SHEEP among wolves

 JESUS warned us:

Matthew 7:15

King James Version

15 Beware of false prophets, 

which come to you in sheep's clothing, 

but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

With the way the world is steeped in darkness, you can well believe wolves outnumber sheep, thus, we call this post "sheep among wolves".

JESUS warned us about wolves in sheep's clothing.

The LORD knows who are His.

Matthew 10:16

King James Version

16 Behold, 

I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: 

be ye therefore wise as serpents, 

and harmless as doves.

John 10:27-28

King James Version

27 My sheep hear my voice, 

and I know them, 

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life; 

and they shall never perish, 

neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Here's how to know the sheep, from the wolves.

The sheep follow JESUS.

Much as we are mocked by the world, we don't follow blindly.

We follow the LIGHT, and never walk in darkness.

John 8:12

King James Version

12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, 

saying, 

I am the light of the world: 

he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, 

but shall have the light of life.

Born agains abide by what JESUS commanded us:

Matthew 22:37-40

King James Version

37 Jesus said unto him, 

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God 

with all thy heart, 

and with all thy soul, 

and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, 

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments hang 

all the law and the prophets.

Mark 1:15

King James Version

15 And saying, 

The time is fulfilled, 

and the kingdom of God is at hand: 

repent ye, 

and believe the gospel.

Luke 16:15

King James Version

15 And he said unto them, 

Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; 

but God knoweth your hearts: 

for that which is highly esteemed among men 

is abomination in the sight of God.

John 3:3-7

King James Version

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, 

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, 

Except a man be born again, 

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, 

How can a man be born when he is old? 

can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, 

and be born?

5 Jesus answered, 

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, 

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, 

he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; 

and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, 

Ye must be born again.

John 3:16-21

King James Version

16 For God so loved the world, 

that he gave his only begotten Son, 

that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, 

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world 

to condemn the world; 

but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: 

but he that believeth not is condemned already, 

because he hath not believed in the name 

of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation, 

that light is come into the world, 

and men loved darkness rather than light, 

because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, 

neither cometh to the light, 

lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, 

that his deeds may be made manifest, 

that they are wrought in God.

John 14:15

King James Version

15 If ye love me, 

keep my commandments.

The Bible was very clear Who we must FOCUS on:

Colossians 3:1-2

King James Version

3 If ye then be risen with Christ, 

seek those things which are above, 

where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, 

not on things on the earth.

As born again, living by the Bible, loving the LORD, studying what I may share with you, I know what to focus on.

JESUS, and JESUS alone.

There is nothing else but JESUS.

Matthew 24:35

King James Version

35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, 

but my words shall not pass away.

He is the WORD, made manifest.

John 1:14

King James Version

14 And the Word was made flesh, 

and dwelt among us, 

(and we beheld his glory, 

the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) 

full of grace and truth.

Related material:

GOD's LIGHT

The SHEEP

BORN AGAIN articles

WORD of GOD

The devil's DEVICES

Image: Clipart Logo

PEACE for AMERICA

 

Prayers and verses for an embattled nation.

I wrote this post yesterday, but look what GOD has for us today -- so much in keeping with the times!

The timely 8 November 2020 "Verse of the Day":

"I exhort therefore, 

that, first of all, 

supplications, 

prayers, 

intercessions, 

and giving of thanks, 

be made for all men; 

For kings, 

and for all that are in authority; 

that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life 

in all godliness and honesty."

1 Timothy 2:1-2 

King James Version

16 Now the Lord of peace himself 

give you peace always 

by all means. 

The Lord be with you all.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 

King James Version

7 When a man's ways please the Lord, 

he maketh even his enemies 

to be at peace with him.

Proverbs 16:7 

King James Version

15 And let the peace of God 

rule in your hearts, 

to the which also ye are called in one body; 

and be ye thankful.

Colossians 3:15 

King James Version

33 For God is not the author of confusion, 

but of peace, 

as in all churches of the saints.

1 Corinthians 14:33 

King James Version

17 For the kingdom of God is not meat 

and drink; 

but righteousness, 

and peace, 

and joy in the Holy Ghost.

18 For he that in these things serveth Christ 

is acceptable to God, 

and approved of men.

19 Let us therefore follow after the things 

which make for peace, 

and things wherewith one may edify another.

Romans 14:17-19 

King James Version

12 Lord, 

thou wilt ordain peace for us: 

for thou also hast wrought 

all our works in us.

Isaiah 26:12 

King James Version

11 The Lord will give strength 

unto his people; 

the Lord will bless his people 

with peace.

Psalm 29:11 

King James Version

9 Not rendering evil for evil, 

or railing for railing: 

but contrariwise blessing; 

knowing that ye are thereunto called, 

that ye should inherit a blessing.

10 For he that will love life, 

and see good days, 

let him refrain his tongue from evil, 

and his lips that they speak no guile:

11 Let him eschew evil, 

and do good; 

let him seek peace, 

and ensue it.

1 Peter 3:9-11 

King James Version

14 Follow peace with all men, 

and holiness, 

without which no man 

shall see the Lord:

Hebrews 12:14 

King James Version

37 Mark the perfect man, 

and behold the upright: 

for the end of that man is peace.

Psalm 37:37 

King James Version

6 Be careful for nothing; 

but in every thing by prayer and supplication 

with thanksgiving 

let your requests be made known 

unto God.

7 And the peace of God, 

which passeth all understanding, 

shall keep your hearts and minds 

through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 

King James Version

18 And the fruit of righteousness 

is sown in peace 

of them that make peace.

James 3:18 

King James Version

15 See that none render evil for evil 

unto any man; 

but ever follow that which is good, 

both among yourselves, 

and to all men.

1 Thessalonians 5:15 

King James Version

18 If it be possible, 

as much as lieth in you, 

live peaceably with all men.

Romans 12:18 

King James Version

20 Deceit is in the heart 

of them that imagine evil: 

but to the counsellors of peace 

is joy.

Proverbs 12:20 

King James Version

14 Depart from evil, 

and do good; 

seek peace, 

and pursue it.

Psalm 34:14 

King James Version

13 Now the God of hope 

fill you with all joy 

and peace 

in believing, 

that ye may abound in hope, 

through the power 

of  the Holy Ghost.

Romans 15:13 

King James Version

6 For unto us a child is born, 

unto us a son is given: 

and the government 

shall be upon his shoulder: 

and his name shall be called 

Wonderful, 

Counsellor, 

The mighty God, 

The everlasting Father, 

The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 

King James Version

33 These things I have spoken unto you, 

that in me ye might have peace. 

In the world ye shall have tribulation: 

but be of good cheer; 

I have overcome the world.

John 16:33 

King James Version

27 Peace I leave with you, 

my peace I give unto you: 

not as the world giveth, 

give I unto you. 

Let not your heart 

be troubled, 

neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27 

King James Version

165 Great peace have they 

which love thy law: 

and nothing shall offend them.

Psalm 119:165 

King James Version

3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, 

whose mind is stayed on thee: 

because he trusteth in thee.

Isaiah 26:3 

King James Version

7 Casting all your care upon him; 

for he careth for you.

1 Peter 5:7 

King James Version

33 Now the God of peace be 

with you all. 

Amen.

Romans 15:33 

King James Version

Related material:

CONFUSED about the WORLD?

(White House, Washington D.C. photo by David Everett Strickler.)

Updated 22 January 2022

What are We to Do in Times of Confusion and Dissension?

 

Wherever in the world you may be, whatever you may be going through, if the world seems cruel, seemingly in confusion and dissension, find comfort, strength, and clarity, in the WORD of GOD:

1. FOCUS on things "above".

3 If ye then be risen with Christ, 

seek those things which are above, 

where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, 

not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3:1-2 

King James Version

2. TRUST God with all your heart.

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; 

and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, 

and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 

King James Version

3. LOVE God.

28 And we know that all things 

work together for good 

to them that love God, 

to them who are the called 

according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 

King James Version

4. BELIEVE that JESUS is the SON of GOD.

14 And we have seen and do testify 

that the Father sent the Son 

to be the Saviour of the world.

15 Whosoever shall confess 

that Jesus is the Son of God, 

God dwelleth in him, 

and he in God.

1 John 4:14-15 

King James Version

5. FOLLOW Jesus for He is the WAY to GOD.

6 Jesus saith unto him, 

I am the way, 

the truth, 

and the life: 

no man cometh unto the Father, 

but by me.

John 14:6 

King James Version

6. LOVE one another.

34 A new commandment I give unto you, 

That ye love one another; 

as I have loved you, 

that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know 

that ye are my disciples, 

if ye have love one to another.

John 13:34-35 

King James Version

7. STAY strong in God's WORD.

2 And be not conformed to this world: 

but be ye transformed 

by the renewing of your mind, 

that ye may prove 

what is that good, 

and acceptable, 

and perfect, 

will of God.

Romans 12:2 

King James Version

8. TURN to the LORD GOD.

12 Therefore also now, 

saith the Lord, 

turn ye even to me 

with all your heart, 

and with fasting, 

and with weeping, 

and with mourning:

13 And rend your heart, 

and not your garments, 

and turn unto the Lord your God: 

for he is gracious and merciful, 

slow to anger, 

and of great kindness, 

and repenteth him of the evil.

Joel 2:12-13 

King James Version

9. "BE strong in the Lord."

10 Finally, my brethren, 

be strong in the Lord, 

and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, 

that ye may be able to stand 

against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, 

but against principalities, 

against powers, 

against the rulers of the darkness 

of this world, 

against spiritual wickedness 

in high places.

Ephesians 6:10-12 

King James Version

Updated 22 January 2022

What is Man's DESTINY?

 

Do you know where you're headed?

Does life make sense?

What are you on earth for?

What will the future bring?

Find all the answers from SCRIPTURE.

From the OLD TESTAMENT, through GOD:

Before the fall from grace.

27 So God created man in his own image, 

in the image of God created he him; 

male and female created he them.

28 And God blessed them, 

and God said unto them, 

Be fruitful, 

and multiply, 

and replenish the earth, 

and subdue it: 

and have dominion over the fish of the sea, 

and over the fowl of the air, 

and over every living thing that moveth 

upon the earth.

Genesis 1:27-28 

King James Version

After the fall from grace (unto dust we return).

16 Unto the woman he said, 

I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; 

in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; 

and thy desire shall be to thy husband, 

and he shall rule over thee.

17 And unto Adam he said, 

Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, 

and hast eaten of the tree, 

of which I commanded thee, 

saying, 

Thou shalt not eat of it: 

cursed is the ground for thy sake; 

in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; 

and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, 

till thou return unto the ground; 

for out of it wast thou taken: 

for dust thou art, 

and unto dust shalt thou return.

Genesis 3:16-19 

King James Version

God's WILL stands.

10 Declaring the end from the beginning, 

and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, 

saying, 

My counsel shall stand, 

and I will do all my pleasure:

Isaiah 46:10 

King James Version 

GOD is in control of EVERYTHING.

11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: 

it shall not return unto me void, 

but it shall accomplish that which I please, 

and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Isaiah 55:11 

King James Version

God ordained us for His PURPOSE (as in prophet Jeremiah).

4 Then the word of the Lord came unto me, 

saying,

5 Before I formed thee in the belly 

I knew thee; 

and before thou camest forth out of the womb 

I sanctified thee, 

and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Jeremiah 1:4-5 

King James Version

How GOD carved the destiny of prophet Jeremiah.

6 Then said I, 

Ah, Lord God! 

behold, I cannot speak: 

for I am a child.

7 But the Lord said unto me, 

Say not, I am a child: 

for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, 

and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

8 Be not afraid of their faces: 

for I am with thee to deliver thee, 

saith the Lord.

9 Then the Lord put forth his hand, 

and touched my mouth. 

And the Lord said unto me, 

Behold, 

I have put my words in thy mouth.

10 See, 

I have this day set thee over the nations 

and over the kingdoms, 

to root out, 

and to pull down, 

and to destroy, 

and to throw down, 

to build, 

and to plant.

Jeremiah 1:6-10 

King James Version

God is the author of FREEDOM and captivity, lest any man think he is above God.

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, 

saith the Lord, 

thoughts of peace, 

and not of evil, 

to give you an expected end.

12 Then shall ye call upon me, 

and ye shall go 

and pray unto me, 

and I will hearken unto you.

13 And ye shall seek me, 

and find me, 

when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

14 And I will be found of you, 

saith the Lord: 

and I will turn away your captivity, 

and I will gather you from all the nations, 

and from all the places whither I have driven you, 

saith the Lord; 

and I will bring you again into the place 

whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 

King James Version

Only GOD sets the appointed time for everything.

2 And the Lord answered me, 

and said, 

Write the vision, 

and make it plain upon tables, 

that he may run that readeth it.

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, 

but at the end it shall speak, 

and not lie: 

though it tarry, 

wait for it; 

because it will surely come, 

it will not tarry.

Habakkuk 2:2-3 

King James Version

The iniquity of the fathers is visited upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.

6 I am the Lord thy God, 

which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, 

from the house of bondage.

7 Thou shalt have none other gods before me.

8 Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, 

or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, 

or that is in the earth beneath, 

or that is in the waters beneath the earth:

9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, 

nor serve them: 

for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, 

visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children 

unto the third and fourth generation of them 

that hate me,

Deuteronomy 5:6-9 

King James Version)

Every path is directed by the LORD.

24 Man's goings are of the Lord; 

how can a man then understand his own way?

Proverbs 20:24 

King James Version

The upright man's end is PEACE.

37 Mark the perfect man, 

and behold the upright: 

for the end of that man is peace.

Psalm 37:37 

King James Version

From the NEW TESTAMENT, through JESUS:

JESUS chose and ordained us, in God's SERVICE.

16 Ye have not chosen me, 

but I have chosen you, 

and ordained you, 

that ye should go and bring forth fruit, 

and that your fruit should remain: 

that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, 

he may give it you.

John 15:16 

King James Version

JESUS speaks of God's WILL; our destinies hinge upon that Will and our obedience to the LORD Jesus.

39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, 

that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, 

but should raise it up again at the last day.

John 6:39 

King James Version

True believers of JESUS are given eternal life.

28 And I give unto them eternal life; 

and they shall never perish, 

neither shall any man pluck them 

out of my hand.

John 10:28 

King James Version

We are to have tribulation.

33 These things I have spoken unto you, 

that in me ye might have peace. 

In the world ye shall have tribulation: 

but be of good cheer; 

I have overcome the world.

John 16:33 

King James Version

All the world wait for the LORD's Return, as prophesied in the Book of REVELATION; everything has been prophesied.

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, 

which God gave unto him, 

to shew unto his servants things 

which must shortly come to pass; 

and he sent and signified it by his angel 

unto his servant John:

2 Who bare record of the word of God, 

and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, 

and of all things that he saw.

3 Blessed is he that readeth, 

and they that hear the words of this prophecy, 

and keep those things which are written therein: 

for the time is at hand.

Revelation 1:1-3 

King James Version

Through the Apostles in the NEW TESTAMENT, from JESUS:

God prepares something for "them that love him".

7 But we speak the wisdom of God 

in a mystery, 

even the hidden wisdom, 

which God ordained before the world 

unto our glory:

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: 

for had they known it, 

they would not have crucified 

the Lord of glory.

9 But as it is written, 

Eye hath not seen, 

nor ear heard, 

neither have entered into the heart of man, 

the things which God hath prepared for them 

that love him.

1 Corinthians 2:7-9 

King James Version

We are "predestinated" to be conformed to the image of JESUS.

28 And we know that all things work together for good 

to them that love God, 

to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, 

he also did predestinate to be conformed 

to the image of his Son, 

that he might be the firstborn 

among many brethren.

Romans 8:28-29 

King James Version)

The future -- and thus our destinies -- is told by JESUS in Scripture:

Matthew 24

Book of Revelation

Supporting article:

"Why Did God Create Man?"

(Image source: George Bakos)

Updated 22 January 2022