How to Battle the Wolves – Karen Austin

Today I want to address something that is very important for the days that we live. This subject was spoken of as a warning repeatedly in the Scripture. What I want to address today is the wolves in sheep’s clothing infiltrating the church and social media. I came across this very subject three times today so I know it is on the heart of the Father.

1 Peter 5:8 “Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack.”

As believers, we inherently want to think the best of everyone and that everyone else who claims to be a Christian has the same character qualities that we work to reflect. It is actually difficult to even write about anyone who would pretend to be a Christian so as to influence others’ lives, decisions and morals negatively. I remember when I was first saved, I believed every Christian was as passionate about Jesus and wanted to reflect His character as I did. I was so disheartened when I found out that wasn’t always the case.

Some of these wolves are very easy to pick out. The mistruths they slyly speak are so out of line with Scripture, that if you read the Word at all, you will quickly recognize them as false. Religion is quick to quote the Word in situations, but it is absent of the heart of the Father. Love always overcomes law. This is another excellent example of why it is so very important to read and study the Word. Here you will not only read about His will, but you will get to know His character. This makes it quicker to discern the true followers of Christ from the false.

The enemy will stop at nothing to get his agenda accomplished…even deceiving well-meaning Christians. For many, many years he has been quoting scripture with a twisted application. This is what is hard for immature believers to discern. They reason, “Well yes, the scripture does say that so it must be true.” His goal is to mislead and manipulate the Word to lead many astray. The problem is, many wolves know the scriptures better than most would think. Their goal is to get us to question ourselves and what we really believe.

When we begin to see the miraculous, signs and wonders, we must look at the fruit of the one ministering. Who do they associate with? I have witnessed so many humble ministers who that are so easy to know they walk in purity and the fear of the Lord. I’m not speaking of false humility…that is another subject. We know even the enemy performs signs and wonders. Remember the miracles the magicians of Pharaoh performed at the time of Moses.

2 Thessalonians 2:9 “The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,”

Matthew 24:23-25 “…false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time.”

~~to be continued

Made You Look – Karen Austin

I was traveling home yesterday and saw I sign along the highway that read “Made you look.” Yes, it did make me look..lol. Its purpose was to emphasize the power of a sign. The intent was for you read the sign and agree with the power of a sign and then rent it to promote your business.

Signs are not only billboards but anything that is done to draw your attention to what the advertisers want you to look at. Today, we are witnessing so many signs in the earth that are saying “Look at me.” There are many movements that are screaming at us to buy into their beliefs.

One of the signs we are witnessing is violence and unrest in our nation. How many of us are glued to our television to see if anyone has been hurt or cities destroyed? Some are looking to the next politician to see whether they will speak peace and unity or speak words that will incite the anger. Signs of violence are causing the whole world to focus on division and to believe there is so much hate towards other people groups that there will never be unity and equality. This is a not true! Remember, a house divided cannot stand. This is the purpose of the enemy. He hates unity because he knows great power is released when we are in unity. “How truly wonderful and delightful to see brothers and sisters living together in sweet unity! It’s as precious as the sacred scented oil flowing from the head of the high priest Aaron, dripping down upon his beard and running all the way down to the hem of his priestly robes. This heavenly harmony can be compared to the dew dripping down from the skies upon Mount Hermon, refreshing the mountain slopes of Israel. For from this realm of sweet harmony God will release his eternal blessing, the promise of life forever! Psalm 133:1-3

Another sign that we are seeing displayed and requiring our attention are the words of Jesus. He said in this world, we would have pressures and tribulation but that we are to rejoice, because He has overcome the world. This means we too have overcome the world! As we live, move and have our being in Him we will be protected and will walk in great authority! We will become signs and wonders that point to Christ!

Jesus warned the religious by saying. “You fools! You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the present times.” Luke 12:56. Jesus specifically told His disciples what the signs of the times would be as the end of the age appears. “Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” Matthew 24:3-8.

The enemy knows his time is short. So between now and the time of Jesus’ return, we will experience much turmoil in the earth and signs in the heavens. We must be looking as the signs that Jesus gave us in His Word. He said “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:28

This will be the greatest times of the church. The world is looking for leaders who will give them hope and truth. They are looking for those who will give them hope and a promise. The only place the world will truly find healing from the hurt, injustice and division in the world is in the gospel of the Kingdom. Here is where we find comfort, our true identity and purpose.

So in this time of great turmoil, it is up to each of us to choose which sign we will give our attention to. What sign will you read and agree with the power of that sign? What sign will you become and promote?

“A Jewish man living there named Ananias came to see me. He was a godly man who lived according to the Law of Moses and was highly esteemed by the Jewish community. He stood beside me and said, ‘Saul! My brother, Saul—open your eyes and see again!’ At that very instant I opened my eyes and I could see! Then he said to me, ‘The God of our ancestors has destined you to know his plan and for you to see the Holy One and to hear his voice. For you will be his witness to every race of people and will share with them everything that you’ve seen and heard. So now, what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and wash away your sins as you call upon his name.” Matthew 22:12-16.

You have been destined to know His plan and to hear His voice. You are called to be His witness to every race of people and share the good news of His love for them.