Things Christians Say...(That Are Demonically Inspired) Part 2 of 5

Here we are at "part two". In part one we discussed that there are many things well intentioned Christians say that are actually demonically inspired. This will be a continuation of that blog.

Social media has become a huge part of our lives. We "like" this, "share" that, have "tweets" and "grams". Need a job? Get on "LinkedIn". Want to show the world what you can do? Get an account at Pinterest! Always wanted to be a star? Get your very own channel and become popular on Youtube. Social media effects us all and it's no wonder. With social media, it opens up doors to worlds you probably never have the money to travel to. It lets you meet people that you never would have seen before.

So, if this is the case, then why do many Christians say "Stop preaching on social media" or "Stop being a Facebook preacher!"? I even witnessed a conversation where someone compared what they were doing in ministry, deeming it better than someone else because at least he was out preaching instead of preaching on Facebook. Talk about pride!

Let's look at scripture....

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:18-20

Christ gave the mandate to go and make disciples...of all the nations. I do not want to take liberty with scripture, but really - how awesome is social media? We can literally make disciples of ALL nations. If you are connected in such a way, you have the ability to touch someone with the gospel all the way in Zimbabwe right from the comfort of North Dakota. There is the ability to meet people and have bible studies, prayer, ask questions all through social media - you can teach people to observe the commands and follow the Spirit of Yah all through social media!

Next, let us not forget, Paul didn't go everywhere when he taught, rebuked, or encouraged. Much of our New Testament is written by Paul, and many of those are letters to the churches. Now, Paul didn't have social media in his day, but, a letter to preach the gospel is the same thing. He was not "face to face" with people, on the street corners, or in the synagogue and he still was effective in his ministry in the Lord.

Imagine Paul scribblin away

To look down on someone for sharing through a tool what they have learned from the Spirit of Yah is prideful. It is to say "your way isn't better than mine". Who are we to try and control/move the hand of the Spirit leading that person? If that person is teaching under the influence of the Spirit, who are we to scoff? If that is the platform He has given, who are we to trample on it? Our mandate is to make disciples, teach people about Christ and His redemptive power. Who cares how it's done so long that it is done?

Now granted, many people try to stifle the truth on social media because they are in sin, and sin hates the light. But if you are a believer, you are to love the truth/light no matter where it is found or who gives it - less you fall into darkness.

...that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. - 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10

So, the next time you see a brother or sister in Christ "preaching" and sharing Truth on social media and you find yourself scoffing or comparing - stop - and check yourself. They are hopefully following the Spirit and it would do good to listen.. For only the devil and his children would scoff and want to hinder the truth from going forward...

40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are doing the works your father did.”..44"You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45"But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me.… - John 8:40-41,44-45

Think about it....

What I've Learned Today: Homeschooling Works!, Let Dead Things Stay Dead, Be the Voice of Reason

My husband and I embarked on this homeschooling journey this year. I often look around at posts on Facebook to get ideas, but more than I like, run across questions that just baffle me. I read about people wondering how to handle family members that don't "accept" their decision to homeschool, people feeling anxiety that they can't teach their child, people trying to find the "next best" homeschool curriculum, and people wondering even after years of doing this, if this was the right decision.

I thank God, that I didn't have this problem. I had a supportive husband, family, and friends. I knew that this was going to be a great decision because I prayed about it and got confirmation more than once. After research, I knew how I wanted to run "my school" and what I wanted my children to learn. And we've been having a great time learning since. Sure, there are things I would like to do better - find more "outside" learning activities that introduce my children to the world they live in...for FREE or low cost lol - but all in all, I am loving this journey God put me on.

I sometimes wonder why has this been so easy for me. I think much of it is because I put my faith in what I know to be true. And those things are this:

1. It is my husband's and my responsibility to train our children. 

Proverbs 22:6 (KJV) 

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

I get to teach them what matters most to us as well as give them a well rounded education. I get to guide them in exploring things that interest them. I get to influence them and their decision making - not someone else who only knows my children for about 7 hours a day, and not other children that may have different worldviews and upbringing than my children.

2. God has equipped me for this service.

2 Timothy 2:24 (NLT) 

A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.

Think about it. We teach our children everyday, and sometimes can be some of the most difficult people we come across in a 24 hour span. And, sure, our teaching may not be institutional teaching, but we teach our children how to follow directions, how to read, how to dial a phone, how to do daily living. And not once do we really worry about if we are "doing" it right. We trust that we are raising and teaching our children in the best way we know how. Yes, there are some parents that haven't gotten very far in their education and some "concepts" may be hard to understand. Some parents may have a very skewed moral compass. But, for the most part all of us have the ability to teach - good or bad. The bonus is when we have a pure heart and can also teach skills as well as godly character! So, yes, God has equipped me for service to our children.

So, if you are thinking about homeschooling, if it has ever crossed your mind and you've talked yourself out of it because you think you can't "do it", I challenge you to kill the negative talk. Take inventory of what you know to teach, and discover with your child what you know you don't know! Grow together with them...this homeschool thing really works! And just like the gospel of Christ, it's not as hard as people make it out to be.

What I've Learned Today: Think of homeschooling as living, exploring, and discovery - it's what you do everyday.


Don't Return To What's Dead 

I learned from an experience I had today - well, yesterday. And it reminded me of the story of Sampson. I know many of us may have heard of this extraordinary biblical man. He was a man of great strength, also a man of pride and disobedience which also became his downfall. He was a man who was born to be set apart from the rest. God had given his parents special instructions in how to raise him and a set of rules he was to follow to stay pure. As Samson grew older, he defied those rules the Lord gave him. One such rule was to not touch anything dead. Well, as it is written, one day, Samson defeated a lion. Completely killed it. After killing it, he went on his way. Eventually, Samson returns the same route he left and he sees the carcass of the lion, but this time, a colony of honeybees set up shop in the lion. Instead of Samson following his instructions of not touching anything dead, he saw the honey was good to eat, and returned to the dead lion and defiled himself.

There is a strong parable here that I have to point out really quick that goes hand in hand with what I learned today. God calls His children to be like Samson - set apart. When we chose to live by His rules and instructions, He gives us power. It may not be physical strength, but there's power that He gives to equip us to walk in His way and do His works, as well as live holy before Him. He gives us the power to kill situations that are before us so that we can walk on without fear and live in victory. But while He gives us clear instructions, He also gives us freedom of choice. Samson could have chose a different route. We too, once we kill something that prevented us from walking closer to God can choose a different route so not to come back in contact with that "something". When we choose to be like Samson and return to what is dead because it's enticing (that relationship, that argument, the street life, that friendship etc), we defile ourselves before Him. So is the situation that I encountered and learned from yesterday.

taken from Artist Alexandra Beguez
http://www.alexandrabeguez.com/SAMSON

What I learned today: If He gave you the power to kill it, don't touch it! Chiiiile, let that thang stay dead! The honey is not that sweet....believe Him.

Voice of Reason

My children and I are learning about wisdom this month. I taught them that wisdom is totally different than intelligence and knowledge. Wisdom is the application of what you know. Sometimes not everyone uses wisdom because not everyone has the knowledge to do so. And sometimes that might not be because they haven't studied something, but because they are emotionally blind and can't access the knowledge so that they can use the wisdom. For example, if person A is in an argument and person B comes to their defense - person B could be emotionally blind, not access or gain knowledge of the full situation, or make good knowledgeable decision making, and therefore can't use wisdom to help the person or defuse the altercation appropriately. This can cause more harm than good. IF WE ARE IN CHRIST, we must always remember to be the peacemakers He has called us to be IF you can help in the situation. If not, just hold your peace and pray.

What I learned today: Use wisdom to help bring truth and peace - don't be a pot stirrer.

GN!!