Morning Devotional
October  27, 2005
"Halloween" (Part 1)     
    by Don Emmitte

We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:13-18 NLT).

 

Halloween is the time of the year when we may all hear the familiar cries of little folks at our doors as they chime and say, “Trick or Treat.” It is also a time of haunted houses and scary movies. The scenario is pretty common: BOO! The monster jumps out from behind a bush and scares the intended victim. They both stop for a brief second. Whoever makes the next critical move will determine the outcome of the attack, and may very well dictate the traveler's progress, or his signal his retreat. If the monster continues to scream and shout, to wave his arms and act like a bully, the intended victim will most likely turn around and run the other way. But if the individual has enough confidence to respond, then the attempt to intimidate may reverse itself and the monster will shrink into the darkness, defeated.

 

Have you noticed how easy it is to have you pulse race and your adrenalin increase when you experience these frightful things? There are some similarities in the spiritual realm for us to examine here. As we travel through our lives, there are real “monsters” to be dealt with. And, that brief second of the confrontation may be all the time you have (as a Christian) to muster your faith and continue on your life's journey. If you know the Lord ordains your steps, and you know His Word lights your way, then you can step boldly across the intersection and go on.

 

You can resist the enemy, and HE will flee from YOU! Watch out for scary monsters in life. They are lurking around every corner. They are hiding in unlikely places. If they startle you, remember "greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world." Rebuke the enemy's attacks in the name of Jesus! He will go with you every step, not only at Halloween, but all the way.