It seems this period of celebration increases each year. Have seen Halloween products sold with Christmas decorations. So what goes on here, guys?
The ancient Celtic celebration of Samhain (November 1), from which All
Saints' Day and All Hallows Eve derive, was a kind of New Year’s as unto a
holiday. Along with the days immediately before and after, it was special
because the Celts believed that the boundary between this world and the spirit
world was relaxed or lifted, allowing spirits to cross between them more
easily. As this idea terrified superstitious people, they mollified the spirits
by leaving out food and treats so that they would not curse them. Some
practiced various forms of divination as in the seance to contact departed
loved ones. Druids thought this to be the best time to seek guidance from the
dead! Some people would go in the house
through the window, and exit the same. ( Makes you think of those who are
willing to rob another in their home)
At this time, people do what they desire. They have an enthusiastic attitude to having a great time of entertainment: indoors and outdoors!
Have seen another nation with their folks coming in by an illegal manner worship the dead. They set up tables and worship their dead by telling young school students about an ancient grandmother or such. But skulls are out of line indeed when displayed for a young child to see in this nation. ( now they are making quilts to worship the dead. How sick is that?)
Turning toward Timothy: Three brief letters of First and Second Timothy and Titus were written by the apostle Paul to two evangelists, Timothy and Titus. These three epistles are often called "The Pastoral Epistles." This is a result of misunderstanding who a pastor is according to New Testament teaching. Many people have the mistaken idea that a preacher is the same as a pastor. They always confuse the roles of preachers (evangelists) with that of pastors (elders). The Bible, however, makes a clear distinction between evangelists and pastors. They do not refer to the same work in the church (Reading in Ephesians 4:11).
Since the letters of Timothy and Titus were written to evangelists
rather than pastors, it is more accurate to call them "The Evangelistic
Epistles." Even though First Timothy and Titus do contain the
qualifications of elders (pastors), the letters were specifically written to
preachers rather than to elders. Do you know any elders?
In Acts 20, we read of Paul's speech to the elders of the church. He warned them of the coming of false teachers who would draw away disciples after their teaching (Acts 20:28-32). Paul’s prophecy soon came true. It was necessary for him to leave Timothy at Ephesus to "charge some that they teach no other doctrine" (1 Timothy 1:3).
Two verses in First Timothy sum up what the epistle is about: "These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:14,15).
Chapter one of First Timothy speaks of the importance of teaching
correct doctrine. Chapter two deals with the place of women in the church. Men
and women are equal in salvation (Galatians 3:28), but they have different
works in the church. Man is commanded to take the lead in prayers and teaching.
Women are to "learn in silence with all submission" (1 Timothy 2:11).
They are not to teach publicly where they have authority over men. Two reasons
are given for this:
God created man first; Adam was not deceived, but Eve was.
In chapter 3 of Timothy, there are three prime qualifications of elders
and deacons. It is God’s plan that each congregation be led by men called
elders, or bishops (overseers), or pastors (shepherds). However, one must be
qualified before he can serve in this important work. Deacons are special
servants of the church. They serve under the elders of the church in works
assigned to them. They too must be qualified.
Beginning here Paul to the evangelist Timothy: God has not given us fear, as to being
cowardly, that cringing and fawning fear of dread. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has
not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
1. Meaning
a safe and sound mind is found in Jesus ;It is also the disciplined mind, with the ability to understand and
make right decisions
2. The
safe or sound mind has the qualities of self-control / self-discipline..
3. One who
has the spirit of fear is immobilized and tormented; they are banking on wrong
decisions that gives way to bondage
4. 2
Timothy 1:6 tell us to remember our calling: Therefore I remind you to stir up
the gift of God which is in your through the laying on of my hands.
5. Within
us, we have the power of God through
Holy Spirit, enabling us to be victors and not victims; The perfect
love of God has been poured out into our hearts, our lives through Jesus
Christ; we have His abiding presence, and His mind to make sound choices
Timothy was given a word by Paul to remember God had given him a
overcoming spirit. He had the Holy Spirit, so no fear could abide there. Timothy,
who was honoring God---a young disciple became Paul’s companion in many of the journeys.
Timothy’s mother Eunice and his grandmother, Lois, are mentioned for
their righteousness. At the time of Paul’s second trip or visit to Lystra,
Timothy was seen as read in acts 16:2. Acts 16:1-2 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold a certain
disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of certain Jewish woman who
believed, but his father was Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brethren who
were at Lystra and Iconium.
Paul had high regard for Timothy and saw him as his spiritual son in
the Faith. It was Paul who arranged for Timothy to become his companion. IN Acts 16:3 Paul wanted to have him go with
him. He had him circumcised because of the Jews who were in that region, for
they all knew that his father was Greek.
After the circumcision, Paul designated Timothy to the office of an
evangelist found in 1 Timothy 4:14. Do not neglect the gift that is in you,
which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the
eldership. They gave him God’s purpose and the gifts God placed in Him. He
traveled with Paul through Phrygia, Galatia, Mysia---also to Troas and Philippi
in Acts 17.
Timothy followed Paul to Athens and then Paul sent Timothy with Silas to Thessalonica on a mission’s trip. Acts 17:15 and 2 Thessalonica 3:2….and sent Timothy our brother and minister of God and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.
Then Timothy appeared in Corinth: 1 Thessalonica 1:1 and 2
Thessalonica 1:1.
After some years in Corinth, Timothy is later seen with Paul in Ephesus Acts 19:22. When Paul
became a prisoner, it was Timothy who came to support him but was also arrested
for short while. Hebrews 13:23 know
that our brother Timothy has been set free with whom I shall see you if he
comes shortly.
Timothy’s steps were ordered of the Lord. He would become the fearless
indeed!
After Paul’s death in Rome,
Timothy became Bishop at Ephesus. It was there he would die a martyrs death in
A.D. 97! Already over the age of 80 it was the season , the pagan procession of
the goddess Artemis. Timothy seeing the group knew many of them to be members
of his church or flock. He encouraged them to stop the pagan worship as he
preached them the word. In their anger,
they raised their poles of wood which they had held in effigy, those faces of
men or women, they wanted punished, to be dealt with in hate.
Timothy no longer held fear, but was bold as a lion to preach the word to those who were choosing the darkness over light! He died lifting the word of God, and telling them to repent!
Of Artemis: Ephesus was
the center of the worship of Artemis or Diana. At one time when he, Paul was
there, some of his companions were attacked by a mob. Paul knew the stress and
pressure the church was under. But instead of praying the obvious for them,
protection for them, he prays for spiritual development and fruit in them.
In Ephesians 1:15-19 we read: “For this reason, ever since I heard about
your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation,
so that you may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be
enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the
riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great
power for us who believe.”
Here Paul desires them to have
spiritual development and fruit in them. It is to know God better.
We are told in the
book of Acts and chapter 19 that Paul’s ministry to the Ephesians in Ephesus caused many to turn from idols. A
spiritual awakening in the city was widespread that it caused a recession among
the idol-makers. The silversmiths lead by Demetrius had a meeting among those of
the trade. Gathered together, he thought to stir them to anger and cause an
action for their trade was in great danger of great loss in finances, so
Demetrius was seeking to make a religious covering pretending this great
reverence for Artemis or Diana and her temple. But the silversmiths meeting
turned into a mob scene in which the whole city was inflamed. With chants to Diana
as the great of the Ephesians, a crowd rushed to seize Paul’s traveling
companions: Gaius and Aristarchus with the one purpose of killing them.
Interesting truth: in Acts 19:32 many did not know why they were there and why
they complained. Conflicting voices were heard at every side you could
turn. Paul in his Ephesians prayer
was not asking for their protection but for their spiritual growth. Today, I
too do not ask for the obvious but I do pray for your spiritual development.
That you too would have fruit that spiritual account. Enlightened in the
kingdom of God. That you be Enlightened to truth and not wickedness. Proverbs 14:34 Message Bible: God-devotion makes a country strong; God-avoidance leaves people weak. Proverbs 14:34 Amp. Bible Uprightness and right standing
with God ( moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation ) elevate a
nation but sin is a reproach to any people.
In Closing:
Are we as a group of people of a nation that was once under God now
under that which masquerades as noble but is evil! Is violence at the door of
our mouth? That idol worship is
worshiping something that has nothing to do with the way, the life or truth
that Jesus preached and Paul proclaimed.
The words given by Jesus was to proclaim life that would set captives
free: seen as the power of God in the heart of every man and woman who would
believe on Jesus Christ. And today they build rockets and send them into space
to honor the goddess Diana. They worship giant steps of man and never consider the
God who created all this! The way of
idol worship is that which is set for man to do that is good in his own eyes.
We pray our nation turns back to God! Those dedicated to pride & changing
that which God ordained, you too might see those coming down the sidewalk with
poles holding those faces held in effigy because they with ash on their own
faces, worshiping in the pagan procession of the goddess Artemis are bold
in their own religion and worship. They worship dead things. Those he knew who
came to the church, now ash on their faces or masks so the demons might not see
their arrogant hate of others, Timothy raises his voice! NO longer held in
fear, but was bold as a lion to preach the word to those who were choosing the
darkness over light! He died lifting the word of God, and telling them to
repent! Will we turn someone toward Jesus?
Will we speak while there is time? For
whatever time remains for each of us, may it be with a heart for God to speak
now!
Teaching at: Voice of Prayer
Visit my You Tube channel Voice of Prayer for more teaching
Visit Life Giving Wells You Tube Channel for more teaching
