Contact Me →

Christina Cook Lee

Media Producer - Author - Blogger - Songwriter

November 26

Listening to good teachers

By Leave a Comment

Topic: Building your faith

Focus: Listening to good teachers

Luke 6:40 (NKJV) A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.

If the promise of Luke 6:40 is that you will become like your teacher when you are perfectly trained, then you’d better be sure that whoever you’ve chosen to be your teacher is someone you want to be like. Of course we all want to become more like Jesus, but in the Word of God we are instructed to be teachable and accountable to others who are able to teach well.

In Ephesians chapter four, the apostle Paul is writing a letter to the church at Ephesus. Paul uses the occasion of his letter to speak some truth into the Ephesian’s lives. In verses eleven and twelve (NKJV), Paul is describing some of the spiritual gifts that Jesus imparted to His disciples before He ascended back to heaven. “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

It’s clear that Jesus appointed some people to be teachers, and that He expected there would be those who would need to be taught. None of us should consider ourselves to be above learning from another brother or sister in Christ who has studied the scriptures and has the gift of teaching and an honest and humble spirit—no matter how much experience we may have. We should always be willing to learn and be taught the truth.

In 2 Timothy 2:1-2 (NKJV), the apostle Paul was writing to his disciple, Timothy. Paul refers to Timothy as his son in the faith. “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

(Read more below)

NOW, YOU CAN LISTEN AND/OR READ!

Link to New Strength Audio Version
New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

As Paul was writing, he was explaining to Timothy that he was responsible as a student, for what he had been taught. He was letting Timothy know that his knowledge was not intended for his own exclusive benefit. Timothy was being instructed and exhorted by Paul to share what he had learned with other faithful believers who would be able to continue passing down what they had learned from person to person, and in essence, from generation to generation.

Something we all need to be careful of is that we are not being taught by the wrong teachers. Not all of the false prophets and teachers in the world today realize that what they are prophesying and teaching is false. They may be passionately convinced that what they are prophesying and teaching is the truth. Passion is not to be mistaken as, or confused with the truth.

2 Peter 2:1-3 (ESV) says, “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring destructive heresies, even denying the Master who brought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false word. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”

2 Peter 3:18 (NKJV) says, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Just before Peter said to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” he warned the people he was writing to, to be careful who they listened to. Peter said that some scriptures are hard to understand and people who haven’t been properly taught—and who were also unstable—would intentionally or unintentionally twist the scriptures to their own destruction. As we grow in the Lord and apply ourselves to the truth, God is able to lead us and guide us in the building of our faith, but He wants us to be willing to learn to discern the truth from lies.

2 Timothy 4:3 (ESV) warns, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions…” In other words, Paul was saying that people who found the truth of the Word of God to be unpalatable in some areas, would twist it for their own convenience.

So, how can we find a good teacher and how do we know if who we are listening to is teaching the right things? Matthew 7:7-11 (NKJV) has the answer. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” We can be sure if we ask God to help us, He will.

Declaration: I will find new strength by asking my Heavenly Father to lead me to the teachers He has chosen for me to learn from.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

Mountain moving faith

By Leave a Comment

Focus: Mountain moving faith

Matthew 17:20b (NKJV) …For assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

The twelve disciples were so human. They were just like you and me. Their faith represented your faith and mine in the stories told throughout the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The questions they asked and the things they thought were important and valid in their days—just as they are today.

The disciples had a desire to follow Jesus and do what He did…just like little children who try to walk in the shoes of their parents. When children try to put on their parent’s shoes it’s almost inevitable that they will fall, but when they do, they keep getting back up and trying again. The disciples were no different. They wanted Jesus to be proud of them and to notice their good accomplishments. They didn’t enjoy looking like failures and neither do we.

In Matthew 17, Jesus was approached by a man whose son was suffering from terrible seizures. These episodes caused the child to repeatedly throw himself into fire and water. The boy must have been covered with sores and scars as a result.

(read more below)

NOW, YOU CAN LISTEN AND/OR READ!

Link to New Strength Audio Version
New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

In the Bible, the father of this poor soul comes to Jesus asking Him to have mercy on his son. The man tells Jesus that he took his child to the disciples and asked them to heal him. We aren’t told what method the disciples used, or any of the details. All we know is that they failed because the boy still wasn’t cured.

Most of the time Jesus shows patience and understanding for the human weaknesses in His disciples, but this time, He seems to be tired of the fact that people—and His disciples—are not capable of doing things which He considers ‘elementary’, relating to faith issues. In this passage, Jesus seems irritated at His disciple’s lack of faith and inability to grasp how faith works. When He hears that the disciples couldn’t heal the man’s child, He says, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.”

Jesus proceeds to rebuke the demon who had taken up residence in the boy. The Bible says, “it came out of the child immediately, and the boy was healed from that very hour.” (Matthew 17:18 NKJV)

Of course the disciples felt like fools as they took Jesus aside and asked Him privately, “Why couldn’t we cast it out?” Jesus didn’t sugar coat the truth. He told the disciples, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here—to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind (of demon) does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17:20-21 NKJV)

Jesus spent a lot of time praying and fasting, but obviously His disciples weren’t following His lead. They liked the ‘show’, but they must not have been doing their part by staying in a proper place of preparation for ministry. So, when the opportunity came for them to exercise the great faith they should have had by now—they fell flat.

That’s all there is to the story—just a few short paragraphs telling us a humble little message we can relate to and learn from. We might think the disciples weren’t very bright, but this story wasn’t told to bring shame on them—it was told to bring new strength and stronger faith to all of us, because we are just like the twelve in so many ways. The areas they failed in—we fail in, too.

At this moment, you might be facing a ‘big thing’ that is taking almost all of your attention. It may not be made of stone, but it is none-the-less a mountain in your mind. As impossible as it seems right now, your faith has the power to make your mountain move, according to the Word of God.

Maybe at this point, Jesus is saying a few things you should ponder. When the disciples asked Jesus why they hadn’t been able to heal the man’s son, the first reason Jesus gave the disciples, was ‘because of their unbelief.’ He quickly adds that their faith should have motivated them to ‘speak to the problem and tell it to go.’ He also mentioned that prayer and fasting would have boosted their faith in the situation where they failed.

So, faith performs when we believe, speak, fast, and pray. Have you done all of those things concerning your mountain? If you haven’t, then you should. If you have, then ‘stand’ (Ephesians 6:13).

Declaration: I will take more responsibility for my ‘mountains’ and approach my problems with faith. I will see miracles and find new strength as I believe, speak, fast, pray and stand.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

Listening to good teachers

By Leave a Comment

Topic: Building your faith

Focus: Listening to good teachers

Luke 6:40 (NKJV) A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.

If the promise of Luke 6:40 is that you will become like your teacher when you are perfectly trained, then you’d better be sure that whoever you’ve chosen to be your teacher is someone you want to be like. Of course we all want to become more like Jesus, but in the Word of God we are instructed to be teachable and accountable to others who are able to teach well.

In Ephesians chapter four, the apostle Paul is writing a letter to the church at Ephesus. Paul uses the occasion of his letter to speak some truth into the Ephesian’s lives. In verses eleven and twelve (NKJV), Paul is describing some of the spiritual gifts that Jesus imparted to His disciples before He ascended back to heaven. “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

It’s clear that Jesus appointed some people to be teachers, and that He expected there would be those who would need to be taught. None of us should consider ourselves to be above learning from another brother or sister in Christ who has studied the scriptures and has the gift of teaching and an honest and humble spirit—no matter how much experience we may have. We should always be willing to learn and be taught the truth.

In 2 Timothy 2:1-2 (NKJV), the apostle Paul was writing to his disciple, Timothy. Paul refers to Timothy as his son in the faith. “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

(Read more below)

NOW, YOU CAN LISTEN AND/OR READ!

Link to New Strength Audio Version
New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

As Paul was writing, he was explaining to Timothy that he was responsible as a student, for what he had been taught. He was letting Timothy know that his knowledge was not intended for his own exclusive benefit. Timothy was being instructed and exhorted by Paul to share what he had learned with other faithful believers who would be able to continue passing down what they had learned from person to person, and in essence, from generation to generation.

Something we all need to be careful of is that we are not being taught by the wrong teachers. Not all of the false prophets and teachers in the world today realize that what they are prophesying and teaching is false. They may be passionately convinced that what they are prophesying and teaching is the truth. Passion is not to be mistaken as, or confused with the truth.

2 Peter 2:1-3 (ESV) says, “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring destructive heresies, even denying the Master who brought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false word. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”

2 Peter 3:18 (NKJV) says, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Just before Peter said to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” he warned the people he was writing to, to be careful who they listened to. Peter said that some scriptures are hard to understand and people who haven’t been properly taught—and who were also unstable—would intentionally or unintentionally twist the scriptures to their own destruction. As we grow in the Lord and apply ourselves to the truth, God is able to lead us and guide us in the building of our faith, but He wants us to be willing to learn to discern the truth from lies.

2 Timothy 4:3 (ESV) warns, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions…” In other words, Paul was saying that people who found the truth of the Word of God to be unpalatable in some areas, would twist it for their own convenience.

So, how can we find a good teacher and how do we know if who we are listening to is teaching the right things? Matthew 7:7-11 (NKJV) has the answer. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” We can be sure if we ask God to help us, He will.

Declaration: I will find new strength by asking my Heavenly Father to lead me to the teachers He has chosen for me to learn from.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

Building your faith

By Leave a Comment

Focus: Listening to good teachers

Luke 6:40 (NKJV) A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.

If the promise of Luke 6:40 is that you will become like your teacher when you are perfectly trained, then you’d better be sure that whoever you’ve chosen to be your teacher is someone you want to be like. Of course we all want to become more like Jesus, but in the Word of God we are instructed to be teachable and accountable to others who are able to teach well.

In Ephesians chapter four, the apostle Paul is writing a letter to the church at Ephesus. Paul uses the occasion of his letter to speak some truth into the Ephesian’s lives. In verses eleven and twelve (NKJV), Paul is describing some of the spiritual gifts that Jesus imparted to His disciples before He ascended back to heaven. “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

It’s clear that Jesus appointed some people to be teachers, and that He expected there would be those who would need to be taught. None of us should consider ourselves to be above learning from another brother or sister in Christ who has studied the scriptures and has the gift of teaching and an honest and humble spirit—no matter how much experience we may have. We should always be willing to learn and be taught the truth.

In 2 Timothy 2:1-2 (NKJV), the apostle Paul was writing to his disciple, Timothy. Paul refers to Timothy as his son in the faith. “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

(Read more below)

NOW, YOU CAN LISTEN AND/OR READ!

Link to New Strength Audio Version
New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

As Paul was writing, he was explaining to Timothy that he was responsible as a student, for what he had been taught. He was letting Timothy know that his knowledge was not intended for his own exclusive benefit. Timothy was being instructed and exhorted by Paul to share what he had learned with other faithful believers who would be able to continue passing down what they had learned from person to person, and in essence, from generation to generation.

Something we all need to be careful of is that we are not being taught by the wrong teachers. Not all of the false prophets and teachers in the world today realize that what they are prophesying and teaching is false. They may be passionately convinced that what they are prophesying and teaching is the truth. Passion is not to be mistaken as, or confused with the truth.

2 Peter 2:1-3 (ESV) says, “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring destructive heresies, even denying the Master who brought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false word. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”

2 Peter 3:18 (NKJV) says, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Just before Peter said to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” he warned the people he was writing to, to be careful who they listened to. Peter said that some scriptures are hard to understand and people who haven’t been properly taught—and who were also unstable—would intentionally or unintentionally twist the scriptures to their own destruction. As we grow in the Lord and apply ourselves to the truth, God is able to lead us and guide us in the building of our faith, but He wants us to be willing to learn to discern the truth from lies.

2 Timothy 4:3 (ESV) warns, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions…” In other words, Paul was saying that people who found the truth of the Word of God to be unpalatable in some areas, would twist it for their own convenience.

So, how can we find a good teacher and how do we know if who we are listening to is teaching the right things? Matthew 7:7-11 (NKJV) has the answer. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” We can be sure if we ask God to help us, He will.

Declaration: I will find new strength by asking my Heavenly Father to lead me to the teachers He has chosen for me to learn from.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

Building your faith

By Leave a Comment

Focus: Listening to good teachers

Luke 6:40 (NKJV) A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.

If the promise of Luke 6:40 is that you will become like your teacher when you are perfectly trained, then you’d better be sure that whoever you’ve chosen to be your teacher is someone you want to be like. Of course we all want to become more like Jesus, but in the Word of God we are instructed to be teachable and accountable to others who are able to teach well.

In Ephesians chapter four, the apostle Paul is writing a letter to the church at Ephesus. Paul uses the occasion of his letter to speak some truth into the Ephesian’s lives. In verses eleven and twelve (NKJV), Paul is describing some of the spiritual gifts that Jesus imparted to His disciples before He ascended back to heaven. “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

It’s clear that Jesus appointed some people to be teachers, and that He expected there would be those who would need to be taught. None of us should consider ourselves to be above learning from another brother or sister in Christ who has studied the scriptures and has the gift of teaching and an honest and humble spirit—no matter how much experience we may have. We should always be willing to learn and be taught the truth.

In 2 Timothy 2:1-2 (NKJV), the apostle Paul was writing to his disciple, Timothy. Paul refers to Timothy as his son in the faith. “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

As Paul was writing, he was explaining to Timothy that he was responsible as a student, for what he had been taught. He was letting Timothy know that his knowledge was not intended for his own exclusive benefit. Timothy was being instructed and exhorted by Paul to share what he had learned with other faithful believers who would be able to continue passing down what they had learned from person to person, and in essence, from generation to generation.

(read more below)

Now, you can listen and/or read!

We should always be willing to learn and be taught the truth. --Christina Cook Lee, A Quest For New Strength
Link to New Strength Devotional, Audio Version
We should always be willing to learn and be taught the truth. --Christina Cook Lee, A Quest For New Strength
New Strength Devotional Inspirational Statement of the Day

 

Something we all need to be careful of is that we are not being taught by the wrong teachers. Not all of the false prophets and teachers in the world today realize that what they are prophesying and teaching is false. They may be passionately convinced that what they are prophesying and teaching is the truth. Passion is not to be mistaken as, or confused with the truth.

2 Peter 2:1-3 (ESV) says, “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring destructive heresies, even denying the Master who brought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false word. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”

2 Peter 3:18 (NKJV) says, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Just before Peter said to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” he warned the people he was writing to, to be careful who they listened to. Peter said that some scriptures are hard to understand and people who haven’t been properly taught—and who were also unstable—would intentionally or unintentionally twist the scriptures to their own destruction. As we grow in the Lord and apply ourselves to the truth, God is able to lead us and guide us in the building of our faith, but He wants us to be willing to learn to discern the truth from lies.

2 Timothy 4:3 (ESV) warns, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions…” In other words, Paul was saying that people who found the truth of the Word of God to be unpalatable in some areas, would twist it for their own convenience.

So, how can we find a good teacher and how do we know if who we are listening to is teaching the right things? Matthew 7:7-11 (NKJV) has the answer. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” We can be sure if we ask God to help us, He will.

Declaration: I will find new strength by asking my Heavenly Father to lead me to the teachers He has chosen for me to learn from.

If you subscribe to New Strength, a new segment will come to your email each day.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

Building your faith

By Leave a Comment

Now, you can listen and/or read!

We should always be willing to learn and be taught the truth. --Christina Cook Lee, A Quest For New Strength
Link to New Strength Devotional, Audio Version
We should always be willing to learn and be taught the truth. --Christina Cook Lee, A Quest For New Strength
New Strength Devotional Inspirational Statement of the Day

Focus: Listening to good teachers

Luke 6:40 (NKJV) A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.

If the promise of Luke 6:40 is that you will become like your teacher when you are perfectly trained, then you’d better be sure that whoever you’ve chosen to be your teacher is someone you want to be like. Of course we all want to become more like Jesus, but in the Word of God we are instructed to be teachable and accountable to others who are able to teach well.

In Ephesians chapter four, the apostle Paul is writing a letter to the church at Ephesus. Paul uses the occasion of his letter to speak some truth into the Ephesian’s lives. In verses eleven and twelve (NKJV), Paul is describing some of the spiritual gifts that Jesus imparted to His disciples before He ascended back to heaven. “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

It’s clear that Jesus appointed some people to be teachers, and that He expected there would be those who would need to be taught. None of us should consider ourselves to be above learning from another brother or sister in Christ who has studied the scriptures and has the gift of teaching and an honest and humble spirit—no matter how much experience we may have. We should always be willing to learn and be taught the truth.

In 2 Timothy 2:1-2 (NKJV), the apostle Paul was writing to his disciple, Timothy. Paul refers to Timothy as his son in the faith. “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

As Paul was writing, he was explaining to Timothy that he was responsible as a student, for what he had been taught. He was letting Timothy know that his knowledge was not intended for his own exclusive benefit. Timothy was being instructed and exhorted by Paul to share what he had learned with other faithful believers who would be able to continue passing down what they had learned from person to person, and in essence, from generation to generation.

Something we all need to be careful of is that we are not being taught by the wrong teachers. Not all of the false prophets and teachers in the world today realize that what they are prophesying and teaching is false. They may be passionately convinced that what they are prophesying and teaching is the truth. Passion is not to be mistaken as, or confused with the truth.

2 Peter 2:1-3 (ESV) says, “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring destructive heresies, even denying the Master who brought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false word. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”

2 Peter 3:18 (NKJV) says, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Just before Peter said to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” he warned the people he was writing to, to be careful who they listened to. Peter said that some scriptures are hard to understand and people who haven’t been properly taught—and who were also unstable—would intentionally or unintentionally twist the scriptures to their own destruction. As we grow in the Lord and apply ourselves to the truth, God is able to lead us and guide us in the building of our faith, but He wants us to be willing to learn to discern the truth from lies.

2 Timothy 4:3 (ESV) warns, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions…” In other words, Paul was saying that people who found the truth of the Word of God to be unpalatable in some areas, would twist it for their own convenience.

So, how can we find a good teacher and how do we know if who we are listening to is teaching the right things? Matthew 7:7-11 (NKJV) has the answer. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” We can be sure if we ask God to help us, He will.

Declaration: I will find new strength by asking my Heavenly Father to lead me to the teachers He has chosen for me to learn from.

If you subscribe to New Strength, a new segment will come to your email each day.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.