Living it...

There's a whole lot of religion in the press recently. My previous post about Todd Bentley has caused quite an uproar, and Today I found out about about pastor Michael Guglielmucci (click the link to see the news report), the guy connected with Hillsong Australia, and is part of one of the largest youth churches, PlanetShakers, has deceived the world in the most extraordinary way. In short, he wrote the song "Healer", written from his place of struggling with terminal cancer. He performed it (I believe) on the Hillsong 2008 DVD, wearing an oxygen mask, with his oxygen tank on stage, appearing quite weak, but able. As it turns out, he was never ill, no need for oxygen, he just wanted to be famous.

I guess I should point out that he's now getting psychiatric help, but even so, how was this able to go on? How was Todd Bentley's marriage able to fall apart? How were these things able to happen in the realm of the world media?!!!

Lets look at a bible passage from the beginning of 2 Peter (The Message)...
But there were also lying prophets among the people then, just as there will be lying religious teachers among you. They'll smuggle in destructive divisions, pitting you against each other—biting the hand of the One who gave them a chance to have their lives back! They've put themselves on a fast downhill slide to destruction, but not before they recruit a crowd of mixed-up followers who can't tell right from wrong.

They give the way of truth a bad name. They're only out for themselves. They'll say anything, anything, that sounds good to exploit you. They won't, of course, get by with it. They'll come to a bad end, for God has never just stood by and let that kind of thing go on.

There's a couple of things I'd like to point out from that.

> Lying Prophets / teachers, this could even refer to someone who gives a 'Good' message rather than a 'God' message.
> Those who can't tell right from wrong, doesn't refer to people who are stupid, it simply refers to people who believe something they haven't fully tested.
> The way of Truth, basically 'Christianity'

So, am I judging these people, no, that's for God to do in his divine way. I don't have a clue what he thinks about it, and it's not my sin to carry. It's theirs.

For me, this reminds me of a sermon I once heard, about carrying Jesus with us. I want to have a look at it this way:
Would Jesus be upset by your: Conversations / phone calls / text messages / emails / facebook account / IM Conversations? Imagine that Jesus is watching over your shoulder as you sit at your PC, would he be uplifted by your actions? Or would he cry at your deception?

I used the word deception. If you go to church and you're most definitely one thing, an all out 'Christian', doing all the 'Christian' things, but you go home and write a smutty email to someone you're flirting with...Why? If you go any pray with someone but then text a friend with some gossip...Why? If you lead worship and then go and have sex, or even foreplay, with someone who isn't your wife...Why?!!

It's hard hitting, and a tough pill to swallow.

God Loves us, and when we repent, we are clean in his sight. But don't deceive yourself, if you're not living (or trying to live) the life, then jog on mate, because God ain't having it.

I am far from perfect. I do many things I shouldn't. But seeing this deception in the church has inspired me to try even harder to get closer to God, in word thought and deed.

Spiritual Attack

I got an email today from God TV. It really saddened me to learn that Todd Bentley and his wife are experiancing marital problems, and at the moment have seperated.

A quick trip to google and the cynics are already posting with headlines such as 'Todd Bentleys Marriage Goes Bam' (I have to admit, I admire the humor in that). Fortunately there are many people who are joining the crusade to pray for them as a couple and see good things happen for them.

Lets remember James 1:2 - 4(NIV);
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

I remember someone once saying to me that the devil can't be everywhere at once, so he looks for the people who are doing good God stuff and attacks them. I see a man, Todd, who is on fire for God. And now, the attack is hitting him hard. Well, to be honest I saw it coming.

It's how WE deal with it that is the issue here. You see, so many people are quick to judge and mock, questioning how people's 'so-called' faith can allow such a thing to happen. In reality, bad stuff just happens. If you don't believe me, pick up your bible and read Job.

So, how do we avoid such spiritual attack? Well, maybe this verse from Revelation (3v15-19) will shed some light:
I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.

The truth? We can't avoid the devil wanting to attack us. BUT if we're being half-hearted about the stuff we do for God, then, well, it's kinda pointless! I want to pick up on a couple of words in that passage; Luke-warm & Indifference. How many people do we see populating a seat in a church on a sunday who can so easily be described using those words?

Let me put it another way. In the past 5 years, who have you personally known to be absolutely on fire for God. Have they constantly remained in the Glory for that amount of time? Or have they had their share of trials too?

As my Dad always says, you gotta take the rough with the smooth. You also have to accecpt that we don't know everything, and we won't ever know everything, so just ride the wave, see what happens.

Oh yeah, and have grace for those who are having trouble.

Grace, Love and Compassion.