Well, Before I get started I must say that this article is not meant to make anyone mad or create strife. However, I know that because of the nature of the subject, it is likely that many will take issues with me on this matter.
My request to every reader however, is that before you right me off as strange and stuck in the mud or whatever, stop for a moment and consider the ideas presented in this article.
It seems to me that with each passing year the interest and participation in halloween is ever increasing. I even heard someone say two days ago that halloween is thier favorite annual holiday. We can see the signs of this increase as we drive around our communities. Houses decorated with witches, Jack-o-lanterns and ghost that rival Christmas decorations. To so many people it is a fun, family oriented holiday. But is it really?
Let's take the word holiday for starters. Holiday literally means "holy day" where something significant that God has done is to be celebrated. The original name for October 31st is "all hallows eve" or all saints day. But halloween has veered to the point that it represents nothing that is holy, or anything that is godly.
I wrote an article last year giving some details of the origin and meaning of some of the common events during this time. Instead of attacking the traditions of halloween, let us look at the practical side as it relates to Christians and our participation. I want to give 5 reasons most parents have for participating in this event. Along with these reasonings, let us also look at what the Word of God has to say.
1. It's Just Innocent fun
-Halloween has it's deepest roots in the occult. The Celtic New Year was on Nov. 1. On the evening before, Samhain, the lord of death, along with evil spirits, released disembodied spirits to go out and possess humans. Druid priest would go door to door asking for an animal or a human being for sacrifice to appease the evil spirits. If the people treated them with a sacrifice then they would not be tricked, or cursed. Now to me, that just sounds wicked. Well, this is the origin of trick or treat. (sela).
The word tells us to be imitators of God, not Druid priest. We should imitate all that is good and flee from all that is evil.
2. All My Friends Do It
-One of the major problems in the church world is to do what pleases people. There are Church leaders, including Pastors, that feel that they must do these things to keep the parents in the church happy. We have to many people pleasing pastors today. We have allowed the spirit of the world to dictate our agenda in order to keep these tithe paying families in our churches. God is calling out a people that will make a stand against the spirit of this age. If the church is going to change, it must start with leadership. If we have to make each family happy with our ministry to keep them, then they are following the wrong one. Who's ministry is it? Is Christ still building His Church, or has man taken over the project with our social skills and salesmanship. Bottom line. MAKE A STAND!
3. We Went Trick or Treating As Kids
-Everything we were taught as children, doesn't mean it's right today. I think trick or treating can send a wrong message to some kids. In today's world, we can't trust everyone in our neighborhoods. Our kids need to know that it's not ok to take things from a stranger. Our kids need to have real heros to imitate. (not superman, spiderman, witches, demon-looking creatures)
While our kids are learning these things during halloween ask yourself these questions. Do my kids know the 10 commandments? Do they know the Lord's prayer and it's meaning? Is Jesus the hero in thier lives?
4.We Don't Want Our Children's Friends To Think We Are Weird
-As stated before, the spirit of this age is after our children. We must take this very serious. Our forefathers of the faith made a stand against the evils of thier day. We must teach our children that we are seperated from the world. Yes, it's hard. But remember, there is a mastermind behind these evil schemes. He plays for keeps. If you love your children, teach them they are different than the world. Instill this in them early.
5. We Don't Want Our Children To Miss Out On All The Fun
-If the only fun our children have is wearing scary mask and scaring people and taking candy from strangers then we have serious problems.
Create your own family fun time. Oct. 31st. is the day that the Lord made, spend time rejoicing and enjoying family fun that teaches truth verses traditions that are rooted in the occult.
If it's the candy they want, Food Lion can hook you up.
I know this message is hard and somewhat offensive to many people. But think about the Holy days the Word of God speaks about. Do we consider them? My point is simple. If we are Bible believing children of God, let's practice what He has ordained, and shun what the world and centuries of tradition has handed down. If we don't stand for some things, we will fall for anything. Blessings to you all.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Do we really know Jesus Christ?
Do we really know Jesus Christ. I know this sounds silly and even insulting. But please take a moment and read the rest of this article.
In the book of Ephesians, you can turn there and read these verses. Paul is talking to a believing church. In fact, he commended them for their faith and love. Then he begins to speak some very interesting these. I will be paraphrasing the verses. He says, I cease not to pray for you, making mention of you in my prayers. Paul's prayer was very precise. He prayed for those believers to receive a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.
Why such a prayer for people that already know Him. I believe this speaks to some of the major pitfalls in church today. First of all, Satan believes in Jesus. He even attends service regularly.
It's not enough to just believe and attend service. It's not enough to just read the Bible and pray. God is looking for a people to become intimately involved with His plan for the last days.
In verse 18 He says the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that you may know...... The understanding area in our life is the place we hunger, desire, feel, expect, ect. It is the heart of man. Interestingly enough, Paul says that area has eyes to see. Our natural eyes see when light shines into them and a reflection is made. The eyes of our heart must be flooded with the light of His Word. Please understand, not casual Bible reading. Not casual Church that fits our comfort level. Our heart must fall in love again with the creator of all things. This can only happen when we are focussed on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Like it or not, the heart of most people loves entertainment, and seeks to be gratified in any way possible. And what's worse is when the church uses these methods to appeal to this area of humanity to bring in a crowd of people.
We must allow the Spirit of God to use us to turn hearts towards Him. I love excitement and believe in radical church. But I believe when the dust settles and the flashing lights and wonderful sounds of praise and worship is over, we must know how to still focus our heart on the Lord. Are we hungry for Him. Is He the one we are most affectionate for. Does He have superiority over your plans even if you are a great leader with a lot of wisdom? Jesus is calling us to Himself. Let us hear, repent and draw nigh unto Him this week.
I don't intend to be critical, but what are we building in the so-called church.
I hear a lot of what I'm doing and my church. But in all that, my one major question is this: Do we really know Jesus Christ? If yes, tell others of His goodness. If no, talk to Him. He is there right now waiting to hear from you. God bless and good night!!!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
In the book of Ephesians, you can turn there and read these verses. Paul is talking to a believing church. In fact, he commended them for their faith and love. Then he begins to speak some very interesting these. I will be paraphrasing the verses. He says, I cease not to pray for you, making mention of you in my prayers. Paul's prayer was very precise. He prayed for those believers to receive a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.
Why such a prayer for people that already know Him. I believe this speaks to some of the major pitfalls in church today. First of all, Satan believes in Jesus. He even attends service regularly.
It's not enough to just believe and attend service. It's not enough to just read the Bible and pray. God is looking for a people to become intimately involved with His plan for the last days.
In verse 18 He says the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that you may know...... The understanding area in our life is the place we hunger, desire, feel, expect, ect. It is the heart of man. Interestingly enough, Paul says that area has eyes to see. Our natural eyes see when light shines into them and a reflection is made. The eyes of our heart must be flooded with the light of His Word. Please understand, not casual Bible reading. Not casual Church that fits our comfort level. Our heart must fall in love again with the creator of all things. This can only happen when we are focussed on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Like it or not, the heart of most people loves entertainment, and seeks to be gratified in any way possible. And what's worse is when the church uses these methods to appeal to this area of humanity to bring in a crowd of people.
We must allow the Spirit of God to use us to turn hearts towards Him. I love excitement and believe in radical church. But I believe when the dust settles and the flashing lights and wonderful sounds of praise and worship is over, we must know how to still focus our heart on the Lord. Are we hungry for Him. Is He the one we are most affectionate for. Does He have superiority over your plans even if you are a great leader with a lot of wisdom? Jesus is calling us to Himself. Let us hear, repent and draw nigh unto Him this week.
I don't intend to be critical, but what are we building in the so-called church.
I hear a lot of what I'm doing and my church. But in all that, my one major question is this: Do we really know Jesus Christ? If yes, tell others of His goodness. If no, talk to Him. He is there right now waiting to hear from you. God bless and good night!!!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Supreme Dr,Lillington,United States
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Touching God's Heart: The Real Key to Favor and Blessing
Having been in ministry for about 23 years, I feel that I'm just now understanding God's purpose for my life. Everybody has a purpose for being. Finding true purpose is the discovery of real power and freedom. As a Pastor and traveling Minister, I want to know the mission of the ministry. In the book of Ephesians Paul gives us tremendous insight into this mission. In chapter 1 verse 10 he gives us the ultimate plan of God. To gather together into one all things in Christ. To bring creation back to the original plan. God's command and commission to the first Adam is now coming to completion in the last Adam. This is a tremendous task for the Church. Without being too critical, I wonder if the Church is consistently striving to accomplish His will. Sometimes it's questionable that we even know the real mission.
We have entered a time where leaders are more concerned about the number of people in the house, than the condition of the people in the house. I believe it is very risky to strategize church growth with things that appeal to the fleshly nature. The reason is they may come because of these strategies. But when challenged to change and become a son of God, separated from the world, will they still want to be a part. I have seen this trend building in America. The real problem is the temptation to NOT challenge people has caused the image of the Church to look more like the social club in town verses the house of God. Please don't misunderstand me, I am not being critical, but as a seer it's disturbing.
This has really been put on my heart because the Church is the work of the Lord. Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.
It goes back to Paul's letter to Ephesus. God is gathering together all things in Christ. All tongues, tribes and nations coming under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Some might argue, no way, it will never happen! Sure, every person in the world will not accept Christ, but the mission of the Church is not to decide who will accept or reject. The mission is to preach the glorious gospel and let the Holy Spirit convict and draw people to Christ.
This mission is not easy considering the diversity in the earth. In fact, the heart of Paul's message is to teach the Gentiles that the Church is made up of Jew and Gentile. I believe this must become the focus of the Body of Christ today. Building the bridge between Jew and Gentile. This is God's heart. This is the true mission. We will write later more concerning this mission, but for now I want to shout aloud to every preacher, pastor, prophet or any leader. Discover His heart by seeing the true mission. Building this bridge between Jew and Gentile. We as Gentiles have come into great blessing because of the covenant promise He made with Abraham. Greater things are coming. The word of the Lord says to open the eyes of our understanding, receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. Know Him intimately, and become connected to His plan and purpose for this hour. He will use the Church to open the eyes of blinded Jews. This is not a boast, we don't support the root, the root supports us. (Romans 11:18). When our heart is to see Israel turn to the Messiah (Jesus Christ) we are touching the heart of God. I pray that all who read this will become passionately in love with Jesus. I pray you examine your life and ministry and ask, am I in the mission to see all be gathered together as one in Christ? Do I have a passion for Israel to turn to the Messiah? If not, I pray God pour His heart into yours so that we all can join the eternal purpose of God to fill this Earth with His Glory. Every Nation hearing the only truth that will save their soul. Blessings to all.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
We have entered a time where leaders are more concerned about the number of people in the house, than the condition of the people in the house. I believe it is very risky to strategize church growth with things that appeal to the fleshly nature. The reason is they may come because of these strategies. But when challenged to change and become a son of God, separated from the world, will they still want to be a part. I have seen this trend building in America. The real problem is the temptation to NOT challenge people has caused the image of the Church to look more like the social club in town verses the house of God. Please don't misunderstand me, I am not being critical, but as a seer it's disturbing.
This has really been put on my heart because the Church is the work of the Lord. Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.
It goes back to Paul's letter to Ephesus. God is gathering together all things in Christ. All tongues, tribes and nations coming under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Some might argue, no way, it will never happen! Sure, every person in the world will not accept Christ, but the mission of the Church is not to decide who will accept or reject. The mission is to preach the glorious gospel and let the Holy Spirit convict and draw people to Christ.
This mission is not easy considering the diversity in the earth. In fact, the heart of Paul's message is to teach the Gentiles that the Church is made up of Jew and Gentile. I believe this must become the focus of the Body of Christ today. Building the bridge between Jew and Gentile. This is God's heart. This is the true mission. We will write later more concerning this mission, but for now I want to shout aloud to every preacher, pastor, prophet or any leader. Discover His heart by seeing the true mission. Building this bridge between Jew and Gentile. We as Gentiles have come into great blessing because of the covenant promise He made with Abraham. Greater things are coming. The word of the Lord says to open the eyes of our understanding, receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. Know Him intimately, and become connected to His plan and purpose for this hour. He will use the Church to open the eyes of blinded Jews. This is not a boast, we don't support the root, the root supports us. (Romans 11:18). When our heart is to see Israel turn to the Messiah (Jesus Christ) we are touching the heart of God. I pray that all who read this will become passionately in love with Jesus. I pray you examine your life and ministry and ask, am I in the mission to see all be gathered together as one in Christ? Do I have a passion for Israel to turn to the Messiah? If not, I pray God pour His heart into yours so that we all can join the eternal purpose of God to fill this Earth with His Glory. Every Nation hearing the only truth that will save their soul. Blessings to all.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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