Wolves [in sheep's clothing]

I like clothes. I really like 'em a lot. Shades of grey. Bright pops of color. Yellow. I love yellow. Shades of brown. Greens. Jean material. Cotton. Corduroy in the fall. Cozy sweaters. Shades of coral. Turquoise and aqua. Did I mention yellow? White and cream. Comfy sweats. Jersey. Polka dots. Navy blue.

So, anybody ready to go shopping with me?!? :)

Having the human nature that we do, most of us have at one time or another looked at a stranger's attire and have either made an assumption or two about the kind of person that they are or have been able to tell a lot about what that person is "all about' by what they are wearing. Have you ever gotten to know someone, and realized they weren't the person that you thought they were? There are days that I have to run a quick errand and I do so thinking, "I really hope I don't see anyone I know." And yes, we all know that's when you see everyone you know. I wouldn't want people to come to too many conclusions about me when I'm in that situation. Although, I'd be a little interested in knowing what people would assume about me from some of those excursions out where I'm looking less than stellar. Ironically, I have no pictures of myself to share with you from those days either. :) In general, I like to look my best when someone's snappin' a picture of me...

The title of this post...it's the subject that God pressed and pressed and pressed into me to begin a blog. I remember thinking, "O-kayyy...this is not an easy subject God..." "I don't really feel worthy to be writing about this subject..." And, the infamous: "Maybe I'm not hearing right?..." (You may get weary of hearing that);) I won't soon forget sitting down one day mulling over what I should read for my quiet time with Him. Do I read from a bible study, a passage on my own, etc.? This topic came to mind and I recall thinking "Um, where do I start?!?" That particular day I flopped open my Bible only to realize the pages I opened up to were about false teachers/prophets. *Ezekial 13 I read through the chapter and flipped randomly to another part of the Bible. Same thing. *II Peter 2 I flipped yet another time randomly and you guessed it, same topic. *I John 4 Then we went to Jude. This was not a fluke/coincidence, friends. I heard God whisper, "This is important to Me, see??" I'm SO thankful God doesn't require us to be scholars or priests before He is willing to teach us. I'd be up a creek. I thrive on practical. I thrive on learning from and leaning on a God that has shown me that all He needs is an open heart. I had just come through a season where I literally felt bombarded from several completely different circumstances in my life where I watched people fall for false teaching. It's not an easy thing to observe. 

I don't write to you today with a list of false teachers. I don't write to expose any specific person or teaching. I write to: 1) share with you what God has taught me so far, and 2) if you are a fellow Christian, I write with a plea to wake up to the wolf scheme that our enemy has got going on.

God's very character is goodness, therefore He cannot be anything BUT good. The ding-dong devil's character has absolutely NO measure of goodness in it. He takes what God has made good and flips it on it's head to destroy us. God has given us gushing, life-giving living water. The enemy turns the whole concept of living water around and tries to drown us with trouble and heartache. God has given us His presence through the Holy Spirit as a refining fire that He lovingly molds and purifies us into gold with. The enemy turns this whole concept around and literally tries to burn us with the intent to kill and destroy us into extinction. The enemy lives with the intent to lead as many men and women to reject the God who saves them so that he can further fill his eternal lake of fire. He also comes as an angel of light. *II Corinthians 11:14 So yes, it's not always obvious that it is him. we. need. so. much. discernment.

We live in a day and age where you can find support for a vast and wide amount of ideas that people want to believe and have it still be labeled as "Christian". (Hmmm, sounds kinda familiar. *Judges 21:25 And, for us today: *II Peter 3:3)
There was a time where I would have responded to this subject with some fear. I mean, in reality I really don't want to be decieved!! So, do we just stick our heads in the sand and live a sheltered life to avoid deception? Obvious answer: no. Most people relate the ostrich to a stick-your-head-in-the-sand kinda bird, which is actually a myth...it just ducks down when in danger. I have to smile when I read in Job of the description God gave of the ostrich. *Job 39:13-18 (Especially vs. 17) "for God did not endow her with wisdom or give her a share of good sense." See? We don't need no ostrich attitudes!! (Hmmm, maybe we ought to be switching the words to The Chicken Dance song to "I don't wanna be an ostrich, I don't wanna be...") :D
I find it intriguing how much God uses animals to illustrate things to us. He obviously delights in His creation!

The answer to my own personal battle with fear and the victory He has given to me over it lies with a word from the psalmist. The answer to living above deception is found in those same words from the psalmist. *Psalm 34:4-5 "I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." Don't duck as the ostrich does friends, look UP and seek Him. I came to the place in my life where I sought Him wholeheartedly and asked Him to lead and guide me in the truth. Even when it's unpopular. God is such a huge God. There will always be mystery surrounding Him and His ways, but there are truths and doctrines that He has revealed that cannot be compromised. I want my heart to be open to new things He's teaching me, yet at the same time we cannot accept every little thing that comes our way regarding Christianity and God. He will be faithful to show us the way. He will.

I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. I love clothes shopping enough that there have been times where God has asked me to fast from purchasing clothes for certain amounts of time. A reminder between Him and I that it can't become too important and necessary for me to shop and have new clothes. A reminder to be thankful for what I already have. He has also asked me at times to take a break from some of my favorite bible study teachers and preachers I listen to via radio, etc. (Please do not misunderstand me, this did not include skipping church for awhile. :) That's not what I'm advocating. Although that being said, it is wise to evaluate and make sure that we are listening to true Biblical teaching every Sunday at the church we are attending!)  I thank God much for the godly teachers and pastors that have influenced my life and drawn me closer to God. But, they are human. He had me take a break as a reminder between Him and I that no one person(s) has all the answers. That they cannot replace my relationship with God and what He wants to teach me Himself. What He wants me to hear from Him one on one. He knows exactly and perfectly what we need most. He has also been faithful to caution me against certain teachings and teachers, to steer clear from their deception.

"I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." -Jesus *Matthew 10:16
I love how The Message words it:
"Stay alert. This is hazardous work I'm assigning you. You're going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don't call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove."

(Hey! I see a bird in the verse above that we WOULD do well to imitate!) :) Quite the words from our Jesus. They are not for the faint of heart. Are you in? The encouragement and comfort is that our Sheperd does not leave us alone. We will not be in want. Along the way He makes us to lie down in green pastures, and He leads us beside quiet waters. He restores our soul. Even though we walk through valleys where wolves are on the prowl, He walks with us. He prepares a table before us while our enemies look on, not able to touch us. *Psalm 23 Wolves are deceived people. It wouldn't surprise me that as we stand for truth, that we may actually be viewed by them and accused by them as the ones who are wolves. As the bad guys. Because they hate the truth. Man looks at the outward appearance, God looks at the heart. What's under it all.  *I Samuel 16:7  Let's be wise fashion gurus and follow in His footsteps. Matthew 7:15-23 contains much wisdom for us.

Rejoice in the fact that God has promised that all untruth and falsehood WILL be exposed!! *Matthew 10:26 *Matthew 7:19 Rest in the peace that He will give and the patience He has towards us as we seek His face. Be willing to repent and remove any falsehood that you've been following if/when He reveals it to you. Whether through a brother/sister in Christ, or from His word. *Proverbs 27:17 Be willing to confront in love when you feel God leading you to reach out to those that are deceived. When we come in Holy Spirit-prompted love, and not out of our own agendas powerful and good things happen. *Jude 22-23 *I Corinthians 3:6-7 Plant the seeds. His Holy Spirit will water them and make them grow.  

*Proverbs 30:8 "Keep falsehood and lies far from me;..."  I pray it with all my might. I want to know the truth. The whole truth. And, NOTHING but the truth. So help me, dear God.

It's time to get out of my pajamas and get dressed for the day. I'm choosing to put on some sheep's clothing. Some truth. It's always in style. I think I'll also wear some red, white, and blue today. Have a great day my fellow fashionista!!

Jules