Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, we pray that whoever reads this page remembers not to have any fear. Also what to do when they receive a gift from you, as grace to their needs. That they will learn this somewhat through reading this and to continue walking with you. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
For those who are not yet gotten with our heavenly father, we pray that this page will encourage you to do that. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
No Fear Here!
Brought To You By Matney Woodard
Unless you live a very sheltered life, it is almost impossible to avoid being influenced by the Halloween season. It has become one of the biggest holidays for retailers, and a huge money maker for Hollywood. Scary movies, witchcraft, demonic activity, the occult are all being promoted by the media, entertainment and pop culture. All of these in some way introduce fear into people’s lives. Whether its fear of injury, the dark, monsters, demons, Hell or even death, that fear can undermine faith. And as we see in the life of Job, fear can remove God’s hedge of protection around a Believer.
In the past, Christian leaders have simply refused to even acknowledge the existence of Halloween, or held Fall Festivals as an alternative celebration to Halloween, and attempted to remove any evil influences. This may do some good. But its hard to shelter children from everything.
My parents took a different approach. They acknowledged Halloween, but made it clear that I had nothing to fear. When Jesus ascended to Heaven, he had defeated the devil. (Colossians 2:15) The only weapons Satan has now is deception and fear. You can enforce his defeat in your life by refusing to fear and ignoring his lies. You have Power of Attorney to use the name of Jesus to overcome everything that has a name. (Philippians 2:9-10)
Fear is the opposite of faith. Think about how many times the phrase, “Fear not!” appears in the Bible. When you trust God to take care of you, there is absolutely no reason to be afraid. How can you be afraid when you know that the Creator of the universe has your back? How can you buckle under pressure when the Holy Spirit is inside of you? When you know that God’s Angels, His Ministering Spirits, are working night and day to protect you, why worry? With God’s Word, His wisdom, which is loaded with promises and examples of faith in action to inspire you, why should fear ever be an issue?
The root of ALL fear is doubt or unbelief in God. It is your faith that pleases God. In Revelation 21:8, the fearful and unbelieving are listed with the murderers and sexually immoral who experience the second death. You do not want any part of unbelief or fear.
The following content has been selected for the Halloween season. Use the following stories and content to build your faith and refuse to let fear take root in your life, or in the life of any children in your circle of influence.
Boris is a little black cat starting his walk with God. Boris learns that with prayer and faith in God, he can face all challenges. Read all the stories today!
BORIS KITTY – Boris lives with his human parents in Whispering Pines. He is joined in his many adventures by two cats (Montana and Taffy), two dogs (Buddy and Fred), one squirrel (Yuki) and of course his best friend, God. If you are new to the Boris Kitty series, read them in the order below, which takes you from his adoption forward. All the Boris Kitty stories were written by Harrison Woodard and were illustrated by Donna Rosin.
The Adoption Miracle
Story ByHarrison Woodard
Sometimes we expect instant answers to our prayers. But we must remember that God is in complete control of the situation and His timing might not be the same as ours. In this story, Boris learns that he must patiently wait for God to answer his prayer.
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. — Hebrews 11:1 NLT
Once, there was a kitten named Boris. He lived at the animal shelter. Like all the animals, he wanted a home.
Some of the other cats teased him. They told him he would never get adopted.
“Don’t you know Boris,” said a calico cat. “Black cats are bad luck.”
A big tabby added, “Black cats are scary! Nobody will want you.”
“Don’t listen to them,” said Taffy, a white Persian kitten in the next cage. “There is a home waiting for you.”
Boris ignored her. He buried his face in his paws and quietly cried.
The next day the shelter was full of people. All the cats pranced and purred, hoping to get adopted. Not Boris, he hid at the back of his cage. He thought nobody wanted him.
“Billy, here is a black kitty,” said a lady to her son. “What do you think of him?”
Billy looked at Boris, “No, he looks boring. I like the tabby over here. I want him.”
After several days, only Boris and Taffy remained.
“A lot of cats were adopted today. We’ll be next,” said Taffy.
“You’ll get adopted and I’ll be here all alone,” sighed Boris as he inspected his food.
“Why do you think that?” asked Taffy.
“Didn’t you hear the other cats? Nobody wants a black cat,” said Boris.
“That’s silly,” said Taffy. “I asked God to find us both a home and he will not let us down.”
“Who is God?” asked Boris.
“God created the world. He looks after all living things and loves everyone,” said Taffy.
“Even me?” asked Boris.
“Especially you,” said Taffy. “He will provide a solution to any problem. You just have to ask him and believe He will answer.”
“How do I ask Him?” asked Boris. “Where is He?”
“He is everywhere,” said Taffy. “Simply close your eyes and talk to Him. He is always listening. Give it a try.”
“He closed is his eyes and softly prayed, “God, please find Taffy and me a home.”
“See, that wasn’t so hard,” said Taffy. “Now get some sleep, tomorrow will be a special day, you’ll see.”
The next day a father and his son visited the shelter.
“We’re looking for a kitten,” said the father. “Do you have any?”
“We only have two left,” said Charlie the shelter volunteer.
The father and son followed Charlie into the cat room.
Both kittens stared eagerly at the boy. The boy looked at Boris and then at Taffy.
“I want this one,” said the boy pointing to Taffy.
Charlie opened Taffy’s cage and she jumped into the boy’s arms.
“Goodbye Taffy,” said Boris. “I’ll miss you.”
“Don’t forget that God loves you,” said Taffy as she waved goodbye.
As the day dragged on, several more people visited the shelter, but nobody wanted Boris. After closing, Boris quietly watched Charlie clean out Taffy’s cage.
“Somebody will want you,” said Charlie. “Maybe tomorrow.”
Charlie finished his chores and left for the night. Except for the barking dogs down the hall, Boris was alone.
He bowed his head and prayed, “God, I know you won’t forget me.”
Boris went to sleep dreaming about his new home.
The next day the shelter was full of people, but everyone had a reason for not picking Boris.
“I wanted a Persian,” said an older woman.
“He’s too small,” said a boy.
“I don’t want a black cat,” said a woman.
“I want a female kitty,” said a young girl.
“Let’s look at the dogs,” said a group of children.
No matter how sweet Boris acted, nobody wanted him.
It was almost closing time when he heard a woman’s voice from the lobby.
“Do you have any kittens?”
“Well, we have one male kitten, but he’s black,” said Charlie.
“May I take a look?” asked the woman.
“Sure,” said Charlie. “Right this way.”
She followed Charlie into the cat room and over to Boris.
“Oh, he is precious,” said the woman. “He is exactly what I want!”
Charlie opened the cage and Boris jumped into the woman’s arms.
As they walked out of the shelter, Boris bowed his head and prayed,
“Thank you God for finding me a home.”
The Perfect Home
Story ByHarrison Woodard
Illustrations ByDonna Rosin
What do you do when bad things happen? Do you worry, or are you confident that God can take any difficult situation and use it for good? In this story, Boris learns that he may have to go back to the shelter. He doesn’t realize that God is at work preparing a perfect home just for him. A Christian children’s story for kids of all ages.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. — Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Boris rolled over and stretched. “That was the best nap ever,” he said.
Boris gave himself a bath. Starting from his back legs, he cleaned every inch of his fur, even behind his ears.
He went to the kitchen and inspected his food. He wasn’t really hungry. He just wanted to make sure his bowl was full. He scratched the floor to mark his territory. Even though he was the only cat in the apartment, he wanted to make sure other cats knew that this was his food.Boris lay down on the windowsill in the warm sun. He was happy to have a home. He looked out the window. Amanda would be home soon, and it was already time for his afternoon nap.
Amanda returned from work. As always, she opened the backdoor and Boris ran outside to play. After a few hours, it was time to come home.
“Boris, its time to come inside,” shouted Amanda.
Boris scampered down the sidewalk, under the patio fence, and into the apartment.
“Good boy,” said Amanda as she closed the door behind him. “It’s almost bedtime.”
Amanda sat down on the couch to read and Boris curled up on her lap. He rolled over on his back to make it easier for Amanda to stroke his tummy. As he lay there, Amanda started sneezing and her eyes were red.
“What’s wrong?” he wondered.
“Boris, I don’t know if you can stay here,” sniffled Amanda. “I get so sick when I am around you. I must be allergic to cats.”
Boris didn’t know what allergic meant, but it couldn’t be good. He jumped down and sat down across the room.
“I’ll go to the doctor and see if I can get better, but if that doesn’t work, I’ll have to find you a new home,” said Amanda.
“Will I have to go back to the shelter?” Boris wondered.
Several days later, Boris was napping in the bedroom when the doorbell rang. He jumped up and ran into the living room just as Amanda opened the door.
“Hi Pam,” said Amanda with a hug.
Pam was Amanda’s sister. Boris really liked her. She was definitely a cat person.
“How are you?” asked Pam.
“I‘m good,” said Amanda. “Except for my allergies.”
“Did the doctor help?” asked Pam.
“A little, but I have to find a new home for Boris,” said Amanda sadly.
Pam leaned down to pet Boris who was rubbing against her leg.
“How could this precious little thing cause you any trouble?” asked Pam.
Boris agreed. He was precious and no trouble at all.
“I may have to return him to the S – H – E – L – T – E – R,” said Amanda.
Boris wasn’t very good at spelling, but he was pretty sure that meant shelter, and he didn’t want any part of that.
The next day, Amanda spent the entire day on the phone. She called everyone she knew, but nobody wanted Boris.
“Boris, what are we going to do?” asked Amanda.
Boris was very sad. He didn’t want to go back to the shelter. He prayed for a home and God had sent Amanda. Why would God give him a home only to send him back? He was very confused.
Boris tried to sleep, but he just couldn’t. He was so worried.
He jumped off the bed and bowed his head to pray.
“Dear God, I don’t understand, I don’t want to go back to the shelter, and I don’t want Amanda sick. Please look after both of us.”
Confident that God was in control, Boris fell asleep next to Amanda.
The next day, Pam came to visit.
“Have you found Boris a home?” asked Pam.
“No,” said Amanda. “ I have asked everyone at work and called all my friends. Nobody wants a cat.”
“What about your neighbors?” asked Pam.
“They already have two,” said Amanda. “What about you and Chris?”
“I would love it, but Chris said no,” said Pam. “I don’t think he’s a cat person.”
“I just don’t know what to do,” said Amanda as she started to cry. “I guess I’ll take him back tomorrow. Will you go with me?”
“I will,” said Pam.
Pam gave Amanda a hug and left.
The next morning Amanda was already out of bed when Boris got up. He trotted into the kitchen to check his bowl, but it was gone. He went to his litter box, but it was missing as well. Boris knew something was up.
“Let’s go Boris,” said Amanda as she pointed to his pet carrier.
Next to the front door his food, litter box and toys were packed and ready to go. He sadly entered the carrier.
“I’m sorry Boris,” said Amanda. “I wish you could stay here.”
So did Boris. He knew that God would provide another home, but he sure didn’t want to leave.
Boris quietly sat in his carrier as they drove across town.
As Amanda carried Boris, he tried to see where they were going. But with the carrier shaking so much, he couldn’t see. He really didn’t care to see the shelter anyway. He wondered what the cats would be like. They had teased him before. Maybe this time they would be friendly.
He sniffed the air.
“That’s strange,” said Boris. “The shelter smells different.”
Just then he heard a familiar voice.
“Bring him on in,” said Pam.
“Are you sure Chris doesn’t mind?” asked Amanda.
“I insisted,” said Pam. “I couldn’t let Boris go back to that shelter.”
Amanda placed the carrier in the middle of the living room and opened the door. Boris peeked out.
“Come on out,” said Pam. “This is your new home. You can live with us and see Amanda when she visits.”
Boris looked around the house. This place was twice as big as the apartment.
He carefully explored the entire first floor from the kitchen to the living room.
“There are lots of places to hide,” he thought.
He then saw the stairs. “I wonder what’s up there?”
Tucking his ears back, he ran up the stairs as fast as he could. At the top, there was a windowsill that was ideal for napping.
“This is perfect,” he thought as he jumped up on the windowsill.
He looked out at the backyard.
“Wow, look at those trees,” said Boris. “I’m going to have some fun out there.”
Boris stopped. There was something he had forgotten to do. He bowed his head and prayed, “Thank you God, this is the perfect home.”
THE END
Closing Prayer Heavenly Father, we hope that whoever reads these stories will understand your good grace when they really need something. That they also learn to pray and thank you for what they receive. That they also learn not to fear. We ask this in Jesus’s name. Amen.