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Estudio bíblico que nos hace abrir los ojos en menos de cinco minutos! Acceda a todos los episodios aquí.
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Augenöffnendes Bibelstudium in weniger als fünf Minuten! Alle Episoden finden Sie hier.
Was There A Curse On Helen's Romantic Life?
The Third Man by Angela Sheffield is based on a true story. Read chapter one now!
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¿Qué tiene que ver conmigo? por Teófila Gottfried
Lo que leemos en la Biblia tiene que ver con todos los seres humanos, sean cristianos o judíos, ateos o agnósticos, budistas, musulmanes o adherentes a alguna de las filosofías o nuevas religiones que surgen en el mundo. ¿Por qué? Ver mayor información sobre este interesante libro.
Scripture of The Day - St. John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Escritura del día - San Juan 14,6
Jesús le dijo: Yo soy el camino, y la verdad, y la vida; nadie viene al Padre, sino por mí.
Bibelstelle des Tages - Johannes 14,6
Jesus spricht zu ihm: Ich bin der Weg und die Wahrheit und das Leben; niemand kommt zum Vater, denn durch mich!
What Is Involvement With the Occult?
The Bible makes clear that what we do in the natural world will cause contact with the supernatural. In fact, when the supernatural is contacted by man, we can be certain that something in the natural was done first. This is a truth that those who are involved with the occult, but who would like to break free, must understand.
"Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual but that which is natural and afterward that which is spiritual" (1 Corinthians 15:46).
We read of a man named Cornelius who had great respect and fear of God and honored him in every way he knew how. Cornelius, nevertheless, did not know Jesus as his Savior and therefore could only honor God to a certain degree. However, his behavior was a strong invitation and welcome for God to come into his life to save him. In the tenth chapter of the book of Acts, we read exactly how Cornelius' honor of God invited the Lord's Spirit into his life.
When events such as Halloween, Mardi Gras, Carnival, etc. are celebrated, the spirits behind them are honored through the celebration. Although we don't necessarily become a pagan, we invite the spirits behind paganism into our lives, whether we know it or not. Cornelius, although mistaken, had some idea of what he was doing when he gave honor to God. However, Satan does not care whether we honor him knowingly or having been deceived (Revelation 12:9, 20:2-3,8, Matthew 4:8-10). God, on the other hand, comes into our life through our willful and conscious cooperation with him (James 4:8).
We know now that when we celebrate pagan traditions, a physical action, we are inviting reactions from evil spirits. What things and activities has God forbidden man to practice, believe in, and celebrate even in jest?
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 teaches, "There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire (offer in sacrifice) or that useth divination or an observer of times (fortune telling) or an enchanter or a witch or a charmer or a consulter with familiar spirits (demons) or a wizard or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord."
Christians who love the Lord would not want to celebrate, honor, laugh at, entertain themselves with or even pretend to honor anything that is so repulsive to God that he labeled it an abomination. It's no wonder that we read, "A son honoureth his father and a servant his master: If then I be a father, where is mine honour? And if I be a master, Where is my fear? Saith the Lord of hosts unto you?...(Malachi 1:6).
...Let it not be once named among you as becometh saints, neither filthiness nor foolish talking nor jesting (joking).... (Ephesians 5:3-4)
The thought of foolishness is sin.... (Proverbs 24:9)
God doesn't want us telling jokes that are lies. It's not hard then to figure out that we are not to, in the name of a joke or fun, imitate practices of the occult. Of course it is not a sin for Christians to laugh or to have fun, as long as the laughter is clean in God's eyes. The Bible says that there is a time for laughter, meaning that it is perfectly okay when appropriate (Ecclesiastes 3:4). However, just as laughing at someone is not the same as laughing with them, so laughing at spiritual things or lies, is not the same as simply laughing at the natural, harmless comedy that occurs in everyday life.
Fools make a mock (laugh) at sin; but, among the righteous there is favor (obedience). (Proverbs 14:9)
It is a very serious truth that Jesus won victory over the dark powers of the occult and over the fear of death. All who are his true disciples are given power over Satan's kingdom and the fear of death (Luke 10:19, Colossians 2:15, Hebrews 2:14-15). Why would a Christian enjoy pretending, during celebrations, to be afraid of what Jesus has conquered?
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and be not entangled (involved) again with the yoke (grip) of bondage (Galatians 5:1).
It is shameful and sad to see Christians celebrating the occult, fear of the satanic kingdom and fear of death when it is our responsibility to both know and teach the fear of the Lord. In Luke 12:4-5 Jesus warns, "And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell, yea, I say unto you, fear him." And Corinthians 7:1 reminds, "...Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."
America's Fascination With the Occult
Interest in the eastern religions and practices has become so intense that the majority of Westerners are unknowingly involved in some form of the occult. Listed below are just a very few of the New Age practices used to entice people into practicing the occult. They are:
Ouija boards, tarot card readings, consultations with psychics (even when just for "fun"), seances, crystal ball gazing, reading of tea leaves, palm readings, witchcraft, practice of black or "white" magic, practice of Wicca, sorcery, developing "natural" psychic abilities, astrology/consultation of horoscopes, santería, lucid (controlled) dreaming, astral projection, body painting, disfiguration, mutilation, tattooing, etc. (Leviticus 19:27-28, Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Numerology, alternative forms of kinesiology, reflexology, color analysis, ESP, mental telepathy, chants of ANY kind (including hail Marys), sacrifices of any kind, the use of crystals for protection and good luck, good luck charms, the practice of visualization and guided imagery, summoning deceased saints or angels for help, advice or protection, Silva mind control techniques, games of the occult such as "bloody Mary" once played by children, new age/mood music, some forms of alternative medicine such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, acupressure, hypnosis, transcendental and Zen meditation, fascination with outer space and interest in extraterrestrial beings, the giving and assumption of personal names which are the names of idol gods (Psalm 16:4), and the list could go on.
©2010
Based on true events, The Third Man by Angela Sheffield, brings the Bible up close and personal as the characters face real issues of life: Betrayal, deceit, romance, bitterness, anger against God, hopelessness, will power, perplexity, triumph, unforgiveness, mental illness, and the "Alcohol made me do it" excuse. Read chapter one FREE now.
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