What Are You Celebrating? :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: October 22, 2022 by RR10

There’s no doubt about it. People enjoy celebrating. Birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, graduation, retirement, and more. Then there are the big celebrations like Christmas and Thanksgiving. These are all happy occasions which should be celebrated with friends and family. God wants us to enjoy life, but He also wants us to use discernment in how and what we celebrate.

Human beings seem to be able to corrupt many celebrations. For instance, look at what we’ve done to the celebration of the birth of Jesus. We don’t know the exact date that He was born, so we celebrate on a Pagan holiday and center festivities around Santa Claus. It has become very commercialized, and few people actually celebrate Jesus’ birth. There are office parties, overspending on gifts, sending cards, and so much more that has nothing to do with Jesus. By the time it’s over, we are exhausted and have gained weight because of all the extra food we consume.

Then, New Year’s Eve comes along, and once again, there’s a celebration. Eating, drinking, and being merry. We make resolutions for a better new year and healthier eating habits. When Valentine’s Day comes along, we celebrate with candy. Then Easter is celebrated with chocolate bunnies and colored eggs.

What do they have to do with celebrating Jesus who shed His blood for our salvation? As Christians, we need to celebrate Jesus instead of allowing our celebrations to be secular and worldly. Celebrate Jesus each and every day and live so our Lord is honored. The choices we make in our daily life will either reflect Christ or dishonor Him.

One of the most evil celebrations will soon be here. Halloween. This is a very demonic day when children are encouraged to dress up and go knock on doors for candy. Christians join in as if it’s just another celebration. We dress our children up as ghosts, monsters, and other sinister creatures of darkness, but it’s all meaningless and in good fun. Right? The little ghosties and ghoulies go around knocking on doors saying, “Trick or treat,” and they collect candy. Hopefully, none of the treats have been tampered with. Over the years, the costumes have become very evil.

When I was a child, I did dress up and go Trick or Treating. The scariest costume I ever wore was one my mother made. I was a one-eyed, one-horned, flying purple people eater. By today’s standards, it was pretty dull. Today, we see Freddy Krueger costumes, Texas Chainsaw Massacre costumes, and many more demonic ones. Little girls dress as seductive witches, and their parents think their daughter is lovely. God does not think witches are lovely. He knows the evil power they use is real and not to be taken lightly.

“Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live” (Exodus 22:18).

That’s a strong punishment. Today we are not under Jewish Law, but it was designed to teach us about God and what He expects. Today, instead of putting a witch to death, we need to share the Gospel. Christians have allowed demons to be glorified while we justify our participation in the evil.

Years ago, a pope decided that November 1 is All Saints Day, and November 2 is All Souls Day, a time to remember martyrs. Why do we celebrate death and evil spirits on October 31? Maybe we should be more concerned with sharing the Gospel and fighting the wiles of Satan and his minions. There was a time long past when people would dress up as Biblical characters, knock on doors, offer to pray for the household, and receive sweets. That’s an interesting idea.

Actually, a bit of research shows that October 31 is the date when the Flood of Noah’s time occurred. We know that the flood happened to clear the earth of the genetic corruption of which the Fallen Angels were guilty. The Nephilim were the offspring of sexual relations between Fallen Angels and human women. They were absolutely evil. The unredeemable souls of the Nephilim were not welcome into the abode of the dead. These souls roam the earth seeking embodiment, and we gain some understanding of this fact from the time Jesus went to Gadara and met with the young man possessed by numerous demons (see Matthew chapter 8, Mark chapter 5, and Luke chapter 8). Jesus cast out the demonic entities, who went into a herd of swine. They needed a body, any body, to inhabit.

Ken Johnson of Biblefacts.org has done much research into the Dead Sea Scrolls and has shared the knowledge he has acquired over the years. Here is a short study he has done regarding how the date of the flood relates to our Halloween date (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZclRveGOOU). Maybe, instead of costumes and customs that relate to the evilness around us, we might use this time to share God’s truth of the Flood and His greater story of His shed blood for our redemption.

October 31 is an important day in Christian history. It was the day that Martin Luther bravely nailed the 95 Theses to the All Saint’s Church in Wittenberg, thus declaring a protest against the corruption of the Roman Catholic Church. I always wonder why Christians promote the demonic side of Halloween rather than celebrating God’s truth. Too many Christians don’t even know what Martin Luther did or why he did it. Do some research into the subject, and you’ll understand why we should celebrate what Martin Luther did.

When my daughter was in youth group, they went to a “Revelation House” instead of a haunted house. The group was led through a theatrical performance where a young person had made a choice to reject Christ while another had accepted Him. As the youth group walked from one room to another, they were shown how the choices affected the lives of those two young people. The performers eventually showed the two main characters having died. The one who had accepted Christ was shown as being in a wonderful eternity in Heaven, while the one who had rejected Christ was depicted as going to Hell and torment.

That Revelation House had a strong impact upon the youngsters in the youth group. Scary? Yes, it was, but it also showed the reality of death and what follows. It showed how important choices are. It didn’t glorify the demonic powers around us but showed the outcome of the choices we make. Many of the group gave thought to the reality they had seen and chose to give their lives to Christ. Had they been out trick or treating, that choice wouldn’t have been easily made.

Most people don’t see any problem with Halloween and even justify it as a Christian holiday. Be sure you don’t close your eyes to the reality of the Satanic practices surrounding it.

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret” (Ephesians 5:11-12).

What does the Satanic schedule look like for October? On October 13, preparation begins for the rituals to follow. It begins with the abduction and preparation of a person for human sacrifice. October 28-30 is a Satanist High ceremony that involves blood and human sacrifice. Then on October 30-31, All Hallows Eve is celebrated, and the rituals involve blood and sexual perversion. Then November 1 is a satanist high day associated with blood and human sacrifice (information taken from https://www.theopenscroll.com/hosting/SatanicCalendar.htm.

If you think Halloween is all innocent fun, think again. There is a very evil side to it. Satan is real, and so are his demonic minions. They will do everything they can to destroy God’s creation and His people.

Christians make the mistake of thinking things just don’t matter. So what that prayer was taken out of school. So what that schools teach evolution instead of God’s truth (read the first chapter of Romans and see what God thinks of it). So what that schools teach that gender is a choice. So what that schools provide litter boxes for kids who believe they are animals. So what? It matters a lot and affects the entire world. When you look around you and see what is promoted by secular entertainment, you should come to the conclusion that it all matters very much. Christians must keep our thoughts on Jesus.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).

Parents need to make Bible-based choices and teach their children to do the same. If your children aren’t allowed to watch movies that promote violence and sex at home, do they understand they aren’t to watch such movies at a friend’s home? Do your children understand just how demonic Ouija Boards are? Do you? These evil boards are popular at many pajama parties. When you “play” with these “toys,” you open doors for demonic forces to come through. The battle we face is spiritual, and unless you’ve placed your full faith in Jesus Christ, you will succumb to the enemy. Plant your children’s feet solidly on Christ and pray for their protection.

You can’t win the battle by your own strength, but you must allow the Holy Spirit to be your guide. Spiritual warfare isn’t new. The weapons Satan uses today might be electronic weapons of technology, such as the internet, music, movies, and such, but the weapons of God still remain and are more powerful than anything Satan uses. Christians need to choose to stand with God and against Satan.

When Paul wrote to the Christians living in the Pagan city of Ephesus, he spoke of spiritual warfare. He began with family. God set the structure for family in the very beginning. Adam was created first and was to lead his family physically and spiritually. Adam failed by allowing Eve to convince him to disobey God, but the structure is still there. Paul tells us how a husband is to love his wife.

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25).

A woman shouldn’t settle for a husband who isn’t a God-fearing man who will lay down his life for her. Satan has done his best to destroy the family unit. Many women have decided that marriage isn’t necessary for raising a family. One-night stands are good enough, or they settle for a man who doesn’t love the Lord. Children are raised by two families, so the joy of a God-blessed family unit isn’t part of their life.

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.” Ephesians 5:22.

Submit to your own husband, not to any man that comes along. Honor God by honoring your marriage. Satan wins battles because Christians don’t hold God in the highest esteem.

After Paul talks of how a family is to be structured, he talks about spiritual warfare. It’s all part of the same battle. If the family is destroyed, it’s easier for the spiritual battle to tip in Satan’s favor. It’s like dominoes falling. Satan is able to take control of one part of life, then moves to the next. This is a spiritual battle, and Christians are siding with the enemy. It’s time to put on the full armor of God and fight the battle before us.

“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 and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Learn to use these weapons and never take off God’s armor.

Satan and demons are real. One of Satan’s ploys is to convince humanity that he’s just a myth – a cute little troublemaker that runs around in a red suit holding a pitchfork. He’s not a myth, and he isn’t cute. We’re told that he can disguise himself as something lovely to look at. If you get trapped by one of his snares, your life will be miserable. The only way to avoid being trapped by Satan is to keep your whole life in line with God. If you’ve given your heart to Jesus, then you need to follow Him and not look back.

“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).

It’s not good to live with one foot in the darkness of the demon realm and one foot in the light of the Lord. You cannot serve two masters. Once you’ve truly accepted Christ for salvation, don’t return to Satan’s influence. When you celebrate, celebrate Christ and turn away from worldly ways. Teach your children God’s Truth and help them to grow strong in their faith.

So, what are you celebrating? You can’t go wrong if you celebrate Christ in all things.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com
ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

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Discouragement or Hope :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: October 16, 2022 by RR10

Along with joy and happiness, this life can hold many trials and unhappiness. It’s up to each individual to decide what to focus on. We need to remember that all blessings come from God, but all evil comes from wicked Satanic forces. God created a world of beauty and peace filled with blessings and hope. Genesis chapter 1 isn’t an allegory or a myth. It is truth. God created everything in 6 literal days. The ultimate creation was Adam. Evolution didn’t make you the unique and special person you are.

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Genesis 1:27).

When God saw that Adam needed a companion, He took Eve from Adam and told them to be fruitful and multiply. In this passage of Scripture, we can see that gender is not a choice and that since God created male and female, marriage is only valid between a man and a woman.

We don’t know how long Adam and Eve had been living in the Garden of Eden when Eve was distracted from God’s truth and chatted with Satan. Big mistake! That evil being convinced her that God was wicked and only told them not to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil because He didn’t want them to be as gods. God had specifically told Adam to eat of every tree in the Garden except for the forbidden fruit.

“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 2:17).

This command was given to Adam prior to God creating Eve, so Adam should have been clearer when directing Eve in God’s truth. Eve listened to Satan and ate the forbidden fruit. Adam also disregarded God’s commandments and sinned. Did Adam and Eve drop dead immediately? Not in body, but in soul. That’s when sin and death entered creation and mankind was separated from God. There had been enough food on all the trees in the Garden of Eden for Adam and Eve to eat and be satisfied. Still, the wickedness of Satan convinced them that God was a liar and the forbidden fruit was good to eat.

You might think that event didn’t set a precedent, but it did. For some reason, Satan’s lies look more appealing than God’s truth, even though history should show us that sin never brings happiness, joy, or peace. Look around at the ways of the world. God created a man and a woman, and their marriage was forever. What do we see in the world today? Men and women living together without the blessing of a God-ordained marriage. Unwanted children come from such unions, and there is no real love and trust in such a relationship. Men living with men, and woman living with women as if they are married in God’s eyes. AIDS is a result of such relationships.

There is sickness and evil all around, and life can get overwhelming. Are you discouraged by the way your life is going? Are you facing trials and worries? Maybe your children are rebellious and living lives opposed to God. That is heartbreaking and worrisome. Do you blame God because of the sinful way your children live? Look at your own life. Have you been an example of Godly ways for your children to admire?

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

Too many parents have the attitude of “do as I say, not as I do.” If you tell your children to stay away from drugs and alcohol but live the example of drunkenness, don’t blame God if your children follow your example. Are you in a God-ordained one man/one woman marriage, or are you giving your children the example of “living together”? If you aren’t following God’s truth, you can’t blame Him for the results of your choices. God gave us the freedom to choose to follow His ways, or go the way of Satan’s lies. If we choose to follow Satan’s lies, then we cannot blame God for the results of our sin.

God has given us Scripture to guide us in His ways, but if we listen to Satan’s voice and follow worldly ways, we have to accept the results of our sin.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

A wage is something you work for, but a gift is something that is freely given. We have fragile bodies that were created to work a certain way. Then Satan whispers to you, drink that alcohol because you will have more friends and be the life of the party. Do you listen to Satan or to God?

“Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying” (Romans 13:13).

So, you harken to Satan’s lies and drink until you are seeing double and decide to drive home. An accident happens, and people are killed. Do you blame God for the results of the accident, or do you see that it was your choice to drive while drunk or under the influence of drugs? Maybe you hadn’t been drinking, and the accident just happened, or there was some negligence on your part. It can be discouraging to face life knowing that maybe you should have been more cautious and alert. My brother was killed in an automobile accident. It was truly an accident. It was very rainy, and an animal ran across the highway. The young driver skidded off the road, and three young boys died that night. The driver survived, but the horror of that night still haunts him after more than 60 years.

The point is, we cannot blame God for troubles. Wickedness is from Satan. Death entered creation when Adam disregarded God’s command and ate the forbidden fruit. To this day, many people choose to disregard His Commandments and live a life of sin. There are many things in life that we can’t control that cause pain and suffering. Remember, we live in a fallen world, and all evil is from Satan. It’s heartbreaking to see a baby born with birth defects, and it’s easy to blame God. On the other hand, we must question whether or not the mother took drugs – prescription or illegal. I know of a baby who was born premature and addicted to cocaine because the mother was addicted to cocaine. Do we blame God, or do we blame Satan? I blame Satan.

Our only hope is in Jesus. No matter what troubles you face, or choices you’ve made, if you’ve placed your faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, you can be assured He will never leave you nor forsake you.

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee nor forsake thee” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Moses had led the Israelites through 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. That must have been very discouraging, but the wandering was caused because of their lack of faith and trust in God, and a choice was made to disobey Him. Now the time had come for them to enter into the promised land, and Moses was near to death. He spoke to the Israelites and encouraged them to trust God and to follow Him. Heed those words in your own life. Turn from sin that causes a separation between you and God.

If you have accepted Christ for your salvation but only see evil and discouragement in your life, it might be helpful to look at the choices you’ve made. Have you always followed God’s path, or have you deviated to follow the way of the world? The Holy Spirit will never lead you to do anything that is opposed to Scripture. Follow His guidance. “Quench not the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19).

Is what you are going through the wages of sin that you’ve earned? Remember that, as the Scripture says, we earn the wages of sin, but if you have given your life to Christ, your sins are all forgiven.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

You may still have to pay the price for living life opposed to God, but He will never leave you. Christians have the blessed hope of eternity with God. Instead of being discouraged over the wages of sin you’ve earned, draw hope and joy from the gift of God.

As we draw nearer to the end of time, we will see wickedness growing stronger as more and more people reject God’s truth. Even Christians are listening to Satan’s evil whisper rather than standing firm on Scripture.

“Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee” (Acts 8:22).

God is always willing to forgive the truly repentant person who humbly goes before Him in prayer.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Once you’ve recognized the sin in your life, confess it to God and ask Him to forgive you. Then turn away from it. The blood that Jesus shed for you doesn’t give you a license to continue sinning. Remember, no matter how discouraged you may be by life’s circumstances, there is always hope in Jesus. God can, and will, take everything you turn over to Him and make it work for good.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Never allow life to defeat you, but keep your eyes and heart upon Jesus.

Discouragement comes from living a worldly life, but hope comes from living for Christ.