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He Careth for Me

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Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7.

Let all who are afflicted or unjustly used, cry to God. Turn away from those whose hearts are as steel, and make your requests known to your Maker. Never is one repulsed who comes to Him with a contrite heart. Not one sincere prayer is lost. Amid the anthems of the celestial choir, God hears the cries of the weakest human being. We pour out our heart’s desire in our closets, we breathe a prayer as we walk by the way, and our words reach the throne of the Monarch of the universe. They may be inaudible to any human ear, but they can not die away into silence, nor can they be lost through the activities of business that are going on. Nothing can drown the soul’s desire. It rises above the din of the street, above the confusion of the multitude, to the heavenly courts. It is God to whom we are speaking, and our prayer is heard.—Christ’s Object Lessons, 174.

We should not darken our own path or the path of others with the shadow of our trials. We have a Saviour to whom to go, into whose pitying ear we may pour every complaint. We may leave all our cares and burdens with Him, and then our labor will not seem hard or our trials severe…. By the exercise of living faith you can separate from everything that is not in accordance with the mind of God, and thus bring heaven into your life here below. Doing this, you will have sunshine at every step. When the enemy seeks to enshroud the soul with darkness, sing faith and talk faith, and you will find that you have sung and talked yourself into the light.—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 233.
With God at Dawn p. 315
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for my sister Enette. She’s been put on a ventilator she can’t breathe. Please pray that God will have mercy and spare her life. Rosemary
—-I would like to ask for prayer warriors to please pray for my daughter, she was diagnosed with MS at the age of 19 almost 10 years ago, she is having a lot of nerve pain to where she can’t walk or drive. I know Jesus is the great healer. Joy
—-Pease pray for my oldest son. He is a nurse and he has been trying so hard to buy a place out in the country to try and get out of the city and get ready for what is here upon us. And he has found quite a few places that he could have gotten but his wife . . .will not agree to any house that he has found because she wants to stay in the city where she loves it. Please pray for him. Please pray that she will agree and that they will find another good place to buy and he will be able to get it. They are going to look at another house and property today. She makes his life so hard. Please pray for them. Connie
—-please pray for my Uncle Mitty. He is going through stage 5 of Covid19 and have difficulty in breathing. Please Please, pray for his recovery. Samantha
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Dear Friends,

Like all children, I would sometimes tire of playing by myself. When I would feel restless, my grandmother would sometimes get out her large photo album for me to enjoy. I’d sit it upon my lap and carefully look at each picture and try to reconstruct the story behind it. There were some very old tintypes, some photos of people I had never met, others that were of people who were very dear to me. I loved the times my grandmother would look at the album with me, because then she would tell me a little about the relatives who were pictured there. One of the photos that fascinated me was of a very old couple named Aunt Ida and Uncle Ben who lived in the western part of the United States. I had never met them, as they were too old to travel the long way to Michigan. Aunt Ida was my grandmother’s aunt and she had been named after her.

One day, when I was in my teens, I received a tiny box with an unfamiliar postmark in the mail. When I opened the box, I found a plastic gardenia brooch that glowed in the dark. Removing it from the box, and unfolding the note underneath, I learned that Aunt Ida had loved that pin and wore it often. She recently had died and in her will, she had left me this pin that had been so precious to her. There was also a recent photograph for me to remember her.

I was shocked! I had no idea that Aunt Ida or Uncle Ben even knew that I existed. Although I never wore that gaudy pin, I kept it for many years. (Sadly, it was burned up along with everything else in the house fire we had when Ronnie Jay was a baby.) It was precious to me because this lady, whom I had never met, had thought enough of me to want me to have something that she had valued so much. Occasionally, I would take it out of that tiny box, unwrap it, and feel special. Unfortunately,

We have Someone Who has given us something far more precious than that glow-in-the-dark brooch. Our Great Redeemer has given us His Holy Word which tells of HIs Great Love and Sacrifice. Yet, how often we take this Precious Gift for granted and rarely open His Great Message to us. We keep it as a possession like any other book without allowing its Author to take possession of us. Our Dear Saviour pleads, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39

Indeed, from Genesis to Revelation, God’s Holy Word reveals the Great Plan of Salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed, on the road to Emmaus, He began “at Moses and all the prophets, [and] expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” Luke 24:27 Since Jesus is Great Theme of the Bible, shouldn’t we study that Word which reveals to us “the Way, the Truth, and the Life”? John 14:6

The stories of the Patriarchs to the prophecies of Revelation are better than a family album, for they “are able to make [us] wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim 3:15 “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” 1 Cor 10:11 “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Rom 15:4 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim 3:16, 17

May we “study to show [ourselves] approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 May we hide His Word in our heart that we might not sin against God. 119:11 May we see Jesus in every page of Scripture and be filled to overflowing with love for the One Who loves us so.
Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/mcKLvztjov8/he-careth-for-me.html

He Chasteneth Whom He Loveth

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For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Hebrews 12:6.

The Lord can bring victory out of that which may seem to us discomfiture and defeat. We are in danger of forgetting God, of looking at the things which are seen, instead of beholding by the eye of faith the things which are unseen. When misfortune or calamity comes, we are ready to charge God with neglect or cruelty. If He sees fit to cut off our usefulness in some line, we mourn, not stopping to think that thus God may be working for our good. We need to learn that chastisement is a part of His great plan, and that under the rod of affliction the Christian may sometimes do more for the Master than when engaged in active service….

The work of gaining salvation is one of co-partnership, a joint operation. There is to be co-operation between God and the repentant sinner. This is necessary for the formation of right principles in the character. Man is to make earnest efforts to overcome that which hinders him from attaining to perfection. But he is wholly dependent upon God for success. Human effort of itself is not sufficient. Without the aid of divine power it avails nothing. God works and man works. Resistance of temptation must come from man, who must draw his power from God. On the one side there is infinite wisdom, compassion, and power; on the other, weakness, sinfulness, absolute helplessness.

God wishes us to have the mastery over ourselves. But He cannot help us without our consent and co-operation. The divine Spirit works through the powers and faculties given to man.—The Acts of the Apostles, 481, 482.
With God at Dawn p. 311
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Prayer Requests
—-Urgent Prayer request for a dear friend of ours from church he was taken to a hospital out of town because of his aorta the Lord knows who he is. M
—-Please keep my brother Edward in your prayers. He is in critical condition at the moment. Last I heard he was in a doctor induced coma. He had contracted covid and was starting to get better until the hospital gave him some type of antibiotic. After having received said antibiotic his heart rate went up to 160 and his oxygen levels dropped. They intubated him and put him in a coma in an attempt to stabilize him. We think he must have had some kind of allergic reaction to whatever they gave him. James
—-My daughter Jeri really needs prayers right now as she is in extreme pain near her ear and jaw! The doctor wouldn’t let her come to the office .So now she is waiting for a tele-call. Nila
—-Pray for my friend whose cousin passed away today from Cancer. Wanda
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Dear Friends,

When I worked for the court system some years ago, we used to enjoy looking at the mug shots of the defendants who came into our office. Most of the time, they would look and act far different than what they were normally. Their lawyers would tell them to cut their hair, take a bath, and put on clean and neat clothing. Often they would seem friendly and as nice as anyone you would want to meet. The person who seemed clean and friendly in our office, however, looked surly, dirty, and unkempt with wild, matted hair when arrested. Often, they would look so different, they were barely recognizable. The look on their face was hard and cruel and their record of crimes were lengthy.

How often we pretend to be something that we are not, just as those defendants put on a suit and tie, cut their hair, and washed themselves before they went to court. How many times we look like a genuine Christian to those around us, but it is as much a pretense as those defendants who were pretending to be a “good guy” when they stood before the judge. No matter how they appeared on the outside, their heart was unchanged.

Are we the same? No matter how much we clean up the outward appearance, we can not make ourselves righteous. Jeremiah asks, “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.” “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jer 13:23; 17:9 The Righteous Judge answers, “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” verse 10 “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” “The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.” Isa 64:6;1:5,6

We cannot change our heart ourselves, no matter how much we might try, but, praise God! there is Someone Who is able “to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” Eph 3:20 We have a Saviour Who has promised, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” “I will put my laws into [your] hearts, and in [your] minds will I write them; And [your] sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Eze 36:26 Precious promises! May we claim them today is my prayer.

Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/cSyvo2QR8-8/he-chasteneth-whom-he-loveth.html

He Will Claim His Own

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I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth. Isaiah 43:6.

Sorrow filled heaven as it was realized that man was lost, and that the world which God had created was to be filled with mortals doomed to misery, sickness, and death, and that there was no way of escape for the offender. The whole family of Adam must die. I then saw the lovely Jesus, and beheld an expression of sympathy and sorrow upon His countenance. Soon I saw Him approach the exceeding bright light which enshrouded the Father…. Three times He was shut in by the glorious light about the Father, and the third time He came from the Father we could see His person…. He then made known to the angelic choir that a way of escape had been made for lost man; that He had been pleading with His Father, and had obtained permission to give His own life as a ransom for the race, to bear their sins, and take the sentence of death upon Himself, thus opening a way whereby they might, through the merits of His blood, find pardon for past transgressions, and by obedience be brought back to the garden from which they were driven.—Early Writings, 126.

Soon I heard the voice of God, which shook the heavens and the earth…. I looked upon the company, who, a short time before, were in such distress and bondage. Their captivity was turned. A glorious light shone upon them…. All marks of care and weariness were gone, and health and beauty were seen in every countenance…. This light and glory remained upon them, until Jesus was seen in the clouds of heaven, and the faithful, tried company were changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, from glory to glory.—Early Writings, 272.
With God at Dawn p.309
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Prayer Requests
—-Please keep me on your prayer list I’ve been having severe anxiety, depression and negative thoughts please prayer me up I feel like I’m falling apart and want to give up. Nicole
—-Please pray for all of the Bible studies that our church is giving out each week. Rose
—-Pray for Jennie’s family as they mourn her passing. JR
—-Please pray for my nieces grandson he is in the hospital because his heartbeat is 200 he is only 6. Carolyn
—-Please pray for my son Jack.. satan is working so hard to discourage him making him feel he is unworthy ..I have been praying ,as we are not fighting against flesh I need as much spiritual help as I can get.
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Dear Friends,

Two years after we were married, we rented an apartment at a lake. This lake was miles from any town and we enjoyed the wildness of the place. Winter, however, was not so enjoyable. Four very snow covered, very slippery hills were between us and the main road. Our car was old and its tires had very little tread on them. We could not afford new ones because Ron was selling books on commission. Getting up those hills any time we needed to go anywhere was a difficult experience. If we could not get up enough speed, there was no way we could get over those hills. We would get almost to the top of a hill, fish-tailing all the way, with tires spinning until the car wouldn’t move. Then we’d have to back down the hill and try all over again. Sometimes it would take many tries before we could actually get over them.

How often our walk with the Lord is like going over those hills, “because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matt 7:14 We cannot breeze up the hills of life without a struggle. Indeed, we cannot climb the rough and steep hills of life on our own power. If we try to do so, we will only spin our wheels and slide backward. We need God’s help all along the way. Praise God! He has provided that help! “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Ps 119:105, 11 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Heb 4:12

God’s Word is the only sure guide. The Scriptures point us to the One Who is standing beside us, yearning to help us if we will allow Him too. He assures us, “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.” Isa 41:10 Just as a little child holds his father’s hand in perfect trust, so we have the privilege to reach out and take our Heavenly Father’s strong and powerful hand and let Him lead us up the steep and rugged hills of life. We may have perfect trust, perfect confidence in Him.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance.” Amen. Eph 6:11-18
Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/j23hCXJV3Mc/he-will-claim-his-own.html

My Ransom Is Paid

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For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Isaiah 43:3.

We may rejoice in hope. Our Advocate is in the heavenly sanctuary, pleading in our behalf. Through His merits we have pardon and peace. He died that He might wash away our sins, clothe us with His righteousness, and fit us for the society of Heaven, where we may dwell in light forever…. You cannot save yourself from the tempter’s power; but he trembles and flees when the merits of that precious blood are urged. Then will you not gratefully accept the blessings Jesus bestows? … Do not for a moment pain the heart of the pitying Saviour by your unbelief. He watches with the most intense interest your progress in the heavenly way; He sees your earnest efforts; He notes your declensions and your recoveries, your hopes and your fears, your conflicts and your victories.—Testimonies for the Church 5:316.

The Saviour longs to manifest His grace and stamp His character on the whole world. It is His purchased possession, and He desires to make men free, and pure, and holy. Though Satan works to hinder this purpose, yet through the blood shed for the world there are triumphs to be achieved that will bring glory to God and the Lamb.—The Desire of Ages, 827.

In order to secure man to Himself, and insure his eternal salvation, Christ left the royal courts of heaven, and came to this earth, endured the agonies of sin and shame in man’s stead, and died to make him free.—Testimonies for the Church 5:614.

With God at Dawn p. 308
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Prayer Requests
—-David’s anger outbursts are getting worse and more frequent. Please pray for his deliverance and for his family who are suffering because of this. Buck
—-My niece, Jennifer, is sick and has tested positive for Covid-19. Please send up some prayers for her. Martha
—Please be in prayer for my dad. The house he was going to buy fell through and his current house is under contract. He is looking for something away from the city and basically a place for a new start. He’s still a bit heartbroken about his last relationship ending, and his hometown just reminds him of his mother, who passed away in 2017. Nothing left there to tie him down, but he needs the right house and the right location. I’m not looking for suggestions, just some people to pray with me about this. Jennifer
—- I’m asking for preyer, I have a ulcer in my left leg by my ankle and it hurts too much. I cant sleep at night. Please keep me in your prayers. SR
—-Please be in prayer for my cousin who is missing and very sick and has limited mental abilities. Rhonda
—-Please intercede to God for me, for healing with my ears. They are hurting, and my hearing is limited. ED
—-Please pray that Elizabeth as she recovers from knee replacement surgery. Rose
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Dear Friends,

It is an unfortunate fact, that being wronged and hurt by fellow church members is a rather common occurrence. More than likely, you too, have suffered hurt from those who should have been a help along the path to Heaven. Because of this, I would like to share with you a letter that I received from my youngest daughter some years ago. One morning, in her private devotions, the Holy Spirit, through a very familiar passage of Scripture, gave her peace regarding all the hurtful things that fellow church members had done to her over the years.

“My dearest family,

I was reading through the book of Matthew today. When I reached the 13th chapter I found something that made me understand what has happened in _____. I am sure there are question marks written all over your faces right about now. And rightly so, but please pray for the Holy Spirit to open your hearts. Read and listen to what I have learned from this.

Many times I have questioned in my heart as to why God would allow people without God’s love to remain in leadership roles in His church—especially when they are hurting so many people…….. I thought that this couldn’t possibly be God’s plan because God is loving and kind. I have struggled with this for years. I know that struggle is shared with each of you.

I have found peace this morning! It is my prayer that by the end of this letter you will also find that peace and forgiveness flowing through you!

Yes, chapter 13 is the parable of the sower—the wheat and the tares. It wasn’t the beginning that struck me but the end: “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. . . .Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

I know that you have read this story many times, but more can still be found! I realize that just as the weeds could not be removed for fear of pulling up some wheat in the process, the unloving, cruel people are allowed to remain for fear of losing some of the loving. God knows that if He removed the bad people in the church, some of the sincere might—no, would—become discouraged, turn away, and lose their salvation.

Like it or not, the people who have hurt us are helping others in one way or another. It is better that they remain for those few souls. Perish the thought that they could be lost.

Our trials have not been in vain and the Lord did not allow us to weaken and die. Instead, these experiences strengthen us! Praise the Lord!!! “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matt 6:14, 15 This is a very strong warning to us. Our eternal life and forgiveness is at stake! Please accept God’s power to forgive those who have hurt us, for we fail too. Who is to say that they are worse than we are?

God says, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.” Matt 5:44, 45

I pray that you will find forgiveness, so you will find peace. I love each of you with my whole heart!

Your loving daughter / sister,

Esther Marie”

It is my hope that you will apply this principle to any hurts you have received at the hands of fellow believers and freely forgive that you, in turn, may be forgiven. “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation [conduct] in Christ.” 1 Peter 3:8-16

Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/wFL8wz-Ja0c/my-ransom-is-paid.html

God’s Love Is Promised

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For the love of Christ constraineth us. 2 Corinthians 5:14.

Although His love is driven back by the stubborn heart, He returns to plead with greater force, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.” The winning power of His love compels souls to come in…. Christ will impart to His messengers the same yearning love that He Himself has in seeking for the lost. We are not merely to say, “Come.” There are those who hear the call, but their ears are too dull to take in its meaning. Their eyes are too blind to see anything good in store for them. Many realize their great degradation. They say, I am not fit to be helped, leave me alone. But the workers must not desist. In tender, pitying love, lay hold of the discouraged and helpless ones. Give them your courage, your hope, your strength. By kindness compel them to come….

If the servants of God will walk with Him in faith, He will give power to their message. They will be enabled so to present His love and the danger of rejecting the grace of God, that men will be constrained to accept the gospel.

Christ will perform wonderful miracles if men will but do their God-given part. In human hearts today as great a transformation may be wrought as has ever been wrought in generations past…. Through human agents who co-operate with the divine, many a poor outcast will be reclaimed, and in his turn will seek to restore the image of God in man. There are those who have had very meager opportunities, who have walked in ways of error because they knew no better way, to whom beams of light will come…. Many will come from the grossest error and sin, and will take the place of others who have had opportunities and privileges but have not prized them.—Christ’s Object Lessons, 235, 236.
With God at Dawn p. 304
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Prayer Requests
—-Please keep me in prayer at noon and after because I have two teeth that have to be pulled with crowns and posts that needs to come out. Eileen
—-Please pray for my brother Jimmy who went to the ER last night for a possible blood clot in his hip or groin area. Mary
—-I am asking prayers for my cousin Sammie Lee Moore. He is wants to commit suicide because of his worsening health condition. Also pray for me to be victorious over besetting sins, depression and to believe that God truly loves me. PL
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Dear Friends,
I was thinking about an article I saved some years ago and hunted and hunted for it so I could share it with you today. May you read it prayerfully.
Rose
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Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

by Debra J. Hicks

Please check all that apply. This year for Halloween, I’ll probably:

Dress the little ones up in costumes and escort them around our neighborhood to collect candy.
Check out the local haunted house.
Get together with some buddies to watch a scary movie.
Dress up in a devil suit and scare the neighborhood kids that knock on the front door.
Turn off the porch light and hope nobody finds me eating the three bags of Snickers bars I bought for trick-or-treaters.

Most people see nothing wrong with the activities listed above. They consider Halloween festivities to be a harmless way for their children to have an evening of “fantasy and fun.”

But does this standard hold true for Christians? Is dressing up like ghosts, goblins, and witches really “no big deal”? Or is it glorifying and empowering Satan?

If we have truly committed our hearts and our lives to Christ, we will set ourselves apart as people who seek to reflect God’s goodness and love to the world. Because we become like the things we behold, the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:8 counsels Christians to think deeply about-and to continually fill our minds with-what is good. A careful, honest look at Halloween reveals little or nothing that is good. Instead, it is a day that points toward Satanism, fear, and gluttony.

“For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15, NIV).

Although the word Halloween means “holy or hallowed evening,” history shows that nothing could be further from the truth. Halloween is clearly a relic of pagan times, and it has never reflected true Christian virtues.

The customs connected with Halloween are most commonly traced to a festival celebrated by the Druids-priests of the Celtic tribes that occupied northern and western Europe. This celebration, which dates back several centuries before Christ, began each year on October 31 and was called the festival of Samhain, the lord of death.

As part of their worship of Samhain, the Druid priests built huge bonfires on which both animals and humans were sacrificed. This barbaric practice continued openly for hundreds of years, until Rome conquered Britain and outlawed it.

Years passed, and Rome continued to conquer new territory and increase in power. The people of each conquered nation were forced not only to become Roman citizens, but also to become members of the Roman church. As you can imagine, these new “converts” cared little about Christianity and clung tenaciously to their cherished pagan practices.

So, since the Roman church was unable to get people to abandon their heathen festivals, it decided to “sanctify” some of them. The Druids’ celebration in honor of the lord of death thus became All Saints’ Day, which was to be observed by all churches. Officially, it was proclaimed a day to honor all the saints who had died, known or unknown. But in practice, it remained what it had always been-a pagan celebration of the “Day of the Dead.”

Throughout its history, Halloween has been thought of as the time when supernatural forces prevail. Anton LaVey, author of “The Satanic Bible” and high priest of the Church of Satan, says that Satanists consider Halloween the most important day of the year. He says that on this night, satanic, occult, and witchcraft power are at their highest potency level, and that any witch or occultist who has been having difficulty with a spell or curse can usually achieve success on October 31st because Satan and his powers are at their best that night.

Divination, or fortune telling, is also believed to reach its highest powers on Halloween, as people are eager to learn what might happen to them in the upcoming year. Even today, predictions of leading psychics and astrologers are generally released about the time of Halloween.

Clearly, the rites and symbols of this holiday reveal that it is still a day that glorifies Satan. Look around you. Though October 31 is still a month away, you can probably see evidences that Halloween is approaching. Pictures of ghosts, goblins, witches, skeletons, and devil-faced pumpkins appear on store windows everywhere. Horror movies are promoted on television and in the theaters, and most bookstores give prominent attention to books dealing with death and the occult.

As Christians, we are not to associate with the things of Satan. Christ Himself said, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other” (Matthew 6:24).

“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).

Since its beginning, the festival of Halloween has played upon people’s fears. The Celtic people believed that on the night of October 31, demons, witches, and the spirits of all those who had died within the past year roamed about freely. Most people were afraid to leave their homes on this night. Those who absolutely had to go out wore grotesque masks and terrifying costumes. They reasoned that if they looked horrible enough, the spirits would think they were one of them and would do them no harm!

Fear is a big part of modern Halloween celebrations, as well. Spooky decorations, horror movies, and haunted houses make a very real impression on little children. Is there any wonder so many youth have nightmares or are afraid to be alone in the dark? Satan delights in filling people’s minds with thoughts of fear, death, and destruction. It is a tactic he has used for centuries to keep mankind under his control.

God, on the other hand, longs to give His children peace. He doesn’t want us to be paralyzed by our fears. In fact, the Bible says that Christ died “that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:15, NKJV).

“Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31, NKJV).

Several days before their festival began, the Druid priests would go from house to house demanding food or other items they would use in their worship of Samhain, the lord of death. If a villager refused to give them what they wanted, the priest would put a demonic curse on the home. It was no idle threat, either. Someone from that house usually died within the year. It is from this abominable practice that our present-day “trick-or-treat” custom evolved.

While it is true that trick-or-treat is no longer primarily about curses, it is about gluttony. Children go from house to house, filling grocery bags full of candy and then returning home to feast on their great treasure. Often, those who stay at home to hand out the candy consume great amounts of it themselves!

Even this element of Halloween, which in comparison might seem harmless, does nothing to glorify God. The Bible says that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We should not be polluting that temple with food that clouds our perceptions and draws us away from God.

“Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11).

Satan is no doubt jubilant that such a large portion of this “Christian nation” views a holiday in his honor as something that is harmless fun. Could it be that by our carelessness, we are contributing to the extraordinary power Satan seems to have on October 31?

No matter how fun or exciting it may seem, Halloween is no celebration for a Christian. If we truly seek to glorify God, then how can we devote one day of the year to worshipping Satan? We can’t.

The Bible says, “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/TkAqBpc4Bxc/gods-love-is-promised.html

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