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the wolves want your lunch!

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From Eliyahu

Consider this:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.” With these words Yeshua begins the final warnings that bring the Sermon on the Mount to a close. (Matthew 7:15)

So, what is a wolf in sheep’s clothing? Of course, such a thing does not literally exist. Wolves have neither the intelligence nor the ability to fashion clothing from the wool of sheep, let alone disguise themselves in such deceptive garb. While literal wolves can’t do that, human ‘wolves’ can, and often do, in the figurative sense. We are talking about covering over a selfish hidden agenda with what looks like sincere words and actions – which words and actions are a ruse, a deception designed to separate the victim from his valuables. These valuables may include favor, praise, money, ones friends, spouse, family members, or even one’s life. Such deceptive arts are included in witchcraft and sorcery, since they proceed from the very bowels of the devil himself. No wonder our Lord told us to beware of such wolves!

OK, this next part is pretty creepy, but very instructive. I asked myself ‘What sort of person best illustrates someone who behaves like a wolf in sheep’s clothing’? The best answer I could come up with is a serial killer. I promise not to make this graphic – just a focus on the deceptive tactics these criminals use to lure in victims. I found an article on the internet entitled Top Ten Sinister Tricks Serial Killer’s Use To Trap Their Victims. The article begins like this:

“When it comes to investigating the minds of serial killers, it is their ability to hunt for prey with such cunning and calmness that disturbs us the most. For the rest of us well-adjusted people who have empathy for other human beings, we would never dream of harming another person, yet for the serial killer—manipulation and domination over others is like a walk in the park. So how did some of the world’s most notorious ensnare their victims? They used sinister tricks which will hopefully encourage others to think twice about a stranger’s true intention before falling into their deadly trap.”

As I reviewed the cases I was impressed with the fact that these criminals actually did clothe themselves to make themselves appear as something they were not – wolves’ in sheep’s clothing – something harmless or even helpful. Here is one example:

“Charles William Davis was a serial killer who stalked his victims in Maryland during the 1970s. He was an ambulance driver and also the son of a police lieutenant which he used this to his twisted advantage. Davis would stalk his female victims until they parked outside a store or restaurant, he used his father’s police contacts to run the license plate and then message the pager number claiming she had left her car lights on. Once the woman returned to her car [the crime would occur].”

Today we call them “first responders” and many of us view them as heroes, which some of them certainly are. Charles Davis was a first responder, but he was no hero. He used the cover of favor by society as a weapon to deceive and kill. As the old adage says, “you can’t judge a book by its cover.” While I think we would all agree that Charles Davis used an exceptionally detailed and deceptive cover, others were able to reach their nefarious goals with far simpler deceptions. Such was the case with Catherine and David Birnie, a depraved duo from Perth, Australia.

“The couple stalked females who were alone and could be tricked into accepting a ride because there was Catherine reassuring them it was safe to get into the car. [Using this tactic they] ..murdered four victims. ..Their final intended victim was 17-year-old Kate Moir who said she accepted a ride from the “harmless-looking” couple. She soon realized the door handle in the car had been removed and she was trapped. ..Moir was able to make a brave escape.”

Catherine and David Birnie seemed like a nice couple just trying to help out by offering a ride. That Catherine, a woman was there, was enough reassurance to get the victim in the car. Things are not always what they seem on the outside. Hidden motives can surely be deadly.

Serial killers aren’t that different from “false prophets.” How so? you ask. Tap Here to Read more…

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Life In The Kingdom

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From Eliyahu

Consider this:

Life in the Kingdom is meaningful, fulfilling and, yes, challenging. It is the narrow way that leads to eternal life. The broad way: Life dedicated to pursuing selfish interests of this world, seems appealing, can be fun sometimes, but it is very deceptive. Yeshua said that broad way “leads to destruction.”

Usually when people read what Messiah said in Scripture about the two ways, they think it is referring to the afterlife. This is one reason some people, most people, choose the broad way to destruction. Many of them doubt that there is an afterlife. Others think that God loves everybody, so no worries. A lot of others just don’t care.

Actually though, Yeshua’s teaching of the two ways originates in the Torah, is clarified in the Psalms, and is demonstrated in the Prophets. In all of those places the two ways refers to this life, and only secondarily to the afterlife. In this sense the narrow way to life is referring to the abundant quality of life and blessings that come to those who choose to live in Messiah’s Kingdom right now by walking in His way. It is this excellent way that we are teaching as we delve deeply into Yeshua’s words and deeds in the Gospels.

Yeshua also warn us about another way, the broad way of this world that most people choose for their life. He calls it “the broad way that leads to destruction.” Is this ‘destruction’ literal – in this life?

Actually, very often the way of this world is not the big party some hope for, but is the fast track to misery, destruction, and death – all too real. Scripture tells us not to fall in the trap of loving the world:

“Don’t love the world, neither the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love isn’t in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s. The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does Elohim’s will remains forever.” 1 John 2:15-17

When you set your heart on acquiring the things of the world, even with the best of intentions in mind, you have chosen the broad way that leads to destruction. The Father is not in that choice, according to Scripture. In affluent countries such as the USA many people start out thinking they are going to ‘live their dream.’ Some attain what they are after, but only after sacrificing a great deal of far greater value to get it. Many people start out with high hopes on the world’s road, only to end up disillusioned, suffering loss, and feeling depressed.

According to the CDC, 15,000,000 physician office visits occur each year with depressive disorders as the primary diagnosis. This number probably does not include most of the people addicted to drugs or alcohol, since they are usually using their substance abuse to cope.

Substance abuse is a deadly path to take. In fact, CDC researchers found a staggering 110,236 people died by overdose in the single 12-month period of 2022, a stunning new record. Further, people suffering from depression have approximately a 10% lifetime suicide risk. When combined with substance abuse, the suicide risk rises to… Read More

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