Kind of reminded me of the dark libraries of that movie "Brotherhood Of The Bell" when I entered, except this bell tinkled it's welcome rather than gonged a warning. As I look back, the tinkling was probably more like a snicker; I was in there now, and slowly scanning the shelves, tilting my head left and right to read the printed titles organized by topics I had never heard of. The store proprieter smiled when I paid for my book. Don't remember what the book's name was, or the author---but I do recall the proprieter had long black hair, was adorned in some kind of knitted shawl-flowing robe, and slinked through a hallway of hanging beads after I gave her my money. This was forty-two years ago...and I can still hear the jingling snicker of the doorchime as I left Madison, Wisconsin's "Occult Book Shop" on 'Lower State Street' in 1971.
Lying in my small apartment bed that night I distinctly remember holding that book up and being instructed on how to clear my mind of all thoughts, how to think of the most beautiful place I could imagine, and how to visualize a 'spirit guide', who would be my friend, my helper, in my quest to enter this 'bliss' the book was promising. Eyes closed, lying absolutely still, emptying my mind. Mmmmm I remember how peaceful it felt, I still recall concentrating on nature, the beauty of my Upper Michigan home town, of lying on the beach, of feeling the breeze, hearing the waves, and imagining Lake Superior seagulls flying in the currents above. Bliss! This 22 year-old in a blissful state...Ahhhhhhh.....
TWISTING FORBODDING CLOUDS
A FACE IN THE DARK!
It was floating just below the ceiling, roiling above the bed, removing me from the blissful state and frightened the book off my chest. I lie there wondering what I had conjured up.
The next day I threw the book away.
I cried out to Jesus to save my soul in 1974...but these past thirty nine years have been filled with many religious experiences that have run the gamut from being 'slain in the spirit', 'speaking in tongues', and 'casting out demons', to 'working-in-the-church' as church musician, director of men's fellowships, member of pastor search committees, and whatever else I could shovel into a still unfilled void. We frequented the LifeWay stores, buying all the latest spiritual stuff...and when our church went for the 'Purpose Driven Life', we fell for it.
Until about a year ago when I actually started to read the Bible, when God literally LEAPT out at me and from the pages of His Word, he has daily spoken. There is nothing like discovering the One True God through His Son, Jesus, The Christ, from His Word. I have found the Way to the One True God through Jesus His Son...there is no other and no other way to eternal life with God The Father. All the spiritual attempts I made over the years, starting with that occult book shop, and going through all the 'Christian attempts' (like 'being spiritual', church attendence, etc) to 'fill the void' weren't the answer.
Until I found Him through the Word.
May I humbly share the Gospel of The Lord Jesus Christ?
Because of Adam's original sin, man was bound to keep "the Law", "to be good persons", "to follow a strict code of ethics, rules, regulations", in order to find favor with God. But because of sin, no man was able to keep this law...and God then gave His son Jesus, as a sacrifice for our sins. Christians believe that the One True God can only be approached through His Son, Jesus, The Christ. He needs no-one to draw them close to Him except but through the Holy Spirt...and it is through Jesus that we have salvation from our sins and eternity with Him. We believe the scriptures in the Bible to be God's very own words that apply and minister to all today:
"...Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved..."
(Acts 4:12)
"...Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it..."
(Matthew 7:13)
and "...He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him..."
(John 3:36)
Many scriptures in the Bible address the idea of consulting spirits...may I share some of those here?
And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Isaiah 8:19-20
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
1 John 4:1-3
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. (Galatians 1: 8-10)
But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand. (Ezekiel 33:6)
Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (Matthew 7:15)
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7: 21-23)
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (Matthew 24:4-5)
And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. (Mark 13:21-23)
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. (Acts 20:28-31)
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (Romans 16:17-18)
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. (Ephesians 4:17-19)
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. (2 Peter 2:1-3)
For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. (2 Peter 2:18)
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:1-7)
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:2-5)
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. :)