Living Life by Design

Over the years I’ve been blessed to serve under a number of godly men and women. Lauren & Delores Marner, Raymond & Brenda Pettitt, Russ Stiverson, Rick & Sue Hutchison, and Staci Bundy all come to mind. I’m so thankful for their example, leadership and tutelage.

It seems like every time I open You Tube I see another video talking about a cult or cult personality of some sort. The New Testament warns about deceptive and potentially dangerous leaders who ‘secretly introduce destructive heresies’ (2 Peter 2:1). 

While I was attending a wonderful church in Orange, California there was a wonderful women (I won’t mention her name so I’ll call her Amy) whom I looked up to. Amy was the reason we started attending the church. Shortly after we joined, we noticed a change in her. She began wearing a face covering and had church members over to her home for “Bible Studies” and special get-togethers. This wonderful lady had been drawn into a cult and was trying to lead others astray. The leaders of the church rebuked her and asked her to leave the church. She did, but took other partitioners with her. Months later, Amy returned to the church asking for forgiveness for her terrible mistake. Of course, we all welcomed her back with open arms.

The world is full of cults and false prophets. They entice others (especially new believers) and lead them astray by promising freedom (2 Peter:18–19). However, true freedom is only found in God’s ways, not in any of these enticements that promise so much but actually result in emptiness. Those who pursue and recommend them are ‘springs without water and mists driven by a storm’ (v.17).

I firmly believe that it was prayer, the churches fervent and heartfelt prayers, that brought Amy back. If you have a loved one who is “lost”…don’t stop praying. Join with other family members and pray together for God to intervene, just as he did with Amy.

When was the last time you prayed for more than a meal or passing request?