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By now you’ve probably heard the story going ’round about the Satanists who claim the right to put up a statue of their Dark Lord outside the Oklahoma state Capitol, which since 2012 has had a Ten Commandments monument. The proposed display features the Baphomet symbol of Satan, complete with cloven hoofs and horns, welcoming two children to his embrace. This depiction of the devil is the one popularized more than 100 years ago and adopted by occultist Aliester Crowley and the late Anton Lavey. A spokesperson for the campaign, Lucien Greaves, says, “The statue will also have a functional purpose as a chair where people of all ages may sit on the lap of Satan for inspiration and contemplation.”

The seven-foot tall structure depicts Lucifer with a goat’s head, adored by two happy children.  Says Greaves, “The status will serve as a beacon calling for compassion and empathy among all living creatures. This is to be a historical marker commemorating the scapegoats, the marginalized, the demonized minority and the unjustly outcast.” I can’t imagine the good folks of Oklahoma buying that logic, but let’s wait and see what the ACLU and Obama-appointed judges have to say before we dismiss this proposal as preposterous. In our world of compromise and political correctness, nothing surprises me anymore. As for words like “compassion” and “empathy,” tell that to victims of satanic ritual abuse. Tell it to those who have been victimized by war, violence, and perverted predators. Satan is the origin of all evil in the universe and to even suggest honoring him in any way, let alone on public land, is the height of hubris. Don’t believe what the proponents of this memorial to Belial have to say because their leader is the father of all lies (John 8:44).  If by some warped twist of logic these Satanists are allowed to erect this statue, they’d better put a lightning rod on the top. A thunderbolt from heaven might be expected at any moment.

An encouraging word:  YOU ARE NOT FORSAKEN

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” You’re probably familiar with those words of Jesus on the cross. The feeling of forsakenness, abandonment, and rejection is so much a part of the human condition: the employee whose years of faithful services ends abruptly with a pink slip; the husband or wife who suddenly discovers the infidelity of a lifelong partner; the child who wonders why his parents are getting a divorce. “Why am I forsaken?” is a universal human cry, to which the Lord, who himself felt forsaken, answers, “I will never forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

Isaiah 61, one of my favorite chapters in the Bible, speaks of bringing about “beauty for ashes,” or as we say in the vernacular, “turning lemons into lemonade.”  That’s what 29-year-old Oskar Zepeda is doing. Following nine tours of duty in Iraq and having 25 operations after being hit with a hand grenade, Zepeda is truly making something beautiful from the ashes of his life. He has volunteered to serve in a special group trained in computer forensics who operate with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office. His job? Taking the mindset of his military training to seek and destroy the enemy, he now goes after child predators. Zepeda, along with other wounded veterans, now fights child pornography. They analyze computer evidence to help determine if a child is in harm’s way and needs to be rescued.

This very brave group of ex-soldiers even goes on raids sometimes. One of Zepeda’s associates, a former Army soldier says, “I’m talking about young kids, 18-month olds, toddlers. This is some of the most horrible stuff I could conceive of imagining and I’m looking at it on a daily basis.” For the sake of our children, thank God that they are. Another of Zepeda’s compatriots observes, “My time got cut short in the service. I wanted to continue serving my country, and this was my way to do that.” I don’t know about you, but I get a lump in my throat thinking about what these courageous ex-service personnel are doing. Applying this principle to making beauty from ashes, I wonder why there aren’t more spiritual warfare soldiers, willing to track down the devil who is behind child abuse. That’s what our DWJD� (Do What Jesus Did) deliverance teams are all about. If you’re looking for a place to serve and hunt down the Enemy, join or start a team. Turn the ashes of abuse into beauty and set the captives free. Call today 303-980-1511 and find out how you can make a difference by doing what Jesus did.

An encouraging word:  SPEAK WELL OF OTHERS

Congress is getting back in session and already the rancor is starting. Each side seems to be positioning itself to take advantage at the expense of the other. Psalm 15:3 tells us that God will only bless the person who “has no slander on his tongue and who does his neighbor no wrong.” There aren’t many Senators or Representatives who can qualify. And it’s not just politics. Our culture seem to thrive on getting ahead at the expense of someone else. So, no matter what the way of the world is, remember that God honors one who, as verse three continues to say, “casts no slur on his fellowman.”

The graph above was printed front page in USA-TODAY last week. No article, no comments; just the poll results. So, I’ll add the commentary. Some might say that a 4% drop in belief in the devil isn’t much (it’s actually a 6.5% drop from 62%) but extrapolate that decline out over time. In another decade we’d nearly be at the mid tipping-point with half of Americans no longer taking Satan seriously. (Two years ago a Barna Group survey claimed that only 43% of Americans believe the devil to be a “living entity” as opposed to a symbol of evil.) Contrast this change with the rise in violent crime, terrorist attacks, sexual violations, child abuse, and wars and rumors of wars around the world. Dismiss the idea of the devil and who’s left to blame? Humanity as a whole? You mean we’re not on an evolutionary ascent to greater nobility as a species?

In the original preface to his famous expose on evil, Screwtape Letters, author C. S. Lewis wrote about “the two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils . . . to disbelieve in their existence [or] . . . to believe and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.” Lewis concluded that the devils “are equally pleased by both errors, and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.” On another occasion Lewis said, “Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil.” As an exorcist confronting the devil on a daily basis, I can attest that Satan is very real and exceedingly active. Check out our YouTube Exorcism Channel (CLICK HERE) if you doubt me. Come to one of our seminars and see the reality of possession up-close and personal. Most off all, do whatever you can to get rid of Satan’s influence in your life. (Call 303-980-1511 to schedule a Personal Encounter.) Remember, the reality of the devil doesn’t depend on polls reflecting the whims of public opinion. Satan’s existence is validated by Scripture and backed up by Christ himself who faced the Evil One in the wilderness temptation.

An encouraging word:  WALKING RIGHTEOUSLY

“Who may dwell in your sanctuary?” David asks (Psalm 15:1). Good question. The sanctuary is where God is, so David is really asking, “Who can walk in God’s presence?” The next verse answers: “He who does what is righteous.” In the midst of American feel-good theology and seeker-friendly evangelism, too many avoid the call to righteous, true character that comes from internal humility and external morality. Righteousness is what God does or does not see when he looks at us. To walk righteously you’ll need to drop the fa�ade and allow others to see who God sees. Prayerfully, that will be righteousness and behaviorally consistent.

I took the photos above while Christmas shopping a few weeks ago. In the perfume section of a major department store, one you may have frequented, was this demoniacally inviting display: Goddess of Prosperity, Goddess of Power, and Goddess of Love. I’m sure that some clever marketing maven thought it was smart to add a touch of New Age panache. Each pendant features a different pagan goddess, with invitations to “Believe in Your Dreams,” “Be Fearless,” and “Trust Your Heart.” How pleasantly alluring. And how satanically deceptive. More than once I’ve cast demons out of someone wearing a necklace displaying a demonic god. I remember a certain exorcism with a woman who had a pendant of Diana. She bought it while on a Christian tour of the Churches of Revelation, and found it in a gift shop near the ruins of Ephesus, where the great temple of Diana once stood. Her demon? Jezebel, a.k.a. Dianna. I can only wonder how many women sniffing the sample smells, sprayed on their wrists by a helpful salesperson, were also attracted to the invitations above. The occult is everywhere, and we all need to be aware of the subtleties of Satan in our midst. If you see someone displaying a symbol of a pagan god, say something. Bear witness of Christ and warn those who might not have a clue what demonic doorways they are opening, through how they smell and what they wear.

An encouraging word:  WITNESS EVERYWHERE

I was simply picking up my dry cleaning a couple of days ago, but I couldn’t keep silent. The clerk had a pentacle, a satanic symbol around her neck. “What’s that?” I asked. “It represents earth, wind, fire, water,” she said. “Actually no,” I countered, “it represents witchcraft. Are you a witch?” She was startled by my bluntness. Flustered for a moment she said, “Yes, I’m a pagan.” “Well I’m a Christian, and I need to warn you that what you’re involved with is dangerous,” I said seriously. Most Christians would have said nothing so as not to offend. But sometimes we need to risk being offensive to warn people who might not otherwise be warned. We wise, be prudent, don’t be obnoxious, but don’t be afraid to witness for Jesus everywhere.

We pass by them all the time. Sometimes we laugh. (“Don’t Let Worry Kill You, Let the Church Help.”) Other times we’re reflective. (“Many who Seek God at the Eleventh Hour Die at 10:30.”) Church marquees, those sloganized signs out front to be seen by cars passing by, can be cute or calamitous. Evolutionist can be made to think (“If Man Came from Apes, Why Do We Still Have Apes?”) or nonchalant passers-by to be amused (“Dairy Queen is not the only place that has awesome Sundays.”) Some see it as ministry, others (probably non-believers) as irritating. But they’ve been around a long time and likely aren’t going away. The trick is to be catchy without being irritating; theological but not judgmental; informative, but not offensive. A pastor might believe in Hell but it’s not likely a good idea to put hellfire-and-brimstone at curbside.

I’m not saying it’s a good or bad thing, one way or another. Personally, I think it’s difficult to sloganize Christianity. Imagine Paul erecting a sign outside the Antioch church inviting, “Come Inside, We’re Called Christians Here.” Or “Zeus and Diana are not your Savior, Jesus is.” Still, the Bible is filled with pithy, quotable lines: “Broad is the way . . . ” “Take my yoke upon you.” “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Clever marquee signs or obnoxious signs, I wonder who will compose the words after the rapture. I wouldn’t want to be the one who sets the signage with the words, “Oops, missed it, they were right after all.”

An encouraging word: WE ALL DESERVE HELL

There is no polite way to put it. We all deserve Hell. Which of us has lived a perfect life? Who has not lied or cheated or cursed or committed grave moral sin? Only Jesus was perfect, the rest of us are described by the words of Romans 3:12, “All have turned away, they have together become worthless, there is not one who does good, not even one.” Ouch. That is spiritually painful, but true. But my encouraging word is Romans 6:23: “The gift of God is eternal life.” Be grateful for the gift, and receive it.

It’s still there, tapped in deep, Antarctic ice. The passengers have been on board for nearly a week with nowhere to go. An Australian vessel has tried reach them. Same for a Chinese rescue boat which came within six nautical miles before turning back because of the unusually thick ice. As I write this, a French ship is also attempting a mission of mercy. Aboard the stranded vessel are 74 researchers, crew and tourists. So far they are all in good spirits, but if weather conditions worsen, things could get dicey. The stranded ship, Russian registered, has been stuck since last Tuesday after a blizzard pushed sea ice around the ship, freezing it in place. It won’t sink, experts say, and there is plenty of food aboard; but it isn’t going anywhere soon.

The quote above pretty much sums up the essence of modern day humanism, and the way people see things in popular culture. “Live a good life” (whatever “good” means). The subjective variableness of that viewpoint is apparent for all to see, especially as it guides both Hollywood and the D. C. Beltway. The idea is that whatever will be, will be, que sera sera.  There are no winners, no losers eternally speaking. It’s the sort of thing you’d expect to hear in a secular university philosophy class or a convention of the American Association of Humanists. But it was actually spoken by Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from 161 to 180. He was the last of the so-called Good Emperors, and is also considered one of the most important Stoic philosophers. Stoicism, humanism, whatever label you put on it, it’s godless and empty. It has no more to offer suffering humanity than it did when Aurelius orated. This shallow sentiment is just an excuse for benign neglect of human need and disregard for objective morality. And remember, it wasn’t printed in an anti-Christian blog and posted on the Internet but was uttered more than 1,800 years ago. There truly is “no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Gods, no gods, whatever, different strokes for different folks – that outlook has never totally disappeared from the thoughts of man. No worry, according to Aurelius, at worst you’ll just “be gone.” But the Bible teaches that after death each of us will be somewhere, in one of the Father’s mansions (John 14:2) or the furnace of fire where teeth gnash (Matthew 13:42). The theological ambiguity of Aurelius is as spiritually deadly today under the guise of humanism as it was in the waning years of the Roman Empire.

I see people playing them all the time, mostly to pass the time. On planes, in waiting rooms, on trains, wherever people need something to occupy their minds. Mental health experts says it is one way to stay sharp the older one gets; but to most, it’s not a matter of retaining the acuity of brain cells. They just like to do them. I find them boring, but not to those obsessed with crossword puzzles. They wouldn’t think of starting the day without opening the newspaper to figure out, “What is a four letter word starting with H that means______.  You may have done one or more crossword puzzles yourself but likely didn’t realize that they were originally known as “Word-Cross” puzzles. The first one was printed December 21, 1913 as “Fun’s Word-Cross Puzzle.” By January 11, 1914 they were called “Cross-Word” puzzles. The change came as a result of a printing error, the typesetter accidentally inverting the words. But the error stuck because it just sounded better and no one was yet vested in the original wording.

It’s not even a contest: Flipper v. Einstein. Yet there was a time several decades ago when the brightest and best among us believed that dolphins were super-smart creatures who held in their high-pitched squeaks the hope of extraterrestrial communication. This idea, promoted by a secret society called the Order of the Dolphin, hoped to establish contact with aliens on other planets by enlisting the help of the Flippers of the oceans. By cracking the code of dolphin-speak, a form of communication the Order supposed was a constructible language, they could eventually decipher alien languages. Members of the Order actually wore insignias shaped like bottlenose dolphins and sent each other coded message to better their skills at understanding dolphinese. And who were the members of the Order? Luminaries such as evolutionary biologist J. B. S. Haldane, Nobel-Prize-winning chemist Melvin Calvin, neuroscientist John Lilly, and PBS atheist gadfly Carl Sagan.

This time of year we think a lot about Him and His name. Wonderful Counselor. Prince of Peace. Savior. Jesus. Mary and Joseph knew the Name but they couldn’t have possibly understood what it would really mean. How could they know that His Name would cast out demons, give sight to the blind, cleanse lepers, heal the infirm, and save sinners. He was just a baby in their arms, born in a stable with animals. Who could imagine that this child would die, rise again, and bring light to the world. “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus . . .” (Matthew 1:21) Mary and Joseph were just happy to have a place to spend the night. Who knew that angels would fill the skies with song and that shepherds would do the one thing shepherds never do, leave their flocks for a journey to Bethlehem. To anyone but Mary and Joseph it was an ordinary birth, but the Name was extraordinary. Jesus. Paul was later to write, “At the name of Jesus ever knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Philippians 2:10). Everyone. Kings and rulers. Angels and demons. One of the best ways to honor him this season is to bow in His presence and gently whisper His Name. Jesus.