Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Oprah - Deceiving a nation.

"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

For a very long time I have been saddened that Oprah Winfrey, whom I believe has a call from God on her life, has fallen prey to the deception of false teachers and their teachings. Being as powerful and famous as she is, it shouldn't surprise us that she has been swayed by the world and all that the world thinks it has to offer.

From her daily TV program, film company, a magazine, an XM radio station, and now her own TV network, she is able to literally reach nearly every person in the world, 24 hours a day, and teach the masses the deception that she has come to believe. Sadly, many believers in Christ Jesus are faithful watchers of her show and truly think she is doing a great service to the world.
Believers need to wake up and start repenting and praying for God to open our eyes to what is happening around us, and give us the strength to love as He loves.

One of her most important messages is the daily program that she promotes on her website called "A Course in Miracles" with Marianne Williamson. Here are some of the things this course teaches: (Excerpt from author Warren Smith http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/007/smith-oprah.htm )

* There is no sin. . . "
* A slain Christ has no meaning.
* The journey to the cross should be the last useless journey.
* Do not make the pathetic error of clinging to the old rugged cross.
* The Name of Jesus Christ as such is but a symbol... It is a symbol that is safely used as a replacement for the many names of all the gods to which you pray.
* God is in everything I see.
* The recognition of God is the recognition of yourself.
* The oneness of the Creator and the creation is your wholeness, your sanity and your limitless power.
* The Atonement is the final lesson he [man] need learn, for it teaches him that, never having sinned, he has no need of salvation.

As believers in Jesus and believers in the Scriptures, is this from God? Is this what the world needs to know and come to believe? Satan has come like an angel of light and the masses have fallen prey to years of subtle deception, but now, it's not that subtle anymore.

I am personally not against Oprah! But the purpose of this post is to encourage you to be aware of what you allow in your heart and mind and become diligent in praying for Oprah and the many who are deceived by the father of lies. Pray that she will use the platform that God has given her for the purpose of GOD'S KINGDOM. Oprah grew up in the church and has heard the Good News. I believe she accepted that Good News but now has been misguided and is in need of a divine appointment and anointing from God.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Grace

"For to you it is graciously granted for Christ's sake, not only to be believing on Him, but to be suffering for His sake also." Philippians 1:29

For many years now we have heard teachings that promote prosperity. Promoted by the idea that when you follow certain doctrines you will be blessed with health and wealth and because of your beliefs...you actually deserve it and have earned it.

I really have never understood how so many have fallen into believing such a lie when all of us can read scriptures for ourselves. We see that from the beginning those who follow God will be persecuted and will deal with suffering. And as Paul puts it...graciously suffer for Christ's sake!

That doesn't mean all believers will walk around in rags, are sick, and have nothing...but God graciously allows suffering to believers to bring us to a maturity in graciously knowing the suffering that Christ endured for us. This suffering teaches us and helps us to remain focused on Jesus instead of ourselves. Paul also reminds us in Romans 5:

"We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope doesn't disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us."

The time is coming soon when we will see this world turn upside down. Disaster will come to this land, the whole world, and the doctrine of prosperity will fade from our hearts and minds. We will graciously be granted to not only believe in Christ and the power of resurrection, but we will graciously be granted to suffer for His sake.

It's hard to rejoice when we are going through trials and tribulations. But I pray that all of us will learn and know that God is in control and His purpose, His Will, will be done in our lives and in this world. That is something to rejoice about! We may not see how things can work out in our sufferings...how it could be good, but God knows.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Bring glory to God

"Stay away from sexual sins. Other sins that people commit don't affect their bodies in the same way sexual sins do. People who sin sexually sin against their own bodies. Don't you know that your body is a temple that belongs to the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit, whom you have received from God, lives in you. You don't belong to yourselves. You were bought for a price. So bring glory to God in the way you use your body." I Corinthians 6:18-20

In our age we have become such a perverted people. It's all around us. Turn the TV on, open the pages of a magazine, listen to the radio, get on the internet, or just walk around a busy shopping mall. Sexuality is the order of the day and we can't run or hide from it. It surrounds us and captivates us like nothing else in our society. It makes it hard to live a holy and pure life.

Let's be honest. We all struggle with it. Men probably more than women, but now I'm not so sure. I think the media has created a mindset in women that teaches them from a very young age, that sex is the way to gain power and to completely satisfy ones desire to serve self.

But...and that's a big but, the younger generation has much more sense than that! They are realizing that there is more to life than serving ones self. No not all kids think this way, but God is raising up a generation that is seeing there is more to life and this life starts and ends with Jesus. I am excited about our young people. I have witnessed (even this day!!) how God is moving in them and bringing them to a place that previous generations only received a small portion of His mighty power in their lives. They are wanting and desiring to be pure and holy and are coming against the evil in this world. Praise God for His mercy and grace!

For us older ones...we need to repent and be holy. We need to be pure and immersed with the Holy Spirit and not allow this wickedness into our homes, our businesses, the church, and our lives anymore. We need a cleansing from God that will empower us to stand strong against the schemes of satan.

Be pure as He is pure. Be holy as He is holy. Run from wickedness and run to Jesus! Jesus is coming soon and we must be ready. Look up and know He is God.