May you faithfully serve God whether rejected or not (2Ch 34:8). #GoHardForGod #ShowThemJesus #GodAboveAllOthrrs
SPEAK TRUTH
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Jeremiah has undergone serious rejection by the religious leaders and people of Judah for his message of repentance. He will endure more to come. The young king of Judah, Josiah, has been a good king. He, at age 20, took measures to rid Judah of its idle worship and pagan practices (2 Ch 34:3–7).
Now, at age 26, Josiah determines to repair the temple, which had been ignored and left in disrepair from an era of pagan worship. Neither Jeremiah, nor Judah, realized that they were on the brink of a spiritual revival. Who knows the impact Jeremiah may have had on young Josiah. We will never know the impact of our lives on others.
May you not be found standing against God’s message or his Messenger (Jer 20:3–6) #ListenToGod #Repent #TurnToGodNow
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Pashhur, Jeremiah‘s Temple priest detractor, is singled out here for judgment on two counts. 1) Standing against God‘s prophet, hindering God‘s message to repent, and 2) falsely prophesying himself the reverse of what God‘s prophet was saying – “Ev’thing will be all right.”
God gives Pashhur a new name (Magor-Missabib, Heb. meaning, “fear round about”). He would be what the name implies. He is destined to be a fright to himself and his supporters. Some will die violent deaths. Others will be carried off into exile and there die (all of which came true under the Babylonian invasions (BC 605–586).
Lord, may it be that I would always honor God’s message and his messenger.
Speak the truth of man’s sin and God’s forgiveness (Jer19:14–20:2). #NoIntimidation #SpeakTheTruth #GospelOfForgiveness
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Jeremiah returns from the city dump of Jerusalem, where he smashed a clay pot before the temple and city leaders. There he prophesied to them the judgment of Judah for her sin (19:1–13).
Upon Jeremiah’s return, he stops in front of the Temple and prophesies the same message of judgment to the people gathered there. For this the Temple authority removes Jeremiah, has him arrested, whipped and put in stocks as a public spectacle.
There will always be naysayers, those who ignore and/or discredit the truth. It may be passive indifference or it may be hostile. The question is always, “How do I handle the truth?” Lord, mat every duty sentry always state the truth of man’s sin and the gospel of forgiveness, no matter the personal cost. May the sentry also be sensitive to the truth him/herself and respond accordingly.
Remain always open to whatever message God speaks to you (Jer 18:1–5). #ThePottersHouse #ListenAndWatchForGod #GodStillSpeaks
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Every week, pastors, teachers and evangelists, who honor God by their message, come to God and pray, “Lord, what is your message to your people this week?“ Then, they open God’s word and listen.
This passage is the minister’s perfect scenario. The Lord spoke to Jeremiah and said go down to the potter’s house and I will speak to you there. Jeremiah obeyed, and God spoke to him through what he saw. God gave him a message.
Thank you Lord, for speaking into the heart and mind of my pastor and our church staff through your Word. Lord, thank you for speaking daily into my own life from your Word and my experiences.
Blaze new faith trails that are renewed daily in God’s grace (Heb 13:22,25). #WalkInDailyRenewal #FaithRenewedDaily
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
This is the final word of our writer. Some may debate the meaning of having “written to you in a few words.“ But the point in the conclusion of this letter is simply this. You have been enlightened to the truth about Christ. It is time for you to move forward in a new way of faith.
Shed the former rituals and traditions of religion and press on into this new frontier of faith in Christ. Do this, knowing that the grace of God and empowerment of Christ (v21) goes ever before you. Lord, may I maintain a fresh forward looking faith for the frontier of every new day before me.
Keep your charge to influence all people for Christ (Heb 13:20,21). #AChargeToKeep #GospelOfPeace
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Here is the benediction which closes the book of Hebrews, “May God‘s peace…“ Our world is in turmoil as never before. Men often despair of hope. Many suffer and tire of wars, rebellion and violence. Ours is a broken world. Nothing will set it straight but “God‘s perfect peace.“
The benediction is a charge to God’s people (that’s us), the purveyors of the message of God’s peace. Jesus, the “Shepherd,“ brings the peace of God to men’s thirsty souls.
Our call is certain. Our marching orders are clear. Our equipping and empowerment is ratified by God to impact our world for good. We please him in the process. All glory to Christ forever.
Lord, may I keep my charge to take the Gospel of Peace to all in my sphere of influence.
Strive to be a proactive witness pointing others to Christ (Heb 13:1-6). #WalkingPoint
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Reading these verses leads me to my responsibility as a believer, a follower of Christ. My faith in Christ is lived out in every day circumstances. I am responsible to not just stay in the church, worshiping God onto myself. I am called to “go”, to point others to Christ.
It is my responsibility to be God’s witness in the world. It is my responsibility to explain by my life and by my witness, the consequences of ignoring so great a salvation (Heb 2:3). I am a “point man” leading others to a just and righteous God. Lord, may I use whatever platform you have given me to point men to Christ.
May God‘s love be revealed in your life to others (Heb 13:1–6). #ShowUp #BeThere #ShowGod’sLove
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Having done all to honor, worship, and obey God and exalt Christ as supreme in our lives, we must let the love of God be seen in us towards others – show up for brothers and sisters in Christ, for strangers in need.
Do not ignore those who are in prison for their faith or others who are suffering – show up, do something. Show up and honor marriage. Be faithful and avoid any immorality. Be content with God‘s provision – he has promised to never abandon you. He will show up for you always.
After twelve chapters of comprehensive explanations of the superiority of Christ, a few words of simple and practical wisdom is warmly received. Lord, may your love be seen and expressed in my life.
Be undeterred from following Jesus no matter the cost (Heb 12:2-4). #RunYourBestRace #FinishWell #FightThroughThePain
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
The writer explains how to be undeterred from running a successful race of faith. I must keep my eyes on the prize – Jesus, his likeness and my eternal reward. (Read Paul’s words in Philippians three). In a race, the runner who looks anywhere but straight ahead is in danger. One cannot be looking from side to side or up and down.
Jesus Christ, our Champion, was undeterred from the joy awaiting him. He didn’t focus on detractors, or on his suffering circumstances (“Woe is me“). No, he ran through the pain. He endured the cross and the shame in order to provide for man the way of salvation. There is nothing I face that Jesus has not faced.
Lord, because of you and through you, this old sentry can be undeterred by circumstances. I too must focus on the eternal reward before me.
May your “hand-off“ exchange of the legacy baton of faith be smooth (Heb 12:1). #FaithRelayHandOff #RunYourBestRace #FinishWell
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
The race of faith is like a marathon relay race. Those listed in Hebrews 11:3–38 ran their best race and handed off the baton of faith legacy to others. Others handed it off to me. I have been running my best race of faith. I am now closer to the finish, than to the start.
I am in the “hand-off exchange zone“ of my race.* I want to say with Paul, “I have finished the race, kept the faith. The prize (the victor’s crown of righteousness) awaits me and also those who look forward to his appearing (2Ti 4:7–8). Lord, may I have a clean “hand-off” of faith to others.
________________
* Truth is, no one really knows when the end of their race may come; when an exchange of the legacy baton may occur. But, if you’re always running your best race of faith, you can count on a successful “hand-off”.
Run well, the race of faith (Heb 12:1). #RunYourBestRace #Persevere
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
I can learn how to run the race of faith by looking to those who have gone before me. They are all men and women who were or are not perfect. I can take comfort in that. Some did things very well, some struggled…just as I. They had their ups and downs.
Yet, They persevered, confessed sin, chose to follow God. They laid down the things that kept them from running a successful faith race. Their perseverance gave them growth in faith. That gave them endurance to run and finish their race. They are my example. Lord, may I lay aside all encumbrances to running well, the race of faith.
Seek a faith that quenches the fires of evil (Heb 11:32–35a). #FireQuench #FaithForTheFire #VictoriousOverEvil
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
In his admonishment of these Hebrew Christisn readers, the writer is want to forge any further catalogue of faith examples. “What else can I say? It would take pages to tell the stories of faith.” Numberless stories are told of great victories accomplished by faith. His readers know them all very well.
I quote James T Draper again, “Their faith ‘quenched’ the fires of evil they encountered, but could not be quenched by the evil.“ Their faith (as ours) was and is fueled by countless tests and trials. Faith was/is made manifest through weakness, by which we gain strength (2Co 12:9,10). Lord, may I know a faith that quenches the fires of evil.
Have faith that God will forgive your sin and adopt you into his family (Heb 11:31). #Grace #WhosoeverWillMayCome #PutTrustInGod
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Who is this woman, Rehab, the harlot who warrants a place on a list of “Who’s Who“ in a Jewish history of great men of faith? She is not even a Jew, but a pagan Canaanite. What’s the point? The point is that “Faith“ belongs to anyone who will put their trust in Jehovah God. The Scriptures say, no one is beyond redemption (Rom 10:10-13).
Rahab, hid two Israelite spies who were spying out Jericho for Joshua. She prophesied Israel’s victory over Jericho (Jos 2:4-10ff). She enabled the spies to escape. She then sought refuge among God’s people (see Joshua Ch 2). A premier proselyte, she became the ancestress to many Hebrew kings and prophets; ultimately to Jesus the Messiah (Mat 1:1-6ff). Lord, thank you for accepting this old derelict sinner into the family of God.
May your faith bear God’s witness/approval (Heb 11:2). #FaithLife #FaithApprovedByGod
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Faith is rooted in past example and personal experience. Saints who lived “by faith“ in the past are role models for us. God put his stamp of approval on them: saints like Moses (Deu 34:10), Job (Job 1:1,8) and Noah (Gen 6:8,9) before Christ; John the Baptist following Christ (Mat 11:11). Their “faith“ gained for them divine approval. “Faith“ made them pleasing to God.
These saints had borne the divine witness of God. God was saying, as he points to them, “This is the way, walk ye in it (Isa 30:21). There are contemporary men and women in my life whose faith has borne the witness of God (some younger, some older). They inspire me, challenge me. I want to be like them. That is what the writer is saying to these Hebrew believers of his day. Lord, may my faith be worthy of your approval.
Stand faithful to Christ no matter the cost (Heb 10:32-35). #StandingForChrist #ThePersecutedChurch
Persecution: I could not publish pictures of actual persecution; ridicule is a beginning
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
We who live in the western world know little of persecution. Many in the early church were put to death in public coliseums, lost all their worldly possessions and were put in jail/prisons. [There are those today who suffer such indignity] The writer of Hebrews calls these early Christians to remember the days of their persecution and stay engaged in their faith. There is a far greater reward awaiting those who persevere (Heb 12:1-3).
The church has always fared much worse under prosperity than under persecution. Due to changes in our culture today, the American and free world church is coming under increasing attack. Will she stand? The question for us is, will we stand with brothers and sisters in Christ against the growing tide of persecution? Lord, may I have the courage to stand up to any persecution.
Do not fail to heed the call of Christ to repent and return to him (Heb 10:26–31). #NoDefection #ChooseChrist
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
James T Draper observes here that the Greek word for “knowledge“ is one that certainly means the author is talking to believers.* But they were in danger of defecting back to Judaism. The judgment referred to here is the Judgment Seat of Christ (2Co 5:10). The believer’s life work shall be tested by fire as valid or not. One may be saved, yet every work judged as worthless.
Worse yet, having defected one may have committed a sin unto death (1Jn 5:16,17). The result is that every opportunity to live for and serve God will have been lost; by death or other default life consequences. On December 28, 1968, I faced a choice to either stop my defection from faith or suffer the worst consequence – lose my life in war. I chose life in Christ. I never looked back. Lord, I come with gratitude in my heart for your long-suffering with me.
_______
* Draper Jr, James T. HEBREWS, The life that pleases God. Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, 1976), Pg. 276-282
Be an encouragement to others, inside/outside the faith (Heb 10:23–25). #BeAnEncourager #DeclareYourFaith #ComeTogetherInChrist
PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND NATION:
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Holding fast to our profession of faith is a declaration of the superiority of Christ in our lives. It announces our surrender to Christ who is our Savior. Then we seek to show love, grace and encouragement to brothers and sisters in Christ. We look for ways to join together, giving each other support, comfort and exhortation.
Heaven knows, in these last days we need each other more than ever. Now is not a time to hang back. It is a time to be checked in and there for one another. God has given this old sentry some of the greatest encouragers (friends & family) on the face of the planet (you know who you are). I am deeply grateful for their ministry to my family. Lord, may I be as much to them and to others.
Live in a constant assurance of victory won in Christ (Heb 10:12–14). #VictoryInChrist #ChristIsOurVictory
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
When Jesus laid down his life and then took it up again he declared victory over the scourge of death (Jhn 10:17,18). Now he sits at the right hand of God and waits until that moment when every knee shall bow before him (Psm 110:1; Phi 2:9–11).
What is this promise to me? It is the promise of my victory also – not just in eternity but in my everyday life on earth. I live with the power and assurance of victory over sin, guilt and death. Lord, you give this old sentry the power to live an abundant life of joy and anticipation of a future hope.
God confronted me this morning with this penetrating question…
In what ways am I declaring for others a life giving relationship with Christ? Would people understand that God deeply loves them by looking at my life, listening to my words? (1Pe 3:15 ESV; Heb 10:23,24 NLT)
While you still can, strive by faith to understand and follow God’s mission for you (Heb 6:7-8). #WindowOfOpportunity #FulfillGodsPlan #StandingStrongInFaith
Use Your Window
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
The writer is speaking to believers here (vv1-6 describes it beautifully clear). Verses 7 and 8 illustrate a principal of discipline in the believer’s life. When rain falls on a field, it bears fruit. If that same field bears only thorns, thistles and weeds, the farmer burns the worthless brush away. I don’t conclude this to mean that believers will lose their salvation or maybe they weren’t believers to begin with (read vv1-6 again).
My understanding and life experience of this leads me to conclude that believers who are rebellious, unwilling to listen to God and grow to maturity (5:11) are in danger. They have “fallen aside from,” “side-stepped,” their responsibility, their opportunities to be productive for God. They bring harm to the work of the Kingdom. God WILL bring correction and judgment on his children for their own good. Heb 3:12-19 is evidence of that. (Also note 1Co 3:12,13; 2Co 5:9-11)
Lord, may I never miss a window of opportunity to grow in my faith and obedience to you.
________
THIS SENTRY’S TESTIMONY:
“Last Call”
God is serious about his children’s growth and obedience.
As an eight year old boy I gave my heart to Jesus. That’s when I met the Lamb of God. I had some growth in my early years. But later, in spite of my faith and upbringing, I became rebellious.
In college my life went completely off the rails. God often spoke to my heart, but I would not listen. I’ll spare you the details, but I wanted God to butt out of my life. I spurned my faith. Yet, in the deepest recesses of my heart, I knew that Jesus was tenaciously and compassionately striving with me.
Fast forward: through my rebellion I squandered my college opportunity. I was failing after three years of mischief. I was asked not to return to campus. As a result, I was drafted into the military. I soon found myself thousands of miles away from home in the war torn land of Vietnam.
God was bringing severe judgment and discipline into my life to get my attention. After many previous calls for me to return to him, to mature in my faith, to be used of him, he was about to issue the “Last Call.”
As a believer I was doing more harm to the faith than good. I was “falling aside from,” “side-stepping,” my responsibility, my opportunity to be productive for God. My lifestyle as a “believer” had brought me dangerously close to holding Jesus up to open shame. God was ready to set me aside, leaving the likelihood of my repentance for renewal as a remote and unlikely possibility (Heb 6:6).
On December 28, 1968, I was standing watch in a guard tower. It was in the early morning hours. I was lonely and I was scarred. I had a small New Testament in the pocket of my flak jacket (my church gave it to me before I left – it felt more like a good luck charm to me; maybe it would stop a bullet).
I pulled that New Testament from my pocket. I opened it up to the Gospel of John and began to read: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:” (Jhn 1:1, 4-5, 10-12)
When I read the words, “He came to his own and his own did not receive him”, my heart was deeply convicted. I heard God distinctly speak into my heart. He said to me, “I have come to to you over and over again. You have not received what I have for you.”
In my heart I knew that I was living dangerously close to even more severe judgment than being in a hostile far away country (maybe committing a sin unto death – 1Jn 5:16,17. That’s when God issued what I knew then was my “Last Call.” He said to me, “Tonight you have a choice. You can go home in a body bag or you can go home serving me. The choice is yours and the time is now.”
The next thing I remember, I was on my hands and knees in that guard tower over the Saigon River. I was weeping and asking God to forgive my rebelliousness. I was broken, weeping and confessing sin.
[1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”]
On my knees in that guard tower before God I felt his cleansing touch. It washed me clean from the top of my combat helmet to the bottom of my combat boots. My heart and life was revived in joy and total surrender to God.
[When I was an eight year old boy I met the Lamb of God. At age twenty-one, I met the Lion of Judah. Jesus became the Undisputed Lord of my life.
I never looked back. Life changed for me in that solitary moment of surrender to God. For fifty-five years now God has continuously done gracious undeserved works in my life.
“Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion” (Heb 3:15).
Stand fearlessly for the truths of God (Jer 15:10,11). #AgsinstTheTide #FearlesslyDevotedToTruth
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Having heard God‘s response to the prayers of God‘s people (which was, God would not listen), Jeremiah dives headlong into a lament of his own with God. “I should have died at birth. It is such sorrow, depressing, to be hated by everyone, everywhere. I have done nothing to deserve the ire of everyone, yet they all curse me.“
Sometimes the man or woman of God must stand alone against the tide of unrighteousness. It is not an enviable position. But, stand you must, if you are to honor God. It is not you the people curse. It is (heaven forbid) God and his truth. God will see you through. In the end they will seek you to plead their case (v11).
Stand fast in your faith; encourage the faithful (Jud 1:17–21). #StandFastInFaith #EncourageTheFaithful
“The Rock”
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
So, what are the sentry’s standing orders in these “last days,“ in the face of those who make a mockery of biblical values and live a hedonistic lifestyle, who create division and who do not live by the Spirit of God? Jude answers: Be strengthened in the faith (have a “Gibraltar“ sized faith).
Build one another up who do follow God faithfully. Be prayerful for each other (and those who deny the faith). Look forward to the merciful coming of Christ and eternal life. Thus you will stay safe in the saving, keeping grip of God‘s love. Lord, make of this old sentry a Gibraltar of faith to my friends and family. May I work tirelessly to encourage the faithful in my orbit of influence.
Seek to experience and live out the transforming power of the Gospel (Jude 1:1). #TransformingPower #TheGospelTruth
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Jude is considered to be, along with James his brother, a half brother to Jesus. This is interesting in that at one point these brothers were both skeptics (Jhn 7:3–5), thought Jesus was mentally off (Mrk 3:21). Yet, we find them in the Upper Room with their mother, Mary (mother of Jesus) at Pentecost after the resurrection (Acts 1:14).
Jude humbly recognizes his true place in the life of Christ – “a servant.” He and his brother James went from skeptics to leaders in the early church. This is nothing short of the transforming power of the Gospel. Lord, my faith to continue to pray and witness rests in the power of the Gospel to transform people and nations.
Lord, break my heart for the things that matter to you (Jer 4:19-21). #PersonalBrokenness #Broken
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
I imagine Jeremiah convulsing in great sobs over the coming plight of Judah. His heart is breaking snd his body manifests the movements and gestures of one who is staggering and reeling. He is overwhelmed at the emotional jolt of Judah’s destruction. Through sobs of emotional and spiritual pain he weeps before God, “How long will the destruction last?“
When I understand the lamentation of Jeremiah for the people of God and the destructive consequences of sin, it causes me to question my own compassion for the people of my nation, my community. It causes me to wonder just how deeply the sins of our society, of my own life, burden me.
How troubled am I really for things beyond my small span of personal concerns? I wonder, what must God be thinking about my own responses to the causes and consequences of sin around me; even my own sin. So I ask, “Lord, would you sufficiently break my heart for the things that matter to you. May I make a difference for my world by earnest prayer, a compassionate witness and a life well-lived for you.”
Be fortified against the opposition of sin and evil (Jer 1:18-19). #ManOfSteel #GotSteel #FightForTruthAndJustice
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
The message Jeremih had for the people – kings, politicians, priests, ministers, the people of God was one of judgment for sin. Jeremiah would be scorned and rejected. But his detractors would fail. God would make of Jeremiah a fortified city, a man of steel, to speak against sin.
Anyone called of God is obligated to teach and explain the whole counsel of God. It is not always a glorious task. Rather it can be and is an inglorious one. Many will not listen. In fact they may fight against you. But God’s promise to the man or woman of God is that he will steel you against the opposition of the world against truth. Lord, this posted sentry is relying upon you to fortify him in the trenches of ministry and prayer.
Have courage to follow God’s directions (Jer 1:4-10). #CourageToFollowGod #ListenToGod
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
I enter into my daily readings looking at the prophet Jeremiah. I am as reluctant to this reading as Jeremiah was to God‘s call on his life (v6). Jeremiah may have been in his early to mid teens when God called him. Jeremiah Chapter 1 would have been a lot for this teenager to absorb.
Perhaps Jeremiah’s response is similar to young Mary when an Angel of the Lord informed her that she would give birth to the Son of God (Luk 1:29-38). And, like Mary, Jeremiah was also told not to fear, that God would be with him. And, like Mary, he moves ahead in his special call from God. Lord, may this sentry always have the courage to listen to you and follow without hesitation.
May you model true faith in your life (2Ch 33:21-23). #Parent’sExampleMatters #WalkWithGodAllYourDays
“Moms” and “Dads” Matter: Political Correctness Not Withstanding
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Following the prophecies of Nahom and Isaiah, Judah’s king, Manasseh, died. His son, Amon, became king (2Ch 33:20,21). Amon’s reign was short-lived, only two years. His father, one of Judah‘s most wicked kings, had repented toward God and brought some reform to Judah. But the damage to his son was already done.
Amon followed in his father‘s “evil“ ways and abandon the Lord, refusing to follow God (2Ki 21:19–21). Further, he did even more evil than his father. The lives and example of parents matter. Lord, May I live out all my days as a worthy example to my children and grandchildren.
May you know Lord‘s presence and grace all your days (2Ti 4:22). #GraceBeWithYouAll #Paul’sLastWrittenWords #WordsOfLife
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
“May the Lord be with your spirit. May his grace be with you all.“ Those are the last known written words of the Apostle Paul.
Having prayed through Paul’s two letters to Timothy, I find myself leaning into these final words. I feel them in my soul. Because of Paul and Timothy generations of believers have followed Christ. Paul speaks words of life directly to me…”The Lord be with you, may his grace be with you.“
Closing The Book on those words this morning, other of Paul’s words come to mind. Ephesians 6:13, “be dressed and ready. Then having done all stand.“ I can do no less. Lord, what a debt of gratitude this aged sentry owes for the written record of the great Apostle Paul and his encouraging words to me; to future generations of believers.
Put faithful boots on the ground for the cause of Christ (2Ti 4:6,7i). #BootsOnTheGround #FightTheGoodFightRunTheRace
Service For Christ: Boots On The Ground
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
Paul writes, “The time of my death is near.” Paul is not just closing his letter to Timothy. He is closing in on the end of his life. These words are literally some of the final written words of the great Apostle. Paul reflects on his life as a leader in the early church movement.
Paul sees his life as having been poured out as an offering for the cause of Christ and the gospel. Romans 12:1 comes to my mind. Paul has fought a good fight, and he has run the good race (boots on the ground), and he has remained faithful. This was his reasonable service of worship.
Lord, at the end of my duty watch, may I say with Paul, “I gave it all, put faithful boots on the ground for Christ and didn’t flinch.”
Remain clear-eyed in your intentions for speaking truth and doing ministry (2Ti 4:3-5) #CleareyedIntentions #SpeakTruth #DoWhatGodCalledYouToDo
What Do You See?
MORNING WATCH NOTES:
The Apostle Paul continues with the idea of standing “ready“ with good teaching from God’s Word and telling others the “Good News“ of the Gospel. Times will deteriorate and people will no longer want to listen to good teaching. They will simply want to satisfy their own pleasures and seek out teachers who will tell them what they want to hear.
Further, people will reject the truth in favor of myths (fables and superstitions) that excite them. So Paul says to the Christian, stay clear-eyed about the Gospel of Jesus and do not fear even suffering for the cause of the Gospel. Just keep doing the ministry to which God called you.
Lord, the eyes of this aging sentry grow dimmer with every passing year. But my focus on what you have called me to do has never been more clear.
The Prayer Sentry 