CHRISTIAN FANTASY LAND

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Reading in the book of Isaiah this morning a passage

of Scripture really stood out to me.  It is so realistic of

 the modern heresies that are in the "Christian Church" of 

today.

There are at least three of the most popular doctrines

in the Church that really are not taught in God's Word.

That is, unless you take the Scriptures out of context

and spin them around putting them in the order you

want, while ignoring other passages dealing with the

same subject.

It is just like when God said to the nation of Israel;

"For this is a rebellious people, false sons,

Sons who refuse to listen To the instructions

of the LORD; Who say to the seers, 'You must

not see visions"; And to the prophets, ' You 

must not prophesy to us what is right, Speak

to us; pleasant words, Prophesy illusions."

(Isaiah 30:9,10 NASB)  

The common thing I note about all of these heresies

is that they are more pleasant to us than the truth.

May I suggest that we take God's word just as it is

written - ALL OF IT.

A SHORT MEDITATION

Many years ago, some where around 926 - 886 BC, there

was a king in Israel named Asa.  A good name even today.

Asa was a good king and God let him have peace in his

kingdom for the first ten years of his reign.  Then another

king came against him with a million man army.  But king

Asa only had an army of 580,000 to defend his kingdom 

with. 

So when king Asa went out to fight with his smaller 

army and he prayed out:

"O Lord, you can help a weak army as easily as 

a powerful one, Help us now, O Lord our God, 

because we are relying on you, and in your name

we have come out to fight against this huge army.

Lord, you are our God; no one can hope to 

defeat you."(2 Chronicles 14:11 GNT)

God helped Asa and his small army totally defeat

the much larger army.

About fifteen years latter another army came against

King Asa.  But this time he handled it differently.

Asa used some political manipulation and bribery.

It seemed to work.  But Asa did it his way and not

God's way.  And Asa's career went down from there.

When God was rebuking king Asa through the 

prophet Hanani we pick up this clue;

"The Lord keeps close watch over the whole

world, to give strength to those whose hearts
are loyal to him."

 (2 Chronicles 16: 9 GNT)  

Hey! That's you and me too.  Want strength

for that battle that is too big for you.  There

is your answer.

GREAT OR FAITHFUL

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I was setting in the other room pondering how insignificant I 

am.  And wanting my remaining time to be used for the Lord,

it seemed I am not making much headway.

You know even better than myself that the prevailing mind set

is to "attempt" great things for God.  This thought comes from 

the missionary William Carey, not the Scriptures.  Keeping this

thinking in the context he was speaking in - he is correct of course.  

But our tendency is to think of it as planning great things to do  

for God.  Then give it our all.   Hey!  We simply can't do it.

However it seemed that the Lord was telling me that he has not

called us (me) to do great things, but to be faithful in what he has

given us (me) to do.

In fact, I cannot even find the word "attempt" in the Bible.

Well, at least the King James Version.  But two instances

come to mind that make a real impact on myself.  And even

more so because it is two individuals simply living a real

Christian life.

Many years ago, perhaps around 1985, the pastor and I went to

a big Christian conference in another state.   There were some
big name Christian leaders there as speakers and teachers.  Do
you know how much I remember of their sermons or teaching?
Nothing.  That's right - nothing.

But I remember sister Elizabeth.

We were in the cafeteria of the hotel having lunch or something.
Sister Elizabeth was sitting on my right and she poised the question
if we (I - whoever) had been to Israel.  You have got to be kidding
sister.  I cannot afford to go to Israel.

Sister Elizabeth was a custodian in some school district and she was
not plush with funds either.  But she explained.  If she needed shoe laces
she ask her heavenly father for them.  If she wanted to go to Israel she
ask her heavenly father to send her.  At that time she had been to Israel
three times.

Now who preached the best sermon?  In my book, sister Elizabeth the
custodian who was simply sharing her life of faith.  [And, putting me
to shame.]

I just read a post on blogger that really spoke to me.
"The Day I was Supernaturally Healed"
Here Sarah was ministered to by another custodian used of God.
I have included the link to her post.  Read it.  It will bless you.

http://simplelifeabundantlife.com/

Here are two custodians that "preached" more enduring sermons
than any preacher by being faithful in living for Christ.  With
God's help I will simply try to be faithful to any task he gives me,
big or small.

SOURCE OF MY HELP

"I look to the mountains;

where will my help come from?

My help will come from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.

He wil not let you fall;

your protector is always awake.

The protector of Israel

never dozes or sleeps.

The Lord will guard you;

he is by your side 

to protect you.

The sun will not hurt you

during the day,

nor the moon during the

night.

The Lord will protect you

from all danger;

he will keep you safe.

He will protect you as you

come and go

now and forever."

(Psalms 121 TEV)