Prayer: Father, when I hear Your Word, help me to embrace it and not be deterred. Help me to obey Your Word fully, lest I too be destroyed. Amen.
Reading: 1 Kings 13 key: vs. 16-19 “The man of God said, “I cannot turn back and go with you, nor can I eat bread or drink water with you in this place. I have been told by the word of the Lord: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water there or return by the way you came.’” The old prophet answered, “I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the Lord: ‘Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.’” (But he was lying to him.) So the man of God returned with him and ate bread in his house and drank water.” TLV
Attention: I recently read of a couple and their dog who were backpacking in Banff National Park, Canada. They were attacked and killed by a grizzly bear. They were experienced hikers as they had registered with the authorities and they set off their alarm, alerting the authorities of the attack. The Rangers found the couple and their dog some hours later, the grizzly still at the site. They deposed of the grizzly upon the discovery. The article caught my attention because I have been to Banff, Canada and was in awe of the natural beauty as a college student.
I only reference the grizzly attack because of the similarity of being killed by a wild animal. I understand that the lion attacked at God’s command. The grizzly attacked as the hikers were in his habitat.
What I gather from this scripture account is obedience to God’s instruction is crucial for any follower of God. The unnamed prophet knew better. He even told the prophet who invited him back to eat and drink with him. Yet, he returned anyway. He was convinced or seduced to return.
This account reminds me of Yeshua’s words recorded in Matthew 24: 22-25, “For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and 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.”
Let us beware of false prophets and false prophecies. Let us beware lest we be titillated and seduced. Assess each prophecy by the Word of God and by the Spirit. We must know the Word and that is a major reason I embrace a lifestyle of daily time with God and His Word. Invite the Holy Spirit to mentor you and lead you into all truth.
Action: I choose to live a lifestyle of daily relationship with God, allowing His Spirit to transform my mind and heart.
Yield: I choose to submit to the Holy Spirit in leading me into truth.
Engage: I choose to engage with the Spirit of God in being transformed into His likeness.
Relationship: I choose to live in intimate relationship with God.
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your warning through Messiah recorded by Matthew. May we not be arrogant about being deceived and lied to. A deceiving, lying message is being perpetrated throughout the world to deceive the masses. May Your truth prevail. Amen.
Memory Verse: Matthew 24: 23-25 “At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and 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.” TLV
Music Video: Matthew West—Truth Be Told https://youtu.be/j4wYkS8Z3Io?si=TUZD8B8aS8p3OWUN
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”