What Are You Celebrating?

 What Are You Celebrating? - Nathele Graham - twotug@embarqmail.com There’s no doubt about it. People enjoy celebrating. Birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, graduation, retirement, and more. Then there are the big celebrations like Christmasand 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 actuallycelebrate Jesus’ birth. There are office parties, and 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, NewYear’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 withchocolate 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 everyday 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. Christiansjoin 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 “Trickor 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 Chain Saw Massacre costumes, and many more demonic ones. Little girls dress as seductive witches and their parentsthink 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 the JewishLaw, but it was a 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 October31? 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 Nephilimwere 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 understandingof 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, anybody, 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 declaringa 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 researchinto 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 personhad 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 havingdied. The one who had accepted Christ was shown 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 hadseen, 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 surroundingit. “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 October13, 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 which involves blood and human sacrifice, then on October 30-31 All Hallows Eve is celebratedand 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 innocentfun, 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. Whenyou 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 weaponsof 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 violenceand 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 opendoors 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 electronicweapons of technology, such as 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 inthe 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 himto 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 aGod-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 lovethe 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 spiritualbattle 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 fightthe 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 thewicked. 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 id to convince humanity that he’s just a myth. A cute little trouble-maker 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 linewith 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 darknessof 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 childrenGod’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