Here’s the story behind the jack-o’-lanterns people carve for Halloween. (Public Domain Pictures)
The upcoming Halloween celebration dates back to the Druids, who used the holiday for various pagan religious practices including human sacrifice. There is nothing Christian about it.
Yet there is one interesting story about the Halloween celebration, which illustrates how the pagans tried to appropriate the stars into their religions. It is the story of the jack-o’-lantern, that pumpkin with a face carved out and a candle inside. This seemingly benign decoration represents a much more gruesome picture from the rituals of past ages: A frightful severed head. And the picture comes straight from the Star Bible, even though the real meaning is very different.
The “jack-o’-lantern” in the sky is the star Algol (“evil spirit”). It is part of the constellation Perseus, (the breaker) which is a picture of Christ, who breaks open a way for us (Mic. 2:13) and breaks open the seals in Revelation 5. Algol pictures the severed evil head of the nations, the Antichrist, whose head is cut off from the nations when Christ returns (Rev. 19:20). So the frightful jack-o’-lantern is really a picture of the return and triumph of Christ.
The Star Algol would have been near the zenith point on Halloween after midnight in Druid times 3,000 years ago. Now it can be seen closer to 11:00 p.m. It is also an interesting object, because it is a variable star decreasing in brightness about every 69 hours, with the nearest visible minimum at about 2:00 a.m. on Oct. 13.
This year a small comet, ASASSN 1, adds to the picture as it runs through Perseus on its way toward the North Pole. The comet reaches its maximum brightness on Oct. 14, but will be a faint magnitude 6 or 7 object best viewed through binoculars or a small telescope. On that date, it passes near the bright star Capella (the goat) in the constellation Auriga (the shepherd), which reminds us that Christ is our Good Shepherd who will keep us safe in the day of judgment shown by Perseus (2 Pet. 2:9).
So tonight, find the Halloween star, Algol, and tell someone about how Christ our Good Shepherd will protect us from the judgment to come.
Ron Allenis a Christian businessman, CPA and author who serves in local, national and international ministries, spreading a message of reconciliation to God, to men and between believers. He is founder of the International Star Bible Society, telling how the heavens declare the glory of God; the Emancipation Network, which helps people escape from financial bondage; and co-founder with his wife, Pat, of Corporate Prayer Resources, dedicated to helping intercessors.
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When you lead other leaders, there are some specific truths that apply. If you don’t recognize these truths, you could end up losing your leaders and missing your most important goals.
Follow God on the most fulfilling journey of your life with Encounter the Holy Spirit! Break away from past hurts and press into the One who wants a personal encounter with you.
Receive the power and gifts that come through the Holy Spirit Baptism. Don’t go empty-handed; accept all that He has for you! His power is available to those who ask.
Break every stronghold with the power of the Holy Spirit. Use the power of your tongue to declare and decree the Word of God. Witness heaven move on your behalf.
Every wise leader take counsel but the foolish will not and that ends him in destruction.
A poor child is better than a king who detest counsel. Eccl 4:13
It is by counsel that thrones are established. Prov 11:14; 15:22; 24:6
While a leader has the onus to make decision he must constantly allow room for counsel from all especially his immediate so-ordinates. Concerning Hezekiah it was said, “For the king had taken counsel”. 11 Chr 30:2
To claim knowledge of everything is an over estimation of self; It is a mark of foolishness.
No one knows everything.
Bits of knowledge are scattered here and there in the minds of individuals.
U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) applauds as U.S. President Donald Trump signs an executive order to make it easier for Americans to buy bare-bones health insurance plans and circumvent Obamacare rules at the White House in Washington, U.S., Oct. 12, 2017. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters )
President Donald Trump has taken a step to roll back another part of President Obama’s legacy—Obamacare.
Congress couldn’t get the job done on repeal and replace of Obamacare, so a frustrated President Trump took matters into his own hands.
Thursday, he signed an executive order that he says will provide Americans with better and less costly health care.
After making a few remarks, the president warmly greeted those who came to see him sign a new executive order on healthcare. Vice President Mike Pence reminded him he had yet to sign the document.
Pence: “Mr. President …”
Trump: “Thank you, everybody!”
Pence: “Mr. President, you need to sign it.”
Trump: “Oh! Most important thing. I’m only signing it because it will cost nothing.”
But Democrats argue it will be costly to those covered by Obamcare—especially the sick. Former Obama economic advisor Austan Goolsbee told MSNBC, “That would be a catastrophic decision that will lead to millions of people losing their insurance.”
The president is ending some of Washington’s key subsidies for Obamacare. He says the government cannot legally pay $7 billion in Obamacare co-pays and deductibles because Congress has never appropriated specific money to do it. Trump insists the money would be better going to directly to the states for them to handle it.
President Trump’s order also promotes choice and competition by allowing the formation of health care associations—a favorite of small businesses and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.
The executive decision also allows insurance to be purchased across state lines.
“So this is promoting health care, choice and competition all across the United States. This is going to be something that millions and millions of people will be signing up for and they’re going to be very happy. This will be great health care,” the president proclaimed.
Congressional Democrats argue the president is ripping apart Obamacare.
“The president is sabotaging health care and we have no action in the Congress,” said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
And while the president says his executive order is the first step in repealing and replacing Obamacare—something the Senate has failed to do three times this year—House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., says legislating healthcare is best left up to Congress.
“If you first don’t succeed, try, try again. So, we just keep telling our Senate friends just keep at it.”
Reprinted with permission from CBN.com. Copyright The Christian Broadcasting Network, all rights reserved.
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New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Cahn continues to dominate the charts with his new book, The Paradigm: The Ancient Blueprint That Holds the Mystery of Our Times (www.TheParadigmMystery.com), which has mesmerized readers with its shocking and amazing details that uncover the hidden story and mysteries behind the news of our times.
This week, for example, The Paradigm reached No. 2 on the Publisher’s Weekly Religion Nonfiction best-seller list. Cahn’s books have staying power because of their incredible content that draws in readers, as evidenced by the fact that two of his past books remain on this week’s Top 10 Publisher’s Weekly Religion Fiction best-seller list: The Book of Mysteries (2016) is at No. 2 and The Harbinger (2012) still holds a place at No. 9—five years after its debut.
Other current rankings for The Paradigm include the following:
The Paradigm, the fourth book from the acclaimed author, is already in its third printing with more than 350,000 copies—just over three weeks since its debut.
Cahn’s publisher said there’s not necessarily a secret to the author’s success other than excellent content, a committed writer and publishing team, and loyal readers.
“Jonathan Cahn is a very disciplined author who is proactive in support of his books,” said Marcos Perez, publisher and executive vice president of Charisma House. “Given his history and track record, complemented by our relationships with accounts and audience constituencies, we were able to do a seamless weave that culminated in wonderful timing in the marketplace. Our analytics led us to make the right calls in key moments, for which we are grateful.”
More than 300 Amazon.com readers have given The Paradigm an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars, with 89 percent saying the book is a 5-star read:
“READ THIS IF U CAN ONLY READ ONE BOOK | A total must read for ALL Christians!”
“Five Stars | “Wish I could give it 7 stars!!!”
“Enlightening | This book answered so many of my questions about what God is doing and helped me to understand the old saying, ‘History repeats itself.’ I’m planning to buy every book that Jonathan Cahn has written.”
“History Proves Crucial | Amazing insight to connections of our modern day political leaders and leaders of Israel. No coincidence! He lays out the foundation of all of the major points and then gives excerpts as a refresher and breaks down the paradigm.”
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Topic: The Right Cleansing Rite — Saturday October 14, 2017.
Text: Leviticus 14:10-20
Key Verse: “And the priest shall offer the burnt offering and the meat offering upon the altar: and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and he shall be clean” (Leviticus 14:20).
Naaman, the captain of the host of the king of Syria was described as a great and honourable man, a military strategist who fought and won series of battles on behalf of his master the king. But he was a leper, a stigma that displayed a blight in his otherwise brilliant career. His life changed when he met Elisha who instructed him to take a dip into the Jordan river seven times. Miraculously his leprosy vanished. He became a man without reproach and confessed that Jehovah God was without parallel. The leper was to be unclean until he was purified. To complete the purification of the leper on the eighth day, and before he returned to his own home, he was to be presented to the Lord, with his offering.
The mercies of God oblige the leper to present himself to Him through the priests, who made acceptable sacrifices for his cleansing and atonement. Beside the usual rites of the trespass offering, some of the blood and oil was to be put upon him that was to be cleansed. When God has restored us to enjoy public worship again (after sickness, chastisement, or any other challenge), we should show appreciation for the fact that He cleansed us from our sins, admitted us into His Kingdom, separated us for His service, and reserves a place for us in heaven by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ.
No other sacrifice here on earth can secure eternal treasure for us. God’s kind dealings with us ought therefore to reflect in our appreciation to Him and in how we comport ourselves.
Thought for the day: The blood of Jesus bleaches the heart white!
Bible Reading in one Year: 2 Kings 5-6
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
Ryan Flannigan and his colleague lead congregational song at All Saints Dallas, January 2017. (Photo by Serkan Zanagar)
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Praise team leaders, organists, gospel choir members and other lovers of church music will gather in Dallas this weekend to launch the Center for Congregational Song in an effort to counter the “worship wars.”
The online center is being kicked off at an Oct. 15-16 conference—bookended by a gospel sing in a park and “beer and hymns” at a local brewery—that comes at a time when musicians are trying to re-energize an aspect of church life that often gets mired in feuds about style, volume and the complexity of the songs sung during worship.
“This idea that we need to be at war with each other over worship styles, I find ridiculous, and it’s very unhealthy in general,” said Brian Hehn, the director of the new center, an arm of the Hymn Society. “The center is an effort, in part, to do away with that idea.”
For decades, some congregants have differed strongly over whether traditional or contemporary music should reign supreme in their sanctuaries. Church signs sometimes denote the times for separate traditional and contemporary services. Other congregations have experimented with “blended” worship that includes more than one genre.
As more than 140 people gather to hear from leaders of different racial, ethnic and denominational backgrounds, they will sing songs ranging from Ana Hernández’s simple worship song “Open My Heart” to Isaac Watts’ hymn “We’re Marching to Zion.” Hehn hopes the in-person discussion will help people learn from one another.
Through the online center, the Hymn Society aims to foster new students of church music and aid small-church pastors who have to plan sermons as well as songs each week.
“The center wants to be a part of this kind of renewal of a sense of collaboration and collegiality,” said Hehn, who has led worship for Baptists, Roman Catholics, United Methodists and Presbyterians, among others.
One thing that seems to engender more agreement is a sense that no matter how they sing, they want to sing.
“There’s just a resurgence in acknowledging how important it is that we sing together and it’s coming to a head because I think we have reached a point in our surrounding culture where it is now officially countercultural,” Hehn said, pointing to the popularity of shows like “The Voice” that emphasize solo performances.
He said church leaders are saying that “if we let the surrounding culture tell us what we should be doing in worship, then we will stop singing together and that would be terrible.”
The society, which is based in Overland Park, Kan., is trying to rebrand itself as it nears its 100th anniversary in 2022 and expand its outreach by recommending books, audio tracks and podcasts that can undergird a passion for congregational music. The center will offer retreats and workshops for composers and highlight local singing events, such as an upcoming hymn festival in Los Angeles scheduled to mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.
Hehn will join a group of experts from a range of perspectives—a worship pastor at a bilingual Church of the Nazarene ministry in California, an organist at an Episcopal church in Virginia and a graduate student in liturgical studies at Duke Divinity School—to offer additional insights through a new “Centered in Song” blog.
Like other music-oriented nonprofits, the Hymn Society has seen a gradual drop in membership—from 2,100 in 2004 to 1,600 in 2017—as retiring musicians have not been replaced by millennials. Organizers of the new center had hoped to raise $2.2 million for an endowment to support it and have thus far raised about $1.2 million, which Hehn said will cover operating costs, while other funding will pay for programs.
The Hymn Society is not the only one beating the drum of improving congregational song.
Contemporary hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty have encouraged everything from singing at home to a global hymn sing in hopes of encouraging more participation when people gather in the pews.
At the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual Pastors’ Conference in June, Keith Getty spoke about the need for clergy to encourage congregants to sing as a demonstration of their faith to visitors and children who may not yet be believers.
“Pastors, if you love your congregation, you need to take a lead in the teaching of the doctrine of singing and worship and in the songs that you sing,” he said, noting that historically, singing was key to large American revivals. “We need to be building singing congregations.”
Despite the efforts to invigorate the diverse music of churches, congregations do not seem to be in any immediate danger of losing their voices.
The National Congregations Study showed that, while there has been a decline in choirs, more than 96 percent of churches still had singing by the congregation at their main services in 2012, as they did in 1998 and 2006.
Frank Byers, a worship leader at an interdenominational and interracial church near Nashville, Tenn., said that music leaders need to be taught how to draw their congregants into singing with them.
“I don’t think congregational singing has died. I think the leaders have not been discipled well or coached well,” he said. “The congregation that you’re in may be dead but that doesn’t mean congregational singing is dead.”
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TOPIC: BE AN ACTIVE CHRISTIAN [SUNDAY OCTOBER 15TH, 2017]
MEMORY VERSE: “And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.” – Matthew 25:15 BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 25:14-30
INTRODUCTION:
One reason for the failure of modern churches is that they become a one-man affair. The pew-sitter leaves the work of evangelism, preaching, teaching and visiting to the pastor. This is not God’s order. At Pentecost, there were one hundred and twenty praying but only eleven of them could be called ‘Pastors’, that is, the eleven disciples. There were women present also. When persecution came, the pastors stayed in Jerusalem and the laymen were the ones who went out preaching – Acts 8:4. It is therefore the duty of every church member to be active for Christ. LESSON OUTLINES
1. From where do I start?
2. What can I do for Jesus?
FROM WHERE DO I START?
The Lord expects you to use the talents He has given you (Matthew 25:15). If you fail to do so, He will take them away from you (Matthew 25:28). You can start by:
1. Being active in prayer (Luke 18:1). When you spend time with the Lord, the Holy Spirit will begin to guide you into areas where you can be useful for the Lord (Acts 13:2-3; 16:9-10).
2. Doing personal Bible study (2Timothy 2:15). Very soon, the opportunity will come to answer a perplexing question authoritatively from the Bible.
3. Understanding senior Christians. You have a lot to learn from them as you will soon take over their responsibilities (1Samuel 3:1, 19-21; 1Kings 19:19-21).
4. Attempting small tasks first, like praying for the preacher of the day, before his sermon, etc. Join the workforce of your local church and be an active member of a department e.g Ushering, Choir, Sunday School, Children, etc (Matthew 25:22-23; Romans 12:4-5).
5. Witnessing to others. Start from your own family members to your friends, neighbours and colleagues (Matthew 28:19-20).
WHAT CAN I DO FOR JESUS?
There are practical ways of working for Jesus. You can:
1. Bring people to church in your car, paying bus fares or simply walking with a first timer to the church. Andrew is a good example of this. He brought Peter (John 1:40-42), the little lad with five loaves and two fishes (John 6:8-9) and certain Greeks to Jesus (John 12:20-22).
2. Contribute to missions’ activities. You can go, give money/materials, distribute tracts, pray for missionaries, etc.(Mark 16:15).
3. Encourage your Pastor. You can minister to his needs (1Corinthians 9:7-12).
4. Make your home available for small group meetings like House Fellowship, Children’s Bible club, etc. (Acts 2:42, 46).
5. Give food to the hungry, clothes to the naked, visit the sick and the imprisoned, care for the fatherless and widows (Matthew 25:34-36; James 1:27).
CONCLUSION:
Your duty as a Christian is to do the work of God while you are still alive and active (John 4:35; 9:4).
QUESTIONS:
1. Where do you start from to be an active Christian?
2. Mention some of the things you can do for Jesus.
Topic: Excellence And The Glory Of God [Saturday October 14, 2017] Scripture:This also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working. Isaiah 28:29.
Thought For The Day: The glory of God flows in the direction of excellence.
Behind every glory on earth, there is a story. You cannot access the glory until you understand the story. So, there is a story behind every excellent existence in life. We serve a God who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working. Anywhere God sees excellence, He goes to work. The glory of God flows in the direction of excellence.
The God of the universe is never patient with mediocrity; the excellent God will never manage average performance; He deserves nothing but the best.
Unfortunately, today, we have a generation of people who are allergic to information and knowledge. The number of people who read to affect their lives and the lives of others are very few. The Glory of God can never flow in the atmosphere of mediocrity. Mediocrity is a misrepresentation of the Creator.
Excellence is a department of Godliness. God will never put a seal of approval on what does not look like Him.
Beloved, whatever you do for God, ensure that it is done in dignity and decency. Do not let anyone insult God because of you. Let Heaven be excited about you. Be an asset, not a liability; a blessing and not a burden.
Remember This: The glory of God flows in the direction of excellence.
Assignments:
1. Be the best in everything you do.
2. Always study around your career or your assignment in order to upgrade yourself.
Prayer: O LORD, I ask for the grace to be an excellent personality. I refuse every mediocre existence from my life, Lord in Jesus’ Name.
FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: EXCELLENCE AND THE GLORY OF GOD.
Daily Reading: Jeremiah 23:21 to 25:38, 2 Thessalonians 2:1 to 17, Psalm 84:1 to 12, Proverbs 25:15.
Quote: When you dodge responsibility, you end up a liability. Culled from: WORKPLACE AND CAREER WISDOM by Dr Paul Enenche.
Amazing Fact: Tomatoes have more genes than humans.
Today In History: 14/10/1964 – Martin Luther King Jr. received the Nobel Peace Prize for combating racial inequality through nonviolence.
Don’t Forget To Attend: The six over-flooded services tomorrow by 6:00am, 7:20am, 8:40am, 10:00am, 11:20am & 12:40pm. Invite your friends and loved ones.
Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), is a powerfully anointed church, headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Dr Paul and Becky Enenche, as the Senior Pastors. It is a power-packed arena where God’s Presence, Principles and Power are at work for the salvation, healing and restoration of human destinies and dignities.
Topic: Instruct Your Children In The Things Of God — Saturday October 14, 2017. “And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.” (2 Samuel 6:7 KJV)
The bible tells us that for twenty years the Ark of covenant was in the house of Abinadab. But nothing happened in his house. And when they tried to move it back, Uzzah touched it and died instantly because he was not well instructed. That is where parents come in. Instruct your children in the things of God. Instruct them in integrity, lifestyle and being generous. We have a generation today that is so selfish, never caring about their parents. You must care for your parents. The bible says honour your father and your mother that it may be well with you, that your days may be long. Take care of your parents. As a parent, it is your responsibility to instruct your child. Don’t let society teach your child. Instruct your child, more especially, in the things of God. If you don’t instruct them something else will teach them. I’ve mentioned it severally, that there was a child who went to school and the teacher was telling them in his class (seven year old boy) that there is no God. The teacher said God is a figment of imagination. This young boy told the teacher that there is God. The teacher said that if there is God then prove it. Can you imagine how unfair that was for a seven year old boy? But the young boy said: “I may not be able to prove it but I tell you there is God. And he’s here right now. And for your information, my mummy and daddy have taught me there is God”.
Abinadab did not instruct his children in the ways of God. Consequently, Uzzah touched the Ark and was struck dead. He wanted to help God. Apparently, he wasn’t taught that God cannot be helped. Beloved, let God be God. Whatsoever he says, he does. It is just left for you to believe him so that you can receive it. We must instruct our children in these things.
Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.
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