CALIFORNIA 40 DAYS OF PRAYER and FASTING

"Repentance for occultism and witchcraft

Occultism has its roots in what took place in the Garden of Eden. Satan appeared to Eve in the form of a serpent and tempted her saying, "Has God said you should not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?"  She answered, "God said you should not eat it or touch it lest you die." The serpent answered, "You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be open, and you will be like God, knowing good from evil." Gen 3: 1-5

The first temptation was for man to become his own god by listening to satan who was trying to replace God. The New Age movement has its roots along with numerous other ungodly teachings in the belief that there are many paths that lead to heaven which are all equal; therefore one does not have to follow God's commands and His provision. They say "Just look within and be your own god." Witchcraft adds another component to this age old lie. It adds the ability to tap into the power of satan or his spirits. Those who practice occultism call evil spirits good and good evil so that participants falsely believe what they are doing is good.

Christians who would never even consider going to a fortune teller, a psychic or a seance sometimes naively partake of the dark side in other ways yet Scripture makes it plain we are to have nothing to do with evil forces.....         .

"When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or daughter pass through fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures up spells, or a medium. For all who do these things (participate with them) are an abomination to the Lord your God. You shall be blameless before the Lord." Deut. 18: 9-13

HOW do untold numbers of Christians embrace occultism, some unknowingly? They may not know God's Word or too often the church or their friends are silent and don't teach on it. For instance, some homes have copies of Harry Potter books and other occult materials. Deuteronomy is filled with things God forbids His people (who are called by His Name) to partake of or associate with in any way. Our children are being taught from many different sources including books, video games, movies, and TV shows that parents allow in the home such as 'Medium', 'Charmed', 'Raven' and other new and upcoming shows. Even many schools appear to embrace occult activity and teach that it is not really wrong and in fact, is actually fun. God is very clear about how He sees this involvement and is very clear about His people avoiding it and crystal clear as to where He stands on these issues. He says, "All who do these things or participate with them are an abomination to Him." We sometimes do things in ignorance but God calls upon us to repent when light comes in. It is our responsibility to seek the Truth if we are to be known as His disciples. 

Application:

Let us not only have clean hearts before God but also clean homes that are consecrated to the Lord and are holy to Him. We cannot be embracing witchcraft and occultism in our homes while speaking out against it at church. There is a need for a house cleaning party in the body of Christ. Here is what this might look like. Go through your house and ask the Holy Spirit to accompany you. Look at CD's, DVD's, Books, Magazines, Posters, Pictures, Statues, Jewelry, T-shirts (no skulls/death!) and TV programs and ask if Jesus would feel comfortable sitting with you and listening, reading or watching with you. If not, clear out anything that would offend Jesus. Anoint your home and ask Jesus to cover it with His Blood. The word "Church" in the New Testament actually means the "Called Out Ones." We are called out of the world to serve Christ. We are in the world but not of the world. Join the called out ones today in consecrating everything in you, your family and in your home to Christ.  And in this month that many dedicate to witches, ghosts, death and darkness let us seize every opportunity to share with others the Way, the Truth and the Light of our Jesus!

CA 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

“REPENTING OF RELIGIOUS PRIDE”

Religious pride causes me to see what I can get out of church and creates a focus on what makes me look good. Humility causes me to understand it is about Christ in me so He can use me to share His love and mercy. The focus is what makes Him look good and not me.

JESUS tells this story: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men- robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give  a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance, he would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God have mercy on me a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18: 9-14

Religious pride causes us to rob God of His glory. It is constantly concerned by what benefits me. Humility causes me to constantly look at what benefits Christ’s Kingdom, not mine. I don’t attend church primarily for what I get out of it but to serve Him. Those who seek His Kingdom see a sign placed at the exit of the church parking lot that states, “You are now entering the Mission Field.” While our needs are often met at church so that we continue to learn, grow, and fellowship, our motive, our goal should be is to serve the Lord and others, to worship Him and to reflect His love to others.

CALIFORNIA 40 DAYS OF PRAYER & FASTING

"Repentance for not protecting and loving the afflicted, orphan, and widows"

Long ago Christ held up a magnifying glass for the church to look and see if it is reflecting His priorities and values - James 1: 27 - "True and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." There is a contrast of world views being given in this text. One holds that the highest priority is to show God's unconditional love to the down trodden of society. The other world view which invades the church is seeking to expand religion at the expense of those who most need his love. A quick look at where churches or families place their priorities acts as a magnifying glass to see if our religion is motivated by self-gain, by expansion or by unconditional love to bestow the Love of Christ on those most in need. Jesus made this such an issue that He stated that judgment will hinge on whether or not we reflect His love and his heart in true religion in Matthew 25: 31-46:

In this parable Jesus gathers all those professing to know Him before the judgment seat and separates them as a shepherd would separate sheep from goats. He says to the true sheep "Inherit the kingdom prepared for you, from the foundation of the world for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me." The sheep say, "Lord when did we do these things for You?" He answers, "Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to Me." Then the Lord turns to the other religious group gathered as goats and says the reverse of what He has just said to the first group, "I was hungry and you feed Me not, in prison, naked, thirsty and You gave me nothing." They also respond, "Lord, when did we not do these things for You?" He answers, "Inasmuch as you did not do them to the least of these in need you did not do it to Me. Depart from Me I know you not." Some may argue, "But Lord we cast out demons in Your name. We did signs and wonders and built large church buildings to honor You.." He will say "You did not do these things for Me but for yourselves. You did not have my heart for the lost and broken that I came to reach. You did not know My heart or you would have loved as I loved."

God has His magnifying glass in hand in this hour. Do we have His heart so we are practicing true religion? Do love with undefiled love not stained with the love of the world? These are the questions He is asking of His bride. What are we doing about the orphans, widows, and afflicted in our midst and in our community? What are we doing individually and corporately? The answer reveals our hearts and what really has hold of our affections and intentions.