Halloween

Something that has lain heavily upon my heart lately has been certain holidays and their true meanings, particularly the one with all of the costumes, carved pumpkins and candy. You know exactly which one I’m referring to—Halloween, of course!

Every holiday season, I ask myself, “What exactly is the history behind such and such tradition,” or “why do we celebrate such and such holiday”. I’ve personally never been able to answer such questions when it comes to Halloween.

 

It’s the same every year— I see houses with fake grave yards and ghosts; and youngsters (sometimes adults too) dressed up as ghastly characters (think vampires, witches, zombies, devils, grim-reapers; you get the idea). I’ve even known people, who call themselves Christians, participating in these “festivities”. Well, you might ask me, “Why does this bother you? Just get over it.” As a Christian and follower of The Way, the Truth and the Life, I must look at these questions through Biblical ‘lenses’. And the reason I’m bothered by this holiday— I remember passages in the Bible that say things like, “The devil was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him.” (John 8:44) and “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” (John 10:10)

Why are Christians ‘celebrating’ death and things pertaining to death, when our Savior (Jesus) came to abolish death (2 Timothy 1:10)? He died so we might live, and focus on things pertaining to eternal life. Those who participate in Halloween festivities are really reflecting the character of the Devil, who was a murderer and has come only to steal, kill and destroy (John 8:44; 10:10). They are living as the world lives, are being in the world and of it (John 15:18-19; 17:3-16), are being conformed to the world, not transformed from it (Romans 12:2), and are not remaining unspotted from the world (James 1:27).
So, fellow believers, what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul (Matthew 16:26; Mark 8:36; Luke 9:26)? We have died to sin and are freed from sin; let us not live in sin any longer (Romans 6:2-7, 11-23). “Let us throw off everything that hinders us, and the sin that so easily entangles us. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:1,2^a)

“Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all.” (Acts 19:19^a)

Francis Chan on Apologetics

An Article...

...For all Christians to read, especially those of voting age. Please read it here.

Blessings!

Four days...

...Until the first day of our conference!

Simple Theology

 "...Christianity originally centered on Christ and His kingdom - not on the fine points of theology.  It's rather difficult to put together a detailed theological statement just from the teachings of Jesus.  That's because in essence the gospel of the kingdom is not theology.  It's about people entering into an obedient faith-love relationship with Jesus the King, bearing fruit.  Jesus didn't talk much about theology because that wasn't particularly important to Him.  However, He did talk a lot about fruit.  And He talked a lot about how we are to live as citizens of His kingdom   He taught us what it means to love one another and to love God.  Those things are important to Him." (emphasis added)

p. 38-39, Will the Theologians Please Sit Down, David Bercot, copyright 2009 Scroll Publishing Company

Verses to Think On

I was reading through Proverbs a few weeks ago, and came across these interesting verses.  I thought it was amazing how they all relate to each other, along with one I came across in 2 Corinthians. 

"Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death."  Proverbs 11:4

"In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death."  Proverbs 12:28

"He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage."  Proverbs 11:18

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise."  Proverbs 11:30

"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."  2 Corinthians 5:21

My thoughts:

No matter how many earthly riches you may have, they will not profit anything when the Day of Judgment comes.  Only righteousness, Christ's righteousness, will have any profit, any deliverance from death in that day.  May we be found in His righteousness, alone, on that day. 

Fruit

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." John 15:5

"By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." John 15:8

^"19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,^[a] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, ²¹ envy, murders,^[b] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." Galatians 5:19-23

Artwork by Mom