October 31 – Allhallows’ Eve

“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light…And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Ephesians 5:8, 11

Halloween takes its name from All Saints’ Day because October 31st was called “Allhallows’ Eve,” “eve of all the holy ones’ day,” a day that was set aside by the Roman Catholic Church in the 700’s to honor all Christian saints and martyrs. A priestly cult among ancient Celts in France, England, and Ireland, called “Druids,” also celebrated an autumn festival.

As so often happened in those early days of Christendom, pagan holidays and practices became mixed with so-called “Christian” celebrations in an effort to save the pagans. However, the seemingly harmless display of witches, goblins, and cats exposes the vulnerable spirits of today’s children to demonic activity.

It is obvious that the Druids’ emphasis on skeletons and ghosts roaming around in cemeteries on Halloween night to harm people constitutes dabbling with what Deuteronomy 18 explicitly forbids Christians to do. Satan uses it to deceive and ensnare. Prepare your heart today for close fellowship with God, and put off all works of darkness.

PRAY:  “Father, help me to expose wickedness and educate others to separate themselves from the satanic elements of the Halloween observance today. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.”

October 30 – Understanding Leadership

“So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” I Corinthians 4:1-2 (NIV)

The basic premise of leadership is that God does not make LEADERS; He makes SERVANTS, and servants BECOME leaders. “Leader” is found only six times in the Bible. It is not an office to which you are appointed or elected, but one for which you must qualify. “Servant” is what you ARE; “leader” is what you DO!

Leadership is not a POSITION, but an ACTIVITY. Well-known speaker, Charles Simpson, says that leadership is being a step ahead…being willing to do something before everyone thinks it ought to be done and being willing to be wrong or at least early. Somebody said: A “leader” is one step ahead of the crowd. Get two steps ahead, and they call you a “pioneer.” Get three steps ahead, and they may call you a “martyr.”

Today a new offensive in the Church is arising. New leadership is emerging on the scene…a new face, a new look…fresh revelation rising out of obscurity. There is a spiritual crisis in the world, and leadership emerges in times of crises. There are grounds for action. Now is the time to put your training to use. You are well-armed and ready for God’s army.

PRAY: “Father, increase my leadership today. Having an office or position or gifts is not enough.  I want to be used in battle. Give me courage for the task ahead. Amen.”

October 29 – Your Gifts and Abilities

“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

You have special God-given gifts and abilities. Some you received at birth, and some you received at rebirth (salvation). God wants you to discover your SPIRITUAL GIFTS and use them as tools of ministry to others and as warfare against the enemy.

The MANIFESTATION GIFTS (I Corinthians 12:4-11) are given by the Holy Spirit to help you minister supernaturally…Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Faith, Gifts of Healing, Working of Miracles, Prophecy, Discerning of Spirits, Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues.

The MINISTRY GIFTS (Ephesians 4:11) are ministry offices of leadership given by Jesus Christ to equip the saints and to help each one become a functioning member of His body.

The MOTIVATIONAL GIFTS (Romans 12:6-8) are given by God the Father, so that together the saints form a healthy, functioning body of unique individuals. These gifts are often referred to as “character traits.”

PRAY: “Father in heaven, help me to discover the gifts You have given me so that I might exercise them to greater growth and maturity. Thank You for being my partner. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”