John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
All Hallows Eve, October 31, otherwise known as Halloween, is celebrated throughout most of the world -- however, that doesn't take place in Israel.
When I was younger, I can remember the days of haunted houses in amusement parks in the United States.
These "attractions," houses created to inspire fear, anxiety, and a sense of danger in those who dare to pass through them, with their creaky floors and canned screams and hoots, were really silly to me. The various inhabitants, "monsters," would jump out, crazy strobe lights disorient your vision, hands unexpectedly touching you, and gut-wrenching noises designed to freak you out ... all of it was just a manufactured distortion of reality; and I always just knew it was a show, that no real ghosts or ghouls, whether they existed or not, actually lived there.
Doesn't it seem, though, in this life, sometimes we feel as though we're walking through a haunted house -- with different threats, problems, dangers, and fears designed to knock the wind out of us, shock us with paralyzing fear, disarm us with terrors, and change our perception of reality? Which reality? The reality is that our life is completely in His hands! Even the scariest situations, and the worst, most terrifying of our problems, in the light of Eternity, simply pale and will evaporate in the world to come.
The Lord is good, His goodness is absolute, and His power to work all things together for your good (if you are among those who love Him) is the promise that surrounds every scary threat in your life. So, while it may seem at times like you're walking through a wild and crazy "haunted house," -- in reality, it's the devil's show to make you forget -- your life is safely in His hands!
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[worthy_plugins_devotion_single_body]During World War I, in the winter of 1914, on the battlefields of Flanders, one of the most unusual events in history took place. The Germans had been in a fierce battle with the British and French. Both sides were dug in, safe in muddy man-made trenches six to eight feet deep that seemed to stretch forever… but it was Christmas, and what happened next was astonishing, writes Stanley Weintraub, author of the book, Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce.
A foreign soldier was brought before his commanding officer and accused of communicating with the enemy. He had been seen emerging from an area where their troops were known to patrol. The poor man summed up his defense in a few words, stating that he had slipped away to spend an hour alone in prayer. "Have you been in the habit of spending an hour in private prayer?" demanded the officer. "Yes, Sir," he replied. "Well" said his commander, "never in your life have you been in more need of prayer than right now. Kneel down and pray aloud so that we all may hear you."
As the world celebrates the end of 2014 and enters into 2015, it looks toward the conclusion of yet another year. However, God has not been working his plan according to the Gregorian calendar -- but rather according to His own calendar. For example, when Yeshua (Jesus) was crucified, and became the Lamb of God slain for the world, it was on the Biblical feast of Passover (Pesach in Hebrew).
2 Corinthians 2:14-15 14 Now thanks be to God, which always leads us to triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of His knowledge in every place. For we unto God a sweet fragrance of Christ, in ...
What is it about salt? And how do I season speech with it? Gracious speech is sweet, yet Paul says to season it with salt.
Charles Spurgeon wrote "Prayer pulls the rope below and the great bell rings above in the ears of God. Some scarcely stir the bell, for they pray so languidly. Others give but an occasional pluck at the rope. But he who wins with heaven is the man who grasps the rope boldly and pulls continuously, with all his might."
In December 1903, after many attempts, the Wright brothers were successful in getting their “flying machine” off the ground. Thrilled, they telegraphed this message to their sister Katherine: “We have actually flown 120 feet. Will be home for Christmas.” Katherine hurried to the editor of the local newspaper and showed him the message. He glanced at it and said, “How nice. The boys will be home for Christmas.”