SelahV Today by hariette petersen

How to Be Victors in Life

is only as possible as we define victor.

To some, "to the victor goes the spoils".  It's a war in which we become victorious over another person--an enemy who seeks to destroy us.  However, that's not exactly the kind of victor I am interested in being.  To do whatever it takes to win?  To ignore that which is pure and holy and godly to end up with all the goodies via whatever means it takes to obtain them?  No. That doesn't mean you are a victor.  That just means you are the most deceptive manipulative bully. In that sense, a victor gains the "spoils"-- the enemy's treasures and belongings.  The victor assumes possession of the enemy's material gains. I don't want my enemy's spoils.

My enemy is Satan. Anything he has is not worth owning.  Satan is everything that is ungodly--he is the opposite of God. Why would I want to have anything he has?  In fact, the Lord instructs me to resist him so that he flees. To put on the whole armor of God so that I may "stand"-- to plant my feet in the solidity of God's grace and salvation-- and not waver wherein Satan and his minions seek to devour me.

"The Lord’s slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth. Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil’s trap, having been captured by him [Jesus] to do his will." 2 Timothy 2:24-26

It's important to realize as I tweet on Twitter and toss my sarcastic barbs that what I say must align with God's instruction. All too often I allow my flesh to control my fingertips as I respond to various folks and agree with some who see things the way I see things. I cannot be a victor if I walk outside of God's pleasure and instructions and mingle with those who seek to live for position and power outside of God's divine plan and purpose. 

I wholeheartedly believe I am living in the last days as prophesied in God's Word:

"But know this: Difficult times will come in the last days.  For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good,  traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people!" 2 Timothy 3:1-5

How does one avoid these people?  How can we avoid them when they are at every turn in our lives?  When every program we watch on television has their influence in every commercial, every news report, every sitcom and every reality show?  when every social media we join has their "voice" and intrusion? When every magazine screams at us with headlines as we check out at the grocers?

Well, for me, I think it is to avoid entering the fray of their conversations. To avoid walking where they walk.  To avoid listening to their music, their entertainment, the diatribes on their networks with their analysts and slanted reporting. To refuse to attend ther movies and support their lifestyles and ability to spread their poison in my life. I've come to see that playing on their playground can lead to throwing dirt and kicking sand.  To be a victor in this time of history, I must climb to higher ground.  I must stand on the Rock where my refuge is above the world.

And yes.  I will run into many of those Timothy warns me to avoid on my journey. You will, too.  The key in being a victor among them is to avoid their "kind" of conversations and speak up when necessary. If they do not hear my voice and become hostile, I kick the dust from my feet and move on. When necessary, I delete, unfriend, and block.  I pray for the scales to be removed from their eyes. Then I share the "good news".  Speak goodness with kindness and love.  I must refuse to tolerate the intolerable.  I cannot accept their arguments as instructions to preserve some politically correct position.  I will refuse to fall for their accusations of hatred in the face of truth.

Above all, I cannot let them define or redefine God's Word from society's flawed understanding or culturally acceptable opinion. A victor is only victorious who rests solely upon God and His unchanging Word--regardless of world opinion and attack. He alone is our resource and refuge.~~ selahVtoday by hariette petersen

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The Duck Dynasty Debacle and Me

I'm no better than anyone else in this world.  I learned that a long long time ago/link. 

The past few days, I've been caught up in the whirlwind of opinions regarding Duck Dynasty and A&E. I tweeted and retweeted.  I copied and pasted articles and posts (just like millions of other people).  I got followed by several on Twitter and stopped following a few on Twitter. 

However, I do not watch Duck Dynasty on a regular basis. What I have watched, I really think is funny and fun. They exemplify what families should be about-- though they squabble and quibble, they make up and poke fun at one another and reconcile. They love work, one another and God. Though I don't see every episode, I'm tickled pink they've worked hard and built a dynasty from duck calls and ingenuity.

I don't watch anything on television religiously, or faithfully. Life is far more than what goes on inside a 60-in box.  Yet, I disagree with folks who try to decide for me what I should say, read, think, or watch.  My interests vary from babies being aborted to Pastor Saeed's imprisonment, from healthcare to the stripping of COLA pensions for Vets. I tweet about James Rosen's interviews and Megyn Kelly's Santa controversy. I'm not a fanatic follower of everything Ducks--nor a Bill O'Reilly groupie. But I do like to know what people think.

Folks have very interesting takes on the world and I like to hear their take.  Even with those I disagree.  Why do they think the way they think?  Do they disagree with me because I'm just like all those other "thems" in the world they disagree with?  Not sure.  I am me-- I'm not completely like anyone else.  I may have similarities, hold some same opinions, some similar beliefs-- but I do not consist of all of anyone else. I can't see that ever changing--not for me--nor anyone else.

This deal over Phil Robertson has never once angered me. I've simply shared what I thought when I read something someone said. I've held the beliefs I have for a very long time.  And while I totally agree with Phil on the depravity of man, I would never have chosen to express myself as he did about sin. I would have defined it differently. Why?

Because I am me. I express myself differently. That's probably why Phil is on a reality show and I'm just boring little me. Phil is Phil and he bluntly expresses himself as he chooses-- just as you choose to express yourself.  Knowing what little I know about Phil, I can call him a brother in Christ because he seems to believe what I do about Jesus.

Some folks look at the world through a clouded lens-- without the knowledge or understanding of the presence of God in their lives. Some judge every syllable and phrase Christians say through the lens of what they have determined a Christian is, and what all Christians should say or do.  It may or may not be valid, but it is their interpretation; they are entitled to think whatever way they choose, just as I am. The reason Christians can make particular statements about sinners is because we know we are all sinners.  Each of us. We know sin well. We battle it ourselves. But we know we have a Savior who has paid the ultimate price for our sin and became the substitute for our punishment so we could live forever with Him.

Many articles and posts I've read recently have addressed why we think what we think and how we should assign motive and intent to the reasoning behind actions of A&ETV and those defending A&E and those defending Phil Robertson. Those are think pieces-- opinion articles to provoke more thought. Many are written to inflame, to incite, to encourage further debate. Few are written to bring peace or understanding or reconciliation.

I'm not all that interested in "thinking" anymore about the why or how in this debacle.

Of greatest interest to me is the heart of the matter-- as in the heart of the Believer and follower of Jesus Christ.  As in me--my imperfect fleshly self and my part in it all.  In fact, I thought about deleting every single post I had written on facebook and every tweet I'd tweeted on Twitter regarding Duck Dynasty.  I even considered deactivating my Twitter account altogether.

You see, as a Christian, when we allow our minds to supercede our hearts, the Spirit of God begins to check our spirit and poke us in places so we become painfully aware of portions we need to address. In Romans 12:2, it is written:

"be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

God wants to purify and sanctify us in order that we might be a "light" to Him, not away from Him.  My mind wanted to fluff off what I'd been thinking; my heart wouldn't let me. Words matter. It's important that we're careful choosing our words and being responsible for what we say.

I've been pondering the "us" and "them" in this war of words between A&ETV, Phil Robertson, GLAAD voices, the fans, and Christians who have spoken out about "them" and "us".  Mostly, I'm thinking about the ones in between "us" and "them".  They are the ones who are neither in the whole conversation--they are onlookers.  I wonder, how do they see "us" as we react to "them"?  as we one-up the other in tit-for-tat tweets?

I think about me.

For me, that is worth considering in depth, considering all I've tweeted in the last few days. Mercy is my favorite word next to Jesus-- though how can one say Jesus without simultaneously thinking of the word mercy is beyond me.  He is mercy. I'm glad He has mercy on me and His mercies are new every morning. I need that clean slate. And while He allows sin because we live in a fallen world, He doesn't condone it, nor will He tolerate it (especially in His children)-- even if it is the simple sin of thinking we know more than someone else and must let them know it as well. 

At The Risk of Annoying R.C. SPROUL FANS

...I find some of what he says worth repeating.

In his book, Pleasing God, Sproul bases some thoughts on Romans 12:2:

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

He writes:  "I learned very early not to trust the cheers of the crowd.  But I never learned to disdain them.  They remain a seductive force in my life.  I still struggle to please men.  I still struggle with the mystique of popularity.  I still hate to be booed.

To be 'conformed' to this world is to be with (Latin con) the forms or structures of this world.  It means doing the popular thing.  The conflict is this:  What is popular with men is not always popular with God.  To be pleasing to God is not always to be pleasing to men.  Sometimes we must choose whom we will please.  That is a daily struggle in the Christian life." (page 61)

Peer pressure can invade the minds of preachers as well as pew-sitters.  No one is exempt from temptation to seek the praise of man.  We seek approval and get all flustered, anxious, and impatient with ourselves when we are not complimented, praised, and validated.  We can get so caught up in what others think of us, that we get depressed when we don't receive positive feedback, are criticized or rejected.  On the otherhand, we can get all puffed up and filled with pride when we receive accolades and roses.

Friends, either reaction is of the flesh.  Our flesh, which was crucified with Christ on the cross, can lead us into unrighteousness, evil, unholiness, and sin.  Our desire to be liked by man should never supercede our desire to love God, to obey God, to grow in the image of His Son.  As Sproul says, "Sometimes we must choose whom we will please.  That is a daily struggle in the Christian life."

I contend that

BEWARE OF WOLVES

It's odd how often I hear this phrase.

How often have you been told to beware of wolves?

I've heard preachers warn of wolves when someone dares to oppose another's biblical or doctrinal position.  I've even heard it used in political circles.

Wolves are dangerous beasts.  A pack of wolves can tear apart a human in a few minutes.  They can rip open a buffalo's neck and feast upon its blood before it has time to kick its heels in defense.  How do we detect wolves?  By their howl, their bark, or their sneakiness and stealth?

Jesus said, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves." Matthew 7:15  In other words they appear to be something they are not.  Obviously, as Christians, we can each be taken in by wolves, we may never realize they are in our midst till we are caught by our heartstrings and pulled away into their lair.

Paul said, "I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them."  Romans 16:17  Seems wolves can bring us into their way of thinking even though we have previously believed and trusted and found truth "contrary" to their evidences, prooftexts, and psychological rationale.  We can each be deceived by a single wolf.  They are so very dangerous, we are to "keep away from them".

Later Paul cautioned Timothy that he'd run into people who would have "a form of godliness but denying its power.  Have nothing to do with them."  2 Timothy 3:5

Seems wolves are those who come in with sneaky intentions, with cloaked intentions, with covered agendas.  They aren't out in the open with what they think or believe.  They tend to speak one way and act another.  They try to confuse and confound us.  They say one thing to one person and something else to another.  That is what causes the divisions which Paul warns about.  They "put obstacles" in our "way that are contrary to the teaching" we "have learned", and preached and taught since we began preaching and teaching.

I see this as warning us to stay true to what God has spoken to us...to what God's Word clearly reveals...not what man waters it down to mean, or society condones it to mean, or culture redefines it to mean, or politicians and judges legislate it to mean.  God does not change.  Nor does His Word.

Scripture warns us to stay away from those who declare right what God says is wrong. "Have nothing to do with them."  It's not always easy because they project "a form of godliness".  However, with that "form of godliness", they deny "its power".  God has the power to change the nature of man, to reconcile man to Himself, to give man a new nature.  For once a person comes to Jesus, all things are made new.  He is a new creature who no longer follows after the world and its ways, but sets himself apart from the world even as he must walk amid the world.  There is a difference in him.  He seeks after God, not Satan.  His faith is evident.  He doesn't flaunt himself as worthy, but humbles himself as unworthy of the grace he has been given through Christ.  He does not expect man to accept his sin as something to condone, but to hold him accountable.  He admits his sin and perseveres.  He does not hold a brother in contempt for not accepting and celebrating his transgressions with him.  He seeks the hand of brothers to keep himself on the straight and narrow path, which show him the lighted path and understand the truth, the way and the life as he goes.

Beware of wolves.  And also beware of sheep who act like wolves and use their wool to tickle our ears and pull it over our eyes as they sacrifice one of our own to the genuine wolves in our midst--all in hopes of silencing the lambs who hear the Shepherd's voice.  selahV

A Message From God

My Devotion for Today

Check it out at Devotional Christian.

I DON'T WANNA BE A COTTONBALL CHRISTIAN

Unused, a cottonball is so soft and clean looking.  If you press down on it with your finger, it springs right back into shape.  However, the more times it is compressed, the more it loses its shape.  It's still a cottonball, just no longer a puffy ball.  When placed on a bottle of polish remover, it absorbs the acetone in a nano-second--becomes saturated with it.  It's still a cottonball--just filled with something else.  Some Christians so absorb the things of the world and take in its culture, philosophy and ideology, they remind me of that cottonball.  It's still a cottonball...but it's so full of acetone that when it is used to remove the nail-lacquer, it flattens like a pancake.  And it gets so smeared by the mess it seeks to clear off, it must be tossed aside as worthless for any other purpose.  How does one wash a cottonball, anyway?   selahV

SOME CORN JUST DON'T POP

No matter what the other kernels do, some kernels just won't pop.  The heat is turned up and it never changes its form.  It refuses to conform to the rest of the group.  Others explode and become soft puffs of palatable snacks.  They overflow the pot and are passed around in bowls to be enjoyed by the crowds.  The other is rejected and left at the bottom of the bowl.  I wonder if it bothers that piece of corn to remain true to his form.

If Christians were popcorn kernels, would they be the ones to pop?  Or would they be the ones that refused to change no matter how much heat they face?

"Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to the external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renuewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].  Romans l2:2

[copyrighted, 2009, SelahVToday, hariette petersen]

PUSHED, PRESSURED, COERCED

Ever feel like this?  Ever feel pressured?  To do something you don't want to do?

When I was younger I had occasion to feel pressured by my peers.  But age has its benefits.  The older I get the easier it is to say, "Nope, not interested."  Just because the latest fashions are throw-backs to the 70's and everyone else is wearing those wacky prints and shirts that look like maternity smocks, I don't have to.  And I won't.  Just because the First Lady goes sleeveless, doesn't mean I must bare it all in the dead of winter.  And I won't.  Just because rack upon rack of shoes are nothing but pointed toed spiked heels, I don't have to buy them.  And I won't.

Today, culture demands we change our ways--reject our Spirit-nature, shed the morals of propriety, and follow them into the lake of tolerance, political correctness, and social acceptabilty.  Our government legislates and ignores what constituents clearly say is not acceptable for our society.  The liberal judges, the screaming media, the expensive lawyers keep pushing their agendas through the crowd of resistance and into the sea of indifference.  But the majority of people are not bowing down.  Or are they?

No, we are not jumping off the bridge because everyone else is doing it. But people are discouraged.  They are weary with the battery of laws being passed that legalize what God abhors.  As more and more of our society changes before our eyes, we will face greater challenges than we've ever known.  We will face the challenges against all we stand for biblically, morally, and mentally.  All the greater need to "Love the Lord with all your heart, all your mind, all your strength and all your soul, and your neighbor as yourself."  

Don't let the bullies strong-arm you into jumping into a pool you know is not worth swimming in.  Do not grow weary.  Keep running the race.  Set your eyes upon the prize before you.  The finish will be worth the run.    selahV

[copyrighted, 2009, SelahV Today, hariette petersen]