Letters to Pastors from Children

LETTERS TO PASTORS FROM CHILDREN

 

Below are letters that children have written to their pastor.

 

Dear Pastor:

Please say in your sermon Peter Peterson has been a good boy all week. I am Peter Peterson. Sincerely, Pete, age 9

Are there any devils on earth? I think there may be one in my class.—Carla, age 10

I know God loves everybody but He never met my sister. Yours Sincerely, Arnold, age 8

I’m sorry I can’t leave more money in the plate, but my father didn’t give me a raise in my allowance. Could you have a sermon about a raise in my allowance? Love Patty, age 10

My mother is very religious. She goes to lay bingo at church every week even if she has a cold. Your truly, Annette, age 9

I would like to go to Heaven someday because I know my brother won’t be there.—Stephen, age 8

I think a lot more people would come to your church if you moved it to Disneyland.—Loreen, age 9

Please say a prayer for our Little League team. We need God’s help, or a new pitcher. Thank you, Alexander, age 10

My father says I should learn the Ten Commandments. But I don’t think I want to because we have enough rules already in my house.—Joshua, age 10

How does God know the good people from the bad people? Do you tell Him or does He read about it in the newspapers? Sincerely, Marie, age 9

I liked your sermon on Sunday. Especially when it was finished.—Ralph, age 11

I hope to go to Heaven some day but later than sooner. Love Ellen, age 9

My father should be a minister. Every day he gives us a sermon about something.—Robert, age 11

 

Matthew 21:16

“And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

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Ghosts Are Demons Not Dead People

With the month of Halloween upon up, many are bringing up Ghosts and Spirits up in conversations and on the internet. So… Are Ghosts Real?

What Does Scripture Say?

While the Bible doesn’t speak directly about the celebration of Halloween, it neither confirms nor condones the Holiday. However, it does have much to say about spiritual warfare, witchcraft, and festivals of other gods.

Here are a few verses to consider:

Ephesians 5:11, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove (expose) them.”

1 Thessalonians 5:22, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

1 Corinthians 10:20, “No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.”

Leviticus 19:31, “Do not defile yourselves by turning to mediums or to those who consult the spirits of the dead. I am the Lord your God.”

We can ascertain from these verses that while the Bible doesn’t speak directly about whether Christians should engage in Halloween or abstain, Scripture tells us to stay away from darkness. That would mean to steer clear from those who practice witchcraft or sorcery, and don’t associate with mediums or those who claim to be able to communicate with the dead, and  Avoid ALL Evil things.

Hebrews 9:27 states, “Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.”

That is what happens to a person’s soul-spirit after death—judgment. The result of this judgment is heaven for the believer (2 Corinthians 5:6-8Philippians 1:23) and hell for the unbeliever (Matthew 25:46Luke 16:22-24). There is no in-between. There is no possibility of remaining on earth in spirit form as a “ghost.” And according to the Bible, absolutely cannot be the disembodied spirits of deceased human beings.

The Bible teaches very clearly that there are indeed spirit beings who can connect with and appear in our physical world. The Bible identifies these beings as angels and demons. Angels are spirit beings who are faithful in serving God. Angels are righteous, good, and holy. Demons are fallen angels, angels who rebelled against God. Demons are evil, deceptive, and destructive. According to 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, demons masquerade as “angels of light” and as “servants of righteousness.” Appearing as a “ghost” and appearing as the very person that you desire to see again; impersonating a deceased human being definitely seems to be within the power and capabilities that demons possess.

The closest biblical example of a “haunting” is found in Mark 5:1-20. A legion of demons possessed a man and used the man to haunt a graveyard. There were no ghosts involved. It was a case of a normal person being controlled by demons to terrorize the people of that area. Demons only seek to “kill, steal, and destroy” (John 10:10). They will do anything within their power to deceive people, to lead people away from God. This is very likely the explanation of “ghostly” activity today. Whether it is called a ghost, a ghoul, or a poltergeist, if there is genuine evil spiritual activity occurring, it is the work of demons.

So in answer to the question,

Ghosts Are Demons NOT Dead People!

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originally posted by L K Elliott on Jan 3, 2017 –
Archived: Ghosts Are Demons Not Dead People https://ingodsservice.wordpress.com/2017/01/03/ghosts-are-demons-not-dead-people

Fed with Honey from the Rock

Reading: Psalm 81:10-16

 

Fed with Honey from the Rock, Dr Charles Stanley, In Touch Ministries

 

I am the LORD your God,
who brought you up out of Egypt.
Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.
“But my people would not listen to me;
Israel would not submit to me.
So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts
to follow their own devices.
“If my people would only listen to me,
if Israel would only follow my ways,
how quickly I would subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes!
Those who hate the L
ORD would cringe before him,
and their punishment would last forever.
But you would be fed with the finest of wheat;
with honey from the rock I would satisfy you”…

Continue Reading and View More of David Kitz beautiful writings via “I love the Psalms

David Kitz is an Award-Winning Author and Bible Dramatist! Visit dkz Productions to learn more.

Featured Image by Dr. Charles Stanley, In Touch Ministries

 

What If I Backslide?

Backsliding, also known as falling away or described as “committing apostasy”, is a term used within Christianity to describe a process by which an individual who has converted to Christianity reverts to pre-conversion habits and/or lapses or falls into sin, when a person turns from God to pursue their own desire.

 

What if I Backslide?, In God's Service

 

 

Backsliding is a sliding back. Though it is not sudden in onset, it may escalate rapidly.

Backsliding is different from falling away or apostasy, which is the extreme end of backsliding. Apostasy or falling away is the act or state of rejecting the Christian Faith and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

How do I deal with backsliding?

There are events in life, such as the death of a loved one, that may cause us to question God. This is understandable, as long as we go to God with those questions rather than using them as excuses to live in rebellion.

 

What if I backslide?, In God's Service

 

The result of a crisis of faith is often that we come to know God more intimately than before. In times of trial, we should delve into the Word, pray with persistence (Luke 18:1), and surround ourselves with those whose faith is strong.

Accept your backsliding as a mistake that happens to many people. Acknowledge that the Lord is forgiving and ask for forgiveness. Instead of running away from God, draw near to Him and find peace and comfort in Him. See it as part of your human fallibility, but don’t give up on the Lord. He hasn’t given up on you!

Start anew! Begin attending church or return to the church you left, read your Bible, listen to Christian music, and hang out with Christian friends or join a Christian group. Abide in the wholesome atmosphere and good company of Christians.

 

We must always fight against backsliding, but if we do backslide, we know that when we renounce our sin and return to…

Posted by In God’s Service on Friday, January 12, 2018

 

Featured Photos by Karsten Winegeart , Annie SprattNathan Dumlao and Ahtziri Lagarde on Unsplash

Be Still


Be Still, bible scripture
Psalm 46:10

God gave us a precious gift in these words, “Be still and know that I am God.” He knew we would have a tough time accepting this gift, so He patiently teaches us how to be patient and rest in Him through the difficulties we face every day.

When we feel helpless, we need these words, this promise, more than ever.

Sometimes it’s hard to remain calm. It’s hard to trust. But fully comprehending this command from our heavenly Father is life changing. Psalm 37:7 reassures us to , “Be still in the presence of the Lord.”

We can rest, be calm, be untroubled, and be at peace knowing that when troubles threaten to overtake us, God’s presence surrounds us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq59iE3MhXMBe Still My Soul (In You I Rest)Song by Kari Jobe  Lyrics Be still, my soul, The Lord is on thy side
Bear patiently, the cross of grief or pain
Leave to thy God, to order and provide
In every change, He faithful will remain
Be still, my soul, thy best thy heavenly friend
Through thorny ways, leads to a joyful endBe still, my soul, thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake
All now mysterious shall be bright at last
Be still, my soul, the waves and wind still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt belowIn You I rest, in You I found my hope
In You I trust, You never let me go
I place my life within Your hands alone
Be still, my soulBe still, my soul, the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored
Be still, my soul, when change and tears are past
All safe and blessed, we shall meet at lastIn You I rest, in You I found my hope
In You I trust, You never let me go
I place my life within Your hands alone
Be still, my soulIn You I rest, in You I found my hope
In You I trust, You never let me go
I place my life within Your hands alone
Be still, my soul
Be still, my soul
Be still, my soulSource: MusixmatchSongwriters: Jason Ingram / Kari Jobe / TraditionalBe Still My Soul (In You I Rest) lyrics © Worship Together Music

Featured image Photo by Olivia Snow on Unsplash