[Discoveries] 09-15-08 Protection -- Acts 20:29

[Inspiration in Your Inbox]

/*"I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and 
will not spare the flock." -- Acts 20:29 */

I am amazed at the number of Christians with problems who are not part 
of a local church. I bring this up, because we are sheep, the Lord is 
our shepherd, and He is not stupid. He has placed under shepherds among 
the flock -- in plain language, pastors of local churches.

Now, how do wolves operate? Do they take on the whole flock? No, they 
scatter. They divide. They seek out the straggler, the one separated 
from the flock, the one who is weak and all alone.

Let's get real. It's just about impossible to be part of a local church 
for longer than a month, and not find something to complain about. Like 
Charlie Brown said, "I love humanity - it's people I can't stand." 
Pastors are human. They will disappoint you. Get used to it. And the 
rest of the church is just as imperfect as you and I are.

Yet, somehow, in this jumbled up mess, there is strength. Even though we 
are all stumbling and bumbling at times, God puts us together in a local 
church, and there we find protection from temptations and troubles the 
enemy likes to bring.

I know this passage is primarily about false teachers, false pastors, 
false prophets and the like. But it illustrates something about how the 
enemy operates. Divide and conquer. The devil is scared of Christian 
unity because He has no defense against it.

We may see the problems with our church. But God sees the protection 
that it provides, and He wants that protection for each of us.

Be encouraged!
Dwight

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