Day 104: False Prophets

Acts 13:1-25; Joshua 18-19; Job 29

Preaching the gospel of Jesus is not easy, simple, unopposed.  Like the story of Barnabus and Saul on the island of Cyprus, there was someone interested in the message of Jesus.  But at the same time, there was someone who was just a interested in destroying the message of Jesus. However, so often, Christians back down from challenges like that because we are afraid to offend, timid in struggles, and fear what people think.  Does Saul/Paul back out with his tail between his legs?  Um, no.  With the power of the Holy Spirit, he rebuked the man and sent a black mist over his eyes.  That's the stuff of Hollywood horror movies!  That's the next big movie that will come out:  Black Mist.  Besides all that, the point is, Saul/Paul feared not what this false prophet was saying nor his schemes to destroy the gospel.  Saul/Paul knew the truth and power of the message in his head and the spirit in his heart, and was sure and courageous.

The other thing that stands out to me is the fact that this man, Bar-Jesus, was not just some shlub off the street, but a "false prophet."  He was someone of decent standing, had knowledge of scriptural things (most likely) and was Jewish.  This man would have been considered a reputable source for the church.  However, the purpose of a false prophet is to turn people away from the sometimes-brutal truth of God.  There is usually something in it for them--think money, fame, followers, power.  Believers of Christ MUST be wary of false prophets and preachings.  ANYTHING that is NOT scriptural--meaning OLD and NEW Testament alone is false.  Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Old Testament and worship of anyone or anything else, or a belief in any other way to get to heaven is wrong.  Is this hard to understand or frustrating for some?  Yep.  There are a lot of people out there who believe they are Christians, but do not believe what Jesus says about himself, or they believe that to say Jesus is the only way is narrow-minded.  Fine, if they won't listen to the truth, let them believe what they want, but as followers of The Lord, Jesus Christ, we must be sure to keep our minds pure from false teachings.

So what do all these tribes and towns and borders have to do with us?  Seriously, confession time:  it is hard not to just skim it, which is what I've done most of the time.  For people who are into geography and the history of the Israelites/Jewish people, I think it would be cool to map it out.  For someone like me, I think the point I can get from it is, God promised these people land, and here they are receiving it.  Each tribe got a plot of land that they could manage and live on.  God promises us a place in heaven, just like he promised these people a place.  What God promises, he comes through on.

Job:  he was at one time a man among men.  He followed The Lord, honored him, served people, and was well respected.  And everything he had done previously and all he had worked for was taken from him.  If that's not depressing, I don't know what is.  It stinks sometimes that life takes turns like that.  We think we have it all together, that God is going to bless us for the rest of our lives, that it can't get any better, and that troubles are far away.  But that's not life.  If someone hasn't faced struggles, then they simply have lived long enough.  Is it wrong to long for those times past when life was good?  No, I don't think so.  To not want to have a good, comfortable life would not be human.  We would love to have it easy and be blessed.  Do we sometimes want to suffer for The Lord?  Sure, it would show that we are doing something; but deep down I think we realize that a comfortable life would be easier.  However, reconizing that stuff is just stuff and that we go through seasons of life will help to get us through the rough times.