Dear Judy
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Ghosts are bugging my family by Dr. Judy Baus
Dear Judy,
Do you believe in ghosts and if so, can they influence people? My family and I have always been close and we believe in God, but lately, Mom and Dad have been acting weird. I can’t explain it, but their decision-making is odd and harsh. They say that God is telling them what to do, but how can it be from God if it brings about misunderstandings and hard feelings in the family and it certainly isn’t very loving. Could it be ghosts they’re hearing instead of God. Can ghosts do things like that? I’m confused and concerned.
Dear Concerned,
I can’t say I believe in ghosts per say but I do believe in spirits. There’s a difference. The Bible talks about both good spirits and evil spirits. The King James translation of the Bible does use the word “ghost” but the New King James Version gives us a better understanding of the meaning by using the word “spirit.”
There is an evil spirit and a Holy Spirit and nothing in between! Confusion, meanness, hardness of heart, selfishness, and self centeredness are not of God. The root problem comes from our flesh which opens the door for evil activity. The devil is an evil spirit whose job is to deceive the child of God into believing and doing things that are not of God. If we don’t reject ungodly thoughts and replace them with godly thoughts, then we will be influenced by the evil one, not by the Holy Spirit.
(Notice the word “Holy” before the word Spirit. Read John chapters 14, 15, 16. The Apostle John makes it very clear about the function and purpose of the person of the Holy Spirit.)
Actually, I’ve been seeing more and more families acting out of sorts or weird as you call it. When I talk with them, I share James 1:17 that tells us, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” So when you hear your family saying or doing things that are not good and not perfect, you can know it is not of God.
Follow the words of the Bible when dealing with your family. When they do or say things that are not of God, do what the Bible says: “My beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20). We do not want to get caught up in the evil being done or said around us. “Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
You are a child of God and your family is also, but they are allowing the devil or evil spirits to influence them. Pray and the Holy Spirit will give you the right actions and words to say in the midst of nasty stuff going on in your family. Do not let the evil spirits cause you to react instead of respond. Follow the Scriptures which will bring the right actions every time!
Christmas-stress-free by Dr. Judy Baus
Dear Judy,
Several years back you wrote an article giving tips to help people through their activities during the busy Christmas season. Will you please post them again? I can already feel the stress trying to arise all around me. This is a very important time for me as a Christian and I want to get the most out of it. I’m wanting to stay stress-free.
Dear Stress-free,
Here’s the article you referred to. I hope it helps once again, you and all the other readers!
Here are some tips for a stress-free Christmas.
• "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1
• There are "seasons" that try even the most seasoned Christians—Christmas is just one of many. Christmas is supposed to be a celebration of Christ’s birthday but instead, it’s often a jumbled grouping of work, parties, present-buying, and stress. As you start feeling the effects of the "season," turn your eyes towards the Almighty and say, "You are my shelter Lord. Show me how I may be used by You today." As you do this, you will see a sales clerk who needs a smile or a child who needs shoes that you CAN do something about!
• God sent His son to save us from ourselves —don't live your life by the world's standards but rather by God's standards. A peaceful walk through this upcoming season can speak much to those who don't know Jesus yet. Dwell in the shelter of the Most High and see the difference this Christmas.
• Christmas…a time to celebrate the anointed one and His anointing being sent to earth! This Christmas, will we, like Mary, choose the better part and sit at Jesus’ feet, to be blessed? Or will we, like Martha, get so caught up with hustle and bustle that we get too stressed to be blessed? Matthew 6:33 says “…and keep peace, love, and joy ruling and reigning in our hearts and lives.” When we walk in the Spirit, we won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:22 reads, “… for the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Luke 12:15 encourages us to “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
• Let’s pray for the Lord to help us be content, and protect us from the foolish lie that "more brings happiness" for it does not. God brings peace and the true good life we all long for. Pray for a merry heart because it works like medicine (Psalm 17:22).
• Don’t overspend. Only spend what your budget will allow. Maybe choose to give of your time, or make your gifts such as candy or crafts.
• If you can’t be with your family, don’t allow the enemy to put loneliness and depression on you. Choose to spend more time in prayer, reading the Word of God and helping someone less fortunate than you. You’ll see how much joy this will bring.
• In every situation this holiday season, ask yourself what would Jesus do? What would Jesus say? How would Jesus act? Then do it.
If we will focus on God’s love in sending His Son for us, we will be full of joy and peace. We will be able to help others through this time and teach them about the true meaning of Christmas.
If you know the Savior, keep looking only at Him. If you do not know the Savior of the world—the Lord Jesus Christ—I invite you to get to know Him, the true meaning of Christmas. Admit you need a Savior; ask for forgiveness of your sin, and ask Jesus to be Lord of your life. Hear as the shepherds did so long ago, "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)
Join together in church this Christmas to celebrate the birth of the Savior of the world, and of you and me, and enjoy a blessed and stress-free Christmas.
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