Beware of False Prophets

I just recently watched the movie Avengers this week, as it was released on Blu-Ray.  I admit, I didn't get to watch it on the big screen this summer, so I was a bit behind the general public.  This movie was well worth the wait!  As I watched it, I saw so many good lessons to learn.  Today, I want to discuss the power and lure of false prophets.  Loki, brother of Thor (Norse god of thunder), came to earth with the intention of ruling the world we know.  He used a scepter of power that could turn men's hearts and mind to his will.  Men like Dr. Selvig and Barton were lured by Loki's scepter (and Loki).  

Evil prophets are not limited to fictional movies and books.  Our history can remember very powerful men who claimed deity and ultimate power.  Our Bible warned us even in Jesus's day; indeed, even in the days of Adam and Eve, that there were evil men.  Today, they walk among us.  Consider the words of Peter in his letter, "But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there are false teachers among you." (2Peter 2:1a NLT)  

How can we know who is real and who is a false prophet?  Jude tell us how to recognize them, "These people - who claim authority from their dreams - live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings.  These people scoff at things they do not understand.  Like unthinking animals, they do whatever their instincts tell them, and so bring about their own destruction." (Jude 8,10)

How will we know how to defeat them when they are among us?  Jude also tells us what to do, "But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life.  In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God's love." (Jude 20-21)

Do you remember the scene in the movie when Natasha (aka Black Widow) encountered a deceived Barton (aka Hawkeye)? If you don't remember, picture how she knocked some sense into him (literally!)  Did you know that is exactly what we are to do for each other when we are deceived?  Consider more advice from Jude, "And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering.  Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgement.  Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives." (Jude 22-23)

We know false prophets exist, and that they walk among us.  Stay alert, mindful of the truth that comes from the Word, and rescue others who are or begin to be deceived.  Be like the Avengers and save the world from the evil ones.

Great Power, Great Responsibility

"With great power comes great responsibility"

Who doesn't love Spiderman?  The story is a familiar one; one that gets told in a variety of ways.  Little geeky guy who loves justice, but can't seem to get a break, gets a gifting that renders him exceptional.  Little geeky guy suddenly is able to do many things he couldn't do before, but now faces temptation to succumb to worldly treasures he didn't have access to.  Little geeky guy makes a choice to use his power to serve justice, at the expense of those worldly treasures.

Spiderman gave up his worldly dream of love with his friend, Mary Jane.  In this version, you hear that familiar line, "With great power comes great responsibility," as he walks away from her (to protect her).  I think this way of illustrating responsibility really hits home.  He was willing to walk away from her, to let her move on, to help her be safe and protected, but at great personal pain.

Paul writes about the gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12-14.  Paul declares that there are different gifts given by the Spirit, and that we should use our gifts to help each other.  What is really neat is that he takes the time to really emphasize love as he discusses the gifts.  We need love to be able to use the gifts that were given to us by the Spirit.  If we don't have love, we are nothing.  Our gifts would be useless.  We have a responsibility to love others.  Really love them.

"Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." (1Corinthians 13:7 NLT)

Struggling to Find Balance

Star Trek: The Original Series (TOS) first aired 46 years ago Friday.  I've been a fan of the various series that have been part of the franchise since I was a little girl.  Of the characters of TOS, my favorite is Mr. Spock.

Spock is a being who cherishes logic and order, and does not always appreciate emotions.  Half-human, half-Vulcan, he struggles to bring balance to his world.  His character is the one I can most identify with.  Like Spock, I really like things in a orderly way, and when problems are laid out in an orderly manner, I can usually find a solution.  When things are highly charged with emotions and chaos, I am not as functional.  Spock had a deeply seated emotional center, and struggled to keep his emotions hidden.  I do this too.  Some days I even wonder if I even have emotions.  However, on the days I am faced with multiple illogical problems, I find that emotions can overwhelm me.

I find solace in Jesus Christ, who died once and rose again to save us.  I am able to see the logic of the gospel message, and from there, see the emotions of what the ultimate sacrifice was for me. Daily prayer and reading keeps me centered on the things that are important.  This has become a needed ritual for me.  This could be the answer for you, if you find yourself becoming "illogical."

"So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.  There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." ~Hebrews 4:16 NLT

Spiritual Drought?

As weather conditions in my part of the United States continue to deteriorate into record drought conditions, more and more people are talking about the need for rain.  Rain is essential to the growth of our crops.  Rain is needed for our replenishment of water sources for home and industrial uses.  Rain is what we all are praying for.  These current conditions led me to reflect on a people from a desert planet in the self-titled movie, Dune.  The people had adapted to the harsh living conditions, conserving all available water, including their own body fluids.  They learned to live in the dry conditions, but they never lost hope for their messiah, who would bring rain to their desert planet.

I have started to compare the drought conditions of the weather outside to my spiritual condition.  During the spring season, I experienced a great spiritual growth, with a constant watering from the Lord that renewed continual growth.  But, now in the later summer season, that watering seems to have disappeared.  Where is my lord, I wondered?  I pray for rain, but none comes.  This is a dangerous place to be.  I am obedient, but I lack hope.

I think I will go back to the psalms and the prophesies of promises, as the people in the movie did.  There are many words in the Bible that point to times of dryness, but promises hope for believers in the end.  I cannot stop praying to my God who supplies all my needs.  I cannot stop walking toward Him, for to stop walking in the desert means a sure death without water and without hope.

It will rain again.  In the meantime, I will read, pray and hope.

"O God, when you led your people out from Egypt,

When you marched through the dry wasteland,

The earth trembled, and the heavens poured down rain

Before you, the God of Sinai,

Before God, the God of Israel.

You sent abundant rain, O God, to refresh the weary land." 

(Psalm 68: 7-9 NLT)

Sacrifices for Love

I just finished up the three book series of Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.  I admit, I didn't rush right out to see the movie when it came out, but am now eagerly awaiting the release on Blu-Ray.  I highly recommend the book series, and if you like that one, then also read Suzanne's Gregor the Overlander series.  She creates such believable unlikely heroes that compel you root for their successes.

This is not a story about successes, though.  This is a story about sacrificial love.  Katness Everdeen is a young girl put into the role of caretaker of her young sister, Prim and her fragile mother.  She hunts for them, provides food for them, and is the overall protecter, since her father died in a mining accident.  She lives in a world of post apocalypse, a world of ruthless oppression by a dictatorship.

Part of the dictatorship requires 24 child gladiators, two from each region, to participate in fights to the death of all but one.  Gladiators are selected by lottery.  It is a sentence of death for those selected.

Prim was selected.  Katniss is horrified and rushed to volunteer to go in her place.  This is sure death for Katniss.  This death will be full of pain, humiliation, and agony.  It would not be quick.

In the Bible, Christ understood what he had to do to pay the penalty for our sins.  He did not want to die in that manner, but he understood that was the only way to save us.  He had to take our place.  He had to die in a manner of beatings, pain, humiliation and agony.  Only in this way are we free from our own burdens of sin.  Christ would only do that in his great love for us.

I know many people would say they would die for another.  However, I wonder if the death included days of beatings, pain, humiliation and agony, would we be so eager?  I can hardly stand to watch or read about the kinds of torture that takes place in our world today.  Would I be able to endure that to save the ones I love?

Would you?

He was beaten, he was tortured, but he didn't say a word.  Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered and like a sheep being sheered, he took it all in silence.  Justice miscarried, and he was led off -- and did anyone really know what was happening? He died without a thought for his own welfare, beaten bloody for the sins of my people.  They buried him with the wicked, threw him in a grave with a rich man, even though he'd never hurt a soul or said one word that wasn't true.  (Isaiah 53:7-9 MSG)

Are you Hiding?

Who was the real hero of Gotham?

I was able to watch the latest Batman movie on the opening weekend.  As I watched it, I was compelled by the characters that surrounded the title hero.  I loved the way Alfred goads his employer to be better.  I was compelled by the rise of another moral police officer.  I even enjoyed watching Catwoman struggle between doing the right thing and doing the selfish thing.  The Batman character was well done, but for some reason, I couldn't identify with him.

I found myself instead focusing on the humanness of the character of Commissioner Gordon.  I pained with him in his longtime coverup of what really happened.  Of his compulsion to allow Truth to emerge.  Of his decision to allow personal pain continue for the greater good.  What really compelled me into his character was his continued resolution to justice.  He was always concerned about the citizens of Gotham.  He continued to work even in the dark days of snow, when all hope was lost.  And in his weakness, he was able to save Gotham.

How can someone so weak become someone so important?  He was able to motivate others to fight with him.  He found them hiding, and compelled them to come out and stand with him.  He would not hide.  His actions remind me of the events on 9-11 and what must have taken place on the fourth plane. These people stood together and fought.  They effected change for the greater good.  We need to live our lives championing for the rights of one another.  We cannot afford to run away and hide.  We will not tolerate the bullying of others.  We will stand together to fight.

If you are a believer in Christ, but you are afraid to speak about Him, or to live your life out loud for Him, then you are hiding.  Find others.  Stand together and fight for the lives of the lost.  They need you.

"Meanwhile, live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ.  Stand united, singular in vision, contending for people's trust in the Message, the good news, not flinching or dodging in the slightest before the opposition.  Your courage and unity will show them what they're up against: defeat for them, victory for you -- and both because of God."  (Philippians 1:27-28 MSG)

What is the Stuff You're Made Of?

The First Avenger

The Captain America story is one of my favorites.  Here is a synopsis in case you haven't seen it.  A scientist develops a formula that enhances all the qualities a person already has inside.  The formula will turn a good man into a great man, but it also turns a bad man into an evil man.  This scientist was forced to give the formula to a man already known as evil and somewhat mad.  The result was a villain known as the Red Skull.




The Red Skull terrorized the people of Europe in the dark days.  The scientist needed to find just the right man to defeat him.  The man who has intensive loyalty, goodness and bravery.

He found that man in 90 pound Steve Rogers.  Steve possessed a tremendous desire to protect others from bullies.  He could not stand the idea of others like him getting kicked around.  He would die to save others without hesitation.  The scientist administered the formula.  Steve transformed into a great superhero known as Captain America.

Captain America continues Steve's great traits of loyalty, bravery and goodness.  He uses his enhanced traits to save many men from the evil ones.  I find myself wondering if I was given the formula, what would be enhanced?  Would the formula enhance my good traits or my hidden bad traits?  Would I be good for the world or would I harm the world?

I have to admit to myself, my enhanced traits would not be pretty if I did not have the Spirit of God dwelling in me.  My sin nature is proud, selfish, willful and rebellious.  I am unable to love others in this sinful state.  God has transformed me into a person that can love (with his help).  I can be a person who gives humbly, but only with his help.  Bottom line, I can only be good in Christ.  No formula will do it, since my natural state is not good.

"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." (John 13:35 NLT)
"This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.  There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends." (John 15:12-13 NLT)