I Am a Night Watchman

 

A Night Watchman is not my job, but my calling. The ancient Jews divided time into the evening, midnight and morning (Psalm 90:4; Lamentations 2:19; Matthew 14:25). The Greco-Romans added a fourth watch between midnight and morning (Mark 6:48, 13:35; Matthew 14:25). I stay awake all through the night and early morning hours, keeping the midnight watch, with our Lord who never sleeps (Psalm 119:148; 121:2-4). I keep Him company as He watches over all those who are sleeping and working all over the world.

A watchman guards flocks, fields, cities and homes. They protect them from ambush by sounding the alarm when thieves, predators and intruders try to disturb their peace. The Bible uses the word “watchman” to describe someone who proclaims God’s Word. During my watch, I pray and I write this blog to present the gospel of the Kingdom of God (Isaiah 62:6-11; Ezekiel 3:17). People may read these words and repent; but even if they do not repent, I have delivered my soul (Ezekiel 3:18-19; 33:6).

As members of Christ’s Body, we are to tenderly watch out for one another (Philippians 2:1-4; Mark 13:28-37; Ephesians 4:32). We are devoted to each other, giving preference to one another in the way the Holy Spirit leads us (Romans 12:10; James 1:27). We help everyone, but especially those faithful to the Lord (Galatians 6:10; 1 Timothy 5:8). In doing this, we fulfill the law of Christ and we actually lend to the Lord, who gives back 100-fold (Galatians 6:2; Proverbs 19:17).

If we do not lend to the Lord, then when we have a need, no one will notice (Proverbs 21:13). The idols erected by the flesh, the world and the devil will soon come to their demise along with the people who build or believe in them. King Jesus is about to take His throne. We look forward to the return of the Lord more than the watchmen who waited with yearning for the new day to dawn (Psalm 130:6). For now, I pray and watch (1 Peter 4:7).

Prayer:

Father God, keep us from growing complacent in this day and time, so that we forget to be watchful for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Help us to be vigilant when people need help during these end times, which are wrought with turbulent circumstances. Give us a word and resources for them in their time of need (Isaiah 50:4; Isaiah 62:6). We look forward to the dawn of the new day when King Jesus takes His throne. Cause people to hear Your Word through Your watchmen (Hebrews 13:7).

Thought for the Day:

How far gone is the night? When will morning come?  - Isaiah 21:11

Spiritual Eyes Enlightened

 

 

We humans run through life at a full tilt, feeling guilty over the past, worried about the future and missing the here and now. We live for the weekend, losing opportunities during the week to look for God’s guidance in the midst of our busy schedules. We sacrifice quietude for busyness in order to fill every moment of our day with material gain and accomplishment. We miss the adventures, which God has for us in each moment of our life

We accomplish nothing for God through our human striving. We also attempt to manufacture times of rest by reserving a vacation in the mountains, on the beach, on cruises or in resort areas. While this is often enjoyable, our only true rest comes by ceasing our human efforts and entering God’s rest through Christ within us (Hebrews 4:10). In the most stress-filled moments of our life, let’s retreat to that still, small place within our spirit where God’s Spirit waits for us.

It is only in the center of God’s will that we find true rest. Christ’s presence in our life makes all things more beautiful. A short break in your schedule to take a walk in nature will renew your soul. Relish the cool breeze coming off the water, the shade trees swaying in the breeze, the massive clouds collecting along the edge of the landscape, the vibrant flowers and lush green trees, the ancient oaks draped with Spanish moss, as well as meeting new people strolling through the park on their way to or from home or work.

Little do we realize that our best achievements occur only in the center of God’s will. There is no need for us to be anxious about anything. If we put God’s Kingdom as a priority in our life and seek Him with all of our heart – not part of our life, not just our Sunday morning, not just when it is convenient and there is nothing else going on in our life. Then, he can provide our life with everything we need (Matthew 6:28-33). We want to live a life that is pleasing in God’s sight (Hebrews 13:20).

We stop planning our works for God, in which we hope to obtain recognition, and we quietly go about our day. We follow the leading of His Spirit and do the works, which He ordained for us to do before we were ever born (Ephesians 2:10). We completely surrender our life to the great “I am” (Exodus 3:14). Christ totally permeates every chamber in our body, soul and spirit until we are infused with the Divine nature of Christ in us (2 Peter 1:4). Jesus lives His life in and through us.

Prayer:

Father God, we want to see the reality of Your Trinity dwelling in us in peace, and living with us in one accord throughout our everyday life (Romans 15:33, 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 4:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:23). Supply us with everything we need to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:12). We totally trust You with our life, as well as the moment of our death (Philippians 4:6-7). We do not rely on our human comprehension, but we pray that our spiritual eyes may be enlightened (Ephesians 1:18).

Thought for the Day:

Cease from striving; be still, and come to the personal realization the God truly wants to reign in your life. – Psalm 46:10

Deepening Stages of Maturity

Our thoughts affect both our emotions and our physical health. We can make our self depressed and stressed by feeling guilty over the past or worry about the future. We give our self ulcers, headaches and numerous other physical maladies just by thinking negative thoughts. We are not alone in this habit. Many Bible characters entertained negative thoughts that affected their physical and spiritual welfare (Lamentations 3:1-11). Some, like Cain, never recovered.

Other Biblical characters like Solomon give us an example of what happens in a life when we focus on the positive aspects of God’s will for our life (Lamentations 3:21-23). As we remember that God’s mercies are new every morning, we live in hope and shrug off the shroud of despair that the devil often drapes over us when we least expect it. We also focus on God’s wonderful works on our behalf (Psalm 139:14). When we see our circumstances with the eyes of the Spirit, we realize that God is using them to shape us into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Our knowledge of God is worth more than all the riches in the world (Philippians 3:7-8). God’s Spirit changes us until we reflect the glory of the Lord in deepening stages of maturity (2 Corinthians 3:18). We are dead, and our life is now hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). As children of God, we place our trust in the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father. We know without a doubt that He intervened in our life more times than we even realize and definitely more often than we can ever remember.

God molds us by the fruit of His Spirit. They are imbedded into our new character. When people see a mature Christian, they see Jesus instead of our old carnal, fleshly character. We follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness (1 Timothy 6:5-11). We learn to live in contentment with the blessings of God on our life. We do not even have to taste the second death, because our last breath on earth is followed immediately by our next breath in Heaven (Revelation 20:6).

Prayer:

Father God, help us to refrain from daydreaming or thinking of the worse case scenario and believing that we are lost because You abandoned us. That is such a lie from the pit of hell. We are risen with Christ. Remind us to seek the spiritual aspects of life, and to set our affections on heavenly rewards rather than on earthly gains (Colossians 3:1-2). We look forward to living in eternal glory forevermore, and to serving and reigning with You in glory.

Thought for the Day:

When Christ, who is our life, appears, then we too shall appear with him in glory. - Colossians 3:4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lessons from Paul's Life

 

 

The Apostle Paul is a great example to us of what a forgiving person acts like when persecuted. He was arrested multiple times, five different times the Jewish leaders gave him thirty-nine lashes, three times he was beaten with rods, once he was stoned and left for dead, three times he was shipwrecked, once he spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.

He was constantly on the move to preach the gospel and to escape persecution. Paul was in danger from rivers, from bandits, from his own countrymen and from many Gentiles. He was in danger in the city, in the country, at sea and in danger from false brothers. He was hungry and thirsty and often went without any food at all. He shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep him warm.

Paul worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. Then, besides all of this, he had the daily burden of his concern for all of the churches, which he planted (2 Corinthians 11: 24-28). Yet in spite of these horrendous issues, he forgave his persecutors and he trusted God to give him everything he really needed. In fact, Paul was in Rome awaiting trial, under house arrest and chained to a Roman soldier when he wrote to us to rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4).

He exhorted us from his deprivation to rejoice always. Regardless of our circumstances, if we live in America, we have more than enough motivation in our life to rejoice. Ultimately, Paul viewed life from God’s eternal perspective, which shed a whole new light on his situation. Paul explains to us how to have a fulfilled life in Christ.

He reminds us that the Lord is near, and our gentleness should be evident to everyone. He tells us that the way to do this is not to be anxious about anything. In fact, he advises us to present your requests to God in thankful prayer. He promises that if we do this, then God’s peace, which exceeds our human understanding, will protect our heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:5-7).

Prayer:

Father God, the reason we find it hard to rejoice in our circumstances like Paul did is that we do not have the eternal perspective of life, which he maintained. We keep our focus on the earthly, carnal, material aspects of our life rather than on the spiritual, eternal ones. We do not have to wait until heaven to enjoy an intimate, personal relationship with You. You are with us now and even until the end of this age (Matthew 28:20).

Thought for the Day:

We can make the choice right now to fully surrender our will to God’s, and to live with a completely spiritual commitment, focus and lifestyle.

Assurance of His Promises

When Christ takes possession of our spirit, He gives us His rest for our soul – our mind, will and emotions. His righteousness, peace and joy give us a new life, which replaces our life of worry and deprivation (Romans 14:17). He provides all of our needs according to His glorious riches (Philippians 4:19). We live in ceaseless wonder at the sacrifice He made for us, and the heavenly home, which He provides for us, as we abide in Him forevermore (Psalm 16:11).

We no longer seek to sanctify our self by crucifying our flesh or by our works for God (Galatians 3:1-3), but we accept the work of Christ on the cross for us, which gives us eternal salvation simply by our relationship with Him (John 17:3). By faith, we accept His sacrifice on our behalf (Hebrews 7:22), and we submit to His Spirit as He crucifies the deeds of our flesh (Romans 15:16).

The nation of Israel is a perfect example of God’s people who try in the power of their flesh to live for God (Hebrews 8:7-9). They occasionally made great strides, but they constantly failed to keep the law. We have no more success than they did in obeying God’s Word on our own. We fail just as miserably.

As we rely on our triune God, He sanctifies us through our union with Christ (1 Corinthians 1:2,30), the washing of the water of His Word (Ephesians 5:26) and our obedience to His Word (Hebrews 12:14; 2 Timothy 2:21-22). We are the sons of God (1 John 3:2), members of Christ’s Body (Romans 12:5), and filled with the fruit of His Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). We do not work for God, but Christ lives and works in and through us (Colossians 1:27; Ephesians 2:10).

Our justification, sanctification and glorification are not obtained through our human effort, but by the work of our triune God within us (Titus 3:5). Our Father God provides our sanctification (Hebrews 8:10-12; Philippians 2:12-13), Jesus is the instrument of our sanctification (Ephesians 5:26), and the Spirit does the work of sanctification within us (2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

 

Prayer:
Father God, Your Word is truth and You sanctify us by it (John 17:17). We are heirs of Your promise (Ephesians 3:6). We find our rest in Your everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:27). Thank You for giving us Jesus as both the fulfillment and the guarantee of Your covenant with us. You cause us to walk in Your ways and to keep your statutes (Ezekiel 36:7), and You give us Your assurance by Your promises (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Thought for the Day:

The more we abide in Christ, we deeper we realize the security and blessings of our position and promise in Him.

 

A Challenging Discipline

Take this spiritual life test. Ask yourself:

·       Am I a Christian in my outward behavior only, or within as well?
·       Is my walk full of head knowledge about God, or do I have a true, heartfelt relationship with the Lover of my soul?
·       Do I live as a follower of the true Lord Jesus Christ in all of my words and actions, or am I worshipping an idol of my own making?
·       Is Jesus the Lord of my life, or am I sitting on His throne?
·       Am I controlled and guided by the Spirit of God or by my own cravings, ambitions and desires?
·       Do I think like a follower of Christ in Biblical terms or am I caught up in anxiety over the circumstances of my life?

If you see any of these misconceptions in yourself while answering any of these questions, repent right now and forgive your self. God already forgave you (Psalm 103:12).

God is waiting to bless you with the fruit of His forgiveness. As we rejoice always, focus on the eternal and trust in our Savior who lives within us, our fears fade and we look at our affliction like Paul did, as “light and momentary" (2 Corinthians 4:17). God is very forgiving, loyal and steadfast in His love for everyone who calls on Him for help (Psalm 86:4-5). For human beings, however, forgiveness is a very challenging discipline to learn.

We falsely believe that if we refuse to forgive, we are actually hurting our offender. In reality, that person probably has no idea we are unhappy with them; or if they do, they probably do not care. Forgiveness does not mean that we absolve the person of their faults or condone their actions or words against us. Forgiveness does not let them off the hook. It simply takes them off our hook and places them firmly in God’s trustworthy hands (Romans 12:19; Deuteronomy 32:35; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10).

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, help us to forgive those toward whom we harbor animosity. Give us the courage to ask others to forgive us for anything we did to wound them. Then, give us the humility to ask Father God to forgive us for all of our sins, to redeem our soul, to give us an eternal perspective about life and to draw us ever closer to His heart. Then, we will find His grace that we need to also forgive our self.

Thought for the Day:
Forgiveness is the oil that heals our damaged soul. – Psalm 147:3

God's Glory Revealed

 

 

The Apostle Paul taught us that even though we suffer in our life, the suffering is nothing when compared to the glory, which God is revealing in our life through them (Romans 8:18). Each trial has a specific purpose, a lesson for us to discover. We may learn to forgive, to use patience, to love the unlovely or to walk in peace through the tribulation. Each test is an opportunity for the character of Christ to manifest in and through us.

The more we abide in the Vine of Christ, the more fruit we bear (John 15:5). The nourishment of God’s Spirit flows through the Vine and into each one of us. We are firmly grafted and rooted in Him, with all the spiritual fruit of the Spirit and the Divine nature of Christ dwelling within us (Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:4). At times, we go through the same type of suffering more than once, in order to fully imbed that Godly trait in our character.

As we fully abide in Christ our love, witnessing, forgiveness and life imitate His (John 15:9-12). He manifests Himself through us in all of His glory as we walk in obedience to the guidance of His Spirit within us. God’s Spirit transforms us by His fruit into a replica of Christ Himself (2 Corinthians 3:18). His Divine nature manifests in and through our spirit.

If we say we do not have a sinful nature, we deceive our self and make God out to be a liar (1 John 1:8, 10). However, God faithfully forgives us and delivers us from the desire to sin through Christ in us (1 John 1:9). No one who says they live in Christ can continue to sin. If they do keep sinning, Christ does not live in them (1 John 3:9). If the root of the Vine is holy, so are the branches (Romans 11:16). In time, God’s holiness totally manifests through us.

As this occurs, we start to consider others better than our self, because He first loved us (Philippians 2:3; 1 John 4:19). We love as Jesus loved, not caring about a place to sleep (Luke 9:58) or money in the bank, but only about ministering to those at home, work, church and community that He directs us to help. We abide in Christ because He abides in us (John 15:4). In Him, there is no sin, and when we abide in Him, we live in holiness (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, as we live each moment of our day in unbroken fellowship with You, You replace our carnal nature with Your nature, and then sin does not dominate us (Romans 6:14). Teach us to love sacrificially as You did; but only as Your Spirit leads, and not by our codependent enabling or rescuing. We tend to wear our self out in caring for others; but remind us to live according to Your example, and to take time to get away and to rest in You.

Thought for the Day:

God does not remove our carnal nature, but He does replace each sinful tendency with the fruit of His Spirit through the things that we suffer. - Hebrews 5:8