New Covenant Full Gospel Church

Pastor Helen: Authority and Power. https://youtu.be/O4jv7iclxqY

Pastor Helen: Authority and Power Audio Only Version https://drive.google.com//151NiQpwwUdphpxXV9e1CkzfkO/view

Pastor Helen: Authority vs Power https://youtu.be/GH-zVJGDSec

Pastor Helen: Authority vs Power Audio Only Version https://drive.google.com//15ve-yf91ORslvnJzAAC3EJ18d/view

Pastor Helen: Spiritual Warfare Audio Only Version... https://drive.google.com//1MrMzIUa-fcJPTWBMqtZl1m6nM/view

Pastor Helen: Spiritual Warfare https://youtu.be/LqJnU9vOUMk

Matthew 6:19-21 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Pastor Helen with: "The Importance of Worship" Video Version https://youtu.be/F-13P7zq8dw

Pastor Helen had the message today: The Importance of Worship. Audio Only Version... https://drive.google.com//1L_QfmNvP-02p8Wk5eL3-yeIAQ/view

The final symbol of Halloween that I want to discuss is that of the Jack O’Lantern. The Jack O’Lantern comes from an Irish folktale about a man named Stingy Jack. As the story goes Stingy Jack invited the devil to have a drink with him and tricked the devil into turning himself into a coin to pay for the drinks. True to his name, Stingy Jack put the coin in his pocket next to a silver cross which prevented the devil from turning back into his original form. Jack eventua...lly freed the devil but told him to leave him alone for one year. Should Jack die during that time, he made the devil promise not to take his soul. The next year, Jack tricked the devil again while doing another task but this time made the devil promise not to bother him for ten years. Soon after Jack died and as the story goes, God wouldn’t allow a man of Jack’s character to enter heaven and the devil, keeping his word that he would not claim Jack’s soul, wouldn’t let Jack into hell. So Jack was sent on his way with only a piece of coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved out turnip and has been roaming the Earth ever since. The Irish referred to this ghostly figure as Jack of the Lantern and then just Jack O’Lantern. People fearful of ghosts and other evil spirits began to carve turnips, potatoes and eventually when the practice came to America the pumpkin with ghoulish faces with lighted candles inside to keep evil spirits from their houses. In closing does evil spirits, darkness, demons, animal and human sacrifices, the spirit of fear have anything to do with God? Yes in the Old Testament there was animal sacrifices to cover sin BUT that was taken care of when Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself for us on the cross. He was the last sacrifice and His shed blood covers and washes away our sin. Ephesians 5:11-13 states: And don’t even associate with the servants of darkness because they have no fruit in them; instead reveal truth to them. Vs 12 The very things they do in secret is too vile and filthy to even mention, vs 13 Whatever revelation-light exposes it will correct and everything that reveals truth is light to the soul. In other words, the servants of darkness do not have in them the fruits of the Holy Spirit which are joy, peace, love, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, long-suffering and self-control. So if these are the traits of God, who loves us and wants all of Heaven’s best for us, why would we, as the church, want to have anything to do with the darkness of Halloween? Only you can answer that question and because God is a loving God, full of grace and mercy- He loves you enough to let you make that choice. All I can say is choose wisely. (Source: The History Channel)

Matthew 6:16-18 Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Continuing on with the origins and symbols of Halloween Trick or treat: The meaning behind trick or treat began hundreds of years ago in Ireland when a group of farmers went from house to house begging for food for the village Halloween festivities in the name of their gods. Good luck was promised to a generous giver and threats were made against those who would not give. As Europeans came to America they brought the tradition with them of going house to house asking for foo...d or money. This practice eventually became today's version of trick or treat with children dressed in costumes asking for a treat or they will play a trick on you. Black cats and ghosts The Druids or Celtic priests believed that cats were sacred and also believed that at one time cats were human beings. But because of evil deeds the human beings had done, the person was changed into a cat as punishment. Black cats during the Middle Ages were perceived by many people as witches that were changed into cats to avoid detection. With belief systems like this, it is no wonder that cats are one of the most maimed and sacrificed animals at Halloween. Ghosts were believed to be souls of the dead returning to their homes on one night of the year, Halloween. This "haunting" was due to the belief that souls of wicked men were left to wander in space between the earth and the moon, while the souls of good men were caught up and taken to paradise. But there was a means to exorcise a ghost- you had to set out food and treats and provide shelter for them during the night. If the "ghost" accepted your treat and shelter, the "ghost" left you in peace. If it was not provided or acceptable to the spirit, then all kinds of evil would come upon you. Some may still think it's still all innocent fun but does the Bible teach us that we are to do evil to each other? No the Word says love one another, to build each other up, that if we see someone in need to provide for them. We are commissioned according to Mark 16:17 which says "we are to cast out demons in my name". Well whose name-Jesus, the One who sacrificed Himself on the cross so we would be free of all sin, free from temptation, free from oppression, darkness, free from anything evil. Halloween is darkness, it is evil, it is witchcraft and sorcery all things the opposite of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. It's time to rethink the celebration of this "holiday". For me and my house we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15. (Sources: The History Channel and "The truth about Halloween" by Bob McCurry)