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Today is Friday April 16, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of II Samuel, chapters 15-16. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this URL onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-april-16

Title: Bible Study: Wolves in Sheep's Clothing
As Christians we have to be on constant guard, even with others who claim to be Christians themselves. Jesus Said, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” - Matthew 7:15. There are going to be many people crossing our paths that look like they are Christians, even ones we see in church or fellowship with on a pretty regular basis, but in reality they are wolves in sheep's clothing. So, how can you tell if a person is real or fake? The only way to know is by having a relationship with Jesus and staying in the Word of God, God's Word helps us discern between the sheep and the wolves.

After David and Absalom reconciles, David thought his problems were over, little did he know that his own son was conspiring to take the throne from him. “And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.” - II Samuel 15:1-5. Absalom wickedly got the people to trust him over David, he got the disgruntled people to side with him so he could take control of the kingdom, only to deceive them once they got him in there. He is an example of a conspirator who creates opposition within a church, business, or political campaign in order to obtain control, then once he gains their trust he deceives them.

Soon the shocking news that Absalom had the trust of the people reached David, “And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword....And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:” - II Samuel 15:13,14,30-32. It is sad to read that David, the brokenhearted old king, left Jerusalem, running barefoot down the rocky, rugged hills and up the Mount of Olives, weeping, fleeing Jerusalem in fear of his own beloved son, even his most trusted adviser turned against him for the bigger and better deal. David knew where he was going though, he was going to the one place where he could reach safety and avoid bloodshed in Jerusalem, the City of God. There is a time to fight and there is a time to lay low, we can not try to defend ourselves out of anger or hurt, doing so will only make things worse. We must wait until we are calm and have thought about things before taking any action. David could have questioned God, but he knew that all this was the result of what had happened when he sinned with Bathsheba and was now suffering the consequences as Nathan had prophesied. It was during this time when he went to God and worshiped Him, this was when we wrote Psalm 51.

Where did David go wrong? His sons. Of course, he loved his sons, but he never let them face the consequences for their actions. First, he allowed no justice to be done when Amnon raped his own half sister, then he allowed no justice to be done for Absalom when he had Amnon killed. By allowing them to get away with these things all it did was add more fuel to get Absalom to steal control of the crown. While no one wants to see their children suffer, it is important to instill some form of discipline and allow them to suffer the consequences for their actions. We are not helping our children by bailing them our every time they get into trouble, we are just helping them get into more trouble and allowing us to be deceived by them one more time. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” - Hebrews 12:6-11. God will chasten His children, but God's correction is not condemnation, it grows us and teaches us discipline as well as holiness. Let us then learn to consider the afflictions brought on us by our own parents, as corrections sent by our wise and gracious Father, for our own spiritual good.

Everyone has been or will be deceived by someone in their lives, Jesus was deceived by one of His own disciples. Judas sold Him out for thirty pieces of silver, but in the end Judas was the one to suffer, right after he accepted the money and saw them take Jesus he knew he made the biggest mistake of his life, he ended up hanging himself for his guilt. Those who deceive, in the end are the ones who will suffer, no true follower of Christ will suffer for long and will always be victorious over the Judas's of our lives. While it is sad to think that we have to constantly be on guard of the wolves hiding in sheep's clothing, we can be sure of one thing.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and your weekend.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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