Halloween Alternative

 

In the United States (and other countries), Halloween has become one of the most popular unofficial holidays. On the upside, retail sales boost the economy around this holiday.

On the downside, the holiday has become a time of increased crime in many places (especially arson and other acts of violence) on Halloween night as well as the night before.

When did this holiday begin and why? Was Halloween’s origin paganistic or is there something more behind Halloween’s history?

On the Halloween origin, some researchers claim that the holiday can be traced back about 2,000 years to the Celts of Europe who occupied parts of Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France. It was a pagan festival called “Samhain” (pronounced “sow-in”) that celebrated, more or less, the honor of the dead and involved the offering of large sacrifices of crops and animals.

Around AD 600, Pope Boniface IV created All Saints’ Day, and Pope Gregory III later moved this holiday to November 1 in an effort to give a Christian alternative to this pagan celebration.

Christians who did not want to celebrate pagan festivals celebrated something of positive spiritual value—in this case honoring the saints and martyrs. With the overwhelming expansion of Christianity in Europe, All Saints’ Day became the dominant holiday.

A couple hundred years later, the Roman Church made November 2 All Souls’ Day to honor the dead. This may well have been influenced by the continued persistence of the day of the dead by the ancient Irish, Scots, and others in Europe. Standing against this, many Protestant Christians celebrate October 31 as Reformation Day in honor of reformers such as Martin Luther, John Calvin, and others who spearheaded the Reformation in the 1500s.

Although many affirm that Samhain was the origin of modern-day Halloween, it is significant to note how many cultures throughout the world have celebrated a “day of the dead” (often with sacrifices), occurring at the end of summer and fall. There seem to be too many parallels to call these similar celebrations a coincidence.

It seems no coincidence that cultures all around the world in both present and ancient times have had a holiday when the dead were remembered and animals were sacrificed. We can make a pretty strong argument that this holiday goes back to a time when all the peoples lived together—and then they took this holiday to various parts of the world.

Proper sacrifices in the Bible were associated with sin and death. This goes back to the first sacrifice in Genesis 3:21 when the first two humans sinned against God. The perfect creation that God had made was now marred with sin that deserved death.

Genesis 3:21-Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

Leviticus 17:11- For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

Romans 5:12- Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

It should be obvious from a Christian perspective that many modern practices of Halloween and days of the dead have evil intent.

1 Corinthians 10:20- But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

There has been considerable paganism that has been associated with Halloween over the years. Evil acts such as vandalism; arson; destructive pranks; and glorification of sensuality, death, and demons are in strong opposition to the fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:19-21- Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

So, a word of caution must be given to Evangelicals who promote some of the questionable modern practices of Halloween.

If anything, an alternative in opposition to Halloween should be offered by Christians. Psalm 24:1 points out that everything belongs to the Lord. Therefore, there is no reason to let Satan have Halloween. Despite Halloween’s origin, it is not his day in the first place!

Psalm 24:1- The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

So where do you go from here? Please encourage your pastors and elders to have some sort of church function to counter modern practices of Halloween. Of course, one of the only nice things that Halloween really has to offer could also be involved—sweet treats (in moderation of course)!

If a Christian alternative is not possible in your location, then take advantage of this opportunity to share with “trick or treaters” the message of the gospel, how Jesus Christ has conquered death, and the forgiveness that can only be found in God.

Part of this real history is the bad news that the rebellion of the first man, Adam, against God’s command brought death, suffering, and separation from God into this world. We see the results all around us.

But the good news is that God has done something about it.

Jesus Christ the Creator, though totally sinless, suffered on behalf of mankind the penalty of mankind’s sin, which is death and separation from God. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice; he died on a cross, but on the third day, he rose again, conquering death, so that all who truly believe in him, repent of their sin, and trust in him, are able to come back to God and live for eternity with their Creator.

Romans 5:8- But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

I Timothy 2:4-6- Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

What a wonderful Savior—and what a wonderful salvation in Christ our Creator!

— Bodie Hodge

Aiming For Success

 Every year, when new year rolls around, people make resolutions. They say they'll exercise more, lose weight, be kinder to their family, or something like that. Sadly, most of these end up as nothing more than an attempt to modify their behavior for a few weeks and then are abandoned when the person settles back into their old habits.

Why? People have a goal, but they don't make the necessary steps to achieve that goal. 

Proverbs 29:18a- Where there is no vision, the people perish:

I've read a few books recently that have shed a little light on the difference between those who are successful and those who aren't. Let me share what I've learned.

The main changes that you need to make is to have a plan that's attainable and then slowly turn those changes into habits. Once they're habits, then you really don't have to think about it anymore. If it's not a habit, then we will slowly fall back into our old patterns. So how do we get from the goal to the habit?

In Jon Acuff's All It Takes Is A Goal, he suggests that you start by looking to the past. Make a greatest moments list. This list can be absolutely anything that you find precious. It could be a memory of a family vacation, or an achievement that you worked really hard to accomplish, something that makes you smile, whatever.

Now, look over your list. How many are achievements? How many were with those you care about? Are there any that were experiential moments? I bet very few are actual objects! His point was that once you understand what it is that makes your life worth living, you can know how to tailor your goals.

Now, you can strategize a plan. Your plan is like a vision wall. You'll have small, easy goals that you can accomplish quickly. These will lead to middle goals that take a bit longer to complete and could have people questioning if they are a good idea to attempt. And then the grand finale, the end goal that may take a year or longer but is what all the other small steps are leading up to.

Are you an accomplishment person? Do you like checking off boxes? Then create a scorecard that you can "tick" you way to the end.

Perhaps you are a relationship person. All of your greatest memories are done with others. Then you'd have goals that included a buddy. It could be a workout buddy, or a mom friend that has the same desire as you, or even a member of your family. 

Maybe you find fulfillment in experiences. You want to run a marathon, so you start with making it a quarter of a mile for a few weeks, then you build it up to five miles a month, a lastly you enter into the 5K you've always dreamed of!

Once you've accomplished your magnum opus, you probably won't stop there. You may go on to bigger and better in the same category. Or perchance, you'll chose an entirely new area to create your next goal around.

I have a few goals that I'm constantly working on. I am trying to get and stay in shape. I'm trying to strengthen my prayer life. I'm hoping to see my last two children graduate high school. I'm working on paying off all our debt.

Some goals are physical; some goals are spiritual. Some are practical, and some are necessary. These are my goals today. I've been in physically fit before. I've already had three children graduate high school. There are some debts that I've already paid off. Just because I've "been there, done that" doesn't mean that it has to come off my vision wall.

Whatever your goal, you need to bear in mind a few things. Each person is unique, and each season of life has its own challenges. A twenty-year-old mother of two toddlers can't expect to reach the same goals as a retired woman of sixty. A person who is struggling with a debilitating disease should not set a goal that a weightlifter strives to achieve. Keep in mind what your life is like, where your obligations lie, and how much time you have the ability to commit.

Philippians 3:14- I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

You may need to tweak your goals. Your vision wall may take longer than you want it to. But you should be aiming for something! This is your life that you will give an account before God for living. Do you really want to get to heaven and be like "I just let the river carry me to the grave"?

You may need to reexamine your mindset. Many habits are based on positive experiences (like our greatest hits list). A great tip from the Habit Workbook by Cultivate What Matters is you can incorporate cues that help you remember or bundle your goals with a habit you already have.

I take my vitamins when I eat breakfast. Having my coffee while I read my Bible is another bundle. Whenever I'm doing dishes or taking a shower, I pray (water is the cue). You can put your goals on autopilot by grouping them with established routines. 

Tracking your success is vital! We often get our focus on other people because we see how far they've come. Don't start comparing yourself to others! Create a way to track your achievements and notice how much you've accomplished and how far you've come. 

II Corinthians 10:12b- but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

Lastly, learn to forgive yourself. You won't perform a new habit perfectly 100% of the time! And that's okay. Just don't quit! Paul kept on going until the last moment of his life. Christ had the cross in view for over three years! Why? Because they knew what was waiting on the other side.

Hebrews 12:2- Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

II Timothy 4:7-8- I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

You're earning rewards in heaven. You're setting an example for the next generation. And you're allowing the Lord the lead you to the place where you can give Him all the glory while He's placing a crown on your head and granting you the title of Good And Faithful Servant!

Believer's Heritage- Corrie Ten Boom

Refusing to Claim God's Promise (video sermon)

Not Finished Yet (poem)

Has your strength ebbed and flowed?

Are you feeling weary, sluggish beneath the load?

Have your thoughts become scattered and oh so confused?

You want to accomplish many things, yet your body has refused?

You’re not finished yet!

Does your ache and pains slow you down?

The trouble with your eyesight make you frown?

Your ears, they don’t hear as well as they did before 

People are busy, you feel ignored. 

You’re not finished yet!

You’re not finished yet, the best is yet to come,

The foundations that were laid will not come undone!

The wisdom you’ve gleaned through the years,

can help someone through their tears. 

Tell the lost Christ has paid their debt,

Remember this you’re not finished yet!

When all of life is slowing down,

Smile, because Jesus has promised you a crown.

Trust in the One who created you best,

As long as you have breath,  you’re not finished yet!

-Karen B Patterson

My Jesus, Fair (song)

The Demon Possessed Son

I must first preface this study with a disclaimer- mental problems are not always synonymous with demon possession. 

There are so many different things that go on in the brain, some that we probably aren't even aware happen, yet. If some of these are out of balance, it can cause some pretty odd behavior. The Bible shows that there is a distinction between mental problems and demon possession.

 Matthew 4:23-24- And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

As you can see in the passage above, those who are possessed with devils are a separate item than those which are lunatick.  In the Webster's 1828 dictionary, a lunatick is defined as a person affected by insanity, supposed to be influenced or produced by the moon, or by its position in its orbit; a madman.

Noting this distinction, we will read through three gospel accounts of a demon possessed boy and glean what we can from these Scriptures.

Matthew 9:14-18- And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.

The disciples had been sent out two by two and given the power to heal all manner of diseases. However, once they were back with Jesus, they found there was this one particularly stubborn case in which they had no power to prevail.

Matthew 17:14-15- And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

Among the multitude there was the father of the demon possessed. In the gospel of Matthew, he tells Jesus that the boy is a lunatick. But, the gospel of Luke gives us some further information.

Luke 9:38-40- And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child. And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him. And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.

Not only does the boy have mental problems, but he is also demon possessed. Luke also tells us that this is the man's only child.

We know that Jesus can easily heal this boy. And, we also know that He doesn't do anything without a reason.

Mark 9:19-20- He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.

Why did Jesus call them a faithless generation? Perhaps there is more to the story that we were originally told.

Mark 9:21-22- And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.

The man tells Jesus that his son has been like this since a child. This means that this is probably not a young boy and this family has been dealing with this for a long time. Was it something the parents allowed in their home that brought a devil to prey upon their son? Perhaps there were some friendships they should have said "no" to that ended up putting this boy in this position? There's a reason Jesus wanted the father to answer this question.

Mark 9:23-24- Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

Somewhere there is a lack of faith. 

The father is pleading with the Lord that if it is with him that the Lord would grant him faith.

Mark 9:25-27- When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.

The gospel of Mark tells us that this spirit was "dumb and deaf". I believe that means the person who has been possessed can neither hear nor speak. This spirit certainly heard Jesus' command, and came out in a very harsh manner.

Luke 9:42- And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.

The gospel of Luke tells us that this spirit didn't want to come anywhere near Jesus, nor did it want to leave. This is a very powerful demon. We will understand a little later that there are levels of power among the devils of this world.

Matthew 17:18- And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

When Jesus heals a person, it's not an isolated incident. This boy was not only healed from the demon possession, but he was also cured from his lunacy.

This next part is something that most "faith healers" don't want you to know.

Matthew 17:19-20- Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

It has nothing to do with the patients faith. Remember, Christ was rebuking the faithless generation, but we find out in Matthew 17:20 that it was the disciples lack of faith that He was calling out.

The men who saw all the miracles that Jesus did. The few who saw Him transfigured on the mountaintop surrounded by Moses and Elijah. Those men who had been given the ability to work miracles in Jesus name, had a lack of faith. Why?

Luke 9:43-45- And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples, Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.

It's because they didn't understand. Nor did they try to understand.

Fear keeps us from getting ahead quite often. 

But there is one other piece of information that you should note here. This devil was a particularly powerful one. Jesus was the only one able to cast it out because He was the only one that was praying and fasting!

Mark 9:29- And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

There are only two verses in the entire Bible that tells you this. One in Mark and one in Luke.

Luke 17:21- Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

These two verses are missing from almost all of the new Bible translations. Why do you suppose that is? It's because when a devil sets up a stronghold in a person, they don't want you to know how to tear it down.

The real question is, "Why would men who profess to want to make the Bible easier to understand remove such an important piece of information from their translation?"