FLIRTING WITH DEMONS

According to folklore, the black rose represents the dark side of the soul. The beauty of the flower is the deception of it's color. It's unnatural hue is said to open our imagination to the forbidden playground of incantations, ritual magic, and mysticism.  The lure of hidden pleasure draws us like insects into a spiders web.  Foolishly, we think we can flirt with evil without falling under the influence and control of the powers of darkness. 

In the past decade our culture embraced immorality and is now dripping with lust for the occult.  The American quest for all things paranormal has become the new normal. Books, movies, and role playing games feed our hunger for the Black Arts bringing ancient secrets to life, wetting our appetite for more. Illusion is shaping our perception of good and evil, enticing us into Satan's trap.

73% of us read our horoscopes, participate in seances, call the psychic hot line, and visit hauntings, never realizing we're dealing with demons. The Holy Spirit distinctly declares that in latter times some will turn away from the faith, giving attention to deluding and seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach. (1 Timothy 4:1)

Like the serpent in the garden, evil is seductive.  He leads us away from solid teaching while promising to gratify our senses with knowledge of forbidden fruit.  If the New Age practices are all fun and games why does God take such a hard stand against these supernatural pursuits? 

"There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or daughter pass through the fire, or who uses divination, or is a fortuneteller  or an augur, or a sorcerer.  Or a charmer, or a medium, or a wizard, or a necromancer.  All of these things are an abomination to the Lord.....  

(Deuteronomy: 10-12)

There is an eternal price to pay when we continue to be influenced by his charms. We will turn aside from hearing the truth, and wander off into myths and man-made fiction. (11 Tim. 4:4)  It is in the realm of deception that Satan operates.  He wants us to innocently "sell our souls" for a bite of the apple. For the acts of the flesh are obvious; sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft.....for those who live like that will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5: 19-20a)

If you want to see your future, read the Bible.  The word of God is what we need to live power filled lives.  Jesus is the answer we seek.

LIFE IS A HIGHWAY

Many of us like to drive the fast lanes of life. Accelerating across the interstate of our immediate lifespans, we deliberately test our boundaries and mindlessly speed through the years eager to fulfill our dreams. Then there are those who prefer the scenic route. We are the folks who meander through time enjoying everything this world has to offer. While cruising the endless coastlines, we stop long enough to get our fill before we move on to greener pastures.

The funny thing is, everyone must hit their breaks and stop at the big toll booth in the sky we call death. You can try to ignore the destination, switch lanes, or get another GPS...but this is one stop we all have to make sooner or later. "And just as it is appointed for all men to die once, and after that we face judgement. (Hebrews 9:27) It's at this moment our driving record will make all the difference for our future.

Solomon, the wise king who wrote the book of Ecclesiastes in the bible, had the money and the power to do it all. In his lifetime, he indulged in every whim and fantasy that crossed his mind. In the end, he called his earthly pursuits "living under the sun", and summarized the pleasures of self fulfillment as "chasing the wind." (Ecclesiastes 1:14)

So whats my point? Is enjoying life wrong? No way! Jesus came to offer us abundant life- now- in the land of the living. (John 10:10)

The problem is, sometimes we grovel in the dirt, confining ourselves to vanishing pleasures, and momentary satisfaction. God wants us to live above all the glitz and glamour that turns out to be futile, empty, and disappointing. Our Creator placed eternity in our hearts. He asks us to see life from an elevated vantage point, "above the sun." When we begin to see our future through the lens of eternity, our choices, decisions, values, and priorities will line up with God's Word and His plan for our lives.

I don't know about you, but when my life comes to a screeching halt, and I'm driving up to that Pearly tool booth that opens the way to heaven, I want to have an E-Zpass and roll right into the streets of gold.

Jesus assures us...."The person whose ears are open to My words, and believes and trusts in Me has eternal life. and he does not come into judgement but he has already passed over out of death to life. (John 5:24)











.

LIVING WATER

Next to oxygen, water is the most important element to human life.  Without this valuable resource our bodies can't survive longer then a week.  Emerging water shortages, and contaminated wells, present an alarming prognosis for our planet. Yet, just as clean, fresh drinking water is necessary for our physical health, "Living Water" is essential for our spiritual state of being. Jesus offered this amazing formula to a woman he met drawing water from a well in Sychar over 2,000 years ago.

In her day, this Samaritan woman was an outcast, living far beyond the cultural norms of society.  She was accustomed to the local community treating her like she was contaminated and dirty.  They whispered and judged her publicly, deliberately humiliating her, so she chose to draw water when she was sure to be alone.  This day of destiny, she arrived at the well and met Jesus. She was surprised to see him resting by the well, since Jews did not associate with Samaritans.  Instead of the jeers of hostility she was used to receiving He spoke to her with respect; a scandalous action between a Rabbi and a woman of her character.  As the conversation progressed the woman realized this man knew everything about her life; the good, the bad, and the ugly.  In spite of this, his words were never harsh or demeaning.

Aren't we all a little bit like the woman at the well?  If we admit it, our lives are full of secret sins we try to cover up and hide.  When we encounter Jesus, he knows who we are, where we've been, and what we've done.  The deep wells of our lives can't conceal our brokenness or failures.  He died to reach backsliders, atheists, homosexuals, drug addicts, murders, and floundering Christians.  His eye is still on the person living outside the code of acceptable conduct.

Jesus meets us right where we are, crossing the lines of hatred, prejudice, and contempt.  He offers Living Water (eternal life) to anyone who chooses to accept the cup he presents.  If you are drawing pleasure from this world's well you will always come up empty. Jesus says to you,"the water I give will become in you a flowing stream that will bring you eternal life." John 4:13  Whoever drinks Living Water will find fulfillment, purpose, and pleasure that never dries up.  You are not too dirty, contaminated by sin, or messed up to ask God for a drink.

Are you thirsty?

Prayer for Eternal Life
Thank You God that you sent Jesus, Your Son, to die for my sins.  The bible says whoever calls upon the name of Jesus will be saved.  I call upon His name and ask Him to forgive me for all my sins.  I believe I'm forgiven because Jesus payed the price by dying on a cross for me. I receive Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and accept the Living Water (eternal life) that he offers me.


CBN/PrayerAndCounseling

Joyce Meyer Devotional

IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES

Like a seasoned race horse, most of us burst through the "New Year's Starting Gate" galloping for the finish line full of anticipation and energy.  We wear our colorful list of resolutions proudly as we jockey for position eager to make 2012 our most successful year ever.  With the heart of a thoroughbred we thunder through the year determined to realize our dreams.

Then it happens.  The smooth track gets long and hard.  The turf becomes littered with economic set backs, family problems, illness, and any number of stumbling blocks.  It's usually in the middle of the race we start to get bogged down and sucked into the miry clay of everyday life.  So what should we do when we nose dive into sudden disaster?

When Jesus encountered a crippled man at the pool of Bethesda who was waiting for a miracle, He asked the man how long he had been in that condition.  The cripple replied, "Thirty-eight years."  Jesus didn't stand with the spectators having a pity party because of the man's terrible quality of life.  He gave the guy one set of simple instructions.  "Get up."

Discouragement is an enemy that will keep us lying by the Pool of Bethesda, so to speak, just like the crippled man, waiting year after year for something good to happen.  To get up is a decision we need to intentionally make, not something that automatically happens.  When I'm bogged down and feeling trapped by life's many 'unfortunate events' I cling to this bible verse:

Arise [from the depression in which circumstances have kept you-rise to a new life]!  Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! - Isaiah 60:1

There are awesome promises in the above verse.  Yet we ( you and I) need to arise.  We have to get up if we expect God to act.  I'm not talking about our outward condition as much as our emotions.  We need to 'get up' on the inside.  Look at the world,and our problems, from a new perspective.  As children of God, we might have lots of hurdles to overcome, but God deliverers us from them all. When we do our part, God is faithful to do the rest
.
The good news is the crippled man obeyed Jesus and 'got up'.  He walked into a new life.  Maybe the reason such a dramatic healing was recorded in the bible is to remind us that nothing is impossible with God.

Imagine the possibilities in your life!

End Times ?

At the movies, on TV, in magazines, everywhere…people are talking about the end of the world.  I’m not a Bible scholar but it seems scripture wrote today’s world news thousands of years ago.  Prophecy is being fulfilled right before our eyes.  My kids would say I have been preaching the “End is Near” since I first became a believer 35 years ago. 

We could argue that during the time of the fall of Rome, the early church thought they were living in the end times.  Yet Jesus gives us many clues about what we can expect to see happen across the globe before He returns.  You can read these passages in the books of Daniel, Ezekiel, the gospels, and the entire book of Revelation.

 CNN Headline News is beginning to line up with scripture. 

However, there are a few ways to think about end times.  For instance, we are all assigned a time to live and a time to die.  We have no guarantee what tomorrow may bring.  If Jesus comes back today, tomorrow, or sometime in the distant future is not the question we should ask ourselves.  We need to live each day as though it were our last.

I think the times we live in are a sign of the return of our Savior…”yet he is patient with us not wanting any to perish.”  2 Peter 3: 9.  I believe we need to be alert and care about the future of this generation and those to come if Jesus tarries.

In the absence of a specific timetable, and world events falling into chaos, how should we live?  The Bible has plenty to say on the subject.  One verse in particular jumped out at me.

1.)  Communicate God’s word as if we are running out of time.  2 Tim. 4:1-4

Let’s face facts! Eventually, the harvest will be ripe and prophecy will be fulfilled.  Although we do not know the day or hour, Jesus will return when we least expect him, as in the days of Noah. 

I put together a youtube trailer to spread the word to any who might have lost their way or for those who do not take the words of God seriously.  Please check this out and share it with others.

 

God’s Truth Only Marches On in Your Boots!

An astounding Newsweek editorial a few years ago titled “The Future be Damned” is a piercing observation of Americans living for today and avoiding all thought of tomorrow.  This attitude is filtering into the fabric of the next generation.  The author concludes, “We won’t endure small hurts today to avoid larger hurts tomorrow, and we know it.  Self-deception has become a way of life.”  Is this America’s epitaph?

It’s hard to believe we are entering another voting season to elect the President of the United Stated.  The candidates are lining up to answer our questions as to why they are the right person for a tremendously difficult job.  You don’t need a PhD to realize our country is on the brink of collapse and we need strong leadership to guide our nation into a safe port.

The focus right now is on jobs.  God’s strategy to transform society includes the development of economic stability. In the book of Deuteronomy ( 28:12)  He told Israel if they obeyed Him, they would be a lender to other nations and never a borrower.  Since we serve a God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever we can claim that same promise for our great nation.

In my opinion, there are three “R’s” we should include in our cluttered minds to prepare for the upcoming selection process.

• Repent:  “No matter how fervently we pray,” warns Chuck Colson, “the Lord will not grant renewal to a nation that does not honor Him.  First we must repent.”  Powerful words we must take seriously. Society needs to “turn around” and shift out focus back to God who gives us the gift of life and liberty.

• Regroup:  Our instant push-button mentalities need an adjustment.  We should focus on the rebuilding of our nation.  The most valuable things in life-such as faith, honesty, moral character; things worthy to build our lives; things worthy to build or rebuild a nation-do not come instantly.  Change begins in our own lives, our families, wherever we are.

• Refocus: Each voter should take responsibility and fully engage in the process.  Don’t just take someone else’s word on a candidate's character and platform.  Think for yourselves.  Proverbs 14:15 comes to mind when I think about accountability.  “The simple believe every word; but the prudent man looks well to his future.”

Personally, I believe we are in an hour of crisis, nationally and spiritually.
Each one us is writing the script of America’s future today.  Our words, actions, and decisions will make a difference for good or ill.  We all play a part and bear the consequences for the future.  History is rolling up like a scroll.  Don’t be deceived!   


Part of text borrowed from Charles Crismier and Dr. Tony Evens

Be A Herald In The Marketplace

I spent the last few days at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference.  A fantastic line up of authors, speakers, editors and agents presided over the four day yearly event. I had the pleasure of having lunch with a Hollywood Superstar, Ted Baehr, who taught scriptwriting. Our workshops and continuing classes ran from early morning till late at night. Talk about information overload! However, one theme drove the heartbeat of the faculty.

It is time to get out of our comfortable Sunday pews and take the gospel message into the streets. 

I love this challenge of being a herald, a God ordained messenger, but where do I begin?  We brainstormed some options to take serving at soup kitchens to the next level. Since we all love to be entertained the new troubadours might want to add a little skit or funny poem to the menu to catch a few fish. One girl in our group suggested taking your home group to the next Ghost Tour in the city cemetery and prepare a monologue or poem about salvation. A creative teen could help you give it a beat.  I know this sounds a little weird and crazy but many people are suspicious of church, clergy, and Christians but will relax and enjoy something a little different.

We have to take a new approach and be salt and light to a generation that has been given a lot of mixed messages about God.  People need to see us without our religious face.  I can’t sing, dance, juggle or swallow swords but I broke out of my usual quiet shell and acted in a little drama we performed in front of the class.  For me that was huge.  I came out of my comfort zone because if I really want to be an effective witness I have to care enough to be uncomfortable.

Ted Baehr, the Chairman of the Christian Film and Television Commission had some sobering statistics we need to take seriously.

•  Good News Publication noted that 50 years ago, 70 percent of children had heard the gospel and were familiar with the Bible.  Today that number is 4 percent!
•  In the United States we are experiencing an unprecedented 22 percent decline in Christianity among children and teenagers. (George Barna)
•  Christians have increasingly been adopting spiritual views that come from Islam, Wicca, secular humanism, eastern religions and other sources.

Why…..because for the past 20 years we have seen the nation’s spiritual views slowly become less aligned with the Bible.  I don’t know about you but I want to see these statistics reverse.  If you have done something out of the ordinary to reach people for Christ please post and let us know, together we are a mighty army!
Watch how this little poem captivates the listener….