All Hallow's Eve!

For Thursday, October 31, 2024:

2 Corinthians 5:8 PHILLIPS: “We would really rather be “away” from the body (in death) and be “at home” with the Lord.”

In the US, today is “Halloween” or All Hallows’ Eve. Kids don fun costumes, ring doorbells, shout “Trick or Treat” and receive candy, allegedly for not ‘tricking’ anyone! It can be a fun holiday celebrating autumn, harvest and sometimes the first snowfall.

But there are dark parts of Halloween to be avoided. ’Witchcraft’ means the use of magic or supernatural powers to inflict harm or misfortune on others. If anyone has such power, it comes straight from the devil himself. When believers die, our spirits are instantly with the Lord. Non-believers get to hang out in Satan’s realm. The Bible makes no mention of souls caught midway between this life and the next. So there really are no ghosts. Graves do not open up. Once we’ve entered the next reality, there’s no going back. Sorry, Ghostbusters! You’ll have to find another line of work!

The Lord will show you everything you need to know. Hauntings, séances, tarot cards, Ouija boards, and crystal balls are attempts to offer insight into an unknown world that lies beyond the limits of our physical existence. The truth is that we cannot go there.

Tomorrow is “All Saints’ Day,” often celebrated the following Sunday. We remember both our ancestors and other great people who have gone before us. Our Mexican neighbors celebrate Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos,) similar to All Saints’ Day.

So let’s enjoy the holiday, savoring the fun parts, the good parts, and setting aside rumors and bad theology. Stick with what the Bible teaches!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship