“Keep a firm grip on the truth!”
June 12, 2012
This photo was taken by Doris High of her family’s homestead.
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“Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings” (Hebrews 13:9). “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ” (Ephesians 4:14,15).
The daily texts describe the volatility of those who fail to grow and mature in Christ and become properly grounded. They become unstable like “infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” The writer of Hebrews warned, “Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines”.
Today we see a departure from the course of Biblical faith and standards that our forefathers could hardly have imagined. Even in my own lifetime who would have predicted just thirty years ago that something as foundational as the basic constitution of holy marriage between a man and a woman would be a serious issue of departure?
Some of our readers have been forced by biblical conviction to leave their church due to leadership that has deviated from God’s Holy Word. Tragically, some pastors are basing their teaching more on the popularity of opinion polls than the unwavering truths presented by our Creator. I am very wary of “evolving views” based on current opinion polls and the views of popular entertainers and supposedly elite academics.
False teaching is a perpetual danger for God’s people. It was a concern in the New Testament age, all through church history and certainly abounds in our own day
1) I call on my pastor peers to “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2) and “Teach what is in accord with sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1). Resist the temptation to preach so you will be loved by the world or following after the fads that flood the church.
2) I call on dedicated followers of Christ to implement the God-ordained means to stability and health in your spiritual lives. Through our unwavering commitment to read God’s Word and through the practice of other spiritual disciplines the character of Christ is developed in us as we are rooted and grounded in Him who is the Head, which results in long-term spiritual stability.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, Your warnings regarding the deluge of deceitful tactics from the enemy is evidenced all around us – through the media, books, false prophets and even well-meaning but confused individuals. Your Word is the stabilizing and authoritative doctrinal manual for all that we need for life and godliness. Help us to be wise, studied, and vigilant so that we correctly discern good from bad, truth from error. In Your holy name we pray, Amen.
A number of folks gathered outdoors from our congregation to worship and witness a new believer’s baptism.
The group gathered along the pond.
I had the opportunity to preach from a boat. The pastor encouraged me with some good advice, “Stay in the Word and stay in the boat.” I sat on a folding chair so my center of gravity created a potential tipsy situation, but Galen kept the boat steady.
Pastor John prepares to baptize Mike, a man who had a religious upbringing but lacked a personal relationship with Christ until recently. His new profession of faith reminded each one present of the power of the Gospel to transform lives into the likeness of Christ.
Our friend Mike, accompanied by Angela, wrote a song with a baptismal theme based solidly on Scripture.
Following the service Galen takes the grandchildren for a boat ride!
The background for the outdoor service was beautiful, unlike the Galilean Service scheduled last year, when we ended up having it inside the church due to inclement weather!
“Thy Word Is A Lamp Unto My Feet” Video Maranatha Singers
For those who enjoy history our friend Doris High has posted an interesting photo blog post about her homestead. Today’s lead photo comes from that collection.
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