Facing Our Deadliest of Fears

Elijah, one of the most powerful prophets mentioned in the Old Testament, slew in one day, four hundred and fifty of Jezebel’s (wife of Ahab who was the King of Israel at that time) false prophets after he publicly humiliated them through a contest of sacrifice, revealing to the nation that these people served a weak god called Baal.

Even though Elijah had the ability to call fire down from heaven, striking fear into the hearts of those in the armed forces, he had his own fear to wrestle with and that was death at the hand of a woman. Jezebel wanted his life in return for killing her prophets. It seems rather odd that Elijah would be so afraid that he went into hiding after such an act of courage, but really it is not.

God last spoke to Elijah about the false prophets, and on receiving Jezebel’s decree for his death he had not received any other instructions from the Lord. Therefore his first instinct was to flee for his life since he did not know what the end result would be. It simply dawned on him that he was alone, the only prophet of the true God still alive as Jezebel ordered that all the prophets of the Lord be killed sometime before, it was a great burden for him.

Given our weakness due to our sinful state we sometimes forget who our Father is, his promises to us and our ability to overcome. It is not easy to stand alone for what is right but at some point in time we will all have to do it, and we will have to face the outcome of that action. Do not doubt for a second whether God understands our fears because he does, and like Elijah he will find us wherever we are even in the deepest and darkest cave. He will bring us into the light of day again and he will bring us comfort. Wait on the Lord.

Reference:
1 Kings 18-19

Our Capability

You may think that being a Christian simply means partaking in prayers, reading the bible and living as humanly possible in righteousness, but there is more to Christianity than just following protocol, attending church and carrying the name. We are children of the Most High and believers in Christ and as such, have access to a fortress containing power and strength.

God never intended for us to be weak, helpless or destitute. We do not need to shy away from society, be worried about what others may think concerning our beliefs or live in fear of being ridiculed. We are leaders who stand upon the rock of truth, unashamed to proclaim our love for God and be defenders of morality.

In Christ we are influential, undeterred and a distinct group of people. Authority has been given to us to speak the word and see it come to pass. We can testify of God’s goodness because of our ability to rise above the difficulties of this world, conquering our greatest challenges. Through the might of God we are destined for greatness, this is our blessing.

Reference:
Psalm 68:35
Proverbs 10:20
I Chronicles 29:12
Philippians 4:13

Into the World of Witchcraft

Through the centuries witchcraft has taken an appealing transformation, it has drawn many to practice the art or seek out someone who does. It is classified as a pagan religion known as Wicca, wherein its followers worship nature which embody their god or goddess. Wiccans channel through meditation and practice the casting of spells. Their symbol is a pentacle or pentagram which is a five-pointed star, representing the five elements earth, water, air, fire and spirit

Under the New Age movement, individuals have risen up calling themselves psychics, who have extrasensory perception giving them the ability to sense unknown information. Furthermore, psychic mediums communicate with spirit guides and the dead. In all, they dispute the claim of Satan worship and state that their practice of ‘magick’ is based upon good.

It does not matter which form witchcraft may take or the varied use of it within different religious groups. It can be called white magic, black magic, vodou/voodoo, obeah or the occult, God hates the practice declaring it as an abomination and a sin of the flesh. We can lose or connection with the true God if we choose to follow this path.

There is a popular quote spoken amongst witches. “If you take the Christian Bible and put it out in the wind and the rain, soon the paper on which the words are printed will disintegrate and the words will be gone. Our bible IS the wind and the rain.” [Anonymous Native American woman]

Well that is true as the bible is a book made up of paper, but the message it contains has survived the rigour of time, and will live on in every Christian that walks on this planet now and forever. The Word as a template is burnt upon our hearts and can never be erased, broken or lost. We do not need to study the wind and the rain, the Most High, the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last created this earth and the elements, and HE alone controls everything around us. That is our pentacle.

Reference:
Deut 18:10-12
Gal 5:19-21