All The Counsel of God

Bible Reading: II Corinthians 9:1-15.

Aim: To increase in each of these areas.

Introduction: We either increase in our Christian life or decrease and backslide. Which are

you doing?

Question: What does God say that we must increase in?

1) Learning. “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning.” Proverbs 1:5.

2) Generosity. “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth…” Proverbs 11:24.

3) Lifespan. “for by me (wisdom)… the years of thy life shall be increased.” Proverbs 9:10,11. If we grow in wisdom, fear of the Lord and knowledge of the Lord, our lifespanwill be increased.

4) Joy. “The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord.” Isaiah 29:19.

5) Faith. “Lord, increase our faith.” Luke 17:5; Romans 10:17; II Cor 10:15. (I Thess 3:12.

6) Love. “The Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and

toward all men”

7) Strength. “Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dweltat Damascus.” Acts 9:22; Isaiah 40:29.

8) Knowledge. “Increasing in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1:10.

9) Fruits of righteousness. “increase the fruits of your righteousness.” II Corinthians 9:10.

10) Christ. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30.

Bad things that increase are:

i) Harlots increase transgressors among men (Proverbs 23:28), and

ii) Profane and vain babblings increase unto more ungodliness. (2 Timothy 2:16).

Keith Piper – The Answer Book

Each one of us needs to think before speaking unless we sound like a fool. The Words of God has many things that connect how and when we speak with sounding like a fool. I present but a few in hope that you will take heed to what the Holy Bible says and keep you from sounding like a fool.

“He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.” Proverbs 10:18

^“The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.” Proverbs 15:2

^“Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.” Proverbs 17:28

^“A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.” Proverbs 18:6

^“A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.” Proverbs 18:7

^“Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.” Proverbs 19:1

^“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.” Proverbs 29:11

 ^“For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.” Ecclesiastes 5:3

^“ The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.” Ecclesiastes 10:12

^“A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?” Ecclesiastes 10:14

Intro:  When Israel was preparing to enter the Promised Land, they were warned to avoid becoming like the people they would encounter there.  God had a different standard for them to live by.  He expected them to be separate, holy and dedicated to Him and Him alone.  God knew that if Israel tolerated the practices of the pagans they came into contact with, they would be drawn away from Him and weakened spiritually.  There is no difference today!  God still expects you and me to be separate from this world and the activities that it embraces.  If you and I adopt everything the world does, then there is no difference between us and them!  God’s standard is one of seperation and holiness.  Tomorrow night, in this community, and across our country, children will dress up as witches, warlock, ghosts, devils, demon, pirates, skeletons and mass murderers (Freddy Krueger, Jason).  There will be haunted houses, where you can be chased by a werewolf, threatened by an axe murderer, see the mutilated body of a murder victim (fake, thankfully!).  Around every community you will find jack-o-lanterns, skeletons, black cats, ghosts, witches and other strange creatures decorating houses and lawns.  There will be parties where people will play with Ouija Boards, Tarot Cards and hold seances.  There will be bobbing for apples and bonfires.  Of course, I am referring to Halloween.  A night of childish fun and games.  A harmless brush with the darkness of evil.  A child’s holiday.  This is how it is portrayed!  This is how it is accepted by millions of people, including many, many Christians.  Tonight, I am not going to attempt to tell you what to believe or what to do, I am simply going to give you some facts concerning Halloween.  Where it came from and what God’s Word has to say about it.  Then, when you have the facts, you can allow God’s Spirit to make up your mind as to what you need to do in regard to Halloween.  Let’s consider this thought tonight: Halloween: Silly holiday, or Satanic holy day?

  I.                                 THE ORIGIN OF HALLOWEEN

    A.  The practices that make up Halloween are older than Christianity.  The very same rituals that are practiced today in America     were practiced in Europe and Brittian over 2,500 years ago.  Halloween was not always allowed in the  United States   In fact, our Pilgrim forefathers well knew of Halloween’s occultic roots. In fact they banned celebrating  Halloween in America. Halloween was not celebrated in this country until 1845. At that time multiplied thousands of Irish  emigrants flooded into New York because of the Irish Potato Famine of 1845-46. They brought with them the old Druid  holiday of Halloween. Gradually celebrating this day spread throughout the rest of the country.

    B.  This day was a day when the Celtic peoples observed the end of summer by offering sacrifices to their god Samhain.  He was   the Lord of death and evil spirits.  This holy day marked the beginning of the Celtic new year.  This day was called – The Vigil of Sowein!  Samhain was depicted as a ghostly skeleton holding a sickle.  He later became known as the Grim Reaper!

    C. The Celts considered November 1st as being the day of death because the leaves were falling, it was getting darker sooner and temperatures were dropping. They believed Muck Olla, their sun god, was loosing strength because Samhain, lord of death was overpowering him. Further, they believed   that on October 31st Samhain assembled the spirits of all who had died during the previous year. They had been confined to inhabit animals’ bodies for the past year as punishment for their evil deeds. On the eve of the feast of Samhain, October 31st, they were allowed to return to their former homes to visit the living. Supposedly to protect these people, Druid priests led the people in diabolical worship ceremonies in which horses, cats, black sheep, oxen, human beings and other offerings were rounded up, stuffed into wicker cages and burned to death. This was done to                 appease Samhain and keep the spirits from harming them.

    D.  Druids – Occult practitioners.  Witches of a sort.  In fact, modern witchcraft is based on Druidism and druid ritual. These Druids held two great fire festivals every year.  One on May 1 and the other on Oct. 31.  These ceremonies took place either in a grove of oak trees or in a Druid Stone Circle.  The most famous of these circles that are left is found in Stonehenge, England.  These circles were used as focal points of Druid ritual worship which involved human sacrifice.  This is proven by the more than 350 burial mounds found within a 3 mile radius of Stonehenge, containing the remains of countless human sacrifices.

 II.                      THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME HALLOWEEN

    A.  Originally this day was called the Vigil of Samhain, or Sowein.

    B.  It’s new name came from an attempt by the Roman Catholic Church, in 800 AD,  to Christianize the pagan holiday of Sowein.  The Pope changed All Saints Day from May 1^st to Nov. 1^st.   The new day was called All Hallow’s Day and it soon became the custom of the people to refer to the night before as All Saints Day Hallowe’en.  It was soon shortened to simply Hallowe’en.  Instead of embracing and placing the correct Christian emphasis on this day, the Celtic peoples continued to practice their age old rituals.  The Roman church succeeded in Christianizing Christmas and Easter, but failed miserably in attempting to change Halloween.

III.                    THE ORIGIN OF COSTUMES

A. How did the practice of wearing costumes at Halloween develop? The early origin of costumes is repulsive. On the evening of October 31st, the Druids, who were the occultic priests and teachers of the Celts, ordered the people to put out their hearth fires. The Druids built a huge new year’s bonfire of oak branches, which they considered sacred. They burned animals, crops and human beings as sacrifices to their sun god Muck Olla and Samhain, their god of death. During this diabolical ceremony the PEOPLE WORE COSTUMES made of animal heads and skins. They then practiced divination, looked for omens in the struggle of the victims sacrificed in the fires, jumped over the flames or dashed through them, danced and sang. All of this was done to frighten the evil spirits away.

    B.   According to Man, Myth & Magic, volume 1, page 68, “The guisers went from house to house, singing and dancing. Their bloodcurdling masks and grotesque costumes may have been meant to keep evil at bay, or more likely, were visible representations of the ghosts and goblins that lurked in the night…”

   C.  In the 11th edition of Encyclopedia Britannica, volume 12, page 8578 it states, “It was the Druids belief that on the eve of  this festival (November 1st, Celtic New Year) Saman, lord of death, called together the wicked souls (Spirits) that within the past twelve months had been condemned to inhabit the bodies of animals.” Saman would then send these evil spirits to attack people on the eve before the November 1^st celebration. The only way these people could escape was by assuming disguises and looking like evil spirits themselves. (See Christianity Today, October 22, 1982, p.32).

    D.  Considering the origin of the practice of dressing up as ghosts and ghouls, what is the correct Christian response to this  practice?   “…cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light.” (Romans 13:12).

IV.               THE ORIGIN OF TRICK OR TREAT   

    A.  Trick or treating served 3 main purposes in the beginning:

1.  It was used by those who had forgotten to dress up or could not fool the demons by dressing in animal skins or other disguises, there was a way to exorcise them. You were to set out a TREAT of food and fruit, and provide the wandering spirit with shelter for the night. If the demon was satisfied with your TREAT, it was believed that they would not TRICK you by casting an evil spell on you causing havoc.

2.  It was used by the Druids to collect offerings to Samhain (Satan!!) Irene Park, a former witch writes, “…the Druids in Ireland would go through the neighborhoods and countryside on the eve of October 31st to collect offerings to Satan. They would carry lanterns, bags of money, and canes with very sharp points on the ends (currently known as leprechaun staffs, good luck horns, or fairies’ wands). At each house, they would demand a specific amount. If the household would not or could not give the offering (penance or treat), the Druid would use the cane to castrate the male human or one of their prize animals.” (From; Seven High Pagan Masses and Halloween by Irene A. Park; page 1)

3.  In later years James Napier says, in his book, Holidays of Legend, Irish farmers went house to house begging for food for their ancient gods. Good luck was promised to all who donated but threats were made against those who would not give.

    B.  There is certainly nothing in the origin of this practice that glorifies the Lord.  In fact, it is plainly and blatantly Satanic. Therefore, it is to be shunned by all Christians!  (Ill. 1 Thes. 5:22)

  V.              THE ORIGIN OF THE JACK-O-LANTERN

    A.  What is the purpose of a Jack-o-lantern?   The World Book Encyclopedia, 1977 edition, volume 9, page 24-26 says, “The apparently harmless lighted pumpkin face of `Jack-O-Lantern’ is an ancient symbol of a damned soul.”

    B.  According to an article by Dr. John MacArthur, Jr. according to folklore “Jack-O-Lanterns were named for a man called Jack, who could not enter heaven or hell. As a result, he was doomed to wander in darkness with his lantern until judgment day.”With this in mind, people began to hollow out pumpkins and turnips, placing candles inside to scare evil spirits from their houses.

C.  There was another purpose for Jack-O-Lanterns according to author Owen Rachleff. “The candlelit pumpkin or skull… served as a beacon for the sabbat and as a signal to mark those farms and homes that were sympathetic to the Satanists and thus deserving of mercy when the terror of the night (Halloween) began.” (The Occult Conceit; page 190).

D.  Again, no clear headed Christian can think of any reason why this practice glorifies God or is a witness for Jesus!

 VI.                                    THE BLACK CAT

    A.  What would Halloween be without a black cat?  What is their significance?   In the 1959 edition of World Book Encyclopedia, under Halloween it was noted that Druid priests believed that cats were once human beings but were reincarnated as punishment for evil deeds. Because of this they held cats sacred and involved them in their idol worship of October 31st and November 1st.  Druids believed “the cat was sacred and…that cats had once been changed (from being human & reincarnated) into that form as punishment for evil deeds.” (The American Book of Days, by George Douglas)

    B.  Superstitious Christians picked up the pagan beliefs.   “Even after Christianity spread to Europe…oxen were sacrificed on October 31st…and in medieval Europe, black cats [were] chosen as victims in the belief that they were witches in disguise [and] were burned on that day (Halloween).” (The American Book of Days, third edition by Hatch)

C.  It is plain to see that cats, particularly BLACK CATS were thought to represent EVIL. Further, they were a symbol of REINCARNATION. I have an article in my file which says The Humane Society will not release black cats around Halloween for fear that they will be mistreated or sacrificed.

D.  There is nothing wrong with owning a black cat!  It was never a human and it isn’t a witch.  But, when we make it a superstition and we connect it with the dark side of spiritually, then it becomes a sin!

VII.             THE ORIGIN OF BOBBING FOR APPLES

    A.  Surely this must be just harmless fun!  Right?   Here’s where it came from:   In A.D. 43 the Roman Empire was in solid control of the Celtic people. As a result of this control the idol worshipping Romans introduced another ceremony honoring their false gods to the already demoniacal Druid New Year’s celebration. It was in honor of their goddess of fruit trees. They would try to grasp fruit, floating in water, without the use of their hands. This is the origin of BOBBING FOR APPLES according to the Atlanta Journal & Constitution, Associated Press quote, October 16, 1977.

VIII.                                   WITCHES

    A.  Another vital part of the Halloween tradition.  Whether she has a pointed hat and rides a broomstick, or she is young and beautiful, she is the most enduring part of all the Halloween traditions.  Are witches just “harmless fun”?

    B.  Witches are mentioned in the Bible: 

1.  Saul contacted the Witch of Endor concerning information – 1 Samuel 28.  She attempted to contact the prophet Samuel who was dead.

2.  In Acts 8, Simon the Sorcerer, is nothing more than a Warlock.

3.  In Exodus 22:18, God pronounces a death sentence upon witches and commands Israel to execute it.

    C.  When the Bible refers to witches, it refers to people who are involved in any form of the occult.  (Occult = Secret or hidden knowledge or practices.)

    D.  There are three main areas of occult practice.  Anyone involved with any of these, by definition, is a witch!

  1.  Divination – Seeking to know the past, present of future by astrology, horoscopes, channeling, tarot cards, etc.  This can include animal or even human sacrifice.

2.  Sorcery or Magic(k) – Seeking to control of manipulate reality for one’s own purposes.  This can include sacrifice also.

3.  Spiritism – Seeking to communicate with the dead or other entities through a medium.  (i.e. A channeler, Ouija Boards,Seances, etc.)

    E.  In light of this sparse information, it is plain to see that the Lord doesn’t intend for His people to be involved with witches or witchcraft.  (By the way, witches refuse to be called Satan worshippers.  They worship a horned god named Lucifer.)  God has forbidden it to you and me – Lev. 19:26; Jer. 10:2.

IX.                                      DRACULA

    A.  Would any parent here allow their son or daughter to dress up as John Wayne Gacy?  Ted Bundy?  Or any other mass murderer?  NO!  Yet millions will let their children dress up like Dracula.   But, you say, “Dracula is a fictitious character.”  In truth, he was very real and very evil.

    B.  Here’s the truth about the man named Vlad the Count of Dracul, who was known as Vlad the Impaler or if you like Dracula. Dracula was a real person. He was maniac monster, the Hitler of his day. During his six year rule it was estimated by a reliable source that Dracula massacred 100,000 men, women and children. And how did he impose death? Let me quote Pope Pius II who tells how he killed 40,000 of his political foes shortly before 1462. “He killed some of them by breaking them under the wheels of carts; others, stripped of their clothes, were skinned alive up to their entrails; others places on stakes, or roasted on red hot coals placed under them; others punctured with stakes piercing their head, their navel, breast, and what is even unworthy of relating, their buttocks and the middle of their entrails, and, emerging from their mouths…” No one was excluded, not even babies. Dracula decapitated,cut noses, ears, privates and limbs. On one occasion he even nailed the turbans on the heads of some Turks because they refused to remove them in his presence. On one occasion he saw a man poorly dressed walking by his home. He called the man into his presence and said “Your wife is assuredly of the kind who remains idle. How is it possible, that your shirt does not cover the calf of your leg? She is not worthy of living in my realm. May she perish!” The man protested, saying that he was satisfied with her. Dracula said, “You will be more satisfied with another, since you are a decent and hardworking man.” His wife was fetched and immediately impaled on a stake. In the meantime the new wife was introduced and carefully shown what happens to a lazy wife. The document says “Consequently the new wife worked so hard she had not time to eat.” Let me relate one last atrocity of this warped, demonic inspired madman. Dracula devised a plan to rid society of the burden of all the countries beggars, sick, old, lame and poor. He invited them all to a feast. Little did they know that it would become a house of horror for them. He fed them well and got them drunk and then made his personal appearance and asked them…”Do you want to be without cares, lacking nothing in this world?” Naturally they all said yes! Dracula then ordered the palace boarded up and set on fire. No one escaped. Dracula was a demon possessed madman. I do not want my child associated in any way with such a degenerate reprobate, do you?

    C.  What do you think now?  No Christian, under any circumstances, should have anything to do with dressing up like a demon possessed maniac!  (Ill. 2 Cor. 6:14-17!)

  X.                             THE HARM IN HALLOWEEN

    A.  It Emphasizes Violence and Death – (Ill. Fourth grade class asked what they would most like to do for Halloween.  80 % of those 9 years said they would like to kill somebody!)  We can’t blame it all on Halloween.  Movies and Television have to bear their fair share of blame.  Notice this: Consider for a moment the “Nightmare on Elm Street”, “Halloween”, and “Friday the 13th” film series. They are popular viewing fare at Halloween parties. Who or what inspires these “actors” (I use the term loosely)? Robert Englund who plays mass murderer Freddy Krueger in the “Nightmare on Elm Street” series says he draws his inspiration from the late Ted Bundy, who raped and murdered more than 28 women. Englund told Slaughterhouse magazine, “I just read an article on Ted Bundy, so a lot of my imagery is based on him.”  Guess what the most popular book series is among children under the age of 16?  “Goosebumps”  A collection  of books emphasizing horror stories. Considering that the Lord Jesus stands for Light, Life, Peace and Joy, it is pretty obvious that these philosophies are worlds apart!

    B.  It Emphasizes Horror and Fear – This is incompatible with the Word of God – 2Tim. 1:7

    C.  Halloween Emphasizes the Occult – It is an enticement to people  to dabble in the occult.  This is forbidden by the Lord! God’s desire is that we go deeper in Him and not His adversary.  Christian people have no business participating in this pagan holiday.

Conc:  From this information, and there is much, much more that could be said, it is plain to see that Halloween is a holiday that honors false gods, demons and even the Devil himself.  I am sure that the Lord is not pleased when His people participate in a pagan holiday that honors Satan.  In fact, there is nothing anyone can point at in all the Halloween rituals that can be called Christian.  It is incompatible with a consecrated walk and it is an abomination before the Lord!  Now, every one here must make up their own mind concerning where they stand in regard to Halloween.  What you do is entirely up to you, but as for me and my house, we will follow the Lord!

“And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,” Acts 20:20

1) Godliness (I Timothy 4:8).

2) All Scripture (II Timothy 3:16).

3) Repentant Failures can be profitable for the ministry (II Timothy 4:11).

4) Good Works (Titus 3:8).

5) Meditate, give thyself wholly to them, take heed, continue in them. (I Timoth 4:15).

6) Serve God and keep God’s Ordinances (Malachi 3:14-18).

7) People getting saved (I Corinthians 10:33; Mark 8:36).

8) Wisdom (Ecclesiastes 10:10).

9) God’s Discipline (Hebrews 12:5-11).

10) Submitting to God’s leading (Isaiah 48:17).

11) Labour (Proverbs 14:23). Work, plan our work, and finish our work.

UNPROFITABLE THINGS

1) Gaining the whole world and losing your own soul (Mark 8:36).

2) Lying words (Jeremiah 7:8).

3) Riches in the day of wrath (Proverbs 11:4).

4) Astrologers, Stargazers, horoscopes (Isaiah 47:12-14).

5) Flesh – This means carnal views and desires, ungodly sinful lifestyles. (John 6:63).

6) Word preached that is not mixed with faith in the hearers (Hebrews 4:2).

7) Christ’s death on the cross will be of no value (no profit) to you if you trust your works to save you. (Galatians 5:1-4,2).

Answers – Keith Piper

“Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.” 1 Timothy 5:22

“How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.” Jude 1:18-19

I. Three enemies of purity: World (I John 2:15-17), Flesh (Jeremiah 17:9), Devil (I Peter 5:8). Satan seeks to wreck our lives by impurity.

II. Why Purity?

1. One must be pure to enter heaven. Matthew 5:8, Psalm 24:3,4; I Corinthians 6:9,10.

2. Purity enables us to avoid judgment. 2 Peter 2:6; Ecclesiastes 11:9.

3. Purity enables us to avoid defilement. I Corinthians 6:18.

4. Purity is the best way to enjoy life. Hebrews 13:4.

III. How to be pure?

Yield yourselves to God. Watch your:

a) Thoughts: Genesis 6:5; Proverbs 23:7

b) Eyes: Matthew 5:28;

c) Ears: Mark 4:24 “Take heed what you hear.”

d) Tongue: Matthew 12:36,37; Psalm 34:13.

IV. Rewards of Purity. Philippians 4:8.

^“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

1. God’s best blessings.

2. Trustworthy and dependable. Proverbs 31:10-11.

3. Clear conscience. Romans 14:22; Psalm 51.

4. Good understanding of people’s character. Sin blinds and distorts values because people justify their sin. II Corinthians 4:4.

5. Provides more opportunity for leadership and service. ‘A bishop must be blameless’ I Timothy 3:2,3 .

6. Physical, mental and spiritual strength. Galatians 6:7-8.

Conclusion:

Will you choose purity of mind, rather than corruption in the world through lust?

^“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:4

Bible Reading: Psalm 37:1-18.

Aim: To comfort us by the Lord’s intimate knowledge of us and our needs.

Introduction: Often we may be tempted to think that the Lord doesn’t know or care about us or about our problems. The following Scriptures show that he does know and care about us.

The Lord knows:

1. Our Way “He knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness.” Deuteronomy 2:7.

“He knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10.

“The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” Psalm 1:6.

2. Our Secret Thoughts “He knoweth the secrets of the heart.” Psalm 44:21.

3. Our Frame “The proud he knoweth afar off.” Psalm 138:6.

“For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” Psalm 103:13,14.

4. Them That Trust In Him “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” Nahum 1:7.

5. Our Needs “Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. Matthew 6:8,32

6. Our Hearts “God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:14,15.

7. Them That Are His “The Lord knoweth them that are his.” II Timothy 2:19.

8. When I Sit Down And Stand Up “Thou knoweth my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.” Psalm 139:2.

9. How To Deliver The Godly “The Lord knoweth how to deliver to godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.” II Peter 2:9.

Answers – Keith Piper

Over a century has passed since the founder of the China Inland Mission, Hudson Taylor, has gone to Heaven. He was a man with great vision, and in the early days when China was still murdering people who came in as foreigners especially foreigners who wanted to inject any new ideas about God or religion Hudson Taylor went to China and spent his life there. He did not go by plane, as many of us have done, because there were no planes. In fact, there weren’t even many roads. It is said that Hudson Taylor walked so much that his feet were calloused. There were huge, thick callouses on his feet that made it painful for him to walk in the latter years of his life. Bones gave way a bit, still he kept walking until the day of his death because there was so much to be done.

So Hudson Taylor, through all the years of his life, walked to get to these people – to reach new areas with the news that Jesus loves sinners.

As he grew older, his wife became too feeble to go with him on his long journeys. Far back in the interior China, where Hudson Taylor died, she’d wait in the village, eager for the twilight when her husband would come home. He would come finally, his frail body absolutely at the breaking point and worn out beaten down with the sun, thirsty, tired; and those feet would be aching, aching, aching from the walk.

He would come in and put aside his garments, and his wife would come with a wash basin. Looking up to that noble face, and seeing there all the love of Jesus for the lost and for these Chinese, she would weep a little at the price she saw it cost her husband to keep on going. Then she would put that wash basin, just an ordinary old tin wash basin, on the floor, and she would fill it with warm water.

Then, old as she was and unable to walk out through the villages as he did, she would get on her knees with a little towel and a little bit of soap and wash those gnarled and calloused and knobby old feet, and with her aching hands would massage them.

Time and time again, he would tell her where he had been for Jesus that day. He would talk about the demon possessed he had prayed for; or the woman with a great cancer as an open sore on her leg that he pointed to Jesus; or the little village where he had gone where there were fifty to sixty percent of the people blind or going blind with trachoma, and where he had talked about Jesus who came to restore sight to the blind.

He would tell his story, and she would just massage his feet and wash them. Finally, when she had done the best she could to ease the burning pain in those joints worn out for Jesus, time and time again she would just look up and say, “Hudson, its been a busy day, and you are tired; and I just want you to know that like your face that shines for Jesus, these feet too, are beautiful. They are not only beautiful to me, but to your Lord; for He said, “How beautiful upon the mountain are the feet of them that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation … ” (Isaiah 52:7). Maybe you are saying that you have been ignored, and your gifts and talents are despised. Maybe you are just doing what seems the most ordinary, commonplace things among men. All you have to use or work with or give to God is your feet. God makes the humblest and most despised beautiful.

God wants you to give Him the despised, the humdrum things in your life- like feet- and let Him make them beautiful.

The Gospel Standard

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith … ” (1 Peter 5:8-9).

Many Christians are conscious of failure in their lives of hindrances in the work they are called to do, in their testimony, of times of depression and unusual temptations.

We are often conscious that we have been completely fooled in some decision we have made, and at such times we wonder why we have failed; why the way seemed blocked when we were sure God was in the thing we felt led to do. We wonder often why we arc depressed in heart, when there is no usual explanation for our feelings. We have not been able to explain how, usually wise in some decisions, we have apparently missed the mark. We have asked at times why prayer has been so difficult when we have “our access” to God in Christ.

We are prone to blame ourselves. Sometimes we should. But again, sometimes we must accept what the Word of God tells us about one-God’s malignant enemy and ours-who is ever alert, looking for the weak places in our armour, eager to take advantage of any opening we give him through sin, unbelief, lack of perseverance. We are apt to underrate the battle which is ours against this powerful enemy.

There is a great body of truth in Scripture that concerns ” … your adversary the devil … ” He is presumptuous (Matthew 4:5-6), proud (1 Timothy 3:6), powerful (Ephesians 2:2), wicked (1 John 2:13), malignant (Job 1:9; Job 2:4), subtle (Genesis 3:1-2; 2 Corinthians 11:3), deceitful (2 Corinthians 11:14), fierce and cruel (Luke 4:29). The scope and power of his work are beyond comprehension, for he ” … deceiveth the whole world … ” (Revelation 12:9), and he has endless energy(Job 1:7; 1 Peter 5:8).

A vast host of demons, who may be fallen angels, are under Satan’s authority. Many are the instances in the Word of God and in the lives of men when demons have possessed men and women to their utter ruin – a condition from which they are delivered only by prevailing prayer and the power of God.

THE INVASION OF HUMAN HEARTS

And there have evidently been times when the devil himself would concentrate on one person, rather than entrust this to a demon.

Witness the fact that the devil filled Judas Iscariot-a fact which shows his estimate of the importance of that awful mission. He also filled Ananias in Acts 5:3, ” … why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost … “

We do not find any sure scriptural witness to the devil or a demon ever entering the life of a believer. He may harass, afflict, buffet, sift, oppose the work of the Lord, discourage in prayer-but not enter the body of one truly the Lord’s. Many of God’s dear saints have been driven to distraction by unscriptural teaching in this direction.  ” … he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not” (1 John 5:18).

Some reject the sure evidence of demon possession brought to us by many missionaries who have laboured in the lands where Satan has had no opposition for years.

We who live in America may be in nice homes, in Christian homes, with a Gospel church to attend and kind friends about us and living in fairly good circumstances. If so, we can get easily satisfied with conditions in the world immediately about us and fail to realize that this world is not our home. Especially if we are not living in close fellowship with the Lord, we immerse ourselves in our immediate circle, have little touch with the vast multitude round about us and fail to realize their awful darkness, which will shortly end in Hell and the lake of fire.

This is all part of the devil’s vast program, blinding not only the eyes of those that believe not, but bringing a measure of that darkness in our lives. For, if we were in real touch with God, we would be increasingly dissatisfied and longing for the red emption of our bodies and our deliverance from this present world system, all of which is under the direct domination of Satan.

He, Satan, has all kinds of methods to satisfy and blind the dupes in the world, with one end- their eternal ruin in the lake of fire: and likewise, in every way possible, he seeks to render inoperative the born-again Christian. He may use anything from some apparently innocent pleasures to demon possession to enslave the lost forever. He may use anything from satisfaction in business, the home, or church life, to some secret sin, or to hatred or envy, to render useless every Christian who will listen to his devices.

Lance B. Latham

Every believer is called to be a witness.

 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1 :8). Not all are called to be pastors or teachers, but we are all called to be witnesses if we are born again. It is not necessary to change your honourable, honest occupation in order to be a witness. “Abide in you calling but take the Lord into partnership.”

God desires to save every lost soul that you have an opportunity to deal with.

“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Remember that contact is opportunity. The first may be the only opportunity you will ever have. Therefore aim to lead to immediate decision. Never allow any fatalistic theory of election to cool your zeal for the salvation of lost souls. Facility of approach is the result of daily activity. Skill is not acquired by spasmodic effort.

You are responsible to God for the salvation of these lost ones.

“When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand” (Ezekiel 3:18). Acts 20:26 implies that Paul believed their blood would have been upon him if he had been unfaithful in witnessing. He no doubt alludes to Ezekiel where this principle is stated. Never forget your ambassadorship (2 Corinthians 5:20). Can you say with Paul, ” … I am pure from the blood of all men” (Acts 20:26).

The Word of God is the appointed means by which souls are saved.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Peter 1:23). The sower must bear seed when he goes forth. Therefore acquire power in handling the Word. Answer human reason with Divine revelation. “God has not promised to bless our word, but He has promised to bless His.”

Every testimony should be preceded by, accompanied with, and followed by prayer.

 “And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away” (Acts 13:3) “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them” (Acts 16:25). “And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.And when he had said this, he fell asleep” (Acts 7:60). The book of Acts is a book of witnessing, and it is filled with references to prayer. No wonder the early church got results.

The personal worker should completely rely on the Holy Spirit.

“Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot” (Acts 8:29). Keep in mind the fact that the Holy Spirit convicts every unsaved person to whom you proclaim the Gospel. “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8). Therefore strike for conviction. Arouse the conscience, and then press the will for a choice.

The witness should be a child of God walking in the light.

“Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12). The average person will not read the Gospel according to John, but they will watch your life to see the nature of the Gospel according to you. We should be careful not to do anything that would bring reproach on the Gospel. Let us do everything in our power to wins souls for Christ. Let us refrain from anything that would be a hindrance. “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30).

–The Gospel Standard –

Note: To bring up scripture references hold down ctrl key and click

1. To worship God in Spirit (Php. 3:3; Jn. 4:24).

2. To rejoice in Christ (Php. 3:1,3; 4:4).

3. To have no confidence in flesh (Php. 3:3-8).

4. To count all things loss (Php. 3:7-8).

5. To count all things but dung (Php. 3:8).

6. To have no self-righteousness (Php. 3:9).

7. I follow after knowledge (Php. 3:8,12).

8. I forget the past (Php. 3:13).

9. I reach out for future things (Php. 3:13).

10. I press toward the prize (Php. 3:14).

11. I strive to be an example (Php. 3:15-19).

12. I look for the Savior (Php. 3:20).

Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible.