Halloween, and Satan's illusions
Disclaimer: To understand the Lord's spiritual truth, you must be born from above by his Holy Spirit. Be sure you've submitted yourself to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and receive this gift from the Lord, lest you add knowledge with no power and are held eternally accountable.
Introduction
Good evening! Hope you're seeking God's kingdom today, as with every day. I got my van worked on today, and of course I have some pictures to share. I bought him some brownies, because I know he has kids, and he's working on my house, at his house, so I'm thankful. The old A/C clutch was totally worn out, and my coworker was having a lot of trouble removing it. But eventually he got it off, put the new one on, and the A/C worked again! He also took a look at my power steering which was making a slight groaning noise. He said it's probably getting old, as it is bubbling slightly in the fluid, but there are no visible leaks. I took a 45 min drive to a new town, and I could tell it drove smoother than before. Praise God saved me $1400 as I didn't have to get a new compressor. Here are some pictures!
The clutch is to the right.
That's a beat up clutch!
Can you tell which one is new?
Reattaching the serpentine belt after installing the new clutch.
Pretty cool to watch, he even modified certain tools on the spot to fit certain things. Showed him my van, talked about the Lord's faithfulness, shared some of my testimony and how the Gospel changed me, and we talked about a few different topics like raising children, the internet, and where the world is headed. At the end of it all, he offered to have me stay on his property if I ever get kicked out of my current park spots. That's nice of him!
People make tools they want
Speaking of making tools, one of the topics we talked about was the internet and technology. He brought up how he wants to see the internet collapse, along with social media, because everyone is getting more and more selfish, prideful, and self-centered these days. That opened a door to share some of my testimony, but I also told him that people will be selfish, prideful, self-centered, even without these tools. Man has a proclivity to build tools to fit their flesh, and if the tools are taken away, it doesn't mean man's descent into deeper and deeper darkness is going to change. I told him the Bible tells us the culture is headed in a downward descent, it won't get better, and our only hope is the Spirit of God changing our heart and mind to conform to the truth, not the fading world. Hopefully those topics we talked about planted some seeds of truth!
Halloween
I won't write too much on Halloween, but I do want to make this point. Satan has setup many illusions in the world. He setup the order in the world as he's the god of it.
“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4:4, KJV)
“Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:” (Ephesians 2:2, KJV)
"world"
kosmos
kos'-mos
Probably from the base of G2865; orderly arrangement, that is, decoration; by implication the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively [morally]): - adorning, world.
Satan has ordered the world in a certain way. Halloween is all about evil, promoting evil, lavishing in evil, it's blatant that's what it is. Then Christmas comes, and that's "good" according to the world because it's about God. Do you see the false good and evil? Halloween, evil, Christmas, good, yet, according to God's standard, they're both evil. God ordained neither one, and practicing one or the other will damn your soul. We worship God in Spirit and truth.
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24, KJV)
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6, KJV)
If we abide in Christ, we abide in the truth, and Satan's lies have no effect. But, if we don't abide in God's word, then we're abiding in what or own flesh, or Satan's world says is true: Christmas good, Halloween bad, but you can practice both if you want. One lie will damn your soul. Practicing Halloween, or practicing one false way, will destroy you. Don't be deceived, these holidays are not of God. Repent and obey the truth!
“For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” (Revelation 22:15, KJV)
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17, KJV)
Discount Groceries
Check out this haul from some discount grocery stores I stopped at. All of this for almost exactly 100 dollars. These places are major blessings, and save me a lot of money in groceries. I do most of my meal shopping in normal grocery stores, and I try to focus these discount trips on snacking things mostly. One of the chip bags I bought for ~$1 is like $6 in a normal store! Oh, and check this out, a honeycomb :) that's cool because, I can think of a bunch of places in Scripture that talk about natural honey.
Jonathan doesn't hear Saul's charge not to eat.
“But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.” (1 Samuel 14:27, KJV)
The judgement of the Lord is sweeter than the honeycomb.
“The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” (Psalms 19:9-10, KJV)
Jesus himself eats a honeycomb after rising from the dead.
“And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.” (Luke 24:42-44, KJV)
There are many more, but I had to get it, I'll let you know how sweet it is!
First stop, ~$75. I focused on snackable carbs, and sweets I like.
Second stop, ~$25.
Anyone that knows me, knows I like peanut butter. But a tub this size won't fit in my van.
A bucket full of honey. Reminds me of John the Baptist.
“And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.” (Matthew 3:4, KJV)
Japanese Language Update
So, check out an example of the audios I use in tandem with the Genki books. I want to get good at hearing questions, phrases, and words at native speed, responding in a quick manner. See if you can respond to them. They're not easy exercises!
Closing Reflections
I have a few subjects I want to study in scripture, including baptism, and I also am working on some personal studies. Staying in a different town tonight, the Lord kept me safe in my travels! The trees are changing too, check out the picture. Rest well, keep seeking the kingdom of God, but also beware of Satan's devices like Halloween, Christmas, Easter, Good Friday, he comes as an angel of light.
“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15, KJV)
Keep yourselves in the love of God. (じゃあね, ja-a-ne, see you later!)