MIND OF CHRIST MINISTRIES, INC.
PASTOR THOMAS E. OGLESBY
P.O. BOX 85
NUTLEY, NEW JERSEY 07110
E-mail: MOC@MindOfChristMinistries.net
October 2018
“The Real Meaning of Halloween”
Dear Believer (s):
I believe that many of you that have followed this ministry know about the love and caring we have for our children. You may have read in a ministry letter, listened to a CD, watched a DVD or seen on television sermons that I have preached regarding our children. Our children are one of the greatest gifts that God has given to mankind. It is the responsibility of Christian parents to raise and nurture our children so that they come to know God for themselves.
One of the scriptures that I share with our little ones and young people is found in Ephesians
6:1-3, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right” Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise:“that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”
The times that we are living in are dangerous times for our children. The devil would like to and he is trying to destroy our children any way he can. Remember “the thief cometh to steal, kill, and destroy.” It is the responsibility of Christians to protect God’s future army. What have you done and what are you doing to protect God’s gift of children?
Recently, I was having lunch in a restaurant with a pastor who is also a dear friend. As we enjoyed our meal, I noticed a young couple sitting across from us with two beautiful and precious children. The father and his little two year old got up and came to our table. The father said his daughter wanted to tell us something. The father indicated that he and his family had overheard us talking about God. The two year old toddler, with sparking eyes, and a big smile recited the 23rd Psalm. She did not miss a single word, and charmed us as she spoke. I sat in disbelief as this tiny little baby recited the 23rd Psalm. What joy she brought to my heart and tears to my eyes. The love and enthusiasm we saw in this little child. Her father told us that he had taught her this scripture and others. He also told us how she loved listening to the Bible being read. The man’s wife and their other child joined us. What a time of fellowship we had and what a blessing they were to me.
God is alive and well in the lives of many of our young people today. We must share the love of God and be instrumental in seeing that His Spirit lives in our children.
The devil is a master of deception. He wants to destroy not only our children but all of God’s people. I want to talk specifically about The Real Meaning of Halloween! Every year many born-again believers join in the celebration of Halloween without having any idea about the real meaning of this ancient holiday. They think that Halloween is “just about wearing masks and a silly little game,” but we should know that it is one of satan’s most subtle deceptions.
When you think about Halloween, the first thing that probably comes to your mind is all the elaborate costumes that are available for children. Just look at all of the sales in stores of children’s Halloween costumes and merchandise. Halloween has become a big money business. Halloween sales are second only to Christmas sales. During this time of year, store shelves are overflowing with vampires and witch costumes and all sorts of costumes that resemble evil, and demonic-looking creatures. We see gaudy, grotesque, disgusting things that parents can buy for their children to wear! God’s people need to understand that when we join in the celebration of Halloween, we are really dabbling in satan’s kingdom!
Many Christian parents innocently involve their families in traditional Halloween activities because they have no idea about the historical background of Halloween. We need to go back and examine the history books and find out what Halloween is really all about. What is the bottom-line meaning of trick or treating? Halloween actually began as a celebration of death. The ancient Celtic Druids believed that on Halloween night the souls of the dead came back to haunt the living. As part of their celebration, they left food outside their doors to appease the dead souls who supposedly were prowling through the countryside. They also offered human sacrifices to honor their god of the dead, Samhain! The tradition of wearing costumes is also believed to have originated with the ancient Druid rituals. The Druids thought that witches, ghosts, goblins, and evil spirits, were more active on Halloween night, so they would disguise themselves in grotesque costumes, hoping the evil spirits would leave them alone.
What many people today think of as a fun, lively holiday for children actually began hundreds of years ago as a day that was dedicated to the devil and death! All over our nation today, Halloween is not only a major festival for witches but also it’s observed as one of the high holidays of the Church of satan!
As Christian parents we must not allow our children to participate in a day that honors the devil! We must and can find godly alternatives for our families. We can have a hallelujah party, and let our children dress up as Bible characters. We can play Bible games and tell Bible stories. We can come up with other ideas and ways for our children to be involved in godly activities. In other words, we must allow our children to have fun, but do it in a godly, spiritual way!
II Corinthians 2:11 says, “that we are not ignorant of satan’s devices.” I encourage you to pray and ask God to guide you and give you direction about Halloween. We should go to the public library and get some books which will give us the background of this holiday or get information from the internet.
As Christians, we don’t have to be part of foolish traditions that don’t have anything to do with the Word of God. We must decide that it’s time to make a change. We must teach our children the real meaning of Halloween, and help protect them from satan’s devices! It is time for believers to put away the things that glorify satan and take a stand for Jesus Christ and all that brings glory to God!
We as parents love our children and it is our responsibility to protect them from the evils of the world and satan. God wants us to be responsible Christian parents. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
At one time, I too was ignorant about Halloween and participated in activities that were not of God. I thank God for His enlightenment and knowledge. I thank God for revealing the truth to me regarding the tricks of the enemy as to how he destroys our children.
Today we see many demonic attacks against our children. Do not forget the thief (devil) uses any method that he can to steal, kill, and destroy our little ones. We see this in lyrics of the music they listen to today; we see this in the suicide rates among our youths and young people. We have experienced the terrible and horrific school shootings that have resulted in the killing of our children. Our children experience all types of satanic attacks. We see many children with mental, emotional, and behavioral problems. The real devastating truth is that our children have not been raised with the spiritual teachings
of Jesus Christ. Many lack the spiritual truths, wisdom and knowledge needed to defeat the wiles (tricks) of the devil.
As spiritual parents let us not be blind and ignorant to the devices of satan. Let’s protect, save, and love our children. Let’s make sure that they are taught the righteous way of living. Let’s pour into their hearts the joy, peace, hope, and love of Jesus Christ.
Let us pray for our children, “Heavenly Father, we thank You for the precious gift of children. Lord we ask for Your Divine Protection for our little ones. We love You Lord, and we ask that You guide and direct us in raising our children in a manner that would be pleasing to You. Let us plant the love, joy, and peace of the Lord into their hearts and spirits. Father, we thank You that we are Your children, and that we can come to You with all of the problems that we are confronted with. Lord, we honor You with praise and thanksgiving, as we pray this prayer in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” Amen!
I ask that you join with me as we make October 27 through October 31, Special Days of Prayer. I challenge you to join in prayer with me every morning or evening at 8:00 a.m. or 8:00p.m. We will pray for five (5) things:
1. Lord, let us be guided by Walking In Obedience To Your Word.
2. Lord, we pray for All Family Members and Loved Ones.
3. Lord, we pray for America and Every Elected Official, The President, The Congress, State and Local, and Government Officials, Spiritual Leaders, Business Owners, and Our Schools.
4. We pray for Physical, Mental, Emotional Well-Being, and Spiritual Wisdom.
5. We pray for Financial Blessing and Divine Protection.
Let’s pray for God to make our Nation what He wants it to be. Our prayers can turn this country back to God.
I am spiritually excited because of people telephoning, e-mailing, texting, and writing to me with testimonies of how God has answered their prayers. If you have a prayer need, please fill out the prayer request form, and as we join together in faith believing, I know that God will answer your prayer.
I want to thank all of the individuals who support this ministry regularly with your prayers and finances. Your giving enables me to continue the work of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Remember what it says in Luke 6:38, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” I know you will be blessed when you sow into this ministry.
With Love & Special Prayers,
Thomas Oglesby
Pastor Thomas Oglesby
We Invite You To Come To The Services Listed Expecting To Be Blessed And Experience The Power of God.
Services Are Held:
Sundays at 12:30 P.M., at Saint Paul’s Congregational Church
10 Saint Paul’s Place,
Nutley, New Jersey 07110
Mind of Christ Ministries Worship Service Schedule
Services begin at 12:30 p.m.
Sunday October 7, Sunday October 14 & Sunday October 21, 2018
Mind of Christ Ministries Services are usually held every month as follows:
1st Sunday (Bible Teaching and Principles)
2nd Sunday (Video Taping for Television)
3rd Sunday (Miracle and Healing Service)
Weekly Cable Television Service Schedule
Thursday: 7:00 p.m. Cable Television Channel TV21, Charlotte. NC
Sunday 10:30 a.m. Comcast Cable, Channel 96
Sunday: 7:00 p.m. Cablevision of Newark, NJ Channel 19
Sunday: 7:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Paterson, NJ Channel 75
Sunday: 7:00 p.m. Cablevision Oakland, NJ (Nutley area) Channel 76
Sunday: 7:00 p.m. Cablevision Bergen, NJ Channel 77
Sunday: 7:00 p.m. Cablevision Morris, NJ Channel 21
Please send your e-mails for prayer and additional information requests to:
mindofchrist@verizon.net or call (973-661-9415)
Mind of Christ Ministries Prayer Request:
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