Good morning dear ones!

2 Timothy 4:5 says,

• But YOU BE WATCHFUL in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

I love “lists” because you are able to see a quick, concise record of things you can immediately apply to your life.

In this daily word of encouragement, I would like to focus on BEING WATCHFUL.

Paul exhorts and warms us in his letter to Timothy that in the last days (the days we’re in), perilous times will come, and then he goes on to list all the things we can expect to see:

• People will be selfish, lovers of themselves, lovers of money, braggers, boastful, proud, blasphemers, stubborn against parents, ungrateful, unholy, wicked, covenant-breakers (untrue to their promise), accusers, opposed to both goodness and good people, betrayers, head-strong, reckless, inflated with self-conceit, and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.

Ho goes to say that in these last days, sound teaching will not be tolerated, but based on people’s own desires, they will heap up to themselves teachers that will tickle their hearing and they will turn their hearing away from the truth and will turn aside to myths.  

This is why we are exhorted in 1 Peter 5:8 to,

• Be sober-minded; BE WATCHFUL, because your adversary, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

This is why it’s IMPERATIVE that we PRAY AT ALL TIMES IN THE HOLY SPIRIT (in other tongues), with all prayer and supplication.  To that end, we will KEEP ALERT (be watchful) with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints (see Ephesians 6:18).

Because we are in the last days of the last days, Jesus tells us this in Matthew 24:44,

• You must be ready (BE WATCHFUL), for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

The best way not to enter into temptation, according to Mark 14:38, is to BE WATCHFUL and PRAY.  Our spirits are willing, but our flesh is weak.  

We are encouraged to STAY AWAKE AT ALL TIMES, praying, that we may have the strength to escape all the things that are going to take place.  

So, I exhort you to BE ON GUARD and KEEP AWAKE – BE WATCHFUL.  Watch what you’re saying and pay attention to the things you are doing.  

Remember to keep renewing your minds to the Word of God so that you won’t be contaminated by this world, but will instead be continually transformed to look, act, and do what the Word says you’re to do.

Remember, you can do ALL THINGHS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS YOU and THE GREATER ONE LIVES IN YOU.

Being watchful,

Lisa Gordon

Jesus City Church