Friday, May 19, 2006

The DaVinci Code

I’m not trying to jump on the “bandwagon” here but with the DaVinci Code opening this weekend I can imagine there is some concern over the untruths in the movie and the book. Prior to this the media blasted us with things about the supposed “gospel of Judas” and now we’re being bombarded once a gain in Hollywood style about the movie based on Dan Browns book, “the DaVinci code.”

Untruths and false teachings and teachers come in many shapes, sizes, and forms, and it is important that you understand the truth from the fiction to the plain old lies.

Listen to one of the examples in which God’s Word warns us about this.

"But 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. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In 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." ~ 2 Peter 2:1-3 (NASB) *(Emphasis Mine)

This sounds awfully familiar to me especially in regard to recent topics including the before mentioned books and now a movie as well.

This isn’t the first nor will it be the last time untruth is promoted even within Christian circles. People make up stuff all of the time and hawk it as “truth” even though it’s proven to be untrue later.

Even in “Christian Churches” today many untruths are taught and sometimes they’re taught as a way of essentially controlling those who attend their church. For instance, I’ve heard from friends that attended a church that said they weren’t allowed to fellowship with Christians outside their church nor could they marry Christian outside their church. So much for unity in the body!

They even went as far to say that they were told they weren’t a Christian unless they were baptized in and an active disciple with in that specific church! So much for John 3:16 and Ephesians 2:8-9!

Now these are extreme examples but what typically takes place are subtle and steady untruths and of course the blatant ones take place as well. Even this week a prominent leader said God may do this or that to the USA and even pointed to one thing to the Pacific Northwest.

Now, in all due respect, I hope for his sake that what he said is true, (although I don’t think anyone wants to see another Tsunami anywhere in the world) but if he’s wrong then he misrepresents the Lord and does a real injustice to God’s kingdom. A true proof of a profit is that what they say has to come true and if it doesn’t then you only have to look into the Old Testament to see what God thinks about false profits.

An earlier post “Apostasy - Many Shapes and Sizes” is just a short reminder that Apostasy and False teachings are around us and we need to put the things we’re presented with under the magnifying glass of God’s Word. Stay in the Word and the real truth will be revealed.

Check out the following link to help educate yourself or others about the DaVinci Code. It’s called The DaVinci Code: A Quest for answers by Josh McDowell. It contains a links to more information and links to MP3 files helping separate fact from fiction regarding the DaVinci code.

Here’s the link:
http://pcgmedia.org/davincianswers.html

My heart is to serve you and God with integrity and if it seems that I’m hitting hard on this topic, let me state that untruth needs to be flushed out of the church and the media as well and we can have an impact on that by learning and upholding God’s Word and for this I can offer no apology.

Apostasy - Many Shapes and Sizes

The Word:

Read: 1 Timothy 4:1-5, Acts 10:9-16 & Colossians 2:16-17

"Apostasy - Many Shapes and Sizes" by Randolph Koch

As we continue to wait and prepare for the return of Jesus Christ, we will continue to see many forms and methods of apostasy.

Basically apostasy can be defined as doctrines or beliefs that reject the trinity, Jesus Christ and His teachings and generally go against the truths of the Bible as a whole. Any teaching that goes against or tries to tear down what Jesus Christ said and the Word of God is Apostasy. Apostasy usually tries to present its doctrines and teachings of lies as the truth; or misapplies or misassigns an Old Testament Old Covenant principle to the New Testament New Covenant Believer. The cults fall into this category and sadly there are many in so-called Christian circles that have become apostate. They tear at the very fabric of the truth to deceive and be deceived.

One form that I was confronted with recently was the teaching that believers need to be living by the Old Testament Law. Specifically, abstaining from certain foods and conforming to the law. This person went as far as to say that if you don’t then you aren’t a part of the Church. As believers we can learn a lot from the Old Covenant and the Jewish laws; but I think you’ll find that the proponents of the before mentioned form of apostasy, don’t really have much to stand on once you stack their teachings up against God’s Word. When confronted with apostasy or any untruth we need to seek the truth of God’s word. In the end, Apostasy will crumble when the truth of God’s Word pierces it and holds it accountable for the lie that it is perpetuating. The apostasy of abstaining from foods and living by the Old Covenant laws are just one look at the many forms of untruths that are being taught and accepted by many Christian circles. Apostasy usually doesn’t take the Bible as a whole. Instead, it takes a portion of it, as little as a verse and twists it into a doctrine or belief that leads many astray. It also denies or tries to explain away the truth in order to meet its own sinful needs.

In order to know when you are confronted with Apostasy or any false teachings you need to arm yourself with the Word of God so you will know the truth. If you don’t stay in the Word you won’t see the deception and may fall prey to the destruction and judgment that usually will follow as a result of Apostasy. I pray that God will let us know the truth and give us the wisdom from His Word to always be prepared and able to combat the falsehoods that we are daily being bombarded with. Apostasy- it does come in many shapes and sizes so prepare yourself for battle by putting on the full armor of God. I am glad that God gave us His Word so we may know the truth.

Questions To Get Started With:

-When confronted with false teachings how do you know what the truth is?
-Are you dressing yourself daily with the full Armor of God? (Eph.6:10-18)

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

His is Eye on the Eagle

There has been a lot of traffic recently regarding a web-cam that has been placed over the yearly nesting spot of two eagles in Canada.

Apparently these eagles have been coming back to this same spot for over 17 years now and the owner of the land decided to mount a web-cam so anyone interested can see what the eagles are doing in real time. It's pretty incredible and for those of us who enjoy the beauty of God's creation, it's interesting to watch the eagles take turns tending to their two eggs and soon to be young eagles - eaglets.

Here is an article about this: Eagle Web cam

Here is the link if you’re interested in seeing this for yourself: Eagle Eye


In considering the technology used to make this happen and that fact that you can see them at pretty much any time, it brought to mind the Biblical truth that God is always watching over us and tending to His children. He is a loving Father who can always see what we're up to whether we recognize it or not.

I'm reminded of the chorus of the hold Hymn, His Eye is on the Sparrow (Words by Civilla D. Martin, 1905. and Music by Charles H. Gabriel, 1905)

"I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me."

This hymn was derived from Matthew 10:29-31 where we're reminded that:

"Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. "So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows."
~Matthew 10:29-31 (NASB)

Furthermore I'm reminded of 2 Chronicles 16:
"For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His." ~2 Chronicles 16:9a-b (NASB)

Are you free in Christ today? Do you recognize that He supports you?

His eye is on the eagle, the sparrow, and more importantly His eyes are on you! May this truth bring you comfort today. You are not alone and if you're heart is His then He is supporting you each moment of the day.

In contrast, if you're a believer and maybe you're not exactly living for Him these days, may I encourage you to turn back to Him, confess your sin and then move forward with your life in line with His will for you.

In either case, may you see God's hand on your life and trust fully in Him as your support, your strength, your Father who loves you unconditionally.