Modern Paganism and Witchcraft

“As Christianity has been declining in the United States paganism has been growing by leaps and bounds.”

Once I was visiting with a young woman whom I had lost contact with for several years. As we caught up about her family, work and faith she announced, “I’m a pagan.” It surprised me. However, after some reading, I came to realize that she is not alone by any means. Interest in paganism has increased over 185% since 1990. As Christianity has been declining in the United States and Europe for several decades, atheism, agnosticism, paganism and occultism has been growing by leaps and bounds. (Image by iStock)

Modern paganism is a broad term that includes many forms of spiritual-type rituals, practices or traditions such as Wicca, Druidity, astrology, tarot cards and more. According to the Pagan Federation, a pagan is “a follower of a polytheistic or pantheistic nature-worshipping religion.” In simple terms, it is someone who believes in many gods and goddesses and deification of nature. There are a number of distinctions like nature worship, rituals, spells, magic, the use of witchcraft and exploring the supernatural.

Every October, many pagans celebrate one of their most sacred events – Samhain. When Americans are trick-or-treating on Halloween, pagans honor the dead through various rituals believing the supernatural veil that divides this world and the next can be crossed.

Paganism reveals a spiritual searching that has been common to the human race for centuries. Many have travelled the path seeking rest for their souls through the supernatural only to find emptiness at each turn. Why does it elude them? Because of its deceptive nature, believing that satisfying one’s own impulses and desires is the highest good. Because of the illusion that god is in everything, and everything is god. For thousands of years, humanity has been tempted by the lures of paganism, as it appeals to the exaltation of mankind’s own passions. Yet, the truth has been revealed to each one of us.

The Scriptures say, “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools.” (Romans 1:19-22)

The truth is, there is only one true God in all the universe. And He has revealed Himself to us through His divine Son, Jesus. He sent Him to us from heaven, to show who He is. Then Jesus went to the cross, to suffer, die and rise again, that we might be set free from the evil in our own hearts. And as we trust in Christ alone and walk faithfully with Him, when we face death, we will cross from the physical into the eternal and live forever in the presence of the Lord God.

Only Jesus can satisfy the longing of the soul. When He gave His life as a sacrifice on a cross then rose again from the dead, He ended the need for a man-made system of spiritual rituals.

Once a man was in a desperate place when he pleaded, “…what must I do to be saved?” which was followed by a simple answer, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:30-31). No longer do we need to bear the burden of trying to do or say the right things to find rest for our soul. We just need simple faith combined with surrender wholly to Christ. We need to yield our allegiance to Him, who is Lord of all creation.

A prayer for you - Lord God, I pray you will bring people to turn from the worship of nature, communicating with spirits and using spells and magic to fulfill their desires, and toward you. Let them see that rituals and other forms of pagan practices will end only in their futility. May they call upon you and receive eternal life through Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.      

6 Issues to Consider in Your Vote for President

 “When it comes to voting, the most important piece of information is knowing a candidate’s position on the issues and what kind of policies they will potentially enact.”

When it comes to voting for the President of the United States what should be our guide? For some, it is simply about political party. They will vote down the ballot based on that alone. For others they are impacted by likeability, personality, communication and a candidate’s character. (Image by kp yamu Jayanath from Pixabay)

In truth, we are impacted by the whole package but knowing what a candidate will do once elected is vital. The most important piece of information is knowing a candidate’s position on the issues and what kind of legislation they will vote for, or policies they will enact. A winsome candidate can be a great communicator and very likeable but have dangerous policy positions. Someone running for office can also have questionable character, but a track record of legislation that benefited the country.

So what is our guide? Simple. Moral truth. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) And about the Bible itself, the Scripture says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16) Jesus and His Word is the standard by which we judge what is moral legislation or policy that will honor God and be best for the nation.

Here are issues to consider, which comes from the help of Decision magazine.

Freedom of religion. “’We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us.’ But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’” (Acts 5:28-29) God tells us that believers in Christ are to speak of Him publicly, worship Him corporately and live for Him deliberately in all situations. Which candidate best protects a Christian’s right to live that way while running their own business, while at school, or while refusing to engage in certain things due to a violation of their conscience?

Free speech. “And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house.” (Ezekiel 2:7) God teaches that Christians are to speak the truth, which sometimes means standing for what is right by exposing evil, while at other times it means proclaiming the good news of Christ to those who are in need of Him. Which candidate best protects the voices of truth, without censorship or reprisal?

Sanctity of human life. “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:13-14) God teaches that all humanity is made in His image, from the unborn baby, to the disabled, sick and elderly. Which candidate best protects individuals at all stages of life?

Education. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” (Proverbs 9:10) God teaches that true knowledge begins with Him and includes the reading and study of His Holy Word. Which candidate best protects the rights of students and teachers to pray and speak of the Lord God? Which candidate allows students the freedom of choice to attend public or private school or homeschooling?

Border security. “Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!” (Psalm 122:7) God teaches that a nation has an obligation to guard its borders in order to protect its citizens. Which candidate will best protect America’s borders?

Family and parental rights. “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) God teaches that parents have the primary responsibility over their children. Which candidate will best recognize and protect the rights of parents in teaching their children and making moral decisions for them?

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray for wisdom as voters they cast their ballots. Give them insight and knowledge in who best to vote for. Help them to sort through all the information and choose wisely. Lord God, put the person in office that will best carry out godly policies. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Is My Loved One in Heaven?

“Yes, there is life after death, and there is a heaven, but the Builder of heaven created it to only be occupied by people who meet His terms.”

While his hands gripped the casket and tears streamed down his face looking at his daddy, little Jimmy was devastated, along with many others. He did not understand what was happening. His dad had been playing with he and his sister a few days ago, then went to bed but never woke up. Jimmy’s grandma with a small and weak voice tried to bring comfort saying, “Your daddy is with grandpa now. No doubt they will be golfing together on the best courses and fishing on the most beautiful rivers.” (Image by Pixabay)

When death comes to visit our loved ones and friends, in the midst of our pain and sorrow we may try to imagine the best with where our loved one might be at that moment. We are believing there is an afterlife, and our loved one has gone on there and met up with other loved ones and good friends and are thoroughly enjoying themselves in one of the most beautiful places that can be envisioned.

This brings us comfort as we grieve, but is it true?

In the Bible there is this question, “If a man dies, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14) Who can answer this, and also the truth about heaven? Jesus once said, “No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.” (John 3:13) Jesus verifies that heaven truly exists. He came from there, and after He died and rose again from the dead, He returned.

Can a person truly live again after they die? Jesus answers this too, saying “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” (Jn. 11:25-26)

Yes, there is life after death, and there is a heaven, but the Builder of heaven set it up to only be occupied by people who meet His terms. Let me explain the conditions the Lord God laid out, which are both simple and very difficult.

Repentance. “Turn away from evil and do good” (Psalm 34:14) God has laid down laws against things like lying, sexual immorality, drunkenness, as well as, anger, unforgiveness and jealousy. He says we must stop these things, turn to Him and start doing good.  

Belief. “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31) Belief is an overlapping word along with trust and faith. It means not only to have a sense of acknowledgement of the existence of Jesus, but also refers to committing one’s entire life under His complete authority.

Evidence of obedience. “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46) What is the proof of turning away from evil and believing in Jesus? If someone is truly a follower of Christ it will show in their obedience to Jesus and the Word of God.

Evidence of love. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5) Following Jesus is about love for Him. Love is not just about feelings and emotions, but a total devotion to Christ, where you serve Him with all your being, because of who He is and what He did on the cross for you.

There are two places in the afterlife: heaven and hell. Hell is an awful place for those who have rejected Christ and refused to live for Him. But for those who have turned from sin, placed their faith in Christ, and give evidence of that through obedience and love for Jesus, then I can confidently say they are in the presence of the King of kings this very this moment. And if you follow Christ, then when you face death, you will be in heaven as well.

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray for those who have had to bury a loved one or close friend. Bring peace to their heart. Help them to cast their cares on you and prepare them for their own eventual appointment with death. Bring them to turn from their sin and trust in you with all their being. In Jesus’ name. Amen.