We are on the eve of the most evil days on our calendar. Sadly, most who read this will think I'm going a bit overboard. I'm not … I promise you! This past Sunday, I had the privilege of presenting a sermon I entitled, Deliver Us From Evil, based on the phrase from the Lord's Prayer. It has occurred to me that most of us pray amiss when we pray those words, especially if we willingly participate in the evils of things such as Halloween. Yes … I said evil. It is understandable that the "world" celebrates this day since they have no relationship with the Holy One of Israel. But, it is NOT understandable that Christians celebrate Halloween … not in any shape, form, or fashion. I found a quote that sums up what I'm trying to say and really puts the controversy into perspective: "For a Christian to celebrate Halloween is as bizarre as a Holocaust survivor celebrating Hitler's birthday." Stop a moment and re-read that. There's no difference....

“And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.”  (Acts 4:18) What would you do?  How would you react?  Have you given this any thought? Surely by listening to the news, discerning the time in which we live is not too difficult.  An attempt to silence the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ has already been seen in many nations and it’s going to get worse.  Untold numbers of worshippers have to meet in secret, whispering, hiding, and closely disguising their lives so they can continue to gather as the Body to worship the Lord of lord and King of kings.  It’s hard to fathom. What would be your response if a law was passed that prohibited you from speaking about the Lord, mentioning the name of Jesus, and preaching the Christ of Calvary?  Would your motivation be fear, causing you to go into hiding and never let it be known that you are a Christian? ...

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."  (Psalm 91:1) What does it mean to "dwell in the secret place of the Most High?" Ask yourself these questions: Are you at home in God, at rest in Him? Are you acquainted with Him throughout your whole being? Is your heart-work the service of God? Do you worship within the veil, loving to be alone with Him and converse with Him in solitude? Marriage between a man and woman has two faces—one that is seen in public and one that is perceived only in private between the husband and wife. A married couple holding hands, walking arm-in-arm, exchanging winks or touches . . . all these are "public" faces of a marriage relationship; all these are good and necessary but superficial and not intimate by definition. But, that which takes place in the "secret place" need not be spoken of, but the fruit of the intimate relationship can be seen without any word of public testimony....

“Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?”  (James 3:9-11) Have you ever tried to pick up something that was too heavy?  What was your immediate reaction?  Most likely you cried out in pain and dropped it, or kept silent and suffered for it later.  Regardless of your reaction, you reacted.  The burden of bitterness is too heavy for anyone to carry.  In fact, if we pick it up and attempt to carry it, it will weigh us down and eventually crush us to the point that we will be unable to function.  Yet, day after day we pick up bitterness and try to walk around with it strapped on our back. Can you imagine someone walking around with a huge block...

"Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." (Proverbs 14:34) You probably think this is going to be about the elections . . . well, maybe a little, but not for the most part.  It's more to do with living a life sanctified and set apart for the Master's use.  It's about living above the base lusts of the flesh and conducting our lives in a fashion that is pleasing and acceptable in the eyes of God.  After all, that's what He's commanded us to do. Leviticus 20:7 says, "Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God."  But, what does "sanctify yourselves" really mean?  One commentator says, "We must cleanse ourselves from all the pollutions of sin, consecrate ourselves to the service and honor of God, and conform ourselves in every thing to His holy will and image: this is to sanctify ourselves." We are to keep ourselves from sin...

“And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.” (Ezra 7:25)

Judges are important to us all, particularly those of the higher courts in every nation.  They bear much responsibility to the people, but if we look closely at the Word of God, judges have a great responsibility before the Lord; however, so do those who “set” the judges according to our verse today!

Ezra was told to “set magistrates and judges”, not just any magistrates and judges, but those who know the laws of God!  When Moses was told to appoint judges, he was to find men “such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness . . . ” (Exodus 18:21-22).

For those readers who are in the United States, you are keenly aware that this...

"And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready."  (Luke 14:17) "Come, for things are now ready." Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us ... that's a certainty! We are now living in a time where now only is prophecy being fulfilled before our eyes, the table is being set for the greatest banquet imaginable. Are your ears in tune with the Master's voice? Will you hear and respond when He says, "Come!" Or, will you be like those who were invited but found themselves too busy with things in this world and not able to set them aside to be with the King of all kings! It is time to examine our hearts to make sure that our ties to this world are not so strong as to delay our response when we hear Him say, "Come, for all things are now ready!" Father, I have examined my heart and found that there are many areas in which my ties to this world are stronger than my ties to You. Forgive me, Lord, for not giving you pre-eminence in all areas of my life. Help me shed the excess baggage that this world requires so I will be ready to leave when I hear your voice say, "Come!" Oh, how I long for that day! Amen!...

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”  (Psalm 1:1-2) The book of Psalms starts off with three areas of personal problems:  Walking in the counsel of the ungodly; standing in the way of sinners; sitting in the seat of the scornful.  Immediately, the Psalmist gives us the preferred alternative . . . our delight should be in the law of the Lord – the Word of God – as we meditate in it day and night.  In other words our delight should not be found in the counsel of the ungodly, the way of the sinners, or the seat of the scornful, it must be in the Word of God. What is the counsel of the ungodly?  Have you ever stopped to think about that statement?  Matthew Henry is rather strong in his interpretation...

“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”  (1 Samuel 16:7)

God looks on the heart, not at the outward appearance of man.  That is so contrary to the way our society does things.  If you doubt me, look at the television, the billboards, the magazine covers, etc.  For the most part, the most handsome faces and shapely bodies are advertised as the “norm” and everyone who doesn’t conform to this level of “beauty” needs help.  So, the make-up companies make money in an attempt to help women cover up their flaws.  The personal diet companies are making untold millions while everyone tries the latest fad diet to lose weight to look like some model or superstar.  I could go on but there’s no need . . . it’s quite clear....

“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8) “Radical obedience” is a phrase that's challenged me. But it’s not just for me.  This should be a daily challenge for ALL who call themselves Christian. What is radical obedience? Let me see if I can put it into words. To me, radical obedience is obeying God when it doesn't make sense. Radical obedience is doing God's will when our own agenda makes more sense. Radical obedience is not only asking "What Would Jesus Do" but DOING what Jesus did. Radical obedience is denying my flesh while fulfilling God's purpose for me. Radical obedience is heeding the call of God when, by all appearances, it's out of the question. Radical obedience is not compromising even if it means losing friends. Radical obedience is venturing outside my comfort zone no matter how uncomfortable...