Doubts, Deception and a Damaged Testimony

IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 2008

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
I am doing a little word study today. It began as I was reading some reference materials in my Bible regarding Church History. According to the material there are three branches of Christianity: Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestant.
Now for the word. Gnosticism; meaning: a religious orientation advocating gnosis as the way to release a person’s spiritual element; considered heresy by Christian churches. And gnosis? Intuitive knowledge of spiritual truths; said to have been possessed by ancient Gnostics. Intuition – instinctive knowing.
I Then compared Gnosticism with agnosticism. Agnostic meaning: One who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God. B. One who is skeptical about the existence of God but does not profess true atheism. 2. One who is doubtful or noncommittal about something.
From the referenced notes, it appeared the Christian Church was moving along well for about 100 years (give or take 33) after Jesus ascended back to Abba. Somewhere between 100 AD and 325 AD, folks began to think they needed to ‘clarify’ what God said about Himself as in the Trinity and the Deity of Jesus. Remember we read Gnosticism is intuitive knowing? It was this intuitive knowing that beguiled man to attempt to ‘explain’ God. So here we are in 2008 AD and man with his ‘intuitive knowing’ still has not figured out the TRINITY or the DEITY OF JESUS and is till trying to clarify God. Hummm.
This is my conclusion: Intuitive knowing rather than the witness of the Holy Spirit as confirmed by the Holy Scriptures is man’s first step on the road to doubt, leading to utter folly. (Gnostics – Agnostics, notice how similar). What does this mean to you and me since we have already accepted by Faith the Trinity and the Deity of Jesus? We have already passed from death unto life. We have already believed the Gospel. Even so, even now we must be cautious.
However mature we are in the faith, one decision based on how we ‘feel’ or how we ‘think’ rather than upon Faith in what The Holy Spirit has revealed to us in His Word is our initial step to doubt. And doubt left unchecked will lead to deception and a damaged testimony. I can tell you from personal experience it takes a long time to rebuild a damaged testimony. I remember well the decision I made more than a decade ago based upon what I ‘felt’ rather than what I KNEW was the revealed Word of God. I heard a song today (I think for the first time) and it fits well with this. I especially identify with the words heal the wound but leave the scar. My Jesus has done just that for me. The song is by Point of Grace – Heal The Wound.
Here’s a link for listening. Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRuACUFIdrU
I used to wish that I could rewrite history
I used to dream that each mistake could be erased
Then I could just pretend
I never knew the me back then
I used to pray that You would take this shame away
Hide all the evidence of who I’ve been
But it’s the memory of
The place You brought me from
That keeps me on my knees
And even though I’m free
Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar
I have not lived a life that boasts of anything
I don’t take pride in what I bring
But I’ll build an altar with
The rubble that You’ve found me in
And every stone will sing
Of what You can redeem
Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar
Don’t let me forget
Everything You’ve done for me
Don’t let me forget
The beauty in the suffering
Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar
Let us heed our scars lest we inflict other wounds on ourselves and others.
Father, I was not sure where we were going with this when we began but I sure do like the way You brought it together. You do work all things out for our good. I love the way You brought the song to mind at just the right time as this IDOK was written. You are truly AWESOME. Thank You for healed wounds and merciful scars. And thank You that one day when we see You face to face we will not need our scars anymore. It will be so good to see You there. And for now we pray for wisdom, just as You have directed. Wisdom to recognize Your Will, wisdom to hear You as You reveal Your Word to us. And we pray again for these listed here. Thank You for what You have already done. It delighted me so when I heard that only four days from surgery Steve could hear muffled sounds. Thank You so much. We continue to trust You for a complete recovery of Steve’s hearing. And we continue to confess that Bernie is safely in Your Care as he takes each treatment and Linda too as she waits and gives care to Bernie. Thank You for the grace and protection You have given our IDOK Troops, day after day, year after year. Thank You. And we entrust each of them to You again today and we pray for them to rely upon You; to seek You for Wisdom and by faith receive it. And Abba I am still concerned about America. More and more concerned for the people who do not rely upon You but ‘think’ for themselves, going headlong to destruction. I only know to ask You for mercy; for grace and space to repent; for Holy Spirit conviction to be generously poured out upon this people. Abba, please forgive America. I pray too for my Christian brothers and sisters, especially those not sure how to honor You with their vote in November. Lord make them sure based upon Your Revealed Word to them. Father, let not Your people be deceived I pray. And I pray for Israel for Her Protection and Her Peace. I pray for Christians everywhere to love and care for Israel as You have called us to do. Thank You for IDOK; thank You for each of them, I am trusting You to meet their needs today for Jesus sake. Amen and amen. Danni A. Tye B. Joann. Sheri, Tyler, Hannah. Edie. Ann J. Bernie. Malpas Family. Darlene. Rachel. W C and family. Richard and Emma and family. Chris B. Maggie and Family. Josh. Donnie S. Renee’. Cathy’s friend and son. Odessa H. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Tonya and family. Dall T. Dylan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Pattie S. Vickie. Lisa W. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Toy and family. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. David & Allison. Jeanette and Earl and family. Libby and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and family. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa. Brad, Lindsay, Karah and Haley. Chuck. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance and Baby. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Andrew. Cindy, Sharron and Tonya’s houses to sell.
Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about
Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.
Every IDOK Pastor and Family. Every IDOK church.
The Peace of Israel
Revival in America.
IDOKs Military Families.
IDOKs Troops (foreign soil) – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Josh. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Brant W. Christopher R. Joshua M. Brent. Drew. Justin G. Kyle N. Michael K. Sgt. Bozicevich. Bay N.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Albert R III.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George.Travis N. Hawk.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light. Bradley T.
Military at home adjusting – Tim. Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J. Lyndon A. Jason G.
Civilian in Country – Lee.
As I post this it is 84°F and partly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 5:24 AM AST – on July 30, 2008
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