2008-08-12 12:35:00
"We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty" (2 Peter 1:16).
We had a great visit last night with the Miller family whom we became connected with through Daily Encouragement many years ago. They have visited our home twice and last night we had dinner with them here in the Peoria, Illinois area. Larry is an engineer with Caterpillar Equipment Company. Debbie is a home school mom with five daughters who are extremely talented and fully dedicated to the Lord. Their oldest daughter Katie is a professional photographer and travels internationally. She and her friend Minday took the photo above and manipulated it using Photoshop [To see photo, click here for more daily encouragement.].
Cleverly invented stories and creatively doctored photos like the one we featured today abound in every venue. I am increasingly skeptical as there is a proliferation of internet and email hoaxes. It doesn't take much to concoct a hoax and put up a web site or email it to scores of people. Then it's spread through forwarded email, which often directs the reader to "send this to everyone in your address book." Some have a certain believability about them; a "cleverly invented story." Others are so absolutely ludicrous that it strains any credibility of the one sending it. Many of you are smiling as you read this as you consider the junk that has come your way if you've been in email very long. Free tickets to Disney World, promised blessings and veiled curses if you don't forward on that spooky but spiritual sounding chain letter, inheritances passed onto you from strangers, bizarre stories, etc. etc.
But Peter declares, "We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty" (2 Peter 1:16). What a tremendous assurance of the firm foundation our faith is grounded upon. Peter had some amazing eyewitness experiences with our Lord and he was determined that, after he departed this life, his hearers and readers would not forget the stories and essential teachings he shared (2 Peter 1:15). He admits to being repetitious about messages that his hearers were already familiar with, but he knew his time was near, and wanted to reinforce important truths that would keep them true to their faith in Christ.
When you sit in the pew Sunday after Sunday and hear your pastor repeat Biblical truths that you've heard him speak about many times maybe you can recall Peter's perspective. Perhaps the old hymn line should come to mind, "I love to tell the story to those who know it best, seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest." It's so important that we never grow weary of hearing the fundamental teachings of our faith even as we grow in spiritual wisdom and maturity. That's a powerful deterrent to the many cleverly invented stories we are subjected to year after year.
I enjoy the books written by Lee Strobel which emphasize the apologetics of the Christian faith. In his book, "The Case for Faith" he reminds us of the solid foundation our faith in God and His revelation rests upon. Our faith is not based on a cleverly invented story. Over the years I have had an ongoing interest in apologetics which is "a conscious, articulated defense of the claims of the Christian faith." Perhaps the first apologist I heard speak was Josh McDowell, while I was a high school student, who gave an excellent defense of the gospel. As I read the Apostle Peter's matter of fact reminder in the daily text I am so thankful for the firm basis of our faith.
The daily sub theme for this daily encouragement ministry declares; "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation." Today let us receive rich assurance as we consider these things and remain the true defenders of the "faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints."
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, because there have always been false prophets and teachers among us we want to stand firm with the belt of truth buckled around our waist. We seek spiritual discernment as we process that which we see, hear, and pass on to others. May we determine truth and error, not by the popularity of the message or messenger, but by the standards set forth in Your Holy Word by Your holy messengers. Help us to spread the good news of the true Gospel to all who seek truth, life, and desire to have purpose for their lives. Amen.
Tags: blog,archive,daily encouragement
|
