Dear Jesus - I have gone into some territory that I really have no idea what it is about, but I am willing to try under the power and leadership of the Holy Spirit. Guide me Lord. I have often wondered how deceived I am? I came into the TV room the other night and my kids were watching some "innocent" Nickelodeon witch movie. I didn't erupt or go spastic. I sat down with them and just wanted to see for myself. (I am so guilty of just saying no because I heard it from someone else that "it" wasn't good rather than check in it out myself.) So as i sat there this girl had a stick doing something with it and then threw it down. When it hit the ground it turned into a snake that began to speak. THAT WAS IT!!!!!! I erupted and the TV was turned off. Of course my kids were mad i did that and kept saying, "Mom, it is just a fun show. It is no big deal. It is just for fun." They were so deceived!!! There was more to is than just fun!
You know everywhere I have ever lived there are always those that don't do Halloween. I admire their discipline because frankly, I love candy. ha! And also, I have thought do I just not do Halloween or should I avoid it all. Am I being deceived? Halloween is very obviously not good or holy or anything about the Lord. But when you get down to Santa (which has the letters of satan) or the Bunny or anything else it is not good either. Do I avoid them all or do i pick and choose leaving my kids more confused... We have chosen to TRY to make the kids understand what the holiday is and insert Jesus still in all we do. (I don't like the word "insert", but that is all i can think of right now.) Just our house rule. But as you would expect that is a very difficult task. Kids only think of themselves, they only get up to see what they got, they only want to see what others have been given - me, me, me!! At least for my kids!
But I am asking today, Lord, have I been the one deceived and don't know it? Am I taking part in so many worldly things that i don't recognize the good from the bad, the holy from the unholy, etc. Oh Lord help me here.
Rev. 13:14 Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.
OK - this is out of my league big time, but from what i have studied...... the first beast is the Antichrist. and the second beast that was given power to deceive was the false prophet. I don't really know how to interpret all this, but I just wanted to focus on the point of the second beast, the false prophet, having the power to deceive the people and getting them to "set up" an image in honor of the Antichrist. Now once again, I am not talking about end times even though i am in Revelations. I am not here to discuss whether this is for those after He has come and taken all the Christians home etc... I was just impressed when the Lord lead me here that Satan and all his powers and beasts and angels have some authority. Of course my Lord has ultimate power and authority, but Satan does have some. And with this power He used this beast to deceive the people. Am i being deceived in this age of time? Am i being deceived in any area do my life?? Am i being deceived into thinking something is very friendly, childish, and sweet when it is from the pit of hell?? I am testing all things to know? Am i standing everything up to the Word and seeing if there is any truth? Lord, I want to know - where am i being deceived??
Father - I thank you for this word! I thank you for this scripture and its Holiness. I know that it will show me the truth and that You are the truth! I thank you that I can seek you on anything and you will convict my heart in such a way that I know I am to follow you accordingly! I thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit to show me right and wrong. I thank you for your goodness and mercy. I thank you for your sweet favor over me! I want to follow you!! Help me to see with Your eyes!!! Oh Lord, I praise you!!!
Father, Ginger and I am making some big decisions with the ministry. We have our first opportunity to help a church have a well known speaker come and minister without a huge fee. I am so pumped... but we are trying to come up with logo, website, bios, other speakers to team up with us, sample dvd or cd, oh Lord, so many details. And all of it cost so much Lord. I have been praying for a few events in December - Lord, It could still happen... Can you do that for me?? It would help with so much. I had a kids clothing store ask me to come set up a table of purses for her Open House Christmas show. I hope that will help. And also one friend of mine is going to a craft show this weekend and going to bring some purses.... Hopefully that will be huge too! Lord, you know the needs - I am trusting you!! Thank you for being so faithful!! I love you! 
8 comments:
GIRL! Heavy stuff this early! haha So glad I popped on here and received this encouragement. I'm one of the "don't do" people and as my kids are getting older it's getting harder and harder to defend especially since someone in front of them reminded me that Christians are "free". Anyway, I totally agree, but at their age freedom and obedience don't go hand in hand. I was feeling that maybe I should just give in, but I saw the same show and GIRL! Killing me, this world is!
Ok, enough of that. Anyway, I'm headed to the prayer room over at church and I know what to pray for you!! I love ya girl! God is in the details! He loves that we invite Him in!!
Waiting to see Him work -
V
Leigh--I admire you for searching the truth on this topic as it is not easy. I just want to share some scripture that I believe the Lord has shown me on this topic.
In Daniel 7, God gives Daniel the interpretation to a dream he had.
This relates to the false prophet and the anti-christ:
Daniel 7:25 [AMP]
And he shall speak words against the Most High [God] and shall wear out the saints of the Most High and think to change the time [of sacred feasts and holy days] and the law; and the saints shall be given into his hand for a time, two times, and half a time [three and one-half years].
Notice that he wants to change the times and the law, which is the Torah--1st 5 books of the OT.
In Lev. 23 it lists the appointed times of the Lord or the feasts of the Lord. When you look at those, look at the seasons. What has the enemy try to do with these times?
Change them with worldly celebrations like you've mentioned-- Easter, Halloween, Christmas.
As we seek Christ for the truth, the Spirit of Truth, will reveal His truth to us.
Blessings in Christ--
I can testify that when I ask God to show us what is right for our family, He does. He always make it very clear. From t.v. on down to trick or treating.
I think it's one of the reasons we are told to put our spiritual armor on each day.
Love you girl and praying that God will provide for each need you have!
steph.
I am thrilled at what God is doing with your ministry! It's so neat to be on the sidelines watching God work. :-)
AMEN! It makes me so angry what children are being subjected to. We have to be careful about everything our children watch and participate in. Satan is just waiting to plant his seeds into their minds. We have to fight him every day.
Wow. You definitely gave me much to think about.
Hey girl....sorry for the late comment on this one! You know I have struggled with this one too!! But, I someone was saying on someone's blog that we should be looking at stuff like this as a way to be a "light" in the darkness. I REALLY struggled this year b/c Taylor came home from school and said one of her friends said that Halloween is the "devil's birthday". OH MY. What do you say to that???
So I think you're doing the right thing....seeking Him. He may not say the same thing to everyone about this..although I do believe there is a standard He holds us to, and then there's are personal obedience. Something I'm still trying to "work out".
Leigh,
The holiday thing is one thing I have been convicted about for some time now. I had friend ask me "does it glorify God?" when we were talking about Halloween. That did it for me. My hubby and I decided no more trick or treating. Not to mention we teach or children not to talk to strangers and not to take candy from strangers but then we send them all over knocking on doors asking for candy. Anyway, we did a fun family night of light with about 200 people and it was wonderful! The boys both said they liked it a lot more. Now I have to prayerfully decide about Santa - ugh!
Such a personal family decision that each one should take before the LORD.
Oh and CONGRATS about the ministry - that is AWESOME!!
God bless,
Kim
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