"Beware of false prophets"

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits."

Our church has been going through the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) for over five months now. Three weeks ago Pastor Voddie preached through this particular passage. After he was done, I had a new definition of false prophets, how to identify them, and what to do about them.

I used to think false prophets were pretty easy to spot (Jim Jones, who I will mention later, Adolph Hitler, and Saddam Hussein come to mind) and any believer pretty much ignored them for the most part. However, Jesus identifies that there are false prophets and they're not always so easy to spot. He told us to look carefully, because they are often disguised, and beware.

Pastor Voddie made two points about why, in our culture today, it's hard to identify and judge false prophets. First, because of Biblical and theological illiteracy. Second, of the prevalence of syncronism ("Why can't we all just get along?"). Our culture has conditioned us to be tolerant, "not judge", "get along", and that truth is not absolute but relative. Jesus, on the contrary, told us to beware and not "just get along". Titus 1:9 states that elders of the church are to know and teach sound doctrine and to rebuke those who contradict it. That's a command!

Recognizing false prophets is fairly simple; they will bear bad fruit: bad teaching and bad living. Jesus tells us to examine the fruit. Our test of examination for anything is, "does this line up with God's word?" (Heb. 1:1-3, 1 John 4:1-3, Acts 17:10-11). We must expose false prophets for who they are (Eph. 5:6-14; Jude 1:3-4).

I watched the end of a PBS special on Jonestown: The Life and Death of People's Temple. As I watched and listened, I was amazed and saddened by what had happened in 1978. I had never previously heard of Jim Jones or People's Temple and so it shocked me to hear how many people committed suicide in the name of Jim Jones. Nine hundred and eighteen people died on the command of one man. One false prophet. He was a known Marxist and communist yet he was pastor of a church. These people heard what he preached and never thought to test what they had heard.

Finally, remember that we are not above being tricked and deceived by false prophets. We need to be aware and careful of that danger. Develop the habit of testing what you hear; trust the Word. Test what you hear by God's truth.

In Christ,

Micaela

San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival

My family and I had the privilege of being a part of the 2009 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival a few weeks ago. The days were filled with watching many films, listening to lectures, and seeing awards won. Out of all the films I watched, some of my favorites were The Secrets Of Jonathan Sperry, The Widow's Might, Binding Faith, and Fireproof. I loved watching these well-made films that were Biblical in content without being " too cheesy", as my sister puts it :).
It was interesting to hear the comments after a film ended; some were wondering what courtship was or why Biblical Manhood matters so much or why does it matter what films we watch. My favorite workshop was by Mr. Geoff Botkin on "How To Analyze A Hollywood Film". I would tell you about that right now but it would probably take up a whole other post to do justice to it. And so I will write about it later :).

The Festival was probably my highlight of the year. Yes, I enjoyed it that much! It was a wonderful time to be encouraged by Christian filmmakers, learn from and with them, and commend them. Even better was knowing that these films are making an impact on people. Not just Christians recognized the Festival this year but it was told about and read about all across the nation. Two of the films entered in the Festival, Fireproof and The Secrets Of Jonathan Sperry, are either just out of theaters and now on DVD or going to be in theaters soon.

I cannot even begin to tell you about the exciting opportunity and wonderful time it was at the Festival; it was just that great! Which means, you will have to attend next time. My family and I are planning to go to the Academy and Festival next time and I hope to see you there!


In Christ,
Micaela

A Thanksgiving Message...

From our first president of the United States: George Washington.

Well, as most of you know, you never stop learning (even when you turn 18), and when this was sent to my family I was slightly embarrassed that I had never read it before. But I love history, learning and reading about it is always a fun and interesting way to spend my time. So here is my most recent discovery of our nations history:

Thanksgiving ProclamationCity of New York, October 3, 1789
WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:" NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us. And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best. GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

Here is the most recent Thanksgiving message. I thought it was interesting to compare content.