Marketplace Evangelism Today

Words Hurt: Do You Love God, Forgive Others, Treat Others with Respect?

Written by Joseph T. Lee

Most of you know that although I am a marketplace minister, and I also work a regular 9 to 5 job. Many great Biblical leaders worked at a trade to earn an income, such as Moses and Paul. They were both tent makers. Well, I am also a “tent maker” but I do not make tents. I work in the insurance industry selling personal lines insurance products. I have been doing this for over 20 years and have been involved in ministry, from singing in a gospel group to ministering to people in the hospital and preaching funerals. My most favorite thing to do for the cause of Christ is to teach others how to live a life of Christ as well as lead the lost to Christ Jesus. You could call me a co-vocational minister. I wanted to set the stage to what I would like to discuss with you, so that you may see where this subject matter came from and why we are discussing it.

Just last week, we had a prospect come to us through a referral service we use. A woman and her family were referred to us for help with their insurance needs. We provide car insurance and well as homeowners insurance to these referrals. It is our job to analyze their situation and determine the very best products and coverages for them.

My assistant gathered all the information from this woman and then passed it on to me for quoting. I got the woman’s insurance package and was reviewing it and saw that this woman and family were living with other people. She did not want to disclose the other people.

When I called her, I advised her that I needed the names, dates of birth, and driver’s license numbers for all the drivers. I also needed a copy of her insurance company policy declarations pages to verify proof that she had prior insurance. Unfortunately, she did not want to provide this information and abruptly said, “You have wasted my time!” Then she abruptly hung up without allowing me to finish a response.

Over the years, I have had people to curse at me, be rude, and someone once tried to kill me when I was a police officer. For some reason, her response hurt me the most. It wasn’t that I knew her personally, as I did not. This was the first-time meeting. It was her response that surprised and hurt me the most! Our conversation started out well and then once I said I needed something that she did not want to provide, her whole demeanor changed and turned very ugly in nature.

As Christians, we are to strive to act as well as speak like Christ. We are not supposed to be acting like the rest of the world. The Bible says in James 3:8, “but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” This one small organ can tear down a person with the most hateful and evil words. It can also shout praises to God as well as build others up by encouraging them in the ways of our Lord. See James 3:9, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.”

As Followers of Christ Jesus, we are to lift others up. Encourage them and try to help them in their walk with Christ. We are to speak with love and not try to insult and tear down others, even if we do not agree with them.

As for those of you who are professing Christians, even if you are dealing with someone who is not a Christian, still treat them with respect. You never know if YOU were the cause for someone not to come to Christ because of your hate and discrimination against those whom you do not care for.

See Mark 12:30-31, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself.” John 15:12, Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” Romans 12:10, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

Showing love to one another means that when we speak to each other, we do not try to tear someone down. We don’t make comments like “You have wasted my time.” Therefore, to the one that said that to me, I do not hold resentment towards you. I do forgive you. God has led me to write about this so that others can learn that we are to show love and compassion to each other, even in business dealings.

We are to love even those who we do not agree with politically. Everyone in existence is your neighbor. Love will always prevail when it comes to Christ Jesus. I pray that if you do not have love for others, that you will repent immediately.

The Lord’s Prayer is awesome but does have a warning afterwards. The Lord’s Prayer is in Matthew 6;9-13. But look at Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

If we do not forgive others, God will not forgive us. Let that sink in. We are mandated to forgive. Period! I pray that you will love God, forgive others, show respect for others, and treat others with honor. That is how you can show God’s love to one another.

Photo Credit: Text Art

Bachelor: True Love or Hedonism?

Friends, The Bachelor was on Monday night. I didn’t care to watch it because it makes me sick to think that a man is kissing and making out with all those women. This is not the type of relationship a man or woman should be seeking and yet Hollywood is blasting hedonism into American’s living rooms every Monday night for about two hours.

A godly relationship should start with a man and woman in a dating relationship and both should save themselves for marriage when it comes to having sex. Having multiple partners means that a person has become one flesh with multiple people. A godly relationship includes loving God with all of your heart, soul, and mind. It is worshiping Christ Jesus together and being equally yoked in faith as well as one’s relationship.

Having sex out of marriage is fornication. Having sex with someone you are not married to when you are married is adultery. If one loves God, they will respect their own bodies as well as respect the other person if they abstained from sexual relationships until marriage.

Unfortunately, the hedonistic nation we live in does not recognize the latter and they ignore everything that was once held as sacred under the bonds of marriage. This show is literally the fruits of the evil one and he is enjoying watching millions of people being influenced by this evil and by living a sinful life, televised right into your homes.

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, “12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. 13 “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” 17 But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. 18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

We are to flee from sexual immorality. The people on this show are willing participants in televised sexual immorality. The ultimate goal is to find a wife and during the process, potentially two to three women will be taken to the “Fantasy Suite” where it is presumed they had sexual intercourse with this bachelor.

As Christian’s, we should not be watching this type of television program. In Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

We are not to conform to the sinful nature of this world but strive to live our lives like Christ Jesus, holy and blameless. See Ephesians 1:4.

I pray that you will not be influenced to watch this show. Instead, consider reading God’s Word with your family or friends. Pray together. Become close to each other through the love of Christ Jesus. His ways are the best ways.

Photo Credit:

Text Art

Confederate Flag: Heritage or Hate?

This is an opinion post: Yesterday, I saw a story about a teenager that drove his pickup truck to his high school. Flying on the back of the truck was a Confederate flag.

Certainly, the young man has a right to fly whatever flag on the back of his truck. The Confederate Flag means different things to different people. To some, it’s the history of the United States as well as family history. My great grandfather was named Marshall Lee and he fought for the Confederacy as a Calvary soldier.

If you were born in the United States, and your ancestors came over from England in the early 1700’s, most likely you have family that fought in the Civil War, either on the Union or Confederate sides. Many people may be proud of their heritage. Perhaps the young man featured in the story was a great, great, great grandson of some Confederate soldier.

Here is my concern for flying the Conferate flag in public. For many people, this flag is a symbol of racism and slavery. The Civil War is over and yet some people want to display this flag. What they may not consider is what this flag represents to many other people whose ancestors were slaves throughout the South and some even in the North.

Racism is an evil that Satan enjoys stirring in peoples hearts. It causes divisions between the races and destroys friendships. People today may not think about how this symbol hurts others or stirs up emotions that is hard to put aside.

As a Christian and a Follower of Jesus Christ, I can tell you racism is not a gift of the Holy Spirit. Racism is not what Jesus taught. As a matter of fact, Jesus taught us that our first commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind; and the 2nd commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves. You can look this up in Mark 12:29-31.

What if your neighbor was a Black American family? Would you love them as you love yourself? I would and hope that you would as well. If you want to make a difference for the gospel of Christ Jesus, you must remove your blinders and try to look through the lens of others. Try to envision walking in someone else’s shoes. You may not like what the world looks like through the eyes of others.

Jesus commanded us to love our neighbor regardless of race!

Many people may place Robert E. Lee as their historical hero and continue to celebrate him today. Many people were upset about the monuments being removed. Let me share something with you that may not be well known to you. Lee was against monuments being erected in his honor. He said that it would be a constant reminder to those of the South and would not allow the country to heal after the war. He was right in that thought process but I wonder if he even considered the slaves who were owned by Southern slave masters. As a matter of fact, Lee was a slave owner himself and yet he said that he was against slavery. That in itself is concerning. If you want to fact check this, his papers, diary, and letters are at the University of Virginia if you want to read them.

Now imagine what Lee said about keeping old sores open and not allowing the nation to heal. Today, descendants of slaves are being reminded of their ancestral slavery in the United States with Confederate flags being flown on the back of a pickup truck. This flag is a symbol of racism and it terrifies some people when someone is flying it off the back of a pickup truck.

I cannot speak whether the young man in the story was a Christian or not. What I can tell you is if we want to help with the healing process in our nation, we must adhere to what Jesus said, to love God first and then to love our neighbor as ourselves. And if we are going to love people, people should not be flying those flags in public.

Now I can just hear someone coming back and saying, “well people fly the Black Lives Matter flags, or the Rainbow flag, or etc..”. It doesn’t matter what other people do as it matters if you are a professing Christian, we should love our neighbor as ourselves. And if one doesn’t love their neighbor, then I wonder if they even love God?

Here is one last thing to consider. Read what the General Robert E Lee was quoted as saying in the attached article about Confederate monuments. Then apply his same thought process to the Confederate flag. Do these flags allow the nation to heal or do they stir up controversy and racism?

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/amp/nation/robert-e-lee-opposed-confederate-monuments

Reference:

Public Broadcasting System (PBS)

As Iron Sharpens Iron, Another Man Sharpens Another

Written by Rev. Joseph T. Lee, MCM

Men, this message is written especially for you. This is a topic that must be discussed. It is not meant to belittle anyone, but as the Bible says in Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, and another man sharpens another.” Christian men must help those men who are struggling as well as teach them or disciple them in the ways of the Lord. Sometimes, Christian men must call out what sins seem to be rampant in our community. As iron sharpens iron, so does another man sharpen another. This means that older Christian men must step up to help new Believers and bring to their attention any problem that is widespread among the community and has infiltrated the Church. The goal is to help others who are struggling in sin and teach them how to overcome sin and lean on Jesus.

Our society today is plagued with the vilest media ever presented. The internet can be accessed by laptops, desktops, tablets, and smart phones. Last night, while in prayer, the Lord brought to my mind that there are many men, professing Christians, who have backslidden back into sin by viewing pornography, acting on it, and having adulterous affairs.

Satan uses pornography to entice those who view it. Pornography is a way for Satan and his demons to infiltrate one’s life to the point that it causes disruptions in relationships as well as marriages. To put it bluntly, some men have taken to moving to another bedroom away from their wife, to view pornography while their wife is in the other bedroom, only to masturbate to the vile images on their devices. This is what I call committing adultery by proxy. They have used the image as a substitute for what God meant as an ordained and holy marriage. He never meant that a man should masturbate to images. If anyone tells you there is nothing wrong with this, they are spewing a lie that Satan has placed in their own hearts.

Look what Jesus said about this, taken from Matthew 5:27-28, “²⁷“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ²⁸But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (ESV). Let us look at the first problem with lust. Lustful intent is also committing adultery in one’s heart. This is not good for any marriage, and one has defiled his own marriage by doing so. He is cheating on his wife by committing these two acts, viewing pornography, and masturbating to the images, which means if you are doing this, you are committing adultery.

Last night, while in deep prayer, God brought this to my mind. The following words I believe are God inspired and if this applies to you, please repent from your sins, and ask forgiveness.

“My heart is crying out to Christ Jesus tonight. There is someone who is struggling and hurting terribly inside. The Lord wants you to surrender your addictions, your unfaithfulness, your dirty little secrets, He wants all your sins. There is nothing that you can do or have done that Christ Jesus will not forgive you. The only sin unforgiven is rejection of Jesus and dying in your sin. Jesus wants all of you. You once had a relationship with Him, but you fell away. You chased other things that never fulfilled your desires, and you constantly find emptiness in all your endeavors. You may think that your sin is too great, but I will tell you that Jesus came into the world to save it and not condemn it (cf. John 3:17). God wants a personal relationship with you. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6). Jesus wants you back and His arms are open wide. Just pray this prayer right now. ‘Jesus, forgive me of my sins and trespasses. I rededicate my life you, right here and right now. I repent of my sins and ask the Holy Spirit to live in me, teach me, and guide me in the ways of the Lord.’”

If you have prayed that prayer, Jesus will restore you out of your backslidden ways. Pornography is very addictive and can be considered like drug. Satan utilizes these images to seek and destroy like a roaring lion (cf.1 Peter 5:8).

If you are not a Follower of Christ but want to accept Him as your Savior, the Bible says that who so ever will believe in Jesus will be saved. Look at John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that who so ever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” Commit your life to Christ Jesus today. He will set you free.

For those addicted to pornography, seek out a Christian counselor that specializes in sex addictions. You do not have to walk alone and battle this addiction by yourself. God has ordained counselors to assist in recovery and healing. Please call and make an appointment today. Your spiritual life depends on it!

Build Your House on the Rock: Jesus

Written by Rev. Joseph Lee

When adversity, persecution, illness, trials, tribulations, and strife come; what is your foundation made of?

The Bible says in Matthew 7:24-27, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

What type of foundation is your life built on? Is it built on the world’s viewpoint or is in built in Christ Jesus?

A couple of months ago, I contracted Covid Pneumonia. I was very ill and had to be hospitalized for medical support. The entire time I was in the hospital, I felt the peace of Christ. My only concern was not of my own life but my wife and family. But when it came to my own concerns for my own well being, I knew that I was cradled in the hands of Jesus. The reason why I felt no fear of dying was because the foundation of my life was laid and built on the Rock of my Savior and salvation, Jesus Christ. I knew His promises and had faith that I would recover.

What about you? Is your life on a firm foundation with Christ Jesus, or is your life built on the world’s view? Is your foundation built on the Rock of Jesus or on the sand of the world?

New Year’s Resolutions

Written by Rev. Joseph Lee

How many of you make New Year’s Resolutions, only to break them within a week? I know I have and I would think the majority of those reading this post has broken them as well. In order to make a change, one must practice the new change for at least twenty-one days for it to become a habit.

Your New Year’s Resolution might be going on a diet. It could be exercising more. It could be financial such as making a budget. All of these are great resolutions which must be practiced for at least twenty-one days to become part of our lifestyle.

For the Christian, here are two very important resolutions that you should start right away. The first is to spend more time in private prayer to our Heavenly Father. J.C. Ryle once said, “private prayer is the most neglected of all Christian duties. That is most unfortunate because private prayer is the true measure of a Christian’s walk before God and ‘the pith and marrow of practical Christianity’”.

Private prayer is a necessity for the Christian walk with the Father and His Son. Ryle wrote, “Prayer under the blessing of God leads to the new birth, strengthens faith, moves mountains, and promotes spiritual growth and contentment that rises above circumstances.

Prayerlessness, on the other hand, is the broad road leading to Hell for the unbeliever and the major cause of backsliding in the Christian.”

It is imperative to pray daily, and maybe more than once to the Father. We are to talk to Him about everything, from our struggles to thanking Him for our food. We are also to praise Him for our blessings. In order to be able to live a life like Christ Jesus, prayer is one of the most important things you can do in your spiritual walk with the Lord.

The second most important resolution is to read your Bible daily. Have a time in the day where you read and study God’s Word. I once knew a man who said he had read the entire Bible once. He never picked up his Bible again because he thought that was all he had to do. He read it but apparently did not internalize it. One can read a verse and it speaks to them and then in a month read that verse again and it means something different to them. The difference in what the verse is saying to you may be caused by the Holy Spirit teaching you God’s Holy Scriptures.

According to J. C. Ryle, “next to praying there is nothing so important in practical religion as Bible reading. God in his mercy has given us a book ‘which is able to make us wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus’ (2 Tim. 3:15). By reading the Bible we may learn what to believe, what to be, and what to do; how to live with comfort, and how to die in peace.”

Reading the Bible daily is your handbook in how to live a life of Christ. It is an instruction from God to teach those called unto Him how to live their lives.

Tonight is New Years Eve. When making those resolutions, consider making two, praying daily and reading your Bible. Do it daily, then it will become part of your life!

May you all have a very Happy and prosperous New Year. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace (Cf. Numbers 6:24-26)!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!
Written by Rev. Joseph Lee

Merry Christmas to all! What is merry about today as opposed to other days? Today is a celebration of the life of Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary. Although we celebrate Jesus’ birth in December, he was not actually born on the 25th of December. He was born close to the Passover which was in the Spring.

We celebrate His birthday by giving gifts as the wise men traveled to give gifts to the Baby Jesus. We decorate our homes with bright lights to resemble the star of Bethlehem. There are many activities that may have nothing to do with Jesus birth, and yet many Christians say that Christmas is their most favorite time of year.

Last night, my family and I attended a beautiful candlelight service at Berea Baptist Church, with Scripture readings leading up to Jesus’ birth. It was a beautiful service. My favorite song was sung by a friend’s daughter, Maddie Berkle. She did a fantastic job of singing “O Holy Night.” Why is this my favorite song? I was only 6 years old when I first heard this song. My Mom had an old broken record player. I put a record on the turn table and could only play about half the song until the player reset itself and started playing the beginning again! The gospel of Jesus was being presented to me even in half the song. I started to tear up and cry as the Holy Spirit was ministering to me and my heart. I was being drawn to Christ Jesus through the words and the music.

Moving forward to today’s time of Christmas morning, Jesus is no longer in the cradle. Although we celebrate His birth, we also celebrate His life, His ministry, His death, and His resurrection. Jesus wasn’t born into the world to condemn the world. He was born into the world to save the world (Cf. John 3:17). He died for the redemption of our sins! He took it all on His shoulders to that old rugged cross. “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

I pray that you will come to know the Living Savior, Jesus, the one and only Son of our Heavenly Father. Jesus is no longer in the cradle but is a Living Savior who wants a true relationship with you! Won’t you repent from your sins and believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved (Cf. Acts 16:31)?

Here is one last thought written in the 1800’s by Bishop J.C. Ryle. “Do you desire rest of soul, and yet know not where to turn for it? Remember this day, that there is only one place where it can be found. Governments cannot give it. Education will not impart it. Worldly amusements cannot supply it. Money will not purchase it. It can only be found in the hand of Jesus Christ, and to His hand you must turn, if you would find peace within.” – JC Ryle, Christmas Thoughts, pp. 22-23.

Devotion for Sunday

Devotion for Sunday, November 27, 2022

1 John 2:15-17, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life — is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

Do you struggle with the flesh in this world? Many men and women struggle. “The moral admonition not to love the world is practical advice, for it is already clear that the world is passing away. As in John’s gospel, the ‘world’ is the system of rebellion and pride that needs to displace God and His rule. It is this system rather than the created order itself that is ‘not from the Father’ and that has already been marked for judgement and destruction (John 12:31). Those who are not of the world receive the revelation of the Father from Jesus (John 17:14) and show by their response to it that they have been chosen for salvation and eternal life”(Reformation Bible Concordance, p. 2270).

Loving the world, the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and pride, does not coexist with the ways of the Lord and the path that He wants for us. If someone is struggling in the flesh, he or she must repent, and turn for this wickedness, and follow the path of the Lord.

Those who love the world and all that comes with it, they are shortsighted as they want to be satisfied now. In contrast, those who die to their selves and they love the Father, they have a long — term perspective and wait for God’s reward.

If one of you are struggling with the flesh, lust, or pride, ask the Father for forgiveness. Pray and ask Jesus to take these things that hinder your walk with Him from you. Strive to live a life that is holy and blameless. Repent and turn to Jesus. See 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

Stay steady in Christ my friends. He will see you through!

Reference:

Christians, Do You Celebrate Halloween?

Christians, Do You Celebrate Halloween?

Written by Rev. Joseph T. Lee

Christians, do you celebrate Halloween? Do you put up decorations and fully participate if this celebration of death, ghosts, goblins, witches, and darkness?

If you look at the picture attached to this post, you will notice tombstones in the yard. On the other end are skeletons hanging by the neck from a swing set. There are ghosts in the windows. If one is into visiting haunted houses, this would be the place to go. But what the residents of this home may not know or understand is that they are promoting the worship and celebration of darkness and the prince of this world, Satan.

I know a little about the paranormal and ghost hunting as well as the occult. Years ago, at one time in my life, I was curious about this subject, did a little research on it, and my eyes were opened to the evil of it as well as I was spiritually attacked. I renounced my inquiry into this darkness, repented, asked Jesus for forgiveness, and do not participate in any of those activities. There is a reason why God said that we should not seek the dead. The Bible says in Romans 13:12 that we are to put off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. The light of Christ Jesus has nothing to do with the darkness of the evil one, Satan.

Our bodies as Christians are to be a temple of the Holy Spirit and we are not to be of the world and participate to the darkness of this world. In 2 Corinthians 6:14, it reads, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” We should not be delving in these works of darkness and we should be seeking fellowship with other Believers in Christ Jesus, striving to live a life of Christ.

Read on the remainder of this advice on the Temple of the Living God, 2 Corinthians 6:15-18, “¹⁵What accord has Christ with Belial (Satan)? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? ¹⁶What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,

“I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.¹⁷Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, ¹⁸and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

Delving into the paranormal and the occult is an unclean thing. Celebrating the devil’s holiday is an unclean thing. Witchcraft is detestable to the Lord God Almighty. See Deuteronomy 18:10-14, “¹⁰There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer ¹¹or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, ¹²for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you. ¹³You shall be blameless before the Lord your God, ¹⁴for these nations, which you are about to dispossess, listen to fortune-tellers and to diviners. But as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do this.”

Here is a guiding plumbline to consider when determining what is just and holy before the Lord God Almighty. Does decorating my home like it’s a graveyard with ghouls, goblins, and ghosts bring edification to the Lord God Almighty? Does Halloween bring praise, honor, and glory to the Heavenly Father? I think most of you would know the answer as NO!

As Christians, although we are in the world, we are not to partake or participate in these pagan celebrations of evil, which bring edification to the prince of this world, Satan.

If you want to make a difference in this dark and fallen world, we can consider this one opportunity to get the Gospel of Jesus Christ out into the community. Consider buying New Testament Bibles from either Dollar Tree or possibly from a local member of The Gideons. Every year, we hand out New Testament Bibles. We pray over them and ask the Holy Spirit to minister to a child’s heart through the Word of God. This has been a huge hit in our neighborhood, and we have been known as the Bible house. Here are the facts, unbelievers are going to take their kids trick or treating. If they are going to ring the doorbell, why not make this a ministry opportunity to share the Gospel of Christ Jesus by giving God’s Word?

If you are participating in this celebration, if you are delving in the occult and in the paranormal, I would strongly suggest that you renounce it, ask Jesus to forgive you if you are a Christian, repent, and turn away from these wicked and detestable things.

If you do not know the Living Christ Jesus, and you want to know Him, the Bible says that you must believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved (Cf. Acts 16:31). If you are struggling and have participated in the works of darkness, renounce it, repent, ask God to forgive you, and then follow Jesus. Jesus will send His Holy Spirit to help and teach you. Get into a Bible believing church. Start reading the Word of God beginning with the Book of John.

Christian parents, teach your children the right way, the Way of the Lord. Remember, although we are in the world, we are not to fellowship with unbelievers in these works of darkness. I pray that the Lord Jesus with be with you, lead you, and guide you in a life pleasing and holy to God Almighty.

Putting On the Whole Armor of God

While on Twitter a couple of years ago, I came across a Tweet that made a profound statement. Liz @krazy4ujc wrote, “Women don’t need a knight in shining armor. They need a man covered in the full armor of God! There’s a difference!”

What a profound statement! There are men and women seeking spouses that may not be what they proclaim to be. In a dating relationship, what kind of man or woman are you seeking? If you are a non-believer in Jesus Christ, then I pretty much know the type of person you are seeking, which most likely would not be a Follower of Christ. But if you truly are a Follower of Christ, are you seeking someone who is a solid Christian, on fire for the Gospel of Christ, and shows in his or her lifestyle that they are fully engaged in their faith?

I would hope that you are looking for a man or woman that loves Jesus with all their heart, spends time in prayer, and studies the Word of God every day. These people are fully involved in their faith and they live it each day.

In contrast, “your knight in shining armor” may be a weak-minded individual who is spiritually deficient and lives by the world’s standards. They may claim to be a Christian, but in reality, they are weak and fall into carnal snares very easily because they are not grounded in God’s Word and Truth.

Look at what God’s Word says about a man or woman who is walking with Christ. These people are putting on the full armor of God as written in Ephesians 6:10-20.

The Whole Armor of God – Ephesians 6:10-20

“¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹²For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”

The whole armor of God makes a difference. Let’s say that a woman is looking for a Christian man to marry, that man should be fully engaged in his faith. When he has the full armor on, he can withstand the spiritual attacks that may come his way. I will use The Reformation Study Bible Concordance to explain what the Whole Armor of God is.

In verse 6:13, “Paul compares the whole armor of God with that of weapons of a Roman foot soldier with a number of Old Testament images of God, or Messiah as a warrior. (See Isaiah 11:1-5) Strikingly, what is said of God and the Messiah in the Old Testament is applied to believers.”[1]

In verse 6:14, fastened on the belt of truth means, “The Roman soldiers leather belt supported and protected his lower abdomen, gathered his tunic together, and held his sword. Paul seems to have in mind the confidence that comes from certainty about the truthfulness of God’s Word.”[2]

The breastplate of righteousness means, “Believers are protected by the righteousness of Christ imputed to them (Rom. 4:6-11; Phil. 3:9), and they can stand up to the accusations of the devil, whose title in Greek means ‘slanderer’ (Rom. 8:31-34). Simultaneously, Paul sees believers taking on righteous character of Christ while their growing conformity to His image gives them confidence in resisting temptation. This piece of armor is what God prophesied to wear in judging and defeating the enemy in the latter-day battle (cf. Isaiah 59:17). Believers are to identify with this armor of God’s righteousness in Christ.”[3]

In verse 6:15, shoes for your feet means the following. “This is a clear allusion to Isaiah 52:7. Paul has in mind a messenger who takes the gospel to others. The image here is of the Roman soldier’s sturdy sandals, which gave him stability and protection in battle, so that Isaiah has been combined with this Roman background. Ironically, the peace that comes from the gospel readies one for war against evil. Isaiah 52:7 prophesied that in the end-time restoration of Israel there would be peace, and this restoration has begun in Christ and all who identify with Him.”[4]

In verse 6:16, the shield of faith is described as the following. “The Roman shield was large enough to cover the whole body; it was made of wood, covered in animal hide, and bound with iron at the top and bottom. When dipped in water before battle, it could extinguish arrows that had been dipped in pitch and set ablaze. In the Old Testament, the Lord is the ‘shield’ of His people.”[5]

In verse 6:17, the helmet of salvation is described as the following. “This part of the armor is what God was predicted to be wearing when He would come to judge and defeat the opponent in the end-time battle (cf. Isaiah 59:17). Believers are to identify with this armor in Christ. For Paul, salvation is a present experience as well as future hope (1 Thess. 5:8). The believer’s final ground of confidence is the faithfulness of God to complete the salvation He has begun (Phil. 1:6).”[6]

“The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. The one offensive weapon in the believer’s arsenal is compared to the Roman sword, short and designed for hand-to-hand combat. Jesus used the Word of God in His battle against temptations of Satan in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13). The Lord was prophesied to make the mouth of His Messianic Servant like a sharp sword (Isaiah 49:2; cf. Rev. 1:16; 2:12, 16; 19:15). Christ has begun to fulfill this prophecy at His first coming (Rev. 1:16, 2:12, 16) and the prophecy will be completed at Christ’s final coming (Rev. 19:15). Christ’s followers also have this offensive weapon when they believe in Christ and come into union with Him.”[7]

In verses 6:18-20, “The battle theme in this passage ends with an urgent call to militant prayer (‘Keep Alert’) on behalf of all believers and on behalf of Paul’s ministry (Col. 4:2-4). It is possible that, together with ‘the sword of the Spirit,’ prayer is one more offensive weapon in the believer’s arsenal.”[8]

Although Liz posted on Twitter that women should be looking for a man who puts on the whole armor of God, I would also include that men should be looking for women to put on the whole armor of God as well. If one marries a man or woman who is not as strong in the faith, then your marriage is not equally yoked. Yoked means that you are on the same level as your spouse. Take for example a farmer plowing his fields. Before the day of the tractor, a farmer used two oxen to plow his field. The farmer would place a harness and yoke on the two oxen to keep them together. If the harness and yoke were not properly aligned, then the movement of the oxen would be off kilter and therefore they would be unequally yoked. The same applies in relationships and marriage. If one spouse is living her life for Jesus every day and her husband is not taking an interest in Christian Spiritual matters, then that marriage is unequally yoked. In order to be on the same level, there must be commitments of both spouses to spend time with God, together in prayer, reading daily in the Bible, and getting involved and engaged in the Gospel of Christ.

If you are not married and are in a relationship with someone who is not a Follower of Christ, I would suggest putting off any wedding plans until you both are on the same level in your faith. It will make a difference in your marriage and in your life.

I want to thank Liz @krazy4ujc on Twitter for this profound and inspirational post. I would highly recommend that you follow her on Twitter.

References:

[1] R.C. Sproul Ed., The Reformation Study Bible, (Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2015) 2101.

[2] Sproul, Reformation Study Bible, 2101.

[3] Ibid., 2101.

[4] Ibid., 2101.

[5] Ibid., 2101.

[6] Ibid., 2101.

[7] Ibid., 2101.

[8] Ibid., 2101.

Republished September 19, 2022; Copyright 2022. Marketplace Evangelism Ministries Inc. Original Copyright March 26, 2019. The Lantern & Shield Times, a Division of Marketplace Evangelism Ministries Inc. All Rights Reserved.