HALLOWEEN OR HALLELUJAH? (English and Spanish)

 

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

HALLOWEEN OR HALLELUJAH?

(1 Thes 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)

 

 

THE ANGEL OF THE LORD

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

THE ANGEL OF THE LORD

In the Old Testament the term Angel of the Lord appears many times.  Here’s a partial list: 

THE ANGEL OF THE LORD APPEARS TO HAGAR:  (Gen 16:7) Now the Angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur.

THE ANGEL OF THE LORD APPEARS TO ABRAHAM:  (Gen 22:11) But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.”

THE ANGEL OF THE LORD APPEARS TO MOSES:  (Exo 3:2) And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush…

THE ANGEL OF THE LORD APPEARS TO BALAAM:  (Num 22:32) And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse before Me. 

THE ANGEL OF THE LORD APPEARS TO ISRAEL: (Judg 2:1) Then the Angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said: “I led you up from Egypt and brought you to the land…

THE ANGEL OF THE LORD APPEARS TO GIDEON:  (Judg 6:12) And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!”

THE ANGEL OF THE LORD APPEARS TO MANOAH AND HIS WIFE:  (Judg 13:17) Then Manoah said to the Angel of the Lord, “What is Your name, that when Your words come to pass we may honor You?” 18 And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?”

The Angel of the Lord is an Old Testament preincarnate appearance of Christ (Christophany).  Since no one has ever seen God the Father (John 1:18; 1 Tim 6:16) and since the Holy Spirit never takes on bodily form, this suggests that this expression refers to the second member of the Trinity.  Also consider that after Christ’s incarnation there never is any reference to the Angel of the Lord.  As we study concerning the Angel of the Lord, we can see how God through progressive revelation provided hints in the Old Testament for the doctrine of the Trinity that is more completely expounded upon in the New Testament.

Jesus is seen in many types and portrayals in the Old Testament.  (Heb 10:7) Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me… He appeared in a preincarnate form in the Old Testament.  He is the incarnate Son of God in the New Testament dying on the cross for the sins of all.  Accept Him today and you will see Him yourself in heaven!  

Louie

RAPTURE THEORIES

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

RAPTURE THEORIES

In the Christian community there are different theories on when the Lord will return.  And it so often has to do with at what point of the Tribulation will Jesus come for His own?  Here are some of more popular theories:

PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE:  The Rapture happens just before the seven year Tribulation, so that believers will not have to experience the wrath of God being poured out on the ungodly.    

MID-TRIBULATION RAPTURE: The Rapture happens half-way through the Tribulation.  Up to that time, the Antichrist brings peace to the world. At the midpoint events take a sudden turn for the worse. 

POST-TRIBULATION RAPTURE: The faithful experience the full spectrum of the entire Tribulation judgments and are taken up only at the end of the seven years.  

PRE-WRATH RAPTURE: This is a newer theory, promoted by Marvin Rosenthal. Pre-wrath Tribulationists believe the Rapture will occur during the Tribulation, halfway through or after, but certainly before the seven bowls of the wrath of God. 

PARTIAL RAPTURE: This theory teaches that only those who are faithful in their relationship with Christ will be raptured.  The rest will have to prove their faith during the Tribulation.  

Wow, so which one should you believe?  I believe the weight of the evidence is for the Pre-Tribulation Rapture.  Here’s some things to consider:  Jesus will come in the sky for His own (1 Thes 4:16-17) and then the Tribulation will follow (2 Thes 2:1-12).  The Church is not mentioned during the Tribulation (Rev 6-18).  The Bible declares that the Church will not suffer God’s wrath (Rom 5:9; 1 Thes 5:9).  Jesus’ coming is imminent and unpredictable (1 Thes 5:2).  

But you know, I’d like to put out another supporting reason for the Rapture.  I believe it fits the grace of God.  By this I mean we believe we are saved by grace (Eph 2:8-9).  We also believe we continue by grace (Acts 13:43).  So why not believe that we will be taken up by grace?  It just fits that the Lord will rescue His Bride.  He loves her.  He gave His life for her.  He provides for her and nurtures her (Eph 5:25-27).  It just doesn’t make sense that He would let her go through the Tribulation and not rescue His damsel in distress.

Some Christians make the Christian life so hard.  They know they are saved by grace but they are trying so hard to please God by the law (Gal 3:1-14).  I believe that these also feel they have to suffer to prove their worthiness during the end times. But God’s amazing grace says:  “'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.”   

Louie

THE INTERTESTAMENTAL PERIOD (400 silent years)

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

THE INTERTESTAMENTAL PERIOD (400 silent years)

(1 Sam 3:1)…And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.

In between the Old Testament and the New Testaments (the Intertestamental Period) there is a period of time called the 400 silent years.  That is, no Bible books were written and no true prophets existed that spoke for God.  But as we shall see this time period was anything but quiet.  So what was going on during this pocket of time? 

Alexander the Great conquered the world and brought the Greek culture and language (Hellenization) to the empire.  

The Ptolemies and Seleucids battle it out with Israel sandwiched in between (predicted in detail by Daniel the prophet four centuries before these kings existed (Dan 11:5-20).

Antiochus IV Epiphanes erected an altar to Zeus on the altar of burnt offering outside the temple, and had a pig offered on the altar.  A family of Jews (the Maccabees) fought back and eventually won independence and restored the temple worship.  (Hanukkah holiday born)    

The Jewish people produced a sizable body of literature including the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament), the Apocrypha, and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

The Jewish parties of the Sadducees and Pharisees came into existence.  Other groups include the Herodians, the Essene community out by the Dead Sea, and the Jewish zealots (sicarii). 

The synagogue form of worship was developed and established amongst the diaspora (Jews living outside of Israel).   

In 63 B.C., Pompey of Rome conquered Palestine, putting all of Judea under control of the Caesars. 

In short, Roman civilization had brought peace (Pax Romana) and a road system which aided travel; the Grecian civilization provided a language which was accepted as the lingua franca of the empire; the Jews had endorsed monotheism and held out the messianic hope in the synagogues of the Mediterranean world.  God was working behind the scenes so that one day the silence would be broken and John the Baptist would look at Jesus and say …Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)

Take courage, when God is silent He’s getting ready to do something special!  (Hab 1:5)

Louie

WHEN YOU’RE NOT HAPPILY MARRIED

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

WHEN YOU’RE NOT HAPPILY MARRIED

God wants us to stick together no matter what.  (Mat 19:6)…Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”  But what do you do when you’re not happy anymore in your marriage?  Is staying together a ticket to misery the rest of your days?  Let’s talk about it because there are many people who are not happy in their marriage.

HONOR YOUR VOWS:  Okay, so you know divorce is not an option.  You took your vows and you know what it says: For better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health.  Be faithful to your spouse like Jesus is to you, His bride.  (Heb 13:5)

DON’T SEPARATE:  Those who separate enter the high-risk area of never coming back together.  You’ve already made a step in that direction and it’s just easy to go the next step of divorce.  Separation is allowable because of abuse but don’t fool yourself for other reasons. (Mat 19:6)

KEEP MAKING LOVE:  Don’t use sex as a tool to get back at your spouse.  Sex is sacred and can bond you together.  There are a lot of things we do in life that we don’t feel like doing.  (1 Cor 7:2-5)

DON’T SHOP AROUND:  It’s easy to fall out of love with your spouse and fall in love with someone else.  You might be feeling lonely and desire to be loved and understood.  But adultery is forbidden by God and you want to avoid the steps that lead up to it.  Fall in love with Jesus and get yourself some godly friends who will support you until your marriage gets stronger.  (Eph 3:17-20; Gal 6:2)

HAVE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS:  One person can’t fulfill all your needs in life.  That is reserved for Jesus alone.  Give your spouse some slack to be who they are.  As you do then watch how that grace comes right back to you.  Remember, marriage is two sinners under one roof!  (Rom 3:23; Col 2:10)

DIE TO YOUR SELF: In marriage there are many invitations to die to your own desires and prefer your spouse.  Be mature.  As you give in and serve your spouse God will bless you and grant you your longings because you were unselfish.  (Mat 16:24; Phil 2:1-5)

HAVE FAITH:  Every marriage has its ups and downs.  Nothing’s too hard for God.  Be optimistic and trust Him to work things out! (Heb 11:6)

AGAPE:  When your love quotient is running low read the love chapter (1 Cor 13).  Then ask the Lord to fill you anew with His enduring love (Rom 5:5).  And memorize these words or Jesus:  (John 13:34-35)…love one another; as I have loved you…

Louie    

GOOD PEOPLE GO TO HELL (BAD PEOPLE GO TO HEAVEN)

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

GOOD PEOPLE GO TO HELL (BAD PEOPLE GO TO HEAVEN)

(Titus 3:5) not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.

The way we grew up and the way the world is today is that if you do something right you will be rewarded and if you do something wrong you will be punished.  Well, that works for parenting and in the schoolroom and in society in general but when it comes to God’s economy it’s just not true.  When Jesus came into the world to die on the cross for our sins He turned everything around.  He satisfied God’s wrath against sin and now man can be fully justified in God’s holy sight by personally accepting God’s free gift of grace.  The determination of the afterlife is not based on good works anymore but on the merits of Jesus from the cross.  This way good people go the hell and bad people go to heaven.   I guess I better explain!

GOOD PEOPLE GO TO HELL:  (Pro 14:12) There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.  There is something deep inside of us that thinks if we do good in life then God will accept us in the end.  It is always right to do the right thing but when you do the right thing for the wrong reason than that right becomes a wrong.  It then becomes pride and hypocrisy.  Pride because you think you can enter heaven on your own virtues and hypocrisy because you know in your heart you are a sinner but you come off like you are a saint.  Take the words of Jesus way down deep in your soul and wipe that self-righteousness right out of your life:  (Mat 7:21-23) “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’  

BAD PEOPLE GO TO HEAVEN: (1 Cor 6:11) And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.  The bad you have done in life doesn’t have to keep you from God’s presence in heaven.  If you are forgiven by Jesus then His blood has washed you clean and you are fit for His presence.  You don’t have to go around wondering if you are going to be accepted by the Lord on that final day.  You can know for certain.  Why?  Because heaven is not based on your performance.  It is based by God’s mercy through Christ.  There is no need to live in dreaded fear any longer.  And if you blow it then just ask for forgiveness and know that He will forgive you.  You don’t fall out of salvation when you sin, you just fall out of that sweet fellowship with Christ that you can regain through confession and repentance.  He loves you and He can never unlove you!

Let’s get the word out there that good people go the hell and bad people go to heaven!

Louie

THE BEATITUDES

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

THE BEATITUDES 

The first section of the Sermon of the Mount is the Beatitudes.  There are eight beatitudes and they describe the attitudes that ought to be in our lives if we are true Christians. (Mat 5:1-10)

“BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN:  Those who depend on God and not on their own abilities.  (John 15:5)…without Me you can do nothing.

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN, FOR THEY SHALL BE COMFORTED. Describes those who grieve over their sins.  (James 4:9-10) Lament and mourn and weep...{10} Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK, FOR THEY SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH.  Not self-willed but living humbly before others (me-ek!) and letting God prosper in His time.  (Psa 37:11) But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS, FOR THEY SHALL BE FILLED.  Those who possess a spiritual appetite and a keen desire to be pleasing to God.  (Psa 42:1-2)  As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God…

BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL, FOR THEY SHALL OBTAIN MERCY.  Those who are moved by the sufferings of others and seek to alleviate their distresses.  (Psa 18:25)  With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful…  

BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART, FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD.  Those whose minds and motives are wholesome and unpolluted.  (Psa 24:3-4) Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart…

BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS, FOR THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF GOD.  Those who are instruments of peace in the world and overcome evil with good.  (James 3:18) Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS’ SAKE, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.  People possessing these beatitudes would naturally stand out in a crowd and would take flak for being different. (2 Tim 3:12) Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

THE BE-ATTITUDES.  Are these the values that you want to be in your life?  If that’s the case then look out because your life is going to be BLESSED!

Louie