Conspiracy Theories

-

 


Scripture: Isaiah 8:11-13 (ESV)

11 For the Lord spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: 12 “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. 13 But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread

Devotion:

            Today, conspiracy theories abound everywhere in our culture. Especially via the internet these wild rumors have taken root like a weed that refuses to be removed. We plainly see from today’s scripture that these conspiracies are not a new thing. God here instructs Isaiah to warn the people centuries before Christ was born not follow the conspiracies of the day. Of course, Israel did not possess the internet, but the damage that can be done by rumors and conspiracy theories was just as intense.

            The Lord hates these conspiracy theories because they spread fear and panic among the people. They take the peoples eyes off of God and the worship and adoration that belongs solely to him and puts it on something else. The Lord demands our total obedience and will not share his place with another pretender god. People, however, are attracted to these theories because they think they are getting information or knowledge that the rest of the world does not have. Some people thrive off the drama that comes with this knowledge.

            Isaiah stands in for all believers in this scripture. The Lord warns us not to walk in the way of the world. We must not follow the world in spreading rumors and believing in conspiracy theories. The way of the world profits them nothing. We instead must keep our eyes fixed on the Lord. Fear God first, second, and last as you live your lives. We know from other scripture that the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 1:7) Let us then begin to fear the Lord and follow where he leads us. Help us to seek to please God as the sole aim of our lives.

            So, even though the people around us continue to believe in these conspiracy theories and wild rumors those of us who are Christians must believe in Christ and follow him in the ways that make for peace. We must refuse to be intimidated by the world, We must not fall into being fearful people because we know that God has given us a spirit of power, love, self-control. Let us now pray for each other and the world that all will follow Christ and live fearless lives.

Prayer:

            Heavenly Father, we come before you to worship you and adore you. May your name be magnified in all the earth. Lord deal with your children the ones you have called by name. Teach us to follow you in the way of righteousness. Fearing you and you alone. Help us to calm the world by showing what life can look like when lived in and for you. Teach us to trust and not be fearful. Amen.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Welcoming the Unwelcome

-
  Scripture: Luke 7:36-38 (NIV) 36  When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37  A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38  As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and poured perfume on them. Devotion:             First of all, some warnings to my readers. This post will exceed the 500 words I try to limit my posts. Second, this post will contain content people may find offensive or otherwise unfit for print. Please understand that my purpose is neither to offend nor upset but to provoke thought and, hopefully, respectful dialog.             We will use Luke chapter seven as an aid to interpreting the events that occurred last Thursday at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. On that da
Read more

Father Forgive Them

-
  Scripture: Luke 23:33-34 (ESV) 33  And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34  And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Devotion:             The situation Jesus finds himself in here in today’s scripture is difficult for us to even imagine. A sham trial, no credible accusations of any kind, let alone any deserving of death, and yet here he is. A brilliant Rabbi, a teacher of the people who never led even one person astray from God’s will. This Holy One of God soon to be food for vultures.             This man who had done nothing wrong had no one in all the crowds who would speak up in his defense lest they be next to face the cross. An innocent man hung between two scoundrels. No voice from heaven declaring that this was the man that they were killing was actually the true Son of God. (See Matthew 3:17, Matthew 17:5, John 12:28) No the heaven
Read more

Transgenderism letter

-
  This is a copy of my letter to my senators, representative, and President Biden. January 15, 2024 Dear President Biden, Senators T. Duckworth, R. Durbin, and Representative D. LaHood             I am writing to you because I am concerned about the situation affecting our children and grandchildren, namely transitioning them from one gender to another. This nation must adjust course concerning these “interventions” because they are dangerous, irreversible, and life-changing. Our country should not be permitting these procedures on minor children under any circumstances. We must also make sure that adults who seek this care are given informed consent as to the risks versus benefits of sex reassignment treatments.             There are many drawbacks to gender-affirming care for minors. Besides the loss of any ability to give or receive sexual pleasure and sterility these treatments cause, there are social and psychological effects that we have no way of identifying because these
Read more