Oprah

Oprah is the Antichrist! Do I sound nuts yet? I'm kidding people--I just needed an attention grabber. No, I don't think Oprah is the Antichrist. But I do believe she is dangerous. I know, I know, what's not to like about Oprah? She is charismatic, has great guests/topics on her show, and does such wonderful things for those in need. I agree with that completely. However, if you are a Christian, I believe Oprah is very dangerous. The beliefs she professes and the "spiritual" teachers she endorses on her show contradict the Bible (which I believe to be 100% truth) in so many ways. If you have never thought about or realized Oprah's dangerous influence, there is a book that I highly recommend called Oprah, Miracles, and the New Earth: A Critique.If you can read it with an open mind, it may shine some light on some things you may have never noticed before.

PS I don't hate Oprah and am not an Oprah basher. I just think she is deceived.

To avoid giving just a general criticism, here are some specific teachings Oprah endorses that are extremely dangerous and contradictory to scripture:

"The man on the cross is an archetypal image, he is every man and woman." (Eckhart Tolle)
"Heaven is not a location but an inner realm of consciousness." (Eckhart Tolle)
"There is no sin." (A Course in Miracles)
"Do not make the pathetic error of clinging to the Old Rugged Cross. The only message of the crucifixion is that you can overcome the cross." (A Course in Miracles)
"Who you are requires no belief. " (Eckhart Tolle)

Prayer

I was recently amazed at an account I read in the Old Testament. I often struggle in understanding prayer because I believe so fully in God's sovereignty that I often wonder, do my prayers matter? If God is completely in control and omniscient (all knowing), which I fully believe He is, and therefore knows the future, can my prayer request really change His mind? Of course, in my head I would tell myself yes, but I still struggled with it. I was so encouraged by reading the account of King Hezekiah in 2 Kings.

In 2 Kings, the prophet Isaiah was told by the Lord to inform King Hezekiah he would soon die. Hezekiah turned to God in faithful prayer and...God changed His mind!!! God sent Isaiah back to Hezekiah to inform him, " I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you." 2 Kings 20:5 Amazing!

Now we can't know why God changed His mind. He has a plan and a purpose far greater than making sure we are always healthy, wealthy, and happy. And we know, according to Romans 8:29, that His main purpose is to make us like Jesus and that often involves trials. God isn't a genie in a bottle waiting around to grant us our wishes. But He loves us, He hears us, and He cares about us.

I'm thanking Him today for allowing us to be involved in His plan through prayer.