October 2012

The Pumpkin Party: Unmasking Halloween

Submitted by Debra on
 
00:00
Audio icon Unmasking-Halloween.mp3

by Pastor Mark Downey

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 5:23-31

From Jer. 5:23 to the end of the chapter we read, "This people has a stubborn and rebellious heart. They do not say in their heart, 'let us now fear the Lord'. For wicked men are found among My people . They spread nets, they lay traps, they catch men… their houses are full of deceit… they have become great and rich. They are fat, they deal in false evidence… Shall I not punish these people? Declares the Lord… there is a shameful and horrible thing in the country! The preachers preach falsehood, and the priests trick with their hands, and My people love to have it so, what can be done viler than that?"

What can be viler than ministers who call themselves Christian, but whom God calls wicked men that spread nets and lay traps to catch men?  It sounds like Jeremiah is describing predators for profit.  It sounds like a church-sponsored Halloween with spider webs and bats.  Or maybe you’ve seen the banner in front of some banks that say ‘Hallo-wee-ones’; wee ones suggesting little children.  Aren’t these preachers and bankers thoughtful?  We’ll see just what they are thinking.

That Still Small Voice

Submitted by Debra on
 
00:00
Audio icon That-Still-Small-Voice.mp3

by Pastor Mark Downey

Scripture Reading: I Kings 19:9-12

What gets your attention?  A tornado twisting through your immediate neighborhood?  An earthquake that shakes you out of your bed?  Or perhaps a smoke alarm that indicates your home is on fire?  People often refer jokingly to a bolt of lightning or a burning bush before they are motivated to take notice of something, even though these two supernatural elements are mentioned in the Bible and got people’s attention.  There are times when spectacular events ordained by the divine hand of God do not register in the minds of man.  It’s just “mother nature” or the inane mindset that ‘it is what it is.’  However, God is not without other means by which He gets your attention. 

We are living in a day and age where Madison Avenue is trying to sell you something, either by hook or crook, meaning unethical mind-control techniques.  And thus, we are bombarded every day with an assault of visual and audio advertising, unless you live in a cave like Elijah.  Even churchianity has jumped onto the illicit bandwagon of smoke and mirrors, gimmicks and trickery.  There’s even an occult technology of power to reach you on a subconscious level to make you hear voices in your head.   But, today’s message is to help you overcome all of that ungodly influence.  Do you know how to focus on Christ?