John 3:31-36
“He has come from heaven and is greater than
anyone else. I am of the earth, and my understanding is limited to the
things of earth. He tells what he has seen and heard, but how few
believe what he tells them! Those who believe him discover that God is a
fountain of truth. For this one—sent by God—speaks God’s words, for
God’s Spirit is upon him without measure or limit. The Father loves this
man because he is his Son, and God has given him everything there is.
And all who trust him — God’s Son — to save them have eternal life;
those who don’t believe and obey him shall never see heaven, but the
wrath of God remains upon them.”
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
At
least once a week, I see a story posted on Facebook that sounds so
wonderful – or plausible - and many people are eagerly sharing. I
learned the hard way to go to Snopes.com* first and make sure whether or
not these stories are true. Slaves in Charleston, South Carolina did not start Memorial Day to honor the Union war dead…baby cribs were not
circled up outside of the Pentagon on 9/11 to protect infants and
toddlers who attended a daycare there…journalist Matt Lauer and NBC did
not omit the statement from the mother of a Navy seal killed in Libya
that her Christian faith sustains her. These and so many more
“shared-for-truth” viral stories are carefully and articulately debunked
on fact-checking websites, if only we will take a few minutes to
investigate and verify.
Let’s be honest…we are pretty
gullible…and sometimes we’re downright naïve. We also seem to have a
penchant for believing the stories that are outrageous, tug at our
heartstrings, make us want to wave our flags and feel all
“patriotic”…and those that make our blood boil. We are human…and this
is part of our nature.
The sad truth is that we can have ALL of
this – and so much more – in God’s word and the “story” that Jesus has
to share with us. There are tales of outrageous acts, battles,
struggles and suffering. There are heartwarming stories of rescue and
redemption. We have opportunities to thump our chest and praise our
Warrior God who defeats all enemies and protects His Kingdom. And we
have the accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion, the murder of innocent babies,
and other heinous acts that can make our blood boil. And we can believe
every single word we read and share it with others to our heart’s
content!
There are two lessons here…1) check your sources – AND
your facts – before you share what you read and hear from mere
mortals…even your closest friend or relative, and 2) learn to trust the
word of God – and believe and obey His directives.
I
particularly like the image of God’s “fountain of truth.” Who doesn’t
love a beautiful fountain? When my siblings and I were little, our city
park had a “wading pool” with a fountain. We loved to stand under the
shower of refreshing water and bask in its coolness on a hot summer day.
The idea that God’s gifts are like that fountain - that He sustains,
encourages, and renews our spirit throughout this earthly life - gives
me hope, peace and joy. The thought of eternal life in the presence of
God, where EVERY MINUTE is more glorious than I can even dream, gives me
motivation to seek Him and His truth at each turn in this earthly
journey.
Go after the truth in all things…both earthly
declarations and the message of Jesus. Take advantages of resources like
Snopes.com for the former – and the Holy Bible for the latter. Learn
to live in bold confidence that you always operate in facts and concrete
information. Stand under the “fountain” of God’s truth, and let Him
continually pour out His wisdom and blessings on you as you serve
faithfully and obediently. Learn to make every minute count…and make
this the day that you renew your commitment fully prepare for eternity
at the feet of Jesus. The stakes are high…the reward is great…and the
time is now to get this right!
©2016 Debbie Robus
* http://snopes.com
Showing posts with label discerning the truth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label discerning the truth. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for July 5, 2016
Matthew 7:15-20
“Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In recent weeks, political pundits have noted that quite a few candidates for major public offices sign on to run with a fair amount of confidence that they will not be able to get elected. But they go ahead and engage in a campaign that keeps their names and faces in the public eye…and bolsters the amount that can be charged for speaking engagements. More than a few pen at least one book and use the campaign trail as an opportunity to raise a copy in the air and suggest that people purchase it.
If we stop and think about this, it’s pretty upsetting to realize that people play on our emotions…and ask for our contributions – in order to line their own pocketbooks and/or boost their own egos. But it happens more than we think in all walks of life. And if you believe that this doesn’t also go on in Christian circles at all levels, you are sadly mistaken. From the musicians who get more caught up in their Sunday morning performance than engaging churchgoers in corporate worship and praise…to the televangelists who stand behind the pulpit and urge supporters to give generously toward the purchase of a 70-million-dollar jet that is deemed “necessary in order to fulfill the mission of the ministry”…to the pastor who feels the pressure from his/her deacons, elders and church body to add to the membership roll by any and all means necessary…the devil is busy creating opportunities for insincerity and disingenuousness - if not downright Spiritual fraud.
How do we know who is the “real deal”…in any area of life? Jesus is telling us to stay awake and alert…to guard our hearts and minds against misplaced loyalties and hidden agendas. If we stay focused on Jesus and carefully examine every person and situation through the lens of prayer and Godly wisdom, we have a far better shot at avoiding some of these pitfalls. There will still be people who abuse their position…or misrepresent their faith. But God will reveal them to us for who they really are…and we can pray for them and offer them His grace and mercy – while we avoid getting caught up in their deceptions.
Jesus wants us to be smart and safe (mentally, physically, and Spiritually)…to know who we are dealing with and how to handle these situations. If we stay close to God by studying His word and communicating with Him through prayer, we can operate with confidence that we are serving in His will and not serving a hidden agenda – the other guy’s, or our own. This is our goal – or it should be. How are you doing these days?
©2016 Debbie Robus
“Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In recent weeks, political pundits have noted that quite a few candidates for major public offices sign on to run with a fair amount of confidence that they will not be able to get elected. But they go ahead and engage in a campaign that keeps their names and faces in the public eye…and bolsters the amount that can be charged for speaking engagements. More than a few pen at least one book and use the campaign trail as an opportunity to raise a copy in the air and suggest that people purchase it.
If we stop and think about this, it’s pretty upsetting to realize that people play on our emotions…and ask for our contributions – in order to line their own pocketbooks and/or boost their own egos. But it happens more than we think in all walks of life. And if you believe that this doesn’t also go on in Christian circles at all levels, you are sadly mistaken. From the musicians who get more caught up in their Sunday morning performance than engaging churchgoers in corporate worship and praise…to the televangelists who stand behind the pulpit and urge supporters to give generously toward the purchase of a 70-million-dollar jet that is deemed “necessary in order to fulfill the mission of the ministry”…to the pastor who feels the pressure from his/her deacons, elders and church body to add to the membership roll by any and all means necessary…the devil is busy creating opportunities for insincerity and disingenuousness - if not downright Spiritual fraud.
How do we know who is the “real deal”…in any area of life? Jesus is telling us to stay awake and alert…to guard our hearts and minds against misplaced loyalties and hidden agendas. If we stay focused on Jesus and carefully examine every person and situation through the lens of prayer and Godly wisdom, we have a far better shot at avoiding some of these pitfalls. There will still be people who abuse their position…or misrepresent their faith. But God will reveal them to us for who they really are…and we can pray for them and offer them His grace and mercy – while we avoid getting caught up in their deceptions.
Jesus wants us to be smart and safe (mentally, physically, and Spiritually)…to know who we are dealing with and how to handle these situations. If we stay close to God by studying His word and communicating with Him through prayer, we can operate with confidence that we are serving in His will and not serving a hidden agenda – the other guy’s, or our own. This is our goal – or it should be. How are you doing these days?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 17, 2015
Deuteronomy 18:20
But any prophet who falsely claims that his message is from me shall die. And any prophet who claims to give a message from other gods must die.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
One of my new “favorite” TV shows is ABC’s Shark Tank. Maybe it’s because Greg and I were entrepreneurs who started our own business “from scratch”…and I see a lot of “us” in the contestants. I hear the “sharks” give advice that rings familiar and true…and I understand the passion of those who are pitching what they feel is the “next big thing” - and hoping that these business moguls will sign on to invest!
Kevin O’Leary is one of the “sharks” who appears regularly on this program. This mega-millionaire has several businesses, including a mutual funds company and his own wine label. Show producers have cultivated his persona as a hard-nosed grump. One of O’Leary’s favorite phrases is, “You’re dead to me.” If he doesn’t like what a contestant says or how he/she presents the “spiel”, he will say this. Worse yet, if a person contradicts him, their presentation time with him is over…they may as well pack up their wares and go home. At least for the sake of this TV program, if you mess with “Mr. Wonderful” (O’Leary’s on-air nickname), “You’re dead to me.”
Yes, this is harsh talk…and no, Kevin O’Leary is not my favorite “shark”. He is not nearly as wonderful as he is made out to be…and I am sure that there is a healthy mix of truth and “showbiz” going on there. But Kevin O’Leary is not God - or anyone worthy of worship. So we can take his “act” with a grain of salt and move on. But we dare not do this with our Heavenly Father!
We have to be very careful about believing everything we hear. A message is circulating on social media that says that Muslims are going to somehow be exempt from certain charges under the Affordable Care Act…that the specifics of this are buried in the language of this health care legislation. It’s totally untrue, but well-meaning believers are sharing this post…and muddying the water. Perhaps you have passed this along, thinking if XYZ shared it, there must be some truth to it. This is but one example of countless falsehoods and half truths that get passed on and fuel the fires of fear and mistrust…and make the devil jump up and down for joy.
We must thoroughly investigate everything we read and hear. We must dig deeply into God’s word to find HIS truth…and we must act responsibly on His behalf and make sure we have all of the facts and are hearing a truthful message before we react and respond…in all situations and circumstances. Do not be an agent for false prophets…do not buy into their ploys to sway you and pull you away from God. Do not listen to those who distort God’s message…or hide behind His name to serve their own agendas.
No one wants to be told, “You’re dead to me.” But when a TV personality utters this phrase, we have the luxury of dismissing it as a gimmick – or ratings hype. Hearing this from God would ultimately be the worst thing ever. Be careful…there are “sharks” among us, and some are nicer than others. Know who you are dealing with, and when they are feeding you a line. Make sure you never confuse the words and actions of imposters with those of God. Check your sources…and make sure that in everything you say and do, you represent God…and no one else!
©2015 Debbie Robus
But any prophet who falsely claims that his message is from me shall die. And any prophet who claims to give a message from other gods must die.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
One of my new “favorite” TV shows is ABC’s Shark Tank. Maybe it’s because Greg and I were entrepreneurs who started our own business “from scratch”…and I see a lot of “us” in the contestants. I hear the “sharks” give advice that rings familiar and true…and I understand the passion of those who are pitching what they feel is the “next big thing” - and hoping that these business moguls will sign on to invest!
Kevin O’Leary is one of the “sharks” who appears regularly on this program. This mega-millionaire has several businesses, including a mutual funds company and his own wine label. Show producers have cultivated his persona as a hard-nosed grump. One of O’Leary’s favorite phrases is, “You’re dead to me.” If he doesn’t like what a contestant says or how he/she presents the “spiel”, he will say this. Worse yet, if a person contradicts him, their presentation time with him is over…they may as well pack up their wares and go home. At least for the sake of this TV program, if you mess with “Mr. Wonderful” (O’Leary’s on-air nickname), “You’re dead to me.”
Yes, this is harsh talk…and no, Kevin O’Leary is not my favorite “shark”. He is not nearly as wonderful as he is made out to be…and I am sure that there is a healthy mix of truth and “showbiz” going on there. But Kevin O’Leary is not God - or anyone worthy of worship. So we can take his “act” with a grain of salt and move on. But we dare not do this with our Heavenly Father!
We have to be very careful about believing everything we hear. A message is circulating on social media that says that Muslims are going to somehow be exempt from certain charges under the Affordable Care Act…that the specifics of this are buried in the language of this health care legislation. It’s totally untrue, but well-meaning believers are sharing this post…and muddying the water. Perhaps you have passed this along, thinking if XYZ shared it, there must be some truth to it. This is but one example of countless falsehoods and half truths that get passed on and fuel the fires of fear and mistrust…and make the devil jump up and down for joy.
We must thoroughly investigate everything we read and hear. We must dig deeply into God’s word to find HIS truth…and we must act responsibly on His behalf and make sure we have all of the facts and are hearing a truthful message before we react and respond…in all situations and circumstances. Do not be an agent for false prophets…do not buy into their ploys to sway you and pull you away from God. Do not listen to those who distort God’s message…or hide behind His name to serve their own agendas.
No one wants to be told, “You’re dead to me.” But when a TV personality utters this phrase, we have the luxury of dismissing it as a gimmick – or ratings hype. Hearing this from God would ultimately be the worst thing ever. Be careful…there are “sharks” among us, and some are nicer than others. Know who you are dealing with, and when they are feeding you a line. Make sure you never confuse the words and actions of imposters with those of God. Check your sources…and make sure that in everything you say and do, you represent God…and no one else!
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 14, 2015
Matthew 7:15-20
“Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In the last couple of decades, “rock stars” have emerged in the area of Christian faith. Everyone knows Billy Graham …but a lot of us also know his son Franklin and daughter Anne Graham Lotz, as well as Beth Moore, Chris Tomlin, Jeremy Camp, Jen Hatmaker, Priscilla Shirer, Joel Osteen, Charles Stanley, and dozens of other evangelists, musicians, and authors who have made a name for themselves because of their Christian faith. I am in no way suggesting that any of these folks are insincere, exploitive, or only interested in your pocketbook…and some do tremendous things with the proceeds from their sales.
My shelves are filled with books by Max Lucado, Joyce Meyer, Charles Swindoll, Pastor Rick Warren, and others. I love reading the insights of fellow believers…and discovering how God speaks to them. I have dozens of Contemporary Christian music CDs, and I appreciate the talents of someone who can produce such artistry and give me a great “background” that (in my mind) makes me sound good when I sing along! We have plaques and crosses in our house that profess our love of Jesus…and I wear jewelry with crosses and fish that further symbolize my allegiance to God.
Christian music writer/performer Michael W. Smith created a song several years ago called “Cross of Gold*”…and in part, the lyrics say:
The short answer is, “Yes!” The lesson is 1) we must understand that not everyone who wears a cross or claims to love Jesus truly has a passion for Him and serving as His disciple. We must be discerning in our relationships and trust…and rely on God to show us who is the “real deal” – and who is out to rip you off…mentally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually; and 2) we must make sure that our own motives are pure…that we are genuine in our faith and service…and in what we share with others.
Wear your crosses…read the books that inspire you to love Jesus more (especially God’s word!)…listen to music that uplifts and encourages you in your faith…and pay attention to the “signs” that God gives you with regard to what you see and hear. Be genuine and real in YOUR discipleship, and live in a way that pleases God rather than others. If you are sincere in your faith and Christian witness, people will know…and if you’re not, they’ll know that, too!
©2015 Debbie Robus
*https://michaelwsmith.twoseventwoshop.com/product/Change-Your-World
“Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In the last couple of decades, “rock stars” have emerged in the area of Christian faith. Everyone knows Billy Graham …but a lot of us also know his son Franklin and daughter Anne Graham Lotz, as well as Beth Moore, Chris Tomlin, Jeremy Camp, Jen Hatmaker, Priscilla Shirer, Joel Osteen, Charles Stanley, and dozens of other evangelists, musicians, and authors who have made a name for themselves because of their Christian faith. I am in no way suggesting that any of these folks are insincere, exploitive, or only interested in your pocketbook…and some do tremendous things with the proceeds from their sales.
My shelves are filled with books by Max Lucado, Joyce Meyer, Charles Swindoll, Pastor Rick Warren, and others. I love reading the insights of fellow believers…and discovering how God speaks to them. I have dozens of Contemporary Christian music CDs, and I appreciate the talents of someone who can produce such artistry and give me a great “background” that (in my mind) makes me sound good when I sing along! We have plaques and crosses in our house that profess our love of Jesus…and I wear jewelry with crosses and fish that further symbolize my allegiance to God.
Christian music writer/performer Michael W. Smith created a song several years ago called “Cross of Gold*”…and in part, the lyrics say:
It's confusing to me ~ The message you're sending ~ And I don't know if I can relate ~ What's your line ~ Tell me why you wear your cross of gold ~ State of mind ~ Or does it find a way into your soul ~ Is it a flame ~ Is it a passion ~ A symbol of love living in you ~ Or is it a game ~ Religion in fashion ~ Some kind of phase you're going throughI do not think this passage in Matthew is literally about preachers as much as it is a warning for all Christians to be very clear in our message and our motives. Are we “playing the game” with our faith? Are some on board with Jesus merely to make money? I once was “greeted” at Walmart by an associate who was trying to sell a shopping cartload of potato chips. He said to me, “You’re wearing crosses on your earrings, so you must be a Christian…surely YOU will buy a package of these chips!” I smiled and said, “I am a Christian, but I don’t need chips today.” Are people making certain assumptions about us based on our appearance and demeanor...or what we say and how we say it?
The short answer is, “Yes!” The lesson is 1) we must understand that not everyone who wears a cross or claims to love Jesus truly has a passion for Him and serving as His disciple. We must be discerning in our relationships and trust…and rely on God to show us who is the “real deal” – and who is out to rip you off…mentally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually; and 2) we must make sure that our own motives are pure…that we are genuine in our faith and service…and in what we share with others.
Wear your crosses…read the books that inspire you to love Jesus more (especially God’s word!)…listen to music that uplifts and encourages you in your faith…and pay attention to the “signs” that God gives you with regard to what you see and hear. Be genuine and real in YOUR discipleship, and live in a way that pleases God rather than others. If you are sincere in your faith and Christian witness, people will know…and if you’re not, they’ll know that, too!
©2015 Debbie Robus
*https://michaelwsmith.twoseventwoshop.com/product/Change-Your-World
Daily Devotional for May 13, 2015
May 13 ~ 2 Timothy 4:3
For there is going to come a time when people won’t listen to the truth but will go around looking for teachers who will tell them just what they want to hear.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
There is a new “craze” circulating that involves wearing a tightly-fitting corset to supposedly whittle your waist and give one a defined, “hourglass” figure. Yes, it really is a “thing”…and there are late-night infomercials about it and the whole nine yards. I saw a news interview with physicians who warned that this “quick fix” would mostly result in health complications…trouble breathing, spinal damage, and even a weakened “core,” to name a few. One doctor said that the “best” thing about the corset was that it would make people eat less…because they were too constricted to do otherwise!
There is probably no topic on which people will spend more time and energy seeking the “answers” they want than weight loss. People don’t want to believe that diet and exercise work! They want a quick fix…something easy…a solution that doesn’t require any real effort on their part. Drink this and burn the calories! Put on this belt (or corset), and the fat will melt away! Use this gizmo and your body will tone itself while you sit in your easy chair!
I can see you rolling your eyes now. We seem to have no trouble understanding how ridiculous some of these gimmicks are…but when it comes to matters of faith, we’re all in! Historically, people have justified everything from the “prosperity gospel” to slavery – and so much more - by twisting and turning scriptures to suit their agendas. If you look long and hard, you will find SOMEONE who will justify your “take” on just about anything to do with religion and Christian faith!
So the question becomes, “Do you want to know the truth…or do you want to hear what suits you?” In the movie A Few Good Men, Tom Cruise’s character, Lt. Daniel Kaffee, tells Col. Nathan R. Jessup (played by Jack Nicholson)…“I want the truth!” - to which Col. Jessep replies, “You can't handle the truth!” The question we must ask today is…“Can you handle the truth?”
Are you really ready to go “all in” with Jesus and live according to the genuine intention of God’s word? Will you dig deeply, spend time with God and discover for yourself what He has to say? Or will you continue to search for the “corset” that will cinch your faith into a shapely version that you find attractive and tolerable? Will this be the day that you get real with God, surrender to His word and will for your life…and really start to “get in shape?”
Are you looking for a “quick fix” or a relationship that will stand the test of time and carry you through to Eternity? Are you ready to handle God’s truth? Will this be the day that you begin?
©2015 Debbie Robus
For there is going to come a time when people won’t listen to the truth but will go around looking for teachers who will tell them just what they want to hear.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
There is a new “craze” circulating that involves wearing a tightly-fitting corset to supposedly whittle your waist and give one a defined, “hourglass” figure. Yes, it really is a “thing”…and there are late-night infomercials about it and the whole nine yards. I saw a news interview with physicians who warned that this “quick fix” would mostly result in health complications…trouble breathing, spinal damage, and even a weakened “core,” to name a few. One doctor said that the “best” thing about the corset was that it would make people eat less…because they were too constricted to do otherwise!
There is probably no topic on which people will spend more time and energy seeking the “answers” they want than weight loss. People don’t want to believe that diet and exercise work! They want a quick fix…something easy…a solution that doesn’t require any real effort on their part. Drink this and burn the calories! Put on this belt (or corset), and the fat will melt away! Use this gizmo and your body will tone itself while you sit in your easy chair!
I can see you rolling your eyes now. We seem to have no trouble understanding how ridiculous some of these gimmicks are…but when it comes to matters of faith, we’re all in! Historically, people have justified everything from the “prosperity gospel” to slavery – and so much more - by twisting and turning scriptures to suit their agendas. If you look long and hard, you will find SOMEONE who will justify your “take” on just about anything to do with religion and Christian faith!
So the question becomes, “Do you want to know the truth…or do you want to hear what suits you?” In the movie A Few Good Men, Tom Cruise’s character, Lt. Daniel Kaffee, tells Col. Nathan R. Jessup (played by Jack Nicholson)…“I want the truth!” - to which Col. Jessep replies, “You can't handle the truth!” The question we must ask today is…“Can you handle the truth?”
Are you really ready to go “all in” with Jesus and live according to the genuine intention of God’s word? Will you dig deeply, spend time with God and discover for yourself what He has to say? Or will you continue to search for the “corset” that will cinch your faith into a shapely version that you find attractive and tolerable? Will this be the day that you get real with God, surrender to His word and will for your life…and really start to “get in shape?”
Are you looking for a “quick fix” or a relationship that will stand the test of time and carry you through to Eternity? Are you ready to handle God’s truth? Will this be the day that you begin?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 11, 2015
1 John 4:1-4
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We’ve all “been there – done that.” I’m talking about computer viruses and malware…you know, those messages that tell you to “click here” for more information – or that your computer is compromised. You’ve seen the messages that look just like they came from your bank…until you realize, “Oh, wait! I don’t have an account with Bank of America!” Or you’ve gotten a link from a “friend” that says, “You’ve just gotta see this!”…and you are sorely tempted to click and see what Friend XYZ has sent your way!
We cannot believe everything we see and hear - even when some of it looks pretty good or legitimate. Some of us are fairly gullible at times (myself included)…in part because we want to think the best of people – we want to believe that they are innately “good” and honest. Others are terribly cynical and always “looking for the bogeyman” at every turn. There is a delicate balance between the two…and God can help us find it.
Several years ago, I found myself drawn to the weekly sermons of a televangelist named Creflo Dollar. I could not stop watching these broadcasts! Pastor Dollar unpacked the scriptures in a way that I had never understood before. Like the computer virus “gimmicks”, his delivery was all slick and shiny…with just enough “truth” to draw me in.
But God had His hand on me from the get-go. I began to study these sermons…with my Bible and a notebook in hand. And I started seeking God’s word through many sources…other evangelists, my own local church and small groups, “Christian” authors, and discussions with other believers. Contemporary Christian music became my “listening genre” of choice…and my Spiritual faith and confidence levels soared.
As I studied the Bible and prayed, I began to question some of the “teachings” of Pastor Dollar and others…and to dig more deeply into God’s word to see how it lined up with what they were saying. And I found several discrepancies. Recently when Creflo Dollar asked his congregation to raise $65 million for him to purchase a new jet for his “ministry,” I just shook my head. I don’t discount what God did for me through his sermons…and in general via “Christian” media and its authors/teachers. God was able to use these vehicles to deliver His message - in spite of their agendas and motives…and to engage me in a relationship with Him in a whole new manner. But God also showed me how to “sift the wheat from the chaff”, so to speak…and to find His truth in the process.
Perhaps someone has had a tremendous influence on your thinking in some way. You may frequently quote Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, or Bill O’Reilly! You may get your “news” from some of the cable media outlets…and “Entertainment Tonight”…or even Facebook or Twitter. Or you may even put a lot of stock in the thoughts and opinions of a trusted Christian friend. And in the process, you may not be getting the whole story…or the information may have been manipulated in some way to suit the person or media outlet’s agenda.
I do not mean to pick on Creflo Dollar…or to suggest that he is not a Christian. But a whole lot of us have lost our way along the way. Our pastor said recently that our Bishop had reminded him to…”Keep the main thing the MAIN THING!”…and this is good advice for all of us. When we get distracted by a message that we “need to verify our account”…or that God has great things in store for us if we will only “click here” and donate to this cause or attend this Bible study group or serve in this mission/ministry…we often start down a “rabbit trail” that leads to nowhere - or worse!
I cannot emphasize enough that we must stay awake and alert! We must stay so close to God… study His word and talk to Him about it…ask, “LORD, what are You saying to me? Where are YOU leading me?”…that we know the answer is coming from Him. We need to stop jumping to conclusions and hopping on the latest, greatest bandwagon…and listen to Almighty God. If these situations are His doing - and legitimate - He will show us this. And if they are not, God will reveal this to us, also.
The One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. Listen to God! Let Him guide your every thought, word and deed…and never worry about falling for a spiritual “virus” or “malware” again!
©2015 Debbie Robus
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
We’ve all “been there – done that.” I’m talking about computer viruses and malware…you know, those messages that tell you to “click here” for more information – or that your computer is compromised. You’ve seen the messages that look just like they came from your bank…until you realize, “Oh, wait! I don’t have an account with Bank of America!” Or you’ve gotten a link from a “friend” that says, “You’ve just gotta see this!”…and you are sorely tempted to click and see what Friend XYZ has sent your way!
We cannot believe everything we see and hear - even when some of it looks pretty good or legitimate. Some of us are fairly gullible at times (myself included)…in part because we want to think the best of people – we want to believe that they are innately “good” and honest. Others are terribly cynical and always “looking for the bogeyman” at every turn. There is a delicate balance between the two…and God can help us find it.
Several years ago, I found myself drawn to the weekly sermons of a televangelist named Creflo Dollar. I could not stop watching these broadcasts! Pastor Dollar unpacked the scriptures in a way that I had never understood before. Like the computer virus “gimmicks”, his delivery was all slick and shiny…with just enough “truth” to draw me in.
But God had His hand on me from the get-go. I began to study these sermons…with my Bible and a notebook in hand. And I started seeking God’s word through many sources…other evangelists, my own local church and small groups, “Christian” authors, and discussions with other believers. Contemporary Christian music became my “listening genre” of choice…and my Spiritual faith and confidence levels soared.
As I studied the Bible and prayed, I began to question some of the “teachings” of Pastor Dollar and others…and to dig more deeply into God’s word to see how it lined up with what they were saying. And I found several discrepancies. Recently when Creflo Dollar asked his congregation to raise $65 million for him to purchase a new jet for his “ministry,” I just shook my head. I don’t discount what God did for me through his sermons…and in general via “Christian” media and its authors/teachers. God was able to use these vehicles to deliver His message - in spite of their agendas and motives…and to engage me in a relationship with Him in a whole new manner. But God also showed me how to “sift the wheat from the chaff”, so to speak…and to find His truth in the process.
Perhaps someone has had a tremendous influence on your thinking in some way. You may frequently quote Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, or Bill O’Reilly! You may get your “news” from some of the cable media outlets…and “Entertainment Tonight”…or even Facebook or Twitter. Or you may even put a lot of stock in the thoughts and opinions of a trusted Christian friend. And in the process, you may not be getting the whole story…or the information may have been manipulated in some way to suit the person or media outlet’s agenda.
I do not mean to pick on Creflo Dollar…or to suggest that he is not a Christian. But a whole lot of us have lost our way along the way. Our pastor said recently that our Bishop had reminded him to…”Keep the main thing the MAIN THING!”…and this is good advice for all of us. When we get distracted by a message that we “need to verify our account”…or that God has great things in store for us if we will only “click here” and donate to this cause or attend this Bible study group or serve in this mission/ministry…we often start down a “rabbit trail” that leads to nowhere - or worse!
I cannot emphasize enough that we must stay awake and alert! We must stay so close to God… study His word and talk to Him about it…ask, “LORD, what are You saying to me? Where are YOU leading me?”…that we know the answer is coming from Him. We need to stop jumping to conclusions and hopping on the latest, greatest bandwagon…and listen to Almighty God. If these situations are His doing - and legitimate - He will show us this. And if they are not, God will reveal this to us, also.
The One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. Listen to God! Let Him guide your every thought, word and deed…and never worry about falling for a spiritual “virus” or “malware” again!
©2015 Debbie Robus
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