The Encourager Newsletter - Vol.3 Issue 42

Dan Carr, Editor

The Holy Spirit and…Us (Part 2)

World intelligentsia increasingly believes that if there is a God, He does not interact with people and if you claim you know God, you are mentally unstable and a danger to society. Simultaneously, the Bible remains the best-seller, the top of the list of the ten best selling books of all time. So, who is snowing who (whom?)

I thought it best if I conclude this short treatment of The Holy Spirit and Us by simply including some outstanding verses from the Bible.

The Spirit of God was active in creation.

…the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters in Gen.1:2.

The Spirit of God Draws and Strives with the Spirits of Men.

And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years (Gen 6:3).

And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (Joh 16:8)

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. (Joh 6:44)

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (Joh 12:32)

Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. (Act 7:51)

The Spirit of God Gives Birth to Everyone Who Becomes a Child of God.

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (Joh 3:5)

The Spirit of God Baptizes His Own into the Body of Christ.

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1Co 12:13)

The Spirit of God Dwells in His Own People.

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (Rom 8:9)

The Spirit of God Leads His People.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Rom. 8:14)

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (Rom 8:16)

The Spirit of God Impregnated Mary with Child and Became His Father.

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (Luk 1:35)

The Spirit of God Led and Empowered Jesus to do All of His Miracles.

Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. (Mat 4:1)

And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. (Luk 3:22)

But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. (Mat 12:28)

For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. (Joh 3:34)

The Spirit of God Raised up Jesus from the Dead and will Raise Us up from the Dead.

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Rom 8:11)

And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, (Luk 4:1)

The Spirit of God Led and Empowered the Early Church.

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 Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Act 1:8)

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, (Luk 2:25-27)

And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. (Act 11:28)

We are Commanded to be Filled with the Holy Spirit Today.

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (Eph 5:18)Ω

John Mark—Barbara Carr

"And there followed Him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked" (Mar 14:51-52) .

A few weeks ago at the regular Friday night prayer meeting at Mrs. Creech's house, there was a discussion on Mark 14:51-52 and the young man who ran away naked.

So, who was the young man who was caught and got away naked? Most everyone agreed it was John Mark. Someone with a Henry Morris Study Bible read the comments: "This 'young man' almost certainly was John Mark himself—otherwise who would know about and write about such an incident?" We know that his mother was wealthy and had a big house in Jerusalem and we assume that he lived with his mother. In this big house was a big upper room that served as a meeting place for the Last Supper and for the 120 who waited until the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost.

The Bible says: "…a linen cloth cast about his naked body." Morris continues: "Mark had probably retired for the night in an adjacent room and had overheard their very fascinating, and obviously significant conversations there in the upper room of his mother's home. When they [Jesus and the disciples] left to go to the garden, continuing their conversation as they walked, he quickly decided to grab a linen cloth and follow them at a discreet distance."

As he followed a short distance behind, he suddenly saw a big crowd of people coming from the chief priests, scribes, and the elders on their way to take Jesus. When everyone scattered, so did he, but he was caught by the "young men." He was able to escape by casting off the linen cloth.

Listening to this discussion of whether or not it was John Mark encouraged me to do a study about him. I have enjoyed the study and learned much. Who was John Mark? He was a disciple of Jesus —maybe in his early teens or twenties. His mother was one of the several Marys in the gospels. In Acts 12:12, Jesus has been crucified and risen from the grave; the day of Pentecost has passed. Herod has killed James the brother of John with a sword and has arrested Peter, intending to kill him soon. The church has gathered in Mary's house to pray for Peter.

"And when he [Peter] had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying." (Act 12:12)

John Mark was a nephew to Barnabas. Since, Barnabas was a Levite more than likely John Mark was also. He had been taught the scripture and was from a prosperous family. Paul wrote from prison:

"Aristarchus my fellow prisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)" (Col 4:10)

Apparently John Mark's mother was a woman of means and had a home large enough for the church to meet there. Morris states that in verse 17 of Mark 14 the word "cometh" is used indicating Mark's own personal perspective on the events about to take place. He describes Jesus and the twelve as "coming" not "going." It sounds as though he, Mark, was already there.

"And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us"

(Mar 14:15). "And in the evening he cometh with the twelve." (Mar 14:17)

John Mark was probably an associate of Peter. Peter refers to him as "my son" in I Peter 5:13. Peter loved him as a son in the faith. In Acts 12:12, we read that many had gathered together to pray for Peter's deliverance at Mary's house.

The first reference I find of John Mark accompanying or joining Paul and Barnabas is in Acts 12:25 "And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark" (Act 12:25).

In chapter 13, John Mark decided to go home. No reasons were given in the Bible for this departure. "Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem"(Act 13:13).

"Why he departed from them is unknown. It might have been from fear of danger; or from alarm in traveling so far into unknown regions" (Barnes). Gill says: "What was the reason of his departure, whether for the sake of seeing his mother at Jerusalem; or because he did not like, but grew weary of the travels, labours, and fatigues of the apostle, and his company; or did not choose to go among the Gentiles, is not certain."

We can see from Acts 15:38 that Paul thought John Mark's departure was blameworthy. Paul believed it so strongly that he was unwilling to have him as a companion again. "And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;"(Acts 15:37-39).

Paul resented John Mark's departure and it caused a "sharp contention" between him and Barnabas. The next time we hear Paul mention John Mark's name is in II Timothy 4:11. This passage proves that Paul was reconciled to him, desired his company. "Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry" (2Ti 4:11).

In Col:4:10 all was forgiven. "Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)" (Col 4:10)

Mark's early years of wavering evidently gave way to great strength and maturity and in time he proved himself even to Paul. Peter's influence on Mark in his younger years was no doubt instrumental in helping him out of the instability of his youth and into the strength and maturity he would need in the work to which God had called him. God used him to write the Gospel of Mark which presents Jesus as the suffering Servant of the Lord. He demonstrated the humanity of Christ more clearly than any of the other evangelists, emphasizing Christ's human emotions

According to tradition, around A.D.68 Mark was tied to several horses and they dragged him through the streets until he was dead (Wikpedia). I hope you have enjoyed reading about Mark as much as I did. Ω

The Best of Intentions - by Steve Crain

Dan Carr, Editor

My wife Carol and I recently watched a TV documentary about three African-American fathers who were filmed in 1996 telling of their plans to be good dads.

The program followed up a "Dateline NBC" report from 1996 that recorded several births among black women at a Newark, N.J., hospital and interviewed the unmarried fathers of the children as they vowed to be there as their babies grew up.

"I'm gonna be there when you graduate," one videoed father said to his newborn.

The program tracked down the three "babies who'd become youngsters" (two boys and a girl who were 12 years old at the time of the second filming) and the fathers who promised to stand by them. Jail, joblessness, depression and irresponsibility had intervened – none of those fathers had "been there" for their children.

Each youngster seemed well spoken and well cared for – their mothers deserve credit – but their lives "could go either way, and soon," someone said. One boy called his father "evil." The girl, cuddling a cat, said she would never marry. She learned her father was in prison before her mother could snatch away a newspaper telling of his plight.

We sometimes express the best of intentions but often don't deliver.

Connie Smith commented on some marriages when she intoned these words from a country song: "The wedding bells have barely stopped their ringing / But already all your love for me is gone / On the day that we were wed / Well, I guess we should have said / 'For better or for worse, but not for long.'"

Travis Tritt in a song called "Best of Intentions," crooned these lyrics: "Never could build you a castle / Even though you're the queen of my heart / But I've had the best of intentions from the start / …Now some people think I'm a loser / Cause I seldom get things right / …Please tell me you will remember / No matter how much I do wrong / That I had the best of intentions all along."

Randy Travis sang "Good Intentions," a song containing these words: "Mama always prayed I'd be a better man than Daddy / And I determined not to let her down / Deserted by the man she loved and left to raise four children / We were the local gossip of the town / …There's lots of things in my life I just as soon not mention / Looks like I've turned out like all the rest / But Mama, my intentions were the best."

Israel's King Solomon began his reign with humility and dedication. In Gibeon, God appeared to him in a dream and invited Solomon to ask for anything he wanted. Solomon pleased God by saying, "Give me wisdom to rule your people well." God gave him wisdom and blessings. The Bible records that God said, "There will not be any among the kings like you all your days, if you walk in my ways, keeping my commandments and laws" (1 Kings 3:13). Solomon later failed to live up to his good intentions.

Before his crucifixion, Jesus celebrated Passover, and then he and his disciples "went out" into the Mount of Olives (Mark 14:26). Jesus said to his inner circle, "All of you shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, 'I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered'" (Zechariah 13:7).

Peter said, "Even though they all desert you, I will not!"

Jesus said, "Even this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times."

Peter insisted that even if he had to die with Jesus, he would not deny him. The King James Version of the Bible translates Peter's vehement response as: "If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise." All the disciples standing near Peter agreed with his pledge of loyalty unto death. The KJV translates their response: "Likewise also said they all" (Mark 14:31). They sounded forth with their best intentions. Before that night ended, Jesus' disciples left him standing alone, and Peter had denied him three times.

Since the day I accepted Jesus as my Savior, I've often fallen short in maintaining my relationship with God and "missed the mark" in loving people. I'm glad God's grace can save repentant sinners – and cover the confessed sins of believers who fail to live up to the best of their intentions.

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Find more S. Crain articles at http://www.stevecrain.blogspot.com/ .

The Encourager Newsletter - Vol. 3 Issue 41

The Holy Spirit and…Us (Part 1)

The Bible is the official rule of faith and practice for Bible-believing Christians. It is the dependable stone upon which we can rest our doubts and uncertainties. It is the telescope through which we can see the distant future and the microscope through which we can study the invisible "why-how" mysteries of life.

The Bible is also the book that gives us dependable information about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Knowledge of the Holy Spirit is one of the most valuable things one can know. We are told The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct personalities and yet they blend as one. There is no jealousy between the members of the Trinity. We focus on the Holy Spirit because He is the one appointed to do most of the things God does with us and in us.

Jesus is going away but will remain here. He said … It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (Joh 16:7).

We are told further: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began (Act 3:20-21).

Where is He now located? Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who…is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:2) And yet we are told: …Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Col 1:27)

Jesus promised, …I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Mat 28:20). How is Jesus going away and yet is going to be with us always? He will be with us through the agency of the Holy Spirit who is omni-present (is present everywhere); who is omnipotent (is all-powerful) and who is omniscient (knows all things).

The Spirit of God involved in creation. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters (Gen 1:2). The Spirit of God is a powerful person.

We tend to avoid thinking about the Spirit of God because he is so mysterious. But He relates to us personally. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: (Gen 1:26)

Who is this "US?" "Let US…" "In OUR image." Some of the greatest minds of the world have conceded that these are the equal persons of the God-head discussing the making of another living being that will be in some way in the image of those discussing the project.

Jesus involved in creation. In the beginning was the Word, ... the Word was God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made (Joh 1:1-3). And the Word was made (became) flesh, and dwelt among us,…(Joh 1:14). The Spirit of God moved on the waters in creation and yet all things were made by Jesus, no less than the Spirit of God.

Jesus and the Father: No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day (Joh 6:44). But look at what Jesus said He was going to do: And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (Joh 12:32). The Father is drawing men. The Son is drawing men.

God's spirit strives with men: And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years (Gen 6:3).

"Noah preached for 120 years, and during that time the Spirit of God was striving with men. Peter makes it very clear that it was back in the days of Noah that the Spirit of God was striving with men in order that He might bring them to God—but they would not turn." (1Pe_3:18-20). (McGee) So, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit all create, draw the spirits of men, and strive with the spirits of men. The Spirit of God convicts men of sin, righteousness and judgment (Jn 16:8). There is much more in the New Testament, which we will take up in Part Two.

Loneliness —Barbara Carr

"And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him"

(Gen 2:18). It was none other than God our creator who first said that being alone is not good. Solomon follows up many centuries later: Two are better than one…For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up (Ecc 4:9-10).

Loneliness: Is that the same thing as being alone? Not always. The dictionary defines alone as: "without any other person or thing nearby." Loneliness is defined as: "feeling sad through being without friends or company."

We can be alone and not be lonely. My neighbor is 80 years old and lives alone. She told me, "People ask me if I'm lonely. I tell them "No, I live alone, but I'm not lonely." She has a dog, cats, children, and friends but the most important thing she has is the Lord Jesus Christ. I'm sure she spends many hours alone, but it was a blessing to me to hear her say, "I'm not lonely."

You can be alone and not be lonely. On the other hand, you can feel alone in a crowd of people. A radio preacher said: "Some people are never lonelier than when in the middle of a crowd." The lonely person feels: "Nobody here knows me. Nobody here knows how I feel. Nobody here knows how bad I feel inside" The old, popular Negro spiritual says: Nobody knows the trouble I've seen; Nobody knows but Jesus; Nobody knows the trouble I've seen; Glory hallelujah!" Loneliness is personal and real.

Busy work with our hands can help sometimes, but there is mainly one cure for the soul hunger of loneliness and that is an active relationship with the Lord. There are so many people that are lonely—latch key children, empty nest syndrome, and loss of a job even by retirement and divorce or death of a spouse. We need fellowship. We need someone to say one way or another: "You matter to me." Loneliness can happen to any of us.

Some people in the Bible suffered loneliness. Job must have felt very lonely even though he was surrounded by "friends." His wife said to him: "Curse God and die." Curse God alone. Die alone. Noah must have felt lonely when he preached 120 years and no one would listen to him. As Moses fled Egypt for his life and crossed the desert to Midian, he must have been lonely. As Jeremiah went along weeping, he must have had lonely days. John the Baptist was so lonely he sent a message to Jesus that said: Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? (Mat 11:2-3).

Paul in prison wanted someone to come to see him, He said: …Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world (2Ti 4:10). The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. …Do thy diligence to come before winter (Taken from: 2Ti 4:13-21). When Paul wrote those words he was in a cell in the Mamertine prison in Rome. The only contact he had was an eighteen-inch hole in the ceiling. Through that opening everything passed to and from him. The words above came through that hole to the outside world shortly before he was beheaded. (King James Study Bible p.1896)

No doubt, John the Apostle on the Isle of Patmos felt much alone as he worked in the rock quarry with other slaves but suddenly one day something happened to him that dispelled his loneliness: I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,...(Rev 1:10). What a relief that must have been to John!

When Jesus was dying on the cross, He died very much alone although He was between two thieves. He asked His Heavenly Father: "Why hast thou forsaken me." (Mat 27:46). He did not ask the Father, "Why hast thou forsaken us." It was a confession of His own loneliness…"I am forsaken!".

If we are lonely, we need to check our own life for the cause. We may be destroying our relationships.

1. --Self centeredness. Do we talk only of ourselves and never let the other person talk?

2. .-Neediness. Do we smother those around us with our needs—hold too tightly to those we love?

3. I--Isolationist. Do we withdraw into own world—maybe the TV, the computer, our job?

4. .--Unforgiveness. Bitter people are always lonely. Is there something in our lives we need to forgive?

One help for loneliness is to find someone that is lonely and befriend them in some way. In helping them overcome their loneliness we overcome our own. A favorite passage often memorized is: Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God (2Co 1:3-4). God is in the comforting business. God's people are in the comforting business.

Loneliness is spiritual. We have a hunger for someone beyond ourselves. We have a hunger for God. We need a divine presence. Our need is personal--a personal relationship with God. "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." (Mat 1:23)

"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel" (God with us.) (Isa 7:14).

"Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me" (Joh 16:32). What a statement!

While we suffer natural loneliness in the absence of human companionship, there is a much deeper loneliness in the absence of fellowship with God. We may try to fill that void of loneliness with sex, fame, education and hanging out with other people, but the void/hole is still there. Only God and His love can fill the void. Going to church, singing in the choir, being active in church activities—these things within themselves are not the answer to loneliness.

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Rev 3:20)

God is standing at our heart's door knocking. He is trying to get our attention. What door? Our heart and life. If we will open the door, He will come in. There are three things in this verse He tells He will do. "I will come in," "I will sup with him," and "he with Me." This verse is not for lost people. This is talking to believers. He is trying to get our attention. We shut Him out and we are alone and lonely. The answer to loneliness is to open the door and let Him come in. Ω

The Encourager Newsletter - Vol.3 Issue 40

Toward Knowing God and Walking With Him

A FREE WEEKLY PUBLICATION with a BIBLICAL WORLD VIEW –

Dan Carr, Editor

The Baffling Power of Christmas

Without question, Christmas is the most powerful day of the year in America and in many other parts of the world. More people willingly plan for, spend more money for and participate in Christmas celebration than any other day. Let's lay one myth to rest: it's beyond the ability of merchants to lure so many people into their stores and induce them to spend beyond their means. Why DO we spend so much at Christmas? Why do so many people refuse to buy "holiday" trees? Well, uh, we want an unblemished Christmas; a pristine Christmas with a Christmas Tree—not a meaningless "Holiday Tree." So, we try to celebrate Christmas.

Along with church bells and great music and programs great and plain, thousands of people get drunk to avoid missing out on…whatever Christmas is about. Popular entertainers have long been encouraging our troops overseas at Christmas time. Bob Hope and Bing Crosby are American Christmas legends. Decorations and music and comedy skits all wrapped in a Christmas theme. Grinch has been stealing "Christmas" as he saw it. That naughty Grinch…tch, tch, tch.

In the past, Hollywood recruited its best writers and performers and produced enduring movie classics like White Christmas, It's A Wonderful Life and The Miracle on 34^th Street. Great effort and talent tried to spin "gold" out of the word: Christmas. Warm, human feelings are generated but is this Christmas? Peanuts has their annual Christmas rerun and Linus explains the meaning of Christmas (one of the clearest explanations). More recently we have The Music Box and The Christmas Shoes with more focus on the real Christmas. Still, we are faced with a higher suicide rate at Christmas time. Why are so many people saddened and depressed at Christmas time?

Me thinks we have allowed a mere shell of Christmas to gradually overtake us until we have very little left of Christmas. But it's the greatest time of the year to explain the heart of the Bible to millions of people! People are more open to the real gospel of the Christmas story than all the other eleven months. "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everylasting life (Jn 3:16).

One of the most powerful tools we have in proclaiming the Gospel of Christ is to recapture the true meaning of Christmas. Church programs put on by children and viewed by their families is a powerful statement. It's a spoonful, but it's a very good spoonful. Every Christmas carol is a reminder that there's more to Christmas than a fat man in a red suit and the fiction that fuels our buying frenzy.

I hope you will carefully read Barbara's article below about The Advent Season. I believe the observation of the Advent Season is one of the best tools we have to recapture the real meaning of Christmas. I knew nothing about the Advent Season until I was grown. Churches and familes should link hands to observe Christmas for four Sundays—and every day of the four weeks between those Sundays until Christmas sinks in many times.

Twenty years of Christmas Advent can go deep-down into the souls of growing children. A tradition can be started that will be an effective engine for generations to come, if there are to be any more generations. The coming of the Lord is surely upon us!

This week I read a short paperback book:The Case For Christmas by Lee Stroubel (Zondervan). He has a Master of Studies in Law degree from Yale University; was the award-winning legal editor of the Chicago Tribune and a spiritual skeptic until 1981. But his soul troubled him as he vacillated between his childhood observance of Christmas and the impressive arguments made by skeptics in his adult life. Christmas faded and skepticism grew to be a giant.

Still, the seeds of Christmas gnawed at him to employ his able skills as a lawyer and investigative reporter. For two years he consulted top experts in Jewish and Christian history and turned over every stone of his skepticism until he was driven to his knees—driven to bow before the babe in the manger and the empty tomb in Jerusalem to embrace God's Son! If you think you are a skeptic, perhaps you should walk behind this skeptic and save yourself some trouble.

He concludes: "So I talked with God in a heartfelt and unedited prayer,admitting and turning from my wrongdoing, and receiving his offer of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus. I told him that with his help I wanted to follow him and his ways from here on out."

His assessment of that prayer is expressed: "There was no choir of heavenly angels, no lightning bolts, no tingly sensations, no audible reply. I know that some people feel a rush of emotion at such a moment; as for me, there was something else that was equally exhilarating: there was a rush of reason."

This morning we received a Christmas card that says it well: "If our greatest need had been information, God wuld have sent us an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer. But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior." Ω

The Advent Season

—Barbara Carr

My mama loved Christmas. She would begin by putting poinsettias in all the windows and singing "Christmas Time's a Comin'." Daddy would sometimes bring in evergreens and holly from the woods for her to spread around. I still love the smell of evergreens. He also brought in a tree. After we got electricity, he would put on the lights and then all three of us would decorate the tree. Georgia didn't arrive until I was almost fifteen. After she arrived, our Christmases were really joyful.

Mama loved to cook, so she brought out all the favorite recipes and started cooking, baking, and making candy. At times, she covered the Christmas table with cake layers for cooling. One time she had devil's food cake layers cooling on the dining room table. Georgia was little, but she was big enough to climb. Me and Mama (incorrect grammar, but I really like to say it.) were in the kitchen. Georgia came walking in the kitchen and said, "Come look at your cakes." She had climbed on the table and taken a handful from each layer and ate it. Mama wasn't ruffled one bit. She said, "Once we get them frosted no one will know the difference." That was Mama.

On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, Mama would read the Christmas story from the book of Luke Chapter Two, with Daddy looking on. Christmas Day, we opened gifts and ate an enormous dinner and maybe talked about baby Jesus' birth. I had such a happy childhood. We didn't know about the Advent Celebration but we did think reverently. I didn't hear about Advent until years later.

This year we were at our daughter Joy's home for Thanksgiving. She and her family always include the four weeks of Advent in celebrating the birth of Jesus. The Sunday we were there began the Advent Celebration. She and her husband, Jim read the scriptures and notes for the first Sunday of Advent on Saturday because everyone was leaving Sunday morning. The reading was the prophecy of Jesus' birth taken from the Old and New Testaments.

I decided to look up references on Advent. The word Advent is taken from the Latin word adventusm which means coming. "It's telling and re-telling the story of why God came into this world, the incarnation, and also pointing and looking forward to His coming again." (Notes of Rev. Marty O'Rourke)

The Advent Season begins a full month (four Sundays) before Christmas. The first Sunday begins a week of studying the prophecy about the birth of Jesus; the second week is a study of Hope; the third week is a study of Joy and the fourth week is a study of Worship. This study prepares us for the birth and return of Jesus Christ.

An Advent wreath is made by using a wreath-ring. Then evergreens are intertwined into the frame. The finished wreath lies flat on a table. Evergreens represent eternal life, which is ours when we accept Christ as our Savior. It symbolizes God's love. God's love is eternal, no beginning and no end. It can also represent the crown Jesus wore at the crucifixion. Five candles are used—three are purple representing 1) royalty of Christ; 2) the hope in Christ and 3) the light of Christ. One pink candle represents the joy in knowing Christ. One white candle placed in the center of the wreath represents the purity and holiness of Christ.

The fourth Sunday preceding Christmas, a purple candle is lit. That is the first Sunday of Advent. The second Sunday two purple candles are lit. The pink candle is lit on the third Sunday. All four candles (3 purple, 1 pink) are lit on the fourth Sunday. The White candle is lit on Christmas Eve. Each week the wreath shines more brightly.

This is a great study for the month of December. Christmas is not just a time of shopping, dining out and vacations. It is a time to celebrate and remember. Read the prophecies:

His Birth Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; Micah 5:2, 4-5

His anointing Isaiah 11:1-4

His Betrayal Psalm 41:4; Zechariah 11:12-13

His Death Isaiah 53; Psalm 22:1-31

His Crucifixion Isaiah 53:12

His Resurrection Isaiah 25:8, Psalm 16:10

His Return In Glory Acts 1:10-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18; Revelation 22:20

His Glorious Reign Isaiah 11:3 through 12:6

The second week of Advent is a study of hope. Hope in Hebrew is qavah. This word depicts a sense of confidant expectation based on certainty. Malachi ends the Old Testament with the hope of the Messiah's arrival. The New Testament, 430 years later, gives us the hope of the returning of the Messiah.

The third week focuses on joy and anticipation. Habakkuk 3:17-19; Nehemiah 8:10; Luke 1:26-33; John 15:9, 11-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; Psalm 16:11

The fourth week focuses on worship. "Worship is more of an attitude and less of action. It is a God given gift which helps us mature and change as we learn to express our love for God." (Lisa Robertson) The scriptures for this week are on holiness and humility: Revelation 4:11; Psalm 95:6-7; Luke 1:46-49; Isaiah 9:6; Job 38:4, 7; Luke 2:8-13

On Christmas Eve, Adore Him. Luke 2:8-13. "A seemingly insignificant moment in time — the birth of a baby — altered history and gave life to all humanity." (Robertson)

I hope you will study these scriptures. Advent scriptures help us to look forward to Jesus returning to set His feet on the Mount of Olives. As Jimmy DeYoungs says, "Keep Looking Up. It may be today, if not it may be tomorrow." Ω

This article can also be viewed at http://www.biblewalking.com

The Encourager Newsletter - Vol.3 Issue 39

Toward Knowing God and Walking With Him

A FREE WEEKLY PUBLICATION with a BIBLICAL WORLD VIEW

Dan Carr, Editor

Who Invented Halloween?

The U.S. News Political Bulletin this week (10-23-08) gaped at the $5.3 Billion, record shattering price tag of November's elections. In the same paragraph they noted that Halloween this year is expected to pale that figure at nearly $6 billion. The National Retail Federation keeps records of Halloween spending and estimates Americans will increase their shell out for Halloween next week."

The NRF website says: "This year, the average person plans to spend $66.54 on the holiday, up from $64.82 one year ago. Total Halloween spending for 2008 is estimated to reach $5.77 billion." That's $400-million more than the total cost of the November election. There is not yet a Halloween Tree but there's a growing trend toward residential lawn displays that rival Christmas.

So, what is Halloween all about? It's a little complicated because it is a blending of several histories and modern adaptations. For many today, it's simply a different flavor of innocent fun disconnected from anything in particular. Accompanied by parents, young children dress up in a variety of garbs and go to a few familiar houses for candy and the pretend of the moment.

Older kids want more spice and revel in flirting with such scary things as ghosts and goblins and witches .At that point we are back in time to the symbols that pay homage to death and the dark world of demons. Not a few churches have incorporated haunted house "ministries" as an "evangelism" outreach. However, there are a fast growing number of churches that are avoiding Halloween altogether and are staging lively Harvest Festivals to recognize God's blessings.

Halloween is short for "Hallowed Evening," a term from All Saints Day. It was the Hallowed Evening prior to All Saints Day. All Saints Day was a time to remember those who died as faithful Christians. For a time it effectively countered the Celtic dark side celebrations. But over time the term Halloween became infused with the cult of death and darkness. Innocent fun has been blended together with the dark side of paganism.

●Internet articles and books on Halloween pretty well agree on its origin. The summary goes something like this: "The origins of Halloween are Celtic in tradition and have to do with observing the end of summer sacrifices to gods in Druidic tradition. In what is now Britain and France, it was the beginning of the Celtic year, and they believed Samhain, the lord of death, sent evil spirits abroad to attack humans, who could escape only by assuming disguises and looking like evil spirits themselves. The waning of the sun and the approach of dark winter made the evil spirits rejoice and play nasty tricks. Believe it or not, most of our Halloween practices can be traced back to these old pagan rites and superstitions." (Pastor Eric Watt –CBN)

●Wikipedia Encyclopedia enumerates the prevailing themes: "Halloween imagery tends to involve death, magic, or mythical monsters. Traditional characters include ghosts, ghouls, witches, owls, crows, vultures, pumpkin-men, black cats, spiders, goblins, zombies, mummies, skeletons, and demons.^[11]Particularly in America, symbolism is inspired by classic horror films, which contain fictional figures like Frankenstein's monster and The Mummy. Elements of the autumn season, such as pumpkins and scarecrows, are also prevalent." (Note: pumpkins and scarecrows are simply thrown in.)

What parents should do about the holiday is one of considerable variation. A Bible-believing Christian has to begin with the Bible. A clear verse, thousands of years old is this: A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them. (Lev 20:27)

Since we don't stone people in America, we at least should be able to pick up on God's attitude toward the satanic dark side of Halloween.

Deciding what to do about Halloween takes place at five levels: the individual; the family; the church; the community; and for those who are interested: what God's Word says about certain elements of Halloween.

OK, what do I do on Halloween night? Some families turn out the lights and go to the mall. Other families stay home and greet the little people at their door with open arms and bags of candy stuff.

I don't have chapter and verse, but I suggest you go to the store and load up on some good candy selections; include a good tract on God's plan of salvation and a tract on the history of Halloween. I don't think this is an endorsement of Halloween. You have been the best witness you can be on Halloween night.

The church needs to have a Harvest Festival and plan plenty of games and food. Advertise it for a month and make a big deal of it. Have it on or near Halloween Night. Arrange for plenty of help to keep the lid on. Toward the end, sing some lively Christian songs, have a short devotional from the Bible on God's blessings and give the plan of salvation; clean up the mess and praise God for the good time you've had. Review and revise this year's program to improve for next year.

The family is affected by friends and what they do. If your church does not have a planned activity, have a party at your house. In these days if we are going to honor the Lord at Halloween, we need to be reading and planning a little every month. Educate your children on Halloween and let them help plan and carry out your Harvest Party. It's not just what we are against but also what we are for. We are for fun and good times and we are also for honoring the Lord.

If you are among those who think Halloween is no more than a harmless fun time you might want to consider what the WICCA witches think about it. Today, for them it is a special time of celebrating the ancient rituals of the dark side of the spirit world. It's one of the two high days of the year. I Googled "WICCA" and got 8,000,000+ references.

You may want to begin a little collection of Halloween books, Internet articles, magazine articles, etc. that will undergird your knowledge and give you ideas for doing something different and exciting every year as an alternative. It's easier if your church provides the framework by sponsoring a Harvest Festival or Harvest Party. Dressing up in pretend need not be demonic or dishonoring to the Lord. God is not a grump. He made us so we can laugh and celebrate. But we should not celebrate the Devil and the powers of darkness that are going to spend eternity in Hell.

For more information on Halloween and ideas for alternatives try this link: More from CBN.com's Halloween Resource Section. There's enough inside this one web site to keep you reading for hours. You will not agree with everything you read here. You may want to file some of the articles in your Halloween folder on your computer. This is not an endorsement of CBN or any of the writers that may be included. It is an excellent place to read with a grain of salt and shop for ideas you can use. They have been gathering information and articles on this for several years.

What should we do? Christians are placed in this world to be a light. We cannot ignore Halloween. At the same time it is very wrong and harmful to celebrate a hellish holiday that celebrates death, darkness, and rebellion against God.Ω

Oh Be Careful Little Ears

—Barbara Carr

Joni Earickson Tada said, "We bring so much delight to the Lord when we sit at His feet and consider all the things He says. Others may miss the point or bypass the lesson. But for those who hang on to His words, to them, God reveals His secret plan and purpose."

This quote reminds us of Mary and Martha. (Luk 10:38-39) "Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word."

The world today is so full of sounds—voices, music, motors and distractions of every kind. The voice of God is drowned out with endless activity and noise. In the midst of all this, do we find a time and place to just listen to God? Our ears have become dull to hearing God talking to us. Our conscience often speaks to us saying, "this is right" or "this is wrong." Do we listen? I heard this somewhere: "Whenever your conscience speaks, pay close attention!"

God does not force us to listen. In fact, if we do not listen to the alarms our conscience sends, eventually we won't hear them at all. We lose the sensitivity God intended for us to have. I sometimes think we love to hear the sound of our own voices. We talk so loud and long our loved ones even tire of hearing. God wants us to listen for His voice. Listening isn't something that comes easy. Listening is a learned skill.

We find in Isaiah 30:21 " And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left."

If we are listening, the Holy Spirit will call to our attention a wrong direction or that we are saying the wrong words or that we are doing the wrong things. He has not left us without shepherds and other spiritual guidance that will lead us. As children, we follow our parent's leadership and guidance and trust them completely. We need the voice of the Lord to guide us and keep us from going astray.

Do we guard our children's hearing? Remember last week—the eye takes a picture and we store it and retrieve it at will? The ears hear and that information is stored and mixed with what is already there. "Be careful little ears what you hear. There's a Father up above looking down in tender love. So, be careful little ears what you hear." It is our job to teach our children to listen for God's leading. They may use the "everyone else is listening to this" trick to get around an issue. You can use: "God's children don't."

We often wander from the straight path. Isaiah tells us a voice will call to us and direct us back in the way we ought to go. We do want to go the straight path don't we? A stanza from an old hymn says: "I hear Thy welcome voice." Let's clear our ears of the world and in silence listen and welcome our Lord's voice. He will admonish us when we are wrong, comfort us in times of grief and love us eternally.

Can we say with Joni Eareckson Tada? "Lord, today I sit at your feet to listen. May I genuinely hear what wonderful things you have to say." Ω

This article can also be viewed at http://www.biblewalking.com/.