Haunted by Fear?

Have you ever been to a haunted house, spooky night at a theme park, or a horror film? Why did you go? Do you enjoy being terrorized? Did you get pressured into going because all your friends went? Did you regret it? Or did you stand against the peer pressures and stay home, or go to see "The Wilds" with your little siblings instead?

Why do people want to do things or go places that will make them afraid? Fear is not of God. The Bible says, "God hasn't given you a spirit of fear, but a spirit of love, power, and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7) Why would you want to expose yourself (or others) to things that will make them afraid?

Fear is not of God, so let's avoid things that will make us afraid...

Please check out these verses on fear:

Psalms 56:11

Psalms 91

Proverbs 3:24

Isaiah 12:2

Philippians 4:4-8

James 4:7

These verses have helped me through a lot when it has come to battling fear.  We do not have to live in fear.  God has sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for us so that we may be His children forever.  Children of God have no need to fear: "What can man do to me? The Lord is with me; He is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies!" (Psalm 118:6-7)

What verses do you use when battling fear?  What other tactics have you come up with to defeat the devil?

I have found that praising God is a great way to get the devil to leave you alone.  Every time you think of that thing that scares you, or every time you think about that sickness or disease in your body, give thanks and praise to God for what He has done for you.  He is our Healer; He hasn't given us a spirit of fear!  We don't have to live with these things, for God has sent the ultimate Redeemer, Jesus Christ!  Let's choose not to live in fear anymore!!

Blessings!

~ S*

Halloween... To participate, or not to participate... That is the question...

Since next Monday is Halloween, I thought I'd take a couple weeks to share my thoughts on this holiday before moving on to Gentleness...

A lot of people want to know what the Bible says about Halloween... Should they participate in the dress up day at work?  Should they let their kids go door to door to get candy?  What about those "Halloween Alternative" parties that churches put on to keep kids "safe"?

While I was growing up I wasn't allowed to trick or treat.  I had some Christian friends who did an annual "Halloween Alternative" party at their church, but I wasn't allowed to go to that either...  Is dressing up in costumes bad?  Some of my friends would say, well, we only dress up as Bible characters... As if to justify it...  I didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing, but I never participated in anything on Halloween... So in the end, I guess I didn't really care.

Now that I am older I have adopted my own, personal, point of view on the holiday, based on what I have read and learned from the Bible and other sources.

I personally am against any form of participation in Halloween.  This includes those church alternative parties.  Let me be clear on something... Dressing up in costumes isn't bad... Playing games for candy isn't in itself bad...  Carving a face in a pumpkin isn't bad...  A lot of the activities or things that people do on Halloween or "Beggar's Night" aren't in themselves bad, but what they represent on this night in particular, to me, makes it bad...  "Why does doing it on that night make it any worse than doing it any other time?" you may ask...  

It's what they represent...

After researching the history of Halloween and some of the things that are done on or around this holiday here is what I have come up with:

Bonfires were used to drive Satan away...

Bobbing for apples had to do with superstitions regarding who a girl would marry...

Costumes were originally worn by people to make themselves appear dead so, in turn, evil spirits wouldn't bother them...

Black cats are historically associated with witchcraft and evil; at one point in time, they were considered to be reincarnated witches...

The Jack O' Lantern originated with an old story of Jack tricking the devil into a tree. He traded the devil's freedom for his never going to hell.  So when Jack died he just roamed around the dark places of the earth with a carved turnip lit by an ember from hell.  People used these vegetable lanterns (now usually pumpkins) to ward off evil spirits (especially Jack's)...

Other words and phrases associated with Halloween: voodoo, mischief making, ghoulish visitors, bribe with candy, ghost stories, satanic rituals...

Here are some of the most common costumes that people dress up as this time of year and their meaning*:

Witch: a woman thought to have magic powers (wears back and rides a broomstick); a woman practicing black witchcraft often with the aid of a devil; sorceress

Warlock: a man practicing black arts (male version of a witch)

Ghost: an apparition of a dead person that is believed to appear or become manifest to the living; spirit of a dead person; demon or spirit; a returning haunting memory or image

Devil: the chief evil spirit, Satan; a subordinate evil spirit; a demon; a wicked or malevolent person; an outstanding example, especially of something difficult or bad

Zombie: originally a snake-deity of west Africa or Haiti; a soulless corpse said to be revived by witchcraft; a snake god of voodoo cults; a supernatural power or spell that in voodoo belief can enter into and reanimate a corpse

What the Bible has to say:

1 Thessalonians 5:22, "Abstain from all appearance of evil." (KJV)

Ephesians 5:8-11, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." (NIV)

(For more on Witchcraft please visit my previous entry by clicking here!)

Everything about Halloween is negative to me...  Everything I have listed above has something to do with witchcraft, evil spirits, or the dead.  Why would we want to condone or associate with anything like that? 

And as for those "Halloween Alternative" parties that churches throw...  I think their intentions are good, but to me those parties represent the church accepting the holiday or condoning it.  Just look at some of the things I listed above... Do you want to participate in what all of those Halloween oriented things represent?  I know I don't.

What are some things we can do to be the best example we can be this Halloween season?  If I choose not to wear a costume to work, that may bring a lot of attention to myself...  But what better way to be an example and shine God's light to others!?!   I look forward to hearing from you!

Blessings!

~ S*

*some definitions taken from google.com and thefreedictionary.com

Faithfulness (Part 2)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is... Faithfulness..." Galatians 5:22

Last week I asked everyone to read Hosea chapters 1-3.  I also asked you to decide how this story pertains to Faithfulness. Oh, did you forget to read them??? :)  Here is your chance to catch up. 

Hosea is the first minor prophet in the Old Testament.  The first three chapters are very short, but they are also very descriptive...  They not only describe Hosea's relationship with his wife Gomer, but it also shows/represents God's relationship with Israel at that time.

Can you imagine being faithful to your spouse when he or she isn't doing the same in return for you?  Can you imagine paying a high price to bring your unfaithful spouse back to you?  Ummm... I don't think so... I think the more accurate response would be, "See ya!" or "Good riddance..."  God would definitely need to have a huge hand in the redemption of your spouse, if there was any...

God had been faithful to Israel, even-though they had not been faithful to Him.  He still loved and cared for them even-though they loved Baal more than they loved the One, True God.  

Hosea was instructed to marry a prostitute so that they could represent what was going on with Israel.  Can you imagine that?  I cannot even begin to fathom what that must have been like.  Not only did Hosea marry Gomer (the prostitute), but he bought her back after she left him for another man later on...  

That is how great our God is.  He will buy us back even when we do unthinkable things.  He loves us anyways.  He is going to be Faithful to us even if we haven't been faithful to Him.

What are some ways in which we can be more faithful to God?  In what areas have we not been faithful to Him?  Let's reflect on this this week, and show our faithfulness to God and others throughout our every day life.

Blessings!

~ S*

Faithfullness (Part 1)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is... FAITHFULNESS..." Galatians 5:22

Scriptures for this week:

1 Samuel 26:23, "The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. The LORD delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the LORD's anointed." (NIV)

Psalms 36:5-6, " Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. 6Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep." (NIV)

Psalm 40:10, "I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness." (NLT)

Isaiah 11:5, "Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist." (NIV) (This is a prophesy about Jesus.)

Lamentations 3:2, "Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning." (NLT) (Even in the book of laments the writer praises God for his faithfulness and mercy!)

More Scriptures:

Psalm 88:11

Psalm 89:2, 5, 8

Psalm 92:2

Psalm 119:75, 90

Psalm 143:1

Romans 3:3-4

For next week, please read Hosea chapters 1-3.  Let me know what you learn, and how you think this story pertains to Faithfulness!  I look forward to hearing from you!

Blessings!

~ S*

Goodness (Part 2)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is... GOODNESS..." Galatians 5:22

Definitions:

good  (gd)adj. bet·ter (btr), best (bst)

1. Being positive or desirable in nature; not bad or poor: a good experience

2.a. Having the qualities that are desirable or distinguishing in a particular thing: a good exterior paint

   b. Serving the desired purpose or end; suitable: Is this a good dress for the party?

3.a. Not spoiled or ruined: The milk is still good.

   b. In excellent condition; sound

4.a. Superior to the average; satisfactory: a good student.

   b. Used formerly to refer to the U.S. Government grade of meat higher than standard and lower than choice.

5.a. Of high quality: good books.

   b. Discriminating: good taste.

6. Worthy of respect; honorable: ruined the family's good name.

7. Attractive; handsome: good looks.

8. Beneficial to health; salutary: a good night's rest.

9. Competent; skilled: a good machinist.

10. Complete; thorough

goodness [ˈgʊdnɪs] n

1. the state or quality of being good

2. generosity; kindness

3. moral excellence; piety; virtue

Scripture of the Week: The Parable of the Good Samaritan:

Luke 10:25-37, "One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”

26Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”

27The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

28“Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”

29The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.

31“By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32A Temple assistant (a Levi) walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.

33“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

36“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.

37The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”

Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”" (NLT)

This scripture seems to be coming up a lot in my recent studies, so I thought it would be an excellent choice of s a scripture for us this week.  


In Bible times the Samaritans were "despised" by the other Jews.  So why would he (the Good Samaritan) show forth Goodness toward a man, who would probably pass him by had the roles been reversed?  This story is a great example to us in many ways.  We could think of Jesus as the Good Samaritan.  He felt compassion for us, and gave everything He had to help bring us into a lasting relationship with Him.  His Goodness out shown all of the evil that was thrown at him (so much evil that He was eventually crucified.)  God in His Goodness sent Jesus to redeem us/save us from all the evil that has weighed us down here on earth.  We live in a world of sin. We deserve to be beaten up and left for dead (like the man in the parable).  Ultimately we deserve hell.  But God sent someone to save us.  Someone who washed our wounds with his own blood and healed us(like the olive oil and wine in the parable).  Not only that, but He paid the price for us and died on the cross to redeem us from an eternity in hell("he handed the innkeeper tow silver coins, telling him, 'Take care of this man...'").  "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13 NIV) Jesus was more than a neighbor to us... He was the ultimate redeemer; our Savior.  The least we can do is show Goodness and love to those around us.  After all, He loved his enemies as much as he loved those who followed Him. And while hanging on the cross said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:24 NIV)

What does this parable mean to you?  What do you think the in-depth meaning of this parable was and is?  Do you think Jesus meant a little more by this parable than meets the eye?  I look forward to hearing your thoughts in comments below or by e-mailing me at girlbiblestudy@hotmail.com!

Blessings!

~ S*