Somebody loves you...His name is Jesus!

Praise Table of Contents{TOP}

PRAISE HIS NAME FOR HE IS GREAT!

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice,and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me'. (Rev. 3:20)

(Last Update: July 4, 2009)

He is worthy of our praise! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so! Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved! There is such joy in serving our precious Lord! To think that He would come and live and die on a Cross for the likes of us! It's beyond human understanding! And He makes us into a new creation(2 Cor. 5:17) and gives us such peace and power to live a godly life! What a tremendous thrill it will be to see Him coming in the clouds to take us home to be with Him forever! May that wonderful daycome soon! Praise His Holy name! Let us realize that He is drawn to one who is humble and of a contrite spirit and trembles at His Word!!!(Isa. 66:2).

"When I survey The Wondrous Cross! - by Isaac Watts{Top}

This old church hymn written in 1707 was and is one of the most beautiful Christian hymns describing the Cross on which our Savior died! Charles Wesley, a contemporary songwriter had written about 6000 hymns and said of this hymn that he would have given up all those other hymns he had written to have been able to write this great hymn of the Cross! Jesus Christ dying on the Cross of Calvary was the greatest show of love that this world has ever known! Truly, 'God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life'! (John3:16). We need to spend more time in contemplation of that Cross! Who am I that God should love me so? It brings tears to my eyes as I 'see' Him on that Cross dying for the likes of me! He paid the price for my redemption so that I might believe on Him and one day live forever in His presence! What a joy it will be to see Him face to face! Truly, as the Bible says, 'God Is Love.'!

Our God Is Worthy{Top}

Our God Is Worthy of praise! He is excellent and far above all others!'There is no other name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved!' (Acts 4:12). From the lips of the redeemed comes joyful praise and honor to our Lord Jesus Christ! All will proclaim 'that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father.' (Phil. 2).

Psalm 100

1) Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2) Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing.
3) Know ye that the Lord He is God; it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
4) Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.
5) For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.

Whether you can sing or not--I can't--the heart overflowing with the joy of salvation in Jesus Christ cannot stop singing! He gives you words with which to praise Him! The only kind of service He accepts is joyful service.As His sheep, I will follow His direction and leading. To let Him be in control is the way of the Christian. He inhabits the praise of His people!The Spirit-led life is one that continually gives thanks to His precious name! I am constantly aware of his great mercy and compassion for me!

Let the redeemed of the Lord speak out and bless His Holy Name!

Show Praise and Honor{Top}

Let our lips show forth praise and honor to the King! HE IS WORTHY!

Isa.66:1-2

1)Thus saith the Lord.The Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool: where is the house that ye shall build unto Me? And where is the place of My rest?
2) For all these things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord; but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My Word.

First, everything is the Lords'! He has made it all. To Him belongs worship,and honor and glory and thanksgiving and power and reverence and awe! We should feel compelled to humble ourselves before His mighty throne continually. Here He states the person to whom He will look or take regard: The one who is poor and of a contrite spirit-that is,who recognizes their complete need and dependance upon Him for everything! He alone can supply all our needs! The 'and tremble at My Word' part rules out almost everyone on this planet! Very few tremble at the Scriptures and take them as God's Word to be lovingly obeyed! But still that is what God is saying here--real peace comes only to those who completely rely on and live by 'every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'(Matt.4:4).

May we have this peace by living according to His precious Word!

Praise To Our Lord{Top}

Continuing on with praise to our wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Col.3:16-17

16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms,hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
17) And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Before we can teach others, we must have 'put on the Lord Jesus Christ.'We must know our salvation (that we ARE saved) and that His peace and joy dominate our lives! THEN we can teach others-not so much by what we know-but by what we are! This joyful life in Christ is something that can be seen. To 'sing psalms,hymns, and spiritual songs' is to overflow with thanksgiving to God for the great sacrifice of His dear Son for our redemption! We deserve hell,damnation, and death---and we are going to get life---eternal life! THAT'S worth praising God for! And do ALL things in the blessed name of our Lord Jesus Christ giving continual thanks to Him!

This being a 'new creation' is a life that in no way compares with the old! It is brand new-now controlled by His Holy Spirit! 'Old things pass away-- the new has come!(2 Cor.5:17).

How Precious Is The Lamb{Top}

Oh how precious is that Lamb of God who died for me! Let His name be glorified through me!

Psalm 34:1-4

1) I will extoll the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.
2) My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3) Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together.
4) I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.

As we grow up in Jesus Christ, we do certainly lift up His name and praise Him continually. It just becomes the natural thing to do! He is in our thoughts all the time. Those who are discouraged, depressed, downcast in any way will rejoice as they hear more about the Savior who loves them! There is great power when many people glorify and exalt the mighty name of God together! Verse 4 tells us that WHENEVER we seek the presence of God sincerely --He always hears us! He is waiting for us to call upon Him because He knows just how much we need to do that! Let our minds dwell on these verses and realize that peace that only our wonderful Savior can provide.

Our God Is Able{Top}

OUR GOD IS ABLE--to take care of the discouraged, depressed,down-trodden, the weak, and all others who continually need His gracious help!

Psalms 34:17-18

17) The righteous cry out(*), and the LORD hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles,
18) The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

The righteous (those who have surrendered themselves completely to the Lamb) have the joy of Christ within them and they cry out for deliverance AND they ARE delivered! ANYONE who sincerely comes to the Lord Jesus Christ is heard and accepted! When you belong to Jesus--and you KNOW when you do--His peace fills you with a calm assurance that transends all things that the world can ever offer! Your radiate the joy of your salvation to everyone! Those who are close to being overcome by the enemy are the object of His special care and love. Those who have the faith of a child are strengthened by His presence! (Matt.18:1-4)

(*) - Luke 18:7

7) And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who CRY OUT TO HIM DAY AND NIGHT? Will He keep putting them off?

Jesus says that God's chosen ones (those who are His blood-bought ones)cry out to Him continually! They CONSTANTLY see their need of His power in their lives. This is a hint of how Christians live the victorious life--day and night seeking to be changed into His likeness! Their thoughts and actions are now to please their new Lord and Master, Jesus Christ! Let our words be filled with praise for Him who died and ever lives to intercede for us in Heaven above!

Let The Lord Direct{Top}

Let The Lord Direct--How simple a phrase yet how hard to make it come true in our lives! Daily surrender to His perfect will is the only way.

Proverbs 3:5-7

5) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding,
6) In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He wall direct your paths,
7) Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.

Verse 7 is something we learn to do over a period of time when Jesus becomes our all and in all! It has very little to do with how long we are a member, but how long we are 'in Christ.' Matt. 18:1-4 tells about having the faith as a child--without which we shall not enter the Kingdom of God--which is to be trusting and teachable. We are very used to'leaning on our own understanding' but-in Christ-we learn that our heart is deceitful above all things-who can know it?(Jer.). God knows that when we acknowledge His ways as best He WILL direct us in the proper way. Too many people are certainly 'wise in their own eyes'--a 'disease' in which few find the cure. But to fear the Lord (that is have reverence and awe towards Him AND tremble at His Word(Isa.66:1-2),is what is needed in our churches today. If we have never done so, let us now surrender our will to Him and learn to give Him the glory and honor and praise He deserves! After all, it is He who has saved us and not ourselves.

Singing Praises To Our God {Top}

The Bible often speaks of singing praises to our God! For most of us it is a joyful noise that we make.

Psalm 96:1-3

1) Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2) Sing to the Lord, praise His name; Proclaim His salvation day after day
3) Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples.

Those whom the Lord has saved do lift up their voices and give continual praise to His precious name! They sing-they cry out-they speak often of His goodness and love. Only those who know first hand can proclaim the salvation of the Lord! They daily sing(or make a joyful noise) to the One who died and took away all their sins! There is no end to exclaiming to others what He means to you! As verse 4 says, 'For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise...'! --therefore let us who have been cleansed and born-again speak of His power and love and forgiveness! A wonderful,never-ending subject!

The Language of Heaven{Top}

Revelation is a book full of prophecy but it is also a book full of praise! The language of Heaven is one of praise to God and to His Kingdom.

Rev. 5:9-12

9) And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain and with Your blood You purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10) You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."
11) Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.
12) In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise."

Here are the 24 elders and the 4 living creatures falling down before the throne and giving praise unto the Lamb! Heaven is surely a place of praise! Those already there are continually giving praise to their God and those who will be going there join that heavenly throng in lifting up their voices before the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world! In this book, chapters 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 15, 16 and 19 are filled with the praise of Heaven! We saved humans down here should have more of this 'heavenly attitude' in our lives! Let our lips bring forth words that show where our hearts really are! Even now we should be a part of that heavenly chorus giving glory to our Almighty God!

The Purpose Of The Bible{Top}

Many people have a hard time trying to figure out the purpose of the Bible. What it is attempting to say? ...And to whom?

John 20:27-31

27) Then He said to Thomas, Put your fingure here; see My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.
28) Thomas said to Him, My Lord and my God!
29) Then Jesus told him, Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
30) Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded in this book.
31) But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ,the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.

Thomas was not there when Jesus first appeared to the disciples. The others told him, 'We have seen the Lord.' He would not believe unless he actually saw and touched the Lord. My name is right there in verse 29 with many others! I was not there with Thomas yet I believe! As John says the purpose of his gospel (and-to a greater extent-the whole Bible) is that it was written so that we may (continue to) believe that Jesus is the Christ-the Son of God and by believing have life in His name! It is not written for us to argue about, to show how much we know, but to give us LIFE! Believing on Jesus takes us from death unto life! His Word is precious but it is HIM who gives life unto the thirsty, hungry soul! This blessed salvation that He so generously provides is a gift(Eph. 2:8-9) to ALL who believe on Him! Praise His Holy Name! He alone is worthy of honor and glory and praise and reverence and worship! 'Let the words of our mouth and the meditation of out heart be acceptable in your sight Oh Lord, our Redeemer!

Praise That Inhabits The Throne{Top}

Continuing in the book of Revelation with the praise that inhabits the throne of God.

Rev. 19:4-8

4) The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: "Amen, Hallelujah!"
5) Then a voice came from the throne saying: "Praise our God, all you His servants, you who fear Him, both small and great!"
6) Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns!
7) Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.
8) Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

God's servants (here and in Heaven) are commanded to give praise to Him who sits upon the throne---the Mighty Rock of ages. Heaven is a REAL place! Heaven is a LOUD place! Throughout eternity will ring the praises of the redeemed! And why not? They have been bought with the precious blood of the Lamb at infinite price! Even His death upon Calvary! We need to see in our mind's eye the glories of Heaven that we will one day be a part of! And soon and very soon will be the wedding of the Lamb and His bride! (And His bride has made herself ready!). The time is very near when the kingdoms of this world will become the Kingdom of our Lord and His Christ! Let us meditate on these wonderful things that our God has prepared for those who love Him! Even so, Come, Lord Jesus!

The Abundance of the Heart{Top}

Not I But Christ{Top}

Not I But Christ...

Gal. 2:20

20) "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me."

FROM THIS VERSE WE GET THE WONDERFUL HYMN, "NOT I, BUT CHRIST". THIS VERSE IS THE HEART OF THE GOSPEL! FOR UNLESS JESUS LIVES IN US WE STILL BELONG TO OURSELF AND WE ARE NOT CONVERTED. OUR OLD NATURE IS STILL IN CONTROL. BUT WHEN WE ARE CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, SELF IS GONE AND THE HOLY SPIRIT IS IN CONTROL! NOW OUR DESIRES ARE TO PLEASE HIM IN ALL THINGS! WHAT A GREAT JOY IT IS TO LIVE FOR CHRIST AND KNOW THAT WE BELONG TO HIM!

Believe On The Lord{Top}

Believe On The Lord...

Acts 16:30-31

30) And leading them out said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved, you and your house.

The jailer desperately wanted to know how to be saved. He thought that all of his prisoners would escape and he was about kill himself. Paul clearly told him that he needed to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and he would be saved! And his family would also be saved as they believed on Jesus as their Lord. This is showing that works have no part in salvation but that we are saved by grace through faith FOR good works. (Eph. 2:8-9). A changed life will be the result of a surrender to Jesus! Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Saved Now{Top}

Saved Now...

Titus 3:4-5

4) But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared,
5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit.

Paul is primarily saying that he was saved by God's mercy...NOT by any form of works or commandment-keeping of any kind. We are saved by what HE has done...not by what we have done! And not only he was saved but also those with him; likely Barnabas and Timothy and Titus and Silas and Luke, etc.

Lost is what we were BEFORE we surrendered our life to Jesus Christ. But by His power and mercy and love we are now saved! Bless His Holy Name! And we are a child of God and an heir of the Kingdom! A joint heir with Jesus Himself! And being saved our desire is now to please our Lord in all things.

He will direct your Path{Top}

He will direct your Path...

Prov. 3:5-6

5) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
6) In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Our own understanding or thoughts usually lead us astray. Most of our life we have trusted in our own devices and paid the price of sinful living. But when we are converted we begin to let Jesus have His way in us and His peace and joy start to reign in our life! We lean less and less on our ideas and more and more on God and His direction for us. We soon learn that His way is the best and only way for us! We are truly 'born again' and Jesus has His rightful place in the center of our life! Praise God for His goodness and mercy to us!

Are You Lukewarm?{Top}

Are You Lukewarm?...

Rev. 3:14-18

14) "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.
15) "'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!
16) So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
17) For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
18) I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.

Lukewarm fits the description of most church members today. If a person is 'cold' and into open sin they are more likely to see their condition and repent and come to God than a 'lukewarm' person! For a lukewarm one sees no need of a Savior being unaware of any wrongdoing. Many were brought up and taught that they should do certain things and not do other things, but they never heard that they were sinners in desperate need of a Savior! And we see here Jesus attitude towards the lukewarm person. He will spit such a person out of His mouth! Such a person needs the Holy Spirit to come in and reveal to them their condition. And THEN they will know the joy and happiness that Jesus alone can give!

No Condemnation!{Top}

No Condemnation!...

Rom. 8:1-3

1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

In Jesus Christ we are now FREE and under NO CONDEMNATION! We have been reconciled to God through His Dear Son! Praise His Blessed Name! No longer should we feel condemned or separated from the Father or the Son. In John 17 Jesus declares that we are to be one as He and His Father are one! United through faith in Jesus. We are now an heir of salvation... an heir of the Kingdom...a joint heir with Jesus Himself! What wonderful things now apply to us as children of the Master! We are no longer alone but a part of His Kingdom and of His family! One day we will reign with Him and see Him Forever! What a future there is for those who are completely surrendered to Him and His Will! Blessings unto His Holy Name!

He Is ALWAYS There!{Top}

He Is ALWAYS There!...

Heb. 13:3-5

3) Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
4) Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
5) Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Marriage IS honorable today...but not by most people! Living togather outside of marriage is very common today AND very wrong! As time goes on things are getting looser and looser as churches are more and more like the world! We need to realize that as Christians we are to reflect God's character to the world...NOT be a part of the world! We are in it but not of it. Let our marriages be a foretaste of Heaven! Let Jesus be the center of our home and of our lives.

YES...Jesus IS with the believer all the time and He will NEVER leave us nor forsake us! What a wonderful promise! As the song says, "We should never be discouraged..." for He is always with us. Every day let us draw closer and closer to His side! For with Him and in Him we are growing more like Him. Praise the name of the Lord and blessings to His Name!

You Have Been Saved!{Top}

You Have Been Saved!...

Eph. 2:8-9

8) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God
9) not by works, so that no one can boast.

Salvation from start to finish is a gift of God! We cannot earn it or work for it in any way. It is purely by God's grace to undeserving mankind! Praise the blessed name of the Lord! For Jesus died on Calvary's Cross that whosoever gives themselves to Him will be saved! Or 'whosover will may come'! What you may do for God comes AFTER you are saved...not before! Humble your heart and surrender all your will to Him and He will receive you as His child! What a joy to be a 'child of God'! 'When the Son sets you free you are free indeed'! (John 8:36). So, let today be the first day of the rest of your life by humbling yourself before Him in contrition and repentance. That is..."enter into the joy of the Lord"!

Then The End Will Come!{Top}

Then The End Will Come!...

Matt. 24:12-14

12) Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,
13) but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
14) And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

As Jesus says, 'as wickedness increases most will fall away from their devotion and love for Him.' They allow themselves to be overcome by all the 'cares of this life' and seemingly insurmountable problems that face them. BUT...if we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and His Word we shall not fail! If He is real in our hearts we will ever be true to Him! As we keep thinking what He did for us on Calvary's Cross, then it's not too hard for us to give our all to Him!

Standing firm to the end means a daily (or more often) surrender of our life to Jesus and His wonderful will for us! NEVER, never let the 'cares of this life' choke out the Word of God! Always be in prayer to Him and be filled with His Holy Spirit!

The preaching of the Gospel has nearly reached all the nations today! Many godly men and women are taking His message of salvation to the world each and every day! There are those, like Paul, who just MUST preach the Gospel regardless of the hardships and barriers set up by the devil. Many of the lost are still members of so-called Christian churches! This needs to be realized and take into consideration. Sooner than anyone can imagine Jesus will be returning for His faithful followers! Praise the Lord for that! AMEN!!!

First Importance{Top}

First Importance

1 Cor. 15:1-4

1CO 15:1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.
1CO 15:2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
1CO 15:3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
1CO 15:4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

Notice that what is of FIRST IMPORTANCE is centered on Jesus Christ and His death, burial and resurrection! He, and He alone, is Christianity! That He came and died for me is paramount in my life! In the Gospels the last few chapters that tell of His agony and sufferings for the likes of us is what we need to dwell on. The great love expressed there will break our hearts and bring us to the foot of the Cross in complete surrender to Him and His will for us! Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

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Subject: Harry Potter

What does the Bible have to say about such books as the Harry Potter series?

In Acts 19:18-20...

"And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the Word of God and prevailed."

The Word of God grew mightily because of the destruction of all of the books of the occult and magic! God declares that He hates evil in all its forms. A church is pure as they put aside every form of devil worship. Christian worship centers around the Son, Jesus, and His Person! Such books, as the Harry Potter series, certainly do NOT lead children into to a closer walk with the Lord of Glory! In fact they are led to distrust the Bible and to seek after the world and its wicked ways.

With the latest mania of Harry Potter, here is a warning about the last days of witchcraft mention in:

1 Tim 4:1

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils."

Parents, Christian or otherwise, that let their children read and watch this garbage cannot blame them if they end up involved in the occult.

And no one seems to understand its threat. The Harry Potter books are THE NUMBER ONE selling children's books in the nation today. Just look at any Barnes & Noble or Waldenbooks storefront. Go to Amazon.com and read the reviews. Hear the touting by educators and even Christian teachers about how "It's great to see the youth so eagerly embracing the reading experience!"

Please pray for the Holy Spirit to work in the young minds of those who are reading this garbage that they may be delivered from its harm.

Lastly, pray for all parents to grow closer to their children, and that a bond of sharing thoughts and spiritual intimacy will grow between them.

Our Lord is coming back soon, let us lift up His precious name to all (including our children) that they will be ready to go home with Him and live with Him forever!

HARRY POTTER - PART 2

STEVE WOHLBERG Article...

"Something Wicca This Way Comes"

BY MARK A. KELLNER, Adventist Review News Editor, reporting from Louisville, Kentucky

It may have sold 5,000 copies a minute – yes, a minute – during its late-July launch, but “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” author J.K. Rowling’s seventh-and-presumably-final volume on the boy wizard should be avoided, a Seventh-day Adventist pastor says.

“The ‘Harry Potter’ books and movies are contributing, big time, to the trend towards real witchcraft in our world,” declared Steve Wohlberg, whose latest book, “Exposing Harry Potter and Witchcraft: The Menace Beneath the Magic,” (Destiny Image, 2007) aims straight at the heart of what is called “Pottermania.”

NOT A FAN: Adventist pastor Steve Wohlberg warns parents against having children read the “Harry Potter” books, which he says are laden with witchcraft. Noting that Deuteronomy 18 contains counsel that believers “not learn” the occult arts, including wizardry and witchcraft, Wohlberg says Rowling’s books and the films derived from them promote a “positive” aspect of “white magic,” or spells done to promote good things.

“There's plenty of real occultism embedded in Rowling's fantasy works,” he said in a statement, “and in spite of naïve popular opinion, Pottermania is aiding Wicca's growth.” Even the founder of a major Witchcraft school agrees – its Rossville, Illinois, online training center is called a “Cyber Hogwarts,” Wohlberg said.

Wohlberg warns that when Wiccans summon “nature spirits” in their rituals, they are entering dangerous territory. “Occultism has a dark side,” he asserts, “and practitioners can easily become trapped like a fly in a spider web.”

Speaking with Adventist Review during the Adventist-laymen’s Services and Industries convention in Louisville, Wohlberg declared that “witchcraft is about power, but Jesus Christ offers us his power, which is safe, pure and filled with love. There is no darkness in that power.”

Although themes of good and evil, light and dark, abound in literature, it’s the combination of “good” virtues such as love, tolerance and cooperation with the use of laden-with-danger wizardry in the Potter books and films that has Wohlberg concerned.

“I don’t believe every ‘Harry Potter’ reader will become a witch,” he said, but the books and movies are “desensitizing people to witchcraft.”

The latest volume, U.S. publisher Scholastic said Aug. 2, had “reached a record breaking 11.5 million copies in the U.S. in its first 10 days on sale,” according to a news release. “This milestone comes on the heels of the previously announced 8.3 million copies sold in the U.S. within the first 24 hours of the book's release at 12:01am on July 21st,” the firm noted, adding “to date, over 350 million copies of the seven books in the ‘Harry Potter’ series have been sold worldwide.”

According to Wohlberg, in “Deathly Hallows,” Harry Potter lays down his life to defeat evil and save others, which some now consider “Christian allegory,” yet there are vast differences between Potter and Jesus Christ. For instance, before fully passing over to “the other side,” Harry encounters another character who died in the previous volume and who encourages Harry return to earth. “This is rank spiritualism,” Wohlberg observes, “which is also condemned in Deuteronomy 18.” Thus Harry’s subsequent “resurrection” is nothing like the Bible’s account of Jesus Christ’s rising from the dead after atoning for humanity’s sins.

According to Wohlberg, in “Deathly Hallows,” the Harry Potter character is convinced to lay down his life to save others, evoking a Christian allegory, but on Potter’s journey to the afterlife is turned back by the ghost of another character who “died” in the previous volume and returns to life on earth. Wohlberg says this involves spiritualism in a “resurrection” which, of course is nothing like the Bible’s version.

“There’s a glimmer of light,” Wohlberg said, “but it’s bathed in spiritualism: ‘Harry Potter’ is a wizard who practices witchcraft.”

Sheathing a positive message with evil intent an evil one is “the way the devil works,” he said. Parents who favor the “Potter” books tell Wohlberg that their children are “learning lessons” from the story, but he asks, “might they be learning the dangerous lessons, too?” He added, “if it wasn’t for witchcraft and spiritualism, ‘Harry Potter’ would come closer to being a great story.”

Wohlberg doesn’t believe that author J.K. Rowling, who was a struggling single mother when the first “Potter” volume was published in Britain and is now reportedly a billionaire from royalties on the books, films and related products, is an evil person, intent on unleashing occultism. “She’s just like Eve,” Wohlberg said. Adam’s wife (see Genesis 3) didn’t know what she was doing when she gave her husband the forbidden fruit, he said, but the consequences were nonetheless tragic. Rowling “believes she’s doing good. The problem is the good guys [in ‘Harry Potter’] are the witches and you are contributing to witchcraft.”

What should parents do? If their children aren’t yet reading the “Potter” books, don’t let them start, Wohlberg said. Instead, get an updated-language version of John Bunyan’s “The Pilgrim’s Progress” as an allegory to read. If they have caught “Pottermania,” show children what the Bible says about witchcraft and lead those children “to better books,” he said. “I’m not opposed to reading;, I’m not opposed to good stories,” Wohlberg said. He just wants to keep children – and others – out of the clutches of the occult.

More information about Wohlberg’s ministry to Wiccans and ‘Harry Potter’ book is available online at...www.avoidharrypotter.com.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

If you would like to receive Jesus as your Savior please pray the following prayer---
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"Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner and I need a Savior. I ask you to forgive me of all my sins. Please come into my heart now and save me and cleanse me! Since I believe your Word I thank you for coming in and making me a new person in Christ! May your Holy Spirit live in me to guide me in the way you want me to live!
In Jesus name I pray, Amen!"
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If you prayed that prayer---and meant it!--then God has saved you! (Romans 10:9-10)
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Bill Mead

MY TESTIMONY FOR MY SAVIOR

My God has been sooooooo good to me to open my heart to His Son! I accepted Jesus as my Savior many years ago and it just gets better and better! Who am I that Jesus would come and die on Calvary's Cross for the likes of me? He brings such peace and joy to my soul! He alone brings real meaning to my life AND He's coming again soon to take me to be with Him forever! Even so,come,Lord Jesus!

May each of you know the peace,contentment, and security that only Jesus can bring! One day all this life of pain and evil and suffering will be over and we'll be in Heaven throughout all eternity with our wonderful Lord!!!

He was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village, where he worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years, He was an itinerant preacher. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family or owned a home. He didn't go to a college. He never visited a big city. He never travelled two hundred miles from the place where he was born. He did none of the things that accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself.

He was only thirty-three when the tide of public opinion turned against Him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies and went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. While He was dying ...His executioners gambled for His garments, the only property He had on Earth. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.

Nineteen centuries have come and gone, and today He is the central figure of the human race. All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man on this Earth as much as that..... One Solitary Life.

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