Daily Devotional for Tuesday October 23, 2012
Halloween - Part 2 of 2
DAILY DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY OCTOBER 23, 2012
***ASK BILL: Pastor Bill, my question involves Deacons. Should I take my name off of the Deacon election? I am now married to my third wife whom I know God had His hand in bringing us together. Some think in 1 Timothy 3:12 says the Deacon should be husband of one wife, literally means one wife, never divorced. Others say that you are not to be married to more than one wife at a time.
ANSWER: Very few churches follow what the Bible teaches in this area. It is crystal clear that for the office of pastor, deacon, and elder, it is to a MAN, not a woman, and a man who has never been divorced. Those who say it means you are not to be married to more than one wife are trying to compromise what the Bible teaches since God's plan never was for being married to more than one woman. Understand this does not mean a woman can't hold any other office of service and be an incredible blessing to millions, nor does it mean a divorced man can't hold any other office of service and be an incredible blessing to millions. Most important, divorce is like any other sin, we go to God for forgiveness, and if we are blessed to remarry, the goal is to do it God's way..for life.
Halloween - Part 2 of 2
A Christian's response to Halloween. As I was in prayer ten years ago about Halloween and what God wanted me to share during that time, part of my focus was on satan and how he operates. The Bible calls him an "angel of light." He is a great imitator. He takes the perfection of God and perverts it. So as I was praying, God poured into my spirit that it is time for Christians worldwide to rise up on the most important day of the year for satan, Halloween, and claim that day for God!
The first step, is to make it a special day for Christians worldwide. If Hallmark cards and candy companies can make up holidays to sell greeting cards and chocolate, why can't the church? I am proud to announce that until our Lord returns, October 31 will now be "Witnessing for Jesus Day." This holiday was started ten years ago by the 2 million worldwide who are part of Liveprayer, and we will continue to promote it as well as follow through to make this a legitimate, recognized holiday every October 31!
The goal is for Christians to share their faith in Jesus Christ with at least 3 people during the day. If every Christian worldwide shared their faith in Christ with 3 people, it would literally turn the world upside down over night. The world will be "witnessing" their rebellion of God with their Halloween parties, their costumes, and satanic services. THIS IS THE PERFECT DAY for Christians to witness to this lost world that we live in, that Jesus Christ is "The Way, the Truth, and the Life."
What else can Christians do on our new holiday? PLENTY! Every community needs churches to put on "Hell House" or "Judgment House" productions to counter the haunted houses the world promotes. Make sure your home is well lit and inviting for children out trick or treating. In addition to candy, give them a gospel tract or a little "Gospel of John" booklet. Also, pray with each group of kids before they leave. Your church should have the resources to get tracts and the Gospel of John booklets at a very low cost.
NO CHILD SHOULD COME TO YOUR HOME AND LEAVE WITHOUT KNOWING THAT JESUS IS LORD!
For those with children, take them out trick-or-treating! Have them dress up as Bible characters. Let them go door to door for candy, BUT, in return for the candy, they should give the homeowner a tract or a Gospel of John booklet. GOD CAN USE THESE CHILDREN TO HELP SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF CHRIST TO PEOPLE THAT WILL NEVER GO TO CHURCH!!!
Churches, instead of holding an alternative to Halloween party at the church, should get the children involved in evangelizing their neighborhoods! They have the perfect excuse to go door to door on this night. God can use these children to share the hope and love of Christ with people that will never hear the message any other way. DON'T UNDERESTIMATE HOW GOD CAN USE THE CHILDREN ON THIS NIGHT!!!
So, let's review. We now have a new Christian holiday. It is, "Witnessing for Jesus Day," and will be celebrated every year on October 31st. It will be a day for Christians worldwide to witness to others what Jesus Christ has done in their life. We will have churches in every community putting on "Hell House" or "Judgment House" productions as an alternative to the haunted house productions of the world. Christians will make their homes inviting for children out trick or treating, and in addition to candy, give them a Gospel Tract or Gospel of John booklet. Children of ALL AGES will become mighty witnessing agents for the Lord. They will dress up as Bible characters and go out into their neighborhoods to get candy, BUT, will give the homeowner a Gospel tract or Gospel of John booklet.
I love you and care about you so much. There is no reason a Christian should have to fear Halloween, nor is there any reason a Christian should have to participate in the way the world celebrates Halloween. It actually is a perfect opportunity to go on the offensive and make this a day to celebrate witnessing our faith to this lost and dying world. What better day than the day the world celebrates rebelling against God--HALLOWEEN!!!
I will be praying for you. I pray that you become bold and part of the tenth annual "Witnessing for Jesus Day." For the Christian, sharing our faith is not an option, but is a commandment from God. It is something that we should be doing EVERY day. But there is no better day of the year than Halloween for Believers worldwide to share their faith in Jesus Christ with this lost world. THAT, my friend, needs to be a Christian's response to Halloween!!!
In His love and service, Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller