5 Smooth Stones

The Holy Spirit only used a true prophet to warn of the false. Only a true apostle was called upon to warn of false apostles, true shepherds were used to warn of the false, and so on. Today we are in grave need of true leaders, those who will lead by example and serve through true gifts and calling. These leaders must also be e ff ectively able to reveal the di ff erences between true and false ministry. This also goes for secular leaders, as the same principle is true throughout society. The scripture says tells us in Proverbs 29:2, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.” The same principle which Jesus spoke of in Ma tt hew 24 is also applicable to governments, militaries, businesses and other organizations. When false leaders are in authority the people will be much more likely to lose heart and the danger of lawlessness increases. If we give serious consideration to how these exact things may be a ff ecting us today, we may well be encouraged in our present situation and have the strength to over come and “not grow weary in doing well.” Proverbs 13:12, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” While it may be true that deferred hope can sicken our heart, and weak and false leaders can cause us to lose heart and leave our fi rst love, it is also true that if our desire is in the right place we can see harvest, fruit fulness and encouragement in any situation. We need to be aware of things occurring and those things which we are warned may a ff ect us and our faith. By understanding not only the warnings, but that the Lord has also supplied all that is needed to overcome in any situation, we will keep our fi rst love fi rst, and our desire will be for Him and that will be enough for any situation.

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