HALLOWEEN OR HALLELUJAH (English & Spanish)

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

HALLOWEEN OR HALLELUJAH?

(1 Th 5:5) You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.

Many Christians have questions regarding Halloween. Should Christians decorate their houses in this theme? Should we send our kids out trick-or-treating? Wow, what a loaded question! But let me give you some things to think about:

- Each Christian must make their own decision on how to celebrate any festive day whether it be Halloween, Christmas, Easter, etc. And we shouldn’t judge each other on this decision. Listen to the apostle Paul on this: One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. (Rom 14:5)

- We must ask ourselves, “Does it glorify God?” Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.(1 Cor 10:31)

- In regards to Halloween, we must keep in mind the scriptural prohibition of any kind of practice (and I might add symbolism) of witchcraft. (Deuteronomy 18:9-14)

- The Bible says we are sons of the light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Jesus is the Light and we are to shine His glory. We are to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of the light. (Romans 13:12)

- Remember we have the Holy Spirit, not the unholy spirit represented in symbols of a devil, a witch, or a ghost. True power is from the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) and we don’t need to be tapping into or even flirting with the power of darkness.

- Christians are into the theme of life, not death. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 6:23)

I hope this helps you to think along the lines of a transformed mind (Romans 12:2). Be led by His Spirit in all you do for yourself and for your children. Ask God for wisdom in all your decisions in regards to your family celebrations and plans. And remember, you are a child of the light!

Louie

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Del Pastor a Las Ovejas

(1 Tess 5:5) porque todos vosotros sois hijos de luz e hijos del día. No somos de la noche ni de las tinieblas.

Muchos cristianos tienen dudas con relación al Halloween. ¿Pueden los cristianos decorar sus casas en esta época? ¿Pueden mandar a sus hijos a pedir dulces? Wow, ¡son preguntas difíciles! Pero dejame darte algunas cosas para meditar: 

- Cada cristiano debe tomar sus propias decisiones sobre como celebrar cualquier día festivo, ya sea halloween, Navidad, Pascua, etc. Y no debemos juzgarnos unos a otros en esta decisión. Escucha lo que el apóstol Pablo dijo sobre esto: "Uno juzga que un día es superior a otro, otro juzga iguales todos los días. Cada cual esté plenamente convencido según su propio sentir." (Romanos 14:5)

- Debemos preguntarnos, “¿Glorifica esto a Dios?” Entonces, ya sea que comáis, que bebáis, o que hagáis cualquiera otra cosa, hacedlo todo para la gloria de Dios. (1 Corintios 10:31)

- En cuanto al Halloween, debemos tener en mente las prohibiciones bíblicas en la práctica de (y debo agregar símbolos) de la brujería. (Deuteronomio 18:9-14)

- La Biblia dice que somos hijos de la luz y del día. No somos de las tinieblas o de la noche. Jesús es la Luz y nosotros debemos brillar con Su gloria. Debemos dejar las obras de las tinieblas y ponernos la armadura de la luz. (Romanos 13:12)

- Recuerda tque tenemos al Espíritu Santo, no el espíritu impío representado en los símbolos del diablo, una bruja, o un fantasma. El verdadero poder viene del Espíritu Santo (Hechos 1:8) y no necesitamos estar jugando ni coqueteando con el poder de las tinieblas.

-Los cristianos representan la vida, no la muerte. "Porque la paga del pecado es muerte, pero la dádiva de Dios es vida eterna en Cristo Jesús Señor Nuestro" (Romanos 6:23)

Espero que esto te ayude a pensar como debe hacerlo una mente transformada (Romanos 12:2). Se guiado por Su Espíritu, por bien tuyo y el de tus hijos. Pide sabiduría a Dios en todas tus decisiones en cuanto a las celebraciones y planes de familia. y recuerda, ¡eres un hijo de a luz!

Luis 

(Translation by Maura Cathey)

SUPERSTITIONS

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP 

SUPERSTITIONS 

(Psa 56:3) Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. 

It’s interesting, if you think about it, how superstitions are still a part of our culture and makeup.  If you do this then that might happen.  Do this or wear that and then you’ll have good luck.  We find it among baseball teams on down to everyday life even in an educated society.  We know the occult is wrong but is it wrong to be superstitious?  What does the Bible say? 

Let’s review some common superstitions: FRIDAY THE 13^TH: Friday has long been considered an unlucky day (I thought it would be Monday!)  According to Christian tradition, Jesus died on a Friday and 13 has a long history as an unlucky number.  BLACK CATS CROSSING YOUR PATH: Most likely, this superstition arises from old beliefs in witches turning into cats. WALKING UNDER A LADDER: When you walk through the triangle you may awaken spirits that live within the triangle that might harm you. BREAKING A MIRROR: Since a mirror was thought to be a reflection of the soul, breaking a mirror was harmful to one’s self and you would have bad luck for seven years. OPENING AN UMBRELLA INSIDE: When the umbrella is opened inside, and out of the way of sun's rays, it offends the sun god and would bring back luck to those in the house. THROWING SALT BEHIND YOUR SHOULDER: In olden times, it was frequently said that the devil was always sitting just behind your left shoulder. When you threw salt at him you would be buying him off or getting him off your back.  And the list goes on.   

Now those who are into superstitions have also developed a way to get rid of the bad omen that has come their way. RABBIT’S FOOT: Interestingly, rabbits feet have been a symbol of good luck since at least 600 BC when Celtic people in England would kill rabbits possessing certain attributes that were seen as beneficial to the bearer of the lucky charm. KNOCK ON WOOD: Because things are going so good, this is the habit of knocking loudly to keep out evil spirits from making things go bad. CROSS YOUR FINGERS: Anything associated with the shape of the cross was thought to be good luck.  This list also goes on too! 

I love the story in Acts 28 of Paul being shipwrecked on the island of Malta.  One day Paul went over to a wood pile to help stoke the fire since it was so cold.  As he did so a viper came out of the pile and fastened onto his hand.  He shook it off and the people according to their superstition thought he was a bad person being paid back by fate.  But nothing happened!   

As believers, we believe the Lord is in control, not fate or a force or a fiend.  Good or bad comes at the hand of God (Job 1:21, 2:10).  But we know God is good and works all for good (Psa 119:68; Rom 8:28). When we are fearful we can pray and put our trust in Him. When we do we will sense a beautiful peace inside and mercy will surround us (Col 3:15; Psa 32:10). Don’t knock on wood!  Knock on heaven’s doors and watch God’s blessings come your way! (Mat 7:7-11)    

Louie  

FRIENDSHIP

 

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

FRIENDSHIP

(Pro 17:17) A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Friendship is one of the most rewarding aspects of life. Having a good friend to experience life together is truly a gift. Sharing common interests, communicating thoughts and feelings, and being there for each other during the good and bad is all part of a significant relationship. What does the Bible say about friendship? How can we be a good friend to others?

First of all we must realize that a good friend is from the Lord. (Jms 1:17) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above… You have heard it said that if you have one or more true friends you are a truly blessed person. And that blessing is from above. He knows just what you need and sends that person in your life for such a time as this (Esther 4:14). If you look back in your life you will see that a friend came into your life at just the right time. Perhaps you were kind of lonely and you prayed for a friend. The Lord provides social connections just as much as anything else we need in life.

Now that we have a friend it is important that we nurture that friendship. That takes time and good communication. It takes an investment of energies. It takes commitment. Sometimes it takes sacrifice. It also takes loyalty because a friend loves at all times…not only in the good times but in the bad. You will be there for each other in the highs and lows of life. (Rom 12:15) Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. You will support each other in all aspects of life…even when a dumb decision is made and consequences come about. You will agree to disagree agreeably and amiably. You will respect each other’s opinions. You will be a good listener and a good communicator. You will have a good sense of humor and take nothing personal. No matter what happens you will always stay together and pray together.

Good friends will also argue and fight at times. How can you not? Just think of how two fallen people are bound to bump into each other and get hurt. This is when you want to believe the best and overlook the faults of others. (1 Pet 4:8) And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” (1 Cor 13:7-8) (Love) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails... At other times you will have to speak up and work it out. (Luke 17:3)…If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. Your relationship will become stronger through these times of testing.

Remember also these important truths: Do not be unequally yoked with a unbeliever (2 Cor 6:14-18). And remember that true love comes from the Lord. It is Jesus loving you through that friend. He gets all the credit because He is the author of love (1 John 4:8). And a final note is the most important: When you don’t have a friend, Jesus is that friend that sticks closer than a brother! (Pro 18:24)

Louie

EMPTY CHAIRS AT CHURCH

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

EMPTY CHAIRS AT CHURCH

(Heb 10:25) not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

As we gather to worship our King

Around the room is a curious thing

Not only do we see who’s there

But scattered about is that empty chair 

What causes a seat be lone?

Is someone sick or depressed at home?

Did they stay up late or are sleeping in?

Are they losing their fire because of some sin? 

Now Bobby’s got a decent reason

He’s on vacation, it’s hunting season

And Joe, he’s on a business trip

It’s just a week, that’s why he skipped 

The Jones’ we haven’t seen in awhile

He got that raise, they’re up in style

And the Williams, if I heard it right

Have soccer so their time is tight 

Max and Sarah aren’t getting along

How can they sit and sing a song?

Jose and Mary they’re all tied up

Working on their house and stuff 

A game’s on TV, a political debate

I’m pressed for time, I don’t want to be late

A garden to plant, and bills to pay

Maybe we’ll go some other day

Lord, I can see that empty chair

Fill them up so all can be here

Revival, Lord, is what we need

Hear our prayer in all due speed 

Louie