Unmasking & Illuminating Halloween: Trick or Treat?

" 'But if serving the LORD
seems undesirable to you,
then choose for yourselves this day
whom you will serve,
whether the gods
your forefathers served
beyond the River,
or the gods
of the Amorites,
in whose land you are living.
But as for me and my household,
we will serve the LORD.' "
(Joshua 24:15)
Today is October 31, 2008. On this day in 1517, 491 years ago, Martin Luther posted his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, triggering the world history movement known as the Reformation.

But, today, I don't think that the majority are thinking about Martin Luther, the anniversary of the Reformation, the Church, or Jesus Christ. Most people today, I somberly assume, are planning their Halloween festivities.

A few years ago, I am sad to say, I was one of them. Oh, I have been a Christian for most of my 42 years, but, in retrospect, much of my witness was a well-intentioned compromise of God's Truth ... rebellion born not of deliberation but of ignorance. For example, I didn't focus on--nor was I really aware of--the pagan origins of Halloween or the evil celebrations of it, but I helped my daughter find a costume, dressed her up, took her trick-or-treating, participated in neighborhood gatherings, and attended community carnivals. The fact that I participated in any part of it, as "benignly" and "innocently" as our participation may have been, was a direct, though unintentional, rebellion of His Word, and this year, more than ever, I am clearly convicted of how costly any compromise can be.

An old worldly proverb states that "ignorance is bliss", meaning that not knowing something is much more comfortable than actually knowing it. Once the Lord has revealed something to His children, however, once we are convicted, once we are aware, once we know ... then we are accountable to act according to that knowledge. The Bible teaches:

"Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin."

(Romans 3:19-20)

No one can perfectly uphold God's law because we are currently sinners living in a fallen world. If we were saved according the law, we would not need the grace of Jesus Christ's atoning death. God's law, though, is our plumb line, our standard, His heart, and it is through God's law that we recognize what He deems right and wrong, just and injust, good and evil. His Word teaches us, and His Holy Spirit convicts us. And, once we know, we are accountable. Otherwise, we are purposefully and disobediently rebelling against Him.

Throughout the Old Testament, the Lord continually instructed His people to completely destroy "the high places". Some did, some did not. Some evil kings rebuilt the previously demolished high places. Some demolished every evil except the high places. The Truth is, no matter how pure our intentions, no pagan observance can remain among us without defiling the glory of the Lord. Reference this study note on 1 Samuel 9:12 in my NIV Bible translation:

"After entrance into the promised land, the Israelites often followed the custom of the Canaanites in building local altars on hills. ... In later times, worship at these high places provided a means for the entrance of pagan practices into Israel's religious observances and, for this reason, it was condemned." (My emphasis.)

Another study note on 1 Kings 3:2 further addresses the danger of using pagan practices/venues even for the well-intentioned worship of the Lord:

"Upon entering Canaan, the Israelites often followed the Canaanite custom of locating their altars on high hills, probably on the old Baal sites. The question of the legitimacy of Israelite worship at these high places has long been a matter of debate. It is clear that the Israelites were forbidden to take over pagan altars and high places and use them for the worship of the Lord (Numbers 33:52; Deuteronomy 7:5, 12:3). It is also clear that altars were to be built only at divinely sanctioned sites (see Exodus 20:24; Deuteronomy 12:5, 8, 13-14). It is not clear whether multiplicity of altars was totally forbidden provided the above conditions were met (see 1 Kings 19:10, 14: Leviticus 26:30-31; Deuteronomy 12; 1 Samuel 9:12). It seems, however, that these conditions were not followed even in the time of Solomon, and pagan high places were being used for the worship of the Lord. This would eventually lead to religious apostasy and syncretism and was strongly condemned (2 Kings 17:7-18, 21:2-9, 23:4-25)." (My emphasis.)

The word "tolerance" is thrown about rather cavalierly these days. No where in the Bible does the Lord command or even encourage us to tolerate evil. We are to love everyone through the compassion of Christ, but we are not to tolerate any attitude, behavior, or practice that is inconsistent with--or in direct opposition to--God's Word. Tolerance and compromise, I believe, are the enemy's attempt to dilute God's Word and distort God's Truth, and we, as the Body of Christ, can not participate in that perversion in any way, shape, or form.

Much is on my heart this morning about "choice". There is much to say about the choices that we Christians make every single day. As I focus on what the Lord is leading me to write this morning, my mind drifts to other important choices that we face, including our vote in the upcoming United States presidential election ... but that's another post for another day. I also am pondering in my heart lesser profile choices, like the fact that I am typing this post on a computer that was created by a company which now (or maybe always has ... and I just wasn't aware of it!) tolerates and even encourages policies which are inconsistent and contrary to God's Word. I am acutely conscious of indirectly rewarding those unrighteous policies by the fact that I continue to use this company's products, but, again, that's another post for another day.

Today, precious friends, I encourage you to inventory your life with fresh eyes. Pray that the Lord will convict you of any area of compromise in your life. You may not be consciously aware of an indiscretion, but that doesn't mean that it fails to exist. Whether you intend it or not, anything unrighteous in God's eyes colors our testimony a rather ugly shade of gray, regardless of our bright intentions. Ignorance can not be excused any longer. The stakes are too high. Our God is too worthy. The grace of Jesus Christ is too great. "In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent." (Acts 17:30).

Precious Father, oh, Lord, I repent of any and every part of my life that fails to honor, please, and glorify You. Lord, if there is anything that in my life that is a "high holy place", please convict my heart and make me aware of Your Truth. I pray, Lord, for all of my brothers and sisters in Christ, that we would focus on "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable" and that "—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—" we would "think about such things" (reference Philippians 4:8). I pray, Lord, for the courage to "purge the evil" from among us (reference Deuteronomy 13:5; 17:7,12; 19:19; 21:21: 22:21-22, 24; 24:7), resisting compromise and refusing tolerance. And, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ--the Light of the world. Amen.

" 'This is the verdict:
Light has come into the world,
but men loved darkness instead of light
because their deeds were evil.
Everyone who does evil hates the light,
and will not come into the light
for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
But whoever lives by the Truth comes into the light,
so that it may be seen plainly
that what he has done
has been done through God.' "
(John 3:19-21)
--------------------------------------

"Trick" and "Treat" in the Scriptures:

"Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 'You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?"
(Acts 13: 10)

"For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests are hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed--God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else."
(1 Thessalonians 2:3-6)

" 'Tell Aaron and his sons to treat with respect the sacred offerings the Israelites consecrate to Me, so they will not profane My Holy Name. I am the LORD.' "
(Leviticus 22:2)

"The LORD said to Moses, 'How long will these people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them?' "
(Numbers 14:11)

"The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting, the LORD's love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children's children-with those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts. The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all. Praise the LORD, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His bidding, who obey His word. Praise the LORD, all His heavenly hosts, you His servants who do His will. Praise the LORD, all His works everywhere in His dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul."
(Psalm 103:8-22)

If this topic sparked your interest, see also ...

• "The Protection of Correction"
• "Reject Neglect!"

How can I encourage and pray for you today? Please let me know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!
Copyright 2008. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.

Lost and Found

" 'But we had to celebrate
and be glad,
because this brother of yours was dead
and is alive again;
he was lost and is found.' "
(Luke 15:32)
My family and I live in a large, wooded neighborhood of about 2000 acres, including approximately 400 acres of protected wetlands. It is not unusual to see various forms of wildlife, and, a few days ago, as my daughter and I drove home from school, we saw three deer on the side of the road. I slowed down (even less than the 25-mile-per-hour speed limit!) so that Katy and I could take a better look at them (and so I could quickly react should they decide to dart in front of our car!).

They were so beautiful; one was larger and two were smaller, so I assumed that it was a doe with her fawns. Suddenly, something startled them, and the mother and one of her babies ran towards the creek. The other baby, perhaps frightened and disoriented, ran in the opposite direction ... across the road and into the woods.

"Oh, no!" I exclaimed. "The momma has lost one of her babies!"

My pre-teen daughter, who has a soft heart that currently--and, hopefully, temporarily--beats a little stoicly, all but rolled her eyes at me, but, as I pulled over the side of the road, she turned and looked with me through the back windshield of our car. As I silently grieved for the lost fawn, I hoped that she would be reunited with her family before she came to harm.

As I sat neutralized on the side of the road, pondering the lost fawn's fate, the mother (and the fawn that stayed with her) ran back up from the creek, across the road, and into the woods ... presumably to search for her lost baby.

I don't know what happened after that, but I have hope that the family was reunited. Can you just imagine the joy of the mother finding her lost baby ... and the joy of the lost baby seeing her mother again?

My heart swelled as I marveled at the doe's instinct to go after her lost fawn, even though she had another safely with her, and I thought of Jesus' Parable of the Lost Sheep:

" 'Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.' "
(Luke 15:4-7)

In Matthew's parallel account of this parable, Jesus concludes:

"In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost."
(Matthew 18:14)

Oh, beloved! What an incredible Truth! Our Father in heaven, Who uniquely and purposefully created each and every one of us (reference Genesis 1:27, Psalm 139:13, Isaiah 45:12, Jeremiah 1:5, Colossians 1:16, Ephesians 2:10, Revelation 4:11), does not want to lose a single one of us! No matter how many of us are safely within His fold, He constantly seeks those who are lost.

" 'For the Son of Man came to seek
and to save what was lost.' "
(Luke 19:10)

In the ultimate seek-and-rescue mission, God the Father sent His Son, "... our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep" (reference Hebrews 13:20) to literally lay down His life for all of His children.

" 'I tell you the Truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the Shepherd of His sheep. The watchman opens the gate for Him, and the sheep listen to His voice. He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. When He has brought out all His own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice.' Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what He was telling them. 'I tell you the Truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before Me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the Gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have Life, and have it to the full. I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the Good Shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know Me--just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father--and I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to My voice, and there shall be one flock and one Shepherd. The reason My Father loves Me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from My Father.' "
(John 10:1-18)

My favorite hymn is "Amazing Grace", composed by John Newton between 1760 and 1770. I sing it privately to the Lord all the time in my own little praise and worship offering to Him. Here are the lyrics of the original hymn:

Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav’d a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev’d;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ’d!

Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promis’d good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call’d me here below,
Will be forever mine.

And, in a true testimony to the timelessness of the hymn, here is a modern rendition by Chris Tomlin:



Precious Father, I praise You for Your amazing grace! Thank You for seeking Your lost children and for tirelessly searching for those who have strayed. May we repent of our waywardness (reference Jeremiah 31:19), and may we never forget Your commands and your faithfulness (reference Psalm 119:76). Thank You for sending Your son, Jesus Christ, Who has compassion upon Your children who are "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36; see also Mark 6:34). And, it is in the name of Jesus Christ--my Lord, Savior, and Good Shepherd--that I pray. Amen.

" 'For this is what
the Sovereign LORD says:
I Myself will search for My sheep
and look after them.
As a shepherd looks after
his scattered flock
when he is with them,
so will I look after my sheep.
I will rescue them from all the places
where they were scattered
on a day of clouds and darkness.
I will bring them out from the nations
and gather them from the countries,
and I will bring them into their own land.
I will pasture them
on the mountains of Israel,
in the ravines and in all the settlements
in the land.
I will tend them in a good pasture,
and the mountain heights of Israel
will be their grazing land.
There they will lie down
in good grazing land,
and there they will feed in a rich pasture
on the mountains of Israel.
I Myself will tend My sheep
and have them lie down,'
declares the Sovereign LORD.
'I will search for the lost
and bring back the strays.
I will bind up the injured
and strengthen the weak,
but the sleek and the strong I will destroy.
I will shepherd the flock with justice.' "

(Ezekiel 34:11-16)

How can I encourage and pray for you today? Please let me know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!

If this topic sparked your interest, see also ...

• "In the Shadow of His Wings"

Copyright 2008. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.

Proclaiming the Proper Prescription

" 'What I tell you in the dark,
speak in the daylight;
what is whispered in your ear,
proclaim from the roofs.' "
(Matthew 10:27;
see also Luke 12:3)
Precious friends, I pray that you are being well-fed with Traci's rich and meaty e-mail devotions during this Feast of Tabernacles!

There is a lot to savor and digest in those devotions, but, at the risk of gorging you, I thought I'd share an extra portion that the Lord laid upon my plate today ...

Once upon a time, I filled my public waiting time by reading newspapers and magazines. In recent years, however, I've begun taking my Bible everywhere I go.

Absolutely, I read it at home, at Bible study, and at worship service. But I don't want to EVER be without it! So, today, I take it everywhere I go. (OK, maybe I don't have it in the grocery cart, but it's on the front seat of my car waiting for me ... and I do have that purse-size edition in the store with me!) Now, whether I'm waiting on a friend at Panera, waiting in the car line at my daughter's school, or waiting in the doctor's office, the love letter from my BFF is always with me.

His Word is written on my heart (reference Deuteronomy 6:6; Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10, 10:16), but that's invisible to a watching world. I worship and praise Him, but those outside my home and my church might never witness it. I bear His fruit (reference Isaiah 32:17; Hosea 10:12; Matthew 3:8; Luke 3:8, 6:43-44; John 15; Romans 7:4; Galatians 5:22-23; Philippians 1:9-11; Colossians 1:10-14; Hebrews 13:15; James 3:17-18), but those who don't know Him might not recognize it.

The Word, which became flesh as Jesus Christ, (reference John 1), is currently invisible to an unseeing world. So, I carry what can presently be seen: His Word as recorded in the Holy Bible.

Oh, how I love my quiet time with Him! Oh, how I love the refuge of my own little Bethany (reference Matthew 21:17; Mark 11:11; Luke 24:50)! But, how can I keep Him all to myself?

I can not. I must not. I should not. He says not.

People are perishing. The enemy is prowling. The spiritually ill are growing fainter by the day, but many do not even know that they are sick.

My heart is drawn to Jesus' words in Matthew 9:12-13: " 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.' " (reference also Mark 2:17; Luke 5:31; and Hosea 6:6; Matthew 12:9).

My daughter has been ill for about two weeks with a cough, runny nose, and congestion. I assumed she had a cold, so I've been treating her with over-the-counter meds. For the past two days, though, she's was running a low-grade fever, indicating that perhaps her condition was a little more serious than "just a cold". This morning, a doctor confirmed Katy's condition. It was not a cold but bronchitis. A few minutes later, we left with a clear diagnosis and an antibiotic prescription. (And, yes, I had my Bible with me in the waiting room!)

I could have continued to treat Katy with ineffective medications that temporarily masked her symptoms, but her condition would have worsened (aside from a supernatural healing!). Thankfully, I recognized the clues to Katy's illness, but I didn't have to heal her. I just needed to refer her to the doctor.

Beloved, how many people do we see each and every day who are spiritually sick? I see them all around me. They're sick and tired. Sick to death. And, some of them don't even know it. Actually, I think many of them do recognize their symptoms, but they are self-medicating with one thing or another. Drinking. Eating. Shopping. Surfing the net. Trying to fill the void. Searching for relief. Constantly treating the symptoms ... but failing to treat the cause. Masking the aches and pains ... but failing to receive a proper diagnosis. Arbitrarily trying every hopeless placebo ... but missing the Holy prescription.

You know, we are not responsible to heal them. That is the work of the Great Physician. But we can recognize the telltale signs of their condition, and we can refer them to Him.

It is He who "heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3)

But it is we whom He "has anointed ... to preach good news to the poor ... to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." (Isaiah 61:1-3)

And, when He returns, if we've saved only ourselves, I believe He will hold us accountable. " 'For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them ... I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice ... I will judge between one sheep and another, and between rams and goats. Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? Must my flock feed on what you have trampled and drink what you have muddied with your feet? ... See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away, I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another ... I the LORD have spoken.' " (Ezekiel 34:11-24)

We may rest assured in our salvation, but we must proclaim it before a watching world. We may not be sick, but we must recognize those who are. Jesus is too precious to keep to ourselves. And, He alone provides the prescription for eternal life. We just ... we must ... proclaim His healing grace and refer others to His eternal remedy.

Precious Father, thank You for Your Word! Thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ! I praise You that one day, Your children will be physically and spiritually whole, that "No one living in Zion will say, 'I am ill'..." (Isaiah 33:24). Until then, let me proclaim Your name before the suffering and the sick, in the hope that they will turn to You. I pray that I may declare You and Your Word fearlessly, as I should (reference Ephesians 6:20). And, it is in the name of Jesus Christ that I submit this prayer to You. Amen.

" 'If anyone is ashamed

of Me and My words

in this adulterous and sinful generation,

the Son of Man will be ashamed of him

when He comes in His Father's glory

with the holy angels.'

And He said to them,

'I tell you the truth,

some who are standing here

will not taste death

before they see

the kingdom of God

come with power.' "

(Mark 8:38-9:1)

How can we encourage and pray for you today? Please let us know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!

If this topic sparked your interest, see also ...

• "Time is Short; Seek the Lord While He May be Found!"

Copyright 2008. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.

Once ... and For All

"God presented Him
as a sacrifice of atonement,
through faith in His blood ..."
(Romans 3:25)
At sundown today, the observance of Yom Kippur begins in Judaism. Also known as the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur is the most solemn and important of the Jewish holidays. The Ten Days of Repentance, which began on Rosh Hashanah, culminates on the tenth and final day with Yom Kippur.

For 25 hours, practicing Jews pray and fast, seeking atonement for their sins. Historically observed on the tenth day of Tishrei (the tenth day of the seventh month as outlined on the Hebrew calendar) in accordance with Leviticus 23:27, Yom Kippur 5769 begins this year at sundown on October 8th and continues through the evening of October 9th.

As Christians, how should we acknowledge this Jewish high holy day?

Well, let's first consider the definition of "atonement". The very first offering in several different secular dictionaries refers specifically to Jesus Christ, defining atonement as the "reconciliation of God and humankind through the sacrificial death of Jesus".

The annually repeated sacrifices in the Old Testament Law of Moses, as I view them through my unschooled mind, foreshadow Jesus' single sacrifice upon the cross.

"For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; He entered Heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence. Nor did He enter Heaven to offer Himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people ..." (Hebrews 9:24-28) (My highlighted emphasis.)

Once for all. No matter how many times we sin, stray, and squander our inheritance. No matter how many times we mess up, if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, His atoning blood covers us. Completely. Absolutely. Unconditionally.

So, we're back to our earlier question. As Christians, how--and indeed, why--should we acknowledge this Jewish high holy day?

Consider the following Scripture from Hebrews 10:

"The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming--not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said, 'Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings You were not pleased. Then I said, 'Here I am--it is written about Me in the scroll--I have come to do Your will, O God.' ' First He said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not desire, nor were You pleased with them' (although the law required them to be made). Then He said, 'Here I am, I have come to do Your will.' He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool, because by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First He says, 'This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.' Then He adds: 'Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.' And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin." (Hebrews 10:1-18) (My highlighted emphasis.)

As Christians, our sins have been covered once for all by Christ's death and resurrection. Still, the question hangs: if we're covered by grace, why acknowledge the law?

Let's continue in Hebrews 10:

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living Way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a great Priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with Pure Water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He Who promised is faithful. ... If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the Truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' and again, 'The Lord will judge His people.' It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Hebrews 10:19-31).

Oh, beloved, may God have mercy on us! We know Him! We know Him! We love Him, accept Him, and profess Him ... and we must not take His grace for granted! Do we reverently remember His atoning death, or do we cavalierly cast it aside? Oh precious friends, we should not live a moment outside the awe-inspiring fear of the Lord!

Jesus Christ did not render the law irrelevant; Jesus Christ consummated the law!

" 'Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.' " (Matthew 5:17-19)

As the Body of Christ, Christians can not take His perfect sacrifice for granted. And, while our faith in Him secures our eternity, that very faith demands our continuing sanctification. "So we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law." (Romans 3:31).

So, again, dear friends, (if you're still with me--and, if you are, thanks for hanging in there!), why does Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, matter to Christians?

Well, it matters to me because it reminds me to repent of my sins, to sit at the feet of Jesus, and to seek His face instead of His hands.

It matters to me because it reminds me to pray for all Jewish people, the Lord's holy and treasured possession (reference Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 7:6).

It matters to me because it is recorded in God's Holy Word.

And, it matters to me because it mirrors Good Friday, the day on which I most solemnly observe the crucifixion of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who died for me. For you. For everyone. Once ... and for all.

Precious Father, I can not begin to fathom the significance of this Yom Kippur, but, Lord, I do believe it is important to You. Especially this year, I pray to remember. I pray to remember Your people, Israel. I pray to remember Your Body, the Church. And, I pray to remember Your Son's atoning death. I thank You for that incomparable sacrifice, which You offered through Jesus Christ ... once and for all. And, it is in His name I pray. Amen.


"... and He will appear a second time,
not to bear sin,
but to bring salvation
to those who are waiting for Him."

(Hebrews 9:28)

How can we encourage and pray for you today? Please let us know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!

If this topic sparked your interest, see also ...

• "Sweet & Sour"


• "Time is Short"

Copyright 2008. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.

The Great Depression

" 'I have indeed seen the oppression
of My people in Egypt.
I have heard their groaning
and have come down
to set them free ...' "
(Acts 7:34)
Dear friends, we are battling a great depression, and I am not referring to the US economy. Every day, the Lord brings Christians across my path who describe themselves as "depressed". It breaks my heart. Precious ones, there is no such thing as depression in the Word of God! (Well, actually, there is one instance of depression in my NIV Bible, but it refers to a physical indentation in a house wall caused by mildew.)

I believe that what some Christians are battling is not depression but oppression. And, oppression comes not from God but from His enemy.

To oppress means "to crush or burden by abuse of power or authority; to keep down by severe and unjust use of force; to burden spiritually". Oppression is "the arbitrary, unjust, and cruel exercise of authority or power". Our oppressor is satan, who roams the earth in his limited authority, seeking to make the most of his abbreviated period of power, accusing and confusing the righteous (reference Job 1:7, 2:2; Zechariah 3:1; 2 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Peter 5:8).

Satan has lost us for eternity, but he is literally hell-bent on neutralizing and paralyzing us, robbing us of our freedom and joy in Christ and preventing us from furthering God's eternal kingdom plan.

There are those who are so comfortable in this cloak of oppression that we wear it like a martyr's hand-me-down: ragged, dirty and ... depressed. We are clothing ourselves in the tatters of enemy lies! The children of the Most High God are not meant to be depressed, oppressed, repressed, or suppressed!

The definition of depression is "a pressing down, a state of feeling sad, a lowering of vitality or functional activity". You see, we are allowing the enemy's oppression to depress us! By pressing us down with his unjust authority, satan is squashing the life out of our Christian witness and inheritance!

Beloved, we are royalty! We "are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God"! We are not to cower in the shadows of the enemy; we are to "declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light"! (Reference 1 Peter 2:9).

We do live in a fallen world right now. We physically exist in the temporal realm of "the ruler of the kindom of the air" (reference Ephesians 2:2), but, as Christians, we spiritually live in the freedom of Christ. Some of us, though, wander around like the Israelites in the desert, who had been so accustomed to their yoke of Egyptian slavery and oppression, that most seemed to prefer it!

You'll remember that, as recorded in the Old Testament, the Lord graciously saved His people, releasing them from enemy captivity with plans of leading them to the promised land. And, like a bunch of stubborn old mules, most wallowed in their new-found freedom, looking backwards instead of forwards, rehashing and romanticizing their past instead of embracing and enjoying the journey to their future.

The Lord gave them Divinely appointed leaders to guide and encourage them on their way; He sustained them daily with fresh manna from heaven. And what did they do? They grumbled, complained, and continued to hold themselves hostage. "In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron ... 'If only we had died by the LORD's hand in Egypt!' ..." (Exodus 16:2-3).

Have mercy. The Lord freed them, and they wished to be enslaved again! They Lord provided manna to nourish them, and they viewed it with selfish and thankless suspicion. "... 'What is it?' ..." (Exodus 16:15). " '... we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!' " (Numbers 11:6). And, even though they didn't really like the manna, some still disobediently, greedily, untrustingly (and fruitlessly!) hoarded it, and, because of their faithless gathering, God's Divine provision rotted in their proverbial clenched fists.

(As I write this, I am cognizant of the many exclamation points I am using. (!!) My first instinct is to edit them out, but I believe the Lord is emphasizing His passion on this topic, so I will leave them in. Also, I sat down this morning, intending to write on a subject from Malachi, but, as you regular readers know, "my" ideas seldom make it into these posts! :-) Maybe we'll see Malachi in the next post ... maybe not. We'll see whatever the Lord wants to communicate through the power of His Holy Spirit. I am not depressed or oppressed, but I do digress ... sorry about that!)

Beloved, please know that if you believe in and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are free!

"It is for freedom
that Christ has set us free.

Stand firm, then,
and do not let yourselves

be burdened again
by a yoke of slavery."

(Galatians 5:1)

Cast off that oppressive shroud with which the enemy is smothering and choking you (reference Matthew 13:7, 22; Mark 4:7,19; Luke 8:7, 14)! Cloak yourself instead with the zeal of the Lord (reference Isaiah 59:17).

Your imprisonment is a lie. Your freedom is the Truth. The distance between the two is your choice. The Lord has provided the key to your release. In fact, He has already unlocked your shackles. All you have to do is walk out in hope (reference Isaiah 40:31), walk forward in faith (reference Romans 4:12), and walk on in joy and Truth (reference 2 John 1:4; 3 John 1:3-4).

March, my precious friends, march! Your royal inheritance, the promised land, is but a step away.

Precious Father, thank You for Your Truth, which sets us free (reference John 8:32)! My heart is burdened for those who live in the light of Your Truth but exist in the shadows of the enemy's deception. May they--may we all--realize that You have freed us from our chains (reference Psalm 116:16)! May we cast off our self-inflicted cuffs, carrying our spiritual brothers and sisters with us (reference Isaiah 52:1-2, 58:6). I pray in the name Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Light (reference John 14:6). Amen.

"To the Jews who had believed Him,
Jesus said,
'If you hold to my teaching,
you are really my disciples.
Then you will know the Truth,
and the Truth will set you free.

... I tell you the Truth,
everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
Now a slave has no permanent place
in the family,
but a son belongs to it forever.
So if the Son sets you free,
you will be free indeed.' "

(John 8:31-36)

How can we encourage and pray for you today? Please let us know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!

If this topic sparked your interest, see also ...

• "A Battle Rages; Stand Firm!"
• "Nothing is Impossible with God!"

Copyright 2008. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.