In 1966, a song called “Little (or Lil’) Red Riding Hood,” written by Ronald Blackwell and produced by Stan Kesler, was released and sung by “Sam The Sham And The Pharaohs.” It was very popular. The lyrics are as follows:

Owoooooooo!
Who’s that I see walkin’ in these woods?
Why, it’s Little Red Riding Hood.
Hey there Little Red Riding Hood,
You sure are looking good.
You’re everything a big bad wolf could want.
Listen to me.

Little Red Riding Hood
I don’t think little big girls should
Go walking in these spooky old woods alone.
Owoooooooo!

What big eyes you have,
The kind of eyes that drive wolves mad.
So just to see that you don’t get chased
I think I ought to walk with you for a ways.

What full lips you have.
They’re sure to lure someone bad.
So until you get to grandma’s place
I think you ought to walk with me and be safe.

I’m gonna keep my sheep suit on
Until I’m sure that you’ve been shown
That I can be trusted walking with you alone.
Owoooooooo!

Little Red Riding Hood
I’d like to hold you if I could
But you might think I’m a big bad wolf so I won’t.
Owoooooooo!

What a big heart I have-the better to love you with.
Little Red Riding Hood
Even bad wolves can be good.
I’ll try to be satisfied just to walk close by your side.
Maybe you’ll see things my way before we get to grandma’s place.

Little Red Riding Hood
You sure are looking good
You’re everything that a big bad wolf could want.
Owoooooooo! I mean baaaaaa! Baaa?

Jesus said in John 10:12, “A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock (emphasis mine).” (John 10:12 NLT)

When examining this verse, it is easy to recognize the false prophets of today, whether they stand behind a pulpit, on a stage, or sit in a chair. They are the hired hands who forsake the sheep to the menacing fangs of the wolf. Usually we think of these charlatan ministers (pastors, evangelists, teachers, authors, writers, etc.) as being dressed in sheep’s clothing, but the real portrayer in sheep’s clothing is the one who pushes their buttons; i.e. Satan. He is the wolf.

I have heard good ministers say in the past that Satan really beats up on them when they preach directly against him, showing him up for what he is. I have experienced the same. Therefore, I now wait for his blows.

When thinking about actual wolves, the four-legged ones, I do not view them as bad. They’re just glorified dogs, doing what comes natural in the wild. They have to eat, and they are of course very good at catching their prey. It is actually a shame that they have been made to seem evil in movies. I certainly do not think this is what Jesus had in mind in the verse above. He was simply using the traits of a wolf (which doesn’t know any better) to equate with the wolf, Satan (who certainly does know better). Satan uses the same tactics as the four-legged wolf. He is constantly stalking the sheep, just waiting for an opportunity to strike.

Satan is called Abaddon (destroying angel), the accuser of our brethren, the adversary, Apollyon (destroyer), Belial (worthlessness), the Devil, dragon, the enemy, father of all lies, god of this world, Lucifer (the morning star), power of darkness, prince of the power of the air, the tempter, the wicked one, king of Babylon (confusion), and the list goes on. Satan is very powerful, very intelligent, and very dangerous.

Have you not seen and heard yourselves, simple-minded religious leaders make some stupid remark like, “I order you Satan to leave this place?” Then they compound the issue by encouraging others to do the same. In the book of Jude we find that even Michael left it up to the Lord, “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.” (Jude 1:9)

When it comes to anything you or I have to say, Satan is no amateur bozo to contend with. He is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and he is extremely dangerous. Please, do not allow some fool to cause you to get in a fight you cannot win. All our battles should be fought behind the robe of Jesus Christ. Jesus is God, and is supreme over Satan and all his minions. We are not.

What is the intention of the four-legged wolf when attacking a flock of sheep? LUNCH! The four-legged wolf can sneak up on the sheep with little to no effort while wearing a bib and holding a knife and fork (metaphorically of course). Satan does the same. He sneaks up on us, while we aren’t looking and pounces. How many of us have been caught unawares by his trickery? Oh come on now! We all have! Satan rarely, if ever, shoves the temptation in our face, and says, “This is really bad and you will suffer much, but go ahead and take it anyway.” If there is any voice telling us to run from it, it is the whisper of the Holy Spirit. Is there doubt in your mind? If so, it’s coming from God. He knows what Satan is up to. My Mother gave us children the best advise while we were growing up that I have heard along these lines. She said, “If in doubt, don’t.” I haven’t always followed that advice, but the times I have, saved me from much grief.

Satan always shows up in sheep’s clothing. He makes sin look so good, but how many broken lives has been a result of his treachery? God has given the world a guide to use when contending with, “What should I do?” It is called the Ten Commandments. To those who are His in the Church age, He has gone even further. He says, “Follow Me.” When we follow the Good Shepherd, the wolf is no danger to us. He is powerless. We are under God’s divine protection. Even if Satan throws rotten tomatoes at us, Jesus will just make tomato soup out of it (Romans 8:28)

Many things we face in life are obvious in their detriment to our well-being. Others are not. They are very subtle in their approach. We say of these, “just this once won’t hurt,” “everyone else is doing it,” “it feels right,” “it’s my body,” “it looks like fun,” etc. How do we know if it is appropriate for us? God provides only one yardstick. It is His Word, the Bible. If it doesn’t measure up to His Word, then it is wrong for us.

There are other areas where the wolf can attack the sheep, and they are even harder to recognize for those who are lost without Christ or are weak Christians. These come from within the walls of Christendom. Again, the only yardstick is God’s Word, the Bible. How do I know if the pastor is preaching the truth? If what he is saying does not measure up to the Word of God, it is wrong. Remember the Bereans. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, andsearched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so (emphasis mine).” (Acts 17:11)

Peter used another animal to portray the cunningness of Satan, the lion, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 NLT)

Do you feel like Little Red Riding Hood? Are you confused? Do you feel like you’re being stalked? If you prefer not being the wolf’s next meal, then get in the Word daily. There are no short-cuts.  Satan is the big bad wolf, and he is the roaring lion. He is always looking for his next meal.

If you are a child of God, by faith in Jesus Christ, you’re tasty mutton for Satan’s ravenous appetite. He wants more than anything to destroy your witness for Jesus. If you choose to live by your feelings, your opinions, or the erroneous tripe that comes from others, you will fail, but if you measure your beliefs and actions by the Holy Word of God, the Bible, you will defeat Satan’s goals for your life. Only behind the robe of the Good Shepherd can we have victory in this life on earth, and Jesus has told us everything we need to know in His Word. Satan will attack. You can count on it, but in Ephesians 6:13-18 our Lord provides our defense.

Grant Phillips

It’s The Little Things

By Grant Phillips
One of the songs I wrote for my better half, four years ago this past May,

is called, “It’s The Little Things”. The words are as follows:
It’s the little things
We remember from the past.
It’s the little things
That make our love last.
It’s the little things
That put a smile on our face.
It’s the little things,
Those things we can’t replace.

It’s the little things
That put a tear in our eye.
It’s the little things
We remember bye and bye.

It’s the little things
That warm our dear ole heart.
It’s the little things
We remember when apart.
Memories are usually made without thought. Normally, we do not consciously go through life trying to make memories, as you would manufacture parts in a factory. “Okay, I made 214 memories today. What’s my total for the week so far?” But what could it hurt, if we made ourselves more aware, that what we do now is a memory tomorrow. That could definitely help.
I think memories are basically three types; small (seemingly unimportant, just the little things), medium (worth remembering), and large (major happening). Your wedding day could certainly classify as “large”, and perhaps the doctor visit could be “medium”, as long as it was uneventful. You would be surprised at what we could call “small” or seemingly unimportant … just little things.
Very often in life, it is the little things that mean so much. More often than not, when I reminisce, it’s the little things I think about, not necessarily the big events. I suspect you are the same. In the present, we make our memories for the future when we think about the past. We should live every minute with that thought in mind, because we can either make memories that bring a tear of joy to the eye or a tear of sadness. Further more, and perhaps even more important, we are also making memories for others who are associated with us, like our spouse, our children, and others.

When thinking back to when I was a child, it’s usually the little things that come to mind, whether my thoughts are on family or school for example. Strangely enough, they always outweigh the so-called “important” events. Thankfully, they are happy memories that bring a tear of joy to the eye, so to speak. I realize I am fortunate, because many may not have pleasant memories of the little things in the past.
When I think about my children growing up, little things come to mind. My, my they just grew up too fast.

I recall the wonderful years that I have been blessed to spend with my dear wife, and again, all those moments of “the little things” burst forth. Again, I sympathize with others who may not have this pleasure.

What kind of memories are you making for your spouse? Can they sit alone in the quiet stillness of the night and recall with a smile little things you have experienced together? Can they be so touched by the little things you have done for them or said to them, that a tear of joy comes to their eyes? What have you done to provide sweet memories for the one you love, the one person who you should be the closest to on this earth?

What about your children? The greatest gift you can give them isn’t a cell phone, or a computer, or a car. The greatest gift you can give them is yourself, specifically your time. How about an honest compliment? Maybe laughter would be nice too.

Have you ever thought about others, such as your parents or grandparents? We grow up and get on the merry-go-round of a fast-paced world, and often forget those that love us without condition. When was the last time we visited them? Was it quality time? Little things mean a lot to them also.
An example of a little thing in my life that caused me to not drive fast as a teenager goes like this; I hitched a ride home from a birthday party with a friend of mine. Neither of us was old enough to drive, so his older brother picked us up and took us home. I don’t recall why, but his older brother talked about driving sensibly, and his driving backed up what he was saying. I never forgot that, and never got “stupid” while driving as a teenager.

Could it be that God is taking note? There is no question that we are living in a time when life speeds by like a bullet. That is all the more reason to slow down, and not get caught up in it.

One of the biggest detriments to our lives is our work, but which is more important, our work, or our family? Yes, I hear you. “We must work to eat. We work to provide for them. They should appreciate what I do for them.” That is all true, but it doesn’t change the fact that you are making memories now, for yourself and those you love, that cannot be changed later. “I’ll do it tomorrow” is usually too late, because “tomorrow” seldom comes.

Another major detriment, which may be the greatest, is selfishness, or self-centeredness. We have become very selfish in our modern world. Read the news, to consider one source, and you’ll see what I mean. If this isn’t the antithesis of what Jesus showed us by example, then nothing is. This attitude saturates the television screens in all our homes. It is on open display in the department stores. It thrives in the work place. It breeds in the heart. It is not of God.

The little things are important in our personal lives. They may not make the front page to some, but they bring a smile and a tear to those who are thinking about all those little things.

One recalls the encouraging words of a teacher. A young lady remembers, as a young girl when her Dad would actually get down in the floor with her and sip the make-believe tea she made just for him. A man smiles thinking about those times as a lad, when Mom would soothe the hurt from his cuts and bruises. A husband still smells the trees from a walk in the park with his best friend, his wife. A wife remembers so well the comfort from her best friend, her husband, as he comforted her when she was down. None of these are significant to anyone else, but to the one thinking about those little things, they are a priceless treasure.

As you are readily aware, examples of the little things we remember are ad infinitum. So how much enjoyment are we providing to others when they think about the little things in their past?

Grant Phillips