Newsletter #386 - December 2010 - By Shepherds Chapel - http://www.shepherdschapel.com/

With the aid of the Holy Spirit, we should cleverly discern fact from fiction. The Holy Spirit is able to help us separate false teaching from the true meaning of God's Word. Let's begin our study in 2 Peter.

2 Peter 1:15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. 16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

There are many who would like to mislead you with cunningly devised fables. They are false teachers. Peter is urging us to hold onto the truth.

2 Peter 1:17 For He received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Many of the disciple witnessed this glorious event, when Jesus was baptized. The event was also witnessed by the Holy Spirit as that dove descended on Jesus.

2 Peter 1:18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with Him in the holy mount. 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

There are two day stars. The first one that appears is antichrist. You are going to wait on the second day star, that is to say Jesus Christ. Cleverly devise to separate falsehoods from truth.

2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

God's Word benefits all His children.

2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Prophecy spoken by the will of man rarely comes to pass. When the Holy Spirit speaks, the prophecies always come to pass. This isn't something new. Turn with me to the book of Psalms.

Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork.

If you don't see God's hand in the creation of heaven and earth, you need a lot of help.

Psalm 19:2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

Nature speaks and shows the knowledge of God. We should cleverly devise to pay attention to this wisdom.

Psalm 19:3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath He set a tabernacle for the sun,

A tabernacle is a house. The signs of the Zodiac are called the "houses" of the sun, because in them moves and dwells, and completes his circuit.

Psalm 19:5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

There is nothing that can separate the sun from the heavens, and nothing that can separate God from you. God uses nature to communicate with His children. Are you listening?

Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

Observe God's work and study His Word. You will become wise as a result. If you listen to men, some "nutcase" might come along and tell you global warming is a huge problem. God tells you there will always be hot and cold, and summer and winter (Genesis 8:22). Are you going to listen to some "nutcase", or God. Cleverly separate the falsehoods of man from the truth of your Father.

Psalm 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

God gives you eyes to see and ears to hear. If any lack wisdom, ask Father for wisdom. He will give it to you. He will enlighten you (James 1:5).

Psalm 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

God's judgments are precious. Don't ever forget that judgment can brings chastisement, but judgment can also bring rewards.

Psalm 19:11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. 12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse Thou me from secret faults. 13 Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

The great transgression is apostasy, or falling away from God. The great transgression is to worship antichrist. There is no way you are going to be deceived, if you heed the warnings found in God's Word.

Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Watch nature, Watch the signs and season. But most importantly, cleverly separate falsehoods from truth. You won't ever be deceived by antichrist, if you will do these things. Turn with me to Psalm 104.

Psalm 104:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, Thou art very great; Thou art clothed with honour and majesty. 2 Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:

Go outside on a clear night and observe the heavens. Your Father positioned every body in it's place.

Psalm 104:3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds His chariot: Who walketh upon the wings of the wind: 4 Who maketh His angels spirits; His ministers a flaming fire:

That flaming fire is truth.

Psalm 104:5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.

Don't allow anyone to tell you this earth is going to be destroyed. It simply isn't true. God created this earth to be here forever. This is where His eternal throne will be established (Rev.21:1-5). Skip to verse 16 with me.

Psalm 104:16 The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which He hath planted; 17 Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.

The cedars of Lebanon are always symbolic of the house of Israel. Being full of sap means full of life. The stork is unclean. Are you clever enough to discern clean from unclean? If you are familiar with His Word, you are.

Psalm 104:18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies. 19 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.

The mood and sun knows the seasons and God's schedule. Are you wise enough to pay attention to them?

Psalm 104:20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. 21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. 22 The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.

The creation of God knows when it is their time. Nocturnal creatures instinctively become active at night. Don't overlook that God gives them their meat. He gives us our meat, physical and spiritual, as well.

Psalm 104:23 Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.

Man is active through the day, and then retires to the safety of his dwelling, unless he wants to become prey to the young lions.

Psalm 104:24 O LORD, how manifold are Thy works! in wisdom hast Thou made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches. 25 So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.

Your Father created everything from the highest point in the heavens to the deepest point in the sea.

Psalm 104:26 There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom Thou hast made to play therein. 27 These wait all upon Thee; that Thou mayest give them their meat in due season.

I you are blessed, God is also giving you meat in due season. Think spiritual.

Psalm 104:28 That Thou givest them they gather: Thou openest Thine hand, they are filled with good. 29 Thou hidest Thy face, they are troubled: Thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. 30 Thou sendest forth Thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.

Your heavenly Father is in control. Isn't nature beautiful? Watch God's creation and gain wisdom and cleverly devise to to discern the seasons. Study His Word to cleverly separate falsehoods from truth. Let's go to 2 Timothy. Separating false from true soon becomes very important. You will be deceived, if you don't have this ability.

2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

We are in the fig tree generation, that is to say the last days. If you don't think this prophecy is coming to pass, you haven't watched the evening news, lately.

2 Timothy 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

Loving the world more than God will be their downfall. That is why you want to cleverly divise to separate yourself from them.

2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

We are to plant seeds, however, don't allow yourself to be deceived with false doctrine, even if it comes from a Christian pulpit. Skip ahead with me to verse 12.

2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

We are going to be persecuted, but it doesn't matter what men say. Men can't change your relationship with your Father, unless you allow them to do so.

2 Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Things are going to get much worse, before the Lord returns. God's Word gives us the ability to deal with difficult times. Knowledge of His Word will help you cleverly devise to discern falsehoods from truth.

In His service,
Arnold Murray