Christian Training Series 
by Pastor Gregory M. Askew

What is Marriage?
Why Saints Don’t Celebrate Halloween
The Ministry of Tithing
A Time of Fasting
The Real Meaning of Christmas

Let it be known by men everywhere, that the General Assembly of the Church of God in Christ, Inc., has adopted this thirteenth day of April, year of our Lord, two-thousand and four, in Memphis, Tennessee, this Proclamation on Marriage.

We, the Presiding Bishop, the General Board and the Board of Bishops of the Church of God in Christ, solemnly proclaim that the institution of marriage was established and ordained by God (Genesis 2:24). Therefore "God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him, male and female created he them" (Genesis 1:27). He created "the woman for the man" (I Corinthians 11:9). Therefore, "marriage is honorable" (Hebrews 13:4).

We believe that since the beginning of recorded history, in most cultures of the world; marriage has been defined as the lawful union of one man and one woman. The traditional form of marriage is one of the bedrock institutions of most societies. We, therefore, affirm the preservation of the present definition of marriage as being the legal union of one man and one woman as husband and wife.

We believe that, "Children are a heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of the womb is his reward." (Psalms 127:3). In order to provide for continuation of the species, God created within male and female the potential for bearing children. The first commandment given to Adam and Eve was to "be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth." (Genesis 1:28). Marriage between male and female provide the structure for conceiving and raising children. Compliance with this command of God is a physical and biological impossibility in same-sex unions. We, therefore, believe that only marriages between male and female, as ordained by God, is essential for the procreation of mankind.

We believe that the homosexual practices of same-sex couples are in violation of religious and social norms and are aberrant and deviant behavior. We believe that these unions are sinful and in direct violation of the law of God in that they are a deviation from the natural use and purpose of the body. "For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which is due." (Romans 1:26-27 NKJV). We believe that to legalize such unions will signal ecclesiastical and social approval of homosexuality and sexual deviancy as legitimate lifestyles.

Therefore, in spite of the progressive normalization of alternative lifestyles and the growing legal acceptance of same-sex unions; we declare our opposition to any deviation from traditional marriages of male and female. Notwithstanding the rulings of the court systems of the land in support of same-sex unions; we resolve that the Church of God in Christ stand resolutely firm and never allow the sanctioning of same-sex marriages by its clergy nor recognize the legitimacy of such unions.

Why Saints Don’t Celebrate Halloween

October - 2003
Though celebrating Halloween has become controversial because some cults and devil worshipers have adopted it as their major holiday, it actually began as a new year festival. Hundreds of years before Christ was born, Samhain was an October 31 Celtic celebration, marking the end of summer, a major harvest festival, and the beginning of their new year on November 1.

During Samhain, the Irish Celts believed that the veil separating the living from the dead was at its thinnest. Disembodied spirits of those who had died the previous year came back on that night to look for living bodies to possess. So, villagers dressed up in ghoulish costumes, paraded around villages, and were as destructive as possible in order to scare away the spirits.

However, the Druids in Britain and Ireland practiced ritual sacrifices of animals (some historians also believe human sacrifice) on this night. Various occultists and witches used this night to practice fortune-telling and divination.

Belief in spirits began to wane, but many Samhain traditions continued. Children play-acted the part of evil spirits to be appeased, asking for food or treats from house to house. About 700 A.D. the church decided to combat this festival by replacing it with a celebration of eternal life, not death, and honoring saints who had modeled the Christian life, not spirits. November 1 was called All Saints Day, All Souls Day or All Hallowed (hallowed ones) Day. The evening before was called "All Hallows Eve," which was shortened to Halloween.

During the potato famine, many Irish immigrants brought their traditions to America. An Irish folktale says that a man named Jack tricked the devil up into a tree and then carved a cross into the bark, trapping him. Jack made a deal with the devil, saying that if he never tempted him again, he would let him down. After Jack died, God wouldn't let him into heaven because of his drunken ways and the devil wouldn't let him into hell. However, the devil gave Jack a single ember to light his way through the darkness of eternity, which Jack placed inside a hollowed-out turnip. In America, pumpkins outnumbered turnips and so they became "Jack's lantern."

Today, children "trick or treating" remains an established Halloween tradition and the sale of costumes, candy, decorations and party goods is a booming business. In fact, the Baby Boomers have made Halloween the second most popular party night of the year after New Year's Eve. But while many follow these traditions innocently, Satanists and those who practice witchcraft use the night as a primary festival for fortune-telling, sacrifice and dark practices.

Some families and churches, in an effort not to imitate evil, discourage children from dressing in costumes of witches, demons and ghosts and encourage them to dress as animals, story book characters or Biblical figures. Some churches sponsor a fall harvest party or All Saint's Day party built around a Biblical theme, like Noah's Ark, featuring games, Christian songs and prayer.

In recent years, Christians have used Halloween as an opportunity to share the Gospel. They distribute Christian tracts or Scripture verses with candy and offer children and their families the greatest "Treat" of all - free salvation through faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior.

The true origins of Halloween lie with the ancient Celtic tribes who lived in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Brittany. For the Celts, November 1 marked the beginning of a new year and the coming of winter. The night before the new year, they celebrated the festival of Samhain, Lord of the Dead. During this festival, Celts believed the souls of the dead—including ghosts, goblins and witches—returned to mingle with the living. In order to scare away the evil spirits, people would wear masks and light bonfires.

When the Romans conquered the Celts, they added their own touches to the Samhain festival, such as making centerpieces out of apples and nuts for Pomona, the Roman goddess of the orchards. The Romans also bobbed for apples and drank cider—traditions which may sound familiar to you. But where does the Christian aspect of the holiday come into play? In 835, Pope Gregory IV moved the celebration for all the martyrs (later all saints) from May 13 to November 1. The night before became known as All Hallow’s Even or “holy evening.” Eventually the name was shortened to the current Halloween. On November 2, the Church celebrates All Souls Day.

The purpose of these feasts is to remember those who have died, whether they are officially recognized by the Church as saints or not. It is a celebration of the “communion of saints,” which reminds us that the Church is not bound by space or time.  

The Ministry of Tithing

 I want to begin a new emphasis on the topic of God’s Plan For Financial Success.  As I look at many of the saints and their overall financial well-being, we must admit that unfortunately some sinners are fairing better than believers.  Why?  One important principal that believers often refuse to adhere to or are ignorant of: the principal of sowing and reaping. If you plant something, it must bring a return or yield.

 In biblical language, if you want God’s favor of financial blessings, plant or give your tithe!  More so than just a suggestion to give, Malachi states it is a criminal act to not give your tithe portion.

 Malachi 3:8 NAS

    "Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, 'How have we robbed Thee?' In tithes and offerings.

Malachi 3:10

    "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the Lord of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.

God is allowing you to test the Word and prove it works.  What a challenge!  Why not begin today by giving your tithe and offering.  My goal is to encourage 100% participation for membership tithing.  I believe with your obedience to God’s Word, the financial strain and difficulties you are presently facing will dissolve. Let’s see how far your faith can take you! 

In Christ Who Rewards Faithfulness;

Pastor Askew  

 Are you interested in being wealthy and having the favor of God in your Finances? Let’s discuss what God requires to have His Favor in our finance.
The First Commandment of Yielding the Tithe was from Moses… It first emphasizes the nature of the tithe-it is Holy or Separate from the other offerings (see verse 30). The second emphasis is its exactness (see verse 33).
Leviticus 27:30-33
    And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy unto the Lord. [31] And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof. [32] And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord. [33] He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.

The way you give is paramount to the success of tithing-God is always to be first.
Proverbs 3:7-10
    Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. [8] It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. [9] Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: [10] So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

The most compelling scripture of how God feels about tithing can be found in Malachi in which God is very clear on His feelings…
Malachi 3:8-12
 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
He calls a believer or follower who does not tithe a robber.
What is a robber? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary:
1 a (1) : to take something away from by force : steal from (2) : to take personal property from by violence or threat b (1) : to remove valuables without right from (a place) (2) : to take the contents of (a receptacle) c : to take away as loot : STEAL <rob jewelry>
2 a : to deprive of something due, expected, or desired b : to withhold unjustly or injuriously
intransitive verb : to commit robbery

Regardless of the personality of the believer, when we don’t tithe, God labels us as robbers.
[9] Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

How can we turn our robber label into a position of being blessed? It is again clear, by tithing. He converts a curse into a promise of financial return and yield…
[10] Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. [11] And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. [12] And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.

Tithing is not just an Old Testament Principle but a Promise of Favor in your Finance.
Matthew 23:23
    Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Let us allow God to manifest in or finance by trusting Him with our Tithes. 
Let’s begin today.
Pastor GM Askew

A Time of Fasting

Jubilee’s “Joshua” Consecration
21 Days of Fasting and Prayer
August 8^th through 31^st 2007

 Your time of fasting and prayer has come. You are abstaining from all solid foods during the specified times and have begun to seek the Lord. Here are some helpful suggestions to consider:
Why Are You Fasting? 
Is it for spiritual renewal, for guidance, for healing, for the resolution of problems, for special grace to handle a difficult situation? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and objectives for your prayer fast. This will enable you to pray more specifically and strategically.  Through fasting and prayer we humble ourselves before God so the Holy Spirit will stir our souls, awaken our churches, and heal our land according to 2 Chronicles 7:14. Make this a priority in your fasting.

 Pray About The Kind Of Fast You Should Undertake
Jesus implied that all of His followers should fast (Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14,15) For Him it was a matter of when believers would fast, not if they would do it. Before you fast, decide the following up front: 
How long you will fast - one meal, one day, a week, several weeks, forty days (Beginners should start slowly, building up to longer fasts.)
The type of fast God wants you to undertake (such as water only, or water and juices; what kinds of juices you will drink and how often)
What physical or social activities you will restrict
How much time each day you will devote to prayer and God's Word

 What Are Your Spiritual Goals To Be Realized Following This Fast?
The very foundation of fasting and prayer is repentance. Here are several things you can do to prepare your heart: 
Begin your time of fasting and prayer with an expectant heart (Hebrews 11:6).
Meditate on the attributes of God, His love, sovereignty, power, wisdom, faithfulness, grace, compassion, and others (Psalm 48:9,10; 103:1-8, 11-13).
Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Master; refuse to obey your worldly nature (Romans 12:1,2).
Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit according to His command in Ephesians 5:18 and His promise in 1 John 5:14,15.
Confess every sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance and accept God's forgiveness (1 John 1:9).

Physical Preparation
Fasting requires reasonable precautions. Consult your physician first, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic ailment. Some persons should never fast without professional supervision.  Physical preparation makes the drastic change in your eating routine a little easier so that you can turn your full attention to the Lord in prayer.  

Put Yourself On A Schedule
For the maximum spiritual benefit of this fast, set aside ample time to be alone with the Lord. Listen for His leading. The more time you spend with Him, the more meaningful your fast will be.
Ending A Fast Properly Is Very Important
Begin eating gradually. Do not eat solid foods immediately after your fast. Suddenly reintroducing solid food to your stomach and digestive tract will likely have negative, even dangerous, consequences. Try several smaller meals or snacks each day. If you end your fast gradually, the beneficial physical and spiritual effects will result in continued good health.
Expect Results
If you sincerely humble yourself before the Lord, repent, pray, and seek God's face; if you consistently meditate on His Word, you will experience a heightened awareness of His presence (John 14:21). The Lord will give you fresh, new spiritual insights. Your confidence and faith in God will be strengthened. You will feel mentally, spiritually, and physically refreshed. You will see answers to your prayers.   A single fast, however, is not a spiritual cure-all. Just as we need fresh infillings (refilling) of the Holy Spirit daily, we also need new times of fasting before God. A 24-hour fast each week has been greatly rewarding to many Christians.

Examples Of Fasting:
Isaiah 58:5 
Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord?
Daniel 9:3 
And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
Joel 2:12 
Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
Matthew 17:21 
Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Mark 9:29  
And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
Acts 10:30  
And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
Acts 14:23
And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

The Real Meaning Of Christmas