God’s Love Is Tough Love

Remember that God will discipline those he loves (2Kg 18:9-12). #ToughLove https://www.bible.com/116/2ki.18.9-12.nlt

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

During the days of King Hezekiah in Judah, Isaiah the prophet is active in his role as conscience of the nation. We are reminded of this in 2Ch 32:20–22, when Isaiah stands with Hezekiah in prayer against the oncoming Asyrian armies. God fights and wins that battle for Judah.

But in the northern kingdom of Israel, Assyria has already lead them into captivity. It happened to King Hoshea in the sixth year of Hezekiah‘s reign. Why? Because of their gross rejection of the covenant with the Lord their God. The Assyrians were used by God to bring judgment on his people. Isaiah will have more to say about this. Lord, your sentry would be lost without your loving discipline.

Exposed

Be wise to the Satan’s strategy and rely on God (2Ch 32:10-15; Jas 4:7,8). #SatanIsALiar #GodSpeaksTruth https://www.bible.com/116/2ch.32.10-11,15.nlt https://www.bible.com/116/jas.4.7-8.nlt

MORNING WATCH:

When king Sennacherib of Assyria showed up to conquer Jerusalem he employed the very same tactic Satan uses to defeat us – DOUBT! In Genesis 3:1-4, Satan casts doubt on God‘s word. “Surely God hath not said…” Here, the Assyrian enemy casts DOUBT on the word of a godly king. “Surely the king has misled you…” EXPOSED!

From DOUBT comes all manner of defiance, discouragement and defeat. How do we win the great battles against Satan? James 4:7,8 tells us to 1) Rely humbly on God, 2) Resist Satan (he will flee) and 3) Rest, draw near to God, who will come quickly to your aid. Lord, may this sentry recognize when he’s under attack by the enemy. Then rely, resist and rest in God.

One Assault, One Angel

Prayerful Preparation Produces Powerful Possibilities (2Ch 32:20–22). #OneAngel #LordOfHeavensArmies #PrayerPreparation https://www.bible.com/116/2ch.32.20-22.nlt

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

There is a saying in Texas – “One Riot, One Ranger.” Heaven also has a saying, “One Assault, One Angel.”

The fierce fighting monarch, King Sennacherib of Assyria, showed up in full battle array to assault Jerusalem’s gates. He sent messages taunting King Hezekiah and the citizens of the city (vv10–19). He mocked and derided Jehovah God.

Although smaller in numbers the people of Jerusalem were prayed up, prepared and putting faith in God (vv1-8). Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah cried out to the God of heaven. God sent ONE ANGEL and destroyed the whole Assyrian army. Sennacherib went home in disgrace, never to be heard from again – he was killed in the temple of his god, by his own sons. Lord, this one lone sentry has reason to prayerfully expect you to do great things in any given day.

Keep On Going

Don’t be discouraged by those who reject the Good News of Jesus (2Ch 30:10-13) #GoTell #KeepOnGoing #ComeToJesus https://www.bible.com/116/2ch.30.10-13.nlt

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

At the early signs of revival, good King Hezekiah sent runners throughout the land of Judah and Israel calling the people to return to God (6-9). Israel was already suffering judgment and in the grip of Asyria. Not everyone heeded the call. The runners were scorned, mocked and rejected. Still, they were obedient to go.

But, there were those few who humbled themselves and received the king’s invitation to come. It is the same today. The invitation goes out, believe on Jesus and enter into the kingdom of God. Many will mock the witnesses for Christ. But, some humbly receive the message.* We keep on going. the Lord is with us** Lord, give this sentry the courage to sound the alarm (Ezk 33:3,4).

* “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. (Mat 7:13,14 – NLT)

** “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Mat 28:19,20 – NLT)

“Lord, Do It Again“

Trust God for days of revival & awakening ahead (2Ch 30:1,6,9) #Awakening #Revival https://www.bible.com/116/2ch.30.1,6,9.nlt

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The closest thing that I’ve ever seen to spiritual awakening in my lifetime was the “Jesus Movement” in the 1970s. My heart longs, times without end, to see a movement like that (and better) once again in America. That awakening/revival came out of the tumultuous decade of the 1960s. Who’da thought?

Revival in the era of King Hezekiah of Judah came out of turbulent times under his father, King Ahaz. Under Hezekiah’s leadership the nation of Judah turned back to God. Repentance and renewal led to “times of refreshing from the very presence of the Lord” as described in Acts 3:20. The 20teens have been turbulent times. Could revival/awakening be just around the corner? My prayer in the morning watches is, “Lord, do it again.”

When Leaders Repent

WITH POST SCRIPT ADDED**

Consecrate yourself to God; worship & praise him (2Ch 29:20,24,27-30)#DedicatedToGod #PraiseTheLord #WorshipThe Lord https://www.bible.com/116/2ch.29.20,24,27-30.nlt

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Sixteen days after the Lord’s Temple was re-opened it had been cleansed of every defiled object (inside and out). The very next morning King Hezekiah had priests and Levites in their positions. Every city official was summonsed to be in the Temple. King Hezekiah himself led the procession.

Burnt offerings and sin offerings were made, consecrating the whole throng of leaders to God. Then there was a “joyous“ sound of praise and worship. The entire assembly sang, played instruments and read Psalms. They worshipped. How could the scene of repentance of leadership possibly be described? Only experienced. Lord, may our leaders (I myself) know such a repentance.

** I am encouraged to write the following Post Script: Eight hours after this post was published I heard Vice President Mike Pence speak to The Family Leader Foundation in Des Moines, Iowa. He spoke of a night in the 1970s when he, as a nineteen year old young man, gave his life to Christ. He told the audience that there are times when we feel God has abandoned us and is no longer working. But, he said, God is always working. We ought never give up, continue in faith and in prayers. He called the nation to, “humble themselves, and pray and seek God’s face, and turn from their wicked ways, then God will hear [as he always does] from heaven, and will forgive [our] sin and heal [our] land.” This is what it looks like when godly leaders call for and lead a nation to repent.

When God Cleans House

Open your heart to the cleansing work of God’s Spirit (2Ch 29:15-17) #Revival #SpiritualAwakening #Repentance #SurrenderToGod https://www.bible.com/116/2ch.29.15-17.nlt

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

When God sends revival he moves the hearts of those he will use to begin to purify, clean out, their own hearts. He calls them to rid their hearts of anything standing between them and God. Like pride, self importance, jealousy, envy and lust; taking God (his blessings) for granted, selfishly consuming personal pleasures and insensitivity to the needs of others, et al.

When revival comes, God calls those who lead to make him the priority in lifestyle and in worship. God calls them to clear the temple of their own hearts of all that defiles and rivals him. He calls them to make ready the way for others to come. Lord, cleanse the heart of this sentry, that I may not be a hindrance to revival.

Is Revival, Awakening Happening?

Be prepared for God to release you in his service (2Ch 29:3–5,10-12). #Revival #SpiritualAwakening https:www.bible.com116/2ch.29.3-5,10-12.nlt

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

I may not know all the ways of God in the onset of revival or spiritual awakening, but I can see clues from God’s word. God used King Hezekiah in Judah to implement a fresh wind of revival. Through Hezekiah God released the Levites (his godly servants) to purify themselves and the temple. Then to perform the ministry they had previously been denied.

Today there seems to be a growing alertness in the people of God. There is a man in leadership who, though not perfect, is a friend toward God. Hostility towards him, the increase of darkness and violence in our society, may be a clue that God is moving in our midst.

Lord, intensify this sentry’s alertness and prayer for those who minister before you daily, who lead in the cleansing of our national sins.

Sentry Alert: Read, Pray, Act

A Post By Friend, Duncan Brannon 9/5/2020

Summary Point: Read the Scripture. Learn the platforms. Watch the policies. [Pray for wisdom]. Vote there. As Christ-followers we will never find ourselves on the wrong side of Scripture, which is where we will all be judged.

[Democrat v. Republican Platforms & Policies] As a Christian, I don’t vote for people or parties. I vote for platforms and policies most closely aligning with the teaching of Scripture.

The party platform tells me what a person believes in relation to the Scripture. The policy is the execution (or not) of that platform, telling me what that person ultimately believes in relation to the Scripture.

If a person says [he/she] supports a platform but doesn’t execute it in policy, I stop voting for that person. People lie. Parties lie. Platforms can lie. But policy always tells you the truth.

Read the Scripture. Learn the platforms. Watch the policies. [Pray for wisdom]. Vote there. As Christ-followers we will never find ourselves on the wrong side of Scripture, which is where we will all be judged.

2020 Republican Platform [Resolved to maintain 2016 Platform]
https://prod-cdn-static.gop.com/media/documents/RESOLUTION_REGARDING_THE_REPUBLICAN_PARTY_PLATFORM.pdf?_ga=2.109560193.504857691.1598219603-2087748323.1598219603

2020 Democrat Platform
https://www.demconvention.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2020-07-31-Democratic-Party-Platform-For-Distribution.pdf

Pray Hard

Make fervent, earnest, prayer for others your goal (Rom 15:30-31). #PrayHard https://www.bible.com/116/rom.15.30-33.nlt

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

With the trip to Jerusalem foremost in his mind, Paul requests earnest prayer. He is headed back into the teeth of Pharisee country, his former Jewish party. To unbelieving Jewish countrymen He was not Paul the apostle, but Paul the apostate. He was also concerned that some Jewish believers might be offended by prejudices at the offering sent by Gentile believers to them.

Believers today may feel cornered by spiritual forces of darkness. These can only be defeated in prayer. So Paul asks friends, Believers, to “join in the struggle by praying.“ Praying for others is to take part in their battles of life and also ministry. “Prayer is not preparation for the battle, it is the battle” – (Ravenhill/Chambers).

Lord, may my sentry prayer be fervent and earnest taking every opportunity to consistently and eagerly contend for the welfare of others; that they might stand mature and complete in the will of God (Col 4:12).