My sister sent me an email with a link to a You Tube video of Oprah's new "religion".
I have heard about this stuff she is doing now, but I have ignored her for so long that I didn't pay much attention. But two quotes from this guy stood out to me. He quoted Christ who said, "You are the light of the world" but he neglected the rest of that quote. Here it is from Matt. 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
In other words, the point of the statement isn't to lift us up or promote our status as "lights". It is to tell us that the way we act as "light" is a reflection of our Father (that would be God) and that those who see our "light" would then praise Him
Additionally, regarding life after death he, in his own words, "doesn't give it any thought". It appears he likes to pick and choose his sayings of Jesus, because Jesus gave a lot of thought and teaching about life after death. Including his admonition to us in Luke 12:4-5 - "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
This guy is one of those that will deceive many with a false religion and a false sense of security. If you wish to see the video clip I am referencing from you can watch it below. P.S. If the harpy reference above bothers you, please understand that I used it deliberately because it is appropriate and catchy. One of the definitions of a harpy is snatcher. Oprah is attempting to snatch away people who might believe in Christ as Savior and convince them that he is just this guy you know.
Friday, April 04, 2008
More Than Bread Devotional 4/4/08
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Life is full of changes. Things that we thought would always last may be gone tomorrow. But there is one thing we can count on to always stay the same; Jesus Christ. His love never changes and He is always there for us. The writer in Hebrews was telling us that Jesus will do the same things for us in our life of faith that He did for all of those who came before us in the faith. He is our Solid Rock when all around us is sinking sand. Lean on Him today, and tomorrow, and the next day.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Life is full of changes. Things that we thought would always last may be gone tomorrow. But there is one thing we can count on to always stay the same; Jesus Christ. His love never changes and He is always there for us. The writer in Hebrews was telling us that Jesus will do the same things for us in our life of faith that He did for all of those who came before us in the faith. He is our Solid Rock when all around us is sinking sand. Lean on Him today, and tomorrow, and the next day.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
More Than Bread Devotional 4/3/08
Matthew 12:50
"For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
I was talking with a girl at AWANA about the fact that she was my sister in Christ. She is nine and had a hard time getting her mind around the concept judging from the reaction I got. But we had a good talk about it. This statement from Jesus is a plain truth for us. We who confess His name and do His will are brothers and sisters of Christ and of each other. This is a great comfort when we may be far away from our flesh and blood family. We are never far away from the family of God. And that family links us all together, no matter where we go.
"For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
I was talking with a girl at AWANA about the fact that she was my sister in Christ. She is nine and had a hard time getting her mind around the concept judging from the reaction I got. But we had a good talk about it. This statement from Jesus is a plain truth for us. We who confess His name and do His will are brothers and sisters of Christ and of each other. This is a great comfort when we may be far away from our flesh and blood family. We are never far away from the family of God. And that family links us all together, no matter where we go.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
More Than Bread Devotional 4/2/08
Jeremiah 15:19
19 Therefore this is what the LORD says:
"If you repent, I will restore you
that you may serve me;
if you utter worthy, not worthless, words,
you will be my spokesman.
Let this people turn to you,
but you must not turn to them.
We have a duty as believers to speak the truth and to walk worthy of our calling. Jeremiah was struggling here with the difficulty of standing for the truth when all others around him did what they pleased. I think the word here from the Lord applies to us in our day and time as well. We cannot change our message to what people want to hear. We must continue to speak worthy of the Lord and His message and allow people to turn to Him.
19 Therefore this is what the LORD says:
"If you repent, I will restore you
that you may serve me;
if you utter worthy, not worthless, words,
you will be my spokesman.
Let this people turn to you,
but you must not turn to them.
We have a duty as believers to speak the truth and to walk worthy of our calling. Jeremiah was struggling here with the difficulty of standing for the truth when all others around him did what they pleased. I think the word here from the Lord applies to us in our day and time as well. We cannot change our message to what people want to hear. We must continue to speak worthy of the Lord and His message and allow people to turn to Him.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
More Than Bread Devotional 4/1/08
Psalm 137:8-9
8 O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction,
happy is he who repays you
for what you have done to us-
9 he who seizes your infants
and dashes them against the rocks.
Have you ever gotten really angry over something? You know that it is wrong but you just can't seem to help yourself. I think it helps if we express that anger by telling God how we feel. I am not suggesting taking your anger out on Him. I am saying that you should share your thoughts out loud with Him in prayer. Sure He already knows what you are thinking, but it can be good to just get it out sometimes. And it is certainly better than taking it out on someone unsuspecting. Here, the Psalmist is pouring out his anger and hurt. It is best to let it go. After all, sometimes there just aren't enough rocks. : )
8 O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction,
happy is he who repays you
for what you have done to us-
9 he who seizes your infants
and dashes them against the rocks.
Have you ever gotten really angry over something? You know that it is wrong but you just can't seem to help yourself. I think it helps if we express that anger by telling God how we feel. I am not suggesting taking your anger out on Him. I am saying that you should share your thoughts out loud with Him in prayer. Sure He already knows what you are thinking, but it can be good to just get it out sometimes. And it is certainly better than taking it out on someone unsuspecting. Here, the Psalmist is pouring out his anger and hurt. It is best to let it go. After all, sometimes there just aren't enough rocks. : )
Monday, March 31, 2008
More Than Bread Devotional 3/31/08
Acts 20:36-38
36 When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. 37 They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. 38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
I always thought that Paul has gotten a bit of a bad rap sometimes. A lot of people, particularly those who are not Christians think of him as a harsh, judgmental kind of guy. But there are some real heartwarming and affectionate glimpses of Paul in his life. This scene as he leaves Ephesus is a good picture of that. Wherever he went, the people he served grew to love him very much. And really that should be the case for all of us. While it is impossible to please everyone or be liked by everyone, it is still our goal to live peacefully with all. We should always be developing those relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ that will bridge the gap and hold us together, no matter where we go.
36 When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. 37 They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. 38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
I always thought that Paul has gotten a bit of a bad rap sometimes. A lot of people, particularly those who are not Christians think of him as a harsh, judgmental kind of guy. But there are some real heartwarming and affectionate glimpses of Paul in his life. This scene as he leaves Ephesus is a good picture of that. Wherever he went, the people he served grew to love him very much. And really that should be the case for all of us. While it is impossible to please everyone or be liked by everyone, it is still our goal to live peacefully with all. We should always be developing those relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ that will bridge the gap and hold us together, no matter where we go.
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