You've Got to Stand for Something or You'll Fall for Anything.

Yes, this blog entry shares a title with a country song by Aaron Tippin.  However the saying can first be attributed to a Methodist church announcement in an Iowa newspaper from 1926 - "It is easier to fall for anything than to stand for something." For What should we be standing? We must stand for the Bible, and not fall for all the corrupted ideas of man. The Word of God is called the sword of the Spirit because it is our primary offensive weapon (Ephesians 6:17). The unchurched and some lukewarm Christians say many things that don't follow the Bible's teachings. We must follow scripture, not those who 'seem good' in our society. You have to stand for something or you'll fall for anything.

The Bible is our textbook, our life's instruction manual and it is vital to our relationship with God. God verified the Bible in a manner that could not be duplicated by mere humans - by miracles. The Bible is the inspired word of God. There is archaeological evidence and eye-witness accounts, but the real proof of the Bible's claim to absolute inspired truth is its supernatural evidence, including prophecy. God used prophets to speak and write down His Word, and God uses miracles like fulfilled prophecy to authenticate His messengers. We must believe and act out our belief that the Bible is a source we can trust. The Bible is the world's best selling and most widely distributed book. It's been translated in over 500 languages. There are about 50 Bibles sold every minute, and it is the most stolen book in the world. So why are many people refusing to stand up for it's teachings? There's a plain and simple answer, SIN.

We must not get caught up in the false teachings of this world. Satan is at work using subtle, crafty deceit to lead us away from God. Much of this deceit comes from well meaning people: church members and even clergy who have fallen for sin that is wrapped up in the pretty package of "being kind." They say in order to be kind we must accept all types of behaviors and beliefs that the Bible forbids. 2 Timothy 4:2-4 says, "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."

What their itching ears want to hear... everything is okay, accept all behaviors and ideas because it is loving and kind, and it is easier than standing up for the truth of the Gospel. We must stand up for the Bible, follow God's instructions. Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." We are to love one another, treat each other with kindness and respect, but that does NOT mean we have to agree with them if they are not following the Word of God, the Bible.

Throughout history the Bible has been ridiculed, burned, refuted, and destroyed, but it lives on. Billy Graham said, "It is the anvil that has worn out many hammers. Most books are born, live a few short years, then go the way of all the earth; they’re forgotten. But not the Bible. The Bible is preserved. It lives on." We must stand up for the Bible and it's teachings and not fall for what the world is pushing us to believe.

1 Corinthians 16:13 "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong." We can trust God's word to be true and rely on Him to guide us. Pray that you will listen to his voice in the Word.

A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing

Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

The wolf in sheep's clothing is not always outright evil. Satan is extremely crafty and devious. He is using well-meaning people who are not actively following Christ and don't have a relationship with him, to present ideas and beliefs that seem "good" in order to lead others astray. Even some ministers get caught up in power and recognition. It clouds their spirit, and distorts their vision.

In this earthly life the truth can get can get twisted, blurred, or manipulated. Things once seen as black and white may start to appear more gray. It may seem harder to recognize what’s true or what’s false. We have to look closely, beyond what is on the surface.

God knows how difficult it is to fight this spiritual battle. Wolves live for the love of power rather than the power of love. They often refuse accountability and resist submission to authority. Wolves are also experts at deceit.  They pretend to be good and care about the sheep. They look and talk like sheep especially when the sheep are disagreeing or dissenting. (but they have those teeth...) Winning and being right are their highest values and they do whatever they need to in order to stay on top. When operating in church settings their methods are often underhanded and cunning in order to appear less aggressive.

Could certain portions of our society be unwittingly sheltering a wolf in sheep's clothing? In our attempt to be kind and gracious to everyone are we forgetting the fact that some groups who act as a religion are not? Do they follow what we know is in the Bible?

When we discern that someone is not expressing the true meaning of God's Holy Word: that's not the end of the battle. Many people object to any attempt to identify wolves among us because it sounds uncharitable and judgmental. They say we must not judge. Yet, Jesus himself warns us that there are those who claim to be believers.They may even be leaders in the church, but they are vicious or ravenous wolves dressed up in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15). The apostle Paul warned Timothy that there would be people who act religious, but are puffed up with pride, who are unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, and cruel (2 Timothy 3:2-9).

How can we see through their deception? Know the truth of the one voice who matters most. Know God's word and you will know when it is being twisted and manipulated. Satan and his forces have quoted God’s words since the beginning of time, twisting it, trying their best to manipulate the truth, their main goal only to deceive and lead astray. Bring everything back to the Bible. What does the Bible say? The Bible is the inspired word of God.  We must not let people tell us any differently. One of our own United Methodist ministers, Adam Hamilton proposes that there are three "buckets" into which scriptures fall:

1. Scriptures that express God’s heart, character and timeless will for human beings.

2. Scriptures that expressed God’s will in a particular time, but are no longer binding.

3. Scriptures that never fully expressed the heart, character or will of God. 

Has Hamilton fallen victim to the power and recognition that he has achieved? We cannot know what is in his heart, but we do know what he says. You can read more about this in the United Methodist publication, Good News.

2 Timothy 4:3-5

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

The United Methodist Church is facing difficult times. We will have a specially called conference in a few months. Pray every morning for wisdom for the day and to sense God's presence and to be obedient to him. Pray that our church leaders have discernment to listen to God's voice and obey his word. Pray that church leaders tune in to God and tune out the world.

Orthodox United Methodists

The word for the day is orthodox. I learned of how it is being used in the Methodist church from our Minister's wife. It is a much better term than conservative. Why is this the word of the day?  The United Methodist Church is facing some very tough decisions in the near future. Orthodox describes our local church and conference. The articles listed below represent a good summary of what has been going on since General Conference.

Orthodox

1. (of a person or their views, especially religious or political ones, or other beliefs or practices) conforming to what is generally or traditionally accepted as right or true; established and approved.

2. of the ordinary or usual type; normal.

synonyms: conservative, traditional, observant, devout, strict

The Un-tied Methodist Church

https://wtmcclendon.wordpress.com/2016/07/19/the-un-tied-methodist-church/

Seeing the Future

https://goodnewsmag.org/2018/05/seeing-the-future/

A Second Rise of Methodism

https://goodnewsmag.org/2018/05/a-second-rise-of-methodism/

United Methodists Form Wesleyan-Covenant Association

https://goodnewsmag.org/2016/06/united-methodists-form-wesleyan-covenant-association-3/

United Methodist Church News

The Judicial Council has ruled in favor of allowing other petitions besides the one the liberal bishops were pushing. We need to pray for the Lord to guide people in writing petitions that will bring about His will for the church. Petitions are due on July 8th. We pray for God to help those writing them to follow His will, and get them in on time. 

Bible Emergency Numbers

Spiritual Growth

When we accept Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit lives within us and begins the process of making us more like Him. This is Spiritual growth.

2 Peter 1:3-8

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This verse is telling us that with God's power we have everything we need to live lives of godliness, which is the goal of spiritual growth. What we need comes through our knowledge of Him. This knowledge of Him comes from the Bible.

Galatians 5:19-23

Acts of the flesh that identified our lives before we came to Christ:

"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." We need to confess and repent these acts and God will help us overcome them. As we experience spiritual growth, fewer and fewer of these acts of the flesh will be evident in our lives.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."As spiritual growth occurs, the fruit of the Spirit becomes increasingly evident in our lives. The Holy Spirit dwells within us as salvation takes place. The old, sinful nature begins to give way to the new, Christlike nature. Spiritual growth is a lifelong process that depends on our study and application of God's Word.

We should pray for God to increase our faith and knowledge of Him.

John 14:16-17

2 Corinthians 6-7

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Galatians 5: 16-26

Turning Conversations to Christ

I recently read an article by Rebecca Manley Pippert about how to turn conversations to Christ. Her answer was amazingly simple and powerful. It's simply to ask good questions!

In a recent Bible Study, we learned about how many questions Jesus asks in the New Testament. I've forgotten the exact number, but the main idea was that Jesus asked questions and told stories. Just Google "Jesus teaching with questions" and you will come up with some wonderful articles. In one of those articles  Eric von Atzigen compiled a list of 135 Jesus questions.

People often resort to preaching sermons when trying to witness to others. Of course, Jesus was the master communicator and our model for living. So why not ask questions like the Master Teacher? 

Questions are effective because they can be used in a non-threatening way, they often evoke a response which is a brilliant way to communicate and let people know that we are interested in them and want to get to know them.

The Concentric Circle Model is good tool to use when you wish to turn a conversation to Christ. Begin with general interest questions about their family, job or where they're from. Then move to specific interest questions about their area of interest. Next ask issue questions that cause them to reflect on what they believe. Then you can ask a spiritual question.

So instead of busting out with a sermon, spend some time getting to know a person, showing genuine interest establishes a relationship with them. Then you can discuss spiritual matters. I love the question approach and as a teacher who was taught to ask questions while teaching, I can't believe I didn't think of this before!