May 13, 2014
Even though scripture tells us this, it
is amazing to watch just how fast the devil is moving in today's world.
... 1 Peter 5:8 says, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a
roaring lion looking for someone to devour." ... The onslaught of the devil's schemes are
exploding at an ever-increasing pace. ... Just look at the news headlines over
the past couple of weeks .... A 'Satan Mass' at a Catholic University (Harvard)
... A very large Evangelical Christian conference in Texas featuring
'Contemplative Prayer' ... Satanic groups trying to bring a statue of satan
holding little children into the public square ... Kids in a public school
being instructed to bow to a 'sun-god' so as to experience 'oneness with god'
... A public figure, which just so happens to be a pastor, losing his position
for calling out 'Disney' as being a
'dark empire of superstition and witchcraft' ... The list goes on, and
this is just the last few days! .... (Contemplative Prayer, by the way, is an
approach to prayer to which the participants are to 'empty their minds' so as
to experience anything and all things that may come to them' .... It is purely
rooted in 'mysticism' and has 'eastern' origins). .
Here's an amazing paradox in our time.
... While the vast majority of people do not believe in Satan the devil, there
seems to be an insatiable appetite for demons, magic, supernatural powers,
possession, witchcraft, zombies and vampires. ... These themes are dominating
movie theaters and prime-time television shows, not to mention much of the
literature being read by our young adults. ... Newsweek Magazine said that
while there have been occult revivals in the past, this time it has become a
'crossover hit, going mainstream.' ... Sadly, not many are expressing much
concern. ... In fact, do you see anything at all about it in the mainstream
media?
Going back to the headlines this week
that saw the Pasadena Health Director (and pastor) lose his job because of his
Disney comments, is he right or what?! ... Just look at Disney and the rest of
Hollywood as to the 'occultic poison' they are spreading. ... Look at the Harry
Potter phenomenon as an example. .. It is a series of books for young people.
.. The first installment was published in 1997, and the final book came in
2007. .. The popularity of the books has been nothing short of a phenomenon! .. Translated into 67 languages, over 400
million Harry Potter books have been sold. .. And plus the books, there has
been a wildly successful theme park, eight blockbuster films and six popular
video games. .. The Harry Potter brand is now estimated to be worth over $15
Billion!
Criticism of the series has basically
fallen on deaf ears. .. Most critics are accused of being 'right-wing
fundamentalist kooks' looking to deprive children of innocent pleasure. ... But
here's the bottom line .. The major theme is based upon witchcraft. .. Children
who read these stories learn about demons, werewolves, magic spell-casting,
levitation, animal sacrifices, astral projection, crystal gazing and communing
with dead souls! ... Now while they seemingly started out innocently enough, as
it progresses, it explores darker themes such as death and obtaining
immortality, and increases in violence as Harry grows older. ... Even the
publishers were concerned as to how dark the themes were becoming over time and
how it might threaten its popularity. ... That never happened. .... And of
course now, bookstore shelves are full of many new Harry Potter-like poison for
children and young adults. ...
People, we need to face reality ... This stuff
is not normal, it is 'para-normal!' ... Matters of the occult are never normal
and safe, especially for young minds! ... In fact, Webster's Dictionary defines
'paranormal' as "very strange and not able to be explained by what
scientists know about nature and the world."
In Newsweek's article, they had another
comment worth mentioning ... "Some 20-year-olds said 'they appreciate the
supernatural because it's a non-denominational method of self-exploration that
reminds them that the world is both older and bigger than they are." ...
It went on to say that many college-educated young adults are 'embarrassed' by
traditional religion, yet a growing number consider the spirituality associated
with the occult as 'cool.' " ... The tragedy here? ... Most do not
understand the menacing, perilous path they are walking down!
One thing we Christians must remember ...
there is real power behind the occult. .. But it is NEVER a power for good! ..
It is a highly organized plan to do evil and catch as many as it can in its
twisted grasp! ... Contrary to some of today's 'religious' thinking, Satan and
his minions are real beings with an insatiable hatred for God and human beings
(see Isaiah 14:12-14 & Revelation 12:12)... The tragedy is that few today
even begin to understand their deceptive power!
... But instead of ignoring it, we must call it what it is - a
'substitute religion.'
.. And again, most are blind to the fact
that the occult is the worship of Satan and his demons.
A rapidly increasing number of people
today are scoffing at the Bible and its teachings, and this is most likely the
reason that people are blind to this deception. ... The Bible which they reject
teaches that Satan is literally 'the god of this world' (2 Corinthians 4:4) ...
It is his personal desire for all humans to worship him and his goal is not to
help us, but to make human life as wretched and miserable has possible! ... In
fact, all the horrendous evils threatening our world today - the destruction of
families, rampant crime, civil chaos, disease, poverty, violence, wars, natural
disasters - can all be traced back to him!
So what do we need to do? .. To start, we
need to understand what we are up against. ... Let's look at Ephesians 6:10-13
which says, "Finally, be strong in
the Lord and in His mighty power. 11)
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the
devil's schemes. 12) For our struggle is
not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil
in the heavenly realms. 13) Therefore
put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be
able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."
... Can't get much clearer than that ... and the day of evil is now upon us!
We all need to be concerned about the
evil of the occult. ... This is where we, the Christian, the "light of the
world,'" must shine as bright as we can! .. We need to tell our children
and grandchildren, our friends and neighbors ... anyone who will give an ear ..
about the inherent evil that is taking place all around us." ... We most
likely won't win a popularity contest, but seriously, that should be our last
concern! .... Our predecessors weren't popular, and neither will we be ... but
... by stepping out in truth and faith, we may just reach that dying soul that
is searching for the truth of God ........
OK ... end of sermon ... for now ...but
trust me when I say, I will NEVER give up the fight! ... I'm in it just as long
as the Lord allows me to be. ... I pray you will join me in this most important
battle of all, and that is spreading the saving Word of our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ! ..... Hallelujah! ....... Know that I am praying for you ..
Until next time,
Red