The Enemy Within

October 23

(Acts 20:30-31 NIV) “Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. {31} So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.”

(2 Peter 2:1-3 NIV) “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. {2} Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. {3} In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.”

Paul the apostle understood human nature. He knew that there would always be some who were more interested in having a following, than in doing the following. They would be far more interested in gathering disciples than in making disciples. It’s an ego thing, and it’s always divisive and harmful. Some people just have the need to control others, and they will even distort the truth (which is lying) in order to gain influence and exert power. Watch out for these false teachers, but moreover, be careful you don’t become one of them. Most of us need correction at times. Be honest about your errors and failings. Do what it takes to correct your course… if you are off course and have followers, then they are off course too, and you are responsible for their souls. So watch yourself, and be on guard. Heed Paul’s warning. Keep your eyes on Jesus and not the crowd. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Shepherds of the Church

October 22

(Acts 20:28-29 NIV) “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. {29} I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.”

(Matthew 10:16-20 NIV) “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. {17} Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. {18} On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. {19} But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, {20} for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

(1 Peter 5:1-11 NIV) ““To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: {2} Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; {3} not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. {4} And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. {5} Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." {6} Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. {7} Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. {8} Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. {9} Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. {10} And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. {11} To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.””

Paul and Peter called on elders to protect their flocks, but every disciple of Jesus should be prepared to help with this. Paul tells them to “keep watch” over themselves. You cannot lead others to Jesus if you yourself are not being led by Jesus. You cannot teach what you have not learned. Do what it takes to get strong and stay strong. God has called us to defend His sheep against “savage wolves”. The battle is not over just because we said the “sinner’s prayer” one Sunday. Believers will be attacked by the Enemy. Satan is like a roaring lion who roams the Earth looking for someone to devour. That someone may be your child, your mate, your friend, or your neighbor. Are you prepared to take on the wolves and lions, or will you tuck tail and run when you hear their snarls? Put on the armor of God. Be ready to fight the good fight. With training, we can all help protect the flock. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day   

No Hesitation

October 21

(Acts 20:27 NIV) “For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.”

(2 Peter 3:9 NIV) “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

(John 3:16 NIV) “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

God’s will for those who are lost is that they be found. God does not want anyone to perish. He sent His Son Jesus to rescue us. God gave the life of His Son so that we could be found -- so that we could have life. Jesus died to pay for our sin. This provides all people with the opportunity to obtain eternal life. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, providing both the awareness of being lost, as well as the desire for rescue. But the lost must hear the truth, and we who have believed are the truth-tellers. We have been called to provide the proclamation and the witness -- our lives, our words, laid out for the glory of God. The church is God’s rescue team – sent out to proclaim the gospel. As Paul neared the end of his life, he could say with integrity, “I have held nothing back.” Will you be able to say that? Paul had not hesitated to proclaim the whole will of God -- neither should we! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Innocent of the Blood

October 20

(Acts 20:26 NIV) "Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men."

(Psalms 19:9-14 NIV) "The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. {10} They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. {11} By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. {12} Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. {13} Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. {14} May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."

Paul testified that he was innocent of the blood of all men. But before he became a believer, Paul had incited violence against the church and stood in approval of Stephen’s stoning. So when Paul says he is “innocent of the blood of all men”, he must be speaking spiritually. He was saying that when he stood before God, he would never be accused of not trying to lead people to Jesus. He did his best to persuade everyone to be saved. If they refused to believe, their blood would be on their own hands. Paul would be found “innocent of the blood of all men” because he shared the gospel with everyone he came into contact with. He preached salvation by grace through faith everywhere he went. Can you say that? This world would be a much different place if all Christians could stand before God and honestly declare along with Paul, “I am innocent of the blood of all men.” -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day