Good morning,

The Bible. What place does it play in your daily life? Is it reliable or old wives tales? Is it authoritative or without any authority? Are you willing to stake your life on what it says?

These questions will be answered in today’s devotion.

The Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible!

(J.C. Ryle)

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus answered him, “What is written in the Law? What do you read there?” Luke 10:25-26

Notice in this passage, the high honor which our Lord Jesus Christ places on the Bible. He refers the lawyer at once to the Scriptures, as the only rule of faith and practice. He does not say in reply to his question, “What does the Jewish Church say about eternal life? What do the Scribes, and Pharisees, and priests think? What is taught on the subject in the traditions of the elders?”

He takes a far simpler and more direct course. He sends his questioner at once to the writings of the Old Testament, “What is written in the Law? What do you read there?”

Let the principle contained in these words, be one of the foundation principles of our Christianity. Let the Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible, be the rule of our faith and practice. Holding this principle, we travel upon the king’s highway. The road may sometimes seem narrow, and our faith may be severely tried–but we shall not be allowed greatly to err. Departing from this principle, we enter on a pathless wilderness. There is no telling what we may be led to believe or do. Forever let us bear this in mind. Here let us cast anchor. Here let us abide.

It matters nothing who says a thing in religion–whether an ancient father, or a modern bishop, or a learned theologian.

Is it in the Bible? Can it be proved by the Bible? If not, then it is not to be believed.

It matters nothing how beautiful and clever sermons or religious books may appear. Are they in the smallest degree contrary to Scripture? If they are, they are rubbish and poison, and guides of no value!

What does the Scripture say? This is the only rule, and measure, and gauge of religious truth. “To the law and to the testimony,” says Isaiah, “if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20

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Are the Scriptures this relevant to you? They should be. Our well-being, health, and our eternal destiny depend on it.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Dana Clark is a missionary teacher in Bangladesh. She writes a weekly newsletter and the content is very devotional. This one centers around Jesus as being the Master Teacher.

“And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.” Mark 6:34

Jesus, the Master Teacher, provides an incredible example of us to follow.  There are several steps mentioned in this verse that will help us to fulfill the command to “Go and Teach.”

1. He came out – Jesus was at the right place at the right time.
2. He saw – Jesus was looking, and His eyes were open to their need.
3. He was moved with compassion – Jesus knew their heartfelt need and was                         motivated by love for them.
4. He taught – He knew what they needed, and He began to educate them. The passage goes on to say that after teaching He met their physical need for food.

Love is the greatest motivator.   I came . . . I saw . . . I fell in love . . . Now God has allowed me to teach and meet needs here in Bangladesh.  What an awesome privilege and responsibility to follow the Master Teacher.

Dana Clark

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This is God’s message to me concerning my reaction to the sentencing of Bowe Bergdahl. As a 33 year Army retiree, I was angry when I heard the sentence.

God reminded me that the mercy He showed me, when Jesus died on the cross for me, should be extended to Bowe Bergdahl. Bowe Bergdahl was a soul for whom Christ died. 

THE MERCY OF GOD

The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.  9The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.  (Psalm 145:8-9)

DEFINITION OF MERCY:

A personal characteristic of care for the needs of others. The biblical concept of mercy always involves help to those who are in need or distress. Such help covers a broad range, from assistance in finding a bride to God’s forgiveness of sin. (Holman Bible Dictionary)

1 a: compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one’s power; also: lenient or compassionate treatment <begged for mercy> b: imprisonment rather than death imposed as penalty for first-degree murder 2 a: a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion b: a fortunate circumstance <it was a mercy they found her before she froze>3: compassionate treatment of those in distress <works of mercy among the poor> (Merriam Webster)

INTRODUCTION: A soul for whom Christ died

Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:6-7, 21-24)

6And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.  7And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. 21Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.  22And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever:  23Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.  24So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Gods’ mercy-no death, blood applied to their sin

JOSEPH

JOSEPHS DREAM (Genesis 37:5,11)

5And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.   11And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.

JOSEPHS BETRAYAL BY HIS BROTHERS (Genesis 37:23-28)

23And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stripped Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colors that was on him; 24And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. 25And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their Camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.  26And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? 27Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.  28Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

God shows His mercy on Joseph not allowing his brothers to kill him.

Joseph is a slave to Potiphar (Genesis 39:2-3)

2And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.  3And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.

Joseph runs from sin (Genesis 39:7, 8, 12)

7And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.  8But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 12And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

God’s mercy not allowing Joseph to commit sin

Joseph imprisoned (Genesis 39:20-21)

20And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.  21But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

Joseph promoted from prisoner to prince (Genesis 41:39-40)

39And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:  40Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.

God’s mercy took the ridiculed to ruler

Joseph reveals himself to his brothers (Genesis 45:3, 6-8)

3And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. 6For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.  7And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.  8So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

¹⁹ And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? ²⁰ But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. (Genesis 50:19-20)

God mercifully protected Joseph’s life but also the whole family.  The mercy Joseph was shown by God he passed on to his family.  Do we do that?

NATION OF ISRAEL

Passover (Exodus 12:29, 31, 32, 36)

29And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.   31And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said.  32Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. 36And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.

God’s merciful release from being slaves of the Egyptians’

Israel’s disobedience (Jeremiah 25:4-9)

And the Lord hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear.⁵ They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the Lord hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever:⁶ And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt.⁷ Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the Lord; that ye might provoke me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt.⁸ Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Because ye have not heard my words,⁹ Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the Lord, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.

God mercifully did not destroy the nation of Israel, His chosen people.

Restoration of Israel (Jeremiah 33:7-11)

And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first. ⁸ And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me.⁹ And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it. ¹⁰ Thus saith the Lord; Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say shall be desolate without man and without beast, even in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast,¹¹ The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the Lord of hosts: for the Lord is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the Lord.

God has mercy on Israel

Saul persecutor of the disciples (Acts 9:1-2)

1And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

God mercifully did not kill Saul for his wickedness

Saul’s conversion (Acts 9:3-6, 17-18)

3And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:  4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?  5And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.  6And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 17And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.  18And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

God allows Saul to get saved and to serve Him to bring many to Jesus

What was the cost?

23Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.  24Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.  25Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;  26In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;  27In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.  28Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.  29Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?  30If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 31The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

God mercifully used and protected Paul as he ministered

CONCLUSION:

APART FROM THE MERCY OF GOD WE WOULD BE SERVING SATAN

We do not deserve to be here.

Romans 3:23 ALL HAVE SINNED

23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 3:10 THERE ARE NONE RIGHTEOUS

10As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Romans 6:23 THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH

23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

John 1:12 CHILD OF GOD

12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

1 John 5:11-13 ETERNAL LIFE

11And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  12He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.  13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

 

Good morning,

Again, this morning I was reminded how fortunate I am. God has given me blessings upon blessings. He has done the same for you. Each of us has a roof over our heads, food to eat, and clothing to wear.

Others in our community are not so fortunate. They struggle each day for a warm meal, warm place to sit for a few hours, and are in need of warm clothing.

We sometimes try to avoid this segment of our population because they are not like us. They are different. Maybe they are homeless, not working, are mentally challenged.

THEY ARE A SOUL FOR WHOM CHRIST DIED!

That statement changes everything. If we believe that, it changes the way we see other people who are not like us. We should have compassion as opposed to disgust, mercy instead of ridicule, grace instead of condemnation.

As I was leaving Starbucks this morning, a gentleman asked if I could spare a dollar for a meal. I took him back into Starbucks and bought him breakfast.

“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:⁹ Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9)

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.¹⁷ But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?¹⁸ My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:16-18)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

Psalm 95 is a psalm of praise and thanksgiving.

O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.² Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

So why should I sing, make a joyful noise, and be thankful? Verses 3-5 tell us.

³ For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.⁴ In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.⁵ The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.

So what should our response be?

⁶ O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

Meditate on this Psalm and then thank Him for all He has done for us.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

My journey through the Bible has taken me to the book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah has been commissioned by God to warn the nation of Israel to turn back to God or suffer God’s judgment.

Israel refused to turn back to God. Their pride caused them to think that they were better than anyone else. They refused to believe that God would not condone their sin. Weren’t they God’s chosen people?

The disciple’s walked with God and also exhibited this pride. Today, we see the church, believers in Jesus, claiming their superiority toward others.

This propensity for pride, exiled Israel to Babylon, the disciple’s to be rebuked by Jesus, and today’s believers have lost their opportunity to be the “salt and light” to this perverse and wicked generation.

Please read today’s devotional with this in mind.

It cleaves to us like our skin!

(J.C. Ryle)

“An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest.” Luke 9:46
“Then He said to them: He who is least among you all–he is the greatest.” Luke 9:48

As astonishing as it may seem, this little company of fishermen and publicans was not beyond the plague of a self-seeking and prideful spirit. Such is the heart of man. There is something very instructive in this fact. It ought to sink down deeply into the heart of every Christian reader.

Of all sins, there is none against which we have such need to watch and pray, as pride.
It is a pestilence that walks in darkness–and a sickness that destroys at noon-day.

No sin is so deeply rooted in our nature as pride! It cleaves to us like our skin! Its roots never entirely die–they are ready, at any moment, to spring up, and exhibit a most pernicious vitality.

No sin is so senseless and deceitful as pride. It can wear the garb of humility itself. It can lurk in the hearts of the ignorant, the ungifted, and the poor–as well as in the minds of the great, the learned, and the rich.

Of all creatures, none has so little right to be proud as man–and of all men, none ought to be so humble as the Christian! 

Is it really true that we confess ourselves to be “miserable sinners,” and daily debtors to mercy and grace? Are we the followers of Jesus, who was “meek and lowly of heart,” and “made Himself nothing” for our sakes? Then let that same mind be in us, which was in Christ Jesus. Let us lay aside all proud thoughts and self-conceit. In lowliness of mind, let us esteem others better than ourselves. Let us be ready, on all occasions, to take the lowest place. And let the words of our Savior ring in our ears continually, “He who is least among you all–he is the greatest.”

Let a prayer for humility form part of our daily supplications.

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Who doesn’t like being nestled in the arms of a loved one? A spouse, son, daughter, mom, dad, grandparents.

What about the arms of Jesus?

Nestle in our Savior’s arms!

(J.R. Miller, “Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ” 1890)

“He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in His arms,” Mark 9:36

This picture of “Jesus with the little one in His arms“ is very beautiful. In all the Bible there is scarcely another picture which so well represents the attitude both of the saved soul and of the Savior–in all Christian life.

Jesus takes the child in His arms–there is love, tenderness and protection.

The bosom is the place of warmth, of affection, of intimacy, of confidence.

The encircling arms–imply safety, support and shelter.

Jesus lifted up the child and held it in His arms–just so does He carry His people through this wilderness world! He does not merely tell them what path to travel–but He takes them on His shoulders, carrying not only their burdens–but themselves! Thus He bears them on through life and through death–to Heaven, where they shall forever be with Him!

Then look at the picture the other way–the child in the Savior’s arms. The child’s attitude speaks of trust, confidence, repose, peace, love, joy–just the feelings which belong to the true Christian. What a place the bosom of Christ is–in danger, in storm, in sorrow, in death! Shall we not likewise learn–to nestle in our Savior’s arms in all our troublesome experiences?

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Why does man sin? Who is the cause of it? When did it happened? What will happen to the perpetrator?

Today, we will discover how the perfect world God created in Genesis 1, became corrupted by Genesis 3. We will name names and show what has become of our world due to rebellion.

REBELLION

Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.¹⁷ Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. (Jeremiah 6:16-17)

INTRODUCTION

God’s perfect creation Genesis 1/John 1

WHO IS SATAN? First rebellion

Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.¹³ Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.¹⁴ Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.¹⁵ Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.¹⁶ By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.¹⁷ Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.¹⁸ Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffic; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. (Ezekiel 28:12-18)

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!¹³ For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:¹⁴ I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.⁵ Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.¹⁶ They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;¹⁷ That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? (Isaiah 14:12-17)

God’s command to Adam

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:¹⁷ But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:16-17)

Man’s rebellion – First sin

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. (Genesis 3:6)

Cain’s rebellion – First murder

But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. (Genesis 4:5,8)

Israel’s rebellion

Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.¹⁷ Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. (Jeremiah 6:16-17)

Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.¹² And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart. (Jeremiah 18:11-12)

King Saul’s rebellion

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king. (1 Samuel 15:23)

Nation’s rebellion

And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,⁸ And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.⁹ And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. (Revelation 20:7-9)

Satan’s destruction

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)

CONCLUSION

God created everything

Satan is a created being

Satan’s rebellion was caused by envy and pride

Satan is the chief deceiver

Satan is defeated at the cross

Satan will finally be cast into the lake of fire

 

 

Good morning,

Today is Halloween. This article presents the Bible position on this event. The key question we must ask ourselves is, “Will we be glorifying God if we partake?”

I hope you find this useful and challenging.

What is Halloween and should Christians celebrate it?

What is Halloween?

The popularity of Halloween is growing exponentially. Americans spend over $5 billion dollars annually on Halloween, making it the country’s second largest commercial holiday. In addition, a quarter of all annual candy sales occur during the Halloween season in the United States. What is it about Halloween that makes October 31 so popular? Perhaps it’s the mystery–or just the candy? Perhaps the excitement of a new costume?

Whatever the draw, Halloween is here to stay. But what does the Bible say about it? Is Halloween wrong or evil? Are there any clues in the Bible as to whether a Christian should celebrate Halloween?

What Does the Bible Say About Halloween?

First of all, understand that Halloween is mostly a western custom and it has no direct reference in the Bible. However, there are Biblical principles that directly relate to the celebration of Halloween. Perhaps the best way to understand how Halloween relates to the Bible is to look at the meaning of Halloween and its history.

What Does Halloween Mean?

The word Halloween literally means the evening before All Hallows Day or All Saint’s Day, celebrated on November 1. Halloween is also the shortened name of Allhalloween, All Hallows’ Evening and All Saint’s Eve which is celebrated on October 31. The origin and meaning of Halloween is derived from ancient Celtic harvest festivals, but more recently we think of Halloween as a night filled with candy, trick-or-treating, pumpkins, ghosts and death.

The History of Halloween

The origin of Halloween as we know it, began over 1900 years ago in England, Ireland, and Northern France. It was a Celtic celebration of the new year, called Samhain which occurred on November 1. The Celtic druids revered it as the biggest holiday of the year and emphasized that day as the time when the souls of the dead supposedly could mingle with the living. Bonfires were a large aspect of this holiday as well.

Samhain remained popular until St. Patrick and other Christian missionaries arrived in the area. As the population began to convert to Christianity the holiday began to lose its popularity. However, instead of eradicating pagan practices such as “Halloween” or Samhain, the church instead used these holidays with a Christian twist to bring paganism and Christianity together, making it easier for local populations to convert to the state religion.

Another tradition is the druidic belief that during the night of November 1, demons, witches, and evil spirits freely roamed the earth with joy to greet the arrival of “their season” – the long nights and early dark of the winter months. The demons had their fun with poor mortals that night, frightening, harming, and even playing all kinds of mean tricks on them. The only way, it seemed, for scared humans to escape the persecution of the demons was to offer them things they liked, especially fancy foods and sweets. Or, in order to escape the fury of these horrible creatures, a human could disguise himself as one of them and join in their roaming. In this way they would recognize the human as a demon or witch and the human would not be bothered that night.

During the Roman empire there was the custom of eating or giving away fruit, especially apples, on Halloween. It spread to neighboring countries; to Ireland and Scotland from Britain, and to the Slavic countries from Austria. It is probably based upon a celebration of the Roman goddess Pomona, to whom gardens and orchards were dedicated. Since the annual Feast of Pomona was held on November 1, the relics of that observance became part of our Halloween celebration, for instance the familiar tradition of “dunking” for apples.

Today costumes take the place of disguises and candy has replaced fruits and other fancy foods as children go door-to-door trick-or-treating. Originally trick-or-treating began as “souling,” when children would go door-to-door on Halloween, with soul cakes, singing and saying prayers for the dead. Over the course of history Halloween’s visible practices have changed with the culture of the day, but the purpose of honoring the dead, veiled in fun and festivities, has remained the same. The question remains, is celebrating Halloween bad or unbiblical?

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

As a logical thinking person, consider for a moment what you are celebrating and what Halloween is all about. Is the holiday uplifting? Is Halloween pure? Is it lovely, praiseworthy, or of good report? Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Is Halloween based on godly themes such as the idea of peace, freedom and salvation or does the holiday bring to mind feelings of fear, obsession and bondage?

Additionally, does the Bible sanction witchcraft, witches, and sorcery? On the contrary, the Bible makes it clear that these practices are an abomination to the Lord. The Bible goes on to say in Leviticus 20:27 that anyone who practiced witchcraft, soothsaying, sorcery should be killed. Deuteronomy 18:9-13 adds, “When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you … one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord.”

Is it wrong to celebrate Halloween?

Let’s look at what the Bible adds to this topic in Ephesians 5:11, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” This text is calling us to not only have no association with any type of dark activity BUT ALSO to shed light upon this topic to those around us. As stated earlier in this article, Halloween was not exposed by the church for what it was, but rather was incorporated into church holy days. Are Christians responding in the same way today?

As you think about Halloween—its origins and what it stands for—would it be best to spend time dwelling upon its themes or to shed light upon what lies below the surface of this holiday’s celebration. God is calling humanity to follow Him and to “come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing” (2 Corinthians 6:17).

(From BibleInfo.com)

The preponderance of evidence shows that Halloween is opposed to Bible principles. Each of us needs to determine whether we will serve the Lord or Satan.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Prayer. Talking with God. God wants to hear from us. Today’s devotion will give you some reasons why.

O for a spirit of habitual prayer!

(James Smith, “The Evening Sacrifice; Or, A Help to Devotion” 1859)

“But I call to God, and the LORD saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress–and He hears my voice!” Psalm 55:16-17

The well taught Christian carries everything to God–and in so doing, obtains relief, enjoys peace, and grows in grace.
For all that we need–we should call upon God.
And from all that we fear–we should flee unto God.

At the close of every day, it is our mercy to call upon the Lord.
We must make confession of sin–and obtain pardon.
We must carry to Him our burdens–and obtain relief.
We must tell out before Him our needs–and obtain a supply.

Oh, how precious it is to go to the Lord at the close of each day, and tell Him all that has . . .
vexed us,
grieved us,
cast us down, or
disquieted our spirits!

And how blessed to go to him each morning, and seek grace to live holily and happily through the day!

Nor is it less blessed to have a few minutes with God at noon–breaking, as it were, the day in two, and keeping short accounts with God.

O for a spirit of habitual prayer, that at evening, and at morning, and at noon–we may pray, and cry aloud to God!

If we were more with the Lord in prayer, we would have . . .
more strength to carry our crosses,
more patience to bear our troubles,
and more comfort amidst life’s sorrows.

Holy Spirit, take up your residence in my heart as a Spirit of prayer, and lead me daily, hourly, yes, very often–to the mercy-seat. Let me find the hours of prayer to be precious seasons. And especially at eventide, when worn and exhausted with the toils and troubles of the day–let me find sweet solace and refreshment in pouring out my soul unto God.

Precious Lord Jesus, draw our souls to You evening by evening, and lead us into the presence of Your Father, that we may have sweet and hallowed fellowship with God! Let our devotions ascend as sweet incense to God.

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001