your house. Imitate Zacchaeus and risk whatever it takes to SEE Jesus!



Thursday, October 27, 2011

Unmasking Halloween

Americans spend $2.5 billion on Halloween each year. It is the second largest holiday, after Christmas. What is the true origin of Halloween? Is it harmless fun... or something much different? How did it become a common practice? Should you observe Halloween?

Trick or treat! When said by children, these three words bring back a flood of childhood memories to most adults. Memories of masquerading as vampires, ghosts, witches, ghouls, monsters and fairies. Memories of canvassing the neighborhood, going door to door, shouting those three little words, and watching their bags fill up with all sorts of candies, apples, nuts and other goodies. Memories of parades, parties and playing “tricks,” like soaping the neighbors’ windows, “decorating” their trees with toilet tissue, or playing “baseball” with their roadside mailboxes.

Yes, hearing the words “trick or treat” from little children can cause adults to wish they were kids again. “After all,” one might reason, “what’s so wrong with Halloween?” Most believe that it is just another harmless childhood indulgence, much the way they view Christmas and birthday parties. Many wonder, “What’s so wrong with having a little fun?”

Besides teaching children that it is alright to beg for something instead of earning it through work, and also turning them into extortionists (“trick or treat” essentially means “give me a treat or I’ll play a trick on you”), Halloween - its spooky costumes, scary jack-o-lanterns, juvenile tricks and colorful parades - may look like clean, innocent fun. But its traditions, customs and practices are rooted in a past far darker, far more sinister and far more demonic than you may realize.

Where did Halloween actually come from? How did it originate? How did it get to be so widely observed, especially in the United States? And what does God think about it? Does He view Halloween as clean innocent fun?

To find the answers, we must look into the history of Halloween. We will see that it is filled with pagan customs, masquerading as Christian traditions!

Halloween’s Pre-history

Let’s begin with the ancient Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago, in what is now Ireland, Great Britain and Northern France. The Celts were pagan nature worshippers who had many gods, including the sun, which they believed commanded their work and rest times. They believed the sun maintained the earth and kept it beautiful, and caused their crops to grow.

The Celts observed their new year on November 1, which marked the end of the harvest and summer (“the season of the sun”), as well as the beginning of the cold, dark winter ahead (“the season of darkness and cold”).

From October 31 to November 2, the Celts celebrated a 48-hour festival, the Vigil of Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”). They believed that Samhain, the pagan lord of the dead, assembled the souls of those who had died during the previous year and decided what form they would take for the next year. The souls would either pass on to human bodies or would be condemned to live within animals (the most evil of the bad souls or spirits would take the form of cats). Hoping to coax Samhain into giving lighter sentences, the Celtic worshippers tried to bribe him with gifts and prayers.

The Encyclopedia Britannica says the following: “Samhain (Celtic: ‘End of Summer’), one of the most important and sinister calendar festivals of the Celtic year. At Samhain, held on November 1, the world of the gods was believed to be made visible to mankind, and the gods played many tricks on their mortal worshippers; it was a time fraught with danger, charged with fear, and full of supernatural episodes. Sacrifices and propitiations of every kind were thought to be vital, for without them the Celts believed they could not prevail over the perils of the season or counteract the activities of the deities. Samhain was an important precursor to Halloween.”

On the night of October 31, the eve of the new year, the Celts, after harvesting their crops and storing them for the coming winter, began their festival. First, they extinguished the cooking fires in their homes. Then the Druids (Celtic priests) met on hilltops in the dark oak forests (they viewed oak trees as sacred), and built huge sacred bonfires to frighten away evil spirits and to honor the sun god. Next, the people would burn crop and animal sacrifices to their gods, dancing around the fires as the “season of the sun” passed and the “season of darkness” began. The Celts wore costumes of animal heads and skins, and told each other their fortunes. The next morning, they re-lit their cooking fires from the sacred bonfires, in order to free them from evil spirits—as well as to help protect them during the coming winter season.

“In ancient Britain and Ireland, the Celtic festival of Samhain eve was observed on October 31, at the end of summer. (It) was the occasion for one of the ancient fire festivals when huge bonfires were set on hilltops to frighten away evil spirits [...] The souls of the dead were thought to revisit their homes on this day, and the autumnal festival acquired sinister significance, with ghosts, witches, hobgoblins, black cats, fairies, and demons of all kinds said to be roaming about. In addition, Halloween was thought to be the most favorable time for divinations concerning marriage, luck, health, and death” (Encyclopedia Britannica).

Who Is the “Lord of the Dead”?

Now what about Samhain, the so-called lord of the dead? God tells us about “...him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Heb. 2:14). Satan the devil was lord, or master, of the dead! The ancient Celts, who thought they were serving God, were deceived into worshipping the god of this world, who is the father of lies and religious deception. We will see that this same being stands behind the modern-day festival of Samhain (Galatians 4:8; Revelations 12:9; II Corinthians 4:4; John 8:44).

We have established that Satan once had the power over death, but he doesn't anymore. So who is the lord of the dead today? At this point, we need to briefly consider several scriptures. Notice Matthew 22:31-32, where Jesus answers the Sadducees concerning the resurrection. “But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” Since the patriarchs are dead and God is only the God of the living, the dead do not serve God (Psalm 6:5, Psalm 115:17), then there must be a resurrection from the dead so that they might live and serve Him.

But in order to make the resurrection possible, “For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living” (Romans 14:9). Christ became the Lord and Master of the dead through His resurrection, and gained the keys of the grave and death (Revelation 1:18). Jesus Christ will resurrect the dead back to life so that they will serve Him and God the Father in the soon-coming world tomorrow. As the Encyclopedia Britannica states, “[The festival of] Samhain was an important precursor to Halloween.” So far, Halloween’s origins do not seem so innocent.

And Then Came the Romans

During the first century, the Roman Empire invaded Ireland and the British Isles, conquering most of Celtic territory. The Romans ruled over them for hundreds of years, influencing Celtic and Anglo-Saxon customs and traditions. During this time period, two Roman festivals mixed in with the Celts’ festival of Samhain—Feralia and Pomona Day. Several American cities bear the pagan name Pomona, thereby unwittingly endorsing “Pomona Day.”

Feralia, which was held on February 21, was a Roman holiday designed to honor the dead, but essentially amounted to mass drunkenness and orgies, not unlike the other Roman holidays. Pomona Day, celebrated on November 1, was a festival held in honor of Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit, trees and fertility. Her sacred symbol was the apple. Over the next three centuries, the customs of the festival of Samhain mixed with the practices of Feralia and Pomona Day. That is, until they were “white-washed” and “cleansed” by another religious power.

Next Came the Catholic Church

During the first, second and third centuries, all professing Christians (both true and false) suffered periodic persecution from the Roman Empire, which viewed any form of Christianity as an illegal religion. But in A.D. 313, that changed for some. The Roman Catholic Church, which began with the sorcerer Simon Magus, who is mentioned in chapter eight of the Book of Acts, found favor in the eyes of Emperor Constantine. For the first time in the history of the Roman Empire, the pope, now backed by Roman civil authority, had free reign to determine what was “Christian”, and what was not.

Throughout the early years of the Catholic Church, worshippers observed special anniversaries for martyrs who had been executed for their beliefs. Soon there weren’t enough days in the calendar year to dedicate a specific day for each individual martyr, so the Catholics observed one feast day for all martyrs.

“In the fourth century, neighboring dioceses began to interchange feasts, to transfer relics, to divide them, and to join in a common feast; as is shown by the invitation of St. Basil of Caesarea (A.D. 397) to the bishops of the province of Pontus. Frequently groups of martyrs suffered on the same day, which naturally led to a joint commemoration [...] the number of martyrs became so great that a separate day could not be assigned to each. But the Church, feeling that every martyr should be venerated, appointed a common day for all” (Catholic Encyclopedia).

So the Catholic Church, with the backing of the government, decided to “white-wash” a Roman holiday. Tired of admonishing the Romans for engaging in drunken revelries as an excuse to honor the dead (and desiring more converts), Pope Boniface IV, in A.D. 609, declared Feralia to be Christian. Instead of honoring all of the dead, they were now just to honor dead “saints".

Instead of drunken revelries, it would be a day of prayer and meditation. Instead of calling it Feralia, he changed it to All Saints’ Day. And he moved the date of its observance from February 21 to May 13. “Boniface IV, [on] 13 May, 609, or 610, consecrated the Pantheon in Rome to the Blessed Virgin and all the martyrs, ordering an anniversary”.

Then, Pope Gregory III, who reigned 731-741, “consecrated a chapel in the Basilica of St. Peter to all the saints and fixed the anniversary for 1 November” (Catholic Encyclopedia). He broadened “the festival [of All Saints’ Day] to include all saints as well as all martyrs” (Encyclopedia Britannica).

Meanwhile, the Celts were still observing the festival of Samhain in one form or another. The Catholic Church took note and Pope Gregory IV (827-844) attempted to replace it by moving All Saints’ Day from May 13 to November 1—the same day as Samhain—officially extending the festival to the entire church. All Saints’ Day became known as All Hallows Day, while October 31 became All Hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween.

More Festival Changes

But the white-washing process was not finished. In A.D. 988, the Catholic Church instituted another day, All Souls’ Day, to commemorate “all the faithful departed, those baptized Christians who are believed to be in purgatory because they have died with guilt of lesser sins on their souls. It is celebrated on November 2. Roman Catholic doctrine holds that the prayers of the faithful on earth will help cleanse these souls in order to fit them for the vision of God in heaven... The date, which became practically universal before the end of the 13th century, was chosen to follow All Saints’ Day. Having celebrated the feast (All Saints’ Day) of all the members of the church who are believed to be in heaven, the church on earth turns, on the next day, to commemorate those souls believed to be suffering in purgatory” (Encyclopedia Britannica).

Now all of the souls of the dead had their own day of worship, saints, martyrs, and even lowly believers who were not worthy to be declared either saints or martyrs.

As with the festival of Samhain, the Catholic believers celebrated with huge bonfires, parades and costumes, masquerading as dead saints, angels and demons. Altogether, All Saints’ Eve (October 31), All Saints’ Day (November 1), and All Souls’ Day (November 2) combined into Hallowmas, mirroring the Celtic Vigil of Samhain! What was proclaimed Christian and clean and wholesome originated from drunken revelries, pagan superstitions and false doctrines dating back to the Garden of Eden.

The Hallowmas festival—and especially Halloween—was so popular that, in 1517, Martin Luther chose Halloween night to post his ninety-five theses on the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany (which effectively started the Protestant Reformation). He picked this night because he understood that large crowds of people would be moving through the streets that evening!

Pagan Customs Come to America

As European immigrants began settling in the United States, while it was still in its infancy, they brought customs, traditions, superstitions and religious practices, including Halloween, from their homelands.

The biggest Halloween influence in America came with the millions of Irish settlers who immigrated to the U.S., after fleeing Ireland’s potato famine of 1846. Soon, Halloween, like Christmas, became a secular holiday for all. The day’s festivities included parades, parties, costumes, treats and mischief.

And so today’s Halloween customs (black cats, parades, dressing up as ghouls and witches, parties, bonfires, tricks and mischievous pranks), which most people take for granted—point directly back to the Vigil of Samhain, the false lord of the dead, pagan Roman holidays filled with immoral revelries, and the Catholic Church’s Hallowmas.

In light of its historical pagan origin, can we honestly view Halloween as merely an innocent childhood indulgence? Is this the kind of tradition we want to pass on to our children?
Human nature will always argue, “Hold on, I don’t worship the sun or pray to some pagan ‘lord of the dead.’ I like Halloween because it’s fun. What’s wrong with that?”

What does God think? How does He view Halloween?

Engulfed in False Doctrines

Let’s review. We have established that Halloween originated with the Celts, who worshipped nature, the creation, rather than the one true God, who created nature and everything in it.

The apostle Paul wrote, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.” (Romans 1:21-25).

They had trusted the sun, as their god, to provide them with enough harvest crops to get them through the winter, rejecting God as their Provider.

"...Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? [...] Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:25-33)

They had put their trust in “sacred bonfires” to protect them from evil spirits, instead of trusting God as their Protector. The Celts believed in the immortality of the soul, a false doctrine Satan taught man in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-5), and has used to deceive the whole world ever since that time (Revelation 12:9).

God says that when you die, you die. Period. No going to heaven (John 3:13; Acts 2:29, Acts 2:34). No roaming the earth and haunting houses. No spending eternity in Purgatory, or some other humanly-devised place: “For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5). “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:4). Sin is the breaking of God’s Law (I John 3:4). Halloween sprang from direct opposition to God’s truth.

God’s Viewpoint

Notice what God says about pagan customs, traditions, practices and beliefs in general:

“Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain.”
(Jeremiah 10:2-3)

God took a nation of slaves, Israel, and freed them from their cruel Egyptian masters. Leading them out of Egypt, He commanded them, saying, “According to the doings of the land of Egypt, where you dwelt, you shall not do; and according to the doings of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, you shall not do; nor shall you walk in their ordinances” (Leviticus 18:3). God ordered the Israelites not to defile themselves with the practices and customs of the surrounding nations (vs. 24-29). “Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God” (vs. 30).

God gave Israel His laws, statutes and judgments. He gave them a way of life completely alien to mankind; a way that, if kept diligently and from the heart, will produce peace, joy, and prosperity, every good thing that He wants to abundantly share with all of humanity (John 10:10). God told the Israelites that they would be blessed beyond human imagination if they carefully kept His laws (Leviticus 26:3-13). And that they would be greatly cursed if they rejected Him and replaced His ways with pagan customs, practices and traditions, no matter how innocent or harmless they seemed (Leviticus 26:14-39).

Yet, despite God’s warnings, Israel would not listen. Even after God had sent them servant after servant, throughout their turbulent history, they still would not repent and whole-heartedly turn to Him. “And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy” (II Chronicles 36:15-16).

Because of their spiritual adultery and affinity for pagan practices, calling them holy when God calls them profane (Ezekiel 22:26), God had no choice but to punish Israel. And, unfortunately, the modern-day descendants of Israel, the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia, Israel, and others, will very soon be severely punished for failing to discern what is holy from what is profane (Jeremiah 30:4-7; Ezekiel 24:13-14). The one true God - the Creator, Teacher, Lawgiver and Judge - does not take pagan practices lightly!

Satan Blinds the World

Most people do not believe that Satan the Devil exists, and that best suits his game plan. His goal is to keep the people of his world, his society, blind to his lies and deceits (2 Corinthians 4:4, Revelation 12:9). He even uses false ministers, who seem to be ministers of light, but are in reality Satan’s ministers of darkness.

Paul wrote, “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (II Corinthians 11:14-15). Satan wants us to be so wrapped up in the customs and practices of this world, his world, that when presented with the plain truth about Halloween, we will shrug our shoulders and say, “I’m just celebrating it to have fun, what’s the big deal?”

Throughout mankind’s turbulent history, Satan has always managed to find a way to separate man from God (Isaiah 59:1-3) by tempting him into various sins and false ideas that may seem right, that may seem innocent and harmless, but are in direct opposition to God! Jeremiah said, “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23), and “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). Even when the Roman Catholic Church attempted to gloss over strange pagan practices of the Celts and Romans, it introduced its own false, Satanic doctrines, passing them off as Christian. Halloween is riddled with deceit and falsehoods.

Yet, even after all the historical evidence and biblical insights are brought to light, there will still be those who continue to view Halloween as just another harmless childhood practice. Nothing will convince them otherwise. Like a gleaming, white-washed tomb (Matthew 23:27), Halloween may sparkle on the surface, but in God’s eyes, it is filled with every spiritually unclean and filthy thing imaginable, a foul stench to His nostrils (Isaiah 65:5).

No man or religious organization has the power to “white-wash” Halloween and declare it to be Christian, or okay for Christians to partake in. God unmasks Halloween and sees it for exactly what it is... will you?


Source: “Trick?” or “Treat?”


Saturday, September 24, 2011

Function Vs. Perform

Often times the word "function" is confused with the word "perform". I've heard it said "I can't function without first having my coffee in the morning", or "I can't function without a full night of sleep"... Although both of those may have something to do with how well we perform, neither of those things determine whether or not we function.

So what's the difference? Is there anything that we simply cannot do without, that will allow or prevent us from functioning? Before we just declare that our ability to function can be altered without something like coffee and sleep, among other things people think they just can not "function" without, first we need to determine the difference between function and perform. As professed Christians, the difference really does matter.

func·tion

 [fuhngk-shuhn
the purpose for which something is designed or exists

per·form

 [per-fawrm]
to go through or execute in a customary or established manner

Obviously, we each have a predestined function established by God when we were lovingly and skillfully created. It's what God wants of us, out of the individual creation He designed for us to be, bringing Him glory. How we perform is just our own day to day interpretation of how we think things are supposed to go. It's a habit, a customary way we get used to doing things, usually based on self wants and pleasures and what we feel needs to be done.

So what is our function? Solomon spoke in God's word about honoring God through all aspects of our thoughts and lives by fearing God and obeying Him. He summarized it himself at the end of Ecclesiastes.

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

We should also be keeping things in a Godly perspective. For David, his ultimate satisfaction would come to him when this life on Earth is done, and we embark on all heaven has to offer. Like Asaph in Psalm 73, our relationship with God should be the most important thing to us... because without that relationship, we ultimately let go of our purpose... our function. Even Paul, in Philippians chapter three, compares everything else to the equivalent of dung.

As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
(Psalm 17:15)

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
(I John 3:2)

Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
(Psalm 73:25)

Now that we know what our function should be, what is our performance? What is the customary way we go through our life on a day to day basis? It's so easy to get things off track through the simple "little things" in life that we think is important for us in the now. Then we assume God has left us, or doesn't care enough about us to see us through our circumstance... when all along it was simply our own selfish and rebellious ways that fell short of the glory of God.

Think about your daily routine. Do you set specific time aside for just you and God? Do you include Him throughout your day, every day? Not just Sundays, or when there's a church event or fellowship activity, and certainly not just when you're in the company of fellow "Christian" friends.

What music do you listen to, and is it glorifying to God? Or maybe it's just a "good" song that gets your toe tapping, yet has nothing to do with the Lord. What words do you speak to others, and do they reflect God's goodness in your life? Or maybe they are full of negativity, condemnation, judgement, ridicule, gossip, and worldly things (whether you realize it or not). Do you seek Him in His word? Or perhaps the latest book on vampires or romance is more interesting to your fleshly desires, that time in the word of God is put on the back burner to catch up on later. What shows are you recording on your DVR? Do they minister to your soul, teaching and guiding you in a way that will reflect the Lord in your life? Perhaps it's more entertaining to see who has slept with who in your favorite soap, who's chosen who in the current reality show, or laughing at the way a wife trashes her husband's character in a liberal sitcom as she insists on wearing the pants in the family. Is your household run on God's terms? Or maybe it's easier to just let the kids do what they're going to do to avoid conflict.

Everything we do, watch, say, listen to, and allow to happen in our lives should glorify God... no if's, and's or but's. If it does not glorify God, you are hindering your walk with Him, and retracting yourself from the many blessings He has available to you! Those "small things" that seem so harmless provide a way for the enemy to step in and conquer your spirit, a little at a time, until he is sitting back in comfort watching your life twist itself right out of God's will. Before you know it, you've conformed yourself to the world, rather than the will of God.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
(Romans 12:2)

So how do we get back to our function instead of being stuck in a poor performance that lacks the will of God, the teachings of the Lord, and the fruits of the Spirit? Being a Christian is more than just a title. It's a lifestyle. It's a way of reflecting Christ to others, strangers and loved ones alike, in everything about us... not just the things we decide to reflect because it's comfortable or convenient. Being a Christian should set us apart from the world, not just blend us in with it as a "good guy" among the rest. Yes, we all do fall short of the glory of God, we do sin, we make mistakes. However, the blood Christ shed on Calvary covers a manifest of sin!

Repentance is the first step. Confess the errors in your life to the Lord, give those errors to Him, and ask Him to guide you, helping you to avoid the same mistakes again. Confessing Jesus as your Lord and Savior goes beyond just words. It should mean a lifestyle change... and we can't do that on our own! Although God's will may be sought, and the teaching of Jesus are an example of how we are to live, we are also given a Comforter through the Holy Spirit that can intercede for us, to direct and guide us through our walk with the Lord. In fact, in Acts chapter one, Jesus commanded them to wait, because there was more for them beyond just salvation and baptism of water that was used as a sign of the new covenant with God, and to be baptized in the Holy Ghost. Power is given to us through this baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), and that power makes intercession for us (Romans 8:26)!

We have been given everything we could possibly need to function! It's up to us to make our performance a reflection of the Lord rather than a reflection of the flesh... it's literally a matter of eternal life and eternal condemnation!

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
(Mark 16:15-18)


Tuesday, September 20, 2011

"Finding Nemo" Teaches a Lesson

Yes, I'm a grown woman and I just listed an animated movie about fish as my favorite movie. Another confession: I even named my pet Chihuahua Dory, after the name of my favorite character in the movie, the bright Regal Blue Tang fish that helps Marlin find Nemo.

Did you know this film can be interpreted as a spiritual lesson for us to learn from? I didn't either the first dozen or so times I watched it. I thought it was finally just a clean movie without a bunch of stupid witchcraft and needless violence for kids (and kids at heart) to enjoy. But there are a few lessons within this animation with insights we can apply to our own lives!

I'll try to keep this as brief and summarized as possible, but I'd like to share some of what I have learned from this animated favorite of mine!

The movie pretty much begins with Marlin and his wife, Coral, enjoying their own underwater garden. There were beautiful views, no limits, nothing but playfulness and love between them as they admire the eggs of their future children, snuggled below in a mini cave. Fairly quickly though, Marlin and Coral spot a barracuda hovering in the distance. Marlin warns Coral not to move, but she feels she knows best, and she dives down toward them anyway, losing her life and the eggs to the barracuda.

In a way this reminds me of Adam and Eve. They had it all in the Garden of Eden. A freedom within perfection that God designed for them to cherish and enjoy. Then the serpent hovered, tempted, and because Eve trusted in herself instead of God's direction, before they realized what hit them, life as Adam and Eve knew it was lost.

Marlin, in the process, was knocked out, and when he comes to he's all alone... all except the one surviving egg, Nemo. Marlin vows to never let anything happen to him, naming him Nemo because it was the only name his wife had thought of for their children before the attack. Marlin becomes overly protective and scared of everything around them. What didn't help Nemo's situation in this, was being born with one fin smaller than the other (which Nemo refers to as his "lucky fin").

You see, Marlin's heart was broken, and the only vow he can make from that broken heart is one based on hurt and lies. He can't honestly vow not to let anything happen to him, that's out of his control. He just harbors Nemo within his own prison of fear. Marlin had constant fear. He worried that something would happen to Nemo... and in turn, everything he tried so hard to avoid, happened anyway.

Nemo saw no fear or limitations to what he could do, learn, explore and achieve. Drowning in the fear of his dad, rebellion kicks in when Nemo is challenged to go touch a boat. He tells his dad he hates him, he rebels, then because of his disobedience he was captured by a diver in the reef.

We do that don't we? We draw so many negative circumstances into our own lives because of our own expectations... that we blindingly wrap those expectations in fear from past situations, preparing ourselves for ultimate failure, whether it comes or not. Our ego's often get in the way because we unknowingly allow our ego's to me motivated, energized, if you will, by fear. We think we know what's best for ourselves and those around us (family, friends, co-workers, etc), because of things that have happened to us. But that was our situation for that moment... it doesn't dictate how a path will unfold for someone else.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
(I John 4:18)

Love kicks in. Not possessive, fear obsessed control, but love. Marlin realizes his love is stronger than any fear hovering from his past. He calls out for help in his moment of need. While it is the Lord we call out to in desperation, in this scenario it is Dory that comes along.

Here's an ironic tidbit. The name given to Dory in this movie is actually significant to the role of this little blue fish. Dory is a variant, a nickname, for Dorothy. The name Dorothy primarily means "gift of God", as well as "Contributor" and "Comforter". The first thing Dory says to Marlin is "It'll be alright, it'll be okay". She was comforting him, telling him she would contribute herself to help find Nemo.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.
(John 14:16)

Marlin had called out for help, and he was sent a comforter. She has a faith, determination, love, and a hope that will never give up. Although the character is given a funny quirk of forgetfulness, she endures with Marlin through the process. She proves to Marlin the qualities of love described in I Corinthians 13:4-7. She's willing to help him, but in order to accept her help, Marlin has to let go of the fears and hauntings of his past.

They go through trials and obstacles along their way. A song Dory seems to sing through different parts of the movie is "Just keep swimming...". Her faith doesn't dry up. Regardless of the trials, problems, signs of defeat, and endless obstacles that they face... she "just keeps swimming", keeping her focus on the end goal, the finish line, the ultimate purpose for the journey, moving forward with faith. Dory helps Marlin through a number of moments, and after a meaningful triumph of Marlin facing a fear against a dangerous fish that was originally disguised as a deceptive light, Marlin thinks he no longer needs Dory, that he can do it on his own, his way.

Isn't that just like us sometimes? We call out to God for help when things get discouraging, tough, and trying. He faithfully sends His Comforter to give us peace, to show us a love that only He could provide... one that endures forever. He helps us through, and God's glory is lost as we stand puffed up atop of what has been overcome. Sometimes without realization, the Lord is pushed aside as we soar over the mountain top he brought us to out of the valley. It's all going good again, and we forget about our source of triumph through the storm.

So here's Marlin, the all-knowing clown fish that is set and determined to do things his way. Dory stops a school of fish to get accurate directions, but Marlin does things his way and swims over the trench rather than through it, taking them right through an encampment of jellyfish, and Dory is stung by the jellyfish venom that Marlin has a tolerance for, and he swims right through leaving Dory behind.

Ah, again, we let sin creep into our lives, and we build up a tolerance to it. Starting with little things that we convince ourselves surely won't effect a walk with the Lord. Those small things build up a tolerance level that hurts God, and leads us away from him. We, little by little, leave Him behind as we dart through acts of sin that have blinded us as we unknowingly leave God out of our lives and the decisions we make.

Suddenly Marlin sees what he has done, realizing that Dory is a vital part of him and his mission, and he swims back into the mass of jellyfish to find her. They are both stung badly by the jellyfish, and Marlin wakes up to find himself in a different place. In this place, the EAC (East Australian Current), he meets a wise turtle that stops him in his tracks when he reacts out of fear and gives him a lesson on trust and overcoming fear.

The wisdom was shared with Marlin and it begins to sink in. His time of healing and restoration takes place, and he tells his story about losing Nemo and his plight to find him, no matter what. The testimony is spread, starting with the young turtles, passed along through to the fish, sharks, dolphins, and beyond into the ocean. The news is spread about a dedicated father and his son.

Marlin and Dory continue on the journey to find Nemo. When Dory asks for directions from a whale, they are swallowed up. Wearing himself out trying to escape his circumstance, he comes close to giving up. He lashes out at Dory in anger, unable to understand how it could come to this after going and going, facing trial after trial... finally making it that far, just to get swallowed up by a whale. Something Dory says snaps in him though, that the empty promise he gave his son, telling him he would never let anything happen to him, was an impossible promise for him to make. Dory holds onto faith as she keeps an optimistic look into their situation. She doesn't mislead by saying that nothing bad would happen to them, but she assures Marlin that in the end, it will be okay. Marlin trusts in that faith in the end, and they are freed from the whale.

Toward the end, when Nemo gets out of the fish tank the diver had him in, they must all work together one more time. They spread the news to all the fish captured in the net on how to be freed, and what they must do to make it happen. Nemo, Dory, and Marlin all work together toward a common goal, and although it took faith and sacrifice on Marlin's part to let Nemo go to spread the word to the other fish in the net, the end result was a freedom for them all.

We have such a fleshly need to control people, situations, and happenings in our lives... making life for ourselves so much more difficult than it has to be. Working together for the common goal, through faith, sacrifice and overcoming fears, spreading the word to others by what we say and do, can be a powerful witness to achieving the freedom of everlasting life that Jesus provided for us long ago on Calvary.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
(Hebrews 11:1)

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
(Isaiah 41:10)

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:6-7)


Monday, September 19, 2011

Ultimate Surrender

I love a beautiful sunrise or sunset. I love a full house of family and friends. I love daily chat sessions and giggles with my kids. I love crashing into my bed after a long day and feeling my pillow-top mattress fold around me soothing my tired body. I love accomplishing a long to-do list that makes my day feel so productive. Each and every one of those things sound terrific, and could easily be the best part of a day for me. But there's one thing that tops them all without comparison, on a level all its own.

It's a moment of ultimate surrender. When every thought, sound, event, task and chore is pushed out of my mind. It's a number of feelings wrapped into one. If peace, comfort, joy, focus, humbleness and mercy could be combined into one word, one feeling, one experience, one place... that is the best part of my day.

Some days it takes me longer to reach that moment than others, but it is always reachable. The presence of the Lord is always there for me to grasp, appreciate, reverence, and drown away in.

I don't have an exact time of day that I do my reading and praying. Sometimes it is first thing in the morning. Other times it's at night when the kids are winding down for bed. Then there are the mid-day escapes into my room when no one around me is paying attention.

I like to know that all interruptions are clear, and that time can be a specific time for absorbing wisdom from the word, sobbing my plea for forgiveness, praising for the blessings my life is intertwined with, and seeking the guidance for the next step in my path.

I'll be honest, there are days that I struggle, my mind darting from one thought to the next. But then comes that moment. Sweet surrender to the Spirit... and every thought, every task on the agenda disappears as my focus clears.

That is the best time of the day. No matter how good or bad the day seemed before, or even after. It's the only time of the day I can be 100% free from every care in the world. Every worry the enemy attempts to put on my shoulders. Every feeling that is not of God. How can that not be the best... an absolute perfect moment to relish?

Include those moments in your day, despite how difficult it may seem to get there... it's worth it my friends! It has the power to free from bondage, the strength to get you through a hardship, joy for a clouded day of frustration, and a peace that overcomes your circumstance. Whether it be five minutes or five hours... the Lord will meet you there somehow, someway, every time.

The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
(Psalm 145:18)

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.
(James 4:8)



Tuesday, September 6, 2011

A Christian's Syllabus


Heaven is my university.
Jesus is my principal.
The Holy Spirit is my teacher.
Angels are my classmates.
The Bible is my textbook.
Church is my homeroom.
Trials and temptations are my exams.
Winning souls are my assignments.
Prayer is my attendance.
The Crown of Life is my degree.
Praise and Worship is my motto.

Enroll today, there is unlimited room for all & tuition was prepaid on Calvary!



Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Everyday Joy

The kids are arguing. It's time to pay the bills. You woke up feeling physically horrible. A workload was dumped on you at your job. Everyone around you is complaining and miserable. You got a flat tire. Dinner burned in the oven. A loved one is in the hospital. Your roof is leaking.

So, everyday joy: is it possible? You betcha! Joy... YOUR joy... is a choice... it's YOUR choice. We are provided with the joy of the Lord, but it's up to us to open our hearts to it, accept it and apply it! There is so much negativity in this world, and it's so often dwelt upon when the choice to do so is avoidable!!

The joy of the LORD is your strength.
(Nehemiah 8:10)

Joy... genuine, whole-hearted, soul satisfying joy... isn't just missing within the world, it's missing in the body of Christ! In everyday conversations with people, messages I receive, even my Facebook news feed, is overwhelmed with complaints, heartache, disgust, and negativity. Where is the joy of the Lord in that?!

It shouldn't just be saved for Sunday mornings when attending church or during a get together with a fellow Christian! Joy is to dwell within you always, whether you're alone at home, with your family, at a gathering, in the workplace, or just out grocery shopping... the joy of the Lord should be reflected, causing a prism effect everywhere around you!

How is this joy possible? It's supplied to us in God's word! Only the joy of the Lord can provide strength through any and every moment in our everyday life!

The bottom line is, if you're not allowing the Holy Spirit to continuously stir up joy within your heart, causing a craving for more of the Lord in your life, then you my friend are choosing to let your joy sit on the shelf rather than being used for God's glory! Your fire, your Holy Ghost fire, is being extinguished.

A true love for the Lord creates a hunger for more of Him through His word! Follow through with what you are taught through your readings with a humble repenting heart! Those renewing and life changing choices should then separate you and your life from the influences of the world... automatically providing a joy that no circumstance will be able to steal away from you! That's displaying true faith in your Creator and Savior.

You will develop a new set of eyes that find good in ALL things that come your way! What a witness to those that surround you, lost without Jesus... someone full of joy that has good news to share despite a circumstance that could be dwelt upon, but was chosen not to be!!

Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.
(Psalm 32:11)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
(Galatians 5:22-23)

Rejoice evermore.
(1 Thessalonians 5:16)

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
(Psalm 16:11)

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
(Philippians 4:4)



Tuesday, August 23, 2011

A Worn Out CD of Messages

I have a stack of CD's in my car. Every now and then I alternate the one playing, but for quite some time now the disc inserted has been Casting Crowns, their first CD released in 2003.

Thankfully I backed up the CD onto my laptop, because this poor thing is wore out! The first couple songs play fine, but more and more lately it gets so far into the CD and starts skipping. I play it anyway, jumping past the parts that skip as I sing along to it, letting the words sink in.

Each song speaks to me, the message of each song rings clear through their words. I found a YouTube video of each one and thought I'd share them if you have time to watch them...

What If His People Prayed - This is a powerful song about the power of prayer. Sometimes we're so blind as to why God isn't moving, and why our circumstances are stuck at a stand still. How many miracles of God could take place if the church as a whole, starting with us each one by one, began to hit their knees and seek God's face over each and every circumstance... not just when they think they need something. It's so easy to get comfortable in our everyday habits that we forget that HE should be our purpose, adviser, deliverer and support system!

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
(2 Chronicles 7:14)

If We Are The Body - Certainly a song of conviction! How easy is it so figure someone else will greet the new person, someone else will minister to the bum on the corner, someone else will invite the neighbor to church, someone else will stand up for what is right to save us the humiliation. Isn't it enough that you pray for others, are nice to people, and set a general example by going to church, participating in events, and share bible verses online in your Facebook feed or blog? YOU are a part of the body of Christ... if someone is put in our path, it's an ordained moment by God to be a witness of the sacrifice of His son... that blood shed not just for us, but for ALL. We need to rely less on others and pointing fingers that declare it's someone else's responsibility, and work more together as the body of Christ moving in one direction with unison!

For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
(I Corinthians 12:24-27)

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
(James 2:10)

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
(James 2:26)

Voice Of Truth - We all have our days of feeling insignificant because of our trials and failures. The enemy loves to remind of us these moments so we'll give up or remain frustrated with our circumstances and lose sight of the ONE who gets us through those times and uses them as a source of His glory and a testimony that will uplift others who may be going through the very same situation. This is such a song of an encouraging remind that HIS voice will ring out above Satan's whispering taunts... if we're willing to listen. God isn't intimidated by what circumstances we are in, and that strength is what we need to depend on.

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
(Ephesians 1:13-14)

Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
(Psalm 25:5)

Who Am I - It's all about giving God glory for what He has done and the sacrifice Jesus provided on the cross of Calvary. Did you get a promotion? Pay off your car? Give extra in the offering plate? Help someone change a tire? Have a worry free day at work? Sleep peacefully through the night? Guess what... it has nothing to do with self or coincidence... it's all God's goodness! He provides and inspires all things good in our lives, and to Him goes all glory, honor, and praise!!

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
(James 1:17)

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.
(Romans 8:28)

American Dream - This song is a wake up call. We get so focused on stuff. Working to pay off a car, house, credit card bills, loans, and all the extras. Perhaps if switched the roles of our priorities... putting that much effort into serving the Lord, and gave the time we currently put toward the Lord, towards the "stuff"... my oh my how much more the Lord could move within us! God doesn't want our focus on the things of this world... all He wants is US! He wants our time, love, praise, attention, and obedience. It's not about getting and having, it's about Him! The stuff stays behind when our time on earth is done. It's all worthless materialistic man-made objects that will not withstand... but what we do for the Lord will determine our place for eternity. Put your sights on the Rock... the rest just washes away, leaving us drained and stressed.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

Here I Go Again - This is one that reminds us of the importance of ministering to those around us. The video I found for this song puts a powerful image with the words of the song (watch it full screen if you're able). It's a reminder that our next moments are not promised, and neither are those of the lost friends and loved ones in our lives. Be a witness, declare the Lord's love, and don't give up on sharing the Truth with those in your life! It may bring criticism and mockery, but Jesus suffered the ultimate form of that so we could be redeemed... how are we better than He? It just might save your loved one from an eternity of damnation.

Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
(Mark 8:38)

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
(Philippians 1:27-28)

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
(Mark 16:15)

Praise You With The Dance - This is an terrific song of praise. The Lord brings us through so much more than we give Him credit for. He's an awesome God that deserves every ounce of glory, praise, and thanks that we have within us. Regardless of our past we were all sinners unworthy of His mercy, and yet He thought enough of us to send His son as a redeeming sacrifice. How is that not worth of endless praise!?

Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
(Psalm 150:1-6)

Glory - Another worship song, glorifying God, declaring to Him worthiness, holiness, and dedication to serving Him. I love to play this one on repeat in my car, singing along as loud and whole-heartedly as I can. It pulls your heart and mind into the frame of worship and celebrating everything we have to be thankful for. Psalm 22:3 tells us He inhabits the praises of His people... WE are His people! And He embraces the worship we give to our King of Kings!

Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.
(Isaiah 12:5)

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
(Hebrews 13:15)

Life Of Praise - Another terrific praise song that I like to crank up and absorb myself in. Often we think that our blessings are the things He provides us with. My blessings include the depths He had to reach down into in order to rescue me. It includes the forgiveness I receive daily when I humbly ask Him of it. Not forgetting the strength and protection He covers me with each and every day. He's awesome, and this song glorifies that, calling out His name in so many forms of recognition. It's about more than just raising our hands to praise Him, it's about praising Him with our life.

My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.
(Psalm 71:23)

I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
(Psalm 34:1-3)

Your Love Is Extravagant - For me, this song goes beyond praise and worship. When I play this, I imagine myself standing before the Lord, speaking to Him, expressing my personal thoughts and feeling to Him. It's like a love letter in song format to our Savior. It's gentle, soft, and a heart tugging reminder of the Love that surpasses all. It's easy for us to say "I love my husband to death" or "I'd die for my kids"... those are words... Christ put it into action with the most majestic form of love possible, and carries us in that love.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
(John 3:16)

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
(Romans 5:8)

Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast. How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
(Psalm 36:5-7)

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Life Lesson Through Remembrance

Pictured next to that massive elephant is my cousin, Charlotte aka "Char-Lee". Growing up, she was the only one I really had to talk to.

Times seemed consistently hard for me through childhood, and many times it was unknown who my "real" friends were. Char-Lee always made time for me despite the nine year age difference between us. She would put off plans with her own friends to kidnap me for a day out at the movies, time at the park to fly kites or toss a frisbee around, ride bikes anywhere and everywhere, play time on her Atari, or even to just sit and talk about anything my heart desired. She was beautiful, inside and out. I loved her dearly.

Char-Lee worked for Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida. She had a passion for animals, and was working hard at her degree in Zoology. When I was 14 years old, I received a phone call from my Aunt while my parents were out, to learn that I would never see Char-Lee again.

Just before a public elephant show at the zoo, an elephant turned on her, and did damage that took her life, and her last concerns expressed to the care flight paramedics were for them to make sure the elephant wasn't destroyed for what it did to her.

At the time of her death I was distraught... especially being at an age that our talks, along with her friendship and love, were so needed and important in my life. I wanted that elephant destroyed for taking something so precious from me.

Looking at what happened now, I gain a valuable lesson from Char-Lee's last moments.

Look at how huge that elephant is compared to Char-Lee in the photo. It was a massive, strong, and obviously a potentially dangerous creature... yet Char-Lee stands beside it, a smile on her face, looking as though she were outside playing with a puppy-sized pet.

How many times do our problems, circumstances and trials seem to stack up so tall against us? When we view them they look gigantic and overwhelming, seemingly desiring to stir fear up inside of us. At times we even have people come against us. They appear to bring on a force so strong that we feel as though we will buckle under their pressure at any given moment. Rumors, lies, condemnation, hate, strife, jealousy, judgement, evil, mockery... people are out there that strive on such things.

So do we tremble in fear, avoiding them as often as possible? Or do we stand tall next to the problems or people in question, a smile on our face, knowing that greater is HE that is in you, than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4)!

Despite the life taking injuries Char-Lee endured, she wanted no retaliation taken.

When our feelings are hurt, our families attacked, our possessions are stolen, or we are taken advantage of... what is our response? Do we attack back? Do we get even? Do we make it known of every little thing we think on the situation? Do we contact everyone we know to "set things straight"?

Or... do we pray the Lord blesses the person in return?

Here's what God's word instructs us to do:

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
(Luke 6:27-30)

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
(Romans 12:14)

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
(Romans 12:19)

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
(Romans 12:21)

Revenge is not the answer. Our answer is found in love. So many times it is difficult to respond to situations with the charity of the Lord, but what result do we receive from getting back, getting even, and returning hate for hate... besides more to repent for and a hardened heart?

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

I'm thankful for the life lesson I receive from this picture of Char-Lee and the remembrance of her heart of love. The moral is so very significant. There is still to this day a memorial for her at the Lowry Park Zoo, and according to her wishes, the elephant was not destroyed.




Wednesday, August 10, 2011

From Trial to Testimony

The people in your life that tend to bring you the most tears can also be the ones that make you smile the most. My kiddos are those very people.

Children bring tears to the eyes of their parents as they progress through life, explore the world around them, and make decisions that make them (tears of joy) or break them (tears of sorrow).

Five children in one household wasn't always pie. Those make or break moments were very real and very emotional.

I had make or break moments in my own life growing up. On so many paths I seemed to chose the "break me" moments more often than the "make me" moments.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
(Proverbs 22:6)

I was "raised" in church, but rather than embrace what the men and women of God taught me about the Lord, I focused on how I was done wrong, what I didn't get, ways I was let down, compared the lives of others with what I didn't experience, and how I was hurt. I chose to look at and dwell on the negativity surrounding me over the moments of glory God did make present in one way or another. I ran from the answer rather than to it. I continued to run from God right through into my twenties.

His word stood strong and faithful though. Although I don't consider myself "old" quite yet, I'm certainly older... and strive daily to keep myself rooted into the lifeline that the blood of Jesus provided for me the day He shed His blood on Calvary. His sacrifice wiped away every poor path I chose, casting it into the sea of forgetfulness (Micah 7:19).

I still fail. I still fall short of the glory of God. I stumble and no doubt cause the Lord shame. But then comes Jesus. He sees my heart. He sees my tears of sorrow. He is there to comfort us when we go running to Him with our faults and pleas for mercy.

The moments of torment in my life became moments of victory. The moments of sadness turned to joy. Trials are now testimonies. The more we go through the bigger the chance we have to grow closer to God. If our eyes stay on Him despite the circumstance, our troubles in the valley become triumph on the mountaintop... He WILL use it for HIS glory!

Knowing where I came from, and the acceptance the Lord gave me with wide open arms after all the sorrow I surely caused Him... I must simply trust that this momma's prayers will urge the Lord to continue His whispers into the hearts of my children.

Plant seeds into the hearts of your loved ones, then hand them over to God, and let Him see to the watering, making sure His increase is made known (1 Corinthians 3:6). Be encouraged if you have children that keep you on your knees in prayer... after all, He saved a wretch like me, and God is by no means partial to us depending on who we are or what our mistakes and past may be (Romans 2:11)! In the meantime, seek Him to guide you for your soul's sake and knowledge, that you may be a shining light and example for those lost loved ones in your life.



Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Armed and Ready

Fears.

Do you have any?

I have no hesitation deciding the first and foremost thing I fear:

The Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the Great I Am, Jehovah-Jireh, Abba Father, my Creator, the Almighty God!

Mind you, this is not to be confused as the same fear some may have when a spider runs across the floor or when a bad storm strikes outside. The fear I am referring to is one of astonishment and awe. It is a way of being afraid, but more in a form of trembling reverence, honor and respect.

Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
(Psalm 33:8)

But the LORD your God ye shall fear; and he shall deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies.
(II Kings 17:39)

Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy.
(Psalm 33:18)

O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
(Psalm 34:9)

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
(Psalm 103:13)

You see, when we have a fear of the Lord, we have no need to fear anything else. No battle, no enemy, no circumstance, no person or thing should be feared knowing we have favor with God because of our fear of Him.

Let me tell you, I despise cockroaches. I jump and run if I see one. If you're in the way of my escape route... you. will. be. run. down. There isn't an armed and ready approach, or a fight or flight decision... I take flight. Right now.

Although the fear of the Lord has so much more significance than my reaction to cockroaches, did you know that we are automatically armed and ready when we fear God? He is our armor! He is our strength! Proverbs chapter nine tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and additionally in Proverbs chapter fourteen that strong confidence comes from the fear of the Lord, giving us a place of refuge!

So not only is it our duty to fear God (Ecclesiastes 12:13), but we are rewarded with safety, protection, strength, and blessings when we do! This fear should have us constantly searching our hearts, minds, and lives for things we do and/or surround ourselves with, that would not be pleasing to God (Proverbs 3:7; Job 28:28; Proverbs 16:6). Allowing these things in our life, or making excuses for certain areas our flesh is not quite ready to give up, displays a lack of a fear of God.

Fear is not a good thing, unless it is the Lord, and the Lord alone, that you fear. Do I fail at this at times? Absolutely. I won't meet up with perfection until the day I join the Lord in heaven... the willingness to strive however, is what should set us apart from the rest of the world.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
(2 Timothy 1:7)

If we have fears over our circumstances, fears of our enemies, or fears of tomorrow, it's time to seek God's face and acknowledge that power, love, and sound mind He makes available to us when we fear Him, and Him alone.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Gifts to Glorify God

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
(I Timothy 4:10)

For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
(Romans 11:29)

Are you aware of your talents? They come in many forms, from expertise and abilities to personality traits. Living out God's word includes more than just being a good person to those around you... it means using everything we were created to be to bring glory to God. Most times, one's calling is based around the talents they are given, and my friends, not using these is unforgivable (Romans 11:29). It is why we were created in the time and position we were placed. Someone put in our path was destined by God to be touched by what God gave us to share... and just think, by them not obtaining what God put in plan for them to receive from us, could mean one more soul not won for the Lord.

Standing before God's throne of judgement, it is my desire to hear Him say, well done, thou good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21), for using the few things He gave me, setting me apart from each and everyone else. I have a purpose you cannot replace. You have a purpose I cannot replace.

We should never have the attitude 'God will use someone else to reach them' when fear and self gets in the way. What if God doesn't? What if ministering through your gift(s), talent, and/or calling was that person's chance to be touched by the Lord, changing their life forever?

The enemy WILL come at you when your time to reveal God's gifts are at hand. It is his position to make you feel inferior, embarrassed, unwelcome, out of place, and unqualified. But who the Lord calls, He qualifies... so remind the devil boldly that he's a liar!

Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
(1 Thessalonians 5:24)

If you're unaware of what gifts you have been given that can be used to glorify God, seek Him about it, He will make them known to you! Artistic ability in singing, playing instruments, and art are incredible ways to bring about glory, ways that bless my heart... but they are not the only gifts! Granted, they are the most obvious as songs of praise are being played and sung, but that doesn't mean the rest of us have to be pew warmers and hermits throughout our journey! Don't let the fear of being used by a very mighty God or a closed mind to possibilities hinder you! Sometimes our calling may be what we very least expect, but there IS one for EACH of us!

Many miss the meaning of the parable that Jesus gave when He said "For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14). It's assumed that God picks and chooses through us, giving some of us callings and others are just there to live out this life being "good people" through our walk, keeping a select few to bring about His glory.

If that were the case then Jesus wasted His breath through the entire mid-section of the parable told in Matthew 22:1-14. We know His words are not void, so we should understand that this parable explains to us how the called are chosen! We're taught that God calls everyone... and gives them the ability to respond to His calling... but to be one of His chosen, we must respond to His calling, using the talents and gifts He has given us!

Be bold and brave in what God has blessed you with!


Be bold, be strong, for the Lord thy God is with thee.
Be bold, be strong, for the Lord thy God is with thee.
Do not be afraid. Do not be dismayed.
Walking in faith and victory.
Walking in faith and victory.
For the Lord, thy God, is with thee.