Can You Be Duped?

In today's world it has become increasingly difficult to discern between truth and lies.  This was brought into sharp focus for me by a TED talk posted on Facebook recently.  (I will post the link to it at the end of this blog.) It shows how easy it is to be fooled, (read deceived), by the technology that is now available.  This technology can generate lifelike images of real people and put words on their lips that they have never said.  The creator of this technology is so concerned about its possible misuse that he is in process of developing a platform that will discern between real and fake that he hopes will be made available to the public in the future.

This should raise huge red flags for us.  We tend to believe whatever the media puts before us with whatever slant they want to put on it.  It can depend upon which news we watch and the political leanings of that particular channel.  We are probably aware of propaganda which is used in countries such as China and North Korea to mention just two, but are we aware that we can too easily be influenced by subtle twists in our so-called 'free' countries?  'Fake news' has become a new buzz word since Donald Trump coined it.  We tend to laugh that off, but I am becoming increasingly cautious about just 'writing off' such claims as ridiculous.  The media can slant things by only telling the part of a story that fits their purposes.

If we are to be serious about knowing truth we need to dig deeper and listen to people who bring another perspective. Unfortunately some of those who desire to seek out the truth and publish it are being shut down on some platforms in the USA - YouTube and other media outlets.  Interesting!  

I am not saying that we should believe everything that is said 'behind the news' either.  But we need to hear both sides in order to make a truly informed opinion.  Sometimes we need to just hold both loosely and wait and see.  

How can we guard against being deceived?  Two thousand years ago the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, his young protege, in 2 Timothy 3 about what would be happening in the last days and one of the things he said is  'But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.'  That infers that the deceivers will believe that they are speaking the truth.  Because they are convinced they are speaking truth people will believe them.  In 2 Timothy 3:13 Paul goes on to instruct Timothy on how to avoid being deceived......'But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.'

I believe that we are most certainly living in the last days; there are too many things converging which the Biblical prophets have spoken of for me to think otherwise.  If you want to know and understand truth you need to know the One who is the way, the truth and the life, Jesus Christ.  It was lies from seemingly righteous religious leaders that plagued his ministry and finally put him to death on a cross.  We live in far more subtly deceptive times than Timothy did.  How will you guard yourself?  If you choose to trust your own wisdom it will fail you.  Only the wisdom and truth found through in the Word of God and faith in Jesus Christ will keep you from being deceived.  It takes humility to admit the need for wisdom outside of ourself.  Are you up to it?

Prayer:  Holy and wise God, help me to seek your wisdom when faced with decisions to make,  and plant in me the desire to seek truth through relationship with Jesus Christ and through the understanding of your Word.  Amen

https://www.ted.com/talks/supasorn_suwajanakorn_fake_videos_of_real_people_and_how_to_spot_them?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare

The Great Gift Exchange

Christmas is over!  One of the news items on Boxing Day (apart from the sales), is how many unwanted gifts are put up for exchange on various internet sites!  An incredible number of gifts given yet unwanted and now up for grabs for the bargain hunters, and people hardly blink an eye at this.  Many of the gifts are expensive electronics pieces.  I'm sure the customer service counters at shops have also been busy handling exchanges.

It makes me think about why these gifts are unwanted.  We have all been in the position, I'm sure, of not knowing what to give.  Some people in our family are incredibly good gift buyers but I am not one of them.  I love to give but I am not observant enough to know what people need and like. Charity gifts have become a very practical and easy way out of that bind, while blessing the needy.  

Many people put a lot of thought into gift buying and others just 'throw money at it'.  The latter is probably where a lot of the unwanted gift syndrome occurs.  Also it's very difficult to buy a gift for someone who has everything.

This great gift exchange got me thinking about a different kind of exchange that God offers to those who will receive the greatest gift of all.....the Lord Jesus Christ.  It was a very costly gift but did not involve money.  It was a life laid down to bring reconciliation between sinful man and a perfect God.  Followers of Jesus are offered these things:

He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted

and to proclaim that captives will be released

and prisoners will be freed. 

He has sent me to tell those who mourn

that the time of the LORD’s favor has come, 

and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.

To all who mourn in Israel, 

he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,

a joyous blessing instead of mourning,

festive praise instead of despair.....

                                                                        Isaiah 61:1-3

That looks like a great exchange to me....

if  you have a broken heart you can find comfort in Jesus

if you feel you are caught in some kind of prison he 

offers you freedom

if grief has overtaken you he brings hope for a great future

for the ashes of disappointment he will give you beauty and peace

he can turn your mourning into praise.

Receiving the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ is the best gift you could ever receive, and if you have already done that make sure you walk in all the benefits that go with that gift. Leave behind all that is negative and destructive in your life as we say goodbye to 2018. Enter fully into the abundant (full to overflowing) life that he has promised you. 

Prayer:  Father God, thank you for the good things I have learnt this year, help me to remember them but please help me to let go of the things that hold me back from fully receiving the blessing of the abundant life you offer.  As I enter 2019 may I more truly receive all that you offer me.  I ask in the name of Jesus Christ who died to give me life. Amen

Chosen for A Great Event .....God's Way

Mary– a young girl, not noteworthy, except to God.....for her faith 

            and humility….

            Chosen to be the bearer of the Son of God.

Joseph–  neither learned nor a prince…a humble carpenter 

               Chosen to be the earthly father of the Son of God.

Elizabeth– a woman pregnant for the first time in old age.....
                   with the one who was to announce the Christ to 
                   the world...

                  Chosen to be the first to announce the unborn Child’s

                  destiny to His mother.

Bethlehem – a small, insignificant town in Judah…….  

                      Chosen to host the arrival of the Son of God.

A baby - helpless and dependant……

               Chosen to embody the God of the universe and 

               experience every facet of life as we do.

A stable -  not a palace, not even a simple room in an inn……

                  Chosen to be the birthplace of the Saviour of the 

                  world.

A manger – the feeding trough for animals……

                     Chosen to be the bed for the One who would feed 

                     thousands with his words and his miracles.

                   

Shepherds – simple men minding their flocks – not religious 

                      leaders…..

                      Chosen to be the first of mankind to see the 

                      Messiah.

Wise Men –from Gentile lands afar and of different faith– 

                    not priests  from the Holy Land.  

                     Chosen to bring prophetic gifts to this holy Child.

Prophets -  Simeon, an ordinary but devout and faithful man; 

                    Anna – an old praying widow.

                    Chosen to be the first to welcome the Saviour 
                    and Redeemer of the world to His holy temple.

Nazareth – an obscure town, we are told, out of which 

                    nothing great was expected.

                    Chosen as the hometown for Jesus Christ, 

                                            Son of God

                                                   King of Kings

                                                          Lord of Lords.

God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise.  And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful.  God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important; so that no one can ever boast in the presence of God.  

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (NLT)

Christmas Light

The city lights burn brightly

Bring a sparkle to the night

That, as I look around me

Cause pleasure and delight.

A starry night with moonlight

Is such beauty to behold

Creation speaks God’s glory

His wonders to unfold.

Yet one light so much brighter

Then these must now shine forth

As we prepare for Christmas

Thinking back to Jesus’ birth.

God sent His Son among us

Bringing light and life to man,

Breaking sin’s strong hold upon us

Was the Father’s loving plan.

Let Jesus be your light today

Shine deeply, search your heart.

May He find there a welcome place

Where darkness has no part.

May He help you be transparent 

A lamp to shine so bright,

Then Jesus will be glorified

As on that Christmas night.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:16

Be Still and Find Hope

Be still......now that is some challenge in our busy world, but it seems like a particularly impractical challenge in this season of the year that is often known as the 'silly season' because of the incredible frenzy of activity that people engage in leading up to Christmas.

I have been challenged about being still lately and I have to admit that when I take time to attempt to actually be still I am acutely away of the difficulty of doing it, even though my life is not frantic. When I am deliberately still I become aware of the lack of stillness in me, the jangling of the fibres of my being tell me that I need a whole lot more practice.  Why is it important?  You could take a few minutes to answer that question for yourself.  

Some call this 'being still' the practice of 'mindfulness' and it is being brought into schools to help children cope with life's challenges, of which there are many these days.  Mindfulness though, lacks a helpful focus. It is an attempt, I believe, to replace what Christian education used to give, and that is hope.

Our mental health statistics in this country are 'through the roof' and it is of great concern to our government.  So many people without hope of a future.  There is no hope when they listen to the news, and the scientists who tell us that time is running out for our world as we know it.  So where do we look?

My own challenge to be still has a focus, 'Be still and know that I am God.....' Psalm 46:10.  The mindfulness of meditating on God is powerful and brings great hope.  Children have been denied the knowledge of Jesus Christ, the One who can give them real hope and stability.  Most don't learn about God in their homes because their parents don't have a personal faith.  Now the schools deny entry to Christian instruction and we are seeing the results.  We just have to take a look at America, which calls itself a Christian country, to see what taking God out of schools does.  They did that many years ago and the results are tragic.  Kids have nothing to live for so they take the lives of others and kill themselves.....nothing to lose, or so they think.

To know the God who sent Jesus Christ to rescue us from hopelessness is to know the God of hope, the God of love, the God of peace, the God of all comfort, the God of mercy and the God of grace.  To deny that we need any or all of those things is foolishness.  Likewise, to deny that we need the God who created us in His image is also foolishness.  To do life your own way without God is sin.  Sin separates you from God, even if you are a most noble and good-living person.

God's word is full of hope which is sure and true.  My challenge to you today is "be still and know that He is God"; my prayer for you today is from Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer:  God of all hope, help me to be still and really know you.  Amen

Last Days?

We have all heard the saying "prophet of doom" regarding someone who speaks of events people don't want to know about, but have you also heard of the Doomsday Clock?  Yes, there is one. In 1947 (co-incidentally the year of my birth), it was established by an international group of of researchers called the Chicago Atomic Scientists. The clock was chosen to reflect the urgency of a problem: like a countdown, the clock suggests that destruction will naturally occur unless someone takes action to stop it.

It not only represents nuclear threat but other things such as climate change, bioterrorism and, interestingly, artificial intelligence.  In 1947 it was set at 7 minutes to midnight. During the intervening years it has been set forwards and backwards a number of times as scientists met to consider the current 'climate'.  In January this year it was set at 2 minutes to midnight which is a rather sobering thought.  

You may be wondering why I am writing about this, but I write as a warning; even scientists consider that we are living in the last days.  The Bible has quite a lot to say about the last days.  God's prophets have written for centuries about the last days.  I believe that these last days began when Jesus Christ was born in Jerusalem a bit over 2,000 years ago.  

I was stirred to write this as I read the Apostle Peter's two letters written to believers way back about AD68.  He wrote this "I am writing this......that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 2 Peter 3:2-4

It is certainly a long time since these things were written and the church speaks very little (for the most part), about time, as we know it, running out.  Probably because to do so usually stirs up the scoffers and that is uncomfortable.  Peter addresses the time issue with these words, "...do not forget that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years as one day." 2 Peter 3:8.   

When the end finally comes for all of mankind, and it will, that will be God's time to judge.  It will be a great 'sorting time' between those who chose to believe God and follow His way and those who chose to refuse his gift of salvation and do life their own way.  Peter goes on to tell us why God allows this time lag.  "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."  God is gracious, loving and patient, but he is also just.  Righteousness and justice are the foundations of His throne (Psalm 97:2). You may want to consider that and what it means for you.

Peter goes on to say that "...the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up."  2 Peter 3:10  He goes on to say, in effect, that since this will come to pass we had better examine ourselves and be found to be following God's way.

Get your Bible out and read this chapter, there's more.  If you haven't got a Bible then pull one up online, it's easily accessible. Read for yourself and consider.  It's 2 minutes to midnight, and besides, we never know when our own last day will come!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, please help me to understand what you require of me.  Amen

Thanksgiving Therapy

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.  Psalm 136:1

Our friends in the USA are celebrating their Thanksgiving Day as I write.  Yesterday the President pardoned a turkey!  I'm sure that turkey would be thankful if he'd known what could have been in store for him!  Many are getting together with family from far and wide, a time to be thankful for sure but no doubt not without it's challenges .....people are people!

Thanksgiving is a part of my daily life because I have so many things to be thankful for.  This week I am particularly thankful for 2 friends, (one in Australia and one in the USA), who encouraged me not to forget to write this blog.  It's mid August since I last wrote.  At that time I was preparing to go on holiday in Australia for a month.  I'm so thankful for that wonderful time we had, but it threw me out of routine and I have neglected what I consider to be my God-given gift of communicating God's truth through writing. Actually God had been nudging me to get back writing but I wasn't listening so I am thankful that he nudged my friends to put it in writing so I couldn't ignore it any longer.

You may be going through a time in your life which is so bleak that you can't think of anything to be thankful for.  I get that; I sat with a friend yesterday who is so overwhelmed with fears and the cares of life that the last thing she would probably think of or even want to do is to make room for thanksgiving.  But it's vital to our well-being.  It is something the Bible encourages us to do, even, and especially, in the midst of trials.  ...in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18  Why is it the will of God?  Because thanksgiving does us good!

I was tempted to feel hard-hearted when I encouraged her to look for things each day she could be thankful for, but I know that thankfulness takes our eyes off our circumstances and turns them to God's goodness.  Something changes in our hearts when we cultivate thankfulness.  How many suicides would be averted if the hopeless one would look up and search for one thing to thank God for.  It would open their heart to hope. It would give the God of all hope a window to to ..... fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13  The Holy Spirit is our helper, comforter, teacher.  He is there for us if we will invite him to help us to be thankful.

If you are reading this, you obviously have eyes to see, a working brain to think and God-given breath in your lungs.  There are three things to be thankful for.  If you have eyes to see you can look up at the night sky and be amazed at the wonder of the stars and with your brain you can consider how they all stay in place.  Yes, there is intelligent design - His name is God.  Paul writes about the people who refused to acknowledge God and give Him thanks ..... For although they knew God, they did not honour him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Romans 1:21 CSV)

Is your heart feeling dark and hopeless today, give it some thanksgiving therapy.  There is nothing better.  Remember to continue the therapy until you get a result.  Don't give up and say 'this isn't working'.  If this is already a practise in your life, then share it with someone who needs to learn it.

Prayer: Dear God, help me to remember that it is you who gives me life.  Help me to be thankful for that gift and help me to find ways to demonstrate a thankful heart to those who need encouragement and hope.  in Jesus' name I pray. Amen