The Devil's Tool Sale

The folowing taken from http://www.promiseofgod.com/discouraged/:

It was advertised that the devil was going to put his tools up for sale.

On the date of the sale, the tools were placed for public inspection;

each tool being marked with its sale price. They were a treacherous lot of

implements ...

Hatred, Envy, Jealousy,Deceit, Lying, Pride,And so on....

Laid apart from the rest was a harmless looking tool, it was well worn

and priced very high. "What is the name of this tool?" asked one of the

shoppers, pointing to it.

"That is Discouragement replied the devil.

"Why have you priced it so high?"

"Because it is more useful to me than the others.? I can pry open and

get inside a man's heart with that, when I cannot get near him with my

other tools. Once I get inside, I can make him do what I choose. It is

badly worn because I use it on almost everyone, since very few people

know that it belongs to me."

We are always out looking for a bargain, shopping all the sales that come

along. Enticed into buying little needed or not needed items, because of the

lower price. One point we should always remember.

Just because we can buy it..Does not mean we should buy it.

============================
I post this today because I just heard about a new movie that will be releasing this Christmas

season. It is called "The Golden Compass".

Before continuing to read. Ponder over Jesus words in Luke 10:21-23

21At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you,

Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things

from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes,

Father, for this was your good pleasure.

22"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who

the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except

the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."

23Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes

that see what you see.

After reading about this movie, This passage began making a lot of sense.

Aren't you glad (if you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior) that God didn’t plan

it so only the very intelligent could understand the things of God?

He plainly shows the meek and humble who are in love with Jesus.

Aren't you glad God doesn’t favor the rich, intelligent, and talented of this world to find Him?

Unfortunately, "many peopel of power" can often be blinded by worldly wisdoms and rely on

their own understanding.

We are blessed to know the truth without relying on ourselves -

that is belivers in Christ - powerful or not.
Whosoever has a hungry heart can find Him.

Point in case is this move - "The Golden Compass".

If there ever was a movie you should not see and be ready to boycott then this is the one.

Listen to this from Gregory Reid:

Dear Friends,
On December 7th, New Line Cinema is releasing a new movie, "The GoldenCompass." It is

based on the first of a trilogy of books by Philip Pullman.The movie is being marketed as a

family/children's movie. It is hoped by those involved that it will rival both Harry Potter and

Narnia movies and books.

Here is the back story:

- Philip Pullman is a hardcore atheist. He co-created a DVD for 11 year oldscalled "Why

Atheism" and is hoping to have atheism taught in schools.

- He hates God, who he calls "The Authority."

- The movie has been sanitized of much of its virulent hatred towardChristians and the church

which is VERY clear in the book series. The dangeris that parents will see the movie as fairly

harmless and will then get the kids the books, which are so spiritually poisonous and God-

hating as to makeHarry Potter look like a Sunday School series.

- Pullman seems to me to be more than just an atheist. He is familiar enoughwith the world of

black magick to (a) Name one of the main characters "LordAsriel". This is a very slight

variation (one letter) of the ArchangelAzriel, who is considered the angel of death and

destruction in Kabalisticblack magick. And (b) Each character in the movie has a "Daemon."

Yes, thatis a CORRECT spelling in the black magic world for - demon. If you go on thewebsite,

you get this under "About Daemons":

"In Lyra's world, a person's soul lives on the outside of their body, in theform of a Daemon - an

animal spirit that accompanies them through life.

A child's Daemon can change shape, assuming all the forms that a child'spotential inspires; but as

a person ages, their daemon gradually settlesinto one form, according to their character and

nature.

A person's daemon is usually the opposite sex to its human partner.

In our world, it is possible that people have Daemons as well, only they are invisible. If you would like to learn more about your Daemon, and create adaemon avatar to take out into the

world with you, select 'Meet yourdaemon.'"

I can hardly begin here to detail the depth of issues just on the website.If you click on "Meet

your Daemon" kids can fill out a 20 questionpersonality quiz and will be given their own

"Daemon" with a name. (It is ananimal, or as we called them in the occult world, "Totem" an

animal ordaemon guardian.)

I don't think I need to explain the way this is going to open the door todemonize this NEW

generation of kids. And since Deborah Forte, president ofScholastic Entertainment, the media

branch of Scholastic Inc. (whichdetermines which books will get the nod in recommended public

school booksfor kids) is on board, it will virtually guarantee its entry into the livesof public school

children as was Harry Potter.

So please be aware. E mail this to anyone and everyone who is invested inthe lives of children. Don't be taken in, and for GOD's sake, do NOT spendone penny on this movie or the books. This

is not a joke, and it is notalarmist. I am tired of our kids being demonized because those who

SHOULD know better do NOTHING.

A couple of quotes from the Golden Compass author Philip Pullman:

• "I am all for the death of God."



• "My books are about killing God."



• "I am of the devil's party and I know it."

Thank you for taking time to read this long e mail. PLEASE pass it on.

Gregory R Reid, DD

========================
Here is the write-up from Urban Legends on this disturbing movie.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp
========================

Well, can you beluieve this?

I can safely say that this movie is definitely one of the Devil's tools.

I think he is using the tool of discouragement and unbelief through this movie.

Unfortunately, Philip Pullman is being used as a major tool to promote it. Remember don't hate

him but hate the sin.

Pray that Pullman one day sees the true light in Jesus Christ.

As for us believers we should always be able to identify and stay away from tricks and tools of

the Great Deciever - The Devil.

Let us remeber that great passage in Isaiah where The Lord tells us not to be

Discouraged:

28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the

everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not

grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will

soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will

walk and not be faint.
- Isaiah 40:28 -31

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Just my thoughts.
What do you think?
Post a comment and share!!!!

SNAFU

What’s a SNAFU you ask?

Well, it’s a term I heard a very long time ago.
I think I must have first picked it up in Jr. High School.
Since that time, I’ve often thought of the word (the
acronym actually). There have been plenty of times
over the years that it has applied to decisions,
areas, and aspects of my life.

Having its origins in the early 1940s, SNAFU
came out of WWII history. It basically means
“Situation Normal All Fouled Up”,
okay, its original meaning doesn't exactly mean "fouled",
but I think I should keep this blog at least “PG” rated.

From it’s meaning you can render how it was/is used.
It applies perfectly when things don’t go according to plan.
It applies when you think one way but the end result is another.
How many of us can think of times like that?

Well, I had the opportunity to think about it again this
weekend. My wife, Komal, and I were blessed with a wonderful
opportunity to attend a marriage retreat this past weekend.
The opportunity itself is a great blog article in itself, but I’ll
keep that for later.

Before you jump ahead yourselves, I’m not saying our
weekend was SNAFUed. Quite the contrary, our weekend
was an enlightenment that was greater than our expectations.
In fact, I had several “Ah-ha moments”, but I’ll just write
about one here.

Here’s what made me think of SNAFU:

Our Sr. Pastor, Todd Wagner, of Watermark Community Church
shed some great light onto a subject that I thought I already knew
about; that is the subject of creation. However, he shed some light
in such an angle that it added a layer of understanding to my
perspective. Without going into too much detail, let me summarize.

In Genesis 1 & 2:
God’s order was:

GOD -> MALE -> FEMALE -> WORLD

After this, God said “it is good”

In Genesis 3:
Satan comes along and introduces sin into the world.
Satan, posing as a creature (the created not the Creator),
therefore, symbolizing the world, introduces sin to the female,
and it trickles down to the male. Satan’s introduction is a
reverse in God’s order; it is now:

WORLD ~ FEMALE ~ MAN ~ GOD

What’s more, there is disaccord and strife (~) along each
disorder.

This “is bad”, no longer “good”.

This is how sin entered, and remains in our world.

This is why we live in less than heaven on earth;
this is why there are wars;
this is why there is disease;
this is why there is death.
The list can go on and on. But also, this is why there are
marital problems. There is strife/disaccord among husband and wife.

Man, if that’s not a SNAFU ...... I don’t know what is.

Mega, maha supreme, mucho grande, ultimate SNAFU
here !!!!!!!!

You see, God’s design for marriage was and is oneness.
Unity is the team goal that marriage should signify.

Jesus tells us in

Matthew 19:4-6
“Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the
Creator 'made them male and female,’ and said, 'For this reason a man will
leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become
one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined
together, let man not separate."

God’s purpose in marriage is two-fold; one is to reveal
His glory, and second is to make us holy (not necessarily, only, happy).

God allows adversity in marriage (as in other areas) to
sanctify us, that is, to mold us into the shape of His Son.
Paul, in his letter to the Romans, tells us that suffering can be a tool
used by God.

In Romans 5:3-4 he says:
… but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering
produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

WOW! Now that preaches.
Take a SNAFU and shed some light on it !!

But, here’s the WOW that slams the ball out of the field:

God knew the SNAFU was going to happen,
and He had a “Plan A” all along.
Notice, I said “Plan A”, not “Plan B or C”.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and
only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
– John 3:16

You see, God loved us so much, even though He knew that we would “foul up” his “situation
normal”, He was waiting to implement his plan at just the right time.

With Jesus, God’s goal is to bring the fallen world back to order, back to his original design.
Backto:

GOD -> MALE -> FEMALE -> WORLD

“It is good.”

So what are we willing to choose?
Will we follow God’s plan of restoration or continue in chaos?
Will we accept Jesus Christ as the only Way to salvation?

God leaves the choice to you.

Will you decide with a true heart?

I leave you with this:

How long are you going to be paralyzed by indecision? If the Lord is the true
God, then follow him
- 1Kings 18:21


If you’re ready for eternal life; if you want
SNAFU relief from eternal separation from God (hell that is) pray
this prayer (or something like it):

Oh Jesus, thank you for giving us
restoration from the biggest of all SNAFUs
that we have ever created. Please forgive our SNAFUs
as we forgive those who SNAFU against us. I know I have created a
SNAFU of my life, and I know that you can provide SNAFU relief.
Please help me to not be paralyzed with indecision, but open
my eyes and let me see that you have paid the price. Let my feeble mind understand why that price needs to be paid, and let my heart open up to your grace. My heart, my soul, my all is for you starting now.
From this day forward let me live for you. I need you.
I promise, if I do not see a transformation in my lifestyle starting at this moment,
I will re-check my heart and dedication immediately.
Oh Lord, please search my heart and remove the darkness and move me into
the light. I want to be a part of your family and an active member of your Kingdom. My Lord and Savior is Jesus Christ. AMEN.

Spiritual Spectacles

Man oh man!!
This last week I broke my glasses. My spectacles that is.

I tell you, it was not a fun time. I did not realize how dependent I was on them, until I did not have them. I had to go without them for almost a week.I just didn't have time until the weekend to go buy new ones.

Everyting was so unclear without them. I had to squint to make sense of anything further than a fewf eet away. And even then, everyhting was still fuzzy.

What a nuissance. Clear vision is truly taken for granted.

What did I ever do without my glasses?

I couldn't but help think how my vision parallels my spiritual life. Without my glasses everything is but a haze. I can't really make things out. Life is tough without them.

Jesus, is like a pair of spiritual glasses. With Him in my life, things make sense.

Things look brighter. Life is clearer and with "vision".

Thankfully God's eyes never weaken. Through him our sight and insight of life is strengthened. With Him in our lives we see clearer. We know better how to avoid stumbling blocks; we have a clearer path ahead of us.

What did I ever do without Him?

By looking at the world through Jesus, we can make him our spiritual spectacle. I don't want to ever imagine looking at this world without looking through him. What a dim and faded life it would be.

My ordeal made me think of that great,old, wonderful hymn by Helen Limmel.
it goes:

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in HIS wonderful face,

and the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

by the light of His glory and grace."

Want to see the complete lyrics with music?

Then go here

http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Turn_Your_Eyes_upon_Jesus/midi/

What great lyrics!

And what do you know, God even gives us a verse to pertain:

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. -

- Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

Thank you Jesus, for giving me insight into your beautiful Word, even if through my uncomfortable circumstance.

Long Sermons ... get a laugh

I just thought this was hilarious and I just had to post it.

I personally do not have a problem with long sermons as long as the content is engaging and Biblical, but

I thought this was a great laugh.

Fall Festival 2007: Don't Fall Back

• 
• FOLLOWING WAS AN EMAIL SENT TO FIBC FF2007 CO-ORDINATORS:
  
  Well guys I have finally decided about which theme to go with for this years Fall Festival. I think we will go with “DON’T FALL BACK”. Rather, more specifically, this refers to the issue of “backsliding” in a Christian’s life.  >>> complete doc