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October 2012 Hadassah Watch “And who knows but that you have to a royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4 vs. 14b WOMEN praying with other WOMEN for WOMEN across the world We call on all Christian women around the world to take at least 15 minutes every Tuesday morning to pray. We encourage you to mobilize as many women as possible to pray, individually or in groups. Take a few minutes to ponder & pray at each point of the guideline below & be open to intercede as the Holy Spirit leads. You are welcome to forward this e-mail to as many Christian sisters as possible. Please send us the name of the town and the country in which you reside & let us know what God is doing in your nations! You are welcome to e-mail us with prayer requests and testimonies. If you did not receive this e-mail directly from us, but would like to, feel free to send your e-mail address to [email protected] We believe that God has called us as women, to intercede like never before, for His plans and purposes to be accomplished here on earth. Let us not slumber, but pray and call others to pray – for His Kingdom to come… PONDER THIS…God has a set of rules for our lives “When you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire [an ancient occult practice], or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination [detestable] to the LORD…” —Deuteronomy 18:9-12a Today, many people dabble in the mystical, occultic arts. Is there anything wrong with being involved in these practices? Yes, the Bible takes a clear position on this subject, strongly denouncing these practices. God created us and therefore owns us. He has a right to set the rules for our lives. God’s Word indicates that these practices are part of Satan’s strategy of evil tricks and deception, designed to lead us astray. Satan and his demons are real beings set on our destruction. Christians are warned to…“put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:11-12). What is “of the occult”? http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-occult.html Information on the occult: Determining what is of the occult can be tricky, as the occult by nature is hidden and deceptive. To begin, please consider some definitions of "Occult" from Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary: "Not revealed; secret" "Not easily apprehended or understood" "Matters regarded as involving the action or influence of supernatural or supernormal powers or some secret knowledge of them" (American Heritage Dictionary) In general, if an activity or object is used to seek knowledge or power from sources other than God, then it most likely is of the occult. There are three main categories of the occult: 1. Seeking carnal knowledge / sins of the flesh and eyes: includes all forms of sex sin, including pornography 2. Seeking knowledge of the future: Astrology: foretelling the future using the influence and position of the stars and planets. A common example of modern day astrology is the horoscope. (2 Kings 23:1-25; Isaiah 47:10-15). Divination: the art or practice that seeks to foresee or foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge (Leviticus 19:26; Deuteronomy 18:9-16; 2 Kings 17:17; 2 Kings 21:6). Examples of divination devices/activities include seer stones, tarot cards, reading tea leaves, eight balls, water witching, water dousing, Ouija boards, table tipping, palmistry and automatic writing. Interpreting omens: An omen is an occurrence or phenomenon believed to portend a future event. (Deuteronomy 18:9-16) Necromancy: Necromancy attempts to reveal the future by communicating with the dead and/or familiar spirits. A séance is a meeting where people attempt to communicate with the dead. Mediums attempt to communicate with familiar spirits (evil spirits) and spirits of the dead. (Deuteronomy 18:9-16; 1 Chronicles 10:13-14; 1 Samuel 28:7-11) Soothsaying: act of foretelling events (Leviticus 19:26) Visiting fortunetellers: typical examples include palm readers (palmistry) and psychics (Isaiah 65:11; Acts 16:16; Micah 5:12) Visiting mediums/psychics/spiritists: persons supposedly having access to supernatural agencies and knowledge or power derived from them (Deuteronomy 18:9-16; Leviticus 19:31; Leviticus 20:6; 2 Kings 21:6; 2 Kings 23:1-25; 1 Chronicles 10:13-14; Isaiah 8:19-22) 3. Seeking supernatural power: Charm: the chanting or reciting of a magic spell; an act or expression believed to have magic power; something worn about the person to ward off evil or ensure good fortune (amulets, talismans, hex signs, etc.) (Isaiah 3:16-24; Isaiah 47:9-15; Ezekiel 13:18-23) Curse: a prayer or invocation for harm or injury to come upon a person; to call upon divine or supernatural power to send injury upon (Exodus 21:17; Exodus 22:28; Leviticus 19:14; Ezekiel 13:17-23; Romans 12:14) Enchant: to use magic words or charms to place (another) under a spell. A spell (or incantation) is a spoken word or form of words held to have magic power; a strong compelling influence or attraction. (Isaiah 47:9-15; Ezekiel 13:17-23) Idolatry: any person, place or thing that comes before God in your life. There are many forms of idolatry and it’s possible to argue that every occult activity is a form of idolatry. The Bible has many references to idolatry that identify it as sin (Exodus 20:3-6). Some specific examples include worshiping demons/angels (Deuteronomy 32:16-17; Leviticus 17:7; 2 Kings 23:1-25; Psalm 106:37; 1 Corinthians 10:20-22; Revelation 9:20-21), worshiping celestial bodies (2 Kings 21:3,7; 2 Kings 23:1-25; Ezekiel 8:16) and consulting household idols (Genesis 31:19,30,34; Genesis 35:2; Judges 17:5; 1 Samuel 19:13).Seeking or using familiar spirits: A familiar spirit is believed to attend, serve or guard a person. Familiar spirits can be sought for information, protection and guidance. They can be “passed down” from the person’s ancestry. Familiar spirits are demonic, although not all exhibit markedly evil behavior. (Leviticus 19:31; Leviticus 20:6,27; Deuteronomy 18:11; 2 Kings 21:6; 1 Chronicles 10:13; 2 Chronicles 33:6; 1 Samuel 28:3-23) Magic: The use of means (as charms or spells) believed to have supernatural power over natural forces; magic rites or incantations; an extraordinary power or influence seemingly from a supernatural source; something that seems to cast a spell (Isaiah 47:9-15; Ezekiel 13:17-23; Acts 8:9-24; Acts 19:19-20; Revelation 9:20-21; Revelation 18:23; Revelation 21:8; Revelation 22:15) Sorcery: The use of power gained from the assistance or control of evil spirits especially for divining; A wizard is a sorcerer - one possessing magical influence. (Exodus 22:18; Deuteronomy 18:9-16; Leviticus 19:26; Isaiah 47:9-15; 2 Kings 17:17; 2 Kings 21:6; Malachi 3:5; Micah 5:12; Galatians 5:19-21; Acts 8:9-24; Acts 13:4-12) Talisman: A talisman is an object held to act as a charm to avert evil and bring good fortune. Examples of talismans include healing crystals, rabbit’s foot, Indian dream-catchers, good luck charms, and hex signs. Household idols in the Bible are possibly examples of talismans. (Genesis 35:2; Judges 17:5; 1 Samuel 19:13; Hosea 3:4). Witchcraft: The use of sorcery, magic, or communication with spirits to influence persons and/or events. A witch/warlock is one thought to have supernatural powers through contact with Satan; one credited with usually malignant supernatural powers (Deuteronomy 18:9-16; 1 Samuel 15:22-23; Ezekiel 13:17-23; Galatians 5:19-21; Acts 19:19-20) If you have been involved in occult sin, humble yourself and seek amends with God (Leviticus 26:40-42; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Hosea 14:1-4) Confess your sin (Acts 19:18-19; 1 John 1:9). Confess your family’s sin (forefathers) (Leviticus 26:40-42). Destroy any occult objects you own (Deuteronomy 7:4-6,25-26; Deuteronomy 12:2-3; 2 Kings 23:1-25; Acts 19:19-20). Don’t try to sell them or give them to someone else, as that could render you guilty of greed and/or leading someone astray. Commit to following God in purity and love God with all your heart, soul and mind (Matthew 22:37). Do not return to practicing any former occult activities you were involved in. http://www.porn-free.org/occult_background.htm FAMILY In the month of October there is an increase in occult practices and even on our televisions horror and vampire movies increase during this time. It all culminates with Halloween on the 31 st of October. As Christians we need to ask God to protect us, our children, families and nations from this demonic onslaught. Halloween originated in Europe, as a Feast of the Dead. On the evening of the 31st of October, people imitated fairies and went from door to door begging for treats, as they believed spirits could be appeased by presenting them with some kind of worship or offering (such as food or milk). Another way, they believed they could fool or scare away evil spirits, was to dress up like them. It was believed that the spirits would not inflict harm upon them if they did this. Pray today for those who partake in these festivities without realizing the actual meaning and origins of it. Ask for the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus Christ to the hearts of many and for God to confront them with His love, purity and holiness. Pray for the salvation of those involved in the occult. Pray also for God’s protection over your schools, and communities. Material for evangelism is available from www.chick.com Scriptures for prayer and reading: Deuteronomy 18:9-14, Isaiah 8:19, 1 Chronicles 10:13-14.(Jericho Walls) Be blessed as you pray & spread the good tidings of the gospel of Jesus Christ!!! Psalm 68 vs. 11 “The Lord gives the command; the women who proclaim the good tidings are a great host…” Hadassah Watch is endorsed & supported by: PACWA (Pan African Women’s Association) Jericho Walls International Prayer Network Transformation Africa / Global Day of Prayer