Spiritual Maturity

Is There a Peacemaker in the House?

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Is there a Peacemaker in the House?

“Blessed are the peacemakers…”

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matt. 5:9, NRS).  Is peacemaking even possible in the 21st century?  The world is becoming more polarized every day and over every issue that surfaces in our life.  We are divided on everything from politics to the color of the school library.  Why is this so?

Is this the new model we are to use as we strive to live in a world marked by extraordinary diversity and constant change?

Is it a new anomaly caused by a world traumatized by the crises and the catastrophes of this new century: pandemics, wars, natural disasters, and human tragedies.

Has something occurred in our spirit that now causes us to be more accepting of evil, combative, and defensive?

Is our commitment to peacemaking dead? Is there room in our world for peacemakers?

Do we need peacemaking?

What is the opposite of peacemaking?  The antonyms for peacemaking include the following:    inflammatory, offensive, provocative, aggravating, provoking, engaging, frustrating, abrasive.  Do many of these words describe the interactions we’re having these days?  We might sum them up with one word: STRIFE.  Strife can exist between strangers, friends, church members, or yes, even family.

The Apostle James shares the results of strife left unchecked (James 3:16, KJV).  “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” The Revised Standard Version paints an even clearer picture of the results of strife. “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”  Look around, what do we see?

Wherever there is disorder and evil work, we can be assured that Satan is in the mix.  He is the proverbial puppeteer behind the actions of those he uses for his destructive actions.  However, strife can be minimized and ultimately resolved by a peacemaker.

What does a peacemaker look like?

Peacemakers are intentional in creating opportunities that mirror God’s heart of peace in the world. They look for opportunities to both prevent potential conflicts and encourage peaceful relationships, even if it means personal sacrifice and self-deference (1 Cor. 9:22).

Those who are peacemakers are first and foremost people who understand and embrace God’s provision of peace.  They understand that peace is not the result of external factors or human effort but is the internal “heart work” of the Holy Spirit, who is daily conforming believers to the image of Christ, the Ultimate Peacemaker (Rom. 8:29).

Peacemakers strive to promote the kingdom of God.  As Christ demonstrated God’s peace in His ministry, we become peacemakers in this present age (Phil. 4:7). Peacemaking finds genesis in the heart of God.

Children of God are Peacemakers.

The peace that Jesus speaks to in this Beatitude is not a “natural” habit or disposition of man. This peace is imparted to us during the process of salvation (2 Cor. 5:17).  Practicing peacemaking is not easy in the natural or our flesh.  Yet it is more than possible in the Spirit (Gal. 5:22).

What adjective do people use to describe us?  Are we portrayed as bridge builders or wrecking balls?   Do we mirror God’s heart through our love and personal sacrifice?  Are we ready to be God’s peacemakers?

Our Faith Walk

Although and Yet: A Prayer of Faith

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Although and Yet: A prayer of Faith

Wickedness leads to judgment

The Prophet Habakkuk lived and prophesized in the reign of king Manasseh, when wickedness abound.  Destruction by the Chaldeans was imminent.  God would use them as an instrument of His judgment.

If God were to assess the moral condition of our nation, would we be prepared to receive His punishment? The “sins of Judah” resulted in its fall.  Disobedience is a slippery slide that leads to a continuum of sins (James 1:13-15).  Where are we as a nation on that slide?

What’s in a name?

Before being taken into captivity, Judah would experience the loss of all its material wealth and property.  All the blessings of God (Deut. 28:1-14) would be eliminated because of the wickedness and rebellion of Judah (Deut. 28:15-68).

How was Habakkuk to respond to God’s pending punishment on the nation of Judah? Habakkuk is an unusual name which means “to embrace or cling”. In the final chapter of this book, his name becomes apparent as Habakkuk chooses to cling firmly to God regardless of what happens to his nation.

Although and yet.  These two conjunctions reflect how devoted Habakkuk was to his God and the trust he would need to navigate through the dark days that lie ahead.

Habakkuk’s declaration

In the final chapter of the book, Habakkuk concludes with a prayer confessing his continuing trust in the rightness of God’s dealing with Judah (Hab. 3:17-18).

Though the fig tree may not blossom,

Nor fruit be on the vines;

Though the labor of the olive may fail,

And the fields yield no food;

Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,

And there be no herd in the stalls—

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will joy in the God of my salvation.

May I digress and spend a moment on the grammar Habakkuk used in this prayer.  Though is a conjunction meaning “in spite of the fact that”.   When used at the beginning a phrase, clause, or sentence, it offers a contrast to the main sentence.   Yet is also conjunction that means, in this context, “nevertheless.”  What are you saying, Habakkuk?  Put it in 21st century language we can understand!

In spite of rising costs and inflation,

And drought burned crops and dying cattle in the fields,

In spite of fires, floods, and ravaging storms,

And our shrinking GNP and personal investment accounts,

In spite of doing more with less

And receiving little in return

Nevertheless, I will rejoice in my Lord!

I will be joyful and trust in God.

He is my salvation!

That is the kind of faith we need today. Our world continues to shift from the familiar to the unrecognizable.  These lead to uncertainty and fear.  How will we respond?  Take a moment and write your own declaration of faith.  What is your “in spite of” and your “nevertheless”?

Habakkuk’s faith

Habakkuk concludes his prayer by living up to his name.  He praises God’s wisdom even though he doesn’t fully understand God’s way.  Habakkuk chooses to cling firmly to God regardless of what happens to his nation.

That faith and trust is captured in his closing statement (Hab. 3:19, NLT):

The Sovereign Lord is my strength!

He makes me as surefooted as a deer,

able to tread upon the heights.

In the King James version of this verse, two different words are used for “make”.

  • “He will make my feet like hinds’ feet” or “to transform into”.
  • “He will make me to walk upon my high places” or “tread, bend, or march”.

The deer in this verse was not the domesticated goat we see on farms today but was a wild mountain goat that was equipped the move through the rugged terrain of the mountains.  Narrow openings and ledges, crooks, and jagged rocks.  This is where the deer lived, yet they moved confidently knowing they were created for that world.

Application for us.  Our sovereign God has created us for such a time as this.  He is transforming us and bending us so that we will be able to not only survive but thrive.  But our ability to walk upon “our high places” is dependent on our faith and trust in God—even if we don’t understand His ways.  We must live by faith (Hab. 2:4).  If we do, then we too will be able to walk on our high places (Hab. 3:19).

Our Faith Walk

What in the World?

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What in the world?

What in the world?

What in the world?  As I look around our nation and our world, this  is my “standard response”  to what I see.  Everyday there is new chaos, new debauchery, and/or new calamity to add to my already traumatized brain.

Many of you have asked me where is God in all this confusion?  And why doesn’t God intervene?  Such was the case with the prophet Habakkuk as he looked upon the nation of Judah.

The consequence of sin

The prophetic book of Habakkuk shares the dialogue between a “gracious God” and an “anxious prophet”.  As is true with both the major and minor prophets, we are given great insight as to how a holy God deals with an unholy and rebellious nation.

Although the nation of Judah was God’s “covenant people” (Deut. 7:7), God was now prepared to meter punishment on them like they had never experienced. The prophet Habakkuk has been chosen for “such a time as this”—a time when time has runout!

Judah was guilty of extraordinary sins.  Habakkuk inquired of God how long He would allow the wickedness of Judah to go unpunished.  They would not go unpunished.  God would use the nation of Babylon as His “chastening rod”.

We often think that our wrong behavior is not being seen by others.  While that may be true for a moment, the fact is, God sees!  What is done in the dark, will always come to light (Luke 8:17).  Many of our ousted elected officials and fallen religious leaders can attest to that truth.  However, there are always consequences for sin and it’s usually not good.

The cost of sin

God lists for Habakkuk the sins of Judah in five (5) “woes”.  God “had” indeed taken notice of Judah’s crimes (Hab. 2:5-20).  They included:

      • greed and aggression (vv. 5-8)
      • exploitation and extortion (vv. 9-11)
      • violence (vv. 12-14)
      • immorality (vv. 15-17)
      • idolatry (vv. 18-20)

We live in a world like Judah.  Look at the woes!  We sin both individually and collectively, as a nation.  God’s standard for righteous living has not changed (Micah 6:8; Mal. 3:6). Does God see what we’re doing?  Of course, He does (Ps. 33:13-14; Ps. 139:8-12).  The question is, are we willing to deal with the consequences of our sins?  Are we willing to accept the cost?

The cost is being realized as we see the immediate impact sin has on our children, our families, and our communities.

    • The hungry. Hunger is a very real issue for 12% or 41 million people in the United States.
    • The homeless. Why are people homeless? Because of “lack”!  Lack of affordable housing, income, employment opportunities, and healthcare.
    • The abused. Domestic violence.  Sexual abuse.  Human trafficking.

But what do these impacts have to do with sin?  Re-read the “five woes” and see how they fit in our 21st century culture.  If we are not guilty by “commission”, perhaps we are culpable by “omission”—by what we don’t do to make life better for others (Prov. 3:27).

The just shall live by faith

Although God’s judgment was hard for Habakkuk to accept, he recognized the only “proper response” in the midst of this dilemma.  He was “to live by faith, not by sight” (Hab. 2:4).

As we look at the world we live in, it is easy to be disillusioned and in despair.  Just like Habakkuk, we may question how long God will tolerate sinful and evil behavior from both individuals and nations.

Regardless of who sits in the White House or State House, we as believers in Christ are to do our part to speak truth and justice.  We are to engage in our world to represent Jesus as He ensures God’s will is accomplished (2 Cor. 5:15).  We are to live by faith.

Like Habakkuk, we have an ordained purpose to accomplish (Eph. 2:10).  We are to pursue our purpose trusting that God sees and is always in control.  He is constantly, through every historic event moving us to His divine plan of salvation for mankind.

Knowing that, our purpose should not focus on our personal agendas.  But instead let us join God in His plan.  Like Habakkuk and Esther and all those who have gone before us, we were created for such a time as this.  Let us not be in despair but let us “go forth” in the strength of the Lord (Ps. 71:16).

[1] Wikipedia

Spiritual Endurance

Recapturing Our Thoughts

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Recapturing Our thoughts

A penny for your thoughts

Where is your mind leading you?  Most biblical teachers and preachers will agree that the battle for our faith begins with the mind.  It is here that Satan, the world, and our flesh continually attempt to exercise their influence and control.

In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, the Apostle Paul advises believers in Corinth to bring into obedience and compliance every thought that is not in agreement with God’s plan and purpose for their life.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

The J.B. Phillips New Testament paraphrase says it this way:

The truth is that, although of course we lead normal human lives, the battle we are fighting is on the spiritual level. The very weapons we use are not those of human warfare but powerful in God’s warfare for the destruction of the enemy’s strongholds. Our battle is to bring down every deceptive fantasy and every imposing defence that men erect against the true knowledge of God. We even fight to capture every thought until it acknowledges the authority of Christ.

Why is Paul’s teaching relevant today?

As we live in this 21st century, postmodern world, our Christian faith is being challenged daily.  In its place are worldviews that discount or exclude the truth of the gospel.

This is especially true in “these days” when we’re living with uncertainty in every area of our life.  Is there a better option for those who are desperately seeking answers for living in these tumultuous times?  People are seeking security and hope for the issues they face.  That can only be found in Jesus (John 14:6).

Believe it or not, we are a “modern day Paul”, who need to be bold in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.  “We are not merely human agents but God-appointed ministers.”

What’s capturing our thoughts?

Satan invades our thoughts by planting seeds of doubt which left unchallenged or unchecked, will lead to disbelief and ultimately, disobedience.  Remember Eve?  “Did God really say that you couldn’t eat that apple?”  What began as doubt soon became disbelief.  The result was disobedience, shame, and regret.  Sound familiar?

The world pervades our thoughts by convincing us to conform to its lifestyles and beliefs. Paul warned the church at Rome not to be conformed to the world but transformed by the renewing of their mind (Romans 12:2).  The world’s beliefs are characterized by the lust of the eyes— “I want what I see”; the lust of the flesh— “I live how I feel”; and the pride of life—“I value only what’s important to me” (1 John 2:16). The result is vanity and emptiness.

Our flesh persuades us by appealing to our physical and emotional desires.  Our flesh tempts us with words of deception— “If it feels good, do it.”  “You only go this way once, live life to the fullest.”  “You deserve whatever you want.”  Eve “saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate” (Genesis 3:6).  Her flesh deceived her. The result was the introduction of spiritual and physical death, expulsion from Paradise, and alienation from God.

Recapturing our thoughts

Bringing every thought captive to the obedience of God requires that we:

    • Accept our identity in Christ.  We are no longer obligated to follow the dictates of Satan, the world, and our flesh.  We have been set free by the blood of Christ and are no longer slaves to unrighteousness (Romans 6:12-14).
    • Believe the truth of God.  It is the truth of God that exposes the darkness of sin and its influence in our lives.  It is knowledge of this truth, in Him, that keeps Satan, the world, and our flesh at bay. You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32).
    • Commit to the lordship of Christ.  Our obedience is not based on fear of punishment when we sin.  Our obedience is our gift to the Lord.  We give it in gratitude for His gift of eternal life to us (John 3:16).  We love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).

Let us daily use the powerful weapons God has provided for us to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.  These weapons are not human but mighty in God.  God’s weapons are dunatos (doo-nat-os).  They are both powerful and capable.

Our Faith Walk

What’s Going On?

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What's Going On

A View of 21st Century Life?

In 1971, American soul singer Marvin Gaye released a groundbreaking album entitled, “What’s Going On”.

What’s Going On is a concept album with most of its songs transitioning into the next and categorized as a song cycle. The narrative established by the songs is told from the point of view of a Vietnam veteran returning to his home country to witness hatred, suffering, and injustice. Gaye’s introspective lyrics explore themes of drug abuse, poverty, and the Vietnam War. He has also been credited with promoting awareness of ecological issues before the public outcry over them had become prominent (“Mercy, Mercy Me”).[1]

As we listen to the songs, there is an unsettling similarity with the events of 1971 with those we are experiencing in the 21st century.  However, we can better respond to these tumultuous shifts if we “emphatically” acknowledge who we are and Who’s in control.

Time and chance

We are continually being bombarded with interruptions to our life that catch us unprepared for the inevitable. They are unexpected and usually, unfavorable circumstances that come to take “the wind out of our proverbial sail.”

In Ecclesiastes 9:11, The Preacher (King Solomon) makes the assessment that regardless of personal capacity or ability—speed, strength, wisdom, cleverness or skill.  Life happens!

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happens to them all. (NKJV)

The Preacher uses two words, time and chance, to create a figure of speech that represents “life happens moments”.  We call it misfortune (Ecclesiastes 9:11b).  Misfortune nullifies both personal capacity and ability.

In this mad hour on the earth, what story are you telling yourself—or letting others tell you?  Is it a political narrative? We just need to get the right people in power! Is it a social narrative?  The issue is injustice! We need justice!  Is it about the economy?  A new era of prosperity is coming!  Most importantly, is it the story God is telling? [2]

A Better Way

What is our response to misfortune?  “Why me?” We try to do the right thing, make the appropriate preparation, and make the best choices based on “what we know at the time.” So, what’s going on?  What happened?

Life happened! No one is exempt from misfortune.  We all have our day when it gains our full attention. But while we live in this fallen world, we do not have to respond as the world when those “life happens” moments occur.

I’d like to recommend 3R’s that will help us manage life’s misfortune.

#1. REMEMBER our position. We are not our misfortune. Our hope and security lie in our position in Christ Jesus. In Christ, we are heirs of God and therefore, the object of His love. Therefore, despite misfortune, we stand firm on God’s promises and His power (Eph. 1:19).

#2. REFRAME our situation. We are not blind to misfortune, but we know who controls all circumstances. Nothing happens to us that does not first pass God’s examination. Reframing begins with accepting God’s sovereign rule over our lives (2 Cor. 4:8-9).

#3. RECAST our response.  Recasting is accomplished by trusting God and looking for ways to transform misfortune into opportunities that enrich our spiritual life. These opportunities may be more time in personal witnessing, intercessory prayer, fasting, and Bible meditation.    We respond with confidence knowing that God will always be with us (1 John 4:4).

Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to memory a time when you had a “life happens” moment.  Use the three R’s to journal a “better way” to respond when life happens.  Feel free to share your thoughts.

[1] Wikipedia

 [2]  “Resilient: Restoring Your Weary Soul in These Turbulent Times”, John Eldridge.

Spiritual Endurance

Throwback Wednesday: Is God in Control? The God Who Sees.

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Throwback: Is God in Control?

Throwback is back

At the beginning of 2024, we kicked off Throwback Wednesday with, “Living in the Resurrection Power”.  It focused on the importance of remembering that we, as believers, have resurrection power as a result of being in Christ.  Very appropriate for beginning a new year.  The Holy Spirit is the source of resurrection power.  It is through His presence that we are empowered for service to the Lord (John 16:13-15).

Resurrection power is the supernatural power God used to raise Jesus from the grave (Ephesians 1:19-20). It is this same power that has delivered us from sin’s power and penalty (Romans 6:14).  Unfortunately, we are still left to navigate sin’s presence until Christ’s return, or our transition to heaven.

Living in a fallen world

We are now three months away from celebrating 2025. This year has flown by.  Now is a great time to assess how we are doing, considering we live in such tumultuous and perilous times.  My question to you is, “How do you feel?”  Does God’s presence (through His Holy Spirit) provide the peace and joy promised in His Word? (Romans 15:13)

Remember this, we are navigating our lives in a fallen world which is “sin-bent”.  By this I mean, the behavior of those living under the world’s sway are self-directed versus Christ-directed (1 John 2:16, 17).  We can neither forget nor ignore that reality.  The world’s influence can impact all aspects of our lives especially our spiritual and emotional well-being.

Remember!

Four things I want us to remember.  Let us drill them deep into our mind, heart, and soul.

  • Number 1. We are never alone.  We have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.   (1 John 4:4)
  • Number 2. Remember our position in Christ.  We have everything we need. (2 Peter1:2-3)
  • Number 3. Keep your eyes on God.  Focus on His power versus the object of our fear.  (Deuteronomy 31:8)
  • Number 4. God is ALWAYS in control.   Our God still reigns in all His power (Psalm 125:2)

It is with this fourth faith belief in mind that I introduce our October Throwback Wednesday: “Is God really in control? Knowing the God who Sees.”   May this reading bring to our remembrance that regardless of the world around us, we are safe in God, Who sees.

Spiritual Maturity

Practicing Watchfulness: Cultivating Watchfulness

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Watchfulness recap

Today we conclude our study on watchfulness.  Our first definition of watchfulness, to attend or to serve. was illustrated in the Parable of the Ten Virgins.  Five failed “to serve” because of their lack of preparation.  As believers we are warned to remain watchful and serve as we prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Next, watchfulness was defined as being on guard against temptation. Vigilance is synonymous with watchfulness.   It adds the thought of “careful watch for possible dangers or difficulties”.  In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus warned His disciples to “watch and pray’‘.  Jesus’ admonition is appropriate for 21st century disciples so that we might standfast in our faith.

Our final definition of watchfulness deals with our prayer life. Because of the effectiveness of prayer, it is important that we be alert as to when and where prayer is needed. Each day we are engaged in spiritual battle against the powers of darkness which seek to deceive, distract, and destroy us (Eph. 6:12).   It is critical that we be watchful and faithful in our prayers.

Watchfulness always begins with prayer!

How exactly do we cultivate watchfulness?

The first and most critical way to cultivate watchfulness is to prayerfully depend on the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:26-27 tells us that we do not know how to pray, BUT the Spirit helps us in our weakness. No amount of trying to watch will safeguard our lives or the lives of others if we lack the sustaining preserving influence of God’s Spirit.

In Jude 20-21, we are told to pray “in the Holy Spirit and keep ourselves in the love of God’”.  The manner or means by which we keep ourselves is by praying in the Holy Spirit (Eph. 6:18).

Use what God has given us

Secondarily, we cultivate a spirit of watchfulness by cherishing the grace we have received.  By cherishing, I mean that we live our life acknowledging and acting on the extraordinary power and gifts that are given to us as disciples of Jesus Christ.  That power is seen as we mature and grow in the knowledge of the Lord.

The Apostle Peter speaks of this growth in his letter to those believers scattered abroad because of their faith.  Peter knew they were suffering.  He wrote to encourage and remind them of what they possessed within them (2 Pet. 1:3,8, Amplified).

 For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through [a]true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence…For as these qualities are yours and are increasing [in you as you grow toward spiritual maturity], they will keep you from being useless and unproductive in regard to the true knowledge and greater understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God’s Word.  Our Walk.

We cultivate a spirit of watchfulness by persevering in the Word.  Reading God’s Word is not just a matter of routine.  It is a “spiritual necessity” if we are to understand God’s will and His way.  It is through the Word that the Holy Spirit imparts the grace and knowledge of God (1 Cor. 2:12).  Without it, we cannot hear!  Without it, we will not know!  (1 Cor. 2:14, 15)

Finally, we cultivate a spirit of watchfulness by developing a daily rhythm for walking with God.  There are varying thoughts on how believers do this. It ranges from following a daily routine of early morning devotion, to those who practice the presence of the Lord throughout the day.

It of course includes daily prayers: prayers of thanksgiving, supplication, and intercession (1 Tim. 2:1). It might include praise and worship, studying of the Word, which includes both meditation and memorization.  We may conclude our day in solitude and reflection.

Whatever “rhythm” we choose, the most important thing to remember is this:  God is the focus.  Developing a daily rhythm of walking with God is not about a “religious routine”.  It’s all about deepening our relationship with the Lord.

Watchfulness is important to us today. Even more than in the 1st century.  Look around and what do we see?  The world has failed to make good on the promise of a “better life” in the 21st century. But God, who never changes and is faithful, makes good on all His promises.  That’s why it is important to follow His leadership through the Holy Spirit.  This includes Jesus’ admonition to “watch and pray”.

Spiritual Maturity

Practicing Watchfulness: Faithfulness in Prayer

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Faithfulness in Prayer

Imagine faithfulness

Imagine you with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane with your fellow disciples.  You have just finished celebrating the Feast of Passover.  All of Jesus’ disciples are here except Judas.  It’s late but Jesus tells us to wait as He goes ahead by Himself to pray (He does that a lot) especially now.

Unfortunately, when Jesus comes back, He finds many of us have fallen asleep.  Fortunately for us, Jesus looks at Peter and asks, “Could you not pray with me for only an hour?”  Our scripture for today is found in the next verse.  “Watch and pray that you may not enter temptation.  The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt. 26:41).

Prayer is the “faith-response and belief” that circumstances can be changed because of our prayers.  Jesus instructed His disciples to watch and pray because He understood fully the weakness of our flesh. He knew the disciples would need to “gird up their loins” in preparation for the challenges that lie ahead (1Pet. 1:13).  They would need to watch and pray!  That is still true for 21st century disciples!

Christmas in September

If you haven’t noticed, stores are beginning to display Christmas decorations and merchandise.  Even online stores such as Amazon are offering special deals for early shoppers.  What would happen, if we as believers took that same approach in our prayer life?

Oswald Chambers, an early-twentieth-century evangelist and teacher best known for the daily devotional My Utmost for His Highest, offers these thoughtful “gems” on the importance of prayer.

      • Prayer is not an exercise; it is the life.
      • It is impossible to conduct your life as a disciple without definite times of prayer.
      • Prayer imparts the power to walk and not faint.
      • Jesus Christ carries on intercession for us in heaven; the Holy Ghost carries on intercession in us on earth; and we the saints have to carry on intercession for all men.
      • Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.

Faithfulness in prayer

In his book, “Watchfulness: Recovering a Lost Spiritual Discipline,” Brian G. Hedge shares his thoughts on prayer and how it is cultivated.

Never forget the Savior’s words watch and pray.  Watching and praying always go together. To watch without praying is to overestimate our strength and sin through our self-reliance.  To pray without watching is to disregard the Lord’s command in presumptuous pride.

Watching acknowledges our attentiveness to prayer.  To be prayerless is to be careless and self-centered.  It results in our failure to watch for the changes prayer creates.  This includes changes that take place in hearts that humbly wait for God to act (Psalm 130:5-6).  When we pray, we declare our inherent weakness and our dependence on God.

“Watch and pray…”

Because of the effectiveness of prayer, it is important that we be alert as to when and where to pray.  That’s where watchfulness comes into play.   Watchfulness requires us to be spiritually alert because our adversary, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to destroy. (1 Pet. 5:8).  

As we see the movement of evil across our nation and around the world, we MUST watch and pray. Each day, whether we choose to or not, we are engaged in spiritual battles against the powers of darkness which seek to deceive, distract and destroy us (Eph. 6:12).

Therefore, as 21st century disciples, it is critical that we heed Jesus’ admonition to watch and pray.   While Jesus has physically gone ahead of us, He has instructed 21st century disciples to faithfully, “watch and pray”. Next week we will close our study with how to cultivate watchfulness.

Spiritual Maturity

Practicing Watchfulness: Be Vigilant

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Be Vigilant

Watchfulness and vigilance

In 1 Corinthians 16:13, Paul gives us his view of what watchfulness looks like in our daily life.  The Amplified version reads:

Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound].  Act like [mature] men and be courageous; be strong.   

This reads more like a recruitment post for the armed services.  However, we as believers, must always remember that we are in a spiritual battle.  We are required to be prepared and alert, as we learned in Jesus’ parable of the 10 Virgins (Matt. 25:1-13). We are also required to be vigilant!

Vigilance defined

Vigilance is synonymous with watchfulness in that it deals with being prepared and keeping careful watch for possible danger and difficulties.

In our earlier lessons on watchfulness (Be aware and Be prepared), we focused on our preparation for the Lord’s return. We used the parable of the 10 virgins to better understand the first area of watchfulness in our personal Christian walk.  “We are to prepare for the imminent return of Christ.”

Our text today deals with the second watchfulness emphasis in the New Testament: “Being on guard against temptation.”    Temptation occurs when we identify with this fallen world and are drawn away from God: away from His service, His purpose, and His plans.

Vigilance and temptation

Vigilant watchfulness for the Lord’s return enabled the disciples to battle temptation. The synoptic gospels picture Jesus struggled in Gethsemane is similar to what the church would struggle with during end times.  Jesus serves as a model of how to stand against temptation as illustrated in Matthew 4:1-11 in His battle in the wilderness.  The petition in the Lord’s prayer to be able to stand against temptation points not only to end times in the future but to the daily enablement needed by believers.[1]

In today’s scripture, the apostle Paul is giving us both a command and an imperative. There are 4 imperatives in this one verse: (1) watch, (2) stand fast in the faith, (3) be courageous, and finally, (4) be strong.

To be vigilant means keeping an eye on the world around us. More importantly, it’s paying attention to our spiritual condition and our spiritual life. Vigilance requires us to stand fast in the faith, persevering, and committed to our beliefs. It requires that we daily engage in activities that renew our mind, strengthen our spirit, and boldly proclaim our faith.

Paul’s view

In 1 Corinthians 16:13, Paul gives this general advice on watchfulness and vigilance.

  • Christians are always in danger, and therefore should always be on the watch (1 Peter 5:8). Danger is greater at some times and under certain circumstances.  The Corinthians were in manifest danger.  Arguments ran high, with major differences of opinion.  There were deceivers among them who endeavor to corrupt the faith. For a Christian to be secure, we must be vigilant and on guard.
  • We are to stand fast in our faith. We do that by adhering to God’s Word and through the revelations shared with us through His Holy Spirit.  As Christians, we are to be fixed on the faith of the gospel, and never desert nor renounce it.  It is by this faith alone that we will be able to stand our ground during moments of temptation. By stand firm in the faith of the gospel, we can overcome the world (1 John 5:4).
  • Paul advises us to act like men and be strong. Christians should be firm when challenged by our enemies, defending our faith, and maintaining our integrity. We can, confidently, point to the One in whom we place our faith: Jesus the Christ (2 Tim. 1:14).
What does it mean to us?
  1. What are the areas of our life which hold the greatest danger to our faith walk?
  2. Do we need to draw closer to the revelation of God: the Bible and the Holy Spirit?
  3. Where are we drawing our influence and wisdom from?
  4. Are we comfortable defending our faith?

[1] Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Elwell.

Spiritual Maturity

Practicing Watchfulness: Be Aware

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Preparing Watchfulness: Be Aware

Watchfulness recap

Last week we acknowledged the fact that we, as humans, are always watching.  But are we watchful?  We defined watchfulness as preparedness in order to avoid being taken unaware by an enemy. It involves fighting carelessness to reach a desired goal.

The question that hopefully will be answered in this series is, “Are we watchful of the right things?”  We introduced this topic of watchfulness with Jesus’ parable of the foolish and wise virgins (Matt. 25:1-13). The parable cautions us to be “alert and vigilant” less we miss God’s opportunities. We must be aware!

Aware and prepared

Awareness involves concern and informed interest in a particular situation or development.  This added knowledge increases our ability to persevere and remain encouraged (1 Cor. 16:13).  We are able to see beyond what is in front of us even in the midst of our trials and tribulations.  We live life both aware and prepared.

In Jesus’ parable, unfortunately, five of the ten virgins were both unaware and unprepared.  The result was their inability to enter the wedding feast.  Today we’ll dig in a little deeper into this parable and how it applies to us today.

Who were the Ten Virgins?

Jesus gave ample warning in His teaching concerning the last days and the need for spiritual preparation.  He realized that His church would need spiritual focus while waiting for His return.

Jesus makes the purpose of this parable clear in its last verse. “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (verse 13). He warns that failure to be aware and prepared for His return would have “eternal and irreversible consequences”.

Ten virgins:  The same yet different

While the two groups of virgins have some interesting similarities outwardly, their concealed attitudes revealed how they really felt about their role in the wedding.  These attitudes eventually affected their ability to be aware and prepared.

Both groups were in the same place.  They were going to meet the bridegroom (verse 1).  How does that compare to 21st century believers?

The spiritually unprepared Christian may sit right beside the spiritually prepared Christian in Sunday service.  They both seem interested in the same things and seem to have the same character. Both may diligently give tithes and offerings and serve their brethren. It may only be in a crisis that the real differences show up, and then attendance may begin to wane, and their monetary support of the church may slow or even stop.

Both groups were carrying lamps (verse 1), so these vessels are not a sign of who had prepared.

Similarly, a person carrying a Bible to church does not show that that person has prepared by study and prayer during the previous week to overcome sin and produce spiritual fruit. Neither does it show that the Holy Spirit exists within a person.

Both groups slumbered and slept (verse 5).  The word “slumbered” means to nod, a transient act, whereas “slept” should be sleeping, a continuous act.  We see in the wording of the virgins act the progression of lethargy. First, the virgins nodded their heads as if napping, and later, they slept continuously and deeply.

Even the most dedicated and sincere saints may temporarily become spiritually lethargic. Initial weariness is the first step to further spiritual decay. It is vital to catch temporary apathy early to prevent permanent disillusionment.

“Watch therefore…”

Are we aware and prepared?  What is our attitude and commitment as we wait?  Here are a few questions to help us as we prepare to become more watchful.   Remember the end of Jesus’ parable as you answer these questions.  “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

  1. Do we really believe Christ will return?
  2. How are we currently addressing sin in our life?
  3. Does our lifestyle reflect a personal relationship with Christ or a religious routine?
  4. What’s our attitude concerning the things of God?
  5. Are we careless with the assignments given us by God and the Church?
  6. Are we preparing for Christs’ return, our personal sin, and fostering a faithful prayer life?