My favorite devotional is "Streams in the Desert" by L.B. Cowman. I know with the situation in Haiti, the economy and the personal struggles people are going through right now, the question God is hearing is "Why?" I thought this devotion is a great answer and goes along with our previous posts. On August 15th:
"Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22.)
THE best things of life come out of wounding. Wheat is crushed before it becomes bread. Incense must be cast upon the fire before its odors are set free. The ground must be broken with the sharp plough before it is ready to receive the seed. It is the broken heart that pleases God. The sweetest joys in life are the fruits of sorrow. Human nature seems to need suffering to fit it for being a blessing to the world.
"Beside my cottage door it grows,
The loveliest, daintiest flower that blows.
A sweetbriar rose.
"At dewy morn or twilight's close,
The rarest perfume from is flows,
This strange wild rose.
"But when the rain-drops on it beat,
Ah, then, its odors grow more sweet,
About my feet.
"Ofttimes with loving tenderness,
Its soft green leaves I gently press,
In sweet caress.
"A still more wondrous fragrance flows
The more my fingers close
And crush the rose.
"Dear Lord, oh, let my life be so
Its perfume when tempests blow,
The sweeter flow.
"And should it be Thy blessed will
With crushing grief my soul to fill,
Press harder still.
"And while its dying fragrance flows
I'll whisper low, `He loves and knows
His crushed briar rose.'"
If you aspire to be a son of consolation; if you would partake of the priestly gift of sympathy; if you would pour something beyond commonplace consolation into a tempted heart; if you would pass through the intercourse of daily life with the delicate tact that never inflicts pain; you must be content to pay the price of a costly education-like Him, you must suffer. ---F. W. Robertson.
Here's to streams in the desert...
Until next time,
-C.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Suck it up, walk it off...
When we were dating, my husband once told me to "walk it off" when I told him my foot hurt. It has kinda been a running joke. I say something hurts, he says walk it off. Then for added humor, we've put the phrase suck it up before it.
So, Sunday was a rough one as you all heard, but then, through what I can only explain as coming from prayers of my friends and family and perhaps some of you only connected by this blog, I felt as though my soul started to "suck it up" and "walk it off" when it came to the whole shock of re-deploying of the hubby. I don't know, but peace came in like a tidal wave. I got a grip and suddenly felt like no matter what or for how long, we are going to be ok. We are all going to be ok.
We get so focused on our momentary troubles, don't we? In a few months, this will be just a "remember when" story. But, it doesn't stop it from smarting when you are smack dab in the middle of it.
Living in this place is hard, which is why I am glad we don't do it forever. I guess I need to keep being reminded of that fact...
Here's to walking it off...
Until next time,
-C.
So, Sunday was a rough one as you all heard, but then, through what I can only explain as coming from prayers of my friends and family and perhaps some of you only connected by this blog, I felt as though my soul started to "suck it up" and "walk it off" when it came to the whole shock of re-deploying of the hubby. I don't know, but peace came in like a tidal wave. I got a grip and suddenly felt like no matter what or for how long, we are going to be ok. We are all going to be ok.
We get so focused on our momentary troubles, don't we? In a few months, this will be just a "remember when" story. But, it doesn't stop it from smarting when you are smack dab in the middle of it.
Living in this place is hard, which is why I am glad we don't do it forever. I guess I need to keep being reminded of that fact...
Here's to walking it off...
Until next time,
-C.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Why does God allow suffering?
Today, at Sunday School we discussed the age old question of suffering and why a loving God would allow such a thing. It was one of those things I did not want to hear today. The husband was deployed with just 2 days notice to assist in the Haiti efforts. He just got back from his last deployment less than a month ago. He had deployed for the past 6 out of 8 months. I have never physically felt shock like I have the last couple of days. I've never felt such intense emotional numbness. I felt like I was sucker punched in the gut. I've been running on empty for quite some time now, and was excited about having my husband back in the mix. But, God had a different plan, I guess.
So, this topic of suffering was talked about. Why do we suffer? How do we deal with suffering? I know the "answers" to these questions. But, today, I just wanted to be sad. I just wanted to mourn my losses and not hear "it could always be worse..." This past year has been a series of unending suffering in my life. Everytime I get up, I feel a wave crashing over me, bringing me to the point of drowning. I have felt like a modern day Job.
I didn't want to hear any of it. But, I sat there and I listened and I listened to all the reasons people thought God allowed suffering and all the reasons people said we reacted to it. And then as I was sitting there, I said to God, "I'm empty." And I heard him say, "That's the answer."
Suffering empties us. It takes away every ounce of fight we have in order that it can be replaced with something. Some people don't try to replace it with anything, so they stay empty. Some people try to replace it with the wrong things, so they find more suffering. And some of us try as much as we can to fill it with God. It still stings. It still is broken. But, there is something to hold the pieces together.
Suffering also brings understanding of Christ and if we are Christians, this would be our ultimate goal. Just think about all the ways Christ suffered: physical pain, emotional brokenness, loneliness, rejection, fear, seperation, persecution, starvation, temptation, and more. Every time we go through suffering in our own lives we get a glimpse of that fateful day in which He suffered.
Tonight, like many of you, I watched more suffering of those in Haiti. My stomach still feeling like I had been punched in the gut, but a wave of peace pushed through. I know my suffering is nothing in comparison to those people right now. But, I also know that God is collecting all our tears and will list every tear on his scroll.
I've heard this verse over and over again this past year and I can't say that I really like it, but I can say that I am finally starting to understand it:
"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."
So, this topic of suffering was talked about. Why do we suffer? How do we deal with suffering? I know the "answers" to these questions. But, today, I just wanted to be sad. I just wanted to mourn my losses and not hear "it could always be worse..." This past year has been a series of unending suffering in my life. Everytime I get up, I feel a wave crashing over me, bringing me to the point of drowning. I have felt like a modern day Job.
I didn't want to hear any of it. But, I sat there and I listened and I listened to all the reasons people thought God allowed suffering and all the reasons people said we reacted to it. And then as I was sitting there, I said to God, "I'm empty." And I heard him say, "That's the answer."
Suffering empties us. It takes away every ounce of fight we have in order that it can be replaced with something. Some people don't try to replace it with anything, so they stay empty. Some people try to replace it with the wrong things, so they find more suffering. And some of us try as much as we can to fill it with God. It still stings. It still is broken. But, there is something to hold the pieces together.
Suffering also brings understanding of Christ and if we are Christians, this would be our ultimate goal. Just think about all the ways Christ suffered: physical pain, emotional brokenness, loneliness, rejection, fear, seperation, persecution, starvation, temptation, and more. Every time we go through suffering in our own lives we get a glimpse of that fateful day in which He suffered.
Tonight, like many of you, I watched more suffering of those in Haiti. My stomach still feeling like I had been punched in the gut, but a wave of peace pushed through. I know my suffering is nothing in comparison to those people right now. But, I also know that God is collecting all our tears and will list every tear on his scroll.
I've heard this verse over and over again this past year and I can't say that I really like it, but I can say that I am finally starting to understand it:
"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."
Romans 5:3-4
The thing I've found is that through every suffering, I keep going. I don't know how I am doing it sometimes because there is nothing left in me that is pushing forward. And from that, I've found that I am a bare bones person. The petty things that once would be such a huge part of my life are washed away. I have forgiven people in ways I never could before. So much of the negativity of others just doesn't matter like it used to. And I keep having hope. Hope that God will give me a season of peace. Hope that my God is keeping record of every tear shed. Hope that this world is temporary.
I didn't want to hear it today. But, I know He wanted me too...
Here's to listening to the things you don't want to...
Until next time,
-C.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Advice for Deployments...
I recently had a blog comment from someone whom I am only connected to by these words of mine. I wanted to share it because I thought it would make for a great post. Here goes:
"I found your blog from a friend who found it through P31. I too am a military wife, my husband just left for his deployment. Was wondering if you have any advice, wisdom, to share to a fellow believer? Anything you would do different? Anything you did you wish you had not?
Thanks
Joanna"
You asked for it Joanna...
First, I must make it so you know, I am no expert. Life during a deployment is a day-by-day, and sometimes minute-by-minute existence. There were days when I was not mommy of the year. There were days when I was. There were days when my attitude was great and I was going to make it through this deployment. Then, there were days when I didn't get out of my pajamas, sang "Woe is me!" and was generally quite pathetic. There were good days, bad days and everything in between.
If I had to give my best advice though, it would be this:
1.) KEEP BUSY! I don't care if you have to invite yourself to dinner, make a day out of the McDonald's playland, or throw a party, busyness is key to deployment survival. With a toddler, we could only handle one major event per day, but with church, playgroups, playlands, and the like, we were able to fill almost every day. Check out the library and local papers for events. Call around local churches and see what groups are available.
2.) KEEP POSITIVE! Deployments suck. This is fact. But, you can choose to find the positive in the negative. One of the positives for me was that I got to work on some of my hobbies, such as writing, I could make salads for dinner, watch chick flicks relentlessly, and sleep diagonal on the bed. Little as they may be, those things kept my brain (most of the time) from heading into that danger zone of negativity.
3.) ASK FOR HELP! I am blessed with an amazing support system yet I found it so hard to "ask" for an extra hand at times. But, I found that, especially amongst military wives, they are more than willing to help. In a way, you are blessing the person you ask for help from because they know they can help another person out.
4.) SPEND TIME WITH GOD! My spiritual life was at an all time high when my hubby was deployed. It may be likely that the absence of another adult in the household made me converse more with my creator, but I also started to think of God as needing to play the role of my spiritual husband. We put so much emphasis on the earthly spouse and that relationship, but truly our love for our God is supposed to be the most consuming love in our life. From that, our love for others flows. Deployment is a great time to get back track in our quiet time and prayer life.
5.) GET WITH A FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS! I start Bible studies for military spouses. It is kind of my thing. God laid military wives on my heart about three years ago and He hasn't quit since! Everywhere we've been, He has blessed me with an amazing fellowship of believers, both fellow military wives and church families. These people are the ones who got me through those ugly days I mentioned before. If you don't have something to get involved in, consider starting something yourself.
6.) SERVE OTHERS! Nothing can keep us more focused on ourselves then constantly thinking and serving only ourselves. To get out of that, we have to start looking outward and into the lives of those around us. Yes, it is tough being a military wife. Yes, it is tough to go through a deployment. But, challenge and trial make us more understanding of Jesus. Find a way you can serve someone else: is there a fellow military wife you can cook dinner for? Can you help feed the homeless? Anything to get your mind focused on the needs of others and outside your own situation.
7.) TRY SOMETHING NEW! What better time to try a new hobby, take a new class, try a new diet, try a new workout, or try a new __________, then when the hubby is away. Make a "bucket list" of sorts and work on those things that you can never do because you are with your husband at nights.
8.) DO SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF EACH DAY! Whether it is a bubble bath at the end of a not so pretty day, fifteen minutes of vegging out in front of the tv, or reading a mind numbing celebrity gossip mag, do something to help recharge your batteries.
9.) PRAY! Ultimately, we have no control. We like to think we do, but let's face it, we don't. The only true way to survive and perhaps enjoy a deployment is to pray. Pray for your husband, of course, but also pray for yourself. Pray that you will keep sane. Pray that your mothering skills will maintain the same level of excellence when the hubby is away (mine did not). Pray that God will give you the strength to get through each day. Pray that you can find peace and joy in what can be a time of difficulty.
For all you military ladies out there going through a deployment, remember:
"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness."
"I found your blog from a friend who found it through P31. I too am a military wife, my husband just left for his deployment. Was wondering if you have any advice, wisdom, to share to a fellow believer? Anything you would do different? Anything you did you wish you had not?
Thanks
Joanna"
You asked for it Joanna...
First, I must make it so you know, I am no expert. Life during a deployment is a day-by-day, and sometimes minute-by-minute existence. There were days when I was not mommy of the year. There were days when I was. There were days when my attitude was great and I was going to make it through this deployment. Then, there were days when I didn't get out of my pajamas, sang "Woe is me!" and was generally quite pathetic. There were good days, bad days and everything in between.
If I had to give my best advice though, it would be this:
1.) KEEP BUSY! I don't care if you have to invite yourself to dinner, make a day out of the McDonald's playland, or throw a party, busyness is key to deployment survival. With a toddler, we could only handle one major event per day, but with church, playgroups, playlands, and the like, we were able to fill almost every day. Check out the library and local papers for events. Call around local churches and see what groups are available.
2.) KEEP POSITIVE! Deployments suck. This is fact. But, you can choose to find the positive in the negative. One of the positives for me was that I got to work on some of my hobbies, such as writing, I could make salads for dinner, watch chick flicks relentlessly, and sleep diagonal on the bed. Little as they may be, those things kept my brain (most of the time) from heading into that danger zone of negativity.
3.) ASK FOR HELP! I am blessed with an amazing support system yet I found it so hard to "ask" for an extra hand at times. But, I found that, especially amongst military wives, they are more than willing to help. In a way, you are blessing the person you ask for help from because they know they can help another person out.
4.) SPEND TIME WITH GOD! My spiritual life was at an all time high when my hubby was deployed. It may be likely that the absence of another adult in the household made me converse more with my creator, but I also started to think of God as needing to play the role of my spiritual husband. We put so much emphasis on the earthly spouse and that relationship, but truly our love for our God is supposed to be the most consuming love in our life. From that, our love for others flows. Deployment is a great time to get back track in our quiet time and prayer life.
5.) GET WITH A FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS! I start Bible studies for military spouses. It is kind of my thing. God laid military wives on my heart about three years ago and He hasn't quit since! Everywhere we've been, He has blessed me with an amazing fellowship of believers, both fellow military wives and church families. These people are the ones who got me through those ugly days I mentioned before. If you don't have something to get involved in, consider starting something yourself.
6.) SERVE OTHERS! Nothing can keep us more focused on ourselves then constantly thinking and serving only ourselves. To get out of that, we have to start looking outward and into the lives of those around us. Yes, it is tough being a military wife. Yes, it is tough to go through a deployment. But, challenge and trial make us more understanding of Jesus. Find a way you can serve someone else: is there a fellow military wife you can cook dinner for? Can you help feed the homeless? Anything to get your mind focused on the needs of others and outside your own situation.
7.) TRY SOMETHING NEW! What better time to try a new hobby, take a new class, try a new diet, try a new workout, or try a new __________, then when the hubby is away. Make a "bucket list" of sorts and work on those things that you can never do because you are with your husband at nights.
8.) DO SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF EACH DAY! Whether it is a bubble bath at the end of a not so pretty day, fifteen minutes of vegging out in front of the tv, or reading a mind numbing celebrity gossip mag, do something to help recharge your batteries.
9.) PRAY! Ultimately, we have no control. We like to think we do, but let's face it, we don't. The only true way to survive and perhaps enjoy a deployment is to pray. Pray for your husband, of course, but also pray for yourself. Pray that you will keep sane. Pray that your mothering skills will maintain the same level of excellence when the hubby is away (mine did not). Pray that God will give you the strength to get through each day. Pray that you can find peace and joy in what can be a time of difficulty.
For all you military ladies out there going through a deployment, remember:
"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
Tomorrow is a new day. His mercy for you is renewed. In the end, no matter what happens, He will continue to be faithful to you. This is our promise in Him.
Here's to good advice...
Until next time,
-C.
-C.
Any other blog reader God, Military or Life related questions? I'd love to hear 'em!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Clean House
A couple days ago, the hubby returned from deployment. In preparation, I cleaned house top to bottom. Even Neicy Nash would be proud. Speaking of, that Clean House show has become quite an addiction of mine since the hubby was gone. I'd put it on, mostly as background noise, as I cooked dinner or cleaned up. The idea of changing life through altering your space is awesome to me.
So, all my cleaning got me thinking...if I clean this much when my earthly love comes home, how much more should I be cleaning my "house" in preparation for the creator of the Universe?
"In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
So, all my cleaning got me thinking...if I clean this much when my earthly love comes home, how much more should I be cleaning my "house" in preparation for the creator of the Universe?
"In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
2 Timothy 2:20-22 NIV
A new year approaching means a new start, a new chance, a new clean house. Our Father is coming eventually and the question will be, how well did we prepare for Him? How much grit and grime did we try to expel from our lives before His arrival? Everyday I find a new filthy corner that I need to get rid of. Everyday another dust bunny pops up. And everyday I am given another chance to clean house.
Here's to making ourselves instruments for noble purposes...
Until next time,
-C.
And a very Merry Christmas to all my blog readers! May God's peace, presence, mercy and love shower you this holiday season!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
False teachers
I recently heard a Francis Chan sermon on false teachers. That and just my quiet time has got me thinking. I guess I always thought evil would be easily recognized, but now I am starting to think that perhaps it is not.
Check out 2 Peter chapter 2 to see what I mean:
False Teachers and Their Destruction
1But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
4For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell,[a] putting them into gloomy dungeons[b] to be held for judgment; 5if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; 6if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 7and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men 8(for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— 9if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.[c] 10This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature[d] and despise authority.
Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings; 11yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord. 12But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will perish.
13They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.[e] 14With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood! 15They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. 16But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—a beast without speech—who spoke with a man's voice and restrained the prophet's madness.
17These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. 18For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. 19They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. 20If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. 22Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit,"[f]and, "A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud."
This verse is the kicker for me:
"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve." 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
Alright, I know it was a lot of scripture but bear with me on this one. Here is what we know about false teachers. This kind of evil, the perpetuating of lies through the use of scripture, God or His son's name comes from within. This is the kind of evil that says, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer..." This kind scares me more than anything. But, before I jump to that ocean of fear, we have to digest this, pick it apart. Let's figure out some characteristics of false teachers:
1.) They are sneaky. Look back at 2 Peter 2:1. It says, "they secrectly introduce..." their lies. Best way to guard against this sneak attack: know God's word.
2.) Many will follow after them. Check out verse 2 in 2 Peter. These guys will have a following, they won't be as recognizable as you might think. In fact, there is a certain very popular, book writing, tv evanglist that I think may in fact be a false teacher just based on some of the things that have come out of his mouth and into interviews and preaching that contradict scripture. In fact, he has one of the biggest churches in America. Best way to guard against being a lemming in this lie: know God's word.
3.) They are exploitative to their own gain. We've all heard the stories of famous church leaders who pled to unsuspecting poor to make financial donations and then in turn used the money for their own personal gain. Best way to guard against being exploited: know God's word.
4.) They are bold and arrogant blasphemers who have left God's path to follow the path of destruction. Sometimes the louder a person is or the more intimidating they are, the less people will question them if the words they speak are untrue. Best way to steer clear from this intimidation: know God's word.
5.) They are headed for destruction. In our media obcessed society, false prophets get exposed and get exposed in a big way. I can recall story after story of these teachers who spoke twisted versions of God's truth and used it for their own personal gain or hid an underbelly of sin that makes even the most hedonistic cringe. Best way to keep away from being a part of the wreakage: know God's word.
The verse in 2 Corinthians really prepares me. What we know about Satan is that he likes to sing that song, "Anything you can do, I can do better..." except we all know he can't. But, he sure does get an E for Effort. He will take anything God creates, any good and make a seemingly exact replica that is completely the opposite of God's intention. So, he can create what seems to be a mirror image of a Christ follower, yet when we look a little harder, we can find that it nothing more than a servant of evil. This has to keep us vigilent more than anything. We can't only be prepared for the ones who outwardly we can identify as Satan's pawns. It is the ones he hides in a cloak of words and actions that make us believe that the person is a Christian. Those are the ones we need to be on neighborhood watch for.
And, in case you didn't quite get it, the only way to be a part of this watching and exposing of those who are false teachers is to: KNOW GOD'S WORD! You can't expose a lie, if you don't know the truth. We have to be on the lookout in our own churches, in our own communities for people who just want to lead us astray. Fearful, we are not because we know that God is bigger than any man, and we know that this false teaching will ultimately lead to ruin. But, aware, we must be...
Here's to the ultimate truth detector...
Check out 2 Peter chapter 2 to see what I mean:
False Teachers and Their Destruction
1But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
4For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell,[a] putting them into gloomy dungeons[b] to be held for judgment; 5if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; 6if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 7and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men 8(for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— 9if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.[c] 10This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature[d] and despise authority.
Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings; 11yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord. 12But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will perish.
13They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.[e] 14With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood! 15They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. 16But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—a beast without speech—who spoke with a man's voice and restrained the prophet's madness.
17These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. 18For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. 19They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. 20If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. 22Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit,"[f]and, "A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud."
This verse is the kicker for me:
"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve." 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
Alright, I know it was a lot of scripture but bear with me on this one. Here is what we know about false teachers. This kind of evil, the perpetuating of lies through the use of scripture, God or His son's name comes from within. This is the kind of evil that says, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer..." This kind scares me more than anything. But, before I jump to that ocean of fear, we have to digest this, pick it apart. Let's figure out some characteristics of false teachers:
1.) They are sneaky. Look back at 2 Peter 2:1. It says, "they secrectly introduce..." their lies. Best way to guard against this sneak attack: know God's word.
2.) Many will follow after them. Check out verse 2 in 2 Peter. These guys will have a following, they won't be as recognizable as you might think. In fact, there is a certain very popular, book writing, tv evanglist that I think may in fact be a false teacher just based on some of the things that have come out of his mouth and into interviews and preaching that contradict scripture. In fact, he has one of the biggest churches in America. Best way to guard against being a lemming in this lie: know God's word.
3.) They are exploitative to their own gain. We've all heard the stories of famous church leaders who pled to unsuspecting poor to make financial donations and then in turn used the money for their own personal gain. Best way to guard against being exploited: know God's word.
4.) They are bold and arrogant blasphemers who have left God's path to follow the path of destruction. Sometimes the louder a person is or the more intimidating they are, the less people will question them if the words they speak are untrue. Best way to steer clear from this intimidation: know God's word.
5.) They are headed for destruction. In our media obcessed society, false prophets get exposed and get exposed in a big way. I can recall story after story of these teachers who spoke twisted versions of God's truth and used it for their own personal gain or hid an underbelly of sin that makes even the most hedonistic cringe. Best way to keep away from being a part of the wreakage: know God's word.
The verse in 2 Corinthians really prepares me. What we know about Satan is that he likes to sing that song, "Anything you can do, I can do better..." except we all know he can't. But, he sure does get an E for Effort. He will take anything God creates, any good and make a seemingly exact replica that is completely the opposite of God's intention. So, he can create what seems to be a mirror image of a Christ follower, yet when we look a little harder, we can find that it nothing more than a servant of evil. This has to keep us vigilent more than anything. We can't only be prepared for the ones who outwardly we can identify as Satan's pawns. It is the ones he hides in a cloak of words and actions that make us believe that the person is a Christian. Those are the ones we need to be on neighborhood watch for.
And, in case you didn't quite get it, the only way to be a part of this watching and exposing of those who are false teachers is to: KNOW GOD'S WORD! You can't expose a lie, if you don't know the truth. We have to be on the lookout in our own churches, in our own communities for people who just want to lead us astray. Fearful, we are not because we know that God is bigger than any man, and we know that this false teaching will ultimately lead to ruin. But, aware, we must be...
Here's to the ultimate truth detector...
Until next time,
-C.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
One thing.
I have been in such a season of busyness right now. I've been gone on trips from Thanksgiving until last Monday, part of that time included planning three parties (two parties for my mom's employees and their families=400 people, and then a gaggle of fourteen year old girls for my sister's birthday) and a business meeting for my mom. Then, followed it up with leading a Bible Study and a HUGE women's event that I helped with at our church. Not to mention Christmas is creep, creep, creeping up on me. The chaos has literally worn me out. My body feels like I ran the Marine Corps Marathon or something more brutal.
Busyness in itself is not a sin, but it can become one if we aren't careful. Consider the story of Mary and her sister, Martha. These two sisters were having Jesus himself in their home. One sister, Martha, busily prepares a meal and becomes quite annoyed as her sister just sits there at Christ's feet. Here is how Jesus responds at Martha's bitterness:
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Busyness in itself is not a sin, but it can become one if we aren't careful. Consider the story of Mary and her sister, Martha. These two sisters were having Jesus himself in their home. One sister, Martha, busily prepares a meal and becomes quite annoyed as her sister just sits there at Christ's feet. Here is how Jesus responds at Martha's bitterness:
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
-Luke 10:41-42 NIV
I get worried and upset about many things when only one thing is needed. I am involved in a lot of ministries and sometimes the preparation for having Jesus come will take over the time that was meant to be spent at His feet. I am a Martha. I really don't want to be, but when it comes down to it, I am. Now, Martha had some good qualities too, don't get me wrong. She was very practical in her thinking. Jesus was in her house and surely, He would want to eat. She was trying to make sure that happened.
Yet, somewhere amidst the chopping and the grating, she lost the whole point of it all. I have really started to see how many of us Christians get bogged down with the details and miss the whole point of it all. Churches and people fight and bicker over all sorts of things that don't matter from paint colors to which way to pass the offering plate when Jesus is saying only one thing matters: me.
Sometimes it is hard to find the one thing that matters in the middle of doing a lot of good things. Like I said, I am involved in a lot of ministries and sometimes I can be doing those things without a single thought about the why. It happens. But, somehow in seasons of busyness, we need to stop and ask God, "what is the one thing you have for me?"
I know He is calling me to that right now. Slowing down and figuring out the one thing. How about you? Especially in the middle of the holidays, have you found yourself completely losing focus on why we celebrate Christmas?
Here's to being more Mary than Martha...
Until next time,
-C.
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