All Saints Eve 10-31-05

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are the Lord of Life. Come live Your life in me this day. ... Many will celebrate Halloween tonight. As I understand it, the name comes from All Saints' Eve, the night before All Saints Day, in the Catholic tradition. This was to celebrate the death and eternal life of the saints, especially those who died as martyrs for their faith in You. Your Word says "we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1). The "witnesses" are those who "were commended for their faith" and "of whom the world was not worthy" (Hebrews 11:38-39). Now they are away from the body and at home with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). Now they behold You face to face, as they are one with You in Your ministry of intercession at the right hand of the Father for those who remain in the world to fulfill our calling in our generation (Hebrews 7:25). Somewhere along the path of history, this day of the Feast of All Saints was set for November 1st, which also coincided with the Celtic celebration of Samhain, named for their pagan deity known as "the lord of death." As I understand it, the eve of Samhain at the beginning of winter, was a time of the pagan sacrifice to this spirit of death that allowed the souls of the dead to return to the earth, tormenting those who had tormented them during life. Many of the images witches, ghosts, cats, and things we commonly see associated with Halloween are associated with this pagan tradition, along with other traditions blended in through the years. But You have suffered death for us that we might live in You. "It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ... No in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Romans 8:34-37). You are the Lord of Life and You have conquered death. We need not fear death, or any tormenting spirit of death or fear. You perfect love casts out all fear and Your life has overcome the power of death (1 John 4:18; Hebrews 2:14-15). Death and fear are defeated through the victory of Your cross and the glory of Your resurrection. As the great cloud of witnesses join with You in cheering us on in our generation, let us live our lives for Your glory in the victory of Your life over all death, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe, or to order my teaching dvd's on healing and wholeness, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord." Our address is 2800 Tates Creek Rd.; Lexington, Kentucky 40502. Come to The Fountain the 3rd Saturday night of every month at 7 pm for our citywide gathering for prayer and worship in the chapel. Daily archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com