Pitchfork Party

Been thinking lately on eternity. What is this life compared to eternity and why do I focus so heavily on what is perishing rather than what will never end; foreverness?  Eternal things are incomprehensible to me. A God who always was, is, and always will be- who can fathom that? How can anything or anyone not have a beginning? And how is it possible that we will someday find ourselves in a ceaseless life of blessedness or a tormented life of endless suffering- this does not compute in my small, feeble, limited mind.

Last Sunday my pastor said something that made me stop and question my own idea of an everlasting future. I’ve had small reality checks in the past regarding my destiny in Heaven, however I’ve never really thought much on what lies ahead for those who have resisted their Lord; for those whose works will not permit them entrance into heaven; for those whose sins have not been paid for by the bloodshed of the Savior; for those faced with an eternity of suffering and sorrow. Who chooses to think on that?! Not me.

Who wants to sit around envisioning Satan fearlessly demanding obedience from our loved ones, pitchfork in hand, horns protruding from blood red skin? What kind of person meditates on such devastating thoughts? I can tell you I avoid this reality at all cost. And the truth is- it’s one of the greatest deceptions we have fallen for! This image of Satan and Hell- It’s not reality at all; it’s a lie.

As my pastor challenged my thoughts on those who will suffer in hell, I began considering a few scriptures I was familiar with:

·  Hell was prepared FOR Satan and his fallen angels (NOT BY THEM)- Matthew 25:41

·  The devil will be cast into the lake of fire and tormented day and night forever and ever (HE WILL NOT DO THE TORMENTING; HE WILL BE TORMENTED)- Revelation 20:10

·  Those who follow after the beast will also be tormented  forever and ever with no rest day or night (NO PARTIES GOING ON THERE)- Revelation 14:9-11

I recall years ago a person I care for mocking me and my beliefs and proudly proclaiming that he would one day be “Satan’s right hand man.” I was deeply saddened yet furious that he would even joke about such a thing. Eternity without forgiveness of our sins and separated from Christ is no laughing matter! You know what else?! There’s not gonna be any pitchfork parties! Satan is the ruler of this world (John 12:31), the god of this age (2 Cor 4:4), and the prince of the air (Eph 2:2), but he is NOT and NEVER WILL BE the pitchforked dictator of Hell that he has deceived us into believing. Satan will suffer, his time tempting and torturing us on this earth is short, and he and the fallen angels know this all too well (Matt 8:29). All that reject the grace and love of Christ will regret it. Partying it up in an eternal place of blissful sin and selfishness in hell sounds far more appealing than sitting on clouds playing harps for hundreds of thousands of years in Heaven. Truth is, that’s not truth.

And once again I find myself at the place of questioning why the truth of Hell, the truth of eternity, the truth of our eternal existence after this life doesn’t compel me to share Christ’s love with ALL. This life is but a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. You Only Live Once. True, and how you live now decides where you spend eternity. Eternal torment and sorrow, or eternal peace and perfection. You decide, but when you make that decision, base it on truth and not mystical deceptions.

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Itching Ears of the American

Nearly a month ago, my husband and I took some time to watch the ABC News Iowa Republican Debate anchored by correspondents Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos. Watching was hardly my decision, but my husband’s. Given the choice, I would have turned to HGTV or The Food Network. However, I surprisingly found myself growing interested in this question and answer process. Difficult and controversial issues were raised and I anticipated each candidate’s response.

What disappointed me most was that I realized, yet again, my inability to decipher true meaning behind countless words of grandeur. Had I been given the challenge to cast my vote for the next President of the United States upon viewing this debate, I would have failed miserably. Why? Simply because almost every candidate presented themselves to be a wonderful choice! Each made valid points. Each came across as having genuine concern for the welfare and wellbeing of our country and our people.

Truth is, I prefer not to bother myself with politics. Most issues I simply don’t understand. I know I could, and maybe should, invest my time in researching all the hot topics and backgrounds of each candidate, but I choose not to. These divisive subjects are just plain confusing and I feel inadequate when it comes to all things political. So I choose to let my husband, pastor, and other leaders I trust make those decisions for me. Sad, I know.

What’s even worse is that most Americans do this very thing when it comes to religion and the truth of the scriptures. Many of us feel overwhelmed with doctrine and incapable of deciphering truth, so we let someone else do it for us. We find churches and pastors teaching prosperity and the good life with smooth words and flattering speech, deceiving the hearts of the simple (Rom 16:18). We really don’t want to hear all the negativity that comes with judgment, right and wrong, and an eternity in hell. We desire simply to attend church, knowing we should, and we want to leave church feeling like a good person, worthy of approval from an all loving, all accepting god. And many will follow their destructive ways... by covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words (2 Pt 2:2,3).

While allowing others to decide our country’s future is irresponsible and terribly risky, allowing others to decide our eternal future is downright dangerous. And not just dangerous, eternally dangerous! Each candidate knows exactly what the American people want to hear, laboring tirelessly to tickle our ears and win the next vote. Likewise, countless churches and pastors are operating the same way, teaching faithfully and precisely only that which will fill their buildings and their pockets rather than fill your spirit with truth and the Kingdom of God with saints.

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. -2 Timothy 4:2-4

Yes, knowing the truth of God’s Word takes effort, and yes, sometimes it seems overwhelmingly difficult, if not impossible. However, we MUST be in the Word and in prayer. We MUST guard our hearts against deception. If you find it difficult to read, study, or understand His Word, pray, pray, and pray some more. Ask God to open your eyes before you read, as you read, and after you read. Satan is capable of stealing God’s Word right out of your heart and mind (Matt 13:19), but God desires for you to read and understand. However, we cannot understand without the help of God through the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 2:10-16).

If you missed the ABC News Iowa Republican Debate and are interested, you can get caught up here, since I really can’t tell you anything that was said L.

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The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom

As the kids and I explored the book of Proverbs this past week, we couldn’t ignore the repetitious cries to “Get wisdom! Get understanding!” (Prov 4:5,7). In the first several chapters, Solomon, son of King David, repeats it over and over again; to the point of frustration. We voiced several times, “All right already, I think we get the point!” However, as I have come to learn in the past, if the scriptures repeat, and repeat, and repeat, it must be because we are NOT getting the point.  So, I’ve spent some time mulling over this thing called wisdom.

Proverbs 9:10 tells us that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” What better place to start than the beginning.  What is the fear of the Lord? And doesn’t 2 Timothy 1:7 tell us that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love of and a sound mind? How then are we to fear the Lord? Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance offers some insight into this confusion, informing us that the fear of the Lord speaks of reverence, exceedingly and dreadful.*

Compare that to the definition offered regarding the spirit of fear which is described as timid, faithless fear.* These explanations draw very contrasting pictures of fear. A reverencing fear of God is distinctly different than the timid, faithless fear many of us have experienced; a fear that leaves us feeling helpless and hopeless.  The Godly fear of the Lord brings with it power, love, and a sound mind that faithless fear robs us of. This godly fear also brings with it wisdom.

James (the book, not my husband J) tells us that there is a wisdom that is from above and a wisdom that does not descend from above. Funny, when you consider wisdom, don’t you generally relate it to knowledge, insight, intelligence, perception, or good judgment? Isn’t wisdom always a good thing? Not according to James who describes wisdom as fitting into one of two categories: earthly, sensual, and demonic or pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy (Jas 3:15-17). If you are anything like me, you read this and think, “Surely I’ve never offered or received wisdom that does not descend from above. Surely I’ve had nothing to do with demonic wisdom!”

Then I am reminded of poor Peter. Yes, Peter, the one we remember as opening his big mouth and being silenced by God Himself (Lk 9:33-35). The same Peter we are told rejected his Lord three times after boldly proclaiming “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” (Matt 26:35). Yes, poor Peter. No doubt there were times he must have wanted nothing less than to crawl into a hole and disappear. Well, Matthew 16:21-23 had to be one of those times! After hearing Jesus tell of his coming crucifixion, Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. Jesus replied “Get behind Me, Satan!” Wow! That had to hurt. But, we argue, Peter only had Jesus’ best interest in mind. No, Peter had faithless fear, failing to trust Jesus’ words that He would be raised the third day. Jesus’ best interest was centered on doing His Father’s will, showing His love for sinful mankind, and going to the cross to save us from that sin. Anything contrary to that was and is in the interest of Satan.

If this same Peter, who repeatedly testified boldly of Christ, lead three thousand to the Lord in one day (Acts 2:14-41), healed a lame man (Acts 3:1-9), and miraculously escaped from prison (Acts 12), was capable of offering wisdom that does not descend from above, capable of offering demonic wisdom, are we not more so? Thankfully, we can go again to the book of James for some encouragement: if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him (1:5).

The message to me in all of this: Fear God, be about His interest, be steadfastly asking Him for wisdom that comes only from above, and always keep in mind that I am not above receiving and giving demonic wisdom.

Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him

-Ephesians 1:15-17

* Strong, James H. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House Company, 1989. Print. – (Hebrew #3374, Greek #1167 )



It is Written

This morning I read about the temptation of Jesus in Matthew chapter 4. The preceding chapter tells us that Jesus was baptized by a reluctant (who wouldn’t be) John the Baptist. As soon as Jesus came out of the water, the Spirit of God descended upon Him like a dove, and an audible voice spoke from heaven proclaiming “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt 3:13-17). What a glorious moment this must have been! I am constantly seeking to envision these events as exactly that, actual events; to see them as more than a simple ‘story’ from a book, but rather real life occurrences with real living people. When it comes to the life of Jesus however, it is the most daunting task because, well, He was and is not only Man but God. It doesn’t really get any more complicated than that. So, I am left struggling to relate to the life of this God-Man.

However, as I read this morning, I’m able to see some of my own circumstances and difficulties. It seems that immediately following this wondrous event, “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matt 4:1). What a way to ruin a perfectly wonderful day! Looking back on my own baptism years ago, I recall it being so foundational for me; knowing nothing of the scriptures, only that I desperately needed Christ, I came out of that water a changed child of God. There was no dove or audible voice from heaven, but the Spirit of God was active in my life, and has been ever since. I wish I could say I have walked in obedience to Him from that moment on, but no, I still am and always will be a work in progress. And His incessant message to me: YOU ARE MY BELOVED.

It wasn’t until I read this passage again this morning that I realized these are the exact words the Father said regarding His Son, “This is My beloved Son.” 

Oh how often I need this reminder! Remind me again, Lord, remind me again! I can’t help but pay special attention to the fact that Satan tried desperately to make Jesus doubt who He was “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” And again “If you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down” (Matt 4:3,6). Now, I’m in no way implying Jesus ever doubted his identity as the Son of God, but there is no question Satan tried desperately to tempt Him into doing so. Likewise I have no doubt he tempts me in the same way and truth be told, he is quite successful at times.

How do I defeat my enemy in this battle? How do I proclaim victory from doubt? Exactly how Jesus did: with the Word of God. There it is again, the Word of God. Are you growing weary yet? Have I frustrated you into deleting my web address so you never have to endure this again? God is urgently trying to speak to one of us, and I presume it must be YOU! (Just kidding! Please know I never share something He is not actively striving to teach me. I suspect I gain substantially more from my ramblings than you do!) Jesus combated Satan’s lies with scripture “It is written” “It is written” “It is written” (Matt 4:4,7,10). Do you know what is written? When Satan says you are not God’s, can you swing that sword, confidently proclaiming “Away with you, Satan! It is written that I have been redeemed! It is written that I have been called by name! It is written that I am a child of God!” (Isa 43:1)? Lord, I pray You would grant us strength to live according to the example of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

 

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we

are, yet without sin.

-Hebrews 4:15

 

Voice Of Truth - Casting Crowns- YouTube

Images courtesy of: http://wallpaper4god.com/en/background_jesus-baptism-2/, http://wordincarnate.wordpress.com/2011/01/06/the-appearing-of-our-blessed-hope/, http://taitegallery.net/2011/03/if-parody.html, http://greg-hansen.com/albums/armorofgod.html, http://www.kineticfaith.com/blog/?tag=temptation

The Truth, and Nothing but the Truth

I’ve heard it said that a bank teller, handling money day in and day out, when given a phony bill, recognizes the counterfeit instantly. Whether or not the teller is schooled in the variations between the real and the fake will make no difference. The secret to instant recognition is in the fact that they are continually handling true authentic money, and as soon as a counterfeit slides through their fingers, they immediately identify it as nothing more than a copy of the real thing. They know without a doubt, although it starkly resembles money, it is in fact completely worthless.  

My sister, employed for Columbia Sportswear as an Apparel Quality Specialist, travels abroad for work several times a year. Recently I sent her on a mission to purchase some ‘Seven’ jeans for me since they are substantially less expensive oversees than they are here. She hadn’t previously researched this brand of jean and had no idea that a counterfeit would state ‘Aemove’ or ‘Day’ rather than ‘Remove’ and ‘Dry’ on the tag. She wasn’t aware of the fact that the real jean has a large tag sown between two smaller tags, unlike the fake.* Because she is a specialist in her work, and knows the ins and outs of materials better than most, she was able to instantly recognize the ‘Seven’ jeans I desperately coveted for about $30 were nothing more than fakes. I was greatly disappointed, but also thankful to keep my $30.

You know, years ago, I formed in my own mind the need to gain all the knowledge I could regarding the Jehovah’s Witness religion in order to ‘save’ them all from Hell’s fire. So, I began researching a great deal, reading the writings of Walter Martin (who I greatly admire and respect for his gift in understanding innumerable religions) and studying the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ own literature. What I learned:

IF YOU DIG IN THE TRASH, YOU WILL GET DIRTY. That merits repeating- IF YOU DIG IN THE TRASH, YOU WILL GET DIRTY. Ok, that’s not all I learned, but it is definitely a lesson I walked away with. I also discovered what a complicated cult this is, with incredibly devoted followers. Their doctrine is of Satan, and he tried desperately to deceive me into believing it- almost successfully!

Praise God for His truth and the power of prayer. You see, because I had handled the word of God, because I knew the truth in scripture, I was able to determine the authentic, genuine, REAL gospel from the phony counterfeit of Jehovah’s Witnesses. And yes, there are imitation gospels out there.

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

-Galatians 1:8-9

Not only are there fake gospels, but a fake Jesus and a fake spirit!

For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted- you may well put up with it!

2 Corinthians 11:4

So, what’s my point? I’ve said it in past posts and I’m saying it again- READ THE BIBLE! The only way for us to be safe and secure from the deceptions of false doctrine is to know the truth of God’s Word. If we are in His Word daily, hiding it in our heart, letting it form and shape us, we will not have to study the multiple false gospels that are not only in this world, but also in our churches, to identify them as phony. Just as bank tellers instantly recognize fraud and my sister safely discerns authentic material, we, as followers of Christ and His Word, must be able to distinguish a counterfeit Christ, gospel, or spirit upon first touch. READ THE WORD OF GOD and don’t allow yourself to be ripped off. Your soul is far more valuable than my $30.

Study to shew theyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

-2 Timothy 2:15

To learn more about the state of the “American Church” and its leaders, click here. To hear a recent teaching by my pastor regarding this topic in Nehemiah chapter 13 click here.

*http://www.freewebs.com/davidcraige/fakesevenjeans.htm
Images Courtesy of:  http://www.karaoui.com/money-money-money/, http://blog.enovatechina.com/seven-for-all-mankind-successful-china-brand-buzz-101/, http://www.betterworldbooks.com/the-kingdom-of-the-cults-id-0764227440.aspx, http://youoffendmeyouoffendmyfamily.com/i-fell-face-first-into-my-trash-can/trash-can-full-of-trash/, http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/im-book-review-counterfeit-gospels, http://prushton.wordpress.com/2011/02/16/course-preview-counterfeit-gods/

Beloved Bride

Going about my Thanksgiving Day, I pondered my hubby’s question to the kids and me: “What are you thankful for today?” As I repeatedly asked myself and the Lord, I came up with the same old stuff… I am thankful for God, for my eternal salvation, for my family, for the freedom to worship, for things to share on my blog, for our health, for God’s provision… you know, the usual ‘Thanksgiving list.’ While forming this mental list, I began to focus in on just how blessed I am by my family, specifically my husband.

I was reminded of a time in Mexico, years ago. Our family drove to what is called ‘El Rancho.’ It’s a large piece of land being made into a family camp by members of the church we were working with. Upon arrival, we found no one there, and I proceeded to get out of the car and explore. However, I was completely unaware of the massive dog the church members use to guard the place. As I naively entered the gates, the monster instinctively charged me. With fangs drawn and eyes blazing, he was after nothing less than my complete destruction, and I froze.

Praise God for my husband! Without a second thought, he stepped between that beast and me, and with all authority, commanded he leave. Would you believe that horrid creature actually obeyed?! He immediately turned and went on his way, not bothering me again. Of course, I stayed by my husband’s side the remainder of the day. I knew without a doubt that dog was watching me, waiting for an opportune time to finish what he started (Luke 4:13); to finish me off for good.

Oh how thankful I am for my husband! He did not even take a second to question what he should do in that situation. All concern for himself vanished the moment he saw his bride in danger. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard him speak with such authority or seen that look in his eyes. So, to answer my husband’s original question- Yes, I am thankful for all the usual things on my ‘Thanksgiving list,’ but I am overwhelmingly thankful for my amazing husband. He works hard every day to provide and take care of us. He is the type of daddy to our children I never expected. His passion for God and His Word is rare and wonderful. His devotion to me is more than I anticipated. He is the image of a Bridegroom I desperately look forward to spending eternity with. A Bridegroom with all power and authority, holding Satan at bay, not considering His own life, but offering it up for me. I thank God for my wonderful husband, and my amazing Bridegroom. What a beloved bride I am!

A Great Deception

Two days ago, while driving my kids to school, I saw a police officer on the side of the road, lights flashing, and some poor soul presumably receiving a ticket and the third degree. After arriving at the school, shoving the kids out of the car (just kidding), and heading back home, I saw the same scene: same officer, yet a different poor soul this time.  Later that day as I drove to pick my kids up, I saw this officer yet again, with another soul parked on the side of the road. Yesterday morning, on our way to school, there he was again!  I thought to myself “Wow, he has no mercy!” (Ok, maybe it was a ‘she,’ I never actually saw the officer.) Finally, later that afternoon I was making the usual journey in rescuing my brilliant kiddos from school, and, you guessed it: same officer, another soul! I voiced out loud to no one but myself “I cannot believe this guy! He literally sits and waits for any and all unknown victims, pouncing them as quickly as he can! One wrong move, and there he is, enforcing the law and assuring the penalty is paid!”

Okay, so maybe that’s a little harsh, but really?  Does he have to go after poor, hurried parents, desperately trying to avoid their kids being late for school? I mean come on, give mom and dad a break.  This guy is obviously NOT a parent! Anyway, let’s get to my point. And I do have a point!

As I continued my trek to the school, I was struck by the thought that this is so often the way we view our Heavenly Father: a big, mighty god always watching; watching and waiting for us to mess up. Not just waiting for us to mess up, but EXPECTING us to mess up. Like he has some kind of quota to fill, so many tickets he has to write in a day. And as soon as we do (and we all do) he becomes the harsh judge and we the worthless, guilty criminals. He wastes no time in proclaiming guilt, demanding justice is served, and the penalty paid. What a horrible deception! What a repulsive picture of a loving God.

The reality is, this is exactly what our enemy is doing: walking about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1Pet 5:8). He jumps at the chance to accuse us before God day and night (Rev 12:10)! God’s word says there is NO CONDEMNATION for His children (Rom 8:1), that His thoughts for us are for GOOD, not evil (Jer 28:11). He is full of MERCY, GRACE, ENDLESS PATIENCE, UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, and FORGIVENESS (Ex 34:6-7). Does this sound like a god watching and waiting for us to break his rules?  No! That would be our enemy seeking to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). Satan transforms himself into an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14); the very counterfeit of God.  Does he not also take his own characteristics and tempt us to transfer them onto God? I pray for the grace to not only believe in God, but to also believe Him (John 3:36); to believe the truth about Him and the truth about who I am in Him. And I pray I don't see that cop on the side of the road this morning! :)

I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

~Psalm 23:4