Saint Louis, Missouri, United States - Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour "On Edge" Thursday, 19 June 2014(Jesus said) "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits."(Matthew 7:15-16)
There are times when some of the things the Bible says are
frightening in their accuracy and modern day fulfillment. Certainly, that was true two weeks ago when the Savior's words recorded by Matthew, the words of our devotion's text, were played out in Nigeria. It was just after sunset in the village of Maidiguri when some wandering preachers came to town. They announced that everyone should come together so they could hear a message about "the righteous path."
It didn't take long for most of the people to assemble. Unfortunately, that day there was no message and nobody preached to them about the "righteous path."
That's because Boko Haram, the same fanatical Islamist group which kidnapped hundreds of girls because they were receiving an education, arrived in the village of Maidiguri. Indeed, it quickly became apparent that the "preachers" were also members of Boko Haram. They were false prophets who, in sheep's garb had brought the people together, not to hear a message, but to be slaughtered.
And were the members of Boko Haram ravening wolves? One of the town's survivors counted the bodies. Forty-five of his neighbors had been murdered in cold blood.
The final warning from Jesus' prophecy had been fulfilled: the people had learned to recognize the murdering wolves by the works they were doing.
Now it would be right if you were to offer a prayer of thanks that there are no such false prophets, no such ravening wolves coming into our communities for the purpose of committing murder. Of course, that doesn't mean there are no ravening wolves.
The difference between the wolves who come into your town and those of Maidiguri is this: our wolves are more subtle in their approach and in the results they wish to achieve. While the wolves of Boko Haram want to control people through fear and murder, our wolves are more dangerous.
More subtle in approach and goal, our wolves try to lead believers away from their Savior and the truths of Scripture. Listen carefully to their message. Do they preach Christ crucified and risen or is their emphasis on how to get God to give you stuff? Is the weight of their message on blood-bought forgiveness of sins, or does it assure people they are fine just the way they are?
Whether it be Nigeria or Nebraska, the Congo or Colorado, the wolves are among God's flock.
Knowing that, we need to be prepared. Jesus said, "By their works you will know them." Recognizing the wolves is easy when they are murderers like the men of Boko Haram. It is a bit harder identifying our subtle and seductive wolves. It is harder, but it is not impossible. All we need do is look at their works and words to see if they are pointing people toward or away from the Savior.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, Jesus said we should be wary of the wolves. Grant that we may recognize anyone who would try to destroy our faith through violence or words. Keep us always steadfast in the faith and the salvation Jesus has won for us. In His Name. Amen.
All too often the job of reaching others is left to others. That can be unfortunate. After all, there are times when YOU may be the best person to reach someone who is lost or wandering. If you have always wanted to know how to do such a sharing of the Savior, you may want to attend Lutheran Hour Ministries' SENT Outreach Conference, which is July 24-27 in Detroit. For more information, visit www.lhm.org/conference.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours, Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Through the Bible in a Year
Today Read:
Proverbs 25:1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing,
but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver,
and material comes out for the refiner;
5 Take away the wicked from the king’s presence,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
or claim a place among great men;
7 for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”
than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince,
whom your eyes have seen.
8 Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court.
What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
9 Debate your case with your neighbor,
and don’t betray the confidence of another;
10 lest one who hears it put you to shame,
and your bad reputation never depart.
11 A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold,
so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest,
so is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 As clouds and wind without rain,
so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15 By patience a ruler is persuaded.
A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 Have you found honey?
Eat as much as is sufficient for you,
lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,
lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18 A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor
is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble
is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot.
20 As one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
or vinegar on soda,
so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat.
If he is thirsty, give him water to drink:
22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head,
and Yahweh will reward you.
23 The north wind produces rain:
so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop,
than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from a far country.
26 Like a muddied spring, and a polluted well,
so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey;
nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.
28 Like a city that is broken down and without walls
is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
26:1 Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest,
so honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Like a fluttering sparrow,
like a darting swallow,
so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.
3 A whip is for the horse,
a bridle for the donkey,
and a rod for the back of fools!
4 Don’t answer a fool according to his folly,
lest you also be like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6 One who sends a message by the hand of a fool
is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
7 Like the legs of the lame that hang loose:
so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As one who binds a stone in a sling,
so is he who gives honor to a fool.
9 Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard,
so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 As an archer who wounds all,
so is he who hires a fool
or he who hires those who pass by.
11 As a dog that returns to his vomit,
so is a fool who repeats his folly.
12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road!
A fierce lion roams the streets!”
14 As the door turns on its hinges,
so does the sluggard on his bed.
15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish.
He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
than seven men who answer with discretion.
17 Like one who grabs a dog’s ears
is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18 Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,
19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?”
20 For lack of wood a fire goes out.
Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.
21 As coals are to hot embers,
and wood to fire,
so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,
they go down into the innermost parts.
23 Like silver dross on an earthen vessel
are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
24 A malicious man disguises himself with his lips,
but he harbors evil in his heart.
25 When his speech is charming, don’t believe him;
for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 His malice may be concealed by deception,
but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it.
Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts;
and a flattering mouth works ruin.
Acts 4:23 Being let go, they came to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, “O Lord, you are God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them; 25 who by the mouth of your servant, David, said,
‘Why do the nations rage,
and the peoples plot a vain thing?
26 The kings of the earth take a stand,
and the rulers take council together,
against the Lord, and against his Christ.’[a][b]
27 “For truly, in this city against your holy servant, Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever your hand and your council foreordained to happen. 29 Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus.”
31 When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. 32 The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all. 34 For neither was there among them any who lacked, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet, and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need. 36 Joses, who by the apostles was also called Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race, 37 having a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Footnotes:
a. Acts 4:26 Christ (Greek) and Messiah (Hebrew) both mean Anointed One.
b. Acts 4:26 Psalm 2:1-2
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