I have, through the years, had a number of friends who have chosen to follow the Wiccan religion – witches, by their own account. Realize that Wicca is not Satan worship, but it is a pagan religion. They use spells and magic which can have power, but that power is not of God.
Although good done in the name of evil is still good, and evil done in the name of good is still evil, I have come to realize that the source of the power is, in fact, the key. I have long felt that power, in and of itself, is neutral – neither bad nor good – and how it is used determines its nature. That may be true, I don't know, but if the source of the power is not God, it had to come from someone/somewhere else, and thus it is unrighteous and condemned by scripture, with good reason. No matter how pure, caring, or loving the user is, or how "good" the results are, when good is done with unholy power it adds to the deception. If the power comes from anywhere but God, that power is from Satan, and is founded in deception. Satan wants to deceive, steal, kill, and destroy, and any power that comes from him will ultimately lead to the fulfillment of his goals, even if in the short term it seems to be used for good.
You may wonder why I would put this in a Christian blog/devotional reading. When I ran across it, looking back through my journal, I felt that someone out there might benefit from the insight I have been given about it.
Father God, for those in my circle of friends and loved ones who have been deceived into turning to anything but You for the power to achieve their goals in life, open their eyes. Help them to see that whatever is not of you, however innocent seeming, can draw them into the clutches of the Enemy of mankind, and bring about their destruction and despair. Your son Jesus is the only Way, and You alone are the power source that leads to true fulfillment and joy. In His name, Amen.
Kathy
Do you ever get love notes from God? I expect you do, but, like me, often may not always recognize them when they come. Isn't it just lovely when you do? The few days surrounding my last birthday was one of those times for me. I got literally dozens of birthday wishes from friends on Facebook. I was delighted and touched by their good wishes, but I realized it was also something more.
I don't know about you, but I sometimes struggle with feeling like I don't do enough for God. I have felt that I'm nobody special, I don't do anything big or important to spread His love or His word, I simply live my life, doing what seems right at the time. I see others doing things that seem of far more impact to the Kingdom than anything I feel like I've done, and I feel like I fall short of what I should be doing. Of course, if you asked me what I feel like I should be doing and don't, if I have any answer at all it would be very general and abstract, because I really actually do specific things I think God wants me to do – at least most of the time. But getting all those notes made me realize that doing just that – being myself, doing what I feel I need to do at the time, the little things like a smile, or a hug, or a quick prayer, or whatever – is often all I need to do. All those people that sent me birthday wishes were impacted enough by who I am and whatever I've done that touched their lives that they wanted me to know that they thought of me and cared enough to take the minute or so to send me those wishes.
I know it doesn't take but a click or 2 to do that on Facebook. They didn't have to go to much effort, but they noticed it was a special day for me and wanted me to know that it mattered, and that I mattered. That was very humbling. God used those simple greetings to remind me that I matter, to Him as well as to all those people. Wow!
Thank you Lord, for using everyday people and everyday situations to remind us of Your love and regard for us. Use me to get that same message out to the people in my life – you matter. In Jesus' name, Amen.
I have often struggled with feelings of inadequacy or incompleteness (still do, in fact), and I really don't think that I am alone in this. Feeling that something is missing, or others have some special something that makes their spiritual walk easier, or more meaningful, or helps them feel closer to God than it seems to be for me is, I believe, not uncommon – perhaps it is even universal.
Have you ever thought about that feeling and wondered if you will ever "get" whatever it is that you feel is missing? I know I have, but then God showed me something very powerful. It's a LIE! Who does that feeling serve? Yes, maybe it might cause you to pray more and seek God more passionately, and that's a good thing, but do you ever feel like you've "gotten" it? No, you don't. That feeling of something missing and just out of reach keeps our focus on guess who – me. self, not God. And that only serves the enemy, not ourselves, and certainly not God! He tells us countless times in scripture to keep our focus on Him. Obsessing about "what's wrong with me?" and seeking a solution to a problem that doesn't really exist is a sure fire plan to short circuit the real plan God has for each of us! God created you and me unique and just as we are for a specific purpose in His plan. That purpose, and Him, is what we need to be seeking, not some elusive "flaw" in ourselves.
Forgive me Lord for being so foolishly deceived! Whenever I start running on that false treadmill, Lord please trip me up and show me what I'm doing. Get me out of it quickly and pull my eyes back to You. In Jesus' name and in the power of His blood I pray, Amen.
Kathy
